424B5 1 d838103d424b5.htm 424(B)(5) 424(B)(5)
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Statement No. 333-280523

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus Dated August 30, 2024)

 

LOGO

The Export-Import Bank of Korea

(A statutory juridical entity established under The Export-Import Bank of Korea Act of 1969, as amended, in the Republic of Korea)

US$      % Notes due 20 

US$      % Notes due 20 

US$    Floating Rate Notes due 20 

Our US$    aggregate principal amount of notes due 20  (the “20  Notes”) will bear interest at a rate of   % per annum, our US$    aggregate principal amount of notes due 20  (the “20  Notes”) will bear interest at a rate of   % per annum and our US$    aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due 20  (the “Floating Rate Notes,” and together with the 20  Notes and the 20  Notes, the “Notes”) will bear interest at a rate equal to SOFR Index Average (as defined herein) plus   % per annum. Interest on the 20  Notes is payable semi-annually in arrear on March       and September       of each year, beginning on March      , 2025. Interest on the 20  Notes is payable semi-annually in arrear on March       and September       of each year, beginning on March      , 2025. Interest on the Floating Rate Notes is payable quarterly in arrear on March      , June      , September       and December       of each year, subject in each case to adjustment in accordance with the Modified Following Business Day Convention, as explained herein (each, a “Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date”). The first interest payment on the Floating Rate Notes will be made on the Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date falling on or nearest to December      , 2024 in respect of the period from (and including) September      , 2024 to (but excluding) the Floating Rates Notes Interest Payment Date falling on or nearest to December      , 2024. The Floating Rate Notes will mature on the Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date falling on or nearest to September      , 20 .

The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of US$200,000 principal amount and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. The Notes will be represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of a nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), as depositary.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

     20  Notes      20  Notes      Floating Rate Notes  
     Per Note      Total      Per Note      Total      Per Note      Total  

Public offering price

       %      US$               %      US$               %      US$       

Underwriting discounts

       %      US$               %      US$               %      US$       

Proceeds to us, before expenses

       %      US$               %      US$               %      US$       

In addition to the initial public offering price, you will have to pay for accrued interest, if any, from (and including) September      , 2024.

Applications will be made to the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the “SGX-ST”) for the listing and quotation of the Notes on the SGX-ST. There can be no assurance that we will obtain or be able to maintain a listing of the Notes on the SGX- ST. The SGX-ST assumes no responsibility for the correctness of any of the statements made, opinions expressed or reports contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Approval in-principle from, admission to the Official List of, and listing and quotation of any Notes on, the SGX-ST are not to be taken as an indication of the merits of the issuer or the Notes. In addition, application for listing of the Notes will be made to the International Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange.

The underwriters expect to deliver the Notes to investors through the book-entry facilities of DTC, in each case on or about September      , 2024.

 

 

Joint Bookrunners and Lead Managers

 

BNP PARIBAS          
  BofA Securities        
   

Crédit Agricole CIB

     
      ING    
        Mizuho  
          Natixis

Joint Lead Manager

KB Securities

Co-Manager

KEXIM Global (Singapore) Ltd.

Prospectus Supplement Dated September      , 2024


Table of Contents

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

Summary of the Offering

   S-8

Use of Proceeds

   S-10

Recent Developments

   S-11

Description of the Notes

   S-16

Clearance and Settlement

   S-24

Taxation

   S-27

Underwriting

   S-28

Legal Matters

   S-35

Official Statements and Documents

   S-35

General Information

   S-35

 

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Prospectus

 

     Page  

Certain Defined Terms and Conventions

     1  

Use of Proceeds

     2  

The Export-Import Bank of Korea

     3  

Overview

     3  

Capitalization

     4  

Business

     5  

Selected Financial Statement Data

     7  

Operations

     10  

Description of Assets and Liabilities

     16  

Debt

     26  

Credit Policies, Credit Approval and Risk Management

     28  

Capital Adequacy

     29  

Overseas Operations

     30  

Property

     31  

Management and Employees

     31  

Tables and Supplementary Information

     32  

Financial Statements and the Auditors

     41  

The Republic of Korea

     134  

Land and History

     134  

Government and Politics

     136  

The Economy

     139  

Principal Sectors of the Economy

     146  

The Financial System

     154  

Monetary Policy

     159  

Balance of Payments and Foreign Trade

     163  

Government Finance

     170  

Debt

     173  

Tables and Supplementary Information

     176  

Description of the Securities

     179  

Description of Debt Securities

     179  

Description of Warrants

     185  

Terms Applicable to Debt Securities and Warrants

     186  

Description of Guarantees

     187  

Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Debt Securities and Bearer Warrants

     188  

Taxation

     189  

Korean Taxation

     189  

United States Tax Considerations

     192  

Plan of Distribution

     201  

Legal Matters

     202  

Authorized Representatives in the United States

     202  

Official Statements and Documents

     202  

Experts

     202  

Forward-Looking Statements

     203  

Further Information

     205  

 

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CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

All references to “we” or “us” mean The Export-Import Bank of Korea. All references to “Korea” or the “Republic” contained in this prospectus supplement mean The Republic of Korea. All references to the “Government” mean the government of Korea. References to “W”, “Won” or “Korean won” are to the lawful currency of Korea and references to “US$” or “U.S. dollars” are to the lawful currency of the United States. Terms used but not defined in this prospectus supplement shall have the same meanings given to them in the accompanying prospectus.

In this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, where information has been provided in units of thousands, millions or billions, such amounts have been rounded up or down. Accordingly, actual numbers may differ from those contained herein due to rounding. Any discrepancy between the stated total amount and the actual sum of the itemized amounts listed in a table, is due to rounding.

Our financial information included in this prospectus supplement was prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by Korea (“Korean IFRS” or “K-IFRS”). References in this prospectus supplement to “separate” financial statements and/or information are to financial statements and/or information prepared on a non-consolidated basis. Unless specified otherwise, our financial and other information included in this prospectus supplement is presented on a separate basis in accordance with Korean IFRS and does not include such information with respect to our subsidiaries.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

MiFID II product governance / Professional investors and ECPs only target market — Solely for the purposes of the manufacturer’s product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Notes has led to the conclusion that: (i) the target market for the Notes is eligible counterparties and professional clients only, each as defined in Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); and (ii) all channels for distribution of the Notes to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Notes (a “distributor”) should take into consideration the manufacturer’s target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Notes (by either adopting or refining the manufacturer’s target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.

UK MiFIR product governance / Professional investors and ECPs only target market — Solely for the purposes of the manufacturer’s product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Notes has led to the conclusion that: (i) the target market for the Notes is eligible counterparties, as defined in the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook, and professional clients, each as defined in Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“UK MiFIR”); and (ii) all channels for distribution of the Notes to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Notes (a “distributor”) should take into consideration the manufacturer’s target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the “UK MiFIR Product Governance Rules”) is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Notes (by either adopting or refining the manufacturer’s target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The information in this prospectus supplement is in addition to the information contained in our accompanying prospectus dated August 30, 2024. The accompanying prospectus contains information regarding

 

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ourselves and Korea, as well as a description of some terms of the Notes. You can find further information regarding us, Korea, and the Notes in registration statement no. 333-280523, as amended, relating to our debt securities, with or without warrants, and guarantees, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT

We are responsible for the accuracy of the information in this document and confirm that to the best of our knowledge we have included all facts that should be included not to mislead potential investors. The address of our registered office is 38 Eunhaeng-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07242, The Republic of Korea. The SGX-ST assumes no responsibility for the contents of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and makes no representation as to liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Approval in-principle from, admission to the Official List of, and listing and quotation of any Notes on, the SGX-ST are not to be taken as an indication of the merits of the issuer or the Notes.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS

Prospective investors should be aware that certain intermediaries in the context of this offering of the Notes, including certain underwriters, are “capital market intermediaries” (“CMIs”) subject to Paragraph 21 of the Code of Conduct for Persons Licensed by or Registered with the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (the “SFC Code”). This notice to prospective investors is a summary of certain obligations the SFC Code imposes on such CMIs, which require the attention and cooperation of prospective investors. Certain CMIs may also be acting as “overall coordinators” (“OCs”) for this offering and are subject to additional requirements under the SFC Code.

Prospective investors who are the directors, employees or major shareholders of The Export-Import Bank of Korea (the “Issuer”), a CMI or its group companies would be considered under the SFC Code as having an association (“Association”) with the Issuer, the CMI or the relevant group company. Prospective investors associated with the Issuer or any CMI (including its group companies) should specifically disclose this when placing an order for the Notes and should disclose, at the same time, if such orders may negatively impact the price discovery process in relation to this offering.

Prospective investors who do not disclose their Associations are hereby deemed not to be so associated. Where prospective investors disclose their Associations but do not disclose that such order may negatively impact the price discovery process in relation to this offering, such order is hereby deemed not to negatively impact the price discovery process in relation to this offering. Prospective investors should ensure, and by placing an order prospective investors are deemed to confirm, that orders placed are bona fide, are not inflated and do not constitute duplicated orders (i.e., two or more corresponding or identical orders placed via two or more CMIs). If a prospective investor is an asset management arm affiliated with any underwriter, such prospective investor should indicate when placing an order if it is for a fund or portfolio where the underwriter or its group company has more than a 50 per cent. interest, in which case it will be classified as a “proprietary order” and subject to appropriate handling by CMIs in accordance with the SFC Code and should disclose, at the same time, if such “proprietary order” may negatively impact the price discovery process in relation to this offering.

Prospective investors who do not indicate this information when placing an order are hereby deemed to confirm that their order is not a “proprietary order”. If a prospective investor is otherwise affiliated with any underwriter, such that its order may be considered to be a “proprietary order” (pursuant to the SFC Code), such prospective investor should indicate to the relevant underwriter when placing such order. Prospective investors

 

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who do not indicate this information when placing an order are hereby deemed to confirm that their order is not a “proprietary order”. Where prospective investors disclose such information but do not disclose that such “proprietary order” may negatively impact the price discovery process in relation to this offering, such “proprietary order” is hereby deemed not to negatively impact the price discovery process in relation to this offering.

Prospective investors should be aware that certain information may be disclosed by CMIs (including private banks) which is personal and/or confidential in nature to the prospective investor. By placing an order, prospective investors are deemed to have understood and consented to the collection, disclosure, use and transfer of such information by the underwriters and/or any other third parties as may be required by the SFC Code, including to the Issuer, any OCs, relevant regulators and/or any other third parties as may be required by the SFC Code, it being understood and agreed that such information shall only be used for the purpose of complying with the SFC Code, during the bookbuilding process for this offering. Failure to provide such information may result in that order being rejected.

NOTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 309B(1)(C) OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES ACT 2001 OF SINGAPORE

We have determined, and hereby notify all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A(1) of the SFA), that the Notes are prescribed capital markets products (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 of Singapore) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

UK FINANCIAL PROMOTION LEGEND

This communication is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The Notes are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such Notes will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

NOT AN OFFER IF PROHIBITED BY LAW

The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the offer of the Notes, may be legally restricted in some countries. If you wish to distribute this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, you should observe any restrictions. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus should not be considered an offer and it is prohibited to use them to make an offer, in any state or country which prohibits the offering.

The Notes may not be offered or sold in Korea, directly or indirectly, or to any resident of Korea, except as permitted by Korean law. For more information, see “Underwriting—Foreign Selling Restrictions.”

INFORMATION PRESENTED ACCURATE AS OF DATE OF DOCUMENT

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are the only documents on which you should rely for information about the offering. This prospectus supplement may only be used for the purposes for which

 

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it has been published. We have authorized no one to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of each document.

 

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SUMMARY OF THE OFFERING

This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the terms of our Notes, you should carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

The Notes

We are offering US$    aggregate principal amount of   % notes due September      , 20  (the “20  Notes”), US$    aggregate principal amount of   % notes due September      , 20  (the “20  Notes”) and US$    aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due September      , 20  (the “Floating Rate Notes,” and together with the 20  Notes and the 20  Notes, the “Notes”).

The 20  Notes will bear interest at a rate of   % per annum, payable semi-annually in arrear on March       and September       of each year. The first interest payment on the 20  Notes will be made on March      , 2025 in respect of the period from (and including) September      , 2024 to (but excluding) March      , 2025. Interest on the 20  Notes will accrue from September      , 2024 and will be computed based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. See “Description of the Notes—Payment of Principal and Interest—20  Notes.”

The 20  Notes will bear interest at a rate of   % per annum, payable semi-annually in arrear on March       and September       of each year. The first interest payment on the 20  Notes will be made on March      , 2025 in respect of the period from (and including) September      , 2024 to (but excluding) March      , 2025. Interest on the 20  Notes will accrue from September      , 2024 and will be computed based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. See “Description of the Notes—Payment of Principal and Interest—20  Notes.”

The Floating Rate Notes will bear interest at a rate equal to SOFR Index Average (as defined herein) plus   % per annum, payable quarterly in arrear on March      , June      , September       and December       of each year, subject in each case to adjustment in accordance with the Modified Following Business Day Convention, as explained herein (each, a “Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date”). The first interest payment on the Floating Rate Notes will be made on the Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date falling on or nearest to December      , 2024 in respect of the period from (and including) September      , 2024 to (but excluding) the Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date falling on or nearest to December      , 2024. Interest on the Floating Rate Notes will accrue from (and including) September      , 2024 and will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the applicable Floating Rate Notes Observation Period (as defined herein) divided by 360. See “Description of the Notes—Payment of Principal and Interest—Floating Rate Notes.”

The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of US$200,000 principal amount and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. The Notes will be represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of a nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), as depositary.

We do not have any right to redeem the Notes prior to maturity.

Listing

Applications will be made to the SGX-ST for the listing and quotation of the Notes on the SGX-ST. The SGX-ST assumes no responsibility for the correctness of any of the statements made, opinions expressed or reports contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Approval in-principle from, admission to the Official List of, and listing and quotation of any Notes on, the SGX-ST are not to be taken as an

 

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indication of the merits of the issuer or the Notes. For so long as the Notes are listed on the SGX-ST and the rules of the SGX-ST so require, the Notes, if traded on the SGX-ST, will be traded in a minimum board lot size of S$200,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies). Accordingly, the Notes, if traded on the SGX-ST, will be traded in a minimum board lot size of US$200,000. In addition, application for listing of the Notes will be made to the International Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange.

Form and settlement

We will issue each series of the Notes in the form of one or more fully registered global notes, registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Except as described in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of the Securities—Description of Debt Securities—Global Securities,” the global notes will not be exchangeable for Notes in definitive registered form, and will not be issued in definitive registered form. Financial institutions, acting as direct and indirect participants in DTC, will represent your beneficial interests in the global notes. These financial institutions will record the ownership and transfer of your beneficial interest through book-entry accounts. You may hold your beneficial interests in the Notes through Euroclear Bank SA/NV (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”) if you are a participant in such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems. Any secondary market trading of book-entry interests in the Notes will take place through DTC participants, including Euroclear and Clearstream. See “Clearance and Settlement—Transfers Within and Between DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream.”

