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This years World Knowledge Forum will be bombarded with advice from masters who will give their eyes to the global asset market. Big speakers from global investment masters to Nobel Prize-winning scholars and financial authorities will gather in one place. Robert F Smith, chairman of Vista Equity Partners, who pioneered a new market called a private equity fund specializing in tech technologies such as Software as a Service (SaaS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), will take the stage at the World Knowledge Forum for the first time. With more than $100 billion (about 140 trillion won), he is expected to share in-depth insights on the topography of global tech investments, including the era of agents triggered by AI development and the evolution of software.
He is said to be the richest black man in the United States and has a reputation for active social contribution activities. In 2019, he became a speaker at the graduation ceremony of Morehouse University, the only black male university in the United States, and donated $34 million (about 47 billion won) to 400 graduates.European mega private equity funds will also unveil promising investments in 2026 at the World Knowledge Forum. Kurt Bjoclund, chairman of Permira, an investment firm that pioneered private equity funds in major European countries such as Germany and Italy, is the presenter. Permira has acquired British boot brand Dr. Martin or Italian luxury sneaker brand Golden Goose. It will analyze valuable consumer goods companies from the eyes of Europeans who have dominated the global luxury market. As the healthcare industry, which dreams of conquering all kinds of diseases based on AI, is also a specialty of Permira, meaningful insights are expected.
In Asia, India, which is emerging as the worlds factory to succeed China, is highlighted. The World Knowledge Forum invites Ashish Kumar Chauhan, CEO of the National Stock Exchange of India, to introduce the blueprint of Indias economy. The Indian stock market also drew attention in South Korea last year as Hyundai Motors Indian subsidiary succeeded in an initial public offering (IPO) worth $3.3 billion (about 4.55 trillion won). LG Electronics Indian subsidiary is also preparing to go public. Jung Eun-bo, chairman of the Korea Exchange, will join the session.
In addition, Olivia White, director of McKinsey Global Research Institute, points to a region that is drawing attention as a new production base along with India amid geopolitical conflicts.
Najir Razak, chairman of Iklas Capital, a Southeast Asian financial giant, adds diversity to the forum. During his 29-year tenure, he grew Malaysias CIMB from a regional investment bank to a giant financial group encompassing ASEAN. Tipsudah Tawaramara, former deputy secretary general of the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission, will also attend to announce Southeast Asian finance.
The Best Economist in the U.S. selected by global institutional investors will spotlight the 2026 Economic Outlook. Thorsten Slock, chief economist at Apollo Global Management (Apollo), is an active figure in major economic media such as Bloomberg and the Financial Times (FT). Apollo, to which he belongs, boasts the fourth-largest alternative asset investment company in the world in terms of operating assets.
Yoon Je-sung, chief investment officer of New York Life Investment, who is considered a successful Korean on Wall Street, will also visit the forum. It is responsible for the management of internal assets and external customer assets of U.S. life insurer New York Life. More than 1,000 trillion won, about 50% more than the Korean governments annual budget, goes through his hands.
Sessions have also been set up for investors seeking high returns. Goldman Sachs BDC CEO Alex G will be the speaker. Goldman Sachs BDC is an affiliate of Wall Streets leading financial group Goldman Sachs. As unlisted small and medium-sized companies in the U.S. are the main targets of investment, investment know-how that takes risks for returns will be introduced.
The front lines of future technology investment will be unveiled. Jeff Herbst and Eum Jae-hoon, co-chairmen of venture capital (VC) GFT Ventures based in Palo Alto, California, explain the latest trends in Silicon Valley. Herbst is a Silicon Valley veteran who founded and oversaw the VC division of AI chip leader Nvidia.
Background knowledge for investment in emerging economies can also be accumulated. James Robinson, a professor at the University of Chicago who received the Nobel Prize in Economics last year, reveals the influence of the political system that influences the national economy. With his insight, we can gauge the growth potential of underdeveloped countries, which are still in the stage where the system is rooted. It is expected to be useful when investing in emerging market government bonds, known as medium-risk and medium-yield assets. The experience of Japan, which has experienced zero interest rates for a long time, is introduced. Former Bank of Japan Governor Masaki Shirakawa looks back on Japans long-term recession over the past 30 years after the bubble burst. Lessons can be learned to prepare for the future of the Korean economy, where real neutral interest rates are falling due to slowing population growth. Indiana University Professor Jang Yoo-soon and Bank of Korea Monetary Policy Committee member Lee Soo-hyung also visit the forum to share their wisdom.
It has also prepared a wealth of virtual currency-related sessions that have established a solid position in the asset market. The CEO of the worlds largest exchange will come forward to discuss the future of virtual currency. Major issues in the recent market, such as stablecoins and corporate investment, are analyzed by experts in the U.S. and Hong Kong.
[Reporter Kim Hee Soo]
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