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韩国:2025年总统选举前的阿尔法策略思路及政策影响
Goldman Sachs·2025-05-29 06:00

Political Landscape - The emergency presidential election in South Korea is scheduled for June 3, 2025, following political uncertainty due to the declaration of martial law and the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol[6]. - Recent polls indicate that opposition candidates are leading, reflecting a favorable trend for the opposition party amid high public support for changing the current government[7][8]. Economic Policy Outlook - Key economic policy platforms focus on improving corporate governance and addressing the "Korea discount," with retail investors representing nearly 30% of the population[19]. - Major candidates propose four main categories of capital market policies: corporate governance reform, tax incentives, enhanced accessibility for capital markets, and establishing a fair market order[20]. Market Projections - The KOSPI 12-month target has been raised to 2900, indicating a 9% upside potential, driven by the elimination of political risks and advancements in capital market reforms[3][64]. - The potential reclassification of South Korea's MSCI status could attract approximately $20-30 billion in foreign investment, improving market accessibility[48][51]. Corporate Governance Reforms - Both leading candidates emphasize the importance of corporate governance reforms, which could play a crucial role in narrowing the Korea discount[22][23]. - Despite previous efforts, the valuation of the Korean stock market remains significantly discounted compared to regional and global peers, with a price-to-book ratio discount of 48% compared to developed markets[28]. Tax Incentives - Proposed reforms include changes to dividend and inheritance tax policies to encourage higher dividend payouts, which previously saw significant increases when similar policies were implemented in 2014[37][40]. - The inheritance tax reform aims to address undervaluation issues of listed company stocks, particularly for those with a price-to-book ratio below 0.8[38]. Market Order and Transparency - Candidates commit to strengthening penalties for illegal trading practices, such as insider trading, to enhance protection for minority shareholders and improve market transparency[52][53]. - The overall number of unfair trading cases has decreased, but there has been a rise in cases related to interest disclosures in 2024[53]. Sector-Specific Policies - Both candidates support strategic industries such as AI, renewable energy, and defense, with commitments to establish investment funds and incentives for domestic production[59][60]. - The focus on enhancing the competitiveness of the shipbuilding industry and advancing defense technology is also highlighted in their platforms[60].