South Korea's National Pension Service Plans to Enter OCIO Market on July 27, Stirring Market Concerns

According to Hankyung Economic Daily, on July 27, South Korea's National Pension Service (NPS) announced plans to participate in the occupational pension OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Officer) market, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2027. The NPS submitted the proposal to the government's task force overseeing fund-type occupational pension design.

The move has sparked concerns from the financial industry. Critics argue that the NPS, which already oversees 51% of its assets through external asset managers and evaluates competing managers, would gain an unfair competitive advantage if it simultaneously serves as an OCIO player. Experts warn this creates a "tilted playing field," with the NPS functioning as both referee and player.