Shinhan Financial Group and Vitzrocell won the grand prize at the 2026 Korea IR Awards, an award presented by the chairman of the Financial Services Commission.
The Korea IR Council said it held the 2026 Korea IR Awards ceremony at the Korea Exchange's Market Square on the 18th, honoring companies and individuals for outstanding investor relations activities. Now in its 26th year, the awards were established to promote IR activity among listed companies and support the sound development of the capital market.
The grand prize in the corporate category went to Shinhan Financial Group on the main board and Vitzrocell on the KOSDAQ market. Shinhan Financial Group drew high marks for announcing a corporate value enhancement plan in April that included a shareholder return policy linked to return on equity and growth rates, and for holding about 570 IR meetings during the year. Vitzrocell was selected for maintaining continuous communication with the market and improving its market valuation through inclusion in major indexes.
The excellence prize, presented by the chairman of the Korea Exchange, went to KT&G and ISC. KT&G was recognized for laying out a detailed shareholder return plan and lifting foreign ownership to 50% through active investor communication. ISC maintained a dividend payout ratio of about 30% for three consecutive years and expanded foreign ownership through overseas IR activities in which management participated directly.
The merit prize, presented by the chairman of the Korea IR Council, went to HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and JB Financial Group on the main board, and to Alteogen and Olix on the KOSDAQ market. Senatechnology received the special prize, presented by the president of the Korea Institute of Corporate Governance and Sustainability. LG Electronics, Lotte Chilsung Beverage, ST Pharm and Classys were also selected as outstanding IR companies in their respective markets. The Best IRO award, given to individuals, went to Park Won-jae, senior vice president at LG Electronics; Kim Dong-jun, general manager at OCI Holdings; Kim Ki-hyun, chief financial officer at Cosmecca Korea; and Lee Sung-sil, team leader at Pumtech Korea.
