-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, JCiK3WGHtUCxPOo8IBo6ZwyjKU6TN4OkEffTZbnhkPakIhn4L9Gj4kQRQc4whTeW lace55BJBDBgcYhAXIrq2A== 0000950123-06-012193.txt : 20060929 0000950123-06-012193.hdr.sgml : 20060929 20060929154914 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-06-012193 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC TO-I PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 10 FILED AS OF DATE: 20060929 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060929 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: KOREA FUND INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000748691 IRS NUMBER: 133226146 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC TO-I SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-36819 FILM NUMBER: 061117306 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 345 PARK AVE STREET 2: C/O DEUTSCHE ASSET MANAGEMENT CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10154 BUSINESS PHONE: 617-295-3986 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: DEUTSCHE ASSET MANAGEMENT STREET 2: TWO INTERNATIONAL FUND CITY: BOSTON STATE: MA ZIP: 02110 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: KOREA FUND INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000748691 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000] IRS NUMBER: 133226146 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC TO-I BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 345 PARK AVE STREET 2: C/O DEUTSCHE ASSET MANAGEMENT CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10154 BUSINESS PHONE: 617-295-3986 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: DEUTSCHE ASSET MANAGEMENT STREET 2: TWO INTERNATIONAL FUND CITY: BOSTON STATE: MA ZIP: 02110 SC TO-I 1 y25527sctovi.htm SCHEDULE TO SC TO-I
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 29, 2006.
 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE TO
TENDER OFFER STATEMENT UNDER SECTION 14(D)(1) OR 13(E)(1) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
THE KOREA FUND, INC.
(Name of Subject Company (issuer))
THE KOREA FUND, INC.
(Name of Filing Person (offeror))
COMMON STOCK,
$0.01 PAR VALUE PER SHARE

(Title of Class of Securities)
500634100
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
John Millette
The Korea Fund, Inc.
c/o Deutsche Investment Management Americas, Inc.
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154
(800) 349-4281

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices
and Communications on Behalf of the Person(s) Filing Statement)
 
Copy to:
William D. Regner, Esq.
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 909-6000
 

 


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CALCULATION OF FILING FEE
     
 
Transaction Valuation   Amount of Filing Fee
 
$98,724,060.82 (a)   $10,563.47 (b)
 
(a)   Estimated for purposes of calculating the amount of the filing fee only. Calculated as the aggregate market value for 2,696,734 shares in the offer, based on the average of the high and low prices on September 26, 2006 of $36.609 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
 
(b)   Calculated at $107.00 per $1,000,000 of the Transaction Value, pursuant to Rule 0-11 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by Fee Rate Advisory #5 for Fiscal Year 2006, effective November 27, 2005.
 
o   Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
Amount Previously Paid: Not applicable
Form or Registration No.: Not applicable
Filing Party: Not applicable
Date Filed: Not applicable
o   Check box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer.
 
    Check the appropriate boxes to designate any transactions to which this statement relates:
  o   third party tender offer subject to Rule 14d-1
 
  þ   issuer tender offer subject to Rule 13e-4
 
  o   going-private transaction subject to Rule 13e-3
 
  o   amendment to Schedule 13D under Rule 13d-2
Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the tender offer. [ ]
 
 

 


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Item 12. Exhibits
Item 13. Information Required By Schedule 13E-3
SIGNATURE
EX-99.A.1.I: OFFER TO REPURCHASE
EX-99.A.1.II: FORM OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
EX-99.A.1.III: FORM OF LETTER TO BROKERS, DEALERS, ETC.
EX-99.A.1.IV: FORM OF NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
EX-99.A.1.V: FORM OF LETTER TO CLIENTS
EX-99.A.5.I: PRESS RELEASE
EX-99.A.5.II: LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS


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Introductory Statement
     This Issuer Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO relates to an offer by The Korea Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”), to repurchase a pro rata portion of the Fund’s portfolio securities (other than securities that are not publicly traded, which would need to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or securities regulations applicable in other countries if distributed in the repurchase, that may not be held other than by Korean holders, or that involve the assumption of contractual obligations or trading restrictions) upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Repurchase, dated September 29, 2006 (the “Offer to Repurchase”), and in the related Letter of Transmittal which are filed as exhibits to this Schedule TO.
     This Issuer Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO is being filed in satisfaction of the reporting requirements of Rule 13e-4(c)(2) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
     The information set forth in the Offer to Repurchase and the related Letter of Transmittal is incorporated herein by reference in answer to Items 1 through 11 of Schedule TO.
Item 12. Exhibits
     
(a)(1)(i)
  Offer to Repurchase, dated September 29, 2006.
(a)(1)(ii)
  Form of Letter of Transmittal.
(a)(1)(iii)
  Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.
(a)(1)(iv)
  Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
(a)(1)(v)
  Form of Letter to Clients of Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.
(a)(2)
  None.
(a)(3)
  Not Applicable.
(a)(4)
  Not Applicable.
(a)(5)(i)
  Press release issued on September 29, 2006.
(a)(5)(ii)
  Letter to Shareholders of The Korea Fund, Inc., dated September 29, 2006, from Mr. Julian Reid, the Chairman of the Fund’s Board of Directors.
(b)
  None.
(d)
  None.
(g)
  None.
(h)
  None.

 


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Item 13. Information Required By Schedule 13E-3
     Not Applicable.

 


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SIGNATURE
     After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
         
  THE KOREA FUND, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ John Millette  
    Name:   John Millette   
  Title:   Secretary   
    Dated:   September 29, 2006   
 

 

EX-99.A.1.I 2 y25527exv99waw1wi.htm EX-99.A.1.I: OFFER TO REPURCHASE EX-99.A.1.I
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OFFER TO REPURCHASE
up to 2,696,734 of the Issued and Outstanding Shares of Common Stock

of

The Korea Fund, Inc.
at 98% of Net Asset Value Per Share

by

The Korea Fund, Inc.
in Exchange for Portfolio Securities of the Korea Fund, Inc.
 
 
THE OFFER TO REPURCHASE WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT, EASTERN TIME,
ON OCTOBER 27, 2006, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
 
 
THIS OFFER IS SUBJECT TO IMPORTANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS, INCLUDING THE CONDITIONS LISTED UNDER “CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER.”
 
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THIS OFFER, PASSED UPON THE FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF THE OFFER OR DETERMINED WHETHER THIS OFFER TO REPURCHASE IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIME.
 
To the Shareholders of The Korea Fund, Inc.:
 
The Korea Fund, Inc., a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company incorporated under the laws of the state of Maryland (the “Fund”), is offering to repurchase up to 2,696,734 (approximately 10%) of its issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”). As of September 26, 2006, 26,967,347 Shares were outstanding. The offer is to repurchase Shares in exchange for a pro rata portion of the Fund’s portfolio securities (other than securities that are not publicly traded, that would need to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or securities regulations applicable in other countries, if distributed in the repurchase, that may not be held other than by Korean holders, or that involve the assumption of contractual obligations or trading restrictions) held in the Fund’s investment portfolio (the “Portfolio Securities”), subject to adjustment for fractional shares and odd lots, at a price equal to 98% of the net asset value (“NAV”) per Share determined as of the close of the regular trading session of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the principal market on which the Shares are traded, on the business day after the day the offer expires (the “Repurchase Pricing Date”). The offer is being made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Repurchase and the related Letter of Transmittal (which, together with any amendments or supplements thereto, collectively constitute the “Offer”).
 
The Offer will expire at midnight, Eastern time, on October 27, 2006, unless extended. The Shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “KF”. The NAV as of the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE on September 26, 2006 was $40.08 per Share and the last reported sale price on the NYSE on such date for a Share was $36.72. Until the Offer expires, NAV quotations can be obtained from Georgeson Inc. (the “Information Agent”) by calling (800) 843-0369 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except holidays).
 
IF YOU ARE NOT INTERESTED IN SELLING ANY OF YOUR SHARES AT THIS TIME, YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO ANYTHING. THIS REPURCHASE OFFER IS NOT PART OF A PLAN TO LIQUIDATE THE FUND. SHAREHOLDERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REPURCHASE OFFER. SHAREHOLDERS WISHING TO SELL SHARES SHOULD CONSIDER WHETHER PARTICIPATING IN THE OFFER, IN LIGHT OF THE ASSOCIATED TRANSACTION COSTS DESCRIBED IN THIS OFFER TO REPURCHASE, IS COST-EFFECTIVE VERSUS SELLING FUND SHARES ON THE NYSE.
 
Before you decide whether to participate in the Offer, you should consider the relative benefits and costs of such participation, including, without limitation, the requirements of appointing a Korean proxy (the “Korean Proxy”), registering with the Financial Supervisory Service of Korea (the “FSS”), and establishing a Korean securities account with a licensed Korean broker or a custodian bank (the “Korean Securities Account”), which may be subject to different procedures and laws from those applicable when opening a U.S. securities account, and a U.S. dollar account with a bank outside of Korea (the “USD


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Account” and, collectively with the Korean Securities Account and any shareholder account with The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), the “Shareholder Accounts”); the potential risks inherent in holding the Portfolio Securities, for which there may be less information available than for U.S. publicly traded securities; and the costs (including transaction costs and taxes) and risks (including the risk of exchange rate fluctuation between the Korean Won and the currency into which Won-denominated sales proceeds would ultimately be converted) of disposing of the Portfolio Securities, versus selling the Fund shares on the NYSE at the prevailing market price and receiving cash payment in U.S. dollars. Because opening a Korean Securities Account may require more time than opening a comparable securities account in the U.S., you should promptly make these arrangements if you desire to participate in the Offer.
 
Participation in the offer will, except in certain cases described herein, result in your receiving Korean securities in exchange for shares of the Fund. If you do not wish to receive or transact in Korean securities, you should not participate in the offer. You may sell your shares on the NYSE at the prevailing market price at any time.
 
Participating shareholders will bear the costs and expenses of their receiving the Portfolio Securities pursuant to the Offer, including any fees charged by Citibank Korea, Inc. (the “Subcustodian”) to transfer the Portfolio Securities and any fees charged by Korean banks, brokers or custodians. Participating shareholders will also bear the Korean securities transaction tax and certain transfer taxes and custodial expenses. The Fund will pay all charges and expenses of the Information Agent and The Colbent Corporation (the “Depositary”) and the cost of the Fund’s Korean tax agents for the Offer. The Fund mailed this Offer to Repurchase and the accompanying Letter of Transmittal to record holders on or about September 29, 2006.
 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
 
Shareholders who desire to participate in the Offer should either: (a) properly complete and sign the Letter of Transmittal, provide thereon the original of any required signature guarantee(s) and mail or deliver it together with the certificates for the Shares (in proper certificated or uncertificated form) and all other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal; or (b) request their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to effect the transaction on their behalf. Shareholders whose shares are registered in the name of such a brokerage firm or other financial intermediary must contact that firm to participate in the Offer on their behalf. Participating shareholders may be charged a fee by their brokerage firm or other financial intermediary for processing the documentation required to participate in the Offer on their behalf and may incur other expenses as described in this Offer to Repurchase. The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject tenders determined not to be in appropriate form.
 
Participating shareholders who do not timely make the required Korean registration, custodial and transfer arrangements will not be able to participate in the offer and will be deemed to have incorrectly tendered their shares. (See Sections 4 and 6.) Transfer and delivery requirements are further detailed in the Letter of Transmittal.
 
IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO TENDER YOUR SHARES, YOU NEED NOT TAKE ANY ACTION. NEITHER THE FUND NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOR DEUTSCHE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AMERICAS INC., THE FUND’S INVESTMENT MANAGER (THE “MANAGER”), NOR DEUTSCHE INVESTMENT TRUST MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED, THE FUND’S SUBADVISER (THE “SUBADVISER”), MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION TO ANY SHAREHOLDER AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING SHARES FOR REPURCHASE. NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATION ON BEHALF OF THE FUND, ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE MANAGER OR THE SUBADVISER AS TO WHETHER SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING SHARES FOR REPURCHASE PURSUANT TO THE OFFER OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OR TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER OTHER THAN AS CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. IF MADE OR GIVEN, ANY SUCH RECOMMENDATION, REPRESENTATION OR INFORMATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND, ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE MANAGER OR THE SUBADVISER. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO EVALUATE CAREFULLY ALL INFORMATION IN THE OFFER, CONSULT THEIR OWN INVESTMENT AND TAX ADVISERS AND MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING THEIR SHARES FOR REPURCHASE IN THE OFFER.
 
THE FUND HAS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE “COMMISSION”) A TENDER OFFER STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE TO UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED (THE “EXCHANGE ACT”), RELATING TO THE OFFER.
 
The date of this Offer to Repurchase is September 29, 2006.


 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 
1.
  Price; Number of Shares   6
2.
  Purpose of the Offer; Plans or Proposals of the Fund   6
3.
  Certain Conditions of the Offer   8
4.
  Procedures for Tendering Shares for Repurchase   9
5.
  Withdrawal Rights   12
6.
  Payment for Shares   13
7.
  Source and Amount of Consideration   14
8.
  Effects of the Offer; Consequences of Participation   14
9.
  Price Range of Shares; Dividends/Distributions   16
10.
  Selected Financial Information   16
11.
  Interest of Directors, Executive Officers and Certain Related Persons   19
12.
  Certain Information About the Fund   20
13.
  Additional Information   20
14.
  Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences   20
15.
  Certain Korean Tax Consequences   24
16.
  Certain Legal Matters; Regulatory Approvals   24
17.
  Amendments; Extension of Repurchase Period; Termination   25
18.
  Miscellaneous   26


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SUMMARY TERM SHEET
 
This summary highlights important information concerning this repurchase offer. To understand the repurchase offer fully and for a more complete discussion of its terms and conditions, you should read carefully the entire Offer to Repurchase and the related Letter of Transmittal.
 
What is the repurchase offer?
 
  •  The Korea Fund, Inc. is offering to repurchase up to 2,696,734 shares (or approximately 10%) of its common stock at a price equal to 98% of the per share net asset value as of the close of regular trading session of the New York Stock Exchange on the business day immediately after the day the repurchase offer expires. You will not receive cash in exchange for your Fund shares, but will instead receive portfolio securities of Korean listed companies held by the Fund at the expiration of the repurchase offer and representing a pro rata share of the portfolio securities then held by the Fund. The Fund will transfer your portion of these portfolio securities to a Korean securities account, which you must establish at a licensed Korean broker or a custodian bank, in exchange for the repurchase by the Fund of the Fund shares tendered by you for repurchase. If cash is distributed as to fractional shares or odd lots of securities or as to any cash then held by the Fund, the Fund will transfer the cash to a U.S. dollar account, which you must establish with a bank outside of Korea. If you are a resident of Japan, you will not receive portfolio securities, but instead will receive cash upon your required sale of such portfolio securities pursuant to the procedures as set forth in this Offer. Unless extended, the repurchase offer will expire at midnight, Eastern time, on October 27, 2006. The repurchase offer is subject to a number of conditions. See “Certain Conditions of the Offer.”
 
What does it mean to receive portfolio securities of the Fund?
 
  •  Instead of receiving cash for Fund shares accepted for repurchase in the repurchase offer, participating shareholders will receive shares or other portfolio securities, such as convertible bonds, of Korean listed companies in which the Fund has invested (other than securities that are not publicly traded, that would need to be registered under U.S. securities laws or securities regulations applicable in other countries if distributed in the repurchase, that may not be held other than by Korean holders, or that involve the assumption of contractual obligations or trading restrictions), except that cash in U.S. dollars will be distributed with respect to fractional shares, odd lots and any cash then held by the Fund. Due to the diversified nature of portfolio securities held by the Fund, shareholders are more likely to receive a disproportionate amount of consideration in the form of cash in lieu of fractional shares to the extent that they tender fewer Fund shares in the repurchase offer. The value of the portfolio securities may decrease or increase between the date on which Fund shares are tendered for repurchase and the date on which Fund shares are priced for purposes of the repurchase offer, and between the date on which Fund shares are priced for purposes of the repurchase offer and the date on which participating shareholders actually receive the portfolio securities in their Korean securities accounts. See “Payment for Shares.”
 
If I participate in the repurchase offer, can I receive cash instead of portfolio securities in return?
 
  •  No. However, instead of participating in the offer, you may choose at any time to sell your shares of the Fund on the New York Stock Exchange for U.S. dollars at the prevailing market price. In light of the associated transaction costs described in this offer to repurchase, you should consider whether participating in the offer is cost-effective versus selling your shares on the New York Stock Exchange. If you participate in the repurchase offer, a small portion of consideration that you will receive will be in U.S. dollars to account for fractional shares, odd lots and any cash then held by Fund. However, due to the diversified nature of portfolio securities held by the Fund, you are more likely to receive a disproportionately large share of consideration in the form of cash in lieu of fractional shares to the extent that you tender fewer Fund shares in the repurchase offer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you are a resident of Japan, you are required to submit an irrevocable instruction to sell the portfolio securities and to receive cash equivalent to the amount of the proceeds of the portfolio securities.
 
Will I know the identity of the Korean issuers of the portfolio securities I will be receiving prior to tendering my Fund shares?
 
  •  You may refer to the annual and semiannual reports of the Fund for a list of portfolio securities held by the Fund as of June 30 and December 31 of the calendar year covered by such report. The portfolio securities to be received by


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  participating shareholders will represent a pro rata portion of the Fund’s investment portfolio, subject to the adjustments noted above. In addition, the Fund will issue a press release after the expiration of the repurchase offer listing the portfolio securities held by the Fund on the business day after the day the repurchase offer expires.
 
What can I do with the portfolio securities I receive if I participate in the repurchase offer?
 
  •  You may arrange to sell your shares of portfolio securities on a Korean public exchange in return for cash proceeds denominated in Korean Won. You may also continue to hold the portfolio securities received from the Fund. However, if you are a resident of Japan, you must irrevocably instruct your Korean broker to sell all portfolio securities.
 
Will I have to pay anything to participate in the repurchase offer?
 
  •  The Fund will bear the costs of printing and mailing materials to Fund shareholders, certain legal and filing fees, and fees and expenses of the depositary, The Colbent Corporation, and the information agent, Georgeson Inc. The Fund will also bear the cost of the Fund’s Korean tax agents for the offer. The shareholders that participate in the repurchase offer will pay all costs associated with distributing portfolio securities pursuant to the offer, including, but not limited to, any fees charged by the Fund’s subcustodian to transfer the portfolio securities, the Korean securities transaction tax and any other securities transfer taxes and custodial expenses, if any, which shall be deducted directly from each participating shareholder’s proceeds from the repurchase. The actual expense per Fund share tendered by you for repurchase, including the expense of effecting the repurchase and of any liquidation of portfolio securities received by you, will depend on a number of factors, including the number of shares you tender for repurchase, the Fund’s portfolio composition at the time of the repurchase, and prevailing market conditions when you liquidate the portfolio securities received in the repurchase, if you choose to do so. Your broker, dealer or other institution may charge you a fee for processing your repurchase request and sending the repurchase request to the depositary. You may also incur expenses associated with the appointment of a Korean proxy and the establishment of a Korean securities account, which you must establish in order to receive the portfolio securities, and a U.S. dollar account with a bank outside of Korea, which you must establish in order to receive the cash proceeds, plus fees, expenses and brokerage commissions associated with the disposal or retention of the portfolio securities. See “Price; Number of Shares.” The actual per-share expenses of effecting the repurchases and of any liquidation of portfolio securities received will depend on a number of factors, including the number of shares tendered, the Fund’s portfolio composition at the time and market conditions prevailing during the liquidation process. Per-share expenses borne by a participating shareholder might increase to the extent that the Fund repurchases fewer shares from such participating shareholder.
 
Why is the Fund making this repurchase offer?
 
  •  In December 2004, the board of directors of the Fund announced a repurchase program that was intended to address the persistent discount in the trading price of the Fund’s shares to net asset value and the stated desire of certain major shareholders to liquidate their investment in the Fund at a price close to net asset value. This program included an in-kind repurchase offer for up to 50% of the Fund’s outstanding share at a price equal to 98% of net asset value, which was completed in August of 2005. This program also included six semi-annual in-kind tender offers, each for up to 10% of the Fund’s outstanding shares at 98% of net asset value, which would be made only if the Fund’s shares traded at an average discount of more than 5% during the last three months of each semi-annual period. The first of these semi-annual offers was completed in February of 2006. In the case of that offer, the Fund’s board had approved the payment of cash consideration in lieu of delivery of portfolio securities in-kind in order to facilitate greater participation by small stockholders.
 
On July 17, 2006, the Fund’s board announced that another semi-annual repurchase offer under the program had been triggered during the 13-week measuring period preceding June 30, 2006 and that as a result, this repurchase offer would be commenced during the current calendar quarter. The average weekly discount of the Fund during the 13-week measuring period preceding June 30, 2006 was 6.63%. The Fund’s board reserved judgment on the question of whether the consideration to be paid in this repurchase offer should again be paid in cash, as had been the case in the Fund’s most recent tender offer, or in kind through the delivery of portfolio securities, as had been contemplated by the repurchase program originally announced in December 2004. After considering the potential impact of a cash repurchase on the Fund, particularly in light of the significant unrealized capital gain embedded in the Fund’s portfolio securities, the


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Fund’s board concluded that payment for this repurchase offer should be made in kind through the delivery of portfolio securities.
 
The Fund is making the repurchase offer to provide shareholders with an alternative source of liquidity for their investment in Fund shares and as part of the Fund’s continuous efforts to provide additional value to shareholders. The repurchase offer provides a means for shareholders who wish to sell a portion of their Fund shares to do so at close to net asset value per share. See “Purpose of the Offer; Plans or Proposals of the Fund.”
 
Why is the Fund offering to pay me portfolio securities instead of cash in this repurchase offer?
 
