Seoul, 9 October 2026 – South Korea is considering rules that would prevent investment banks without domestic securities licences from arranging overseas bond sales for Korean issuers, a step that could reshape competition in one of Asia’s active cross-border funding markets. The finance ministry has sought industry feedback as it examines regulatory gaps in locally conducted activities.
The proposal responds to concerns that unlicensed firms can solicit or structure mandates without bearing the cost of maintaining regulated domestic operations. Licensed institutions must meet capital, staffing, compliance and supervisory requirements. Authorities are assessing whether the current difference creates an uneven market and falls short of international regulatory standards.
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