The Korea Exchange (KRX) said on the 5th that it completed revisions to the detailed enforcement rules of listing regulations to introduce "tailored technology special listings" as a follow-up to the "KOSDAQ market trust + innovation enhancement plan."
In addition, under the "phased strengthening of delisting requirements," the market capitalization requirement for KOSDAQ-listed companies will be raised this month from the current 4 billion won to 15 billion won.
According to the Korea Exchange (KRX) on the same day, screening standards for "tailored technology special listings" were established to enable the swift and smooth listing of corporations in core technology fields of national importance. The target fields are ① artificial intelligence (AI), ② energy (renewables · ESS), and ③ the space industry, and the detailed screening standards tailored to each industry's characteristics have been set in the rules.
For AI, detailed screening standards were drawn up by value chain in light of global competition and the need for industrial support such as expanded and strengthened government policy backing.
Within energy, renewables—covering renewable energy such as solar, wind, bio, and waste, and new energy such as hydrogen—were assessed as an industry showing clear global growth based on government policy support. Energy storage systems (ESS), devices that store electricity and supply it when needed, were deemed to have significant growth potential as they can offset the intermittency of renewables and meet rising power demand from AI and data centers.
In the space industry, which includes satellite and launch vehicle manufacturing and satellite services (such as exploration and communications), tailored standards will apply in view of the substantial need for long-term research and development and initial fundraising, and the significant boost to national standing if successful.
The exchange plans within this year to additionally prepare screening standards by industry, considering policy direction, growth potential, the need for long-term research and development, and domestic corporations' value chains.
Meanwhile, the market capitalization threshold for the KOSDAQ market will be raised this month from the current 4 billion won to 15 billion won.
KOSDAQ corporations whose market capitalization remains below 15 billion won for 30 consecutive trading days will be designated as issues under watch. After the designation, if market capitalization remains below 15 billion won for 10 consecutive trading days within 90 trading days, or accumulates over 30 trading days, the company will ultimately be delisted.
The market capitalization threshold for KOSDAQ-listed companies is set to be raised from 15 billion won this year to 20 billion won next year and 30 billion won in 2028. The revenue threshold will be tightened to 5 billion won next year, 7.5 billion won in 2028, and 10 billion won in 2029.
Meanwhile, the exchange said it will introduce an "industry-specific technology advisors" system in the first quarter of this year to enhance the expertise and speed of screening for technology companies.