Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Korea Fintech Week 2023 took center stage as the country’s premier event in the financial technology sector. Held from August 30 to September 1, 2023, at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Art Hall in Seoul, the event garnered significant attention from global fintech players, policymakers, investors, and enthusiasts alike.

Organized by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Fintech Center Korea, in collaboration with several organizations such as K-Growth, KORFIN, and KFTC, the event aims to facilitate dialogue, knowledge exchange, and partnership building across the fintech ecosystem.

Under the theme of “The New Wave of Fintech,” Korea Fintech Week 2023 kicked off, showcasing diverse activities and sessions designed to explore the latest trends, foster collaboration, and drive innovation in the fintech industry.

Robust Participation 

One hundred seven local and foreign companies and institutions, including financial groups, big tech, and financial venture firms, participate in the event to promote their services.

The 5th Korea Fintech Week 2023 hosts over 11,000 participants in seminars, events, and exhibition halls. This marks a significant increase of over 45% compared to the previous year, with a satisfaction rate of 88.01% for seminars and side events and an impressive 91.02% expressing intentions to revisit the expo.

The Global Pavilion saw the participation of 14 countries, including the United States, Singapore, and Japan, conducting various programs to promote international exchange and investment attraction.

Empowering Seminars and Specialized Programs

Twelve different seminars are organized over the three days to examine the latest trends and global issues in the fintech sector. These seminars provide a platform for industry experts, thought leaders and stakeholders to engage in insightful discussions, share knowledge, and explore opportunities for advancement.

Investment attraction programs like the Fintech Innovation Fund Reverse IR and Fintech Startup 1:1 Counseling facilitated over 80 investment consultations, connecting fintech companies with professional investors and venture capitalists. The event also witnessed the 6th Fintech Idea Contest, which awarded innovative fintech ideas and facilitated entrepreneurship.

The Global Pavilion provided a platform for international exchange and investment attraction, with participation from embassies, investment authorities, and fintech associations from various countries. Thematic seminars by domestic and foreign experts discussed fintech trends and development directions, fostering a vibrant ecosystem.

Youth engagement initiatives, including youth group tours and the Korea Fintech Tour program, aimed to educate and inspire the younger generation about fintech and digital finance, promoting global exchange in the fintech industry.

Renowned Keynote Speakers

Renowned figures from the fintech industry, government, academia, and international organizations graced the stage at Korea Fintech Week 2023. Keynote speakers included financial authorities, global leaders, and industry experts who provided insights into fintech trends, policy frameworks, investment strategies, and technological innovations. Notable Speakers include:

• FSC Vice Chairman Kim So-young outlined the regulatory agenda and initiatives to support the growth of the fintech sector.
• Representatives from major financial groups, big-tech companies, and fintech firms participated in MOU signing ceremonies and collaborative discussions.
• International delegates from organizations such as the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) shared perspectives on global fintech trends and cooperation models.

Policy Directions and Strategic Agreements

At the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman Kim So-young of the Financial Services Commission emphasized the need for new approaches to sustain the industry’s growth amid evolving digital landscapes. Three key policy directions were outlined:

1. Global Market Expansion Support: The government pledged practical assistance for fintech companies venturing into international markets, including access to local information, overseas expansion bases, investor connections, and talent pools.
2. Strengthening Financial-Fintech Cooperation: Recognizing the emerging B2B segment as a growth catalyst, efforts will foster partnerships between financial institutions and fintech firms. This includes facilitating fintech investment by financial firms, resource sharing, and joint overseas expansions.
3. Rationalizing Regulations for Innovation: Regulations will be streamlined to enable fintech companies to leverage new technologies effectively. Policies promoting the use of big data and artificial intelligence, along with improvements in data handling and network separation regulations, are being pursued.

A significant milestone was marked with signing a business agreement to fortify support for the fintech investment ecosystem. Financial institutions, big tech companies like Naver Financial Kakao Pay, and Korea Growth Finance joined hands to create the Fintech Innovation Fund. With an additional KRW 500 billion over four years, this fund aims to foster digital transformation and support promising fintech ventures. The signing of the “Agreement for Enhanced Collaboration and Support in Fintech Investment Ecosystem” signaled a solid commitment to nurturing the local fintech ecosystem and driving innovation through strategic partnerships and investment.

Future Outlook:

Korea’s fintech sector is poised for continued growth and transformation, fueled by ongoing collaboration, investment, and regulatory support. Korea Fintech Week will remain a flagship event, driving momentum and progress in the dynamic and rapidly evolving fintech landscape. As the industry embraces the new wave of fintech, opportunities abound for stakeholders to leverage technology, innovation, and collaboration to shape a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous financial future.

Key highlights of the event include:

1. The signing of strategic agreements and partnerships between financial groups, technology companies, and fintech startups, paving the way for collaborative initiatives and investment in the sector.

2. Policy announcements and regulatory reforms aimed at promoting fintech innovation, including support for global expansion, easing of regulations, and initiatives to enhance the fintech investment ecosystem.

3. In-depth discussions and knowledge exchange on pressing fintech topics such as digital payments, blockchain, AI, cybersecurity, and global payment market convergence.

4. Opportunities for fintech firms to showcase their solutions, engage with investors, mentors, and industry experts, and explore potential collaborations through events like IR Open Stage and Fintech Professional Mentoring.

5. Participation of international financial organizations in joint sessions, facilitating dialogue on industry outlook, policy alignment, and collaboration opportunities between Korean and global fintech stakeholders

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