Yongsoo Nam, Managing Director and Head of ETF Management, Korea Investment Management Co. (KIM)
In the intricate world of finance where every decision carries weight and the market never sleeps, only a select few possess the foresight and precision to navigate its complexities. These leaders do more than follow trends—they decode patterns, anticipate shifts, and craft strategies that stand the test of time. Armed with a deep understanding of risk, opportunity, and innovation, they push the boundaries of traditional investing, transforming data into powerful financial solutions. Their impact extends beyond numbers, shaping the very fabric of the investment landscape and setting new benchmarks for excellence. One such visionary driving transformation in Korea’s financial sector is Yongsoo Nam, a trailblazer in quantitative investing and a driving force behind Korea’s ETF revolution. As Managing Director and Head of ETF Management at Korea Investment Management Co. (KIM), Yongsoo is playing a pivotal role in shaping Korea’s investment landscape, advancing systematic investing, quantitative finance, and asset allocation to drive innovation and set new industry standards.
The Strategic Leap from Engineering to Finance
As an electronics engineering student, Yongsoo didn’t initially set out to build a career in finance. While studying communications theory, he realized that signals could be identified probabilistically—a concept that reshaped his perspective and sparked his curiosity about financial markets. This newfound interest led him to pursue a master’s degree in financial engineering at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, where he immersed himself in quantitative investing and the intricate factors influencing stock returns. Over time, he honed his expertise by managing various funds, including asset allocation and index funds, refining his expertise in systematic investing. His growing passion for the field propelled him to establish an investment company, allowing him to put his strategies into practice. Beyond managing investments, Yongsoo played a key role in shaping the quantitative finance landscape in Korea. As the first member and chairman of the Korea Quant Association, he has spent the past six years establishing a culture of quantitative investment in Korea. It is now the largest event sponsored by S&P Market Intelligence.
KIM’s Unstoppable Rise in Asset Management
Yongsoo’s expertise in quantitative investing and systematic strategies naturally led him to Korea Investment Management Co. (KIM), one of South Korea’s most prominent asset management firms. Founded in 1974 as the country’s first investment management firm, KIM has built a strong reputation for its disciplined approach to asset management, prioritizing long-term returns, and proactive risk management. Its impressive growth trajectory is evident in the expansion of its ETF offerings—49 ETFs have been listed since 2022, driving its market share from USD 2.289 billion in 2021 to an astonishing USD 10.29 billion in 2025. In 2024, the ACE US Big Tech TOP7 Plus ETF, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) managed by KIM became a top performer, generating a staggering 36.42% return in a single year—outpacing industry competitors and solidifying KIM’s reputation for innovation and excellence.
As Managing Director of KIM, Yongsoo plays a key role in shaping the firm’s investment strategies, particularly in ETFs and data-driven portfolio management. Under his leadership, the firm’s ETF division has not only expanded rapidly but has also earned prestigious industry accolades. In 2025, the ACE Big Tech Top7 Plus ETF received the Special Award at the Korea Fund Awards hosted by KG Zeroin. The same year, The Bell’s WM Awards honored KIM as the Bond Fund Management Firm of the Year and recognized the KIM Global New Growth Fund as the Innovative Fund of the Year. Further cementing its industry leadership, the Korea Economic Daily’s 2025 Korea Fund Awards recognized KIM as the Best Asset Management Firm in the Bond Sector. These achievements reflect KIM’s unwavering commitment to excellence and Yongsoo’s influence in driving forward-thinking investment solutions. “We are committed to increasing customer value. We’re not just looking for products that investors want, we’re looking for products that investors need—assets with long-term growth,” asserts Youngsoo.
A Visionary Approach to ETF Management
Initially, Yongsoo focused on using quantitative techniques to enhance investment performance, applying data-driven strategies to optimize fund management. Now, as the head of ETF headquarters, he has expanded this expertise beyond investment decisions to shape product development, streamline operations through task automation, and strengthen digital marketing efforts. The growing demand for ETFs has brought a shift in investor needs, with a rising interest in customizable indexes. Recognizing this, Yongsoo has led efforts to perform certain aspects of backtesting in-house, a process typically handled by index providers.
