Jung Eun-bo, chairman of the Korea Exchange, delivers an opening address at the ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the KOSDAQ market, held at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 1st. Korea Exchange
The Korea Exchange (KRX) is pushing to restructure the KOSDAQ market to mark its 30th anniversary, with measures including the introduction of an up-and-down segment system, stronger delisting rules, and expanded customized technology special listings. The plan aims to identify strong companies within KOSDAQ and accelerate the removal of troubled and marginal firms to restore market confidence.
“We will restructure the KOSDAQ market, including through an up-and-down segment system, to expand the market’s dynamism,” said Eun-bo Jeong, chairman of the Korea Exchange, at a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the KOSDAQ market held Monday at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. “In the process of introducing the segment system, we will listen to the views of various market participants to minimize the conflict factors arising from market restructuring.”
The up-and-down segment system is a market restructuring plan that classifies KOSDAQ-listed companies into groups such as strong companies and a management group according to certain criteria. Under the plan, strong companies would be given a distinct branding effect and a basis for institutional investment, while companies at risk of distress would be separated within the market to protect investors and enhance market confidence.
Jeong presented the nurturing of strong companies and the delisting of troubled firms as key tasks for the KOSDAQ market. “The marginal companies that have accumulated over the years have caused a discount across the entire market and become targets of unfair trading,” he said. “We will raise the trust in the KOSDAQ market through the prompt delisting of marginal companies.”
Listing requirements will also be adjusted to suit the characteristics of each industry. The exchange plans to expand customized technology special listings so that innovative companies in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and defense can enter KOSDAQ in a timely manner. The direction is to broaden listing opportunities for strong technology companies while strengthening post-listing management and delisting standards to enhance the market’s screening function.
Meanwhile, the exchange is holding “KOSDAQ CONNECT 2026” through Wednesday together with the KOSDAQ Association and the Korea IR Council. During the event, KOSDAQ-listed companies will hold investor relations (IR) sessions, and there will be policy announcements related to listing and disclosure systems, as well as lectures by industry experts. “With the challenging spirit and resolve that pioneered the venture market 30 years ago, we must reform the KOSDAQ market structure and establish a transparent and fair market order,” Jeong added. “Together with the government, the Korea Exchange will actively push to improve the market’s fundamentals and develop KOSDAQ into a trusted market.”