DPM Choo Attends Market Open Ceremony at London Stock Exchange

Deputy Prime Minister Kyungho Choo attended the London Stock Exchange’s Market Open Ceremony[1] on November 23. DPM Choo’s presence at the event was arranged by an invitation from the London Stock Exchange (LSE) during the President’s state visit to the UK, marking the first time a Korean government official has participated in the event.

The ceremony was attended by executives and staff members from the LSE and representatives from all Korean financial institutions accompanying the President’s state visit, aiming to enhance financial cooperation between the two countries. In particular, DPM Choo highlighted in his address the commitment to create a favorable investment environment for businesses and financial institutions from both countries by utilizing an economic and financial cooperation channel which will later be established as a result of the recent leaders’ summit. In addition, he introduced the Korean government’s efforts to expand the foreign exchange market accessibility for foreign investors, asking for much attention to the Korean financial market.

At the meeting with David Schwimmer, CEO of the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), DPM Choo requested the group’s active role in enhanced financial collaboration between the two countries. He also asked the LSEG as the parent company of the FTSE Russell, the index operator of the World Government Bond Index (WGBI)[2], to take interest in Korea’s efforts to increase foreign investors’ accessibility to the Korean government bond market and raise awareness among investors in London. In response, Schwimmer mentioned that he is well aware that Korea has been included on the WGBI’s Watch List and highly appreciated its efforts toward inclusion in the WGBI, expressing his commitment to maintain continued interest.