Korea Securities Depository makes token securities, e-shareholder meeting units permanent in restructuring

Korea Securities Depository carried out an organizational restructuring Thursday, making its token securities, electronic shareholder meeting and next-generation system units permanent fixtures in its official structure. The move is aimed at responding to the digital transformation of capital markets and strengthening the stability of core infrastructure.

The depository said it implemented the restructuring alongside a personnel reshuffle, with key changes including the creation of a dedicated mid- to long-term strategy division and the formalization of its next-generation system task force and token securities and electronic shareholder meeting units. The total number of headquarters and departments remains unchanged at eight headquarters and 32 departments. While overlapping functions were consolidated, units needed to address shifts in the capital market environment and improve infrastructure stability were expanded.

A Growth Innovation Office was established within the Strategy Planning Headquarters. The new office will oversee the depository's mid- to long-term business direction, including comprehensive response strategies for the expansion of digital markets, efficiency improvements in internal and external operations using AI, and the identification of new business opportunities. It will also lead a redesign of personnel, organizational and performance evaluation systems.

The token securities and electronic shareholder meeting units were converted into standing organizations. The formalization is intended to prepare for the introduction of token securities and electronic shareholder meeting regimes in 2027, establishing a regular operational framework for business platform development and related work.

The Next-Generation System Task Force was converted into a permanent IT Development Headquarters. The securities data unit was also expanded and reorganized to strengthen the depository's role as a capital market data hub.

Executive responsibilities were also realigned. The executive managing director will oversee the Strategy Planning Headquarters and Management Administration Headquarters, while the standing director will handle the IT Planning Headquarters and IT Development Headquarters. The president will directly supervise four frontline headquarters covering electronic registration, clearing and settlement, investment support, and global operations.

Several unit names were simplified. The ESG Strategy Headquarters was renamed the Strategy Planning Headquarters, and the Management Support Headquarters became the Management Administration Headquarters. The Financial Innovation Office was renamed the Token Securities Department, and the Electronic Registration Operations Department became the Electronic Registration Department. The Securities Lending Department and Securities Collateral Department were merged into a single Lending and Collateral Department.

In the executive appointments, Kim Min-su, the current head of the Management Support Headquarters, was promoted internally and named executive managing director. Among headquarters chiefs, Lee Seung-kwon was promoted to head the Management Administration Headquarters. Baek Sang-tae was appointed head of the Strategy Planning Headquarters, Lee Sang-seop head of the IT Planning Headquarters, Lee Seung-hwan head of the IT Development Headquarters, Choi Hang-jin head of the Clearing and Settlement Headquarters, and Kwon Eui-jin head of the Global Headquarters.

Among department-level appointments, Bae Jong-hyeok, Won Yu-sin, Choi Geuk-jin, Kang Gyeong-pil, An Byeong-uk and Lee Su-cheon were promoted to head the Growth Innovation Office, Information Security Department, Securities Data Department, Fund Operations Department, General Affairs Department and IT Service 2 Department, respectively. Lateral transfers at the department head level included Kim Jeong-tae to the Management Strategy Department, Jeon Il-u to the Human Resources Department, Choi Heung-gyu to the Accounting and Finance Department, Jo Seong-guk to the IT Planning Department, An Ho-ju to the IT Infrastructure Operations Department, and Lee Gyeong-mi to the Token Securities Department.

Of the depository's 35 department heads, 18 were replaced — six through promotion and 12 through transfer. At the team leader level, 28 of 112 were replaced, with eight promoted and 20 transferred.

Korea Securities Depository President Lee Yun-su said the need for stable infrastructure operations is growing as assets under custody enter the 10,000 trillion won era. "A structural overhaul of capital markets is underway as the digital asset market — including token securities and stablecoins — begins to take shape in earnest," he said.

"The depository will maintain the stability of core capital market infrastructure while pursuing innovation, transforming itself into a data hub and technology center for capital markets," Lee added. He said each department's performance in the second half of this year will be reflected in management evaluations and the regular personnel reshuffle in early next year.

The restructuring signals more than a routine internal reorganization — it reflects a broader redefinition of the role of capital market infrastructure institutions. The depository has long centered its operations on securities custody, settlement and rights management, but the growing weight of digitally driven functions such as token securities, electronic shareholder meetings and securities data is placing greater emphasis on system development and data management capabilities.