South Korea wealth fund targets broadening investments options

Korea Investment Corporation seeks to diversify investment options by tapping commodities and private equity markets.

South Korea's $46 billion sovereign wealth fund aims to expand alternative investments in areas like commodities and private equity, its new chief executive said on Tuesday, pledging to strengthen ties with foreign private equity and pension funds.

Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) CEO Choi Chong-suk said in his inauguration speech that the fund would continue to actively invest overseas and could join deals with other global sovereign wealth funds.

"Rising commodity prices, the emerging strategic importance of particular regions and capital resettlement due to volatile financial markets provide favourable opportunities for sovereign wealth funds," said Choi, who has a private sector background with experience at Allianz Global Investors Korea, Hana Bank and Korea Exchange Bank.

The son of ex-South Korean president Choi Kyu-hah is tasked with managing funds entrusted by the country's central bank and finance ministry.

View the full story in Reuters.