Further Issues

We may from time to time, without the consent of the holders of the Notes, create and issue additional debt securities with the same terms and conditions as the Notes in all respects so that such further issue shall be consolidated and form a single series with the Notes. We will not issue any such additional debt securities unless the issuance would constitute a “qualified reopening” for U.S. federal income tax purposes or such additional debt securities would otherwise be part of the same “issue” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Delivery of the Notes

We expect to make delivery of the Notes, against payment in same-day funds on or about September      , 2024, which we expect will be the     business day following the date of this prospectus supplement, referred to as “T+ .” You should note that initial trading of the Notes may be affected by the T+  settlement. See “Underwriting—Delivery of the Notes.”

Underwriting

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank will offer the Notes in the United States through its registered broker-dealer affiliate in the United States, Crédit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc.

Each of KB Securities Co., Ltd. and KEXIM Global (Singapore) Ltd. has agreed not to offer or sell any Notes in the United States or to any U.S. persons. See “Underwriting—Relationship with the Underwriters.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We will use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes for our general operations, including extending foreign currency loans and repayment of our maturing debt and other obligations.

 

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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

This section provides information that supplements the information about our bank and the Republic included under the headings corresponding to the headings below in the accompanying prospectus dated August 30, 2024. Defined terms used in this section have the meanings given to them in the accompanying prospectus. If the information in this section differs from the information in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this section.

THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF KOREA

Unless specified otherwise, the information provided below is stated on a separate basis in accordance with K-IFRS. Our financial information as of March 31, 2024 and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 in this prospectus supplement is presented based on our unaudited internal management accounts.

Overview

As of March 31, 2024, we had W91,992 billion of outstanding loans, including W36,579 billion of outstanding export credits, W37,380 billion of outstanding overseas investment credits and W11,789 billion of outstanding import credits, as compared to W90,313 billion of outstanding loans, including W35,933 billion of outstanding export credits, W36,284 billion of outstanding overseas investment credits and W11,342 billion of outstanding import credits as of December 31, 2023.

Capitalization

As of March 31, 2024, our authorized capital was W25,000 billion and our capitalization was as follows:

 

     March 31, 2024(1)  
    

(billions of Won)

(unaudited)

 

Long-Term Debt(2)(3)(4)(5)(6):

  

Borrowings in Korean Won

   W —   

Borrowings in Foreign Currencies

     36,117  

Export-Import Financing Debentures

     588,940  
  

 

 

 

Total Long-term Debt

   W 625,057  
  

 

 

 

Capital and Reserves:

  

Capital Stock(7)

   W 14,873  

Additional Paid-in Capital

     —   

Capital Adjustments

     (143

Retained Earnings

     2,511  

Legal Reserve(8)

     612  

Voluntary Reserve(8)

     1,762  

Regulatory Reserve for Loan Losses(9)

     12  

Unappropriated Retained Earnings

     125  

Other Components of Equity

     646  
  

 

 

 

Total Capital and Reserves

   W 17,887  
  

 

 

 

Total Capitalization

   W 642,944  
  

 

 

 

 

(1)

Except as described in this prospectus supplement, there has been no material adverse change in our capitalization since March 31, 2024.

(2)

Consists of borrowings and debentures with maturities of more than a year remaining.

(3)

We have translated borrowings in foreign currencies as of March 31, 2024 into Won at the rate of W1,346.8 to US$1.00, which was the market average exchange rate as announced by the Seoul Monetary Brokerage Services Ltd., on March 29, 2024.

 

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(4)

As of March 31, 2024, we had contingent liabilities totaling W56,652 billion, which consisted of W45,473 billion under outstanding guarantees and acceptances and W11,178 billion under contingent guarantees and acceptances issued on behalf of our clients.

(5)

As of March 31, 2024, we had entered into 581 interest rate related derivative contracts with a notional amount of W76,939 billion and 733 currency related derivative contracts with a notional amount of W39,802 billion in accordance with our policy to hedge interest rate and currency risks.

(6)

See “The Export-Import Bank of Korea—Description of Assets and Liabilities—Sources of Funding” of the accompanying prospectus for an explanation of these sources of funds. All of our borrowings, whether domestic or international, are unsecured and unguaranteed.

(7)

As of March 31, 2024, our authorized ordinary share capital was W25,000 billion and issued fully-paid ordinary share capital was W14,873 billion. For more information, see “The Export-Import Bank of Korea—Business—Government Support and Supervision” of the accompanying prospectus.

(8)

See “The Export-Import Bank of Korea—Business—Government Support and Supervision” of the accompanying prospectus for a description of the manner in which annual net income is transferred to the legal reserve and may be transferred to the voluntary reserve.

(9)

If the estimated allowance for credit loss determined by K-IFRS for accounting purposes is lower than that for regulatory purposes as required by Regulation on Supervision of Banking Business, we reserve such difference as regulatory reserve for loan losses.

Government Support

In May 2024, the Government contributed W2,000 billion to our capital in the form of shares of Korea Land and Housing Corporation.

Selected Financial Statement Data

The following tables present selected separate financial information as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, which has been derived from our unaudited separate internal management accounts as of March 31, 2024 and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 prepared in accordance with K-IFRS.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2024      2023  
     (billions of Won)  
     (unaudited)  

Income Statement Data

     

Total Interest Income

   W 1,525      W 1,365  

Total Interest Expense

     1,367        1,089  

Net Interest Income

     158        276  

Operating Income

     171        691  

Income before Income Tax

     170        692  

Income Tax Expense

     45        183  

Net Income

     125        509  
     As of
March 31,
2024
(unaudited)
     As of
December 31,
2023
 
     (billions of Won)  

Balance Sheet Data

     

Total Loan Credits(1)

   W 91,992      W 90,313  

Total Borrowings(2)

     100,241        98,789  

Total Assets

     127,102        125,394  

Total Liabilities

     109,215        107,444  

Total Shareholders’ Equity

     17,887        17,951  

 

(1)

Gross amount, including domestic usance bills, foreign currency bills bought, advance payments on acceptances and guarantees, call loans, inter-bank loans in foreign currency, private placement corporate bonds in local currency and others and before deducting allowance for loan losses and net deferred loan origination fees and costs.

(2)

Includes debentures.

 

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For the first three months of 2024, we had net income of W125 billion compared to W509 billion for the first three months of 2023. The principal factors for the decrease in net income included:

 

   

a change to an additional impairment loss on credit of W165 billion for the first three months of 2024 compared to a reversal of impairment loss on credit of W183 billion for the corresponding period of 2023, mainly reflecting our preemptive measures to account for a potential increase in expected impairment loss in connection with loans made to Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. in March 2024; and

 

   

a decrease in net interest income to W158 billion for the first three months of 2024 from W276 billion for the corresponding period of 2023, primarily due to an increase in interest expense to W1,367 billion for the first three months of 2024 from W1,089 billion for the corresponding period of 2023, resulting mainly from the higher level of interest rates applicable to our debentures.

The above factors were offset in part by a decrease in income tax expenses to W45 billion for the first three months of 2024 from W183 billion for the corresponding period of 2023, primarily due to a decrease in income before income tax to W170 billion for the first three months of 2024 from W692 billion for the corresponding period of 2023.

As of March 31, 2024, our total assets increased to W127,102 billion from W125,394 billion as of December 31, 2023, primarily due to an increase in Loan Credits to W91,992 billion as of March 31, 2024 from W90,313 billion as of December 31, 2023.

As of March 31, 2024, our total liabilities increased to W109,215 billion from W107,444 billion as of December 31, 2023, primarily due to an increase in borrowings in foreign currencies to W6,851 billion as of March 31, 2024 from W5,060 billion as of December 31, 2023.

As of March 31, 2024, our total shareholders’ equity decreased to W17,887 billion from W17,951 billion as of December 31, 2023, primarily due to a decrease in retained earnings to W2,511 billion as of March 31, 2024 from W2,639 billion as of December 31, 2023 and a decrease in other components of equity to W646 billion as of March 31, 2024 from W682 billion as of December 31, 2023. Such decreases were offset by an increase in capital stock to W14,873 billion as of March 31, 2024 from W14,773 billion as of December 31, 2023.

Debt

Debt Repayment Schedule

The following table sets out the principal repayment schedule for our debt outstanding as of March 31, 2024:

Debt Principal Repayment Schedule

 

     Maturing on or before December 31,  

Currency(1)

   2024      2025      2026      2027      Thereafter  
     (billions of won)  

Won

   W 19,270      W 5,770      W 3,870      W 50      W 1,330  

Foreign(2)

     12,732        14,638        13,149        8,671        21,279  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Won Equivalent

   W 32,002      W 20,408      W 17,019      W 8,721      W 22,609  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Borrowings in foreign currency have been translated into Won at the market average exchange rates on March 31, 2024, as announced by the Seoul Money Brokerage Services Ltd.

(2)

This figure includes debentures, bank loans, commercial papers and repurchase agreements.

As of March 31, 2024, our foreign currency assets maturing within three months, six months and one year exceeded our foreign currency liabilities coming due within such periods by US$11,266 million, US$11,319 million and US$8,465 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, our total foreign currency liabilities exceeded our total foreign currency assets by US$1,753 million.

 

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Financial Statements and the Auditors

The Minister of Economy and Finance appoints our internal Auditor who is responsible for examining our financial operations and auditing our financial statements and accounting records. The present internal Auditor is Soon-oh Cha, who was appointed for a three-year term on July 15, 2024.

THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

The Economy

Gross Domestic Product

Based on preliminary data, GDP growth in the first half of 2024 was 2.3% at chained 2020 year prices, primarily due to an 8.7% increase in exports of goods and services and a 1.3% increase in aggregate private and general government consumption expenditures, the effects of which were offset in part by a 2.7% increase in imports of goods and services and a 0.7% decrease in gross domestic fixed capital formation, each compared with the corresponding period of 2023.

Principal Sectors of the Economy

Prices, Wages and Employment

Based on preliminary data, the inflation rate was 2.7% and the unemployment rate was 2.9% in the first half of 2024.

The Financial System

Securities Markets

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index was 2,797.82 on June 28, 2024, 2,770.69 on July 31, 2024, 2,674.31 on August 30, 2024 and 2,681.00 on September 2, 2024.

Monetary Policy

Foreign Exchange

The market average exchange rate between the Won and the U.S. Dollar (in Won per one U.S. Dollar) as announced by the Seoul Money Brokerage Service Ltd. was Won 1,389.2 to US$1.00 on June 28, 2024, Won 1,384.6 to US$1.00 on July 31, 2024, Won 1,335.3 to US$1.00 on August 30, 2024 and Won 1,334.8 to US$1.00 on September 2, 2024.

Balance of Payments and Foreign Trade

Balance of Payments

Based on preliminary data, the Republic’s current account surplus in the first half of 2024 increased to US$37.7 billion from the current account surplus of US$1.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2023, primarily due to a change from a deficit to a surplus from the goods account and a decrease in deficit from the services account, the effects of which were offset in part by a decrease in surplus from the income account.

Trade Balance

Based on preliminary data, the Republic recorded a trade surplus of US$23.1 billion in the first half of 2024. Exports increased by 9.0% to US$334.8 billion in the first half of 2024 from US$307.0 billion in the

 

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corresponding period of 2023, primarily due to an improvement in the domestic economic conditions of the Republic’s major trading partners. Imports decreased by 6.5% to US$311.7 billion in the first half of 2024 from US$333.3 billion in the corresponding period of 2023, primarily due to a decrease in energy and commodity prices, which also led to decreased unit prices of other major raw materials.

Foreign Currency Reserves

The amount of the Government’s foreign currency reserves was US$413.5 billion as of July 31, 2024.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

The following is a description of some of the terms of the Notes we are offering. Since it is only a summary, we urge you to read the fiscal agency agreement described below and the form of global note before deciding whether to invest in the Notes. We have filed a copy of these documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as exhibits to the registration statement no. 333-280523.

The general terms of our Notes are described in the accompanying prospectus. The description in this prospectus supplement further adds to that description or, to the extent inconsistent with that description, replaces it.

The Notes

We are offering US$    aggregate principal amount of   % notes due September   , 20  (the “20      Notes”), US$    aggregate principal amount of   % notes due September   , 20  (the “20      Notes”) and US$    aggregate principal amount of floating rate notes due September   , 20  (the “Floating Rate Notes,” and together with the 20  Notes and the 20  Notes, the “Notes”).

Governed by Fiscal Agency Agreement

We will issue the Notes under the fiscal agency agreement, dated as of August 1, 1991, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as The Bank of New York) (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.), as fiscal agent, as amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Fiscal Agency Agreement”). The fiscal agent will maintain a register for the Notes.

Payment of Principal and Interest

20  Notes

The 20  Notes are initially limited to US$    aggregate principal amount. The 20  Notes will mature on September   , 20  (the “20  Note Maturity Date”). The 20  Notes will bear interest at a rate of   % per annum, payable semi-annually in arrear on March    and September    of each year (each a “20  Note Interest Payment Date”). The first interest payment on the 20  Notes will be made on March   , 2025 in respect of the period from (and including) September   , 2024 to (but excluding) March   , 2025.

Interest on the 20  Notes will accrue from September   , 2024. If any 20  Note Interest Payment Date or the 20  Note Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a business day (as defined below), then payment will not be made on such date but will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, with the same force and effect as if made on such 20  Note Interest Payment Date or the 20  Note Maturity Date (as the case may be), and no interest shall be payable in respect of such delay. The term “business day” as used herein means a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or any other day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, London or Seoul are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.

We will pay interest to the person who is registered as the owner of a 20  Note at the close of business on the fifteenth day (whether or not a business day) preceding such Interest Payment Date. Interest on the 20  Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. We will make principal and interest payments on the 20  Notes in immediately available funds in U.S. dollars.

20  Notes

The 20  Notes are initially limited to US$    aggregate principal amount. The 20  Notes will mature on September   , 20  (the “20  Note Maturity Date”). The 20  Notes will bear interest at a rate of   % per annum, payable semi-annually in arrear on March       and September       of each year

 

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(each a “20  Note Interest Payment Date”). The first interest payment on the 20  Notes will be made on    , 2025 in respect of the period from (and including) September      , 2024 to (but excluding) March      , 2025.

Interest on the 20  Notes will accrue from September      , 2024. If any 20  Note Interest Payment Date or the 20  Note Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a business day (as defined below), then payment will not be made on such date but will be made on the next succeeding day that is a business day, with the same force and effect as if made on such 20  Note Interest Payment Date or the 20  Note Maturity Date (as the case may be), and no interest shall be payable in respect of such delay. The term “business day” as used herein means a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or any other day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, London or Seoul are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.