  •  Although participating shareholders received cash instead of portfolio securities under the previous offer completed in February 2006 as part of the Fund’s repurchase program, the Fund has determined that, at this time, an in-kind offer will be more beneficial to Fund shareholders because it will avoid the adverse tax consequences to the Fund that would result from a cash offer. In light of the potential adverse tax consequences of successive cash tender offers, the Fund’s board has determined that this repurchase offer should be made in-kind consistent with the terms of the repurchase program.
 
When will the repurchase offer expire, and may the repurchase offer be extended?
 
  •  The repurchase offer will expire at midnight, Eastern time, on October 27, 2006, unless extended. The Fund may elect at any time to extend the expiration date of the repurchase offer. If the repurchase offer is extended, the Fund will issue a press release announcing the extension. See “Amendments; Extension of Repurchase Period; Termination.”
 
What is the net asset value per Fund share as of a recent date?
 
  •  As of September 26, 2006, the net asset value per share was $40.08 and the last reported sales price on the New York Stock Exchange for a share of the Fund’s common stock was $36.72. See “Price Range of Shares; Dividends/Distributions” for more information regarding the trading range of Fund shares and the Fund’s net asset value per share during the past four years. Before the repurchase offer expires, net asset value quotations can be obtained from Georgeson Inc. by calling (800) 843-0369 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except holidays).
 
Will the Fund’s net asset value per share be higher or lower on the date that the price to be paid for repurchased shares is to be determined?
 
  •  No one can accurately predict the Fund’s net asset value per share at a future date.
 
How do I participate in the repurchase offer?
 
  •  To participate in the repurchase offer, you must follow the procedures set forth in “Procedures for Tendering Shares for Repurchase” and in the Letter of Transmittal that accompanies this Offer to Repurchase. To participate in the repurchase offer, you will be required, for instance, to appoint a Korean proxy, to register with the Financial Supervisory Service of Korea and to submit information regarding your Korean securities account established with a licensed Korean securities broker or a custodian bank where the portfolio securities can be transferred and a U.S. dollar account established with a bank outside of Korea where the cash proceeds can be transferred. Participating shareholders should note that establishing a Korean securities account may require more time than opening a comparable account in the U.S. Accordingly, participating shareholders should promptly make these arrangements. Shareholders should also carefully ensure that all information required in order to participate in the repurchase offer, including information regarding the Korean securities account and the U.S. dollar account, has been provided and is accurate. You must also submit required documentation to establish that you are not subject to U.S. federal income tax backup withholding as described in “United States Federal Income Tax Withholding.” The Fund is under no obligation to notify shareholders of any errors or incomplete information with their submissions. Any deficiencies in a shareholder’s submission will result in the shareholder’s Fund shares not being accepted for repurchase and being returned to the shareholder following the expiration of the offer.


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Must I tender all of my shares for repurchase?
 
  •  No. You may tender for repurchase all or part of the shares you own unless you own not more than 99 shares total, in which case you must tender for repurchase either all or none of your shares.
 
May I withdraw my shares after I have tendered them for repurchase and, if so, by when?
 
  •  Yes, you may withdraw your shares at any time prior to midnight, Eastern time, on October 27, 2006 or, if the offer is extended, at any time prior to the new expiration time and date as extended. In order for your withdrawal to be effective, the depositary, The Colbent Corporation, must receive your notice of withdrawal prior to the expiration of the repurchase offer at one of the addresses on the back cover of this Offer to Repurchase. You may re-tender withdrawn shares by following the repurchase procedures before the offer expires, including during any extension period. In addition, if the Fund has not accepted for payment shares you tendered, you may withdraw your tendered shares at any time after November 28, 2006 and prior to their acceptance for payment. See “Withdrawal Rights.”
 
How do I withdraw previously tendered shares?
 
  •  A notice of withdrawal of tendered shares must be timely received by the depositary specifying the name of the participating shareholder, the number of shares being withdrawn (which must be all of the shares tendered) and, as to share certificates representing tendered shares that have been delivered or otherwise identified to the depositary, the name of the registered owner of such shares if different from the person that tendered the shares. See “Withdrawal Rights.”
 
May I place any conditions on my tender of shares?
 
  •  No.
 
What if more than 2,696,734 shares are tendered and not timely withdrawn?
 
  •  The Fund is offering to repurchase up to 2,696,734 shares of its common stock. If shareholders tender more than 2,696,734 shares, the Fund will repurchase duly tendered shares from participating shareholders on a pro rata basis, disregarding fractions, based upon the number of shares each shareholder tenders for repurchase and does not timely withdraw except that, if a shareholder owns beneficially or of record not more than 99 shares, the Fund will repurchase all shares tendered by such shareholder. The Fund does not intend to increase the number of shares that it is offering to repurchase, even if shareholders tender more than 2,696,734 shares.
 
If the Fund accepts my shares for repurchase, when will I receive portfolio securities of Korean listed companies held by the Fund?
 
  •  The transfer of portfolio securities in return for tendered Fund shares, if accepted, will be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the repurchase offer.
 
Is my sale of shares in the repurchase offer a taxable transaction?
 
  •  United States Taxes — We anticipate that the sale by U.S. shareholders (other than those who are tax exempt) of Fund shares in exchange for portfolio securities will generally be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The subsequent sale or other disposition of portfolio securities received pursuant to the Offer may also be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Participating shareholders may also be subject to additional U.S. federal taxation under certain circumstances. See “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences” for a general summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a sale of shares pursuant to the repurchase offer and the differing rules for U.S. and non-U.S. shareholders. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your individual tax consequences, including potential state, local and foreign tax consequences.
 
  •  Korean Taxes — No Korean tax will be payable upon the sale of shares pursuant to the repurchase offer by participating shareholders that are not (i) residents of Korea or (ii) foreign corporations that maintain a permanent establishment in Korea to which any income arising from the sale of shares would be attributable. See “Certain Korean Tax Consequences” for a general summary of certain Korean tax consequences of a sale of shares pursuant to the repurchase offer


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  and the ownership, sale or other disposition of portfolio securities received pursuant to the offer. Participating shareholders will bear the Korean securities transaction tax. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your individual tax consequences.
 
Upon expiration of the repurchase offer, is the Fund required to complete the offer and repurchase all shares tendered up to the number of shares tendered for?
 
  •  Yes, unless any conditions described under “Certain Conditions of the Offer” are not satisfied. The Fund also has the right to amend or terminate the offer to repurchase prior to the time the offer expires.
 
Is there any reason shares tendered for repurchase would not be accepted?
 
  •  In addition to those circumstances described under “Certain Conditions of the Offer” in which the Fund is not required to repurchase tendered shares, the Fund reserves the right to reject any and all tenders determined by the Fund not to be in the appropriate form. The Fund may reject tenders if, for instance, the Letter of Transmittal does not include original signature(s), the original of any required signature guarantee(s), or, if you are a resident of Japan, a certification that you have irrevocably instructed your Korean proxy or Korean broker to sell the portfolio securities as soon as they have been received.
 
How will tendered shares be accepted for repurchase by the Fund?
 
  •  Properly tendered shares, up to the number tendered for, will be accepted for repurchase by the determination of the Fund, followed by a notice of acceptance to the depositary, which will thereafter transfer the tendered shares to the Fund’s subcustodian. The Fund’s subcustodian will then transfer the portfolio securities to your accounts soon as practicable after the expiration of the offer.
 
What action need I take if I decide not to tender my shares for repurchase?
 
  •  None.
 
Does the Fund’s management recommend that shareholders participate in the repurchase offer, and will they participate in the repurchase offer?
 
  •  None of the Fund, its Board of Directors, its investment manager or its subadviser is making any recommendation to the Fund’s shareholders whether to tender Fund shares in the repurchase offer. None of the Fund’s directors or officers intends to tender for repurchase in the repurchase offer any of the shares they beneficially own. See “Interest of Directors, Executive Officers and Certain Related Persons.”
 
Will there be additional opportunities to tender my shares to the Fund?
 
  •  As announced to the public contemporaneously with the publication of this repurchase offer, the Fund’s Board has determined to modify the existing repurchase program by replacing the four potential remaining semi-annual 10% tender offers with one final 15% in-kind repurchase offer which would be made in the first quarter of 2008 if the Fund’s shares trade at an average discount of more than 7.5% over a measuring period during the fourth quarter of 2007. See “Purpose of the Offer; Plans or Proposals of the Fund.”
 
How do I obtain more information?
 
  •  Questions, requests for assistance and requests for additional copies of the Offer to Repurchase, the Letter of Transmittal and all other repurchase offer documents should be directed to Georgeson Inc., the information agent for the repurchase offer, toll free at (800) 843-0369. If you do not own shares directly, you should obtain this information and the documents from your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, as appropriate.


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1. Price; Number of Shares.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), the Fund will accept for payment, in exchange for a pro rata portion of the Fund’s Portfolio Securities, an aggregate amount of up to 2,696,734 of its issued and outstanding Shares that are properly tendered and not withdrawn in accordance with Section 5 prior to the Expiration Date. The term “Expiration Date” means 12:00 midnight, Eastern time, on October 27, 2006, unless the Fund, in its sole discretion, extends the period during which the Offer is open, in which case Expiration Date shall mean the last time and date on which the Offer, as so extended by the Fund, shall expire. The Fund reserves the right in its sole discretion and for any reason to amend, extend or terminate the Offer. (See Sections 3 and 17.) The Fund will not be obligated to repurchase Shares pursuant to the Offer under certain circumstances. (See Section 3.) The purchase price of the Shares will be 98% of their NAV per Share determined as of the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE on the Repurchase Pricing Date, and will be payable in Fund Portfolio Securities. (See Section 6.) The Fund will not pay interest on the purchase price under any circumstances.
 
The NAV as of the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE on September 26, 2006 was $40.08 per Share and the last reported sale price of a Share on the NYSE on such date was $36.72, representing a discount of 8.38% to NAV. Prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Expiration Date, NAV quotations can be obtained from the Information Agent by calling (800) 843-0369 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday (except holidays).
 
The Offer is being made to all shareholders and is not conditioned upon shareholders tendering for repurchase in the aggregate any minimum number of Shares.
 
If more than 2,696,734 Shares are duly tendered for repurchase pursuant to the Offer (and not withdrawn as provided in Section 5), the Fund, subject to the conditions listed in Section 3, will repurchase Shares from participating shareholders in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the Offer, on a pro rata basis (disregarding fractions) based upon the number of Shares duly tendered (and not subsequently withdrawn) by or on behalf of each shareholder; provided that the Fund will exclude from such pro rata reduction and accept all Shares duly tendered in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the Offer by any shareholder who owns, beneficially or of record, an aggregate of not more than 99 Shares and who properly tenders all such Shares by means of the Letter of Transmittal. The Fund does not intend to increase the number of Shares offered for repurchase, even if more than 2,696,734 Shares are tendered by all shareholders in the aggregate.
 
On September 26, 2006, there were 26,967,347 Shares issued and outstanding, and there were 1,027 holders of record of Shares. Certain of these holders of record were brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and other institutions that held legal title to Shares as nominees on behalf of multiple beneficial owners.
 
2. Purpose of the Offer; Plans or Proposals of the Fund.  The Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”) considered and approved the Offer at a meeting held on September 14, 2006.
 
The Fund is making the Offer to provide shareholders with an alternative source of liquidity for their investment in Shares and as part of the Fund’s continuous efforts to provide additional value to shareholders. The Offer provides a means for shareholders wishing to sell a portion of their Shares to do so at close to NAV per Share. In addition, the Fund has received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) to the effect that, by distributing Portfolio Securities to participating shareholders, it is anticipated that the Fund and those shareholders who continue to hold Shares after the Offer will avoid the recognition of capital gains for U.S. federal income tax purposes which would otherwise be incurred if participating shareholders were to receive cash consideration for their Shares.
 
The Board for many years has sought to address the discount to net asset value at which Shares of the Fund have traded in ways consistent with the best interests of shareholders and applicable regulatory requirements. The Board has considered a wide variety of strategies to address the discount. Past actions taken by the Board have included the purchase of Shares pursuant to a cash tender offer, a special in-kind dividend in the form of American Depository Receipts representing shares of a Fund portfolio company, a market Share buy-back program, purchases of Shares pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan, and efforts to increase publicity about the Fund.
 
On April 25, 2003, the Board announced that it would initiate a special review of alternatives that would enable shareholders to receive value that would be near net asset value for at least a portion of their Shares by April 2004. On January 21, 2004, the Board announced that the Fund would conduct a tender offer and that the Board had approved a program of making additional tender offers, one in the first quarter of 2005 and one in the first quarter of 2006, in each case for 10% of the outstanding Shares at a price of 95% of net asset value if the Shares traded on the NYSE at an average weekly discount from net asset value greater than 15% during a 13-week measuring period ending the preceding December 31, and subject to fiduciary


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and other applicable requirements (the “Previous Program”). On January 23, 2004, the Fund commenced a cash tender offer for up to 10% of its outstanding Shares at a price equal to 95% of NAV per Share as of the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE on the day after the business day the offer expired. The tender offer expired on February 23, 2004. A total of 4,966,408.9739 Shares were accepted for payment under that offer.
 
On December 15, 2004, the Fund announced its approval, subject to fiduciary and other applicable requirements and regulatory approvals, of a repurchase of 50% of outstanding Shares at a price equal to 98% of the NAV per Share as of the day after the date such offer expired. The Fund also announced its approval of a plan to conduct six subsequent semi-annual repurchase offers in accordance with section 23(c)(2) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and rule 13e-4 under Exchange Act, each for 10% of the then outstanding Shares, at a price equal to 98% of NAV per Share as of the day after the date each such offer expires, if Shares trade on the NYSE at an average weekly discount from NAV greater than 5% during a 13-week measuring period ending the last day of the preceding half-year (the “Repurchase Program”). Payment for any Shares repurchased pursuant to the Repurchase Program would be made in-kind through a pro rata distribution of securities on the day after the date such offer expires. In light of the authorization by the Fund of the Repurchase Program, the Fund announced the termination of the Previous Program.
 
On July 8, 2005, the Fund commenced a repurchase offer for up to 22,350,747 shares, representing approximately 50% of its issued and outstanding shares, in exchange for portfolio securities of the Fund at a price per share equal to 98% of the net asset value per share as of the day after the day such repurchase offer expired. On August 25, 2005, the Fund announced that it had accepted, after adjusting for fractional shares in accordance with the terms of the offer, the tender of 14,737,788 shares. This represented approximately 33% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.
 
On January 19, 2006, the Fund commenced a tender offer for cash for up to 2,996,371 shares, representing approximately 10% its issued and outstanding shares, at a price per share equal to 98% of the net asset value per share as of the day after the day such tender offer expired. The tender offer was completed at the end of February and the Fund accepted 2,999,370.371 shares for payment at a price of $38.42 per share, which was equal to 98% of NAV per share determined as of the close of the NYSE on February 17, 2006.
 
On July 17, 2006, the Fund announced that another semi-annual repurchase offer had been triggered under the Repurchase Program during the 13-week measuring period preceding June 30, 2006 and that as a result, the Offer would be commenced during the current calendar quarter. The average weekly discount of the Fund during the 13-week measuring period ending June 30, 2006, was 6.63%. The Fund’s board reserved judgment on the question of whether the consideration to be paid in the Offer should again be paid in cash, as had been the case in the Fund’s most recent tender offer, or in kind through the delivery of portfolio securities, as had been contemplated by the Repurchase Program originally announced in December 2004. After considering the potential impact of a cash repurchase on the Fund, particularly in light of the significant unrealized capital gain embedded in the Fund’s portfolio securities, the Fund’s board, on September 14, 2006, met and concluded that payment for the Offer should be made in kind through the delivery of portfolio securities.
 
The Board determined that, although participating shareholders received cash rather than portfolio securities under the offer completed at the end of February 2006 under the Repurchase Program, an in-kind repurchase offer would be more beneficial to Fund shareholders at this time because it will avoid the adverse tax consequences to the Fund that would result from a cash offer. In light of the potential adverse tax consequences of successive cash tender offers, the Fund’s board has determined that this Offer should be made in-kind consistent with the terms of the Repurchase Program.
 
The Board has carefully considered the results of the two offers already completed under the Repurchase Program and the anticipated results of this Offer. The Board believes that the initial goals of the Repurchase Program have been largely achieved. The Fund’s trading discount has been substantially reduced from levels prevailing prior to December 2004 and those major shareholders who wished to exit the Fund have done so. During this time, certain weaknesses of the Repurchase Program have become apparent. Despite it best efforts, the Board has been unable to find ways to facilitate the participation by small shareholders in the Repurchase Program. At the same time, the accumulation of embedded unrealized capital gain — which has grown further since December 2004 and now stands at approximately 70% — has made it impractical for the Board to approve further cash tender offers. Current projections show that making further cash tender offers could trigger a “tax cascade” that would involve significant payments of realized capital gains to shareholders, reducing the size of the Fund to an impractical level and thereby most likely lead to the liquidation of the Fund within a matter of a few years. Such a methodology of liquidation would not be in the best interests of shareholders and, if such action be the desire of shareholders then your Board can identify more constructive means of reaching such a conclusion. Accordingly, the Board believes that a modified Repurchase


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Program, coupled with the implementation of new guidelines for the Fund’s existing share repurchase program would best serve the interests of those shareholders seeking longer term exposure to the Korean equity market.
 
As announced to the public contemporaneously with the publication of this Offer, the Board has determined to modify the Repurchase Program by replacing the four potential remaining semi-annual 10% offers with one final 15% in-kind repurchase offer which would be made in the first quarter of 2008 if the Fund’s shares trade at an average discount of more than 7.5% over a measuring period during the fourth quarter of 2007.
 
The Board believes that maintaining the Fund’s closed-end structure provides the best means to achieve the Fund’s investment objective of long-term capital appreciation, especially given the emerging nature of the Korean capital markets, the volatility and the limited liquidity of many of the Fund’s holdings and other relevant market conditions. The Board believes that the long-term and recent performance of the Fund supports this view.
 
There can be no assurance that this Offer or any other actions taken by the Board will reduce or eliminate any market price discount from NAV of the Fund’s Shares. The market price of the Fund shares will also be determined by, among other things, the relative demand for and supply of Fund shares in the market, the Fund’s investment performance, the Fund’s dividends and yield, and investor perception of the Fund’s overall attractiveness as an investment as compared with other investment alternatives.
 
Any Shares repurchased by the Fund pursuant to the Offer will become treasury shares and will be available for issuance by the Fund without further shareholder action (except as required by applicable law or the rules of national securities exchanges on which the Shares are listed).
 
Except as set forth above, as referred to in Section 11 or in connection with the operation of the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan, the Fund does not have any present plans or proposals and is not engaged in any negotiations that relate to or would result in: (a) any extraordinary transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving the Fund or any of its subsidiaries; (b) other than in connection with transactions in the ordinary course of the Fund’s operations and for purposes of funding the Offer, any purchase, sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of the Fund or any of its subsidiaries; (c) any material change in the Fund’s present dividend policy, or indebtedness or capitalization of the Fund; (d) changes to the present Board or management of the Fund, including changes to the number or the term of members of the Board, the filling of any existing vacancies on the Board or changes to any material term of the employment contract of any executive officer; (e) any other material change in the Fund’s corporate structure or business, including any plans or proposals to make any changes in the Fund’s investment policy for which a vote would be required by Section 13 of the 1940 Act; (f) any class of equity securities of the Fund being delisted from a national securities exchange or ceasing to be authorized to be quoted in an automated quotations system operated by a national securities association; (g) any class of equity securities of the Fund becoming eligible for termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Exchange Act; (h) the suspension of the Fund’s obligation to file reports pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; (i) the acquisition by any person of additional securities of the Fund, or the disposition of securities of the Fund; or (j) any changes in the Fund’s charter, bylaws or other governing instruments or other actions that could impede the acquisition of control of the Fund.
 
3. Certain Conditions of the Offer.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer, and in addition to (and not in limitation of) the Fund’s right to extend, amend or terminate the Offer at any time in its sole discretion, the Fund shall not be required to accept for repurchase or, subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, including Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act, pay for, and may delay the acceptance for, payment of or payment for any tendered Shares, if:
 
(a) the Fund is not able to procure Portfolio Securities for purposes of conducting the offer in an orderly manner and consistent with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and status as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), in order to provide sufficient consideration to repurchase Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer;
 
(b) there shall be instituted, pending or threatened before any governmental entity or court any action, proceeding, application or claim, or there shall be any judgment, order or injunction sought or any other action taken by any person or entity, which restrains, prohibits or materially delays the making or consummation of the Offer, challenges the acquisition by the Fund of any Shares pursuant to the Offer or the Board’s fulfillment of its fiduciary obligations in connection with the Offer or the Repurchase Program, seeks to obtain any material amount of damages in connection with the Offer or the Repurchase Program, or otherwise directly or indirectly adversely effects the Offer, the Repurchase Program or the Fund;


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(c) there shall have occurred: (i) any general suspension of trading in or limitation on prices for securities on the NYSE, the Stock Market Division or the KOSDAQ Market Division of the Korea Exchange, or any other exchange on which the Shares or portfolio securities held by the Fund are traded; (ii) any declaration of a banking moratorium or similar action materially adverse to the Fund by U.S. federal, state or local authorities or any governmental authority of the Republic of Korea (“Korea”) or any other foreign jurisdiction, or any suspension of payment material to the Fund by banks in the United States, the State of New York, Korea or any other jurisdiction; (iii) any limitation having a material adverse effect on the Fund or the issuers of its portfolio securities that is imposed by U.S. federal, state or local authorities, or by any governmental authority of Korea or any other foreign jurisdiction, with respect to the extension of credit by lending institutions or the convertibility of foreign currencies; (iv) the commencement of war, armed hostilities, terrorist action or any other international or national calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States or Korea; or (v) any other event or condition which, in the Board’s judgment, would have a material adverse effect on the Fund or its shareholders if the Offer were consummated; or
 
(d) the Board determines that effecting the Offer would be inconsistent with applicable legal requirements or would constitute a breach of the Board’s fiduciary duties owed to the Fund or its shareholders.
 
