South Korea Financial Watchdog Governor Vows Stern Action Against Private Equity Misconduct
Financial Supervisory Service Governor Lee Chan-jin warned private equity firms against illegal practices. The move follows investigations into industry conduct.
On January 20, 2026, the governor of the Financial Supervisory Service in South Korea 
KR, Lee Chan-jin lee chan jin, announced that authorities will respond sternly to private equity firms engaged in illegal and unfair business practices. During a meeting held with 12 local private equity firms, Lee Chan-jinexplained that the market order has been disrupted by illegal and unfair behaviors of some private equity firms. He emphasized that such actions have led to infringements on investor interests which have undermined social confidence in the industry.
KR, Lee Chan-jin lee chan jin, announced that authorities will respond sternly to private equity firms engaged in illegal and unfair business practices. During a meeting held with 12 local private equity firms, Lee Chan-jinexplained that the market order has been disrupted by illegal and unfair behaviors of some private equity firms. He emphasized that such actions have led to infringements on investor interests which have undermined social confidence in the industry.According to the governor, public intervention in the market was inevitable to restore the industry. While the meeting involved representatives from a dozen firms, MBK Partners was not one of the 12 attendees at the gathering. This regulatory focus comes as MBK Partners is being investigated by South Koreanprosecutors and financial authorities over its sale of Homeplus. The firm, MBK Partners, is recognized as a pioneer in North Asian markets with more than $32 billion in capital, while Homeplus is described as a troubled supermarket chain.
