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A total of 100 companies have joined the newly launched Value-up Index.

A total of 100 companies have joined the newly launched Value-up Index.

100 companies from various sectors, including IT, industrials, healthcare, and finance, and aims to tackle the "Korea discount"

Unravel Korea
September 24, 2024

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The government is being urged to enhance protections for foreign women against sexual exploitation.
A total of 100 companies have joined the newly launched Value-up Index.
Veteran actor Jang Na-ra steps out of her comfort zone in the film 'Good Partner.

NEWS 📰

The government is being urged to enhance protections for foreign women against sexual exploitation.

Korean sex traffickers are increasingly targeting vulnerable foreign women, as they are considered to pose less legal risk and are more easily exploited. Experts at a forum marking the 20th anniversary of Korea’s anti-prostitution law called for stronger protections for foreign women, the disabled, and others susceptible to trafficking.

The percentage of foreign women involved in sex trade cases rose from 24.4% in 2019 to over 33% in 2022, with Thai women making up the majority. The language barrier and legal focus on prosecution rather than identifying victims make it difficult to protect trafficked women. Korean authorities often rely on simplified questioning, making it harder to distinguish between those who voluntarily enter sex work and those forced into it.

Experts stressed the need for systematic reform, including changes to the law, to protect victims better and reflect the evolving nature of the sex trade, which has shifted online. Women's rights groups are advocating for legal revisions that would recognize all sex workers as victims of exploitation rather than criminals.

A total of 100 companies have joined the newly launched Value-up Index.

The launch of Korea's new Value-up Index is a significant step toward improving corporate governance and boosting shareholder returns. This index, introduced by the Korea Exchange (KRX), lists 100 companies from various sectors, including IT, industrials, healthcare, and finance, and aims to tackle the "Korea discount"—the undervaluation of Korean stocks compared to global peers. The 100 companies were selected based on factors like market capitalization, profitability, payout ratios, and capital efficiency, highlighting firms that have maintained strong financial health and shareholder-friendly practices.

This initiative is part of the government's broader Corporate Value-up Program, which focuses on encouraging transparent corporate governance and promoting higher shareholder returns. By incorporating both KOSPI and Kosdaq-listed firms, the Value-up Index stands out for considering not only quantitative metrics like market cap but also qualitative factors, signaling a shift toward sustainable business practices.

The real-time data and charts for the index will be available to the public next week, offering a new benchmark for investors to track the performance of companies adhering to better governance and efficiency standards.

ENTERTAINMENT 🌄

Veteran actor Jang Na-ra steps out of her comfort zone in the film 'Good Partner.

Jang Na-ra's portrayal in Good Partner showcases her versatility as an actress. Her shift from traditionally sweet roles to playing a cold, rational lawyer demonstrates her willingness to embrace new challenges. It's also interesting to see her openness to different perspectives on sensitive topics like divorce, reflecting how deeply she connects with her roles. With her ambition to take on darker characters, seeing her in more complex and thrilling projects will be exciting!