The Board may modify these conditions in light of experience.
 
The foregoing conditions are for the Fund’s sole benefit and may be asserted by the Fund regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such condition (including any action or inaction of the Fund), and any such condition may be waived by the Fund, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time in its reasonable judgment. The Fund’s failure at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right; the waiver of any such right with respect to particular facts and circumstances shall not be deemed a waiver with respect to any other facts or circumstances; and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and from time to time. Any determination by the Fund concerning the events described in this Section 3 shall be final and binding.
 
The Fund reserves the right, at any time during the pendency of the Offer, to amend, extend or terminate the Offer in any respect. (See Section 17.)
 
4. Procedures for Tendering Shares for Repurchase.
 
A. Proper Tender of Shares.  For Shares to be properly tendered pursuant to the Offer, a shareholder must cause a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal bearing original signature(s) and the original of any required signature guarantee(s), and all other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, to be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Repurchase, and must either: (a) cause certificates for tendered Shares to be received by the Depositary at such address or cause such Shares to be delivered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry delivery set forth below (and confirmation of receipt of such delivery to be received by the Depositary), in each case before midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date; or (b) (in lieu of the delivery of such Share certificates prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date) such shareholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below. Letters of Transmittal and certificates representing tendered Shares should not be sent or delivered to the Fund. Shareholders who desire to tender Shares registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee must contact that firm to effect a tender on their behalf. Shareholders who do not hold Shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee may wish to contact one of these entities, deposit their Shares with it and seek its assistance in appointing a Korean Proxy, registering with the FSS, establishing the Korean Securities Account and the USD Account and submitting the Letter of Transmittal and other documents required for participation in the Offer.
 
In order to tender Shares validly for repurchase pursuant to the Offer, participating shareholders must submit instructions regarding their Shareholder Accounts. The form for these instructions appears in the Letter of Transmittal and, in the case of brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or other nominees tendering shares on behalf of clients, on the DTC Delivery Election Form. (See Section 6.)
 
In order to tender Shares validly for repurchase pursuant to the Offer, participating shareholders that are residents of Japan (the “Japan Holders”) must acknowledge that they will receive cash in exchange for their tendering Shares and must certify that they have irrevocably instructed their Korean licensed broker to sell their Portfolio Securities for cash immediately upon the transfer of the Portfolio Securities into their Korean Securities Account. All other participating shareholders must certify that they are not residents of Japan. The forms for these certifications appear in the Letter of Transmittal and, in the case of brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or other nominees tendering shares on behalf of clients, on the DTC Delivery Form.


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The required transfer and delivery requirements are described in further detail in the Letter of Transmittal.
 
Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14e-4 promulgated thereunder make it unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, directly or indirectly, to request a tender of Shares pursuant to the Offer unless at the time of the request, and at the time the Shares are accepted for payment, the person requesting the tender has a net long position equal to or greater than the amount requested for tender in either: (a) Shares, and will deliver or cause to be delivered such Shares for the purpose of tender to the Fund within the period specified in the Offer, or (b) an equivalent security and, upon the acceptance of his or her request to tender, will acquire Shares by conversion, exchange, or exercise of such equivalent security to the extent required by the terms of the Offer, and will deliver or cause to be delivered the Shares so acquired for the purpose of requesting the tender to the Fund prior to or on the Expiration Date. Section 14(e) and Rule 14e-4 provide a similar restriction applicable to the request to tender or guarantee of a request to tender on behalf of another person.
 
The acceptance of Shares by the Fund for repurchase will constitute a binding agreement between the participating shareholder and the Fund upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, including the participating shareholder’s representation that the shareholder has a net long position in the Shares being tendered for repurchase within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 and that the request to tender such Shares complies with Rule 14e-4.
 
B. Signature Guarantees and Method of Delivery.  No signature guarantee is required if: (a) the Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) (including, for purposes of this document, any participant in the DTC book-entry transfer facility whose name appears on DTC’s security position listing as the owner of Shares) of the Shares tendered thereby, unless such holder(s) has completed either the box entitled “Special Payment Instructions” or the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” in the Letter of Transmittal or (b) the Shares tendered are tendered for the account of a firm (an “Eligible Institution”) which is a broker, dealer, commercial bank, credit union, savings association or other entity and which is a member in good standing of a stock transfer association’s approved medallion program (such as STAMP, SEMP or MSP). In all other cases, all signatures on the Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. (See Instruction 2 of the Letter of Transmittal.)
 
If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered for repurchase thereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) for the Shares tendered for repurchase without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
 
If any of the Shares tendered for repurchase thereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign the Letter of Transmittal.
 
If any of the Shares tendered for repurchase are registered in different names, it is necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations.
 
If the Letter of Transmittal or any certificates for Shares tendered for repurchase or stock powers relating to Shares tendered for repurchase are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to the Fund of their authority so to act must be submitted together with the Letter of Transmittal.
 
If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered for repurchase, no endorsements of certificates or separate stock powers with respect to such Shares are required unless payment is to be made to, or certificates for Shares not purchased are to be issued in the name of, a person other than the registered holder(s). Signatures on such certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of the certificate(s) listed thereon, the certificate(s) must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the certificate(s) for the Shares involved. Signatures on such certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. (See subsection D of this Section 4.)
 
C. Book-Entry Delivery.  The Depositary has established an account with respect to the Shares at DTC for purposes of the Offer. Any financial institution that is a participant in the DTC system may make book-entry delivery of tendered Shares by causing DTC to transfer such Shares into the Depositary’s account at DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures for such transfers. However, although delivery of Shares may be effected through book-entry transfer into the Depositary’s account at DTC, a Letter of Transmittal (or a copy or facsimile thereof) properly completed and bearing original signature(s) and the original of any required signature guarantee(s), or an Agent’s Message (as defined below) in connection with a book-entry


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transfer and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, must in any case be received by the Depositary prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover page of this Offer to Repurchase, or the participating shareholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.
 
The term “Agent’s Message” means a message from DTC transmitted to, and received by, the Depositary forming a part of a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Shares (a “Book-Entry Confirmation”) which states that (a) DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the DTC participant tendering the Shares for repurchase that are the subject of the Book-Entry Confirmation, (b) the DTC participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal, and (c) the Fund may enforce such agreement against the DTC participant. Delivery of documents to DTC in accordance with DTC’s procedures does not constitute delivery to the Depositary.
 
D. Guaranteed Delivery.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a shareholder desires to tender Shares pursuant to the Offer and the certificates for the Shares to be tendered are not immediately available, or time will not permit the Letter of Transmittal and all documents required by the Letter of Transmittal to reach the Depositary prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date, or a shareholder cannot complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, then such shareholder’s Shares nevertheless may be tendered, provided that all of the following conditions are satisfied:
 
(a) the tender is made by or through an Eligible Institution;
 
(b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery in the form provided by the Fund is received by the Depositary prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date; and
 
(c) the certificates for all such tendered Shares, in proper form for transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation with respect to such Shares, as the case may be, together with a Letter of Transmittal (or a copy or facsimile thereof) properly completed and bearing original signature(s) and the original of any required signature guarantee(s) (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message) and any documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, are received by the Depositary prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the third NYSE trading day after the date of receipt by the Depositary of a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
 
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted by facsimile transmission or mail to the Depositary and must include a guarantee by an Eligible Institution and a representation that the shareholder owns the Shares tendered for repurchase within the meaning of, and that the tender of the Shares effected thereby complies with, Rule 14e-4 under the Exchange Act, each in the form set forth in the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
 
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF ANY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING SHARE CERTIFICATES, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDER. IF DOCUMENTS ARE SENT BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. Shareholders have the responsibility to cause: (a) tender of their Shares for repurchase (in proper certificated or uncertificated form); (b) the timely delivery of a properly completed Letter of Transmittal (or a copy or facsimile thereof) (including original signature(s) and the original of any required signature guarantee(s)); and (c) the timely delivery of all other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal. Timely delivery is a condition precedent to acceptance of Shares for repurchase pursuant to the Offer and to payment of the Portfolio Securities.
 
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, payment for Shares accepted for repurchase pursuant to the Offer will in all cases be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of Share certificates evidencing such Shares or a Book-Entry Confirmation of the delivery of such Shares (if available), a Letter of Transmittal (or a copy or facsimile thereof) properly completed and bearing original signature(s) and the original of any required signature guarantee(s) or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.
 
E. Determinations of Validity.  All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of tenders will be determined by the Fund, in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and binding. The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders determined not to be in appropriate form or to refuse to accept for payment, repurchase, or pay for, any Shares if, in the opinion of the Fund’s counsel, accepting, purchasing or paying for such Shares would be unlawful. The Fund also reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions of the Offer or any defect in any tender, whether generally or with respect to any particular Share(s) or shareholder(s). The Fund’s interpretations of the terms and conditions of the Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto) shall be final and binding.


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NONE OF THE FUND, ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE MANAGER, THE SUBADVISER, THE INFORMATION AGENT, THE DEPOSITARY NOR ANY OTHER PERSON IS OR WILL BE OBLIGATED TO GIVE ANY NOTICE OF ANY DEFECT OR IRREGULARITY IN ANY TENDER, AND NONE OF THEM WILL INCUR ANY LIABILITY FOR FAILURE TO GIVE ANY SUCH NOTICE.
 
F. United States Federal Income Tax Withholding.  Under the U.S. federal income tax backup withholding rules, the Depositary would generally be required to withhold 28% of the gross payments made pursuant to the offer to any U.S. Shareholder (as defined below) that is not a tax-exempt person unless such U.S. Shareholder has completed and submitted to the Depositary an IRS Form W-9 (or Substitute Form W-9, a copy of which is included in the Letter of Transmittal). In order to avoid the possibility of backup withholding, all participating U.S. Shareholders are required to provide the Depositary with a properly completed and signed IRS Form W-9 or Substitute Form W-9. Failure of a U.S. Shareholder to provide the Depositary with a completed and signed Form W-9 will result in a defective submission, and the Fund will be unable to repurchase such shareholder’s Shares. A “U.S. Shareholder” is, in general, a shareholder that is (a) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (b) a corporation or partnership, or other entity taxed as a corporation or partnership, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia; (c) an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of the source of such income; or (d) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
 
In order to avoid the possibility of withholding of U.S. federal income taxes, participating Non-U.S. Shareholders (as defined below) must provide the Depositary with a completed IRS Form W-8BEN, or another type of Form W-8 appropriate to the particular Non-U.S. Shareholder. Failure to provide the Depositary with the appropriate Form W-8 will result in a defective submission and the Fund will be unable to repurchase the participating Non-U.S. Shareholder’s Shares. For this purpose, a “Non-U.S. Shareholder” is any shareholder that is not a U.S. Shareholder. Copies of Form W-8BEN are provided with the Letter of Transmittal for Non-U.S. Shareholders. Other types of Form W-8 can be found on the IRS website at www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html.
 
FAILURE OF A PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDER TO SUBMIT THE DOCUMENTATION DESCRIBED ABOVE WILL RESULT IN AN INVALID SUBMISSION OF SHARES FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE OFFER AND, ACCORDINGLY, SUCH SHAREHOLDER’S TENDERED SHARES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR REPURCHASE.
 
5. Withdrawal Rights.  At any time prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date, and, if the Shares have not by then been accepted for payment by the Fund, at any time after November 28, 2006, any shareholder may withdraw all, but not less than all, of the Shares that the shareholder has tendered.
 
To be effective, a written notice of withdrawal of Shares tendered for repurchase must be timely received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Repurchase. Shareholders may also send a facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal, which must be timely received by the Depositary prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date, and the original notice of withdrawal must be delivered to the Depositary by overnight courier or by hand the next day. Any notice of withdrawal must specify the name(s) of the person having tendered the Shares to be withdrawn, the number of Shares to be withdrawn (which may not be less than all of the Shares tendered by the shareholder) and, if one or more certificates representing such Shares have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Depositary, the name(s) of the registered owner(s) of such Shares as set forth in such certificate(s) if different from the name(s) of the person tendering the Shares. If one or more certificates have been delivered to the Depositary, then, prior to the release of such certificate(s), the certificate number(s) shown on the particular certificate(s) evidencing such Shares must also be submitted and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of notices of withdrawal will be determined by the Fund in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and binding. Shares properly withdrawn will not thereafter be deemed to be tendered for purposes of the Offer. Withdrawn Shares, however, may be re-tendered for repurchase by following the procedures described in Section 4 prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5, tenders of Shares made pursuant to the Offer will be irrevocable.
 
NONE OF THE FUND, ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE MANAGER, THE SUBADVISER, THE INFORMATION AGENT, THE DEPOSITARY NOR ANY OTHER PERSON IS OR WILL BE OBLIGATED TO GIVE ANY NOTICE OF ANY DEFECT OR IRREGULARITY IN ANY NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL, NOR SHALL ANY OF THEM INCUR ANY LIABILITY FOR FAILURE TO GIVE ANY SUCH NOTICE.


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6. Payment for Shares.  For purposes of the Offer, the Fund will be deemed to have accepted for payment and repurchased Shares that are tendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn in accordance with Section 5) when, as and if the Fund gives oral or written notice to the Depositary of its acceptance of such Shares for repurchase pursuant to the Offer. Under the Exchange Act, the Fund is obligated to pay for or return Shares tendered for repurchase promptly after the termination, expiration or withdrawal of the Offer. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, the Fund will distribute Portfolio Securities as payment for properly tendered Shares as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date.
 
The sale proceeds of the Offer will be paid in a pro rata portion of the Portfolio Securities then held by the Fund except for: (a) securities that are not traded on a public securities market or for which quoted bid and ask prices are not available; (b) securities that, if distributed, would be required to be registered under the Securities Act, or securities regulations applicable in other countries; (c) securities issued by entities in countries which restrict or prohibit the holding of securities by non-nationals other than through qualified investment vehicles, or whose distribution would otherwise be contrary to applicable local laws, rules or regulations; and (d) certain portfolio assets (such as forward currency exchange contracts, futures and options contracts, and purchase agreements) that, although they may be liquid and marketable, involve the assumption of contractual obligations, require special trading facilities or can only be traded with the counterparty to the transaction in order to effect a change in beneficial ownership. With respect to the Portfolio Securities, as to fractional shares and/or odd lots of securities, and with respect to any amounts attributable to any cash position held by the Fund (including short-term non-equity securities), the Fund will (a) pay cash (in U.S. dollars); (b) round off (up or down) odd lots or fractional shares so as to eliminate them prior to distribution; or (c) pay a higher pro rata percentage of equity securities equivalent to the value thereof. The choice of option (a), (b) or (c) with respect to the treatment of fractional shares and/or odd lots of securities is at the sole discretion of the Fund.
 
Portfolio Securities distributed in the Offer will be valued in the same manner as they would be valued for the purposes of computing the Fund’s NAV on the Repurchase Pricing Date. In the case of Portfolio Securities traded on a public securities market for which public price quotations are available, this means that their NAV will be their last reported sales price on the exchange on which the securities are primarily traded (with respect to Portfolio Securities traded on the Korea Exchange, the last reported closing price), or, if the securities are not listed on an exchange or the public securities market, or, if there is no such reported price, the average of the most recent bid and asked price (or, if no such asked price is available, the last quoted bid prices). The Portfolio Securities distributed to shareholders pursuant to the Offer will be limited to securities that are traded on a public securities market or for which quoted bid and ask prices are available.
 
In order to comply with applicable Korean laws and regulations, each participating shareholder (or the holders of legal title to the Shares if legal and beneficial ownership are held by different persons) must appoint a Korean Proxy, register with the FSS and establish a Korean Securities Account. Shareholders should note that establishing a Korean Securities Account may require more time than opening a comparable securities account in the U.S. Accordingly, participating shareholders should promptly make these arrangements. The Korean proxy may register the participating shareholder (or the holders of legal title to the Shares if legal and beneficial ownership are held by different persons) with the FSS and establish the Korean Securities Account on the shareholder’s behalf. The Depositary will cancel properly tendered Shares accepted by the Fund for repurchase as soon as possible after the Expiration Date. The Fund’s obligation with respect to any participating shareholder to make payment for such Shares shall be satisfied when the Fund gives written or oral instructions to the Subcustodian to deposit the Portfolio Securities into such participating shareholder’s Korean Securities Account (except for American Depositary Receipts which will be deposited in the participating shareholder’s DTC account) and any cash proceeds into such participating shareholder’s USD Account.
 
Participating shareholders may experience a delay in the transfer of Portfolio Securities into their Korean Securities Account due to the time required to clear the transfer of title to the Portfolio Securities under Korean securities trade clearing practices. The Fund will not pay interest on the purchase price for this or any other reason.
 
In all cases, payment for Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of:
 
(a) a Letter of Transmittal (or a copy thereof) properly completed and duly executed and any required signature guarantee(s), or an Agent’s Message in connection with a book-entry transfer;
 
(b) a certificate evidencing Shares or timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Shares into the Depositary’s account at DTC pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 4; and
 
(c) all other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.


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The Fund is paying the costs of conducting the Offer, which include the costs of printing and mailing materials to shareholders, certain legal and filing fees and the fees and expenses of the Depositary and Information Agent as well as the cost of the Fund’s Korean tax agents for the Offer, which is estimated to be U.S. $60,000. Participating shareholders will pay the costs associated with distributing Portfolio Securities pursuant to the Offer (generally, any fees charged by the Subcustodian to transfer the Portfolio Securities, the Korean securities transaction tax, certain transfer taxes and custodial expenses), which shall be deducted directly from each participating shareholder’s proceeds from the repurchase. Participating shareholders will bear any transaction costs associated with transferring and delivering the Portfolio Securities and cash proceeds to such participating shareholder’s Shareholder Accounts. The actual per-share expenses of effecting the repurchases and of liquidating portfolio securities received will depend on a number of factors, including the number of shares tendered, the Fund’s portfolio composition at the time and market conditions prevailing during the liquidation process. Per-share expenses borne by a participating shareholder will likely increase to the extent that the Fund repurchases fewer shares from such participating shareholder. Shareholders wishing to sell Shares should consider whether participating in the Offer, in light of these transaction costs, is cost-effective versus selling Shares on the NYSE. Brokers, dealers or other institutions also may charge fees to a participating shareholder for processing a repurchase request and sending it to the Depositary. A participating shareholder may also incur expenses associated with the appointment of a Korean Proxy and the establishment of the Korean Securities Account and USD Account, plus fees, expenses and brokerage commissions associated with the disposal or retention of Portfolio Securities.
 
Certificates representing Shares tendered but not repurchased will be returned promptly following the termination, expiration or withdrawal of the Offer, without further expense to the participating shareholder. The Fund will not be obligated to repurchase Shares pursuant to the Offer under certain conditions. (See Section 3.)
 
In order to tender Shares validly for repurchase pursuant to the Offer, participating shareholders must complete and sign the appropriate IRS Form W-8 or Substitute IRS Form W-9, as applicable, and provide such form to the Depositary together with the Letter of Transmittal. Failure of a participating shareholder to do so will result in a defective submission and the Fund will not repurchase such shareholder’s Shares.
 
7. Source and Amount of Consideration.  The actual cost of the Offer to the Fund cannot be determined at this time because the number of Shares to be repurchased will depend on the number of shares tendered for repurchase, and the price will be based on the NAV per Share on the Repurchase Pricing Date. If the NAV per Share on the Repurchase Pricing Date was $40.08, which was the NAV per Share on September 26, 2006, and if shareholders tender 10% of the Fund’s outstanding Shares pursuant to the Offer, estimated payments by the Fund of Portfolio Securities to the shareholders would be worth approximately $105,923,396.75. (See the Pro Forma Capitalization Table, Section 8.) The Fund will not be responsible for the costs of distributing the Portfolio Securities, including any transaction expenses and fees and the costs associated with the services of the Subcustodian, which will be paid by participating shareholders.
 
The consideration which participating shareholders will receive under the terms of the Offer consists of pro rata portions of the Fund’s Portfolio Securities and cash held by the Fund. As of September 26, 2006, approximately 98.46% of the Fund’s portfolio was invested in securities of companies listed on the Stock Market Division of the Korea Exchange and approximately 0.001% of the Fund’s portfolio was invested in equity securities that are not listed on the Stock Market Division of the Korea Exchange. As of September 7, 2006, approximately 1.54% of the Fund’s assets were invested in cash and cash equivalents.
 
8. Effects of the Offer; Consequences of Participation.  THE OFFER MAY HAVE CERTAIN ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES FOR PARTICIPATING AND NON-PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS.
 
A. Effects on Value of Portfolio Securities.  The Fund’s investments and the Portfolio Securities may decrease in value following the Offer, depending on the level of participation in the Offer and whether and when participating shareholders choose to dispose of the Portfolio Securities after the Offer. Because of the size of the Fund and the relatively high price volatility, low liquidity and small market capitalization of the Korean securities markets, if a large percentage of shareholders participate in the Offer and choose to sell the Portfolio Securities shortly after receiving them, there could be an adverse impact on the Korean securities markets or on the market prices of the Portfolio Securities and the Fund’s other investments, which risk would affect both participating and non-participating shareholders.


