"We will leap forward with the goal of becoming Asia's No. 1 securities firm. Korea's securities firms now have enough capital to grow into global financial companies."
On the 16th, Chair Kim Nam‑gu of Korea Investment Holdings said at a recruitment briefing held at the Global Engineering Education Center at Seoul National University in Gwanak‑gu, Seoul, "We are looking for talent with a spirit of challenge and passion, with a 'hungry spirit.'"
Kim said, "The Republic of Korea has the world's strongest manufacturing, but in finance, global players have yet to emerge," adding, "In the past, it was because there was no money, but now Korea's household assets exceed 1 quintillion 5000 trillion won." The point was that increased household assets will enable the growth of the domestic financial industry.
He added, "A large portion of the 1 quintillion 5000 trillion is in real estate, and the new government is trying to shift funds from real estate to the stock market," noting, "It will be a big opportunity for us."
Kim also mentioned strict performance‑based pay. He said, "The average annual salary of second‑year employees reaches 230 million won," adding, "A high salary means you have to pay commensurately. That is a just society."
He also said, "On the internet, Korea Investment & Securities' nickname is 'Gundmansachs' (military + Goldman Sachs)," explaining, "While there is free discussion in the decision‑making process, we have a very vertical culture when it comes to execution. As a financial company that handles hundreds of millions to trillions every day, someone must take responsibility."
Advice for applicants also came. Kim said, "When writing a self‑introduction, rather than a simple list of facts, it is important to build a consistent story that spans from the past to the present and the future," advising, "We treat hunger and passion as the greatest qualities. You should sincerely emphasize what work you want to do in the industry and what efforts you have made for it."
Unusually for an owner‑manager, Kim has been visiting university campuses to scout talent since 2003. Except for 2020–2021, when recruitment briefings were livestreamed online due to COVID‑19, he has visited university campuses every year. He will take the podium for a recruitment briefing at Korea University on the 23rd.