Photos: Institutional Investment Forum Korea

Investment heads from the likes of Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) and the National Pension Service (NPS) gathered with other Korean asset owners and international investment experts for AsianInvestor's 13th annual Instititutional Investment Forum.

A selection of the country's leading asset owners, including the chief investment officers of the two leading asset owners, discussed their need to diversify their portfolios into other sectors and geographies and the challenges of doing so. 

In particular, NPS CIO Ahn Hyo-joon discussed the pension fund's need to raise its overseas asset investments to up to 45% of its WW565.5 trillion (about $500 billion) under management within five years. He also offered less detailed assurances on the fund's plans to gradually build its environmental, social and governance practices.

Meanwhile, KIC's CIO Kang Shin-woo told the audience that the sovereign wealth fund aimed to more rigorously analyse alternative asset valuations at a time when demand for such assets is causing prices to keep climbing. 

In addition, the CIOs of pension funds such as Teachers Pension and Public Officials Benefit Association (Poba) discussed their difficulties in recruiting talented investment professionals. 

Plus, the investment head of Poba and the CIO of the Government Employees Pension Service revealed how the continuing disappointment of active fund returns was forcing them to consider more passive investing.  

Please click here to see a gallery of photos from the event.  

This story was updated to include links to the articles written from presentations and discussions at the forum.