▲ President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a briefing on the work of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, held at the Yeongbingwan of the Blue House on the 16th.
President Lee Jae-myung focused his questioning today (the 16th) on speculative allegations that the National Pension Service (NPS) purchased stocks to boost the stock market ahead of local elections, during a work briefing by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the NPS.
President Lee asked Kim Sung-joo, Chairman of the National Pension Service, "There is a rumor that the service has been buying up domestic stocks to drive up stock prices because of the local elections," and asked, "Did you actually make such purchases?" Chairman Kim replied, "That is absolutely not the case."
Chairman Kim added, "We were simply holding the stocks we already owned, and the valuation increased as the KOSPI index rose," noting that they were actually in a situation where they should have been selling stocks.
Chairman Kim expressed his difficulties, saying, "When we hold onto stocks, people ask why we don't sell them, and when we try to sell, they ask why we are selling. We are also investors and need to generate profits to return pensions to the public, but there is so much public attention focused on us that it is difficult to manage the pension fund calmly."
When President Lee said with a laugh, "(I myself) have even thought, 'Did the pension service buy stocks without me knowing?' There are many people who tell me they are waiting to see what happens later," Chairman Kim responded by saying, "The President and I are both receiving a lot of criticism."
(Photo: Blue House Photo Press Corps, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.