Korea Financial Investment Association visits Marine Corps unit to teach troops about investing

The Korea Financial Investment Association visited the Marine Corps' 2nd Division on Tuesday to deliver comfort funds and conduct financial investment education for troops, aiming to help service members build assets during their military service and foster a sound investment culture.

The association said the visit to the 2nd Division — known as the Cheongnyong (Blue Dragon) Unit, which is responsible for defending the northwestern greater Seoul area — was part of a military financial education initiative the Financial Services Commission drew up in August. The financial investment industry jointly provided the comfort funds.

The event was attended by Korea Financial Investment Association Chairman Hwang Seong-yeop and Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Sang-hyeok (Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province), along with Kyobo Securities CEO Lee Seok-gi, Meritz Securities CEO Kim Jong-min, Shinhan Securities CEO Lee Seon-hun, Hanwha Investment & Securities CEO Jang Byeong-ho, Korea Investment Real Estate Trust CEO Lee Guk-hyeong and KB Asset Management CEO Kim Yeong-seong. The attendees received a briefing on the division's status at headquarters and encouraged the troops carrying out their national defense duties.

Lee Sang-geon, head of Mirae Asset's Investment and Pension Center, then delivered lectures on financial planning for troops' asset building and establishing sound financial investment values. The sessions were designed to help service members develop sound financial decision-making and asset management skills, and to prepare them for stable civilian life after discharge.

"Seeing the proud bearing of the Marine Corps troops who devote themselves day and night to defending the nation is truly reassuring," Hwang said. "On behalf of the financial investment industry, I extend our deepest gratitude for their dedication." He added that he hoped the sound financial habits formed during military service would serve as a solid foundation for stable civilian life after discharge.

The association plans to hold another financial investment education session for troops at the 11th Fighter Wing on Nov. 24, and intends to continue such programs to strengthen service members' financial investment capabilities and foster a sound and rational investment culture within military units.

The association has been advancing financial education for troops since last December, when it produced and published an online education program called the "Military Personnel Financial Investment Academy" to help service members build assets during their service.