An assessment said that for global high-tech corporations like America's Nvidia to emerge in Korea, there must be steady investment grounded in confidence in the growth engine of tech venture corporations.

At the "2026 Future Finance Forum," hosted by ChosunBiz and held on the 13th at the Westin Josun Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, a panel discussion was held on what is needed for the KOSDAQ market to grow into a global platform. Professor Lee Yoon-su of Seoul National University's Graduate School of International Studies served as moderator, and Furkan Karayaka, deputy president and chief financial officer of the Türkiye Investment Office, Kim Hak-kyun, president of the Korea Venture Capital Association, and Son Young-chae, head of the Public Growth Fund task force at the Financial Services Commission, joined as panelists.

A panel discussion is underway at the Future Finance Forum 2026 at the Westin Josun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 13th. From left: Lee Yoon-su, professor at Seoul National University Graduate School of International Studies; Furkan Karayaka, deputy head and CFO of the Investment Office of Türkiye; Kim Hak-kyun, head of the Korea Venture Capital Association; and Son Young-chae, head of the Public Growth Fund Promotion Team at the Financial Services Commission. /Courtesy of ChosunBiz

Professor Lee asked, "There are many state-run policy finance programs and domestic venture corporations have strong technology, so why do you think innovative corporations are not emerging on KOSDAQ the way they do on Nasdaq?" Deputy President Karayaka answered, "The problem is the lack of a private market centered on deep tech. In the United States, even corporations that have not posted net profits for several years receive steady investment from a developed private market that is based on confidence in their growth engine."

Kim, the association president, said, "We need to increase the share of institutional investment focused on KOSDAQ. Rather than only looking after unlisted companies, developing an environment where listed companies also receive institutional investment and can raise their corporate value will connect to creating Korea's Tesla and Nvidia."

There were also views emphasizing the role of the financial sector. Director General Son said, "Financial firms need to play the role of prime mover to open the sluice gates for productive finance. Financial companies should consider how far issues such as a loan market centered on variable rates and mortgage loans, and the sale of ELS, are from productive finance."

There was also a call to raise the credibility of the KOSDAQ market itself. Kim, the association president, said, "Companies that fall short of standards must be clearly delisted (from KOSDAQ). We need to properly establish the principles for this."

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