We will pay interest to the person who is registered as the owner of a 20  Note at the close of business on the fifteenth day (whether or not a business day) preceding such Interest Payment Date. Interest on the 20  Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. We will make principal and interest payments on the 20  Notes in immediately available funds in U.S. dollars.

Floating Rate Notes

The Floating Rate Notes are initially limited to US$    aggregate principal amount. The Floating Rate Notes will mature on the Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date (as defined below) on or nearest to September      , 20  (the “Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date”). The Floating Rate Notes will bear interest at a rate equal to SOFR Index Average (as defined herein) plus   % per annum, payable quarterly in arrear on March      , June      , September       and December       of each year, subject in each case to adjustment in accordance with the Modified Following Business Day Convention, as explained herein (each, a “Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date”), beginning on the Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date falling on or nearest to December      , 2024, and if redeemed early, the date of such redemption. In no event shall the rate of interest for the Floating Rate Notes be less than 0% for any Floating Rate Notes Interest Period (as defined herein).

Interest on the Floating Rate Notes will accrue from (and including) September      , 2024 to (but excluding) the Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date. If any Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date or the Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a business day (as defined below), that Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date or the Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date will be adjusted in accordance with the Modified Following Business Day Convention. The term “Modified Following Business Day Convention” means that the relevant date shall be postponed to the first following day that is a business day (and interest will continue to accrue to but excluding such following date that is a business day) unless that day falls in the next calendar month in which case that date will be the first preceding day that is a business day and interest shall accrue to but excluding such preceding business day. The term “business day” as used herein means a U.S. Government Securities Business Day (as defined herein) and a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in Seoul are authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.

We will pay interest to the person who is registered as the owner of a Floating Rate Note at the close of business on the fifteenth day (whether or not a business day) preceding the related Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date. Interest on the Floating Rate Notes will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the applicable Floating Rate Notes Observation Period (as defined herein) divided by 360. We will make principal and interest payments on the Floating Rate Notes in immediately available funds in U.S. dollars.

1. Definition of SOFR Index Average

The term “SOFR Index Average” means the compounded average of daily Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) and will be determined by the Calculation Agent (as defined herein) on the relevant Floating Rate

 

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Notes Interest Determination Date (as defined herein) in accordance with the following formula, and the resulting percentage will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, 0.000005% being rounded upwards (e.g., 9.876541% (or .09876541) being rounded down to 9.87654% (or .0987654) and 9.876545% (or .09876545) being rounded up to 9.87655% (or .0987655)):

 

(

 
  SOFR Index End     1  

)

 
  X  

(

 
  360  

)

 
  SOFR Index Start   dc

where:

dc” means the number of calendar days in the Floating Rate Notes Observation Period;

SOFR IndexEnd” means the SOFR Index (as defined herein) value on the date that is five U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the Floating Rates Notes Interest Payment Date for such Floating Rate Notes Interest Period;

SOFR IndexStart” means the SOFR Index value on the date that is five U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the first day of the relevant Floating Rate Notes Interest Period;

SOFR Index”, with respect to any U.S. Government Securities Business Day, means the SOFR Index value as published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website at the SOFR Determination Time on such U.S. Government Securities Business Day, provided that if a SOFR IndexStart or SOFR IndexEnd is not published on the associated Floating Rate Notes Interest Determination Date and a Benchmark Transition Event (as defined herein) and its related Benchmark Replacement Date (as defined herein) have not occurred with respect to SOFR, “SOFR Index Average” means, for the applicable Floating Rate Notes Interest Period for which such index is not available, the rate of return on a daily compounded interest investment calculated in accordance with the formula for SOFR Averages, and definitions required for such formula, published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website at https://www.newyorkfed.org/markets/treasury-repo-reference-rates-information. For the purposes of this provision, references in the SOFR Averages compounding formula and related definitions to “calculation period” shall be replaced with “Floating Rate Notes Observation Period” and the words “that is, 30-, 90-, or 180- calendar days” shall be removed. If the daily SOFR (“SOFRi”) does not so appear for any day “i” in the Floating Rate Notes Observation Period, SOFR for such day “i” shall be SOFR published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which SOFR was published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website;

Floating Rate Notes Interest Determination Date” means the date three U.S. Government Securities Business Days before each Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date;

Floating Rate Notes Interest Period” refers to the period from (and including) September      , 2024 to (but excluding) the first Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date and each successive period from (and including) a Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date to (but excluding) the next Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date;

Floating Rate Notes Observation Period” means, in respect of each Floating Rate Notes Interest Period, the period from (and including) the date that is five U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the first day of the relevant Floating Rate Notes Interest Period to (but excluding) the date that is five U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date for such Floating Rate Notes Interest Period;

SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor source;

 

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SOFR Determination Time” means, in relation to any U.S. Government Securities Business Day, approximately 5:00 p.m. New York City time on such U.S. Government Securities Business Day; and

U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in U.S. government securities.

The Bank of New York Mellon will serve as the “Calculation Agent” for the Floating Rate Notes. In the absence of gross negligence or willful default, the Calculation Agent’s determination of SOFR Index Average and its calculation of the applicable interest rate for each Floating Rate Notes Interest Period will be final and binding. The Calculation Agent will make available the interest rates for current and preceding Floating Rate Notes Interest Periods by delivery of such notice through such medium as is available to participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, or any successor thereof, and in accordance with such applicable rules and procedures as long as the Floating Rate Notes are held in global form. In the event that the Floating Rate Notes are held in certificated form, the interest rates for current and preceding Floating Rate Notes Interest Periods will be published in the manner described below under “—Notices”. We have the right to replace the Calculation Agent with another leading commercial bank or investment bank in New York or London. If the appointed office of the Calculation Agent is unable or unwilling to continue to act as the Calculation Agent or fails to determine the interest rate for any Floating Rate Notes Interest Period, we have a duty to appoint such other leading commercial bank or investment bank in New York or London.

2. Benchmark Transition

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the documentation relating to the Floating Rate Notes, if the Calculation Agent is notified by the Determination Agent on or prior to the relevant Reference Time that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date (each as defined herein) have occurred with respect to the then-current Benchmark, then the Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes relating to the Floating Rate Notes in respect of all determinations on such date and for all determinations on all subsequent dates.

In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Determination Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes (as defined herein) from time to time.

Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Determination Agent or us pursuant to the Benchmark Replacement provisions described herein, including any determination with respect to tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection:

 

  a.

will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, may be made in the Determination Agent’s sole discretion, and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein relating to the Floating Rate Notes;

 

  b.

if made by us, will be made in our sole discretion;

 

  c.

if made by the Determination Agent, will be made after consultation with us, and the Determination Agent will not make any such determination, decision or election to which we object; and

 

  d.

shall become effective without consent from any other party.

Any determination, decision or election pursuant to the Benchmark Replacement provisions not made by the Determination Agent will be made by us on the basis as described above. The Calculation Agent shall have no liability for not making any such determination, decision or election. In addition, we may designate an entity (which may be our affiliate) to make any determination, decision or election that we have the right to make in connection with the benchmark replacement provisions set forth herein.

 

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For purposes of these Benchmark Replacement provisions:

Benchmark” means, initially, SOFR Index Average, as such term is defined above; provided that if the Determination Agent determines on or prior to the Reference Time that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to SOFR Index Average (including the daily published component used in the calculation thereof) or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement;

Benchmark Replacement” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by us or the Determination Agent as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:

 

  I.

the sum of: (a) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body (as defined herein) as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment (as defined herein);

 

  II.

the sum of: (a) the ISDA Fallback Rate (as defined herein) and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; or

 

  III.

the sum of: (a) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected by us or the Determination Agent as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark giving due consideration to any industry-accepted rate of interest as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate notes at such time and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by us or the Determination Agent as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:

 

  I.

the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero), or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement (as defined herein);

 

  II.

if the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is equivalent to the ISDA Fallback Rate, then the ISDA Fallback Adjustment (as defined herein); and

 

  III.

the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by us or the Determination Agent giving due consideration to any industry-accepted spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the then-current Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar denominated floating rate notes at such time;

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definitions or interpretations of interest period, the timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, the rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters) that the Determination Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption of such Benchmark Replacement in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Determination Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Determination Agent determines that no market practice for use of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner as the Determination Agent determines is reasonably practicable);

Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark (including the daily published component used in the calculation thereof):

 

  I.

in the case of clause (I) or (II) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the Benchmark (or such component); or

 

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  II.

in the case of clause (III) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.

For the avoidance of doubt, if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination.

For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of the definitions of Benchmark Replacement Date and Benchmark Transition Event, references to Benchmark also include any reference rate underlying such Benchmark;

Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark (including the daily published component used in the calculation thereof):

 

  I.

a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Benchmark (or such component) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark (or such component), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark (or such component);

 

  II.

a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark (or such component), the central bank for the currency of the Benchmark (or such component), an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of the Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark (or such component) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark (or such component); or

 

  III.

a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that the Benchmark is no longer representative;

Determination Agent” means an independent bank of international repute selected by and acting as our agent for the purposes of the conditions of the Floating Rate Notes and notified to the fiscal agent in writing. The fiscal agent shall not be responsible for the calculations made by, or the actions or omissions of, the Determination Agent and shall not be liable for any losses caused thereby;

ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time;

ISDA Fallback Adjustment” means the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be determined upon the occurrence of an index cessation event with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor;

ISDA Fallback Rate” means the rate that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon the occurrence of an index cessation date with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor excluding the applicable ISDA Fallback Adjustment;

Reference Time” with respect to any determination of the Benchmark means (1) if the Benchmark is SOFR Index Average, the SOFR Determination Time, as such time is defined herein, and (2) if the Benchmark is not SOFR Index Average, the time determined by the Determination Agent in accordance with the Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes;

 

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Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any successor thereto; and

Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

None of the fiscal agent, principal paying agent or the Calculation Agent will be under any obligation (i) to monitor, determine or verify the unavailability or cessation of SOFR or the SOFR Index Average (or any other benchmark), or whether or when there has occurred, or to give notice to any other transaction party of the occurrence of, any benchmark transition event or related benchmark replacement date, (ii) to select, determine or designate any benchmark replacement, or other successor or replacement benchmark index, or to determine whether any conditions to the designation of such a rate or index have been satisfied, (iii) to select, determine or designate any benchmark replacement adjustment, or other modifier to any replacement or successor index, or (iv) to determine whether or what SOFR adjustment conforming changes or benchmark replacement conforming changes are appropriate in connection with any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, as to any spread adjustment thereon, the business day convention, interest determination dates or any other relevant methodology applicable to such substitute or successor benchmark. In connection with the foregoing, each of the fiscal agent, principal paying agent and the Calculation Agent will be entitled to conclusively rely on any determinations made by the Issuer, any of the Issuer’s designees or the Determination Agent without independent investigation, and none will have any liability for actions taken at the Issuer, any of the Issuer’s designees or the Determination Agent’s direction in connection therewith.

None of the fiscal agent, principal paying agent or the Calculation Agent will be liable for any inability, failure or delay on its part to perform any of its duties set forth in the transaction documents as a result of the unavailability of SOFR or any applicable benchmark replacement, including as a result of any failure, inability, delay, error or inaccuracy on the part of any other transaction party in providing any direction, instruction, notice or information required or contemplated by the terms of the transaction documents and reasonably required for the performance of such duties. None of the fiscal agent, principal paying agent or the Calculation Agent will be responsible or liable for the actions or omissions of the Issuer, any of the Issuer’s designees or the Determination Agent, or for any failure or delay in the performance by the Issuer, any of the Issuer’s designees or the Determination Agent, nor shall any of the fiscal agent, principal paying agent or the Calculation Agent be under any obligation to oversee or monitor the performance of the Issuer, any of the Issuer’s designees or the Determination Agent.

Denomination

The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of US$200,000 principal amount and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof.

Redemption

We may not redeem the Notes prior to maturity. At maturity, we will redeem the Notes at par.

Form and Registration

The Notes will be represented by one or more fully registered global notes, which will be deposited with a custodian for, and registered in the name of a nominee of, DTC. Except as described in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of the Securities—Description of Debt Securities—Global Securities,” the global notes will not be exchangeable for Notes in definitive registered form, and will not be issued in definitive registered form. Financial institutions, acting as direct and indirect participants in DTC, will represent your beneficial interests in the global notes. These financial institutions will record the ownership and transfer of your

 

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beneficial interest through book-entry accounts. You may hold your beneficial interests in the Notes through Euroclear or Clearstream if you are a participant in such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems. Any secondary market trading of book-entry interests in the Notes will take place through DTC participants, including Euroclear and Clearstream. See “Clearance and Settlement—Transfers Within and Between DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream.”

The fiscal agent will not charge you any fees for the Notes, other than reasonable fees for the replacement of lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed Notes. However, you may incur fees for the maintenance and operation of the book-entry accounts with the clearing systems in which your beneficial interests are held.

For so long as the Notes are listed on the SGX-ST and the rules of the SGX-ST so require, in the event that a global note is exchanged for Notes in definitive form, we will appoint and maintain a paying agent in Singapore, where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment or redemption. In addition, in the event that a global note is exchanged for Notes in definitive form, an announcement of such exchange will be made by or on behalf of us through the SGX-ST and such announcement will include all material information with respect to the delivery of the Notes in definitive form, including details of the paying agent in Singapore.

Further Issues

We may from time to time, without the consent of the holders of the Notes, create and issue additional debt securities with the same terms and conditions as any series of the Notes in all respects so that such further issue shall be consolidated and form a single series with the relevant series of the Notes. We will not issue any such additional debt securities unless the issuance would constitute a “qualified reopening” for U.S. federal income tax purposes or such additional debt securities would otherwise be part of the same “issue” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Notices

While the Notes are represented by the global note deposited with the custodian for DTC, notices to holders may be given by delivery to DTC, and such notices will be deemed to be given on the date of delivery to DTC. The fiscal agent may also mail notices by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each registered holder’s last known address as it appears in the security register that the fiscal agent maintains. The fiscal agent will only mail these notices to the registered holder of the Notes. You will not receive notices regarding the Notes directly from us unless we reissue the Notes to you in fully certificated form.

Neither the failure to give any notice to a particular holder, nor any defect in a notice given to a particular holder, will affect the sufficiency of any notice given to another holder.

 

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CLEARANCE AND SETTLEMENT

We have obtained the information in this section from sources we believe to be reliable, including DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream. We accept responsibility only for accurately extracting information from such sources. DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform the procedures described below, and they may modify or discontinue them at any time. Neither we nor the registrar will be responsible for DTC’s, Euroclear’s or Clearstream’s performance of their obligations under their rules and procedures. Nor will we or the registrar be responsible for the performance by direct or indirect participants of their obligations under their rules and procedures.

