Press Releases - Financial Services Commission

Press Releases

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Jan 24, 2014

Measures to Protect Personal Data from Illegal Circulation and Use

The FSC and relevant ministries held an emergency meeting on January 24 to come up with measures to protect personal data from illegal circulation and use in a joint effort to relieve financial consumers’ concern that illegally-circulated personal data could be used for fraudulent transaction.BACKGROUNDProsecutors announced (Jan.8 /Jan.19/Jan.21) that about 100 million credit card account details were leaked from Kookmin Card, Nonghyup Card and Lotte Card by a contractor with the personal credit rating company Korea Credit Bureau (KCB) over the course of a year beginning in December 2012. The contractor and the alleged buyers of the information were arrested; and the original files and USB of the stolen data were confiscated with no sign of further circulation.The three credit companies said that there had been no financial damage reported so far related to the breach. The FSS found that sensitive information such as credit card passwords or CVC codes was not included in the stolen data. There is no concern that the leaked information would be used for fraudulent transactions.The measures announced today are to take comprehensive and prompt actions against any possibility of financial fraud using illegally-circulated personal information in order to relieve people’s anxiety about their personal data safety.1. PROTECT PERSONAL DATA FROM ILLEGAL CIRCULATION AND USEProsecutors, the police, and the FSS will immediately launch a joint crackdown indefinitely on illegal circulation and use of personal information. Particularly, unregistered money lenders will be subject to intense scrutiny. For those who illegally circulated and used personal data, prosecutors will demand the maximum sentence possible under the current law.The FSS will conduct inspections on all financial firms to check how they manage customers’ personal data. Monitoring will be strengthened to detect financial fraud using illegally-circulated personal data.Phone numbers suspected to be compromised
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Jan 22, 2014

Measures to Prevent a Recurrence of Personal Data Breach

The FSC and relevant ministries1announced a set of preventive measures to protect financial consumers from personal data breach. The measures are focused on alleviating people’s concerns and inconvenience caused by the recent data leaks; punishing those responsible for the incident; and preventing a recurrence of data theft.BACKGROUNDProsecutors announced (Jan.8 /Jan.19/Jan.21) that about 100 million credit card account details were leaked from Kookmin Card, Nonghyup Card and Lotte Card2 by a contractor with the personal credit rating company Korea Credit Bureau (KCB) over the course of a year beginning in December 2012. The contractor and the alleged buyers of the information were arrested; and the original files and USB of the stolen data were confiscated with no sign of further circulation.The FSS received the data from prosecutors (Jan.10) and found that about 85 million accounts were compromised in total, excluding the number of cards held by the deceased, companies or merchants, although overlaps in multiple cardholders were included.The stolen data includes basic personal data such as names, resident registration numbers, addresses, mobile phone numbers and company names, as well as financial information such as credit card numbers, account numbers, expiry dates and annual income. However, no passwords or CVC codes3 had been stolen.MEASURES TO EASE CONCERNS AND INCONVENIENCE FROM THE INCIDENTThe three credit companies said that there had been no financial damage reported so far related to the breach. The FSS found that sensitive information such as credit card passwords or CVC codes was not included in the stolen data. Credit card companies will cover any financial damage incurred by fraudulent transactions.They will provide a service for free that sends text message notifications for each card transaction to mobile phones. KCB will provide a privacy protection service for one year to anyone who asks for it.Regulators will consider additional identity valid
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Jan 20, 2014

TF Formed to Respond to Personal Information Leaks

The FSC formed a task force (T/F) to respond to the recent leakage of personal information on credit card holders and held its first meeting on January 17 to discuss how to prevent consequences of the incident from spreading and seek for fundamental measures to prevent a repeat of such an incident.BACKGROUNDProsecutors announced on January 8 that personal information of credit card holders were leaked by an employee of an outsourcing company of three credit card companies.The stolen data does not include credit cards’ pass word or CVC code; therefore, it is very unlikely that the leaked information might be misused for financial frau d. Prosecutors also judged that there was no further leakage of the stolen data as they arrested those who had stolen the information and first distributed. There has been no case yet reported as direct damage of the incident.MAJOR CONTENTS OF DISCUSSION1. Measures to prevent further leaks and remedies for those affectedThe card companies will identify details as soon as possible about how and when personal information was leaked and will inform affected customers via SMS, phone, e-mail, and respective financial company’s website.To prevent further damages, the three credit card companies will issue new credit cards to the victims upon request, provide free credit card payment notification SMS service(temporary service), and ban other financial companies subordinated to their mother group from using customers’ private information when promoting their products.Moreover, the responsible credit card firms will operate 24-hour call center, damage control team, and hot line with the FS S to immediately respond to further damages. Respective credit card companies will provide financial reimbursements to the victims of further damage.The FSS is verifying the details of the accident based on information received from the prosecutors. Damages from the data leak will be responded and normalized in a swift manner. The FSS will respond to the
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Sep 16, 2013

