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Global Financial Leaders Forum 2026
On October 13, The Korea Society, Maekyung Media Group, the Korea Finance Society, and the Korea Investment Corporation co-hosted the Global Financial Leaders Forum 2026 at The Plaza Hotel New York.
Under the theme “The Profit Equation: Navigating the Age of Uncertainty,” senior executives and financial experts from Korea and around the world came together to explore how investors can turn volatility into opportunity amid rapid AI growth and ongoing geopolitical conflict.
Some highlights of the forum include:
- Opening remarks were shared by Seungjoon Chang (Vice Chairman, Maekyung Media Group), Consul General Sang Ho Kim, and Abraham Kim (President & CEO, The Korea Society)
Ken Fisher (Chairman, Fisher Investments) offered insight into the implications of the U.S. midterm elections for the stock market and the ripple effect on Korea’s markets, in a conversation moderated by David Mussafer (Advent International).
Jean Boivin (BlackRock Investment Institute), Lauren Basmadjian (Carlyle), and Jeremy Schwartz (WisdomTree) identified AI as a key variable in investment but discussed subtle differences in perspective regarding investment weighting and targets in a panel moderated by Andrew Kim (Paulson & Co).
The Korea Society also had the opportunity to welcome back this year’s K-Wall St Platform, a mentoring program held in conjunction with the GFLF connecting seasoned Korean-American finance professionals with aspiring young financiers pursuing careers on Wall Street. This program is held in partnership with Korea Finance Society and Maekyung Media Group.
Thank you to our co-hosts, speakers, and guests for an evening of insight and connection. Convenings like this strengthen the economic and financial ties between Korea and the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Global Financial Leaders Forum (GFLF)?
The Global Financial Leaders Forum is an annual flagship event that brings together leading figures from the global finance community to discuss emerging trends and new pathways for investment. The Korea Society traditionally co-hosts the forum with Maekyung Media Group and the Korea Finance Society.
What were Ken Fisher’s main takeaways?
Ken Fisher (Chairman, Fisher Investments) explained that stock prices will strengthen following the election as controversial political bills that fuel market uncertainty disappear. He also emphasized that this shift in the U.S. stock market will have ripple effects on stock markets in other countries, including South Korea.
What is the role of AI in the global markets?
AI is a key variable in global markets, since its massive capital spending (an estimated $5 trillion to $8 trillion by 2030) offers long-term growth opportunities. However, there are also risks, including political backlash against data centers and heavy bond issuance and GPU-backed lending that could strain credit markets, so panelists both stressed risk management over aggressive AI investment.