Introduction

The Depository Trust Company

DTC is:

 

   

a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a “banking organization” under the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a member of the Federal Reserve System;

 

   

a “clearing corporation” under the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

   

a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants. It does this through electronic book-entry changes in the accounts of its direct participants, eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers Inc.

Euroclear and Clearstream

Like DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream hold securities for their participants and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between their participants through electronic book-entry changes in their accounts. Euroclear and Clearstream provide various services to their participants, including the safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement and lending and borrowing of internationally traded securities. Participants in Euroclear and Clearstream are financial institutions such as underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies. Some of the underwriters participating in this offering are participants in Euroclear or Clearstream. Other banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies have indirect access to Euroclear or Clearstream by clearing through or maintaining a custodial relationship with a Euroclear or Clearstream participant.

Ownership of Notes through DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream

We will issue each series of the Notes in the form of one or more fully registered global notes, registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Financial institutions, acting as direct and indirect participants in DTC, will represent your beneficial interests in the Notes. These financial institutions will record the ownership and transfer of your beneficial interests through book-entry accounts. You may also hold your beneficial interests in the Notes through Euroclear or Clearstream, if you are a participant in such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold their participants’ beneficial interests in the global notes in their customers’ securities accounts with their depositaries. These depositaries of Euroclear and Clearstream in turn will hold such interests in their customers’ securities accounts with DTC.

 

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We and the fiscal agent generally will treat the registered holder of the Notes, initially Cede & Co., as the absolute owner of the Notes for all purposes. Once we and the fiscal agent make payments to the registered holder, we and the fiscal agent will no longer be liable on the Notes for the amounts so paid. Accordingly, if you own a beneficial interest in the global notes, you must rely on the procedures of the institutions through which you hold your interests in the Notes, including DTC, Euroclear, Clearstream and their respective participants, to exercise any of the rights granted to holders of Notes. Under existing industry practice, if you desire to take any action that Cede & Co., as the holder of the global notes, is entitled to take, then Cede & Co. would authorize the DTC participant through which you own your beneficial interest to take such action. The participant would then either authorize you to take the action or act for you on your instructions.

DTC may grant proxies or authorize its participants, or persons holding beneficial interests in the Notes through such participants, to exercise any rights of a holder or take any actions that a holder is entitled to take under the Fiscal Agency Agreement or the Notes. Euroclear’s or Clearstream’s ability to take actions as holder under the Notes or the Fiscal Agency Agreement will be limited by the ability of their respective depositaries to carry out such actions for them through DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream will take such actions only in accordance with their respective rules and procedures.

The fiscal agent will not charge you any fees for the Notes, other than reasonable fees and indemnity satisfactory to the fiscal agent for the replacement of lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed Notes. However, you may incur fees for the maintenance and operation of the book-entry accounts with the clearing systems in which your beneficial interests are held.

Transfers Within and Between DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream

Trading Between DTC Purchasers and Sellers

DTC participants will transfer interests in the Notes among themselves in the ordinary way according to DTC rules. Participants will pay for such transfers by wire transfer. The laws of some states require certain purchasers of securities to take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global notes to such purchasers. DTC can act only on behalf of its direct participants, who in turn act on behalf of indirect participants and certain banks. Thus, your ability to pledge a beneficial interest in the global notes to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, and to take other actions, may be limited because you will not possess a physical certificate that represents your interest.

Trading Between Euroclear and/or Clearstream Participants

Participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will transfer interests in the Notes among themselves according to the rules and operating procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream.

Trading Between a DTC Seller and a Euroclear or Clearstream Purchaser

When the Notes are to be transferred from the account of a DTC participant to the account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant, the purchaser must first send instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream through a participant at least one business day prior to the settlement date. Euroclear or Clearstream will then instruct its depositary to receive the Notes and make payment for them. On the settlement date, the depositary will make payment to the DTC participant’s account and the Notes will be credited to the depositary’s account. After settlement has been completed, DTC will credit the Notes to Euroclear or Clearstream, Euroclear or Clearstream will credit the Notes, in accordance with its usual procedures, to the participant’s account, and the participant will then credit the purchaser’s account. These securities credits will appear the next day (European time) after the settlement date. The cash debit from the account of Euroclear or Clearstream will be back-valued to the value date, which will be the preceding day if settlement occurs in New York. If settlement is not completed on the intended value date (i.e., the trade fails), the cash debit will instead be valued at the actual settlement date.

 

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Participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will need to make funds available to Euroclear or Clearstream to pay for the Notes by wire transfer on the value date. The most direct way of doing this is to pre-position funds (i.e., have funds in place at Euroclear or Clearstream before the value date), either from cash on hand or existing lines of credit. Under this approach, however, participants may take on credit exposure to Euroclear and Clearstream until the Notes are credited to their accounts one day later.

As an alternative, if Euroclear or Clearstream has extended a line of credit to a participant, the participant may decide not to pre-position funds, but to allow Euroclear or Clearstream to draw on the line of credit to finance settlement for the Notes. Under this procedure, Euroclear or Clearstream would charge the participant overdraft charges for one day, assuming that the overdraft would be cleared when the Notes were credited to the participant’s account. However, interest on the Notes would accrue from the value date. Therefore, in many cases the interest income on Notes which the participant earns during that one-day period will substantially reduce or offset the amount of the participant’s overdraft charges. Of course, this result will depend on the cost of funds (i.e., the interest rate that Euroclear or Clearstream charges) to each participant.

Since the settlement will occur during New York business hours, a DTC participant selling an interest in the Notes can use its usual procedures for transferring global securities to the depositories of Euroclear or Clearstream for the benefit of Euroclear or Clearstream participants. The DTC seller will receive the sale proceeds on the settlement date. Thus, to the DTC seller, a cross-market sale will settle no differently than a trade between two DTC participants.

Finally, day traders who use Euroclear or Clearstream and who purchase Notes from DTC participants for credit to Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants should note that these trades will automatically fail unless one of three steps is taken:

 

   

borrowing through Euroclear or Clearstream for one day, until the purchase side of the day trade is reflected in the day trader’s Euroclear or Clearstream account, in accordance with the clearing system’s customary procedures;

 

   

borrowing the Notes in the United States from DTC participants no later than one day prior to settlement, which would allow sufficient time for the Notes to be reflected in the Euroclear or Clearstream account in order to settle the sale side of the trade; or

 

   

staggering the value dates for the buy and sell sides of the trade so that the value date for the purchase from the DTC participant is at least one day prior to the value date for the sale to the Euroclear or Clearstream participant.

Trading Between a Euroclear or Clearstream Seller and a DTC Purchaser

Due to time-zone differences in their favor, Euroclear and Clearstream participants can use their usual procedures to transfer Notes through their depositaries to a DTC participant. The seller must first send instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream through a participant at least one business day prior to the settlement date. Euroclear or Clearstream will then instruct its depositary to credit the Notes to the DTC participant’s account and receive payment. The payment will be credited in the account of the Euroclear or Clearstream participant on the following day, but the receipt of the cash proceeds will be back-valued to the value date, which will be the preceding day if settlement occurs in New York. If settlement is not completed on the intended value date (i.e., the trade fails), the receipt of the cash proceeds will instead be valued at the actual settlement date.

If the Euroclear or Clearstream participant selling the Notes has a line of credit with Euroclear or Clearstream and elects to be in debit for the Notes until it receives the sale proceeds in its account, then the back-valuation may substantially reduce or offset any overdraft charges that the participant incurs over that period.

Settlement in other currencies between DTC and Euroclear and Clearstream is possible using free-of-payment transfers to move the Notes, but funds movement will take place separately.

 

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TAXATION

Korean Taxation

For a discussion of Korean tax considerations that may be relevant to you if you invest in the Notes, please refer to the section “Taxation—Korean Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus.

United States Tax Considerations

For a discussion of U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to you if you invest in the Notes and are a U.S. holder, see “Taxation—United States Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Relationship with the Underwriters

We and the underwriters named below (the “Underwriters” and each an “Underwriter”) have entered into a Terms Agreement dated September      , 2024 (the “Terms Agreement”) with respect to the Notes relating to the Underwriting Agreement—Standard Terms (together with the Terms Agreement, the “Underwriting Agreement”) filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, we have agreed to sell to each of the Underwriters, severally, and each of the Underwriters has severally agreed to purchase, the following principal amount of the Notes set out opposite its name below:

 

Names of the Underwriters

   Principal Amount
of the 20  Notes
     Principal Amount
of the 20  Notes
     Principal Amount
of the Floating
Rate Notes
 

BNP Paribas

   US$           US$           US$       

BofA Securities, Inc.

  
 

   

 
  
 

   

 
          

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

  
 

   

 
  
 

   

 
          

ING Bank N.V., Singapore Branch

  
 

   

 
  
 

   

 
          

Mizuho Securities Asia Limited

  
 

   

 
  
 

   

 
          

Natixis

                                

KB Securities Co., Ltd.

     —         —         —   

KEXIM Global (Singapore) Ltd.

     —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Total    US$           US$           US$       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank will offer the Notes in the United States through its registered broker-dealer affiliate in the United States, Crédit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc.

Each of KB Securities Co., Ltd. and KEXIM Global (Singapore) Ltd. has agreed not to offer or sell any Notes in the United States or to any U.S. persons.

Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, if the Underwriters take any Notes of a series, then the Underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the Notes of such series.

The Underwriters initially propose to offer the Notes directly to the public at the offering prices described on the cover page. After the initial offering of the Notes, the Underwriters may from time to time vary the offering prices and other selling terms.

If a jurisdiction requires that the offering be made by a licensed broker or dealer and the Underwriters or any affiliate of the Underwriters is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the offering shall be deemed to be made by that Underwriter or its affiliate on behalf of us in such jurisdiction.

Certain of the underwriters are expected to make offers and sales both inside and outside the United States through their respective selling agents. Any offers or sales in the United States will be conducted by broker-dealers registered with the SEC.

The Notes are a new class of securities with no established trading market. Applications will be made to the SGX-ST for the listing and quotation of the Notes on the SGX-ST. In addition, application for listing of the Notes will be made to the International Securities Market of the London Stock Exchange. The Underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the Notes. However, they are not obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making activities with respect to the Notes at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to the liquidity of any trading market for the Notes.

 

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We have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments which the Underwriters may be required to make in respect of any such liabilities.

In connection with this offering, any of the Underwriters appointed and acting in its capacity as stabilizing manager (the “Stabilizing Managers”) or any person acting on their behalf may purchase and sell the Notes in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves sales of the Notes in excess of the principal amount of the Notes to be purchased by the Underwriters in this offering, which creates a short position for the Underwriters. Covering transactions involve purchases of the Notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of the Notes made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Notes while the offering is in progress. Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Notes. They may also cause the price of the Notes to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The Stabilizing Managers may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the Stabilizing Managers commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue such transactions at any time, and must discontinue them after a limited period.

The amount of net proceeds of the 20  Notes, the 20  Notes and the Floating Rate Notes is US$   , US$    and US$   , respectively, after deducting underwriting discounts but not estimated expenses. Our expenses associated with the Notes offering are estimated to be US$   . The Underwriters have agreed to pay certain of our expenses incurred in connection with the offering of the Notes.

The Underwriters and certain of their affiliates may have performed certain commercial banking, investment banking and advisory services for us and/or our affiliates from time to time for which they have received customary fees and expenses and may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us and/or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their business.

The Underwriters or certain of their affiliates may purchase Notes and be allocated Notes for asset management and/or proprietary purposes but not with a view to distribution. The Underwriters or their respective affiliates may purchase Notes for its or their own account and enter into transactions, including credit derivatives, such as asset swaps, repackaging and credit default swaps relating to Notes and/or other securities of us or our subsidiaries or affiliates at the same time as the offer and sale of Notes or in secondary market transactions. Such transactions would be carried out as bilateral trades with selected counterparties and separately from any existing sale or resale of Notes to which this prospectus supplement relates (notwithstanding that such selected counterparties may also be purchasers of Notes).

Important Notice to CMIs (including Private Banks)

This notice to CMIs (including private banks) is a summary of certain obligations the SFC Code imposes on CMIs, which require the attention and cooperation of other CMIs (including private banks). Certain CMIs may also be acting as OCs for this offering and are subject to additional requirements under the SFC Code.

Prospective investors who are the directors, employees or major shareholders of the Issuer, a CMI or its group companies would be considered under the SFC Code as having an Association with the Issuer, the CMI or the relevant group company. CMIs should specifically disclose whether their investor clients have any Association when submitting orders for the Notes. In addition, private banks should take all reasonable steps to identify whether their investor clients may have any Associations with the Issuer or any CMI (including its group companies) and inform the relevant Underwriters accordingly.

CMIs are informed that the marketing and investor targeting strategy for this offering includes institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, hedge funds, family offices and high net worth individuals, in

 

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each case, subject to the selling restrictions and any MiFID II product governance language or any UK MiFIR product governance language set out elsewhere in this prospectus supplement.

CMIs should ensure that orders placed are bona fide, are not inflated and do not constitute duplicated orders (i.e. two or more corresponding or identical orders placed via two or more CMIs). CMIs should enquire with their investor clients regarding any orders which appear unusual or irregular. CMIs should disclose the identities of all investors when submitting orders for the Notes (except for omnibus orders where underlying investor information may need to be provided to any OCs when submitting orders). Failure to provide underlying investor information for omnibus orders, where required to do so, may result in that order being rejected. CMIs should not place “X-orders” into the order book.

CMIs should segregate and clearly identify their own proprietary orders (and those of their group companies, including private banks as the case may be) in the order book and book messages.

CMIs (including private banks) should not offer any rebates to prospective investors or pass on any rebates provided by the Issuer. In addition, CMIs (including private banks) should not enter into arrangements which may result in prospective investors paying different prices for the Notes.

The SFC Code requires that a CMI disclose complete and accurate information in a timely manner on the status of the order book and other relevant information it receives to targeted investors for them to make an informed decision. In order to do this, those Underwriters in control of the order book should consider disclosing order book updates to all CMIs.

When placing an order for the Notes, private banks should disclose, at the same time, if such order is placed other than on a “principal” basis (whereby it is deploying its own balance sheet for onward selling to investors). Private banks who do not provide such disclosure are hereby deemed to be placing their order on such a “principal” basis. Otherwise, such order may be considered to be an omnibus order pursuant to the SFC Code. Private banks should be aware that placing an order on a “principal” basis may require the relevant affiliated Underwriter(s) (if any) to categorize it as a proprietary order and apply the “proprietary orders” requirements of the SFC Code to such order.