Launch of Capital Market Investigation Unit

The FSC officially launched a ‘Capital Market Investigation Unit’ on September 17, 2013 in a bid to address unfair financial transaction practices as announced in the ‘Comprehensive Measures to Eradicate Unfair Transaction’ dated April 18, 2013.The Capital Market Investigation Unit is an organization dedicated to monitoring and investigating unfair trade practices including stock price manipulation. The investigation unit is established under direct control of the FSC Secretary General and staffed with 18 experts from the FSC, the Ministry of Justice, the Financial Supervisory Service(FSS) and the Korea Exchange(KRX).The unit will be notified of all information related to unfair transactions from capital market oversight authorities including the KRX. The reported cases will be classified into urgent and non-urgent categories according to the necessity of forced investigation and potential social impact which will then be assigned to respective authorities. The Capital Market Investigation Unit will serve as a control tower directing and monitoring all procedures throughout the investigation from recognition of case to prosecution phases.The Capital Market Investigation Unit will be tasked with investigating and monitoring unfair trade practices such as stock price manipulation while drafting policies on unfair transactions will remain as the FSC Capital Markets Bureau’s function.*Please read the attached file for details.
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Jul 07, 2013

Insurance Coverage by Local Insurers for Asiana Airline Accident

The Boeing 777 owned by Asiana Airlines that crashed in San Francisco is under aviation insurance worth a total of USD 2.38 billion.The insurance is jointly covered by nine local insurers including LIG Insurance. The local insurers cover only 0.55% of insurance coverage, and the remaining is reinsured by Korean Re (3.45%) and foreign reinsurers (96%).Given that local insurers including Korean Re only cover a 2.5% of the insurance coverage, estimated costs of the airline accident amount to around KRW 5 billion. Insurers Share of underwriting (%) Share of insurance coverage(%) LIG (main insurer) 34.0 0.04 Samsung 14.0 0.3 Hyundai 11.0 0.1 Dongbu 11.0 0.01 Lotte 11.0 0.03 Meritz 7.0 0.03 Hanhwa 7.0 0.02 Heugngkuk 3.0 0.01 NH 2.0 0.01 Korean Re (reinsurer) - 2.0 Total 100.0 2.55 The FSC will closely work with the General Insurance Association of Korea and local insurers to ensure prompt payouts of compensations for victims’ families and injured passengers.* Please read the attached file for details.
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Jun 26, 2013

Plan for Privatization of Woori Finance Holdings

BACKGROUNDThe Public Funds Oversight Committee (PFOC) announced the privatization plan for Woori Finance Holdings after its 78th meeting on June 26, 2013. The Committee members shared common opinion that prompt privatization of Woori Finance Holdings is crucial for recovering the injected public fund and establishing a firm foundation to strengthen our financial industry’s competitiveness. The plan was devised based on the recent market conditions and investment climate.GENERAL PLAN1. General DirectionThe government will sell subsidiary units of Woori Finance Holdings in separate deals to better serve market demands. The 14 subsidiaries of Woori Finance Holdings will be split into three groups for sale. The sale process of each group will be proceeded by the KDIC or Woori Finance Holdings. To facilitate the sale process, the government will simultaneously proceed with the spinoff/merger and the sale process.2. Detailed PlanA. (Regional bank unit) The government will spinoff Woori Finance Holdings to set up Kyongnam Finance Holdings and Kwangju Finance Holdings. The two regional banks, Kyungnam Bank and Kwangju Bank, will be merged with their respective holding companies for sale. The KDIC will sell its 56.7% stake in the two regional banks.B. (Brokerage unit) Sale of Woori Finance Holding’s stake in Woori Investment Securities Co.3, Woori FI, and Woori Financial Group will be initiated concurrently with the sale of regional bank unit.C. (Woori bank unit) Woori Bank will be merged with the remaining Woori Finance Holdings and sold by the KDIC as a bank. Such procedure will be initiated after completing regional bank units’ spinoff and deciding the final bidder of brokerage unit. Minimum bidding level will be decided later with market conditions upon initiation of Woori Finance Holdings’ sale process taken into consideration.* Woori Credit Card, Woori Private Equity Co., Woori FIS Co., Kumho Investment Bank, Woori Finance Research Institute and unsold subsidia
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Mar 21, 2013

