Lee Jae-myung: Korean Stocks Undervalued, Signals AI-Driven National Strategy
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President Lee Jae-myung marked his first anniversary by calling Korean equities undervalued and pledging a large-scale investment package for a fundamental growth shift — while nominating former Naver CEO Han Seong-sook as prime minister, signaling an AI-first national strategy.
What did Lee actually promise?
Lee said Korean stocks remain undervalued and vowed to unveil a major investment package aimed at a "fundamental transformation" of the national growth strategy.
He stressed that growth gains must not stay with a handful of firms, regions, or industries. Windfall tax revenue from semiconductors will fund a mechanism for "shared national growth."
This means → the policy direction is clear: channel profits earned by Samsung, SK Hynix, and other chip giants toward small businesses and local economies.
Why pick an internet executive as prime minister?
Lee nominated former Naver CEO Han Seong-sook as prime minister. If confirmed, she would be South Korea's first female PM in nearly two decades — and the first with an internet-industry background.
Han started in tech media, rose through several internet companies, and currently serves as Minister of SMEs and Startups — combining big-tech management with government administration.
This means → the nominee herself is a policy signal: Lee wants AI and digital innovation at the center of national transformation, not just as a talking point.
What moves on security and market order?
On diplomacy, Lee pledged to revise the US–Korea nuclear cooperation agreement, acquire nuclear-powered submarines, and push to regain wartime operational command ahead of schedule.
Domestically, he vowed to crack down on stock-price manipulation and real-estate crimes to strengthen market discipline and eliminate unfair privileges.
In plain terms = one hand on military sovereignty, one hand on market discipline — both lines point to the same goal: making South Korea less externally dependent and more internally fair.
Can these pledges translate into action?
The major investment package's specifics have not been disclosed — there is a direction but no numbers yet.
Lee won office after his predecessor's failed martial-law attempt and impeachment. He said he wants to lead Korea beyond "merely overcoming a democratic crisis" toward broader national development.
This reflects a reality: the vision at the one-year mark is ambitious enough, but the distance from slogan to measurable industrial outcomes remains long. That gap will be the real test of these anniversary pledges.
Content is for reference only, not financial advice.