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B. Effects on the Fund.  The repurchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer will have the effect of increasing the proportionate interest in the Fund of non-participating shareholders and reducing the NAV of the Fund. This reduction in the NAV of the Fund will likely cause the ratio of the Fund’s expenses to its NAV to increase. Additionally, a reduction in the number of Fund shares issued and outstanding may reduce the liquidity and the depth of the trading market for Fund Shares.
 
C. Pro Forma Effects on Fund Capitalization.  The repurchase by the Fund of the Shares will reduce the Fund’s net assets (that is, its assets less its liabilities). The following table sets forth the net assets of the Fund as of June 30, 2006, adjusted to give effect to the Offer (excluding expenses and assuming the Fund repurchases 10% of its outstanding Shares pursuant to the Offer):
 
Pro Forma Capitalization(1)
 
                         
          Adjustment for
       
    As of September 26,
    Repurchase at $39.28
    Pro Forma as
 
    2006     per Share(2)     Adjusted  
 
Total net assets
  $ 1,080,851,267.76     $ 105,923,396.75     $ 974,927,871.01  
Shares outstanding
    26,967,347       (2,696,734 )     24,270,613  
NAV per Share(3)
  $ 40.08     $ 39.28     $ 40.17  
 
 
(1) This table assumes repurchase by the Fund of 2,696,734 Shares, equal to 10% of the Fund’s outstanding Shares as of September 26, 2006.
 
(2) This amount represents 98% of the Fund’s NAV per share, as of September  26, 2006. Shares repurchased pursuant to the Offer will be purchased at a 2% discount to NAV on the Repurchase Pricing Date, which may be more or less than $40.08 per Share, and the pro forma NAV per Share also may be more or less than that shown above.
 
(3) The NAV per Share of the Fund is determined as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE no less frequently than weekly, at such times as the Board may determine, and on the last business day of each month the NYSE is open, by dividing the total assets of the Fund, less all liabilities, by the total number of Shares outstanding.
 
D. Expenses of Participating Shareholders.  Without consideration of any potential tax consequences to participating shareholders, the actual per-share expense incurred by shareholders participating in the Offer will depend on many factors, including the number of Shares tendered for repurchase by such participating shareholder, expenses associated with establishing the Korean Securities Account and the USD Account and any fees and expenses paid to a U.S. financial institution for submitting the documentation necessary for participation in the Offer. The impact of such per-share expenses on a participating shareholder will depend in part on how many Shares the Fund repurchases from such participating shareholder; per-share expenses borne by a participating shareholder might increase to the extent that the Fund repurchases fewer Shares from such participating shareholder. Participating shareholders may incur additional expenses following their participation in the Offer, which may vary depending on whether they sell or retain the Portfolio Securities. Shareholders wishing to sell Shares should consider whether participating in the Offer, in light of these transaction costs, is cost-effective versus selling Shares on the NYSE.
 
E. Consequences of Receipt of Foreign Portfolio Securities.  Participating shareholders may wish to retain Portfolio Securities as a long-term investment. The Fund is not providing shareholders with specific information regarding any Portfolio Securities and participating shareholders may not have the means effectively to monitor, or to monitor as efficiently as a managed investment vehicle, the performance of the Portfolio Securities and to assess their associated risks. Although the Korean issuers of the Portfolio Securities are all publicly listed Korean companies, Korean disclosure rules may not require publicly disclosed information regarding such issuers to be as current as information provided by U.S. public companies or for such information to be made available in languages other than Korean. Korean public companies may also be subject to less stringent disclosure standards and regulatory oversight than U.S. companies.
 
Direct investment in Korean securities involves further considerations that are not normally associated with investments in U.S. securities, including (a) relatively high price volatility and lesser liquidity; (b) currency fluctuations and the cost of converting Korean Won into U.S. dollars; (c) restrictions on foreign investment (including potential prohibitions against foreigners participating in rights offerings) and potential restrictions on repatriation of capital invested in Korea and remittance of profits and dividends accruing thereon; and (d) political, economic and social risks and uncertainties.
 
There also may be additional future costs participating shareholders incur in retaining the Portfolio Securities. If participating shareholders receive Portfolio Securities and then determine to liquidate the Portfolio Securities, such participating shareholders


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would be subject to investment and currency risks as well as any additional expenses and tax consequences associated with liquidating Portfolio Securities. Shareholders are encouraged to consult with their financial and tax advisers regarding these issues.
 
THE VALUE OF THE PORTFOLIO SECURITIES MAY DECREASE OR INCREASE BETWEEN THE EXPIRATION DATE AND THE REPURCHASE PRICING DATE, AND BETWEEN THE REPURCHASE PRICING DATE AND THE DATE ON WHICH THE PORTFOLIO SECURITIES ARE ACTUALLY TRANSFERRED INTO PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS’ KOREAN SECURITIES ACCOUNTS. PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS WILL BEAR THESE MARKET RISKS.
 
F. Tax Consequences of Participating Shareholders.  The sale by participating U.S. Shareholders of Fund shares in exchange for Portfolio Securities pursuant to the Offer will generally have U.S. federal income tax consequences, and the subsequent ownership and sale by participating Shareholders of such Portfolio Securities may also have U.S. and Korean tax consequences. In addition, Non-participating Shareholders may also be subject to certain U.S. tax consequences. See Sections 14 (“Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences”) and 15 (“Certain Korean Tax Consequences”).
 
9. Price Range of Shares; Dividends/Distributions.  The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low NAVs per Share and the high and low closing sale prices per Share as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape, and the amounts of cash dividends/distributions per Share paid during such periods.
 
                                         
    Net Asset Value     Market Price     Dividends/
 
    High     Low     High     Low     Distributions  
 
Year (ending December 31)
                                       
2002
                                       
1st Quarter
    20.94       16.35       17.69       13.66       0.000  
2nd Quarter
    22.40       19.15       18.80       16.00       0.000  
3rd Quarter
    21.68       17.49       17.50       13.49       0.000  
4th Quarter
    19.56       15.73       15.99       12.45       0.851  
2003
                                       
1st Quarter
    17.52       13.17       14.26       11.36       0.000  
2nd Quarter
    18.07       13.50       15.46       11.70       0.000  
3rd Quarter
    20.26       17.80       17.11       15.00       0.000  
4th Quarter
    21.32       18.74       18.35       15.52       0.300  
2004
                                       
1st Quarter
    24.26       21.33       21.42       18.53       0.000  
2nd Quarter
    25.26       19.19       22.15       17.00       0.000  
3rd Quarter
    22.84       19.67       21.15       16.67       0.000  
4th Quarter
    26.08       21.60       24.17       19.39       0.650  
2005
                                       
1st Quarter
    30.21       24.67       28.97       22.80       0.000  
2nd Quarter
    29.44       26.83       27.90       25.00       0.000  
3rd Quarter
    35.42       29.14       33.40       27.45       0.000  
4th Quarter
    39.50       32.44       36.90       30.02       0.850  
2006
                                       
1st Quarter
    41.90       38.18       39.80       36.37       0.000  
2nd Quarter
    44.71       35.72       42.71       32.30       0.000  
 
As of the close of business on September 26, 2006, the Fund’s NAV was $40.08 per Share, and the high, low and closing prices per Share on the NYSE on that date were $36.82, $36.40 and $36.72, respectively. Prior to the expiration of the Offer, NAV quotations can be obtained in the manner indicated in Section 1.
 
The tender of Shares, unless and until such tendered Shares are accepted for repurchase, will not affect the record ownership of any such tendered Shares for purposes of entitlement to any dividends payable by the Fund.
 
10. Selected Financial Information.  The table below is intended to help you understand the financial performance of the Fund. This information, except as indicated, has been derived from audited financial statements of the Fund, which are incorporated herein by reference and included in the Fund’s Annual Report to shareholders. The Annual and Semi-Annual Reports may be obtained without charge by writing to Georgeson Inc., the Information Agent, 17 State Street, New York, New York 10004, by calling (800) 843-0369 or on the Internet at www.sec.gov or at www.thekoreafund.com.


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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
The following table includes per-Share performance data for a Share of the Fund, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for each period indicated. This information has been derived from information provided in the financial statements and market price data for Fund shares.
 
Financial Highlights
 
                                         
    Years Ended June 30,  
    2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  
 
Per Share Operating Performance
                                       
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 29.10     $ 21.55     $ 17.62     $ 20.20     $ 13.01  
Income (loss) from Investment operations
                                       
Net investment income (loss)(a)
    0.33       0.40       0.20       0.17       0.11  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment transactions
    9.89       7.80       3.90       (1.90 )     7.20  
Total from investment operations
    10.22       8.20       4.10       (1.73 )     7.31  
Less distributions from:
                                       
Net investment income
    (0.50 )     (0.45 )     (0.30 )     (0.18 )      
Net realized gains on investment transactions
    (0.35 )     (0.20 )           (0.67 )     (0.12 )
Total distributions
    (0.85 )     (0.65 )     (0.30 )     (0.85 )     (0.12 )
NAV accretion resulting from repurchases, shares tendered and reinvestment of distributions for shares at value
    (0.40 )           0.13       0.00 (b)     0.00 (b)
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 38.87     $ 29.10     $ 21.55     $ 17.62     $ 20.20  
Market value, end of period
  $ 36.33     $ 27.35     $ 18.85     $ 14.99     $ 16.44  
Total Return
                                       
Per share net asset value (%)(c)
  $ 36.47     $ 38.66       24.15       (8.34 )     56.39  
Per share market value (%)(c)
  $ 35.72     $ 49.06       27.66       (4.29 )     56.71  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
                                       
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    1,048       1,301       963       879       1,009  
Ratio of expenses (%)
    0.89       1.13       1.27       1.26       1.21  
Ratio of net Investment Income (loss) (%)
    0.90       1.58       0.94       0.99       0.69  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    9       10       20       7       18  
 
 
(a) Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
 
(b) Amount is less than $0.005 per share.
 
(c) Total return based on net asset value reflects changes in the Fund’s net asset value during the period. Total return based on market value reflects changes in market value. Each figure includes reinvestments of distributions. These figures will differ depending upon the level of any discount from or premium to NAV at which the Fund’s shares trade during the period.


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SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FOR THE PERIODS INDICATED BELOW
 
                                 
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
 
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
    2006     2005     2004     2003  
    (Audited)     (Audited)     (Audited)     (Audited)  
 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                               
Investment Income
  $ 20,252,563     $ 30,727,238     $ 22,359,705     $ 19,480,512  
Expenses
    10,116,98       12,780,386       12,887,255       10,912,038  
Expense Reductions
    11,817       (37,284 )     (23,592 )     (25,997 )
Net Expenses
    10,105,163       12,743,102       12,863,663       10,886,041  
Net investment income
    10,147,400       17,984,136       9,496,042       8,594,471  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS:
                               
Net realized gain (loss) on:
                               
Investments
    450,842,453       17,516,558       21,259,065       (14,779,335 )
Won related transactions
    949,180       4,017,087       1,206,876       2,529,855  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:
                               
Investments
    (116,092,258 )     328,641,895       178,964,837       (80,479,942 )
Won related transactions
    767,067       (1,394,566 )     536,916       (2,624,557 )
Net gain (loss) on investments transactions
    336,466,442       348,780,974       201,967,694       (95,353,979 )
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations
    346,613,842       366,765,110       211,463,736       (86,759,508 )
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
                               
Total Assets
    1,127,634,976       1,302,640,599       968,795,808       880,321,849  
Total Liabilities
    79,548,390       1,798,950       5,663,295       1,679,413  
Net Assets, at value
    1,048,086,586       1,300,841,649       963,132,513       878,642,436  
Net asset value per share
    38.87       29.10       21.55       17.62  


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SUMMARY OF ANNUAL NAV DISCOUNTS AND PREMIUMS
 
Shares have traded at varying relationships to per-Share net asset value. The following table shows the relationship between price on the NYSE and net asset value per-Share for the years indicated:
 
                                         
    Premium or Discount as a Percentage  
Year
  Average     High     Low  
 
1991
    30.81 %     54.92 %     (8/30/91 )     -4.49 %     (12/18/91 )
1992
    14.32       45.88       (11/20/92 )     -15.3       (3/31/92 )
1993
    26.33       44.23       (12/31/93 )     0.81       (12/27/93 )
1994
    15.48       37.04       (1/7/94 )     -10.28       (10/31/94 )
1995
    3.08       13.52       (5/26/95 )     -8.91       (1/31/95 )
1996
    7.45       68.23       (1/3/96 )     -2.02       (10/21/96 )
1997
    7.01       61.08       (12/24/97 )     -24.71       (11/12/97 )
1998
    10.61       57.3       (1/5/98 )     -7.78       (12/24/98 )
1999
    -13.05       4.99       (1/19/99 )     -29.12       (12/22/99 )
2000
    -27.95       -17.44       (12/29/00 )     -35.48       (6/6/00 )
2001
    -18.01       -12.7       (1/3/01 )     -21.74       (9/19/01 )
2002
    -18.15       -11.61       (3/1/02 )     -24.16       (9/23/02 )
2003
    -16.05       -12.41       (6/6/03 )     -20.45       (11/20/03 )
2004
    -10.91       -5.94       (10/7/04 )     -15.98       (8/6/04 )
2005
    -5.86       -2.37       (12/2/05 )     -11.04       (12/29/05 )
2006(1)
    -5.96       -1.87       2/16/06       -9.65       5/22/06  
 
 
(1) Through September 26, 2006.
 
11. Interest of Directors, Executive Officers and Certain Related Persons.  Information, as of particular dates, concerning the Fund’s directors and executive officers, their remuneration, any material interest of such persons in transactions with the Fund and other matters, is required to be disclosed in proxy statements distributed to the Fund’s shareholders and filed with the Commission. The table below sets forth the number of Shares and percentage of outstanding Shares beneficially owned by the directors and officers of the Fund as of September 26, 2006.
 
         
    Number of Shares
 
Name and Position
  Beneficially Owned  
 
Julian Reid, Chairman
     
Richard A. Silver, Director
     
Ronaldo A. da Frota Nogueira, Director*
    4,000  
Christopher Russell, Director
     
Kesop Yun, Director
     
Michael G. Clark, President
     
John Millette, Secretary
     
Kathleen Sullivan D’Eramo, Assistant Treasurer
     
Caroline Pearson, Assistant Secretary
     
Paul H. Schubert, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
     
Scott McHugh, Assistant Treasurer
     
Terrence Gray, Vice President
     
Elisa Metzger, Chief Legal Officer
     
Phillip W. Gallo, Chief Compliance Officer
     
 
 
* Percentage of shares beneficially owned equal less than 1/4 of 1% of Shares of the Fund. The total percentage of shares beneficially owned by all directors and executive officers equal less than 1/4 of 1% of Shares of the Fund.


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Except for repurchases by the Fund in the open market discussed below, neither the Fund nor, to the best of the Fund’s knowledge, any of the Fund’s directors or officers, or associates of any of the foregoing, has effected any transaction in Shares, except for dividend reinvestment, during the past 60 days. Except as set forth in this Offer to Repurchase, neither the Fund, nor, to the best of the Fund’s knowledge, any of the Fund’s directors or officers, is a party to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding, whether or not legally enforceable, or relationship with any other person relating, directly or indirectly, to the Offer with respect to any securities of the Fund, including, but not limited to, any agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship concerning the transfer or the voting of any such securities, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guaranties of loans, guaranties against loss or the giving or withholding of proxies, consents or authorizations. None of the Fund’s directors or officers intends to tender Shares pursuant to the Offer. Based upon information provided or available to the Fund, no other director, officer or affiliate of the Fund intends to tender Shares pursuant to the Offer. The Offer does not, however, restrict or limit the Fund from repurchasing Shares pursuant to the Offer from any such person.
 
During the 60 days prior to the date of this Offer to Repurchase, the Fund did not purchase any Shares in the open market.
 
12. Certain Information About the Fund.  The Fund is a Maryland corporation with its principal executive offices located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154 (telephone number (800) 349-4281). The Fund is a closed-end, non-diversified, management investment company. The Fund first issued Shares to the public on August 22, 1984. As a closed-end investment company, the Fund differs from an open-end investment company (i.e., a mutual fund) in that it does not redeem its Shares at the election of a shareholder and does not continuously offer its Shares for sale to the public. The Fund’s investment objective is long-term capital appreciation through investment in Korean equity securities.
 
The Manager is a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware and a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). The Manager and its predecessors have served as investment manager to the Fund since its inception. The Manager’s principal business address is 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154.
 
The Manager is part of Deutsche Asset Management. Deutsche Asset Management is the marketing name in the United States for the asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG, The Manager, Deutsche Asset Management Inc., Deutsche Asset Management Investment Services Ltd., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and Scudder Trust Company. Deutsche Asset Management is a global asset management organization with over $699 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2004. The Manager is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. Deutsche Bank AG is a global banking institution engaged in financial services, including investment management, mutual fund, retail, private and commercial banking, investment banking and insurance.
 
The Manager, the predecessor of which is Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc. (“Scudder”), is an investment counseling firm established as a partnership in 1919. Scudder reorganized from a partnership to a corporation on June 28, 1985. On December 31, 1997, Zurich Insurance Company (“Zurich”) acquired a majority interest in Scudder, and Zurich Kemper Investments, Inc., a Zurich subsidiary, became part of Scudder. Scudder’s name changed to Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. On January 1, 2001, the Manager changed its name from Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. to Zurich Scudder Investments, Inc. On April 5, 2002, 100% of the Manager was acquired by Deutsche Bank AG. Upon the closing of this transaction, the Manager changed its name from Zurich Scudder Investments, Inc. to Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.
 
The Subadviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. The address of the Subadviser is 19F, Youngpoong Building, 33, Seorin-Dong, Chongro-ku, Seoul, Korea 110-752. The Subadviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and began serving as Subadviser to the Fund on July 9, 2002. The Subadviser renders investment advisory and management services with regards to that portion of the Fund’s portfolio allocated to it by the Manager.
 
13. Additional Information.  The Fund has filed with the Commission an Issuer Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO, including the exhibits thereto (“Schedule TO”), which provides additional information relating to the Offer. You may inspect and obtain a copy of Schedule TO at the prescribed rates at the Commission’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549; 233 Broadway, New York, New York 10279 and Citicorp Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of Schedule TO may also be obtained by mail at the prescribed rates from the Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The Fund’s filings are also available to the public on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.
 
14. Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences.  The following discussion is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of a participating shareholder’s sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer based on


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current U.S. federal income tax law, including the Code, applicable Treasury regulations and Internal Revenue Service rulings. Different rules may apply to particular shareholders depending upon their individual circumstances. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of a sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer, including potential tax consequences in jurisdictions where the shareholder is a citizen, resident or domiciliary.
 
A. Consequences to U.S. Shareholders of Participating in the Offer.  It is anticipated that U.S. Shareholders (as such term is defined in Section 4.F, above), other than tax-exempt persons, who sell Shares pursuant to the Offer will generally recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between (a) the fair market value of the Portfolio Securities and the amount of cash they receive pursuant to the Offer and (b) their adjusted tax basis in the Shares sold by them. The sale date for such tax purposes will be the date the Fund accepts the Shares for repurchase. This gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the Shares sold are held by the participating U.S. Shareholder at the time of sale as capital assets, and will be treated as either long-term or short-term capital gain or loss depending on whether the Shares have been held at that time for more or less than one year, as applicable. Gain or loss must be calculated separately for each block of Shares (i.e., Shares acquired at the same cost in a single transaction) sold pursuant to the Offer. Any long-term capital gain realized by a non-corporate U.S. Shareholder that is not a tax-exempt person will be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Capital losses recognized by a U.S. Shareholder are generally available only to offset capital gains of the U.S. Shareholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year with capital losses). The ability of a U.S. Shareholder to carry back or carry forward capital losses is limited.
 
Under the Code’s “wash sale” rules, loss recognized on Shares sold pursuant to the Offer will ordinarily be disallowed to the extent U.S. Shareholders acquire other Shares within 30 days before or after the date the repurchased Shares are purchased pursuant to the Offer. In that event, the basis and holding period of the Shares acquired would be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
 
The foregoing U.S. federal income tax treatment is based on the assumption that the continuing ownership interest in the Fund of each participating U.S. Shareholder (including shares constructively owned by such participating U.S. Shareholder pursuant to the provisions of Section 318 of the Code) will be sufficiently reduced to qualify the repurchase as a sale rather than a distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes, pursuant to Section 302(b) of the Code. If this assumption is not met with respect to any U.S. Shareholder, the receipt of Portfolio Securities for Shares purchased by the Fund may be taxable to such U.S. Shareholder (unless it is a tax-exempt person) as a distribution by the Fund rather than as a gain from the sale of the Shares. In that event, receipt of the Portfolio Securities by such U.S. Shareholder would be taxable as a dividend, in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Portfolio Securities, to the extent of such U.S. Shareholder’s allocable share of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Any excess of the value of the Portfolio Securities received over the portion so taxable as a dividend would constitute a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Shareholder’s tax basis in the Shares sold, and any remaining excess of such value of the Portfolio Securities would be treated as either long-term or short-term capital gain from the sale of the Shares (if the Shares are held as capital assets), depending on how long the Shares were held. If the repurchase is treated as a distribution by the Fund rather than a sale of shares, the portion of the distribution treated as a dividend would, in the case of U.S. Shareholders who are individuals meeting certain holding period and other requirements, qualify as “qualified dividend income” eligible for the reduced maximum federal tax rate of 15% (5% for individuals in the 15% bracket) to the extent deemed to be paid out of “qualified dividend income” received by the Fund. Qualified dividend income is, in general, dividend income from taxable U.S. corporations and certain foreign corporations (including foreign corporations incorporated in certain countries having a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States, or the stock of which is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States). Dividends received by the Fund from non-passive Korean corporations generally qualify as “qualified dividend income.” Any portion of the distribution treated as a dividend that did not qualify for the reduced rate would be taxable to U.S. Shareholders that are not tax-exempt persons at the regular maximum federal tax rate of up to 35%. If the receipt of Portfolio Securities by a participating U.S. Shareholder is taxable as a distribution, such U.S. Shareholder’s remaining tax basis in the purchased Shares would generally be added to the tax basis of the Shares that the U.S. shareholder continued to hold following completion of the Offer. Corporate U.S. Shareholders are particularly urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding participation in the Offer in their particular circumstances.
 
