- Business
- Korean Reinsurance Company (Korean Re) operates as a leading professional reinsurer headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, founded in 1963. The company provides comprehensive reinsurance services across life and non-life sectors including life reinsurance; long-term, motor, and health insurance; fire, property all risks, marine, engineering, casualty, auto, guarantee, pension, and bond reinsurance. Korean Re serves domestic and international markets through a diversified underwriting portfolio and a global network that includes subsidiaries and liaison offices in Hong Kong, London, Singapore, and planned expansion into new regions such as India. Its products encompass reinsurance support solutions tailored to risk management and protection needs, offering risk-sharing mechanisms that uphold the stability and growth of primary insurers.
In recent major developments, Korean Re has implemented a profit-oriented underwriting strategy, focusing on portfolio restructuring by reducing underperforming segments such as certain long-term and motor insurance treaties to enhance profitability and manage business volatility. The company secured a significant coinsurance agreement with Samsung Life Insurance in late 2023, covering liabilities worth KRW 700 billion. It also received regulatory approval in November 2025 to establish a branch in India's Gujarat International Finance Tech-City (GIFT City), expected to commence operations in April 2026, expanding its presence in emerging markets. In 2025, Korean Re moved into a new eco-friendly headquarters designed for environmental sustainability and smart office operations, signifying its commitment to corporate responsibility and operational excellence. Its financial strength has been affirmed by rating upgrades reflecting improved balance sheet robustness and focus on profitable growth.
Korean Re functions primarily in the reinsurance industry with a business model serving insurers, corporations, and financial institutions globally. It targets both personal and commercial lines, including property, casualty, marine, and life insurance markets. The company is recognized for its tailored risk solutions and strong emphasis on ethical governance, transparency, and corporate contribution to societal resilience. Korean Re's operational geography covers South Korea extensively and includes growing international operations in Asia and Europe, with an increasing share of premiums from overseas markets reaching approximately 42 percent in 2024. This global expansion strategy is supported by strategic alliances and an international network fostering business development outside its home market.
Overall, Korean Reinsurance Company stands as a significant reinsurer in Asia with a broad product portfolio, recent strategic partnerships, and geographic expansion reflecting its ambition to maintain and enhance its market leadership and financial stability. Its focus on sustainable growth, risk-adjusted returns on investments, and adaptation to evolving regulatory and market dynamics positions it as a resilient player in the global reinsurance industry.