In relation to omnibus orders, when submitting such orders, CMIs (including private banks) that are subject to the SFC Code should disclose underlying investor information in respect of each order constituting the relevant omnibus order (failure to provide such information may result in that order being rejected). Underlying investor information in relation to an omnibus order should consist of:

 

   

The name of each underlying investor;

 

   

A unique identification number for each investor;

 

   

Whether an underlying investor has any “Associations” (as used in the SFC Code);

 

   

Whether any underlying investor order is a “Proprietary Order” (as used in the SFC Code);

 

   

Whether any underlying investor order is a duplicate order.

Underlying investor information in relation to omnibus order should be sent to: dl.asia.syndicate@asia.bnpparibas.com, bofa_dcm_syndicate_pb_orders@bofa.com, HKG-Syndicate@cacib. com, AS_DBSYN@hk.mizuho-sc.com, DL-MHI-PrimaryDebt-Syndicate@uk.mizuho-sc.com.

To the extent information being disclosed by CMIs and investors is personal and/or confidential in nature, CMIs (including private banks) agree and warrant: (A) to take appropriate steps to safeguard the transmission of such information to any OCs; and (B) that they have obtained the necessary consents from the underlying investors to disclose such information to any OCs. By submitting an order and providing such information to any

 

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OCs, each CMI (including private banks) further warrants that they and the underlying investors have understood and consented to the collection, disclosure, use and transfer of such information by any OCs and/or any other third parties as may be required by the SFC Code, including to the Issuer, relevant regulators and/or any other third parties as may be required by the SFC Code, for the purpose of complying with the SFC Code, during the bookbuilding process for this offering. CMIs that receive such underlying investor information are reminded that such information should be used only for submitting orders in this offering. The relevant Underwriters may be asked to demonstrate compliance with their obligations under the SFC Code, and may request other CMIs (including private banks) to provide evidence showing compliance with the obligations above (in particular, that the necessary consents have been obtained). In such event, other CMIs (including private banks) are required to provide the relevant Underwriters with such evidence within the timeline requested.

Delivery of the Notes

We expect to make delivery of the Notes, against payment in same-day funds on or about September      , 2024, which we expect will be the    business day following the date of this prospectus supplement. Under Rule 15c6-l promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, U.S. purchasers are generally required to settle trades in the secondary market in one business day, unless they and the other parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if you wish to trade in the Notes on any day prior to the first business day before the settlement date, because the Notes will initially settle in T+ , you may be required to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of your trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers in other countries should consult with their own advisors.

Foreign Selling Restrictions

Each Underwriter has agreed to the following selling restrictions in connection with the offering with respect to the following jurisdictions:

Korea

Each Underwriter has severally represented and agreed that (i) it has not offered, sold or delivered and will not offer, sell or deliver, directly or indirectly, any Notes in Korea or to, or for the account or benefit of, any resident of Korea, except as permitted by applicable Korean laws and regulations; and (ii) any securities dealer to whom it sells Notes will agree that it will not offer any Notes, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea, except as permitted by applicable Korean laws and regulations, or to any dealer who does not so represent and agree.

United Kingdom

Each Underwriter has severally represented and agreed that (i) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of any Notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and (ii) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to any Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Japan

Each Underwriter has severally represented and agreed that the Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Act No. 25 of 1948, as amended, the “Financial Instruments and Exchange Act”). Accordingly, each Underwriter has severally represented and agreed that it has not, directly or indirectly, offered or sold and will not, directly or indirectly, offer or sell any Notes in

 

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Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan) or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and other relevant laws and regulations of Japan.

Hong Kong

Each Underwriter has severally represented and agreed that:

 

   

it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell in Hong Kong, by means of any document, any Notes other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the “SFO”) and any rules made under the SFO; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (the “C(WUMP)O”) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the C(WUMP)O; and

 

   

it has not issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Notes, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to Notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made under the SFO.

Singapore

Each Underwriter has acknowledged that this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, each Underwriter has severally represented and agreed that it has not offered or sold any Notes or caused the Notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell any Notes or cause the Notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Notes, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA; or (ii) to an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) pursuant to and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA.

Italy

The offering of the Notes has not been registered with the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa (“CONSOB”) pursuant to Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, no Notes may be offered, sold or delivered, nor may copies of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or of any other document relating to any Notes be distributed in the Republic of Italy (“Italy”), except, in accordance with any Italian securities, tax and other applicable laws and regulations.

Each Underwriter has severally represented and agreed that it has not offered, sold or delivered, and will not offer, sell or deliver any Notes or distribute any copy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any other document relating to the Notes in Italy except:

(a) to qualified investors (investitori qualificati), as defined pursuant to Article 100 of Legislative Decree no. 58 of February 24, 1998 (the “Financial Services Act”) and Article 34-ter, paragraph 1, letter

 

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(b) of CONSOB regulation No. 11971 of May 14, 1999 (the “Issuers Regulation”), all as amended from time to time; or

(b) in other circumstances which are exempted from the rules on public offerings pursuant to Article 100 of the Financial Services Act and Issuers Regulation.

In any event, any offer, sale or delivery of the Notes or distribution of copies of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any other document relating to the Notes in Italy under paragraphs (a) or (b) above must be:

(i) made by an investment firm, bank or financial intermediary permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act, Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993 (the “Banking Act”) and CONSOB Regulation No. 20307 of February 15, 2018, all as amended from time to time;

(ii) in compliance with Article 129 of the Banking Act, as amended from time to time, and the implementing guidelines of the Bank of Italy, as amended from time to time; and

(iii) in compliance with any other applicable laws and regulations, including any limitation or requirement which may be imposed from time to time by CONSOB or the Bank of Italy or other competent authority.

Canada

Prospective Canadian investors are advised that the information contained within the preliminary prospectus and prospectus has not been prepared with regard to matters that may be of particular concern to Canadian investors. Accordingly, prospective Canadian investors should consult with their own legal, financial and tax advisers concerning the information contained within the preliminary prospectus and prospectus and as to the suitability of an investment in the Notes in their particular circumstances.

Each Underwriter has severally represented and agreed that the Notes may only be offered or sold in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Québec or to or for the benefit of a resident of these provinces pursuant to an exemption from the requirement to file a prospectus in such province in which such offer or sale is made, and only by a dealer duly registered under the applicable securities laws of that province or by a dealer that is relying in that province on the “international dealer” exemption provided by section 8.18 of National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations (NI 31103). Furthermore, the Notes may only be offered or sold to or for the benefit of a resident of any such province provided that such resident is purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal and is both an “accredited investor” as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (NI 45-106) or subsection 73.3 (1) of the Securities Act (Ontario) and a “permitted client” as defined in NI 31-103. By purchasing any Notes and accepting delivery of a purchase confirmation a purchaser is representing to the underwriters and the dealer from whom the purchase confirmation is received that it is an “accredited investor” and “permitted client” as defined above. The distribution of the Notes in Canada is being made on a private placement basis only and any resale of the Notes must be made in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws, which will vary depending on the relevant jurisdiction, and which may require resales to be made in accordance with prospectus and registration requirements or exemptions from the prospectus and registration requirements.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this preliminary prospectus or prospectus (including any amendment hereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

 

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Under Canadian securities law, National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105) provides disclosure requirements with respect to potential conflicts of interest between an issuer and underwriters, dealers or placement agents, as the case may be. To the extent any conflict of interest between us and any of the Underwriters (or any other placement agent acting in connection with this offering) may exist in respect of this offering, the applicable parties to this offering are relying on the exemption from these disclosure requirements provided to them by section 3A.3 of NI 33-105 (exemption based on U.S. disclosure).

Upon receipt of this prospectus, each Canadian purchaser hereby confirms that it has expressly requested that all documents evidencing or relating in any way to the sale of the securities described herein (including for greater certainty any purchase confirmation or any notice) be drawn up in the English language only. Par la réception de ce prospectus, chaque acheteur canadien confirme par les présentes qu’il a expressément exigé que tous les documents faisant foi ou se rapportant de quelque manière que ce soit à la vente des valeurs mobiliéres décrites aux présentes (incluant, pour plus de certitude, toute confirmation d’achat ou tout avis) soient rédigés en anglaise seulement.

Switzerland

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the Notes described herein. The Notes may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Notes constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other regulated trading facility in Switzerland or a simplified prospectus or a prospectus as such term is defined in the Swiss Collective Investment Scheme Act, and neither this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the Notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, nor the Issuer nor the Notes have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. The Notes are not subject to supervision by any Swiss regulatory authority (e.g., the Swiss Financial Markets Supervisory Authority (“FINMA”)), and investors in the Notes will not benefit from protection or supervision by such authority.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the Notes is being passed upon for us by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, New York, New York, and by Yoon & Yang LLC, Seoul, Korea. Certain legal matters will also be passed upon for the Underwriters by Linklaters LLP, Seoul, Korea. In giving their opinions, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and Linklaters LLP, Seoul, Korea may rely as to matters of Korean law upon the opinion of Yoon & Yang LLC.

OFFICIAL STATEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS

Our Chairman and President, in his official capacity, has supplied the information set forth in this prospectus supplement under “Recent Developments—The Export-Import Bank of Korea.” Such information is stated on his authority. The documents identified in the portion of this prospectus supplement captioned “Recent Developments—The Republic of Korea” as the sources of financial or statistical data are derived from official public documents of the Republic and of its agencies and instrumentalities.

GENERAL INFORMATION

We were established in 1976 as a special governmental financial institution pursuant to the Export-Import Bank of Korea Act, as amended. Our corporate registry number is 111235-0000158. Our authorized share capital is W25,000 billion. As of March 31, 2024, our paid-in capital was W14,873 billion.

Our board of directors can be reached at the address of our registered office: c/o 38 Eunhaeng-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07242, The Republic of Korea.

The issue of the Notes has been authorized by our Chairman and President on August 2, 2024. On August 28, 2024, our report on the proposed issuance of the Notes has been accepted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Korea.

The registration statement with respect to us and the Notes has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Additional information concerning us and the Notes is contained in the registration statement and post-effective amendments to such registration statement, including their various exhibits, which are available to the public from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. This website is maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and contains reports and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Notes have been accepted for clearance through DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream:

 

     CUSIP      ISIN  

20  Notes

  

 


     


 
  

 


     


 

20  Notes

  


 



     



 
  


 



     



 

Floating Rate Notes

  

 


     


 
  

 


     


 

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

US$7,556,498,627

The Export-Import Bank of Korea

Debt Securities

Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities

The Republic of Korea

Guarantees

 

 

We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated August 30, 2024.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Certain Defined Terms and Conventions

     1  

Use of Proceeds

     2  

The Export-Import Bank of Korea

     3  

Overview

     3  

Capitalization

     4  

Business

     5  

Selected Financial Statement Data

     7  

Operations

     10  

Description of Assets and Liabilities

     16  

Debt

     26  

Credit Policies, Credit Approval and Risk Management

     28  

Capital Adequacy

     29  

Overseas Operations

     30  

Property

     31  

Management and Employees

     31  

Tables and Supplementary Information

     32  

Financial Statements and the Auditors

     41  

The Republic of Korea

     134  

Land and History

     134  

Government and Politics

     136  

The Economy

     139  

Principal Sectors of the Economy

     146  

The Financial System

     154  

Monetary Policy

     159  

Balance of Payments and Foreign Trade

     163  

Government Finance

     170  

Debt

     173  

Tables and Supplementary Information

     176  

Description of the Securities

     179  

Description of Debt Securities

     179  

Description of Warrants

     185  

Terms Applicable to Debt Securities and Warrants

     186  

Description of Guarantees

     187  

Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Debt Securities and Bearer Warrants

     188  

Taxation

     189  

Korean Taxation

     189  

United States Tax Considerations

     192  

Plan of Distribution

     201  

Legal Matters

     202  

Authorized Representatives in the United States

     202  

Official Statements and Documents

     202  

Experts

     202  

Forward-Looking Statements

     203  

Further Information

     205  


Table of Contents

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS AND CONVENTIONS

All references to the “Bank”, “we”, “our” or “us” mean The Export-Import Bank of Korea. All references to “Korea” or the “Republic” contained in this prospectus mean The Republic of Korea. All references to the “Government” mean the government of Korea.

Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “won”, “Won” or “W” contained in this prospectus are to the currency of Korea, references to “U.S. dollars”, “Dollars”, “USD”, “$” or “US$” are to the currency of the United States of America, references to “Canadian Dollar” or “CAD” are to the currency of Canada, references to “Euro”, “EUR” or “€” are to the currency of the European Union, references to “Japanese Yen”, “JPY” or “¥” are to the currency of Japan, references to “Chinese Yuan” or “CNY” are to the currency of the People’s Republic of China, references to “Swiss Franc” or “CHF” are to the currency of Switzerland, references to “British Pound” or “GBP” are to the currency of the United Kingdom, references to “Hong Kong Dollar” or “HKD” are to the currency of Hong Kong, S.A.R., references to “Singapore dollar” or “SGD” are to the currency of Singapore, references to “Brazilian Real” or “BRL” are to the currency of Federative Republic of Brazil, references to “Mexican Peso” or “MXN” are to the currency of the United Mexican States, references to “New Zealand Dollar” or “NZD” are to the currency of New Zealand, references to “Thai Baht” or “THB” are to the currency of Thailand, references to “Australian Dollar” or “AUD” are to the currency of Australia, references to “Indian Rupee” or “INR” are to the currency of India, references to “Indonesian Rupiah” or “IDR” are to the currency of Indonesia, references to “Swedish Krona” or “SEK” are to the currency of Sweden, references to “South African Rand” or “ZAR” are to the currency of South Africa, references to “Norwegian Krone” or “NOK” are to the currency of Norway, references to “Peruvian Sol” or “PEN” are to the currency of Peru, references to “Polish Zloty” or “PLN” are to the currency of Poland and references to “Czech Koruna” or “CZK” are to the currency of the Czech Republic.

In this prospectus, where information has been prepared in thousands, millions or billions of units, amounts may have been rounded up or down. Accordingly, actual numbers may differ from those contained herein due to rounding. All discrepancies in any table between totals and the sums of the amounts listed are due to rounding.

Our separate financial statements and information included in this prospectus were prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by Korea (“Korean IFRS” or “K-IFRS”). References in this prospectus to “separate” financial statements and information are to financial statements and information prepared on a non-consolidated basis. Unless specified otherwise, our financial and other information included in this prospectus is presented on a separate basis in accordance with Korean IFRS and does not include such information with respect to our subsidiaries.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for our general operations.