B. Consequences to U.S. Shareholders of the Ownership of Portfolio Securities received pursuant to the Offer.  Each participating U.S. Shareholder’s federal income tax basis in Portfolio Securities received pursuant to the Offer will be equal to the fair market value of the Portfolio Securities on the day the Offer is consummated. Each participating U.S. Shareholder’s holding period for Portfolio Securities received pursuant to the Offer will begin on the day after the day on which the Offer is consummated.


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C. Dividends and Other Distributions on Portfolio Securities Received Pursuant to the Offer.  The gross amount of any distributions paid by an issuer of Portfolio Securities out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), before reduction for any withholding taxes imposed with respect thereto, will generally be taxable to a participating U.S. Shareholder as foreign source dividend income, and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Shareholder’s basis in the particular Portfolio Security with respect to which the distribution is paid, and thereafter as capital gain.
 
Dividends and other taxable distributions paid in Korean Won will be included in income in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day the payment is received (or treated as received) by the U.S. Shareholder, regardless of whether the Won are converted into U.S. dollars at that time. If the Won so received are converted into U.S. dollars on the day they are received (or treated as received) by the U.S. Shareholder, the U.S. Shareholder generally will not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the conversion. If the Won so received are not converted into U.S. dollars on the day they are received (or treated as received), the U.S. Shareholder will have a tax basis in the Won equal to the U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any gain or loss on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the Won generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss to the U.S. Shareholder, and generally will be income or loss from sources within the United States for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
 
One or more issuers of Portfolio Securities that a participating U.S. Shareholder receives pursuant to the Offer may be a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for U.S. tax purposes. A PFIC is a non-U.S. corporation in which either (i) 75% or more of its gross income for a taxable year is “passive income,” or (ii) at least 50% of the average percentage of assets held during the taxable year are assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. If a U.S. Shareholder holds Portfolio Securities issued by a company that is a PFIC, such U.S. Shareholder may be subject to U.S. federal income tax charges, in the nature of interest with respect to deferred taxes, on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of those Portfolio Securities. In addition, gain from the disposition of Portfolio Securities issued by a PFIC may be taxable to individuals at ordinary income rates, rather than reduced capital gain rates. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisers about the tax consequences of investing in a PFIC.
 
Participating U.S. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the appropriate U.S. federal income tax treatment of any distribution received with respect to Portfolio Securities, and the federal income tax rates that apply with respect to each such distribution in their particular circumstances.
 
D. Sale or Other Disposition of Portfolio Securities Received Pursuant to the Offer.  Upon a subsequent sale or other disposition of Portfolio Securities received pursuant to the Offer, participating U.S. Shareholders will generally recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between their adjusted tax basis in the particular Portfolio Securities sold and the amount realized in the subsequent disposition. Any such gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain (generally eligible for the reduced 15% capital gains rate) or loss only if the selling U.S. Shareholder holds the Portfolio Securities as capital assets for more than one year following the consummation of the Offer.
 
If Portfolio Securities received pursuant to the Offer are subsequently sold or otherwise disposed of in exchange for Korean Won, the amount realized should be equal to the U.S. dollar value of the amount received on the date of sale or disposition. If the sale or other disposition is settled on a subsequent settlement date, the participating U.S. Shareholder will recognize U.S. source foreign currency gain or loss (taxable as ordinary income or loss) equal to the difference (if any) between the U.S. dollar value of the amount received based on the exchange rates in effect on the date of sale or other disposition and on the settlement date. However, in the case of Portfolio Securities traded on an established securities market that are sold by a cash basis U.S. Shareholder (or an accrual method U.S. Shareholder that so elects) the amount realized will be based on the exchange rate in effect on the settlement date for the sale or other disposition, and no exchange gain or loss will be realized at that time. Korean Won received on the sale or other disposition of Portfolio Securities will have a tax basis equal to the U.S. dollar value on the settlement date. Any gain or loss on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the Won generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss to the U.S. Shareholder, and generally will be income or loss from sources within the United States for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
 
Participating U.S. Shareholders are particularly urged to consult their own tax advisers concerning the applicability of the foreign tax credit rules to any Korean taxes payable as a consequence of the ownership, sale or other disposition of Portfolio Securities received pursuant to the Offer and the application of U.S. source of income rules to distributions and gains with respect to Portfolio Securities that they hold following the Offer.


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E. Consequences to U.S. Shareholders who do not Participate in the Offer.  The repurchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer generally will have no U.S. federal income tax consequences to non-participating U.S. Shareholders. However, if any such repurchase by the Fund is treated as a Section 301 distribution rather than as an exchange, as described above, and the distribution has the result of some shareholders receiving property and other shareholders increasing their proportionate interests in the assets or earnings and profits of the Fund, the non-participating U.S. Shareholders may be deemed to have received a taxable distribution of Fund stock.
 
F. Back-up Withholding.  Under the U.S. backup withholding rules, the Depositary would be required to withhold 28% of the gross proceeds paid to any U.S. Shareholder that is not a tax-exempt person unless either: (a) such U.S. Shareholder has completed and submitted to the Depositary an IRS Form W-9 (or Substitute Form W-9), providing such U.S. Shareholder’s employer identification number or social security number, as applicable, and certifying under penalties of perjury that: (i) such number is correct; (ii) either (A) such U.S. Shareholder is exempt from backup withholding, (B) such U.S. Shareholder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that such U.S. Shareholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of an under-reporting of interest or dividends, or (C) the Internal Revenue Service has notified such U.S. Shareholder that such U.S. Shareholder is no longer subject to backup withholding; or (b) an exception applies under applicable law. In order to avoid the possibility of backup withholding, all participating U.S. Shareholders are required to provide the Depositary with IRS Form W-9. Failure of a U.S. Shareholder to provide the Depositary with a completed and signed Form W-9 will result in a defective submission, and the Fund will be unable to repurchase such shareholder’s Shares. A Substitute Form W-9 is included as part of the Letter of Transmittal for U.S. Shareholders.
 
G. In addition, all or a portion of payments received by participating U.S. Shareholders in exchange for Shares pursuant to the Offer may be subject to U.S. federal income tax information reporting requirements.
 
H. Consequences to Non-U.S. Shareholders of Participating in the Offer.  The U.S. federal income taxation of a Non-U.S. Shareholder (as such term is defined in Section 4.F, above) on a sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer depends on whether such transaction is “effectively connected” with a trade or business carried on in the United States by the Non-U.S. Shareholder, as well as the tax characterization of the transaction as either a sale of the Shares or a distribution by the Fund, as discussed above with respect to U.S. Shareholders participating in the offer. If the sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer is not effectively connected and gives rise to taxable gain, any gain realized by a Non-U.S. Shareholder upon the sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, provided, however, that such a gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be applicable under a tax treaty) if the Non-U.S. Shareholder is a non-resident alien individual who is physically present in the United States for more than 182 days during the taxable year of the sale. If, however, the receipt of Portfolio Securities by a participating Non-U.S. Shareholder is treated for U.S. tax purposes as a distribution by the Fund, the portion of the distribution treated as a dividend to the Non-U.S. Shareholder would be subject to U.S. federal tax, which may be withheld at the rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be applicable under a tax treaty) if the dividend does not constitute effectively connected income. If the amount realized on the sale of Shares by a Non-U.S. Shareholder is effectively connected income, regardless of whether the sale is characterized as a sale or as giving rise to a distribution from the Fund for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such income would be subject to U.S. tax at rates applicable to a U.S. Shareholder, as well as any applicable branch profits tax.
 
Participating Non-U.S. Shareholders could be subject to 28% backup withholding, as described with respect to participating U.S. Shareholders above. In order to avoid the possibility of backup withholding, each Non-U.S. Shareholder must provide the Depositary with a completed IRS Form W-8BEN, or another type of Form W-8 appropriate to the particular Non-U.S. Shareholder. Failure to provide the Depositary with the appropriate Form W-8 will result in a defective submission and the Fund will be unable to repurchase the participating Non-U.S. Shareholder’s Shares. Copies of Form W-8BEN are provided with the Letter of Transmittal for Non-U.S. Shareholders. Other types of Form W-8 can be found on the IRS website at www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html.
 
Participating Non-U.S. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the tax consequences of the ownership, sale or other disposition of Portfolio Securities in their particular circumstances.
 
I. Consequences to the Fund.  The Fund has received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that it will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the result of the Distribution of Portfolio Securities to participating shareholders pursuant to the terms of the Offer.


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15. Certain Korean Tax Consequences.  The following discussion is a general summary of certain Korean tax consequences of a participating shareholder’s sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer. Different rules may apply to particular shareholders depending upon their individual circumstances. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to tax consequences of a sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer, including, in the case of a Korean shareholder, potential tax consequences in Korean jurisdictions where such shareholder is a resident or domiciliary.
 
A. Consequences to Shareholders of Participating in the Offer.  No Korean tax will be payable upon the sale of Shares pursuant to the repurchase offer by participating shareholders that are not (i) residents of Korea, or (ii) foreign corporations that maintain a permanent establishment in Korea to which any income arising from the sale of Shares would be attributable (collectively, “Non-Resident Shareholders”).
 
B. Dividends on Portfolio Securities Received Pursuant to the Offer.  Dividends (whether in cash or in shares) paid to Non-Resident Shareholders with respect to Portfolio Securities will be subject to Korean withholding tax at the rate of 27.5% (including resident surtax) or such lower rate as is applicable under a treaty between Korea and the Non-Resident Shareholder’s country of tax residence. In order to obtain the benefit of any such lower rate, a Non-Resident Shareholder must submit to the issuer company, prior to the dividend payment date, such evidence of tax residence of the Non-Resident Shareholder as the Korean tax authorities may require to support the Non-Resident Shareholder’s claim for tax treaty protection. The issuer company paying such dividends to the Non-Resident Shareholder will be responsible for withholding the applicable amounts.
 
C. Sale or Other Disposition of Portfolio Securities Received Pursuant to the Offer.  Capital gains earned by a Non-Resident Shareholder from the sale of Portfolio Securities through the Stock Market Division of the Korea Exchange or the KOSDAQ Market Division of the Korea Exchange (together, the “Korea Exchange”) are exempt from Korean capital gains tax unless the Non-Resident Shareholder owns, together with the shares held by any entity having a special relationship with such Non-Resident Shareholder as defined under applicable Korean laws and regulations, 25% or more of the total issued and outstanding shares of the Korean listed company at any time during the calendar year in which the transfer occurs and the five years preceding such calendar year.
 
Under the relevant tax treaty between Korea and the Non-Resident Shareholder’s country of tax residence, Non-Resident Shareholders may be eligible for the tax exemption on capital gains upon their sale of Portfolio Securities. In order to obtain a tax exemption on capital gains under an applicable tax treaty, a Non-Resident Shareholder should submit to the purchaser or the securities company, as applicable, an application for tax exemption along with a certificate of tax residency issued by a competent authority of such Non-Resident Shareholder’s country of tax residence prior to the payment date.
 
Unless exempted under Korean tax law (as described above) or the relevant tax treaty between Korea and such Non-Resident Shareholder’s country of tax residence, capital gains earned by a Non-Resident Shareholder from a sale of Portfolio Securities are subject to Korean taxation. The applicable capital gains tax rate is the lower of (i) 11% (including resident surtax) of the gross realization proceeds and (ii) 27.5% (including resident surtax) of the capital gain realized upon the sale (subject to the production of satisfactory evidence of the acquisition costs and certain direct transaction costs of Portfolio Securities). The purchaser or (in the case of the sale of Portfolio Securities through a Korean securities company) the Korean securities company through which such sale is effected is required under Korean law to withhold the applicable amount of Korean taxes and make payment thereof to the relevant Korean tax authorities.
 
D. Korean Securities Transaction Tax.  If a Non-Resident Shareholder transfers Portfolio Shares on the Korea Exchange, such Non-Resident Shareholder will be subject to Korean securities transaction tax at the rate of 0.3% (including an agriculture and fishery special surtax at the rate of 0.15%) of the sale price of the Portfolio Shares. Subject to certain exceptions, if such transfer is not made on the Korea Exchange, such Non-Resident Shareholder will be subject to Korean securities transaction tax at the rate of 0.5% of the sale price of the Portfolio Shares, and will not be subject to an agriculture and fishery special surtax.
 
 
A. Korea.  Under applicable Korean legal requirements, the approval of the Korean Financial Supervisory Commission is required before a foreigner, such as the Fund, may transfer Korean listed securities unless such transfer takes place on the Stock Market Division or the KOSDAQ Market Division of the Korea Exchange. On September 27, 2006, the Governor of the FSS, pursuant to its authority to grant such approvals on behalf of the Financial Supervisory Commission, approved the transfer, outside the Stock Market Division and the KOSDAQ Market Division of the Korea Exchange, of Portfolio Securities from the Fund to participating shareholders in connection with the Offer.


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Additionally, under applicable Korean legal requirements participating shareholders (or the holders of legal title to the Shares if legal and beneficial ownership are held by different persons) that are foreign (non-Korean) investors must register with the FSS before acquiring any Portfolio Securities pursuant to the Offer and should accordingly ensure that such registration has been made in a timely manner.
 
B. Japan.  To ensure compliance with Japanese securities laws and regulations, which would otherwise generally require each issuer of Portfolio Securities received by Japan Holders to file a securities registration statement with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau and comply with ongoing disclosure requirements, Japan Holders participating in the Offer will not receive portfolio securities, but will instead receive cash proceeds from the sale of the Portfolio Securities they would otherwise receive. For the purpose of the foregoing, Japan Holders must irrevocably instruct their brokers to liquidate for cash, immediately upon receipt, the Portfolio Securities received by them pursuant to the Offer. Japan Holders that do not certify that they have issued such irrevocable instructions to their brokers will be excluded from the Offer.
 
C. U.S.: SEC.  On June 20, 2005, the Commission granted to the Fund an order, pursuant to the authority delegated to the Commission under sections 6(c) and 17(b) of the 1940 Act, exempting the Repurchase Program, including the Offer, from section 17(a) of the 1940 Act.
 
On July 1, 2005, the Commission, pursuant to the authority delegated to it under rule 13e-4(h)(9) of the 1934 Act, also exempted the Repurchase Program, including the Offer, from the provisions of rule 13e-4(f)(8) of the 1934 Act to the extent necessary to permit Japan Holders to participate in the Offer and any subsequent offers to be made pursuant to the Repurchase Program.
 
D. U.S.: IRS.  On November 17, 2004, the Fund received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the Fund will not recognize gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes when it distributes appreciated portfolio securities in-kind to participating stockholders. As a result, only participating stockholders should recognize income or gains in connection with the payment of portfolio securities, and neither the Fund nor non-participating stockholders of the Fund should recognize such gains as a consequence of payments of portfolio securities to the participating stockholders. The Fund received a supplemental private letter ruling on June  10, 2005, confirming that the conclusion reached in the November 17, 2004 private letter ruling will apply to the Repurchase Program, including the Offer.
 
E. Other.  The Fund is not aware of any other approval or action by any government or governmental, administrative or regulatory authority or agency, domestic or foreign, that would be required to effect the Offer. Should any such approval or other action be required, the Fund presently contemplates that such approval or other action will be sought. The Fund is unable to predict whether it may determine that it is required to delay the acceptance for payment of, or payment for, Shares repurchased pursuant to the Offer pending the outcome of any such matter. There can be no assurance that any such approval or other action, if needed, would be obtained without substantial conditions or that the failure to obtain any such approval or other action might not result in material adverse consequences to the Fund’s business. The Fund’s obligations under the Offer to accept for payment and pay for Shares are subject to certain conditions described in Section 3.
 
17. Amendments; Extension of Repurchase Period; Termination.  Subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, the Fund expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, to extend the period during which the Offer is open for any reason, including the failure to satisfy any of the conditions specified in Section 3, and thereby delay acceptance for payment of, and payment for, any Shares, by giving oral or written notice of such extension to the Depositary. There can be no assurance that the Fund will exercise its right to extend the Offer. During any such extension, all Shares previously tendered and not properly withdrawn will remain subject to the Offer, subject to the rights of a repurchasing shareholder to withdraw such shareholder’s Shares. (See Section 5.)
 
Subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, the Fund also expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, to: (a) terminate the Offer and not accept for payment (or pay for) any Shares if any of the conditions referred to in Section 3 has not been satisfied or upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any of the events specified in Section; and (b) waive any condition or amend the Offer in any respect, in each case by giving oral or written notice of termination, waiver or amendment to the Depositary and by making a public announcement thereof. The Fund acknowledges that Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act requires the Fund to pay the consideration offered or return the Shares tendered for repurchase promptly after the termination or withdrawal of the Offer, and that the Fund may not delay acceptance for payment of, or payment for, any Shares upon the occurrence of any of the conditions specified in Section 5 without extending the period during which the Offer is open.


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Any extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by a public announcement thereof, such announcement, in the case of an extension, to be made no later than 9:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date. Without limiting the manner in which the Fund may choose to make any public announcement, except as provided by applicable law (including Rules 13e-4(c), 13e-4(e) and 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, which require that material changes be promptly disseminated to holders of Shares), the Fund will have no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by issuing a release to the PR Newswire.
 
If the Fund makes a material change in the terms of the Offer or the information concerning the Offer, or waives a material condition of the Offer, the Fund will disseminate additional repurchase offer materials (including by public announcement as set forth above) and extend the Offer to the extent required by Rules 13e-4(e) and l3e-4(f) under the Exchange Act. The minimum period during which the Offer must remain open following material changes in the terms of the Offer or information concerning the Offer, other than a change in price or a change in percentage of securities sought, will depend upon the facts and circumstances, including the relative materiality of the changes. With respect to a change in price or, subject to certain limitations, a change in the percentage of securities sought, a minimum ten business day period from the date of such change is generally required to allow for adequate dissemination of such change to shareholders. Accordingly, if, prior to the Expiration Date, the Fund decreases the number of Shares being sought, increases the consideration offered pursuant to the Offer or adds a dealer’s soliciting fee, and if the Offer is scheduled to expire at any time earlier than the period ending on the tenth business day from the date that notice of such increase, decrease or addition is first published, sent or given to shareholders, the Offer will be extended at least until the expiration of such ten business day period. For purposes of the Offer, a “business day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a U.S. federal holiday and consists of the time period from 12:01 a.m. through midnight Eastern time.
 
18. Miscellaneous.  The Offer is not being made to, nor will the Fund accept tenders from, or on behalf of, owners of Shares in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer or its acceptance would not comply with the securities or “blue sky” laws of that jurisdiction. The Fund is not aware of any jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer or the acceptance of tenders of, purchase of, or payment for, Shares in accordance with the Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. The Fund, however, reserves the right to exclude shareholders in any jurisdiction in which it is asserted that the Offer cannot lawfully be made or tendered Shares cannot lawfully be accepted, purchased or paid for. So long as the Fund makes a good-faith effort to comply with any state law deemed applicable to the Offer, the Fund believes that the exclusion of shareholders residing in any such jurisdiction is permitted under Rule 13e-4(f)(9) promulgated under the Exchange Act. In any jurisdiction where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer shall be deemed to be made on the Fund’s behalf by one or more brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.


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Manually signed facsimile copies of the Letter of Transmittal will be accepted. The Letter of Transmittal and Share certificates and any other required documentation should be sent or delivered by each shareholder or the shareholder’s broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to the Depositary at one of the addresses set forth below.
 
The Depositary for the Offer is:
 
The Colbent Corporation
 
         
By First Class Mail:   By Registered, Certified or
Express Mail or
Overnight Courier:
  By Hand:
         
The Colbent Corporation   The Colbent Corporation   The Colbent Corporation
Attn: Corporate Actions   Attn: Corporate Actions   Attn: Corporate Actions
POB 859208   161 Bay State Drive   161 Bay State Drive
Braintree, MA 02185-9208   Braintree, MA 02184   Braintree, MA 02184
 
By Facsimile:
(781) 380-3388

Confirm Facsimile Transmission:
(781) 843-1833 Ext. 200
 
Questions or requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Offer to Repurchase, the Letter of Transmittal or other material in connection with the Offer may be directed to the Information Agent at its address and telephone number set forth below. Shareholders may also contact their brokers, dealer, commercial bank or trust company for assistance concerning the Offer.
 
The Information Agent for the Offer is:
 
GEORGESON INC.
17 State Street
New York, New York 10004
Toll Free: (800) 843-0369
Call Collect: (212) 440-9800
 
THE KOREA FUND, INC.
 