FSC Response to Cyberattack on Bank Servers

CURRENT SITUATIONAt around 2 pm on March 20, some banks including Nonghyup Bank, Shinhan Bank, and Cheju Bank suffered computer network failures. As of 11 am on March 21, banks except some branches of Nonghyup have restored their operations.Investigation is now underway to figure out the cause of the incident, but it is presumed that malicious codes were distributed through the servers that caused computer shutdowns at those banks.FSC/FSS RESPONSEThe Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) jointly formed an emergency response team to respond the crisis in real time and raised its alert to possible cyberattacks from “attention” to “caution.”The FSS dispatched inspection teams to the affected banks including Shinhan and Nonghyup to look into the cause of the incident and monitor progress in restoring operations.In cooperation with the Information Share Analysis Center (ISAC) by Korea Financial Telecommunications and Clearing institute (KFTC) and Koscom to uncover details of the incident.The Korea Internet Security Agency (KISA) distributed vaccine programs against malicious codes and temporarily shut down servers for vaccine updates in case of additional attacks.The FSC and FSS direct banks to come up with measures to compensate for any losses or damages incurred to customers by the cyberattack, if any.So far, there is no case reported that the incident caused leakage of customers’ personal information.*Please read the attached file for details.
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Mar 08, 2013

FSC Emergency Meeting after the Adoption of U.N. Security Resolution against North Korea

As the U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted new sanctions against North Korea’s nuclear test on February 12, the FSC Vice Chairman Choo Kyung-ho convened an emergency meeting this morning to discuss possible impact that the adoption of U.N. resolution would bring to financial markets.As of now, global financial markets seem to be little affected by the adoption of the U.N. resolution. The U.S. Dow Jones Industrial Average index hit a record-high for three consecutive days. The KRW/USD NDF rate slightly fell from yesterday, and Korea’s credit default swap (CDS) spread rose 1basis point from yesterday to 64basis point.Given that the North Korea-related risks in previous cases had temporary and limited impact on domestic and overseas financial markets, market experts forecast that the possible impact of U.N. sanctions against North Korea would be short-lived.However, the Korean government stays alert to a possibility of North Korea’s further provocation as the resolution imposes tougher sanctions against Pyongyang that previous resolutions. If North Korea took further provocative actions, Korea’s geopolitical risks and market volatility would be heightened.The FSC will closely work with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance (MOSF), the Bank of Korea (BOK), and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) to monitor financial market conditions and take market-stabilizing actions in a timely manner if needed.*Please read the attached file for details.
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Feb 26, 2013

Plan for Introduction of Synthetic ETFs

The FSC approved a revision to the KOSPI Market Listing Regulation submitted by the Korea Exchange (KRX) at its regular meeting on February 22, 2013 to lay a foundation for introducing synthetic Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) to the KOSPI Market and strengthen criteria for listing and delisting ETFs.With the revision, the FSC expects further diversification of ETF market and stronger investor protection.KEY CONTENTS1. Foundation for introduction of synthetic ETFs1The revision sets a regulatory framework to manage the counterparty risk, with structural features of swap agreements included in synthetic ETFs taken into considerationCounterparties for synthetic ETFs are mandated to meet certain eligibility requirements to enter, operate, exit, and disclosure their investment.2 The ETFs will be delisted if the counterparty risk significantly threatens continued trading of the products.ETF management companies are required to establish systems to evaluate and manage the counterparty risk and collateral assets, and disclosure counterparty risk.2. Strengthened criteria for listing and delisting ETFsThe minimum amount of trust principal for listing ETFs is increased from KRW 5 billion to KRW 7 billion.Listing eligibility test is strengthened for qualitative elements such as whether an ETF product can be continuously traded, or whenter the applicant for listing has proper internal control system.Small ETFs will be reviewed semiannually and delisted if they fail to meet certain criteria.3 In the first half of 2013, small ETFs likely to incur losses to investors4 will be encouraged to be delisted on a voluntary basis.3. Upcoming scheduleSynthetic ETFs are expected to be listed to KRX in the first half of this year after amendments to detailed rules on KRX listing regulation and Listing Guideline.*Please read the attached file for details.
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Feb 12, 2013