 

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THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF KOREA

Overview

We were established in 1976 as a special governmental financial institution pursuant to the Export-Import Bank of Korea Act, as amended, or the KEXIM Act. Since our establishment, we have been promoting the export and competitiveness of Korean goods and services in international markets. To this end, we have introduced financing facilities and implemented lending policies that are responsive to the needs of Korean exporters.

Our primary purpose, as stated in the KEXIM Act, is to “promote the sound development of the national economy and economic cooperation with foreign countries by extending the financial aid required for export and import transactions, overseas investment and the development of natural resources abroad.” Over the years, we have developed various financing facilities and lending policies that are consistent with the Government’s overall economic policies. In the latter part of the 1980s, as a result of changing trade conditions and the increased internationalization of the Korean economy, overseas investment credits and import credits were promoted and began to constitute an important portion of our business. In recent years, we have focused on the development of new financing facilities, including structured financing for ships and project financing for the construction of industrial plants and the development of natural resources abroad.

As of December 31, 2023, we had W90,313 billion of outstanding loans, including W35,933 billion of outstanding export credits, W36,284 billion of outstanding overseas investment credits and W11,342 billion of outstanding import credits, as compared to W91,725 billion of outstanding loans, including W41,619 billion of outstanding export credits, W36,405 billion of outstanding overseas investment credits and W8,589 billion of outstanding import credits as of December 31, 2022.

Although our management has control of our day-to-day operations, our operations are subject to the close supervision of the Government. The Government’s determination each fiscal year regarding the amount of financial support to extend to us, in the form of contributions to capital or transfers of our income to reserves, plays an important role in determining our lending capacity. The Government has the power to appoint or dismiss our Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Senior Executive Director, Independent Directors and Auditor. Moreover, the Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic has, on behalf of the Republic, signed the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

The Government supports our operations pursuant to Article 37 of the KEXIM Act. Article 37 of the KEXIM Act provides that “the annual net losses of the Export-Import Bank of Korea shall be offset each year by the reserve, and if the reserve be insufficient, the Government shall provide funds to cover the deficit.” As a result of the KEXIM Act, the Government is generally responsible for our operations and is legally obligated to replenish any deficit that arises if our reserves, consisting of our surplus and capital surplus items, are insufficient to cover any of our annual net losses. In light of the above, if we have insufficient funds to make any payment under any of our obligations, including the debt securities covered by this prospectus, the Government would take appropriate steps, such as by making a capital contribution, by allocating funds or by taking other action, to enable us to make such payment when due. The provisions of Article 37 do not, however, constitute a direct guarantee by the Government of our obligations, and the provisions of the KEXIM Act, including Article 37, may be amended at any time by action of the National Assembly.

In January 2014, the Government amended the KEXIM Act to:

 

   

increase our authorized capital from W8,000 billion to W15,000 billion;

 

   

expand our operation scope that enables us, among other things, to invest in (i) funds intended to support export and import transactions by small and medium-sized enterprises and (ii) special purpose companies that carry out value added overseas development projects in a flexible way; and

 

   

reduce restrictions on our financing and investment activities by providing additional flexibility to us to cope with changes in market conditions.

 

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In March 2016, the Government amended the KEXIM Act to strengthen its enforcement powers by allowing:

 

   

the Minister of Economy and Finance to impose any necessary sanctions against our officers; and

 

   

the Financial Services Commission to request the Minister of Economy and Finance to apply sanctions against our employees.

In March 2024, the Government amended the KEXIM Act to increase our authorized capital from W15,000 billion to W25,000 billion in order to increase our financing of overseas large-scale projects in line with the Government’s policy objectives.

Capitalization

As of December 31, 2023, our authorized capital was W15,000 billion and our capitalization was as follows:

 

     December 31, 2023(1)  
     (billions of Won)  

Long-Term Debt (2)(3)(4)(5)(6):

  

Borrowings in Korean Won

   W —   

Borrowings in Foreign Currencies

     1,867  

Export-Import Financing Debentures

     47,393  
  

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Debt

   W 49,260  
  

 

 

 

Capital and Reserves:

  

Capital Stock(7)

   W 14,773  

Additional Paid-in-Capital

     —   

Capital Adjustments

     (143

Retained Earnings

     2,639  

Legal Reserve(8)

     540  

Voluntary Reserve(8)

     1,101  

Regulatory Reserve for Loan Losses(9)

     276  

Unappropriated Retained Earnings

     723  

Other Components of Equity(10)

     682  
  

 

 

 

Total Capital and Reserve

   W 17,951  
  

 

 

 

Total Capitalization

   W 67,211  

 

(1)

Except as described in this prospectus, there has been no material adverse change in our capitalization since December 31, 2023.

(2)

Consists of borrowings and debentures with maturities of more than a year remaining.

(3)

We have translated borrowings in foreign currencies as of December 31, 2023 into Won at the rate of W1,289.40 to US$1.00, which was the market average exchange rate as announced by the Seoul Money Brokerage Services Ltd., on December 29, 2023.

(4)

As of December 31, 2023, we had contingent liabilities totaling W54,579 billion, which consisted of W43,061 billion under outstanding guarantees and acceptances and W11,518 billion under contingent guarantees and acceptances issued on behalf of our clients. For further information relating to our contingent liabilities under outstanding guarantees as of December 31, 2023, see “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 36.”

(5)

As of December 31, 2023, we had entered into 506 interest rate-related derivative contracts with a notional amount of W73,694 billion and 844 currency-related derivative contracts with a notional amount of W48,247 billion in accordance with our policy to hedge interest rate and currency risks. See “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 20.”

(6)

See “—Description of Assets and Liabilities—Sources of Funding” for an explanation of these sources of funds. All our borrowings, whether domestic or international, are unsecured and unguaranteed.

(7)

As of December 31, 2023, our authorized ordinary share capital was W15,000 billion and issued fully-paid capital stock was W14,773 billion. See “—Business—Government Support and Supervision.”

 

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(8)

See “—Business—Government Support and Supervision” for a description of the manner in which annual net income is transferred to the legal reserve and may be transferred to the voluntary reserve.

(9)

If the estimated allowance for credit loss determined by K-IFRS for accounting purposes is lower than that for regulatory purposes as required by Regulation of Supervision of Banking Business, we reserve such difference as the regulatory reserve for loan losses. See “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 23.”

(10)

See “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 22.”

Business

Purpose and Authority

We were established in 1976 as a special governmental financial institution pursuant to the KEXIM Act. The KEXIM Act, the Enforcement Decree of the KEXIM Act, or the KEXIM Decree, and our Articles of Incorporation, or the By-laws, define and regulate our powers and authority. We are treated as a special juridical entity under Korean law and are not subject to certain laws regulating the activities of commercial banks.

We were established, as stated in the KEXIM Act, to “promote the sound development of the national economy and economic cooperation with foreign countries by extending the financial aid required for export and import transactions, overseas investment and the development of natural resources abroad.” As an instrument in serving the Government’s public policy objectives, we do not seek to maximize our profits. We do, however, strive to maintain an adequate level of profitability to strengthen our equity base in order to support the growth in the volume of our business.

Our primary purpose has been the provision of loans and guarantees to facilitate Korean companies’ exports and overseas investments and projects. Most of our activities have been carried out pursuant to this authority.

We have the authority to undertake a range of financial activities. These fall into four principal categories:

 

   

export credits;

 

   

overseas investment credits;

 

   

import credits; and

 

   

guarantee facilities.

Export credits include loans to facilitate Korean exports of capital and non-capital goods and technical and non-technical services. Overseas investment credits consist of loans to finance Korean overseas investments and projects. Import credits include the extension of loans to finance Korean imports of essential materials and natural resources. Guarantee facilities are made available to support the obligations of Korean exporters and importers.

We also have the authority to administer, on behalf of the Government, the Government’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund, the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund, formerly known as the South and North Korea Co-operation Fund, and the Supply Chain Resilience Fund.

We may also undertake other business activities incidental to the foregoing, including currency and interest rate swap transactions.

Government Support and Supervision

The Government’s determination each fiscal year, regarding the amount of financial support to extend to us, plays an important role in determining our lending capacity. Such support has included contributions to capital, loans and transfers of our income to reserves.

 

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Our authorized capital was W30 billion when the Government enacted the KEXIM Act in 1969. The National Assembly amended the KEXIM Act and increased our authorized capital to W150 billion in 1974, W500 billion in 1977, W1,000 billion in 1986, W2,000 billion in January 1998, W4,000 billion in September 1998, W8,000 billion in January 2009 and W15,000 billion in January 2014. In March 2024, the Government further increased our authorized capital to W25,000 billion.

As of December 31, 1996, the capital contribution from the Government was approximately W686 billion, all in cash. Since 1997, the Government has made capital contributions not only in cash but also in the form of shares of common stock of Government-affiliated entities. Recent examples include the Government’s contributions to our capital of (i) W26 billion, W30 billion, W578 billion, W110 billion, W29 billion, W160 billion and W25 billion in cash in May 2019, August 2019, July 2020, March 2021, April 2021, June 2021 and June 2022, respectively, and (ii) W125 billion in the form of shares of Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority in May 2017, W125 billion in the form of shares of Incheon Port Authority in May 2017, W1,167 billion in the form of shares of Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. in June 2017 and W2,000 billion in the form of shares of Korea Land and Housing Corporation in March 2023, in order to enhance our capacity to finance projects, including large-scale overseas development projects. Taking into account these capital contributions, our total capital stock was W14,773 billion as of December 31, 2023. Most recently, in March 2024, the Government contributed W100 billion in cash to our capital in order to enhance our capacity to operate a special account established to help improve and support the development and financing of infrastructure projects in developing countries.

Pursuant to the KEXIM Act, only the Government, The Korea Development Bank, The Bank of Korea, certain designated domestic banking institutions, exporters’ associations and international financial organizations may contribute to our capital stock. As of December 31, 2023, the Government directly owned 73% of our capital stock and indirectly owned, through The Bank of Korea and The Korea Development Bank, 8% and 19%, respectively, of our capital stock. See “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 1.”

In addition to contributions to our capital, the Government provides funding for our financing activities. The Government has made loans available to us for our lending activities. See “—Description of Assets and Liabilities—Sources of Funding.”

The Government also supports our operation pursuant to Articles 36 and 37 of the KEXIM Act. Article 36 of the KEXIM Act and the By-laws provide that we shall apply our net income earned during each fiscal year, after deduction of depreciation expense for such fiscal year, in the following manner and in order of priority:

 

   

first, at least 10% of such net income is transferred to our legal reserve until the total amount of our legal reserve equals the total amount of our capital stock;

 

   

second, if the Minister of Economy and Finance approves such distribution, the balance of any such net income, after such transfer to the legal reserve, is distributed to the institutions, other than the Government, that have contributed to our capital (up to a maximum 15% annual dividend rate); and

 

   

third, the remaining balance of any such net income is distributed in whatever manner our Operations Committee determines and the Minister of Economy and Finance approves, such as additions to our voluntary reserve.

Article 37 of the KEXIM Act provides that “the annual net losses of the Export-Import Bank of Korea shall be offset each year by the reserve, and if the reserve be insufficient, the Government shall provide funds to cover the deficit.” As a result of the KEXIM Act, the Government is generally responsible for our operations and is legally obligated to replenish any deficit that arises if our reserves are insufficient to cover any of our annual net losses. In light of this provision, if we have insufficient funds to make any payment under any of our obligations, the Government would take appropriate steps by making a capital contribution, by allocating funds or by taking other action to enable us to make such payment when due. The provisions of Article 37 do not, however,

 

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constitute a direct guarantee by the Government of our obligations, and the provisions of the KEXIM Act, including Article 37, may be amended at any time by action of the National Assembly.

The Government closely supervises our operations including in the following ways:

 

   

the President of the Republic appoints our Chief Executive Officer upon the recommendation of the Minister of Economy and Finance;

 

   

the Minister of Economy and Finance appoints our Deputy Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Executive Director upon the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer;

 

   

the Minister of Economy and Finance appoints our Auditor;

 

   

one month prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, we must submit our proposed program of operations and budget for the fiscal year to the Minister of Economy and Finance for his approval and immediately after the approval of the Minister of Economy and Finance, we must report such program to the National Assembly;

 

   

the Minister of Economy and Finance must approve our operating manual, which sets out guidelines for all principal operating matters, including the range of permitted financings;

 

   

the Board of Audit and Inspection, a Government department, examines our settlement of accounts annually;

 

   

each of the Minister of Economy and Finance and the Financial Services Commission has broad authority to require reports from us on any matter and to examine our books, records and other documents. On the basis of the reports and examinations, the Minister of Economy and Finance may issue any orders it deems necessary to enforce the KEXIM Act or delegate examinations to the Financial Services Commission;

 

   

the Financial Services Commission may supervise our operations to ensure managerial soundness based upon the KEXIM Decree and the Supervisory Regulations of Banking Business legislated by the Financial Services Commission and may issue orders deemed necessary for such supervision;

 

   

we must submit our annual report to the Ministry of Economy and Finance within three months following the end of each fiscal year and, upon request from the National Assembly during its annual audit period, to the National Assembly within ten days from the date of the request from the National Assembly, outlining our operations and analyzing our activities during the relevant fiscal year; and

 

   

we may amend our By-laws and operating manual only with the approval of the Minister of Economy and Finance.

Selected Financial Statement Data

Except where expressly indicated otherwise in this prospectus, loans in Won and loans in foreign currencies (each before deducting allowance for loan losses) are collectively referred to as “Loans”; bills bought, foreign exchange bought, advances for customers, call loans and interbank loans in foreign currencies (each before deducting allowance for loan losses) are collectively referred to as “Other Loans”; Loans and Other Loans are collectively referred to as “Loan Credits”; confirmed guarantees and acceptances are collectively referred to as “Guarantees”; and Loan Credits and Guarantees are collectively referred to as “Credit Exposure.”

 

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You should read the following selected financial statement data together with our separate financial statements and notes included in this prospectus.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2021      2022      2023  
                      
     (billions of Won)  

Income Statement Data

        

Total Interest Income

   W 1,746      W 3,071      W 5,856  

Total Interest Expense

     841        2,118        4,971  

Net Interest Income

     904        952        885  

Operating Income

     743        569        1,061  

Income before Income Tax

     746        571        1,061  

Income Tax Expense

     199        184        339  

Net Income

     548        387        723  

 

     As of December 31,  
     2022      2023  
               
     (billions of Won)  

Balance Sheet Data

     

Total Loan Credits(1)

   W 91,725      W 90,313  

Total Borrowings(2)

     97,904        98,789  

Total Assets

     122,070        125,394  

Total Liabilities

     106,634        107,444  

Total Shareholders’ Equity

     15,436        17,951  

 

(1)

Gross amount, including domestic usance bills, foreign currency bills bought, advance payments on acceptances and guarantees, call loans, interbank loans in foreign currency, private placement corporate bonds in local currency and others and before deducting allowance for loan losses and net deferred loan origination fees and costs. See “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 10.”

