By Kang Gahui
Video = Official teaser from Korea Premium Weeks

Korea Premium Weeks 2026, the country's largest investor relations (IR) conference for the capital market, launched its inaugural edition on Sept. 28 in Seoul.

Organized to raise synergy and consolidate IR activities, which were previously scattered, the conference is jointly hosted by the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange as the country's largest IR event for the capital market. A combined 42 organizations are taking party like stock-related institutions, the financial investment sector and media along with 55 listed companies.

Under the slogan "Gateway to Asia's Most Dynamic Capital Market," this three-week event through Oct. 16 will feature 25 programs.

The first week will see a global conference for institutional investors on capital market reform, progress in improving corporate governance and future directions. The second has scheduled a market analysis seminar to stimulate the tech-heavy KOSDAQ market and IR events for companies listed on the KONEX, a market for small and medium enterprises and startup venture companies, and KOSDAQ. 

And the third week will include events led by private financial institutions such as domestic brokerages and asset managers as well as a global forum on the bond market.

In a video message shown at the opening ceremony, President Lee Jae Myung said his administration has continuously pursued comprehensive institutional reform to resolve the "Korea discount," which was long cited as a structural limitation of the domestic capital market, for transformation into the "Korea premium."

He said his focus is on fundamentally improving the market's underlying structure, with major results achieved.

Pledging to do his best to create a transparent and fair market environment for making Korea the most attractive capital market in Asia, he said he hoped for the event to be a "fruitful chance" to see the country's dynamic growth potential and discover promising investment opportunities.

kgh89@korea.kr