FSC/FSS Emergency Meeting on the Effects of North Korea's Nuclear Test

The FSC Vice Chairman Choo Kyungho convened an FSC/FSS emergency meeting at 2:30 pm after North Korea had conducted underground nuclear test Tuesday on February 12, 2013 to discuss the effects of the nuclear test on Korea’s financial market and measures to be taken to keep market stability.Right after North Korea’s nuclear test was reported, the KOSPI temporarily fell by 10 points but instantly bounced back.1 Foreign exchange market also remains stable with a net capital inflow from abroad.As the nuclear test has been widely expected, Korea’s financial market maintains its stability even after the event was confirmed. North Korea’s previous nuclear tests had a limited impact on Korea’s financial market, which had been temporarily affected but quickly recovered to normal conditions prior to the events.Effects of North Korea’s previous nuclear tests on Korea’s financial market t* t+1 t+7 t+15 t+30 1st Nuclear Test (October 9, 2006) KOSPI -2.41% -1.75% +0.17% +0.30% +3.71% USD/KRW +1.54% +1.10% +0.66% -0.47% -1.45% 2nd Nuclear Test (May 25, 2009) KOSPI -0.20% -2.26% +0.79% +0.62% +1.79% USD/KRW +0.09% +1.21% -1.14% +1.17% +1.69% *the day when the event occurredThe FSC/FSS will continue to monitor domestic and overseas financial market situations and execute contingency measures to keep market stable if needed.*Please read the attached file for details.
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Jan 29, 2013

Covered Bonds Act Approved at Cabinet Meeting

The bill on the Covered Bond Act was approved at the Cabinet meeting on January 29, 2013, which will be submitted for parliamentary approval in February 2013.The Covered Bond Act will be enforced in 6 month after its public announcement.For details about the Covered Bond Act, please refer to our press release Legislation Notice of Covered Bond Act published on October 23, 2012.* Please read the attached file for details.
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Dec 12, 2012

FSC/FSS Emergency Meeting on the Effects of North Korea's Rocket Launch

The FSC Vice Chairman Choo Kyungho convened an FSC/FSS emergency meeting at 1:30 pm after North Korea had launched its long- range rocket at 9:51 am Wednesday on December 12, 2012 to discuss the effects of the launch on Korea’s financial market and measures to be taken to keep market stability.As the launch on December 12 has been widely expected, Korea’s financial market remains stable even after the announcement of the rocket launch.1 Market experts view the rocket launch will have a limited impact on Korea’s financial market as North Korea’s previous attempts to test its long-range missile did.2The FSC/FSS will continue to monitor domestic and overseas financial market situations and execute contingency measures to stabilize markets if needed.*Please read the attached file for details.
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Dec 06, 2012

First Annual Status Report on the Hedge Fund Industry

RECENT TRENDThe total asset size of Korea’s hedge fund market has grown to KRW 1 trillion with 12 active management companies with 19 registered funds in a year since it started from KRW 149 billion with 9 fund management companies with 12 funds. (unit: KRW 1 billion) Dec 2011 Mar 2012 Jun 2012 Sept 2012 Nov 2012 total assets 2,370 5,509 6,546 7,858 10,175 (percentage*) (0.2%) (0.5%) (0.6%) (0.7%) (0.8%) no. of funds 12 17 19 20 19 (no. of mgmt (9) (11) (11) (12) (12) companies) * Percentage of asset size of hedge funds out of the total private equity industryHedge funds’ management strategy and investors have been diversified for the last year. Most of hedge funds still rely on long- short strategies; however, the industry plans to sell funds using a variety of strategies such as arbitrage trading and event-driven strategies.Investors’ pool is widening from prime brokers and affiliated companies with brokerage firms in the early stage to institutional investors and affluent retail investors.EVALUATIONThe hedge fund industry made a soft landing in Korea’s capital markets, dismissing initial concerns that the introduction of hedge funds might increase market risks. Hedge fund managers are building their reputation in the market with differentiated performance. As track records of funds with good performance build up, the size of assets under management for such funds is expected to increase.With improved market perceptions about hedge funds, investors’ pool is expected to be expanded to corporations and pension funds.POLICY DIRECTION AHEADIn order to attract capable managers, requirements for approving hedge fund management were relaxed as announced in July 2012. With the eased requirements, the approval process will be completed for asset managers that submit application in December by the end of this year.It is expected a total of 23 firms including 12 asset management companies, 5 brokerage firms and 6 advisory firms will submit application for hedge fun
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Nov 22, 2012