September 29, 2006

EX-99.A.1.II 3 y25527exv99waw1wii.htm EX-99.A.1.II: FORM OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL EX-99.A.1.II
 

 
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
to Accompany Shares of Common Stock
of
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Tendered Pursuant to the Offer to Repurchase
Dated September 29, 2006
 
THE OFFER TO REPURCHASE WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT, EASTERN TIME, ON
OCTOBER 27, 2006, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
 
The Depositary for the Offer is:
 
The Colbent Corporation
 
         
    By Registered, Certified or
   
By First Class Mail:   Express Mail or Overnight Courier:   By Hand:
 
The Colbent Corporation
Attn: Corporate Actions
POB 859208
Braintree, MA 02185-9208
  The Colbent Corporation
Attn: Corporate Actions
161 Bay State Drive
Braintree, MA 02184
  The Colbent Corporation
Attn: Corporate Actions
161 Bay State Drive
Braintree, MA 02184
 
To Confirm Receipt of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:
Facsimile No.: (781) 380-3388
Facsimile Confirmation No.: (781) 843-1833 ext. 200
 
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA A FACSIMILE NUMBER, OTHER THAN THOSE SHOWN ABOVE, DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. YOU MUST SIGN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IN THE APPROPRIATE SPACE PROVIDED AND COMPLETE THE SUBSTITUTE W-9 SET FORTH BELOW (OR, IN THE CASE OF A NON-U.S. PERSON, THE APPROPRIATE TYPE OF FORM W-8). THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
 
                   
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED
Name(s) & Address(es) of Registered Holder(s)
     
(Please fill in, if blank, exactly as
    Share(s) Tendered (***)
name(s) appear(s) on share certificate(s).)     (Please attach additional list if necessary.)
            Total Number of
     
            Shares Represented
     
      Share Certificate
    by Share
    Number of Shares
      Number(s)(*)     Certificate(s)(*)     Tendered(**)
                   
                   
                   
                   
      Total Shares Tendered            
* Need not be completed by shareholders who tender Shares by book-entry transfer.
** Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Shares evidenced by any certificates delivered to the Depositary are being tendered. See Instruction 5.
*** If the Shares being tendered are Shares held by the Transfer Agent pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan, shareholders should so indicate on page 5.
                   


 

o   I HAVE LOST MY CERTIFICATE(S) FOR SHARES OF STOCK OF THE FUND AND REQUIRE ASSISTANCE WITH RESPECT TO REPLACING SUCH CERTIFICATE(S). SEE INSTRUCTION 3.
 
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDER AND, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN INSTRUCTION 2, THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. THE SHAREHOLDER HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CAUSE THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, CERTIFICATES AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS TO BE TIMELY DELIVERED. TIMELY DELIVERY IS A CONDITION PRECEDENT TO ACCEPTANCE OF SHARES FOR REPURCHASE AND TO TRANSFER OF THE PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TO PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
 
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used: (a) if certificates for Shares (as defined below) are to be forwarded herewith; (b) if uncertificated Shares held by the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan are to be tendered; or (c) if tenders are to be made by book-entry transfer, to any of the accounts maintained by the Depositary at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC” or the “Book-Entry Transfer Facility”) pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 4, “Procedures for Tendering Shares for Repurchase,” of the Fund’s Offer to Repurchase, dated September 29, 2006 (the “Offer to Repurchase”). Shareholders whose certificates are not immediately available or who cannot deliver certificates for Shares (other than uncertified Shares held by the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan) or deliver confirmation of the book-entry transfer of their Shares into the Depositary’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility and all other documents required hereby to the Depositary prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date (as defined below) may nevertheless tender their Shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 4, “Procedures for Tendering Shares for Repurchase,” of the Offer to Repurchase. See Instruction 2 below under the section entitled “Instructions.” DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.


2


 

o   CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
Name of Tendering Institution: _ _
 
Account Number: _ _
 
Transaction Code Number: _ _
 
If the tendered shares are being tendered by a nominee holder on behalf of its customers, please state the number of customer accounts for whose benefit the tender is made: _ _
 
o   CHECK HERE IF CERTIFICATES FOR TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
 
Name(s) of Registered Owner(s): _ _
 
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: _ _
 
Name of Institution That Guaranteed Delivery: _ _
 
Account Number (if delivered by book-entry transfer): _ _
 
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
 
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY


3


 

 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
The undersigned hereby tenders to The Korea Fund, Inc., a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company incorporated under the laws of the state of Maryland (the “Fund”), the shares of the Fund’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Shares”) described below, in exchange for a pro rata portion of the Fund’s portfolio securities (other than securities that are not publicly traded, that would need to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, if distributed in the repurchase, that may not be held other than by Korean holders, or that involve the assumption of contractual obligations or trading restrictions) (the “Portfolio Securities”) held in the Fund’s investment portfolio, subject to adjustment for fractional shares and odd lots, at a price equal to 98% of the net asset value (“NAV”) per Share (the “Repurchase Price”) determined as of the close of the regular trading session of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the principal market on which the Shares are traded, on the business day after the day the Offer expires (the “Repurchase Pricing Date”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Repurchase, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the Offer to Repurchase and any amendments or supplements thereto, collectively constitute the “Offer”). The “Expiration Date” of the Offer is midnight, Eastern time, on October 27, 2006, unless the Fund, in its sole discretion, shall have extended the period the Offer is open, in which case “Expiration Date” shall mean the last time and date on which the Offer, as so extended by the Fund, shall expire.
 
Subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment of the Shares tendered herewith in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Fund all right, title and interest in and to all the Shares that are being tendered hereby and that are being accepted for repurchase pursuant to the Offer (and any and all dividends, distributions, other Shares or other securities or rights issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date) and irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Depositary the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Shares and any such dividends, distributions, other Shares or securities or rights), with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) to: (a) deliver certificates for such Shares (and any such other dividends, distributions, other Shares or securities or rights issued or issuable with respect to such Shares on or after the Expiration Date) or transfer ownership of such Shares (and any such other dividends, distributions, other Shares or securities or rights issued or issuable with respect to such Shares on or after the Expiration Date), together, in either such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to or upon the order of the Fund, upon receipt by the Depositary, as the undersigned’s agent, of the Repurchase Price; (b) present such Shares (and any such other dividends, distributions, other Shares or securities or rights issued or issuable with respect to such Shares on or after the Expiration Date) for transfer on the books of the Fund; and (c) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares (and any such other dividends, distributions, other Shares or securities or rights issued or issuable with respect to such Shares on or after the Expiration Date), all in accordance with the terms of the Offer.
 
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that: (a) the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the tendered Shares (and any and all dividends, distributions, other Shares or other securities or rights issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after the Expiration Date); (b) when and to the extent the Fund accepts the Shares for repurchase, the Fund will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges, proxies, encumbrances or other obligations relating to their sale or transfer, and not subject to any adverse claim; (c) on request, the undersigned will execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Depositary or the Fund to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the tendered Shares (and any and all dividends, distributions, other Shares or securities or rights issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after the Expiration Date); and (d) the undersigned has read and agreed to all of the terms of the Offer.
 
The undersigned (or the holders of legal title to the Shares if legal and beneficial ownership are held by different persons) further represents and warrants that such party (a) has registered with the Financial Supervisory Service of Korea (the “FSS”); (b) has established a securities account with a Korean licensed broker or a custodian bank (the “Korean Securities Account”) and a U.S. dollar account with a bank outside Korea (the “USD Account, and, collectively with the Korean Securities Account and any shareholder account with DTC, the “Shareholder Accounts”); (c) will provide account and registration information at the time the Shares are presented for repurchase; (d) will complete the Authorization Instruction Form; and (e) will submit certain tax information as a condition to participation in the Offer. The undersigned understands that the Fund is not responsible for any errors or deficiencies in a submission and has no responsibility to notify shareholders of any deficiencies or errors in a submission. (See “Authorization Instructions Regarding the Repurchase Offer by The Korea Fund, Inc.”)


4


 

 
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives of the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date in accordance with Section 5, “Withdrawal Rights,” of the Offer to Repurchase. After the Expiration Date, tenders made pursuant to the Offer will be irrevocable except as provided in the Offer to Repurchase.
 
THE UNDERSIGNED TENDERS ALL UNCERTIFICATED SHARES THAT MAY BE HELD IN THE NAME OF THE REGISTERED HOLDER(S) BY THE FUND’S TRANSFER AGENT PURSUANT TO THE FUND’S DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN.
 
o YES     o NO
 
Note: If you do not check either of the boxes above, uncertificated Shares, if any, held in the name of the registered holder(s) by the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan will not be tendered.


5


 

ODD LOTS
(SEE INSTRUCTION 13)
 
This section is to be completed ONLY if Shares are being tendered by or on behalf of a person owning beneficially or of record an aggregate of not more than 99 Shares. The undersigned either (check only one box):
 
o  Is the beneficial or record owner of an aggregate of not more than 99 Shares, all of which are being tendered; or
 
o  Is a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee that: (a) is tendering for the beneficial owner(s) thereof Shares with respect to which it is the record holder; and (b) believes, based upon representations made to it by such beneficial owner(s), that each such person is the beneficial owner of an aggregate of not more than 99 Shares and is tendering all of such Shares;
 
and, in either case, hereby represents that the above indicated information is true and correct as to the undersigned.
 
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.
 
The undersigned understands that the valid tender of Shares pursuant to any one of the procedures described in Section 4, “Procedures for Tendering Shares for Repurchase,” of the Offer to Repurchase and in the Instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Fund upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
 
The undersigned recognizes that under certain circumstances set forth in the Offer, the Fund may not be required to repurchase any of the Shares tendered hereby, or may accept for repurchase fewer than all of the Shares tendered hereby.
 
Unless otherwise indicated herein under “Special Payment Instructions,” the undersigned requests: (a) the return of any certificates for Shares not tendered or accepted for payment (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered”; (b) unless otherwise indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions,” the return of any certificates for Shares not tendered or accepted for payment (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the address(es) of the registered holder(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered”; and (c) in the event that either the Special Delivery Instructions or the Special Payment Instructions are completed, the return of such certificates to the person or persons so indicated. The undersigned recognizes that the Fund has no obligation pursuant to the Special Payment Instructions to transfer any Shares from the name of the registered holder thereof if the Fund does not accept for payment any of the Shares so tendered. The undersigned further recognizes that the Special Payment Instructions and the Special Delivery Instructions are not applicable to Shares tendered by book-entry transfer, nor to uncertificated Shares held by the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan which may be tendered hereby.


6


 

 
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 6, 7 AND 9)
 
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Shares not tendered or not repurchased are to be issued in the name of and sent to someone other than the undersigned.
 
Issue Certificate to:
 
Name
(Please Print)
 
Address:
 
 
(City, State, Zip Code)
 
Complete Payer Substitute Form W-9 or appropriate type of Form W-8
 
(Taxpayer Identification (Social Security) Number)
 
 
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 6, 7 AND 9)
 
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Shares not tendered or not repurchased are to be issued in the name of the undersigned, but sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown above.
 
Mail Certificate to:
 
Name
(Please Print)
 
Address:
 
 
(City, State, Zip Code)
 
 


7


 

 
REQUIRED CERTIFICATION
 
THIS SECTION IS TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDERS. As described in the Offer to Repurchase, in order to tender Shares validly for repurchase pursuant to the Offer, Japan Holders (as defined below) must certify that they have irrevocably instructed their Korean licensed broker to sell the Portfolio Securities for cash immediately upon the transfer of the Portfolio Securities into their designated Korean securities account established with such Korean licensed broker or a custodian bank (the “Korean Securities Account”). All other participating shareholders must certify that they are not Japan Holders.
 
A Japan Holder, for purposes of the Offer, is any person, broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other record holder of Shares that is:
 
  •  a natural person who is a resident of Japan or receives the Offer to Repurchase in Japan;
 
  •  a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity organized or incorporated under the laws of Japan or of any local government within Japan (collectively, “Japan Entities”);
 
  •  an agency or branch of a non-Japan Entity located in Japan;
 
  •  an estate which is subject to Japanese income tax on all of its income, regardless of the source of such income or the executor of administrator of which is a Japan Holder; or
 
  •  a trust if one or more Japan Holders has authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or one or more trustees is a Japan Holder.
 
CHECK HERE TO CERTIFY STATUS AS A NON-JAPAN HOLDER
 
o   I hereby represent and warrant that I am NOT a Japan Holder for purposes of the Offer.
 
CHECK HERE TO CERTIFY STATUS AS A JAPAN HOLDER:  
 
o   I hereby represent and warrant that I am a Japan Holder for purposes of the Offer. I further represent and warrant that I have irrevocably instructed my Korean licensed broker to sell the Portfolio Securities for cash immediately upon the transfer of the Portfolio Securities into the Shareholder Accounts designated by me.
 
 
Name of Participating Shareholder:


8


 

 
AUTHORIZATION INSTRUCTIONS
REGARDING THE REPURCHASE OFFER BY
THE KOREA FUND, INC.
 
  Name of Record Holder or DTC Participant (if shares held in “street name”) (“Record Holder”): 
 
As a condition to participation in the Offer, participating shareholders (or the holders of legal title to the Shares if legal and beneficial ownership are held by different persons) are required to register with the Financial Supervisory Service of Korea (the “FSS”) and to establish a Korean securities account with a licensed Korean broker or a custodian bank (the “Korean Securities Account”) and a U.S. dollar account with a bank outside Korea (the “USD Account” and collectively with the Korean Securities Account and any shareholder account held with DTC, the “Shareholder Accounts”) or to have such accounts already existing, information concerning which is provided below as regards the Record Holder’s Fund shares.
 
Shareholder Accounts:
 
1.  Korean Securities Account (for receipt of Korean securities)
 
  •  Name of licensed Korean broker or custodian bank: _ _
 
 
  •  Address, City and Zip Code:
 
  •  Korean bank BIC Code:
 
  •  Securities Account No.:
 
  •  Account Executive (AE): Mr./Ms.
 
  •  Holder of the Foreign Investment Identification Number issued by the Korean Financial Supervisory Commission (as appearing on the Investment Registration Certificate):
 
  •  Foreign Investment Identification Number issued by the Korean Financial Supervisory Commission:
 
  •  Telephone No. of AE:
 
  •  Telephone No. of Record Holder:
 
  •  E-mail address (if available) of AE:
 
  •  E-mail address (if available) of Record Holder:
 
2.  Bank Account (U.S. dollar account only) (for receipt of cash)
 
  •  Name of bank: _ _
 
 
  •  Address, City and Zip Code:


9


 

 
  •  Account No.:
 
  •  Account Executive (AE): Mr./Ms.
 
  •  Telephone No. of AE:
 
  •  Telephone No. of Record Holder:
 
  •  E-mail address (if available) of AE:
 
  •  E-mail address (if available) of Record Holder:
 
3.  DTC Account (for receipt of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”))
 
  •  DTC Participant No.: _ _
 
 
  •  Agent Identification No.:
 
  •  Account No.:
 
  •  Account Contact Name: Mr./Ms.
 
  •  Telephone No. of Account Contact:
 
  •  Telephone No. of Record Holder:
 
  •  E-mail address (if available) of Account Contact:
 
  •  E-mail address (if available) of Record Holder:
 
Also as a condition to participation in the Offer, participating shareholders (or holders of legal title to the Shares if legal and beneficial ownership are held by different persons) are required to submit certain information to the Fund, which will submit such information to the Korea National Tax Service in connection with filings required for the Fund to be exempt from Korean capital gains taxes in connection with the Offer, which information is provided below.
 
  •  Holder of the Foreign Investment Identification Number issued by the Korean Financial Supervisory Commission (as appearing on the Investment Registration Certificate):


10


 

 
  •  Foreign Investment Identification Number issued by the Korean Financial Supervisory Commission:
 
  •  Name of Holder of Legal Title to the Shares:
 
  •  Address of Holder of Legal Title to the Shares:
 
  •  Tax Identification Number of Holder of Legal Title to the Shares:
 
  •  If Holder of Legal Title is not an individual, Chief Executive Officer or other senior authorized representative of such Holder:
 
I hereby certify that the information above is correct and accurate and that I am the registered and authorized holder and signatory under such Shareholder Accounts.
 
I represent that none of the Fund, its Manager, Subadviser, Subcustodian, Information Agent or Depositary, or any of their agents or representatives (the “Parties”), assumes any responsibility and/or liability for any errors or deficiencies regarding the Shareholder Accounts. In the event that my Korean licensed broker or custodian bank or the bank at which I have my USD Account does not accept for deposit into my Shareholder Accounts any Portfolio Securities and cash for any reason whatsoever, none of the Parties will be held responsible.
 
I hereby:
 
(1) authorize my Korean licensed broker or custodian bank or the bank at which I have my USD Account to provide any required information requested by the Fund’s Manager, Subadviser, or any of its agents or representatives, that would allow them to validate the Shareholder Accounts information and, if necessary, cause my Korean licensed broker or custodian bank, party that will receive ADRs, or the bank at which I have my USD Account to provide the above-mentioned information;
 
(2) instruct my Korean licensed broker or custodian bank, the bank at which I have my USD Account and party that will receive ADRs to accept for deposit ON A “RECEIVE FREE” BASIS any Portfolio Securities and cash distributed in response to my participation in the Offer;
 
(3) acknowledge that the Korean counterparty that will transfer to my Shareholder Accounts the Portfolio Securities will be Citibank Korea, Inc. on behalf of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., the Fund’s subcustodian in Korea. The Portfolio Securities will be transferred through the book-entry system maintained by the Korea Securities Depositary, and in the case of ADRs, DTC. The cash will be transferred from Citibank, N.A., New York, on behalf of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., the Fund’s subcustodian in the United States, to my USD Account; and
 
(4) acknowledge that my Korean licensed broker or custodian bank or the bank at which I have my USD Account and DTC or other party receiving ADRs will be the party that will confirm to me the transfer of my pro rata portion of Portfolio Securities and cash into my account.
 
I hereby irrevocably release the parties from any liability in connection with any communications between any of them and my Korean licensed broker or custodian bank or the bank at which I have my USD Account and the establishment of the Shareholder Accounts with my Korean licensed broker or custodian bank, party that will receive ADRs, or the bank at which I have my USD Account.
 
Record Holder Name:
 
 
Signature:
 
 
Date:
 


11


 

 
SIGN HERE
(IMPORTANT: COMPLETE AND SIGN THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN)
 
(Signature(s) of Shareholder(s))
 
Dated: _ _
 
(Must be signed by the registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on certificate(s) for the Shares or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificate(s) and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, agent, officer of a corporation or another person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide the following information. See Instruction 6.)
 
Name(s): 
 
(Please Print)
 
Capacity (Full Title): 
 
Address: 
 
 
City                                                                                                  State                                                                              Zip Code
 
Area Code and Telephone Number: 
 
Employer Identification or Social Security Number: 
 
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 6)
 
Authorized Signature(s): 
 
Name: 
(Please Print)
 
Name of Firm: 
 
Address: 
 
 
City                                                                                                  State                                                                              Zip Code
 
Date: _ _


12


 

 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer
 
1. Signature Guarantees.  No signature guarantee on this Letter of Transmittal is required if: (a) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares (including, for purposes of this document, any participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of Shares) tendered herewith, unless such holder(s) has completed either the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” or the box entitled “Special Payment Instructions” herein; or (b) the Shares tendered are tendered for the account of a firm (an “Eligible Institution”) which is a broker, dealer, commercial bank, credit union, savings association or other entity and which is a member in good standing of a stock transfer association’s approved medallion program (such as STAMP, SEMP or MSP). In all other cases, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 6.
 
2. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Certificates; Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.  This Letter of Transmittal is to be used only: (a) if certificates are to be forwarded herewith; (b) if uncertificated Shares held by the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan are to be tendered; or (c) if tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer set forth in Section 4, “Procedures for Tendering Shares for Repurchase,” of the Offer to Repurchase. Certificates for all physically tendered Shares, or confirmation of a book-entry transfer in the Depositary’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility of Shares tendered by book-entry transfer, together, in each case, with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal with any required signature guarantees, and all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, should be mailed or delivered to the Depositary at the appropriate address set forth herein and must be received by the Depositary prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date. Shareholders whose certificates are not immediately available or who cannot deliver Shares and all other required documents to the Depositary prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date, or whose Shares cannot be delivered on a timely basis pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date, may tender their Shares by or through any Eligible Institution by properly completing and duly executing and delivering a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, which must be received by the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date, and by otherwise complying with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 4, “Procedures for Tendering Shares for Repurchase,” of the Offer to Repurchase. Pursuant to such procedures, the certificates for all physically tendered Shares, or confirmation of book-entry transfer, as the case may be, as well as a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, and all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the third NYSE trading day after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in Section 4, “Procedures for Tendering Shares for Repurchase,” of the Offer to Repurchase.
 
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE CERTIFICATES OF SHARES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE PARTICIPATING SHAREHOLDER, AND EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN, THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. Shareholders have the responsibility to cause: (a) tender of their Shares for repurchase (in proper certificated or uncertificated form); (b) the timely delivery of a properly completed Letter of Transmittal (or a copy or facsimile thereof) (including original signature(s) and the original of any required signature guarantee(s)); and (c) the timely delivery of all other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal. Timely delivery is a condition precedent to acceptance of Shares for repurchase and to payment of the Portfolio Securities pursuant to the Offer.
 
No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted. All participating shareholders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal, waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance for repurchase of Shares.
 
3. Lost Certificates.  In the event that any shareholder is unable to deliver to the Depositary the Fund certificate(s) representing his, her or its Shares due to the loss or destruction of such certificate(s), such fact should be indicated on the face of this Letter of Transmittal. In such case, the shareholder should also contact Scudder Investments Service Company, the Fund’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”), at (800) 294-4366, to report the lost or destroyed certificates. The Transfer Agent will forward additional documentation which such shareholder must complete in order to effectively surrender such lost or destroyed certificate(s) (including affidavits of loss and indemnity bonds in lieu thereof). There may be a fee in respect of lost or destroyed certificates, but surrenders hereunder regarding such lost or destroyed certificates will be processed only after such documentation has been submitted to and approved by the Transfer Agent.


13


 

4. Inadequate Space.  If the space provided is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or number of Shares should be listed on a separate signed schedule attached hereto.
 