(2)

Includes debentures.

2023

We had net income of W723 billion in 2023 compared to W387 billion in 2022. The principal factors for the increase in net income included:

 

   

a change in net gain (loss) on hedging derivative assets to a net gain of W2,013 billion in 2023 from a net loss of W3,224 billion in 2022, due to a decrease in losses on hedging instruments to W843 billion in 2023 from W3,716 billion in 2022 and an increase in gains on hedging instruments to W2,856 billion in 2023 from W492 billion in 2022, which in turn was primarily due to continued volatility in exchange rates (including USD and BRL) and interest rates (including the USD 3-Month London Interbank Offered Rate, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate and the Australia 3-Month Bank Bill Swap Rate) in 2023 (see “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 27”); and

 

   

a change in net gain (loss) on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss to a net gain of W210 billion in 2023 from a net loss of W306 billion in 2022, primarily due to a change in valuation of trading derivatives to a net gain of W56 billion in 2023 from a net loss of W764 billion in 2022, which in turn resulted mainly from changes in exchange rates (including MXN, USD and EUR) and interest rates (including MXN TIIE 28D) between 2022 and 2023 that impacted the valuation of our various interest rate swap and cross-currency swap derivative products in 2023 (see “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 28”).

 

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These factors were in large part offset by:

 

   

a change in net other operating income (expenses) to net expenses of W931 billion in 2023 from net income of W3,173 billion in 2022, primarily due to change in net gain (loss) on fair value hedged items to a net loss of W928 billion in 2023 from a net gain of W3,165 billion in 2022 (see “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 30”); and

 

   

a change in net gain (loss) on foreign exchange transactions to a net loss of W1,063 billion in 2023 from a net gain of W515 billion in 2022, primarily due to increased volatility in exchange rates in 2023.

In addition, a 58.8% decrease in additional impairment loss on credit to W279 billion in 2023 from W678 billion in 2022, mainly reflecting a general improvement in the overall asset quality of our loan portfolio in 2023, in particular with regard to our large refinery project in the Middle East, contributed to the increase in net income.

For a description of our strategies and policies on derivative products, which we utilize primarily to hedge our risks relating to fluctuations in various foreign currencies and interest rates, see “—Description of Assets and Liabilities—Derivatives.”

As of December 31, 2023, our total assets increased by 2.7% to W125,394 billion from W122,070 billion as of December 31, 2022, primarily due to a 26.8% increase in cash and due from financial institutions to W12,591 billion as of December 31, 2023 from W9,931 billion as of December 31, 2022 and a 15.3% increase in financial investments to W15,413 billion as of December 31, 2023 from W13,364 billion as of December 31, 2022, the effects of which were offset in part by a 1.7% decrease in loans at amortized cost to W87,777 billion as of December 31, 2023 from W89,300 billion as of December 31, 2022.

As of December 31, 2023, our total liabilities increased by 0.8% to W107,444 billion from W106,634 billion as of December 31, 2022, primarily due to a 6.2% increase in debentures to W93,257 billion as of December 31, 2023 from W87,792 billion as of December 31, 2022, the effect of which was largely offset by a 45.3% decrease in borrowings to W5,532 billion as of December 31, 2023 from W10,113 billion as of December 31, 2022.

As of December 31, 2023, our total shareholders’ equity increased by 16.3% to W17,951 billion from W15,436 billion as of December 31, 2022, primarily due to a 15.7% increase in capital stock to W14,773 billion as of December 31, 2023 from W12,773 billion as of December 31, 2022 and a 28.7% increase in retained earnings to W2,639 billion as of December 31, 2023 from W2,051 billion as of December 31, 2022.

2022

We had net income of W387 billion in 2022 compared to W548 billion in 2021. The principal factors for the decrease in net income included:

 

   

a 107.1% increase in net loss on hedging derivative assets to W3,224 billion in 2022 from W1,556 billion in 2021, primarily due to an increase in losses on hedging instruments to W3,716 billion in 2022 from W1,745 billion in 2021, resulting from increased volatility in exchange rates and interest rates in 2022;

 

   

a change in net gain (loss) on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss to a net loss of W306 billion in 2022 from a net gain of W127 billion in 2021, primarily due to an increase in net loss on valuation of trading derivatives to W764 billion in 2022 from W140 billion in 2021; and

 

   

an 84.0% increase in additional impairment loss on credit to W678 billion in 2022 from W368 billion in 2021, mainly reflecting a deterioration in the overall asset quality of our loan portfolio due to the general downturn of the economy in Korea and globally in 2022.

 

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These factors were in large part offset by a 166.4% increase in net other operating income to W3,173 billion in 2022 from W1,191 billion in 2021, primarily due to an increase in net gain on fair value hedged items to W3,165 billion in 2022 from W1,232 billion in 2021.

As of December 31, 2022, our total assets increased by 20.3% to W122,070 billion from W101,452 billion as of December 31, 2021, primarily due to a 15.3% increase in loans at amortized cost to W89,300 billion as of December 31, 2022 from W77,458 billion as of December 31, 2021, and to lesser extents, a 122.5% increase in cash and due from financial institutions to W9,931 billion as of December 31, 2022 from W4,463 billion as of December 31, 2021 and a 60.6% increase in financial assets at fair value through profit or loss to W4,173 billion as of December 31, 2022 from W2,598 billion as of December 31, 2021.

As of December 31, 2022, our total liabilities increased by 23.9% to W106,634 billion from W86,099 billion as of December 31, 2021, primarily due to a 14.8% increase in debentures to W87,792 billion as of December 31, 2022 from W76,486 billion as of December 31, 2021 and an 81.3% increase in borrowings to W10,113 billion as of December 31, 2022 from W5,577 billion as of December 31, 2021, which increases were mainly attributable to our preemptive measures to obtain financing in light of adverse global market conditions and an increase in demand for funding from our borrowers.

As of December 31, 2022, our total shareholders’ equity increased by 0.5% to W15,436 billion from W15,353 billion as of December 31, 2021, primarily due to a 10.5% increase in retained earnings to W2,051 billion as of December 31, 2022 from W1,856 billion as of December 31, 2021 and a 0.2% increase in capital stock to W12,773 billion as of December 31, 2022 from W12,748 billion as of December 31, 2021, the effects of which were offset in part by a change in gains (losses) on debt securities at fair value through other comprehensive income to a loss of W214 billion as of December 31, 2022 from a gain of W18 billion as of December 31, 2021.

Operations

Loan Operations

Our primary objective since our establishment has been to promote the export and competitiveness of Korean goods and services in international markets. To this end, we have introduced various financing facilities and implemented lending policies that are responsive to the needs of Korean exporters and foreign importers. Over the years, we have also developed financing facilities and lending policies that are consistent with the Government’s overall economic policies. In the latter part of the 1980s, as a result of changing trade conditions and the increased internationalization of the Korean economy, overseas investment credits and import credits were promoted and began to constitute an important portion of our business. Our lending programs include (1) export credits to Korean exporters or foreign buyers of Korean goods and services, (2) overseas investment credits to Korean firms and (3) import credits to Korean importers.

Before approving a credit, we consider:

 

   

economic benefits to the Republic;

 

   

the industry’s rank in the order of priorities established by the Government’s export-import policy;

 

   

credit risk associated with the loans to be extended; and

 

   

the goal of diversifying our lending activities.

The KEXIM Act and the By-laws provide that we may extend credit only where repayment “is considered probable.” Accordingly, we carefully investigate the financial position of each prospective borrower and the technical and financial aspects of the project to be financed, and a loan is made only if we believe there is reasonable assurance of repayment. See “—Credit Policies, Credit Approval and Risk Management—Credit Approval.”

In 2023, we provided Loans of W60,848 billion, an increase of 3% from the previous year, and our commitments of Loans amounted to W61,137 billion, a decrease of 6% from the previous year. The increase in disbursements of

 

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Loans was primarily attributable to increased demand from the shipbuilding industry and the decrease in commitments for Loans was primarily attributable to decreased demand from the industrial plants industry within the overseas investment credits category.

The following table sets out the total amounts of our outstanding Loan Credits, categorized by type of credit:

 

     As of December 31,      As % of
2023 Total
 
     2022      2023  
                      
     (billions of Won)  

Export Credits

     

Industrial Plants

   W 12,080      W 8,742        10

Shipbuilding

     6,964        7,020        8

Ferrous & nonferrous metal products

     2,753        1,642        2

Petrochemical products

     4,002        3,615        4

Automobiles

     3,116        2,632        3

Electronic machineries

     3,864        3,903        4

Others(1)

     8,839        8,379        9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sub-total

     41,619        35,933        40
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Overseas Investment Credits

     36,405        36,284        40

Import Credits

     8,589        11,342        13

Others(2)

     5,106        6,749        7

Present Value Premium/Discount

     6        5        0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Loan Credits

   W 91,725      W 90,313        100

 

(1)

Includes general machinery, service sector, etc.

(2)

Includes call loans, loans for Inter-bank loans in foreign currency, advances for customers, etc.

Source: Internal accounting records

The following table sets out our new loan commitments, categorized by type of credit:

New Loan Credit Commitments by Type of Credit

 

     As of December 31,      As % of
2023 Total
 
     2022      2023  
                      
     (billions of Won)  

Export Credits

     

Industrial Plants

   W 1,114      W 2,848        5

Shipbuilding

     4,776        5,112        8

Ferrous & nonferrous metal products

     2,028        2,471        4

Petrochemical products

     4,822        4,972        8

Automobiles

     3,134        2,898        5

Electronic machineries

     4,024        5,200        9

Others(1)

     11,850        13,173        22
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sub-total

     31,749        36,674        60

Overseas Investment Credits

     22,715        12,510        20

Import Credits

     10,705        11,953        20

Others

     0        0        0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 65,169      W 61,137        100

 

(1)

Includes general machinery, service sector, etc.

Source: Internal accounting records

Export Credits

We offer export credits to either domestic suppliers or foreign buyers to finance export transactions.

 

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Export Credits to domestic suppliers include:

 

   

export loans to Korean exporters that export capital goods such as ships, industrial plants and machinery;

 

   

pre-shipment credit to Korean exporters or manufacturers producing export products;

 

   

technical service credit to Korean companies that export technical services abroad, including overseas construction projects;

 

   

short-term trade financing to Korean exporters that manufacture export goods under short-term export contracts;

 

   

small business export credit to small and medium-sized enterprises that manufacture export goods or supply materials needed by their primary exporters;

 

   

rediscount on trade bills to domestic commercial banks for exporters;

 

   

forfaiting to Korean exporters by discounting trade bills under the usance line of credit from export transactions on a non-recourse basis; and

 

   

export factoring to Korean exporters by discounting trade receivables that occurs from open account export transactions on credit on a non-recourse basis.

Export credits to foreign buyers include:

 

   

direct loans to foreign buyers that purchase Korean goods and services;

 

   

project finance to foreign companies that intend to import industrial plants, facilities and technical services from Korea for large-scale projects, of which the cash flows from such projects are the main source for repayment;

 

   

structured finance to foreign shipping companies that purchase ships from Korean shipyards, of which the repayment usually depends on the cash flows generated by the operation of ships; and

 

   

interbank export loans to creditworthy banks in foreign countries to help foreign buyers obtain credit for the purchase of goods and services of Korean origin.

As of December 31, 2023, export credits in the amount of W35,933 billion represented 40% of our total outstanding Loan Credits. Our disbursements of export credits in 2023 amounted to W33,562 billion, an increase of 6% from the previous year, and our new commitments of export credits in 2023 amounted to W36,674 billion, an increase of 16% from the previous year.

We offer export credits to Korean companies in order to provide them with the funds required for the manufacture or construction of capital and non-capital goods and readying of technical services designated in our operating manual for export. Capital goods eligible for export credit financings currently include ships, industrial plants, industrial machinery and overseas construction projects. With respect to eligible items supported by our export credits, ships as well as industrial plants have traditionally had some of the largest shares of our export credit operations.

We offer export loans and technical service credits to domestic suppliers at fixed (no less than the Commercial Interest Reference Rate under the OECD Arrangement (as defined below)) or floating rates of interest with maturities of up to 12 years for ships and maturities of varying terms, from two to 22 years, for financings of other eligible items. We typically require a minimum down payment of 20% of the contract amount for ship export financings and a minimum down payment of 15% for financings of other eligible items. When the credit rating of a prospective borrower does not meet our internal rating criteria, these export credits are secured by promissory notes issued in connection with the relevant transaction, or letters of guarantees or letters of credit issued or confirmed by a creditworthy international bank or the importer’s government or central bank. Other

 

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terms and conditions under such export credit facilities must be in accordance with the Arrangement on Guidelines for Officially Supported Export Credits by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or the OECD Arrangement. We offer direct loans to foreign buyers, project finance to project companies and structured finance for ships to foreign shipping companies under similar terms and conditions as export credit financings to domestic suppliers. We offer interbank export loans to overseas banks to facilitate imports by foreign importers of Korean manufactured goods. Interbank export loans are offered at fixed or floating rates of interest with maturities of up to ten years.

Overseas Investment Credits

We extend overseas investment credits to either Korean companies or foreign companies in which a Korean company has an equity share, to finance investments in eligible overseas businesses and projects. Such financing programs include:

 

   

overseas investment credit to Korean companies that invest abroad in the form of capital subscription, acquisition of stocks and long-term credit;

 

   

overseas project credit to Korean companies or their overseas subsidiaries engaging in businesses outside Korea;

 

   

major resources development credit to Korean companies for development of natural resources and acquisition of mining rights abroad; and

 

   

overseas business credit to foreign companies in which Korean companies have an equity stake, in the form of funds for purchasing equipment or working capital.

As of December 31, 2023, overseas investment credits amounted to W36,284 billion, representing 40% of our total outstanding Loan Credits. Our disbursements of overseas investment credits in 2023 amounted to W13,528 billion, a decrease of 16% from the previous year, and our new commitments of overseas investment credits in 2023 amounted to W12,510 billion, a decrease of 45% from the previous year.

Proposals for overseas investment credits to finance the acquisition of important materials or the development of natural resources for the Korean economy, as determined by the Government, are given priority, together with projects that promote the export of Korean goods and services. As a result, projects financed by our overseas investment credit program have been mainly in the fields of manufacturing or development of natural resources.

We offer overseas investment credits at either fixed or floating rates of interest with maturities up to 30 years. Such facilities may require security in the form of a bank guarantee, pledge or mortgage on the borrower’s local assets. Depending upon the size of the borrower, we will provide up to 100% of the financing required for the overseas investment project.

