A recent episode of the economic program "Ending Economy" featured a discussion on the potential revival of the financial investment tax, which could act as a brake on the surging KOSPI. Hosts Lee Jeong-hwan and Lee Sang-min, a professor at Sungkonghoe University and a senior research fellow at the National Finance Research Institute respectively, explored the fiscal realities and political optics behind the tax debate.
The conversation centered on whether the government might introduce new taxes following the local elections, with the financial investment tax—previously postponed—being a key candidate for reinstatement. The panel argued that while the KOSPI has been rallying, such a tax could dampen investor sentiment and slow market momentum.
"Fiscal numbers are not just figures; they involve perception, politics, and the true state of national finances," said Lee Jeong-hwan.
The discussion also touched on broader fiscal policy, warning that the public may face a "tax bomb" after the elections, as the government seeks to balance budgets amid rising expenditures. The episode aired live on April 28, 2026, as part of the daily economic podcast series.