The Korean Government's Position on Lone Star's Filing for Arbitration

Lone Star Funds (“Lone Star”) on November 21, 2012 filed an arbitration claim with the Korean government at the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), claiming that the Korean government violated its obligation under the investment treaty between South Korea and Belgium and Luxembourg.The Korean government does not consent to Lone Star’s claims. Since Lone Star sent a written notice of a dispute in May 2012, the government created a task force to prepare for the arbitration. The Korean government will proactively set forth counter-arguments against Lone Star’s claims and make our best effort in proceeding with the arbitration.* Please read the attached file for details.
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Oct 12, 2012

FSB Plenary Meeting Held In Tokyo

The FSC Vice Chairman, Choo Kyung Ho visited Tokyo during October 10 to 11 to attend the Financial Stability Board’s Plenary Meeting.Top regulators from 24 FSB member countries as well as from BCBS and other standard-setting bodies attended the meeting to uphold and execute the agreements made on financial regulatory reform initiatives at the G20 Mexico Summit last June.Some of the issues agreed upon were: vulnerabilities in the financial system; G-SIFIs and D-SIFIs; shadow banking; and OTC derivatives regulation.*Please read the attached file for details.
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Jun 21, 2012

Task Force Formed to Legislate the Covered Bond Act

BACKGROUNDThe FSC formed a task force to legislate the Covered Bond Act which held the first meeting on June 21, 2012.A year ago, the FSC/FSS established guidelines* on the issuance of covered bonds by banks, as one of follow-up measures to properly manage the rapid growth of household debt. However, the process of securitizations incurred excessive costs, and there remained uncertainty for covered bond investors to claim dual recourse of their investment. Therefore, there has been growing need for statutory rules for issuing covered bonds.* Refer to the FSC press release titled “Guidelines on Covered Bond Issuance” published on June 29, 2011With the legislation of the Covered Bond Act, the FSC expects the issuance of covered bonds would help banks reduce their funding costs; covered bonds would serve as a stable and long-term funding source for banks particularly in the event of crises; and it would contribute to enhancing the soundness of household debt by encouraging banks to extend more long-term and fixed-rate loansUPCOMING SCHEDULE- Draft bill of the Covered Bond Act by July 2012- Approval by the FSC and 40-day legislative notice from August to September 2012- Review by the Ministry of Government Legislation; Approval at the vice-ministerial and cabinet meetings: from September to October 2012- Submission to the National Assembly for parliamentary approval: November 2012*Please read the attached file for details.
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Jun 14, 2012

FSC Chairman Visits Thailand and Hong Kong for Further Financial Regulatory Cooperation

The FSC Chairman Kim Seok-dong visited Thailand and Hong Kong from June 9 to June 13 to meet and sign MOUs with financial regulators for further cooperation. Chairman Kim also held meetings with executives of Korean businesses and financial companies to listen to their difficulties and help them localize their business operations.1. Further cooperation with financial authorities of Thailand and Hong KongThe FSC signed MOUs with Thailand’s Office of Insurance Commission (OIC) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for exchanging financial regulatory and supervisory information and sharing financial expertise.In Hong Kong, Chairman Kim visited the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (HKSFC) to discuss the impact of the eurozone fiscal crisis and policy responses.2. Meetings with executives of Korean businesses and financial companiesChairman Kim held meetings with executives of Korean businesses and financial companies in Bangkok (June 11) and Hong Kong (June 14) to listen to their difficulties in overseas operations and discuss how to successfully localize their business operations.*Please read the attached file for details.
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May 31, 2012

