KOFIA faces first-ever incumbent reelection bid in 3-way race

Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA) Chairman Seo Yoo-seok is seeking a second term — the first incumbent to do so — turning next month’s election into a three-way contest, industry officials said Tuesday. The race pits Seo against Hwang Seong-yeop, co-CEO of Shinyoung Securities, and Lee Hyun-seung, former CEO of KB Asset Management. Seo officially announced his candidacy Monday at a press briefing in Yeouido, Seoul. He said continuity is his key strength. "Over the past three years, I’ve built strong relationships with financial regulators, the government, the National Assembly and related institutions," Seo said. "A newcomer would need more than two years to develop that network." He called the coming years a "critical golden time" for Korea’s capital markets and emphasized the need for stable leadership. Seo added he would stay clear of campaign-related activities during the election period. Lee and Hwang, who declared their bids earlier, have already outlined detailed pledges. Hwang, who joined Shinyoung in 1987 and has stayed with the firm since, vowed to shift KorWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times