To stay ahead in the market, they have also automated real-time market monitoring, ensuring timely and data-backed decisions. This shift gave KIM greater control over strategy development, product innovation, and risk management, allowing the firm to launch tailored, high-performing ETF products that catered directly to investor needs.“For ETF product development, we automated the real-time market monitoring. By applying coding, which has been the basis of quantitative investing, to various fields, we were able to increase research time and identify investors’ needs more accurately,” explains Yongsoo.
The Investment Philosophy Rooted in Trust
Despite the fast-moving, high-stakes world of investment management, Yongsoo’s core philosophy remains simple: Investor success comes first. While many financial institutions focus on maximizing their own profits, he believes that long-term trust is built by prioritizing client gains above all else. “Our investment philosophy is based on the principle that our customers must make a profit. In other words, we aim to earn their trust by prioritizing our customers’ interests over the company’s own profits,” affirms Yongsoo.
This client-first approach drives every strategic decision at Korea Investment Management Co., shaping how investment products are designed and executed. Yongsoo understands that in an industry where numbers often take center stage, trust is the most valuable asset. By consistently aligning the company’s goals with investor interests, he has fostered a reputation for reliability and performance. His leadership in the ETF division is anchored in two guiding principles: achieving the highest returns—“The Best in the Class” and being the first to introduce products that anticipate and meet evolving customer needs—“The First”. This relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation ensures that investors not only have access to cutting-edge opportunities but also the confidence to navigate the market’s complexities with a trusted partner by their side.
Balancing Professional Demands with Personal Well-being
In the demanding world of investment management, where high-pressure decisions are the norm, Yongsoo relies on structure and routine to maintain balance. By establishing a daily routine, he minimizes unnecessary stress and stays focused on what truly matters. “I try to maintain a routine in my life to help manage stress. By routinizing the things that happen in my life, I have less to worry about in detail, and my stress level goes down a lot,” shares Youngsoo.
Outside of work, he prioritizes quality time with family, as meaningful conversations help him reset and stay grounded. To maintain both mental and physical well-being, he incorporates regular exercise into his lifestyle—whether it’s cycling or a round of golf, these activities provide him the much-needed outlet for relaxation and clarity. This disciplined yet flexible approach allows him to navigate the fast-paced financial world without losing sight of personal well-being.
Shaping the Future of Investment Management
Looking ahead, Yongsoo envisions Korea Investment Management Co. emerging as the leading asset management firm in Korea, driven by digital innovation and a forward-thinking approach to financial trends. “I believe that Korea Investment Management Co. will definitely become the best asset management company in Korea. Especially the digital innovation that Korea Investment Management Co. is promoting will increase the company’s competitiveness,” he states with confidence.
For Yongsoo, technology is not just an enabler but the driving force behind the next era of investment management. “I think that the changes in finance will be driven by technology, and in this regard, I personally believe that Korea Investment Management Co. is following the trend of the times,” he adds.
From AI-powered decision-making to blockchain-enhanced ledger management, Yongsoo sees these innovations as catalysts for efficiency and growth. He also believes the emergence of Real World Assets will redefine investment landscapes, blurring the lines between traditional and digital assets. By staying ahead of these shifts, Kim aims not only to adapt but to lead the charge in financial innovation.
Key Insights for Aspiring Leaders in Finance
The world of finance is evolving rapidly, and Yongsoo believes that success in this field is no longer just about executing operations efficiently—it’s about creating value through innovative financial products. “There is a paradigm shift in finance, especially in investment management, from doing operations well to doing products well,” he elucidates. Thus, looking at the bigger picture, he encourages aspiring professionals to explore various roles within the industry—whether it’s asset allocation, consulting, marketing, or product development—and find where their strengths align. “Understand the bigger picture and identify how you can contribute to achieving client financial goals. In a competitive industry driven by both expertise and innovation, finding the right fit is the key to long-term success,” Yongsoo concludes.