FSB Plenary Meeting in Hong Kong

The FSC Vice Chairman Choo Kyungho attended the Financial Stability Board (FSB) plenary meeting held in Hong Kong from May 29 to May 30. At the meeting, financial regulators from 24 FSB member countries and international standard-setting bodies reviewed progress in financial regulatory reform and coordinated their opinions ahead of the Los Cabos G20 Summit to be held from June 16 to June 19.KEY DISCUSSIONS1. Vulnerabilities in the financial systemIn the euro area, the adverse feedback loop between sovereign debt strains, weak economic growth and fragile banking systems has intensified. There has been a pull-back in cross-border financial activity. Against this backdrop, risks of adverse spillovers to global financial markets and economies have increased.The FSB supports the work of European and national authorities to lower short-term risks and foster lasting confidence and stability, including completing the repair and restructuring of some banks as required. In addition, authorities agreed to work together to minimize the downside risks from the ongoing process of bank deleveraging.2. Addressing systemically important financial institutions (SIFIs)The FSB endorsed the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) consultation paper that sets out a proposed methodology for assessing the global systemic importance of insurance companies.The FSB evaluated progress in implementing its Key Attributes of Effective Resolution Regimes for Financial Institutions. FSB members reaffirmed the need for further work to establish international guidance on common terms for information sharing and on the handling of client assets in resolution.3. Over-the-counter (OTC) derivativesThe FSB noted that substantial progress has been made in setting international standards, in advancing legislation and regulations by a number of jurisdictions. However, the FSB recognized that the current momentum should be maintained as much work remains to be done to complete the reforms by
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May 07, 2012

Four Mutual Savings Banks Ordered to Suspend Operations

In a provisional meeting held on May 6, 2012, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) ordered four mutual savings banks – Solomon, Korea, Mirae and Hanju – to halt operations for six months to improve their finances after determining them as “financial institutions in distress”.The order came as a result of the inspection by the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) and a joint committee’s review on six mutual savings banks, which were ordered on September 18, 2011 to normalize their business operations within a grace period. The suspended four mutual savings banks were among the six.Background and ProgressThe government cleaned up nine troubled mutual savings banks – Samhwa, Busan, Daejeon, Busan II, Jungang Busan, Jeonju, Bohae, Domin, Kyongeun – in the first half of 2011 to resolve the mutual savings bank issue.For the seven weeks from July 5 to August 19, 2011, a management assessment taskforce consisting of the FSS and the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) inspected 85 mutual savings banks’ management situations* in a preemptive move to remove uncertainty about mutual savings banks.* Out of 98 savings banks in operation as of end-June 2011, 13 savings banks were exempted from the inspection as they already went through inspections in the first half of 2011.On September 18, 2011, the FSC suspended business operations of seven mutual savings banks – Daeyeong, Ace, Prime, Parangsae, Jeil, Jeil II and Tomato – for six months, out of 13 mutual savings banks which had been determined as in distress subsequent to the inspection by the FSS and the review of their management improvement plans.The remaining six savings banks were given a grace period before being ordered to shut down their operations, consequent to the management assessment committee’s approval and a possibility of independent normalization.The FSS conducted inspections of the six savings banks to assess their progress on management improvement plans and additional distress f
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Apr 30, 2012

Resumption of Privatization Plan for Woori Finance Holdings

The Public Funds Oversight Committee has held the 52nd Meeting on April 27 and approved the KDIC’s plan to resume the sale process of Woori Finance Holdings.I. BASIC PRINCIPLEUpholding the three main principles of privatization,* the sale process will be proceeded through the open bidding scheme with preliminary and final biddings.***Three basic principles of privatization:①maximizing the recovery of public funds; ②speeding up the privatization process; and ③contributing to the development of the domestic financial sector**For efficiency of the sale process, the process of submitting LOIs will be exempted.II. SALE OF MANAGEMENT RIGHTSThe sale of Woori Finance Holdings is aimed at selling management rights. The privatization can proceed through either merger or acquisition.*With a revision to the Commercial Act, bidders who propose a merger are allowed to make payment in cash as well as new shares of the merged company.To reaffirm government’s intention to sell Woori’s controlling stake, the minimum bid acceptable is maintained at 30% of the total share.III. SELLING THE GROUP AS A PACKAGEWoori Finance Holdings will be put up for sale in its entirety with its subsidiaries not to be sold separately. This is to simplify the sale procedure and minimize uncertainties of the process.IV. PHASE-OUT OR CANCELLATION OF THE MOU HELD BY KDICThe KDIC’s MOU governing Woori Finance Holdings will be either phased out or cancelled depending on the reduction of KDIC’s stake in Woori in order to ensure Woori’s managerial autonomy as much as possible.If the KDIC still remains a majority shareholder even after a merger, the KDIC’s voting rights can be restricted or delegated by the Public Funds Oversight Committee’s approval.The sale notice for Woori will be announced on April 30, and preliminary bids will be accepted by July 27.* Please refer to the attached file below.
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