Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA)

Established in 1953, the Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA) is a non­profit, membership, self­regulatory organization under the Securities and Exchange Act. KOFIA’s main goal is to strive for sound development of the securities industry through investor protection, promotion of fair securities trading and maintenance of fair business practices among its members.

To achieve its goal, KOFIA is actively involved in various facets of the securities industry. They include:

• executing self­regulatory function to protect investors and maintain fair business practice among its members;
• operating and managing the Over­-the­-Counter (OTC) bond market;
• operating and managing the OTC Bulletin Board (OTCBB);
• providing education to the public and securities practitioners,
• operating the Korea Securities Training Institute (KSTI) to nurture securities professionals;
• raising public awareness of the securities markets;
• conducting research;
• making policy recommendations to the government;
• mediating disputes related to securities trading; and
• registering and managing investment professionals.

Currently, all local and foreign securities companies operating in Korea are members of KOFIA.