5. Partial Tenders and Unpurchased Shares.  (Not applicable to shareholders who tender by book-entry transfer.) If fewer than all the Shares evidenced by any certificate submitted are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares which are to be tendered in the column entitled “Number of Shares Tendered” under the “Description of Shares Tendered” section. In such case, a new certificate for the remainder of the Shares evidenced by the old certificate(s) will be issued and sent to the registered holder, unless otherwise specified in the “Special Payment Instructions” or “Special Delivery Instructions” boxes in this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date. All Shares represented by certificates listed and delivered to the Depositary are deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
 
6. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements.
 
(a) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the name(s) on the face of the certificates.
 
(b) If any tendered Shares are held of record by two or more joint holders, ALL such holders must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
 
(c) If any tendered Shares are registered in different names on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of certificates.
 
(d) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate stock powers are required unless payment is to be made, or the certificates for Shares not tendered or repurchased are to be issued, to a person other than the registered holder(s), in which case the endorsements or signatures on the stock powers, as the case may be, must be signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the certificates. Signatures on such certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See also Instruction 1.
 
(e) If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or stock powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, agents, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and must submit proper evidence satisfactory to the Fund of their authority to so act.
 
(f) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person(s) other than the registered holder(s) of the certificates listed and transmitted hereby, the certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered holder(s) appear on the certificates. Signatures on such certificates of stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See also Instruction 1.
 
7. Korean Securities Transaction Tax and U.S. Securities Transfer Taxes.  No Korean securities transaction tax or U.S. securities transfer tax stamps or funds to cover such stamps need accompany this Letter of Transmittal. The Korean securities transaction tax and any other securities transfer taxes, if any, to be paid by participating shareholders with respect to the transfer of Portfolio Securities shall be deducted directly from each participating shareholder’s proceeds from the repurchase pursuant to the Offer. If (in the circumstances permitted by the Fund’s Offer to Repurchase) Shares not tendered or not repurchased are to be registered in the name of any person other than the registered holder, or if tendered certificates are registered in the name of any person other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any U.S. securities transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or such other person) payable on account of the transfer to such person will be deducted from the purchase price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes, or exemption therefrom, is submitted.
 
8. Tender of More than 2,696,734 Shares.  If more than 2,696,734 Shares are duly tendered pursuant to the Offer (and not withdrawn as provided in Section 5, “Withdrawal Rights,” of the Offer to Repurchase), the Fund, subject to the conditions listed in Section 3, “Certain Conditions of the Offer,” of the Offer to Repurchase, will repurchase Shares from participating shareholders, in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the Offer to Repurchase, on a pro rata basis (disregarding fractions), based upon the number of Shares duly tendered by or on behalf of each shareholder (and not timely withdrawn); provided that the Fund will exclude from such pro-rata reduction and will accept all Shares duly tendered by any shareholder who owns, beneficially or of record, an aggregate of not more than 99 Shares and who properly tenders all such Shares by means of this Letter of Transmittal. Certificates representing Shares tendered but not repurchased will be returned promptly following the termination, expiration or withdrawal of the Offer, without further expense to the participating shareholder. The Fund does not intend to increase the number of Shares offered for repurchase, even if more than 2,696,734 Shares are tendered by all shareholders in the aggregate.


14


 

9. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions.  If certificates for Shares not tendered or not repurchased are to be issued in the name of a person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal or if such certificates are to be sent to someone other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal or to the person signing this Letter of Transmittal at an address other than that shown above, the boxes captioned “Special Payment Instructions” and/or “Special Delivery Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed.
 
10. Determinations of Validity.  All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of tenders will be determined by the Fund, in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and binding. The Fund reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders determined not to be in proper form or to refuse to accept for payment, repurchase, or pay for, any Shares, if, in the opinion of the Fund’s counsel, accepting, purchasing or paying for such shares would be unlawful. The Fund also reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions of the Offer, in whole or in part, or any defect or irregularity in any tender, whether generally or with respect to any particular Share(s) or shareholder(s). The Fund’s interpretations of the terms and conditions of the Offer (including these instructions) shall be final and binding. No tender of Shares will be deemed to be properly made until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. None of the Fund, the Depositary, the Information Agent or any other person shall be obligated to give notice of defects or irregularities in tenders, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such notice. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities must be cured within such time as the Fund shall determine.
 
11. Requests for Assistance and Additional Copies.  Requests for assistance should be directed to, and additional copies of the Offer to Repurchase, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and this Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from, the Information Agent at the address set forth at the end of this Letter of Transmittal, or from your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, or other nominee. The Information Agent will also provide shareholders, upon request, with a Certificate of Foreign Status (Form W-8BEN or other appropriate type of Form W-8).
 
12. Backup Withholding.  Each participating U.S. shareholder must provide the Depositary with the shareholder’s taxpayer identification number on the Substitute Form W-9 set forth in this Letter of Transmittal, with the required certifications being made under penalties of perjury. If the shareholder is an individual, the taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct taxpayer identification number, the shareholder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service in addition to being subject to backup withholding. FAILURE OF A PARTICIPATING U.S. SHAREHOLDER TO PROVIDE THE DEPOSITARY WITH A COMPLETED FORM W-9 WILL RESULT IN A DEFECTIVE SUBMISSION AND THE FUND WILL BE UNABLE TO REPURCHASE SUCH SHAREHOLDER’S SHARES.
 
Each participating Non-U.S. shareholder must submit a properly executed Certificate of Foreign Status (Form W-8BEN or other appropriate type of Form W-8 along with any required attachment, if any), signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that person’s exempt status. Copies of Form W-8BEN are provided with this Letter of Transmittal. Other types of Form W-8 can be found on the IRS website at www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html. FAILURE OF A PARTICIPATING NON-U.S. SHAREHOLDER TO PROVIDE THE DEPOSITARY WITH THE APPROPRIATE COMPLETED FORM W-8 WILL RESULT IN A DEFECTIVE SUBMISSION AND THE FUND WILL BE UNABLE TO REPURCHASE SUCH SHAREHOLDER’S SHARES.
 
Shareholders are required to give the Depositary the taxpayer identification number of the record owner of the Shares. If the Shares are registered in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on IRS Form W-9.
 
13. Odd Lots.  As described in Section 1, “Price; Number of Shares,” of the Offer to Repurchase, the Fund will repurchase Shares validly tendered and not properly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date by any shareholder who owns beneficially or of record an aggregate of not more than 99 Shares and who tenders all such Shares by means of this Letter of Transmittal. This preference will not be available unless the item captioned “Odd Lots” is completed.
 
14. U.S. Dollar Bank Account.  In order to receive any cash from the Fund in addition to Portfolio Securities, each participating shareholder must open a U.S. dollar account at a bank outside Korea into which to deposit the U.S. dollar proceeds. Each participating shareholder should consult with their adviser regarding the procedure for opening such an account.
 
15. Copy of the Investment Registration Certificate issued by the Korean Financial Supervisory Commission.  Participating shareholders must attach a copy of their investment registration certificate issued by the Korean Financial Supervisory Commission to the completed Authorization Instructions Form.


15


 

 
           
SUBSTITUTE (optional)


FORM 
W-9

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Payer’s Request for
Taxpayer Identification
Number (“TIN”) and
Certification
 
Name 


Address 

PART 1  — PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW
   
Account number(s)
(optional)
Social Security Number
OR
Employer Identification Number
If awaiting TIN, check box:  o
     
    PART 2 — Certification.
     
    UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY THAT:
     
   
1. The number shown on this form is my correct TIN (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), and
     
   
2. I am not subject to backup withholding because (a) I am exempt from backup withholding or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and
     
   
3. I am a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).
     
    Certification Instruction. — You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return.
     
   
Signature:_ _ Date:_ _
           
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER BUT HAVE APPLIED OR WILL APPLY FOR A TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED IT.
 
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
 
I certify, under penalties of perjury, that a TIN has not been issued to me and either: (a) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a TIN to the appropriate IRS Center or Social Security Administration Office; or (b) I intend to mail to deliver such an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not provide a TIN within 60 days, 28% of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld until I provide a TIN.
 
     
 
Signature
  Date
 
NOTE:  FAILURE TO COMPLETE THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 28% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.


16


 

 
IMPORTANT: This Letter of Transmittal (together with certificates for Shares and all other required documents) or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery must be received by the Depositary prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date, at the appropriate address set forth below:
 
         
   
The Depositary for the Offer is:
The Colbent Corporation
   
         
         
    By Registered, Certified or
Express Mail or
   
By First Class Mail:
  Overnight Courier:   By Hand:
The Colbent Corporation
Attn: Corporate Actions
POB 859208
Braintree, MA 02185-9208
  The Colbent Corporation
Attn: Corporate Actions
161 Bay State Drive
Braintree, MA 02184
  The Colbent Corporation
Attn: Corporate Actions
161 Bay State Drive
Braintree, MA 02184
 
Questions or requests for assistance or for additional copies of this Letter of Transmittal, the Offer to Repurchase, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other accompanying materials may be directed to the Information Agent at its address and telephone number set forth below. Shareholders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.
 
The Information Agent for the Offer is:
 
GEORGESON INC.
17 State Street
New York, NY 10004
Toll Free: (800) 843-0369
Call Collect: (212) 440-9800

EX-99.A.1.III 4 y25527exv99waw1wiii.htm EX-99.A.1.III: FORM OF LETTER TO BROKERS, DEALERS, ETC. EX-99.A.1.III
 

 
OFFER TO REPURCHASE
up to 2,696,734 of the Issued and Outstanding Shares of Common Stock
of
The Korea Fund, Inc.
at 98% of Net Asset Value Per Share
by
The Korea Fund, Inc.
in Exchange for Portfolio Securities of The Korea Fund, Inc.
 
THE OFFER TO REPURCHASE WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT, EASTERN TIME, ON OCTOBER 27, 2006, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
 
 
THIS OFFER IS SUBJECT TO IMPORTANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS, INCLUDING THE CONDITIONS OUTLINED IN THE OFFER TO REPURCHASE DATED SEPTEMBER 29, 2006 AND IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL DATED SEPTEMBER 29, 2006.
 
September 29, 2006
 
 
To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks,
Trust Companies and Other Nominees:
 
We are enclosing herewith the material listed below relating to the offer of The Korea Fund, Inc., a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company incorporated under the laws of the state of Maryland (the “Fund”), to repurchase up to 2,696,734 (approximately 10%) of its issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”). As of September 26, 2006, 26,967,347 Shares were outstanding. The offer is to repurchase Shares in exchange for a pro rata portion of the Fund’s portfolio securities (other than securities that are not publicly traded, which would need to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or securities regulations applicable in other countries, if distributed in the repurchase, that may not be held other than by Korean holders, or that involve the assumption of contractual obligations or trading restrictions) (the “Portfolio Securities”) held in the Fund’s investment portfolio, subject to adjustment for fractional shares and odd lots, at a price equal to 98% of the net asset value per Share determined as of the close of the regular trading session of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the principal market in which the Shares are traded, on the business day after the day the offer expires. The offer is being made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Repurchase and the related Letter of Transmittal (which, together with any amendments or supplements thereto, collectively constitute the “Offer”).
 
We are asking you to contact your clients for whom you hold Shares registered in your name (or in the name of your nominee) or who hold Shares registered in their own names. Please bring the Offer to their attention as promptly as possible. No fees or commission will be payable to the Fund in connection with the Offer. However, brokers, dealers or other persons may charge shareholders a fee for soliciting tenders for Shares pursuant to the Offer. The Fund will also, upon request, reimburse you for reasonable and customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by you in forwarding any of the enclosed materials to your clients. Additionally, as set forth in Instruction 7, “Korean Securities Transaction Tax and U.S. Securities Transfer Taxes,” of the Letter of Transmittal, the Korean securities transaction tax and any other securities transfer taxes, if any, to be paid by participating shareholders with respect to the transfer of Portfolio Securities shall be deducted directly from each participating shareholder’s proceeds from the repurchase pursuant to the Offer. HOWEVER, BACKUP WITHHOLDING AT A 28% RATE MAY BE REQUIRED UNLESS EITHER AN EXEMPTION IS PROVED OR THE REQUIRED TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION AND CERTIFICATIONS ARE PROVIDED. SEE SECTION 14, “CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES,” OF THE OFFER TO REPURCHASE AND INSTRUCTION 12, “BACKUP WITHHOLDING,” OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.


 

For your information and for forwarding to your clients, we are enclosing the following documents:
 
1. The Offer to Repurchase dated September 29, 2006;
 
2. The Letter of Transmittal for your use and to be provided to your clients;
 
3. Notice of Guaranteed Delivery;
 
4. Form of letter to clients that may be sent to your clients for whose accounts you hold Shares registered in your name (or in the name of your nominee); and
 
5. Return envelope addressed to The Colbent Corporation (the “Depositary”).
 
The Offer is not being made to, nor will the Fund accept tender of Shares from, or on behalf of, owners of Shares in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer or its acceptance would not comply with the securities or “blue sky” laws of that jurisdiction.
 
As described in the Offer to Repurchase under Section 4, “Procedures for Tendering Shares for Repurchase,” tenders may be made without the concurrent deposit of stock certificates if: (a) such tenders are made by or through a broker or dealer that is a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company having an office, branch, or agency in the United States; and (b) certificates for Shares (or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Shares into the Depositary’s account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined in the Letter of Transmittal)), together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, and all other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, are received by the Depositary prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the third NYSE trading day after the date of receipt by the Depositary of a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
 
AS DESCRIBED IN THE OFFER, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO SET UP “RECEIVE FREE” INSTRUCTIONS TO ACCEPT FOR DEPOSIT THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE PORTFOLIO SECURITIES.
 
AS DESCRIBED IN THE OFFER, THE FUND WILL, IF THE OFFER IS COMPLETED, REPURCHASE ALL SHARES FROM SHAREHOLDERS WHO OWN BENEFICIALLY OR OF RECORD AN AGGREGATE OF NOT MORE THAN 99 SHARES AND TENDER ALL OF THEIR SHARES. IF SUCH A TENDER IS MADE BY A BROKER, COMMERCIAL BANK, TRUST COMPANY OR OTHER NOMINEE FOR BENEFICIAL OWNER(S) OF SHARES WITH RESPECT TO WHICH IT IS THE RECORD HOLDER, SUCH BROKER, COMMERCIAL BANK, TRUST COMPANY OR OTHER NOMINEE MUST REPRESENT AND WARRANT IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL THAT IT BELIEVES, BASED UPON REPRESENTATIONS MADE TO IT BY SUCH BENEFICIAL OWNER(S), THAT EACH SUCH PERSON OWNS NOT MORE THAN 99 SHARES AND IS TENDERING ALL OF SUCH SHARES.
 
NEITHER THE FUND NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION TO ANY SHAREHOLDER AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER ANY SHARES.
 
For additional information or copies of the enclosed material, please contact Georgeson Inc. (the “Information Agent”) at (212) 440-9800 or (800) 843-0369.
 
Very truly yours,
 
The Korea Fund, Inc.
 
 
NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON THE AGENT OF THE KOREA FUND, INC., THE INFORMATION AGENT, OR THE DEPOSITARY, OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO MAKE ANY STATEMENTS OR USE ANY MATERIAL ON THEIR BEHALF WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER, OTHER THAN THE MATERIAL ENCLOSED HEREWITH AND THE STATEMENTS SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN SUCH MATERIAL.

EX-99.A.1.IV 5 y25527exv99waw1wiv.htm EX-99.A.1.IV: FORM OF NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY EX-99.A.1.IV
 

 
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
FOR TENDER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF
 
THE KOREA FUND, INC.
 
Pursuant to the Offer to Repurchase
Dated September 29, 2006
 
This form, or one substantially equivalent hereto, must be used to accept the Offer (as defined below) if a shareholder’s certificates for shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”) of The Korea Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), are not immediately available or time will not permit the Letter of Transmittal and other required documents to be delivered to the Depositary on or before midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date. The “Expiration Date” of the Offer is midnight, Eastern time, on October 27, 2006, unless the Fund, in its sole discretion, shall have extended the period the Offer is open, in which case “Expiration Date” shall mean the last time and date on which the Offer, as so extended by the Fund, shall expire. This form and a copy of your investment registration certificate issued by the Korean Financial Supervisory Commission may be delivered by hand or overnight courier or transmitted by facsimile transmission or mail to the Depositary at the appropriate address set forth below and must be received by the Depositary on or before midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date. See Section 4, “Procedures for Tendering Shares for Repurchase” of the Offer to Repurchase dated September 29, 2006 (the “Offer to Repurchase”).
 
The Depositary:
The Colbent Corporation
 
                 
By First Class Mail:     By Registered, Certified or Express Mail or Overnight Courier:       By Hand:  
The Colbent Corporation     The Colbent Corporation       The Colbent Corporation  
Attn: Corporate Actions     Attn: Corporate Actions       Attn: Corporate Actions  
POB 859208     161 Bay State Drive       161 Bay State Drive  
Braintree, MA 02185-9208     Braintree, MA 02184       Braintree, MA 02184  
 
DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS
OTHER THAN THOSE SHOWN ABOVE DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY


 

Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
The undersigned hereby tenders to The Korea Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Repurchase and the related Letter of Transmittal, dated September 29, 2006 (which, together with the Offer to Repurchase and any amendments or supplements thereto, collectively constitute the “Offer”), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the number of Shares specified below and all Shares that may be held in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) by the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 4, “Procedures for Tendering Shares for Repurchase,” of the Offer to Repurchase.
 
 
Number of Shares Tendered: _ _
     
Certificate Nos. (if available):
  Name(s) of Record Holder(s):
     
 
     
 
 
Address(es): _ _
City State Zip Code
 
Area Code and Telephone Number(s): 
 
Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number(s): 
 
If Shares will be tendered by book-entry transfer to The Depository Trust Company, please check box: o
 
The Depository Trust Company
Account Number: 
 
The undersigned also tenders all uncertificated Shares that may be held in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) by the Fund’s transfer agent pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan:
 
o Yes     o No
 
(Note: If neither of these boxes is checked, any such uncertificated Shares will NOT be tendered.)
 
     
Dated: _ _ , 2006
 
    Signature
 
 
YOU MUST PROVIDE THE INFORMATION REQUESTED ABOVE. FAILURE TO FURNISH THE INFORMATION REQUESTED REGARDING ACCOUNT INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE REPURCHASE REQUEST WHICH WILL MEAN THE FUND CANNOT REPURCHASE YOUR SHARES.


2


 

Shareholder Accounts:
 
(1) Korean Securities Account (for receipt of Korean securities)
 
  Name of licensed Korean broker or custodian bank: 
 
  Address, City and Zip Code: 
 
 
 
  Korean bank BIC Code: 
 
  Securities Account No.: 
 
  Account Executive (AE): Mr./Ms. 
 
  Holder of the Foreign Investment Identification Number issued by the Korean Financial Supervisory Commission (as appearing on the Investment Registration Certificate): 
 
  Foreign Investment Identification Number issued by the Korean Financial Supervisory Commission: 
 
   Telephone No. of AE: 
 
  Telephone No. of Record Holder: 
 
  Email address (if available) of AE: 
 
  Email address (if available) of Record Holder: 
 
(2) Bank Account (U.S. dollar account) (for receipt of cash)
 
  Name of bank: 
 
  Address, City and Zip Code: 
 
 
 
  Bank ABA No.: 
 
  Account No.: 
 
  Beneficiary Name: 
 
  Account Executive (AE): Mr./Ms. 
 
   Telephone No. of AE: 
 
  Telephone No. of Record Holder: 
 
  Email address (if available) of AE: 
 
  Email address (if available) of Record Holder: 
 
(3) DTC Account (for receipt of American Depositary Receipts)
 
  DTC Participant No.: 


3


 

 
  Agent Identification No.: 
 
  Account No.: 
 
  Account Contact Name: Mr./Ms. 
 
  Telephone No. of Account Contact: 
 
  Telephone No. of Record Holder: 
 
  Email address (if available) of Account Contact: 
 
  Email address (if available) of Record Holder: 
 
YOU MUST ALSO INCLUDE A COPY OF YOUR INVESTMENT REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY THE KOREAN FINANCIAL SUPERVISORY COMMISSION.
 
YOU MUST PROVIDE THE INFORMATION REQUESTED ABOVE. FAILURE TO FURNISH THE INFORMATION REQUESTED REGARDING ACCOUNT INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE REPURCHASE REQUEST WHICH WILL MEAN THE FUND CANNOT REPURCHASE YOUR SHARES.


4


 

 
GUARANTEE
     The undersigned, a member firm of a registered national securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office, branch, or agency in the United States, hereby: (a) guarantees to deliver to the Depositary certificates representing the Shares tendered hereby, in proper form for transfer (or tender shares pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer) into the Depositary’s account at The Depository Trust Company, together with (i) a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal with any required signature guarantees and (ii) other required documents, all of which must be received by the Depositary prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the third New York Stock Exchange trading day after the date of receipt by the Depositary of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, properly completed and duly executed; and (b) represents that such tender of Shares complies with Rule 14e-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
Name of Firm: 
(Please Print)
Authorized Signature: 
 
Name: 
(Please Print)
Title: 
 
 
Address: 
City State Zip Code
 
Area Code and Telephone Number: 
 
Date: 
 
DO NOT SEND SHARE CERTIFICATES WITH THIS FORM.
YOUR SHARE CERTIFICATES MUST BE SENT WITH THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.


5

EX-99.A.1.V 6 y25527exv99waw1wv.htm EX-99.A.1.V: FORM OF LETTER TO CLIENTS EX-99.A.1.V
 

 
OFFER TO REPURCHASE
up to 2,696,734 of the Issued and Outstanding Shares of Common Stock
of
The Korea Fund, Inc.
at 98% of Net Asset Value Per Share
by
The Korea Fund, Inc.
in Exchange for Portfolio Securities of The Korea Fund, Inc.
 
