[THE INVESTOR] Korea Investors Service, one of the big three rating agencies here, downgraded the credit ratings of Hanjin Shipping, Hyundai Merchant Marine and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering on June 20. The agency lowered DSME from BB+ to BB, with its rating outlook also remaining negative. HMM received a downgrade from A+ to A, citing its continuous deficit, while Hanjin Shipping, struggling container operator who recently sought creditor-led restructuring to avoid bankruptcy, also f

June 20, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Only 1 percent of Korean companies have set up defense mechanisms against hostile takeovers in recent years, indicating that they are still vulnerable to such threats and shows the lack of corporate governance. Daeshin Economic Research Institute on June 19 looked into 600 listed companies and conglomerate affiliates in Korea where institutional investors or the pension fund hold more than 5 percent stake in the company. Only six of 600, or 1 percent, have established measures aga

June 20, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Lotte Group affiliates have frequently purchased stocks of unlisted companies owned by the group’s owner family, including the founder Shin Kyuk-ho and his three children, since 2001, data by an online corporate tracker showed on June 19. According to Chaebul.com, Lotte’s seven affiliates, including Hotel Lotte -- the de facto holding company of its Korea operations -- have spent a total of 224.6 billion won ($192.7 million) to purchase shares of private companies owned by the fou

Industry June 20, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Korean customers of Volkswagen’s gasoline vehicles are set to file criminal charges against Audi Volkswagen Korea. The move comes in the wake of the recent disclosure by prosecutors that the German carmaker rigged software of its gasoline cars to cheat on emission tests, local news reported on June 19. “Following the diesel vehicle scandal, it has been revealed that gasoline cars were also manipulated. We plan to gather victims here and file a lawsuit against Audi Volkswagen Korea

Business June 20, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Prosecutors are focusing on five main allegations against Lotte Group in their probe on the nation’s fifth largest conglomerate. 1. Shin Kyuk-ho and Shin Dong-bin’s 30 billion won (US$25.6 million)Prosecutors on June 16 secured testimony that Lotte group founder Shin Kyuk-ho and his son -- current group chairman Shin Dong-bin -- had collected 10 billion won and 20 billion won, respectively, from the affiliates under the conglomerate. The two Shins asserted that the amount was for

Mobility June 19, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] German carmaker Volkswagen’s headquarters ordered the manipulation of emissions tests for vehicles imported into Korea, Seoul prosecutors said on June 17. The investigators have secured evidence that German officials ordered the manipulation of software in the seventh generation Volkswagen Golf to secure approval from Korea’s National Institute of Environmental Research. Under local laws, all imported cars have to receive approval from the state-run agency of their emission result

Business June 17, 2016

 [THE INVESTOR] Korea’s current account surplus with China fell nearly 20 percent last year due to the sluggish growth of the world’s second largest economy, central bank data showed June 17.The current account surplus with China came to $45.14 billion in 2015, a 19.5 percent decline from the previous year’s $56.06 billion, according to data from the Bank of Korea. The figure decreased for two straight years since 2013 when it reached $56.69 billion. Busan PortThe central bank cited a drop in ex

June 17, 2016

[The Investor] The first arrest in the widening Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering corruption probe was made on June 17, fueling speculations that the investigators are closing in on former CEO Nam Sang-tae. Prosecutors arrested the chairman of HUMEX Shipping & Air Freight, identified by his surname Chung, on charges of bribing former DSME CEO Nam Sang-tae, in exchange for obtaining an exclusive contract.  Main office of DSME. The InvestorAccording to investigators, Chung, who is Nam’s c

June 17, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Prosecutors suspect Lotte Group’s affiliate Lotte Chemical is behind stashing multibillion won slush funds abroad amid a widening probe into Korea’s fifth largest conglomerates over embezzlement. According to local reports on June 16, Lotte Chemical has reportedly amassed funds by overstating the import price of raw materials and later siphoned off to the group’s executives. Lotte Department Store in central Seoul. The InvestorIn this process, Lotte Chemical stuck a deal with Lott

Mobility June 16, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Four state-run corporations -- Korea Resources Corp., Korea National Oil Corp., Korea International Broadcasting Foundation and Facility Management System -- have received the lowest marks in their work performance evaluation for last year. Announcing the results of its assessment on June 16, the panel, under the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, evaluated 116 state-run corporations and institutions based on their management performance last year. A total of 161 experts, including

June 16, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Even as speculation that Hyundai Motor will add a diesel vehicle to its luxury brand Genesis lineup is growing, a company official said nothing has been confirmed on June 16.Genesis -- which became a standalone brand last November -- unveiled G80 for the first time at the latest Busan International Motor show on June 2. After the show, local media reported that the diesel version of G80 will be released next year, in a move seen to beat out European luxury carmakers here and abroa

Business June 16, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] The nation’s largest automaker Hyundai Motor will soon roll out its electric vehicle Ioniq Electric, local news reported June 16. Ioniq Electric, the automaker’s first electric vehicle in the lineup of its eco-friendly car brand Ioniq, will soon be delivered to customers who preordered in cities across the country, including Jejudo Island, among others. Ioniq ElectricThe latest EV boasts an official driving range certification of 191 kilometers on a single charge, the longest mile

Business June 16, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Korea’s state-run agencies held a conference in New York City on June 15 (local time) to help local start-ups gain foothold in the U.S. Korea’s trade promotion agency KOTRA and Small and Medium Business Administration hosted “Korea Startup Summit NYC 2016” at New York City’s Microsoft Technology Center, inviting 15 promising local start-ups and five start-ups that have already entered the U.S. market. More than 50 investors from major American cities, including New York City, Bost

Technology June 16, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] Major American companies such as Facebook, Microsoft and IBM as well as the South Korean government have joined in efforts to help local start-ups gain a foothold in the U.S.  　Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea held a ceremony on June 14 to mark the launch of the “Global Leading Companies Mentoring Startups” campaign, in partnership with the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. 　A total of 33 companies participated in the event, including 19 AMCHAM memb

June 15, 2016