THE OFFER TO REPURCHASE WILL EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT, EASTERN TIME, ON OCTOBER 27, 2006, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
 
 
THIS OFFER IS SUBJECT TO IMPORTANT TERMS AND CONDITIONS, INCLUDING THE CONDITIONS LISTED IN THE OFFER TO REPURCHASE DATED SEPTEMBER 29, 2006 AND IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL DATED SEPTEMBER 29, 2006.
 
To Our Clients:
 
Enclosed for your consideration is the Offer to Repurchase, dated September 29, 2006 (the “Offer to Repurchase”), of The Korea Fund, Inc., a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company incorporated under the laws of the state of Maryland (the “Fund”), and a related Letter of Transmittal, dated September 29, 2006 (which, together with the Offer to Repurchase and any amendments or supplements thereto, collectively constitute the “Offer”), pursuant to which the Fund is offering to repurchase up to 2,696,734 (approximately 10%) of its issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”). As of September 26, 2006, 26,967,347 Shares were outstanding. The offer is to repurchase Shares in exchange for a pro rata portion of the Fund’s portfolio securities (other than securities that are not publicly traded, which would need to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or securities regulations applicable in other countries, if distributed in the repurchase, that may not be held other than by Korean holders, or that involve the assumption of contractual obligations or trading restrictions) (the “Portfolio Securities”) held in the Fund’s investment portfolio, subject to adjustment for fractional shares and odd lots, at a price equal to 98% of the net asset value (“NAV”) per Share determined as of the close of the regular trading session of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the principal market in which the Shares are traded, on the business day after the day the offer expires (the “Repurchase Pricing Date”). The Offer is being made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Repurchase and the related Letter of Transmittal. The Offer will expire at midnight, Eastern time, on October 27, 2006, unless extended (the “Expiration Date”).
 
The Offer to Repurchase and the Letter of Transmittal are being forwarded to you for your information only and cannot be used by you to tender Shares held by us for your account. We are the holder of record of Shares held for your account. A TENDER OF SUCH SHARES CAN BE MADE ONLY BY US AS THE HOLDER OF RECORD AND ONLY PURSUANT TO YOUR INSTRUCTIONS.
 
Your attention is called to the following:
 
(1) The purchase price to be paid for the Shares is an amount per Share equal to a pro rata portion of the Fund’s Portfolio Securities, subject to adjustment for fractional shares and odd lots, at a price equal to 98% of the NAV per Share determined as of the close of the regular trading session of the NYSE on the Repurchase Pricing Date.
 
(2) The Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum number of Shares being tendered.
 
(3) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, the Fund will repurchase all Shares validly tendered on or prior to midnight, Eastern time, on the Expiration Date.


 

(4) No fees or commission will be payable to the Fund in connection with the Offer. However, a broker, dealer or other person may charge a fee for processing the transactions on behalf of shareholders. Additionally, as set forth in Instruction 7, “Korean Securities Transaction Tax and U.S. Securities Transfer Taxes,” of the Letter of Transmittal, the Korean securities transaction tax and any other securities transfer taxes, if any, to be paid by participating shareholders with respect to the transfer of Portfolio Securities shall be deducted directly from each participating shareholder’s proceeds from the repurchase pursuant to the Offer.
 
(5) Your instructions to us should be forwarded in ample time before the Expiration Date to permit us to submit a tender on your behalf.
 
An envelope to return your instructions to us is enclosed. YOUR INSTRUCTIONS TO US SHOULD BE FORWARDED AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO PERMIT US TO SUBMIT A TENDER ON YOUR BEHALF IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER.
 
The Offer is not being made to, nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Shares in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance of the Offer would not be in compliance with applicable law.
 
NEITHER THE FUND NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS MAKING ANY RECOMMENDATION TO ANY SHAREHOLDER WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING SHARES IN THE OFFER. EACH SHAREHOLDER IS URGED TO READ AND EVALUATE THE OFFER AND ACCOMPANYING MATERIALS CAREFULLY.


2


 

 
INSTRUCTIONS
 
The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter, and the enclosed Offer, dated September 29, 2006, relating to The Korea Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), to repurchase up to 2,696,734 shares of its issued and outstanding common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”).
 
This will instruct you to tender to the Fund the number of Shares indicated below (which are held by you for the account of the undersigned), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer that you have furnished to the undersigned.
 
AGGREGATE NUMBER OF SHARES TO BE TENDERED:
           SHARES
ENTER NUMBER OF SHARES TO BE TENDERED.
 
ODD LOTS
 
This section is to be completed ONLY if Shares are being tendered by or on behalf of a person owning, beneficially or of record, an aggregate of not more than 99 Shares. The undersigned:
 
o  Is the beneficial or record owner of an aggregate of not more than 99 Shares, all of which are being tendered; and, hereby represents that the above indicated information is true and correct as to the undersigned.
 
SIGN HERE
 
     
Account Number: _ _   Signature: _ _
     
Dated: _ _
   
 
Name(s) and Address(es) (Please print.)
 
Area Code and Telephone Number
 
Taxpayer Identification Number or Social Security Number.

EX-99.A.5.I 7 y25527exv99waw5wi.htm EX-99.A.5.I: PRESS RELEASE EX-99.A.5.I
 

(DEUTSCHE ASSET MANAGEMENT LOGO)
Press Release
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For additional information:
Rohini Pragasam 212-250-4516, Media
Jonathan Diorio 212-454-2208, Investors
Julian Reid 44-20-7233-1333, Chairman of the Board
KOREA FUND ANNOUNCES IN-KIND TENDER OFFER FOR 10% OF SHARES AND STRATEGIC PLAN
     NEW YORK, NY, September 29, 2006 — The Board of Directors of The Korea Fund, Inc. (NYSE: KF) today announced that The Korea Fund, Inc. is commencing an in-kind tender offer to purchase up to 2,696,734 shares, representing approximately 10% of the Fund’s outstanding shares at a price per share equal to 98% of the Fund’s net asset value per share as of the day after the day the offer expires. Payment will be made in the form of delivery of portfolio securities valued in accordance with the Fund’s standard valuation policies. The offer will remain open through October 27, 2006, unless extended.
This offer is being made in connection with the program of tender offers announced by the Board on December 15, 2004. Pursuant to this program (to be modified as described below), the Fund planned to conduct six semi-annual tender offers for 10% of the Fund’s then-outstanding shares if the Fund’s shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange at an average weekly discount from net asset value greater than 5% during a 13-week measuring period ending the last day of the preceding half- year. The average weekly discount of the Fund during the measuring period ending June 30, 2006 was (6.63)%.
Tendering shareholders are required to appoint a Korean proxy, register with the Financial Supervisory Service of Korea and establish a Korean securities account. Furthermore, participating shareholders who are Japan residents will be required to irrevocably instruct their designated brokers, in accordance with the requirements set forth in the Offer to Repurchase and the related Letter of Transmittal, to immediately liquidate all portfolio securities received by them in the repurchase offer. Please refer to the Offer to Repurchase and the Letter of Transmittal regarding details of the repurchase offer, including required procedures for properly tendering shares in the offer.
As noted below, the Board has determined that a modification of the previously announced program would be in the best interests of shareholders.

 


 

Board Announces Strategic Plan
The Board of Directors of the Fund also announced the development of a strategic plan to address a variety of challenges facing the Fund in the near term. These include appropriate management of the discount in the Fund’s trading price, the growing accumulation of unrealized capital gains embedded in the Fund’s portfolio holdings and the need for improved investment performance. The principal elements of the Board’s plan include the following:
(i) The Board has modified the terms of the tender offer program announced in December 2004 by replacing the four potential remaining 10% tender offers with one final 15% tender offer which would be made in the first quarter of 2008 if the Fund’s shares trade at an average discount of more than 7.5% over a measuring period during the last quarter of 2007. As in the case of the previously announced program, payment under this tender offer would be made in kind through the delivery of portfolio securities at 98% of net asset value.
(ii) The Board has approved the implementation of new guidelines for the Fund’s existing share repurchase program for up to 10% of the Fund’s outstanding shares and developed specific parameters in consultation with the Fund’s investment adviser regarding the implementation of such repurchases under certain market conditions.
(iii) The Board has instructed the Fund’s investment adviser that the Fund’s investment mandate — to seek long-term capital growth through outperformance of the Fund’s benchmark by active management across the large, medium and small cap sectors of the Korean equity market — should be pursued without regard to the potential realization of capital gains embedded in the Fund’s portfolio holdings — currently standing at approximately 70% of the Fund’s net asset value. The Board believes it likely that continued focus on maximizing the Fund’s investment return, without regard to tax considerations, will lead to increased portfolio turnover and an increase in the level of annual capital gains distributions. These distributions, combined with any future tender offers or share repurchases will have the effect of reducing the size of the Fund and could eventually lead to an increase its operating expense ratio.
(iv) The Board has carefully reviewed the investment performance of the Fund since the installment by the investment adviser of a new portfolio management team in May of 2005 and, in light of the Fund’s underperformance relative to its benchmark and to the performance of many other managers that invest in Korea for the one year ended June 30, 2006, has initiated a search for potential alternative investment advisers for part or all of the Fund’s portfolio.
Details of the Board’s strategic plan and further explanation of the factors considered by the Board are included in a letter to shareholders from Mr. Julian Reid, the Chairman of the Board, which has been posted on the Fund’s website www.thekoreafund.com. In his letter, Mr. Reid states:
“The Board has carefully considered the results of the two tender offers already completed under its previously announced program and the anticipated results of the tender offer being announced today. We believe that the initial goals of the program have been largely achieved. The Fund’s

 


 

trading discount has been substantially reduced from levels prevailing prior to December 2004 and those major shareholders who wished to exit the Fund have done so. During this time, certain weaknesses of the previously announced program have become apparent. Despite its best efforts, the Board has been unable to find ways to facilitate the participation by small shareholders in the in-kind tender offer program previously announced. At the same time, the accumulation of embedded unrealized capital gain — which has grown further since December 2004 and now stands at approximately 70% — has made it impractical for the Board to approve further cash tender offers. Current projections show that making further cash tender offers could trigger a “tax cascade” that would involve significant tax consequences for remaining shareholders (i.e., each cash tender offer would require the sale of assets with embedded capital gain that would in turn require further sales of assets to pay for capital gains distributions to shareholders. These sales would trigger further realization of gains, and so forth). Therefor, the Board believes that continuing to make cash tender offers would likely result in the liquidation of the Fund within a matter of a few years. Accordingly, the Board believes, that a modified tender offer program, coupled with implementation of a new share repurchase program, would best serve the interests of those shareholders seeking longer term exposure to the Korean equity market.”
Mr. Reid also noted in his letter that: “[Y]our Board is concerned about the performance of the Fund relative to its benchmark and to the performance of many other managers that invest in Korea since the arrival of the new portfolio management team. We are making every effort to explore all opportunities for improved investment performance, including examination of the possible reasons for this underperformance and a search for potential new managers with demonstrated experience in the Korean equity markets for part or all of the Fund’s portfolio.” Mr. Reid’s letter concludes: "[T]he Board looks forward to meeting with shareholders at the upcoming Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on October 25, 2006 and we will be eager to hear your comments on the strategic plan outlined above and/or other issues that you may wish to raise.”
The Korea Fund, Inc. is a non-diversified, closed-end investment company. The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation through investing primarily in equity securities trading on the Korean stock exchanges. Its shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KF”.
# # #
The tender offer will be made only by the Offer to Repurchase and the related Letter of Transmittal. Shareholders should read these documents carefully when they become available to investors free of charge at the website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov). Neither the Offer to Repurchase shares will be made to, nor will tenders pursuant to the Offer to Repurchase be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of shares in any jurisdiction in which making or accepting the Offer to Repurchase would violate that jurisdiction’s laws.
There can be no assurance that any action proposed or adopted by the Board will reduce or eliminate the discount at which the Fund’s shares trade. Investments in funds involve risks. Additional risks are associated with international investing, such as government regulations and differences in liquidity, which may increase the volatility of your investment.

 


 

Investments in funds involve risks. Additional risks are associated with international investing, such as government regulations and differences in liquidity which may increase the volatility of your investment. Foreign security markets generally exhibit greater price volatility and are less liquid than the US market. Additionally, this Fund focuses its investments in certain geographical regions, thereby increasing its vulnerability to developments in that region and potentially subjecting the fund’s shares to greater price volatility.
Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously offered. There is a one time public offering and once issued, shares of closed-end funds are sold in the open market through a stock exchange. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to net asset value. The price of the Fund’s shares is determined by a number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the Fund. Therefore, the Fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at, below or above net asset value.
This announcement is not an offer to purchase or the solicitation of an offer to sell shares of the Fund or a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of Fund shares. Fund shares are not FDIC-insured and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any bank. Fund shares involve investment risk, including possible loss of principal.

         
NOT FDIC/ NCUA INSURED
  MAY LOSE VALUE   NO BANK GUARANTEE
NOT A DEPOSIT   NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
       
     Scudder Investments is part of Deutsche Asset Management which is the marketing name in the US for the asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Asset Management Inc., Deutsche Asset Management Investment Services Ltd., Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. and Scudder Trust Company. (01/06 42973)

 

EX-99.A.5.II 8 y25527exv99waw5wii.htm EX-99.A.5.II: LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS EX-99.A.5.II
 

 
The Korea Fund, Inc.
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
 
A Letter to the Shareholders of The Korea Fund, Inc. from Mr. Julian Reid,
the Chairman of the Fund’s Board of Directors
 
September 29, 2006
 
Dear Fellow Shareholders of The Korea Fund, Inc.:
 
The Board of Directors of your Fund, which consists entirely of persons who are not affiliated with the investment adviser, has devoted considerable attention in recent months to the development of a strategic plan to address the challenges currently facing your Fund. These challenges include the need to develop appropriate strategies for managing the discount in the Fund’s trading price, for gradually reducing the growing accumulation of unrealized capital gain embedded in the Fund’s portfolio holdings in an orderly way and for improving investment performance, which has lagged in recent periods. As a result of our review of these matters, the Board has developed a comprehensive plan of action, which we believe will best promote the interests of the Fund’s shareholders. This plan includes a number of important and inter-related elements, as described below. The Board is announcing this plan at this time so that all shareholders will be fully informed of the actions being taken by the Board and will have an opportunity to provide their reactions to the Board at the upcoming meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on October 25, 2006.
 
Modification of Tender Offer Program
 
In December 2004, the Board announced a tender offer program that was intended to address the persistent discount in the trading price of the Fund’s shares to net asset value and the stated desire of certain major shareholders to liquidate their investment in the Fund at a price close to net asset value. This program included an in-kind tender offer for up to 50% of the Fund’s outstanding shares at a price equal to 98% of net asset value, which was completed in August of 2005. This program also included six semi-annual in-kind tender offers, each for up to 10% of the Fund’s outstanding shares at 98% of net asset value, which would be made only if the Fund’s shares traded at an average discount of more than 5% during the last three months of each semi-annual period. The first of these semi-annual tender offers was completed in February of 2006. In the case of that offer, the Board had approved the payment of cash consideration in lieu of delivery of portfolio securities in-kind in order to facilitate greater participation by small stockholders.
 
On July 17, 2006, the Board announced that another semi-annual tender offer had been triggered during the three-month measuring period ended June 30, 2006 and that a tender offer would be commenced during the current calendar quarter. The Board reserved judgment on the question of whether the consideration to be paid in this upcoming tender offer should again be paid in cash, as had been the case in the Fund’s most recent tender offer, or in kind through the delivery of portfolio securities, as had been contemplated by the tender offer program originally announced in December 2004. After considering the potential impact of a cash tender offer on the Fund, particularly in light of the significant unrealized capital gain embedded in the Fund’s portfolio securities (see “Clarification of Investment Mandate” below), the Board concluded that payment for the upcoming tender offer should be made in kind through the delivery of portfolio securities. The terms of this tender offer are being announced to the public contemporaneously with the publication of this letter.
 
The Board has carefully considered the results of the two tender offers already completed under its previously announced program and the anticipated results of the tender offer being announced today. We believe that the initial goals of the program have been largely achieved. The Fund’s trading discount has been substantially reduced from levels prevailing prior to December 2004 and those major shareholders who wished to exit the Fund have done so. During this time, certain weaknesses of the previously announced program have become apparent. Despite it best efforts, the Board has been unable to find ways to facilitate the participation by small shareholders in the in-kind tender offer program previously announced. At the same time, the accumulation of embedded unrealized capital gain — which has grown further since December 2004 and now stands at approximately 70% — has made it impractical for the Board to approve further cash tender offers. Current projections show that making further cash tender offers could trigger a “tax cascade” that would involve significant payments of realized capital gains to shareholders, reducing the size of the Fund to an impractical level and thereby most likely lead to the liquidation of the Fund within a matter of a few years. Such a methodology of liquidation would not be in the best interests of shareholders and, if such


1


 

action be the desire of shareholders, then your Board can identify more constructive means of reaching such a conclusion. Accordingly, the Board believes that a modified tender offer program, coupled with the implementation of new guidelines for the Fund’s existing share repurchase program as outlined below, would best serve the interests of those shareholders seeking longer term exposure to the Korean equity market.
 
As announced today, the Board has determined to modify the previously announced tender offer program by replacing the four potential remaining semi-annual 10% tender offers with one final 15% tender offer which would be made in the first quarter of 2008 if the Fund’s shares trade at an average discount of more than 7.5% over a measuring period during the fourth quarter of 2007. As in the case of the previously announced program and for reasons expanded herein, payment of this tender offer would be made in kind through the delivery of portfolio securities at 98% of net asset value.
 
Approval of New Guidelines for Implementation of the Fund’s Share Repurchase Program
 
Several years ago the Board announced the authorization of repurchases of up to 10% of the Fund’s outstanding shares in open market purchases on the New York Stock Exchange. As part of its overall plan to address the discount issue, the Board has approved guidelines for the implementation of the Fund’s repurchase program, which include specific parameters regarding the circumstances in which such repurchases would be considered. As a result, the Board believes that there is a greater likelihood that the Fund will engage in share repurchases in the future if market conditions indicate that such repurchases would be in the interests of Fund shareholders. Such repurchases may have the effect of temporarily reducing or limiting the discount in the trading price of the Fund’s shares and may also serve to enhance the Fund’s total return.
 
Clarification of Investment Mandate
 
In October 2005, the Board announced a clarification of the Fund’s investment mandate by stating that: “[the Fund seeks] long-term capital growth through outperformance of the Fund’s benchmark by active management across the large, medium and small cap sectors of the Korean equity market.” The Board has further considered the potential impact of the Fund’s current tax position on the manner in which the Fund is managed. As noted above, there has been a long-term accumulation of unrealized capital gain in the Fund’s portfolio holdings, which has grown to the current approximately 70% level. A reluctance to realize capital gains may, in some instances, have prevented the Fund from realizing opportunities to maximize the Fund’s total return. Recognizing that Fund shareholders likely have differing interests in regard to taxes, but also that the Fund has no way of identifying these interests, the Board believes that the Fund’s long-term capital growth mandate would be best pursued without regard to tax considerations and has instructed the Fund’s investment adviser to manage the Fund’s portfolio in such manner.
 
The Board believes it likely that a continuing focus of maximizing the Fund’s investment return, without regard to tax considerations, will lead to increased portfolio turnover and an increase in the level of annual capital gain distributions to shareholders. These distributions would provide shareholders another source of liquidity for a portion of their investment in the Fund and could increase market demand for the Fund’s shares to the extent that some shareholders may choose to reinvest their capital gain distributions in the Fund. Such increased capital gain distributions, however, will almost certainly lead to a reduction of the Fund’s size over time and a corresponding increase in its expense ratio.
 
Review of the Fund’s Manager and Consideration of Alternative Management Arrangements
 
In December 2004, the Board announced that it was commencing a review of the Fund’s management arrangements that included consideration of requests for proposals from the Fund’s current manager, Deutsche Asset Management, and other firms with demonstrated capability for managing Korean assets. During the course of this review, the Fund’s existing portfolio manager left Deutsche Asset Management, along with a significant portion of his supporting staff. Deutsche Asset Management responded to this development by installing a new portfolio manager and over time rebuilding the support staff. After careful consideration of the qualifications of alternative managers and the implications of a potential manager change, the Board announced in June 2005 that Deutsche Asset Management would be retained as manager of the Fund. The Board, however, indicated its intention at that time to continue to closely monitor the performance of the new team and if deemed necessary to conduct a further review of investment performance in 2006.
 
Earlier this year, the Board engaged Mercer Consulting to assist it in reviewing the performance of the new management team. This effort began with the development of an expanded peer group of Korean funds to be used as a benchmark for measuring performance. It also included a special review by Mercer Consulting of the investment process employed by the newly appointed management team within Deutsche Asset Management. This analysis has shown that, while the absolute


2


 

performance of the Fund during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 has been attractive, the performance of the Fund has fallen short of its benchmark, the KOSPI, for the period as well as a majority of the recently expanded peer group.
 
After carefully reviewing these investment results and the information provided by Mercer Consulting, your Board is concerned about the performance of the Fund relative to its benchmark and to the performance of many other managers that invest in Korea since the arrival of the new portfolio management team. We are making every effort to explore all opportunities for improved investment performance, including examination of the possible reasons for this underperformance and a search for potential new managers with demonstrated experience in the Korean equity markets. The Board will be assisted by Mercer Consulting in this process and, absent unforeseen developments, expects to announce the results of this review in the fourth quarter 2006.
 
On behalf of your Board, may I say that we look forward to meeting with shareholders at the upcoming Annual Meeting and that we will be eager to hear your comments on the strategic plan outlined above and/or other issues that you may wish to raise.
 
Yours very sincerely,
 
-s- Julian Reid
Julian Reid,
Chairman of the Board


3

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