Import Credits

We offer import credits to Korean companies that directly import essential materials, natural resources and high-technology materials whose stable and timely supply is required for the growth of the national economy, maintenance of financial stability and quality of life, and promotion of exports and employment, or to Korean companies that import such items after developing them overseas.

As of December 31, 2023, import credits in the amount of W11,342 billion represented 13% of our total outstanding Loan Credits. Our disbursements of import credits in 2023 amounted to W13,758 billion, an increase of 23% from the previous year, and our new commitments of import credits in 2023 amounted to W11,953 billion, an increase of 12% from the previous year.

 

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We offer import credits at either fixed or floating rates of interest with maturities up to ten years for equipment and machinery and shorter maturities of up to two years for other items, which may require security in the form of a bank guarantee, pledge or mortgage on the borrower’s local assets. We generally provide up to 80% of the import contract amount, but provide up to 90% of the import contract amount in the case of small and medium-sized enterprises and up to 100% for transactions with a letter of credit opened by a bank.

Guarantee Operations

We provide guarantees in favor of Korean commercial banks and foreign banks or foreign importers in respect of the obligations of Korean exporters in order to facilitate export and import financings. Such guarantee programs for Korean exporters and importers include (1) financial guarantees to co-financing banks that provide loans for transactions that satisfy our eligibility requirements and (2) project-related guarantees to foreign importers for the performance of Korean exporters on eligible projects in the form of bid bonds, advance payment bonds, performance bonds and retention bonds. Guarantee commitments as of December 31, 2023 increased to W54,579 billion from W53,388 billion as of December 31, 2022. Guarantees we had confirmed as of December 31, 2023 increased to W43,061 billion from W39,373 billion as of December 31, 2022.

We mainly issue project-related guarantees, which include:

 

   

advance payment guarantees that are issued to overseas importers of Korean goods and services to support obligations to refund down payments made to Korean exporters in the event of a failure to deliver the goods to be exported; and

 

   

performance guarantees that are issued to foreign importers to support the performance by Korean exporters of their contractual obligations.

In 2023, we issued project-related confirmed guarantees in the amount of W9,182 billion, a decrease of 23% from the previous year, which was primarily attributable to a decrease in demand from the industrial plants and others categories.

We also issue letters of credit to foreign exporters to assist in the financing of projects approved in connection with import credit loans, and to Korean exporters to assist in the financing of projects approved in connection with export credit loans.

For further information regarding our guarantee and letter of credit operations, see “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 36.”

Government Account Operations

Economic Development Cooperation Fund

In 1987, the Government established the Economic Development Cooperation Fund, or the EDCF, to provide loans, at concessional interest rates, to governments or agencies of developing countries for projects that contribute to industrial development or economic stabilization of such countries. We administer the EDCF on behalf of the Government and are responsible for project appraisal, documentation and administrative work relating to the EDCF Loans. The EDCF business accounts are maintained separately from our own account on behalf of the Government, and we derive no separate income or expenditures from our operation of the EDCF business. Government contributions constitute the primary funding source of the EDCF. Loan disbursements by the EDCF in 2023 amounted to W1,396 billion for 126 projects in 34 countries, an increase of 15% from the previous year. As of December 31, 2023, the total outstanding loans extended by the EDCF was W11,806 billion, an increase of 9% from the previous year.

 

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Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund

In 1991, the Government established the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund, or the IKCF, to promote mutual exchanges and cooperation between the Republic and North Korea by engaging in funding and financing activities to support family reunions, cultural events, academic seminars, trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. We administer the IKCF under the initiative and policy coordination of the Ministry of Unification. The IKCF accounts are maintained separately from our own account on behalf of the Government. Government contributions are the major funding source of the IKCF. The IKCF disbursements during 2023 amounted to W22 billion for 22 projects, and the cumulative total disbursements as of December 31, 2023 were W7,208 billion, an increase of 0.3% from W7,185 billion as of December 31, 2022.

Supply Chain Resilience Fund

In December 2023, the National Assembly passed the Framework Act on Supply Chain Stabilization Support for Economic Security, or the Supply Chain Stabilization Act, in order to establish effective and systematic measures against various supply chain-related risks, in light of prolonged disruptions to the global supply chain that have had a negative impact on the Korean economy in recent years. Some of these measures include a cross-governmental response system that would get promptly activated in case of emergencies resulting from supply chain disruptions and various ways to proactively enhance the stability of global supply chains, for example, by supporting Korean companies through the Supply Chain Resilience Fund, or the SCRF.

The Supply Chain Stabilization Act, which is scheduled to become effective in June 2024, mandates that we administer and operate the SCRF whose funds will be used primarily to achieve the main objectives of the Supply Chain Stabilization Act, including measures that can contribute to achieving economic stability, such as securing essential materials, natural resources and high-technology materials required for the national economy, supporting investments in facilities and development of technologies, and providing support for businesses adversely affected by supply chain disruptions.

We plan to administer and operate the SCRF in accordance with the Supply Chain Stabilization Act and under the guidance, as to basic policies, of the Supply Chain Committee to be composed of government officials and industry experts, and headed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic. The SCRF account, which will be maintained separately from our own account, will be funded mainly through our issuances of Won-denominated and foreign currency-denominated notes to be guaranteed by the Government. In February 2024, the National Assembly approved a Government guarantee up to W5 trillion of SCRF notes to be issued in 2024, and relevant amendments to the KEXIM Act are expected to be made at the end of June 2024.

Other Operations

We engage in various other activities related to our financing activities.

Activities in which we currently engage include:

 

   

country information services performed by the Overseas Economic Research Institute, which conducts country studies and country risk evaluation to assist in the efficient utilization of our financial resources;

 

   

export credit advisory services, which are aimed at bringing about a larger share of overseas bidding by giving Korean exporters a wide range of knowledge on the country, industry, market and financial situation of the importing country in the early stage of the tendering process or contract negotiations;

 

   

consulting services by in-house professionals including lawyers, accountants and regional experts who consult on international transactions; and

 

   

management of Korea’s foreign direct investment database.

 

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Description of Assets and Liabilities

Total Credit Exposure

We extend credits to support export and import transactions, overseas investment projects and other relevant products in various forms including loans and guarantees.

The following table sets out our Credit Exposure as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, categorized by type of exposure extended:

 

         As of December 31,  
         2022     2023  
                              
         (billions of Won, except for percentages)  
A    Loans in Won   W 28,690       22   W 27,872       21
B    Loans in Foreign Currencies     56,744       44     54,350       41
C    Loans (A+B)     85,434       66     82,222       63
D    Other Loans     6,290       5     8,092       6
E    Loan Credits (C+D)     91,725       71     90,313       69
F    Allowances for Loan Losses     (2,013     (2 )%      (2,051     (2 )% 
G    Loan Credits including allowance for loan losses (E-F)     89,712       69     88,262       67
H    Guarantees     39,373       31     43,061       33
I    Credit Exposure (G+H)     129,085       100     131,323       100

Loan Credits by Geographic Area

The following table sets out the total amount of our outstanding Loan Credits as of December 31, 2022 and 2023, categorized by geographic area (1):

 

     As of December 31,(1)      As % of
2023 Total
 
     2022      2023  
                      
     (billions of Won)  

Asia(2)

   W 72,452      W 79,827        88

Europe

     10,281        6,163        7

America

     7,400        3,260        4

Africa

     1,591        1,063        1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 91,725      W 90,313        100

 

(1)

For purposes of this table, export credits have been allocated to the geographic areas in which the foreign buyers of Korean exports are located; overseas investment credits have been allocated to the geographic areas in which the overseas investments being financed are located; and import credits have been allocated to the geographic areas in which the sellers of the imported goods are located.

(2)

Includes Australia and the Middle East.

Source: Internal accounting records

Economic Sanctions

The U.S. government, including the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, administers and enforces certain laws and regulations, or U.S. primary sanctions, that prohibit or restrict dealings with or related to certain designated countries and territories, governments, entities and individuals, and entities majority-owned by such parties, that take place within U.S. jurisdiction. U.S. primary sanctions include territorial sanctions that broadly prohibit transactions or dealings with or in designated countries and jurisdictions (currently, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, the Crimea region of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic); blocking sanctions that generally prohibit transactions or dealings with or involving blocked persons or the property or interests in property of a blocked person; and non-blocking sanctions that prohibit or restrict specific kinds of transactions or dealings, including, for example,

 

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dealings in debt or equity issued by certain designated parties. For example, Iran currently is and has been subject to U.S. territorial sanctions. In addition, as a result of the ongoing conflict involving Ukraine, the United States, along with the European Union, the United Kingdom, Korea, Singapore and other major jurisdictions, has adopted new, additional and/or enhanced sanctions on Russia. Although U.S. primary sanctions generally are not applicable to non-U.S. persons (although certain U.S. primary sanctions programs do apply to the non-U.S. subsidiaries of U.S. companies), non-U.S. persons can be held liable for violations of U.S. primary sanctions to the extent they participate in prohibited transactions or dealings within U.S. jurisdiction (including, for example, transactions or dealings involving U.S. goods or services, U.S. persons, or U.S. dollar payments). Violations of U.S. primary sanctions can result in substantial civil or, in the case of willful violations, criminal penalties.

In addition to U.S. primary sanctions, the United States maintains so-called “secondary sanctions” that authorize the U.S. government to impose a variety of sanctions, including blocking sanctions, on non-U.S. parties that engage in targeted activities, including, for example, certain dealings relating to Iran and Russia or blocked persons, outside of U.S. jurisdiction. The imposition of U.S. secondary sanctions is not automatic, and instead requires specific action by the U.S. government. In practice, U.S. secondary sanctions are highly discretionary and may be strongly influenced by political considerations, and accordingly, are difficult to predict. Our business and reputation could be adversely affected, for example, if the U.S. government were to determine that our activities, or the activities of any of our counterparties, involve sanctionable activity under U.S. secondary sanctions.

In addition, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Korea, Singapore and other major jurisdictions administer and enforce their own sanctions programs that target certain countries and territories, governments, entities and individuals in varying respects that we or certain of our dealings may be subject to.

Furthermore, we are aware, through press reports and other means, of initiatives by certain governmental entities and institutions in the United States, such as universities and pension funds, to adopt laws, regulations or policies prohibiting transactions with or investment in, or requiring divestment from, entities doing business with or related to certain countries, including Iran. For the reasons discussed below, it is possible that such initiatives may result in our being unable to gain or retain entities subject to such prohibitions as customers or as investors in our debt securities. In addition, our reputation may suffer due to our association with Iran and Russia. Such a result could have significant adverse effects on our business or the price of our debt securities.

We currently have no active dealings related to Iran and did not have any loans outstanding to Iran as of December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Our business previously included activities related to Iran consisting solely of the extension of credit and financing provided in connection with the export of Korean goods and services to Iran and the disbursement of Iran-related credits directly to Korean suppliers or exporters. These transactions did not involve any U.S. jurisdictional nexus, and such transactions were subject to policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable Korean laws and regulations, including sanctions.

We engage in limited business related to Russia, including dealings with the government of the Russian Federation under a legacy loan arrangement, the extension of credit to two Russian financial institutions that have been designated for U.S. (but not Singaporean) blocking sanctions and three guarantee arrangements involving three Russian companies that are currently subject to U.S. (but not Singaporean) sanctions.

As of December 31, 2023, the government of the Russian Federation owed us approximately US$32 million pursuant to a legacy loan arrangement resulting from a commodity loan we extended to Vnesheconombank, formerly the Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of the Soviet Union and now the Russian Federation state development corporation, in the early 1990s. The loan was initially guaranteed by the government of the Soviet Union; the guarantee was subsequently assumed by the government of the Russian Federation. Our dealings under the loan arrangement are formally with the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation, which has been designated for various sanctions, including U.S. sanctions. As of December 31, 2023, the government of the Russian Federation has paid back approximately 89.3% of the loan. The loan is classified as precautionary in terms of asset quality (based on previous repayment activity and our internal credit rating system). The

 

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provisioning level we established for the credit exposure as of December 31, 2023 was 12.2%. Dealings with the government of the Russian Federation under the loan arrangement have historically included payments in U.S. dollars involving U.S. financial institutions. In February 2022, we paused all dealings (including any payments under the loan arrangement) with the government of the Russian Federation. In December 2022, we accepted a one-time payment of US$10 million from the government of the Russian Federation under the loan arrangement that was specifically authorized by OFAC. Besides that one-time payment, our dealings with the government of the Russian Federation remain paused. We are continuing to evaluate the loan arrangement, including compliance with applicable sanctions.

Our arrangements with two Russian financial institutions, which involve the extension of credit and have historically included dealings in U.S. dollars involving U.S. financial institutions, were all in place prior to February 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the two Russian financial institutions owed us approximately US$200 million. The provisioning level we established for that credit exposure as of December 31, 2023 was 99.9%. In 2022, we paused all dealings with the Russian financial institutions, and such dealings remain paused, meaning we have not engaged in any additional dealings (including any payments under the credit arrangements) with the Russian financial institutions since June 2022 and we are currently unable to accept any payments from the Russian financial institutions under the credit arrangements. We are continuing to evaluate these credit arrangements, including compliance with applicable sanctions.

We entered into a guarantee arrangement in 2020 that involves a Russian company that became subject to U.S. blocking sanctions in 2023. To date, we have made no payments to the Russian company under the guarantee arrangement. Our maximum liability under the guarantee arrangement, which will expire in 2025, is less than EUR 2 million.

Similarly, we have two legacy guarantee arrangements from 2020 and 2022 with non-sanctioned Japanese and Korean companies that involve Russian companies that subsequently became subject to U.S. blocking sanctions. Our maximum liability under each guarantee arrangement is approximately US$350 million and US$421 million, respectively. To date, we have made no payments to the Russian companies under either of the guarantee arrangements, and all transactions have been paused with respect to these agreements since the designation of the relevant Russian companies. We are continuing to evaluate the above guarantee arrangements, including compliance with applicable sanctions.

We believe that the above dealings have been conducted at all times in full compliance with applicable sanctions. We do not have any other dealings with the government of the Russian Federation, any Russian Federation government stated-owned entities, or any other sanctioned Russian parties.

Individual Exposure

The KEXIM Decree imposes limits on our aggregate credits extended to a single person or business group, with which requirements we are in compliance as of the date hereof. However, our large exposure to various business groups in Korea means that we are also exposed to financial difficulties experienced by our borrowers as a result of, among other things, adverse economic conditions in Korea and globally. For example, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Korean economy, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and ensuing actions taken by the United States and other countries, increases in policy interest rates globally (including Korea) to combat rising inflationary pressures, and more recently, the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East following the Israel-Hamas war, have had, and may continue to have, an adverse impact on the business, activities and operations of many of our borrowers, including large business groups, which in turn could have an adverse impact on the ability of our borrowers to meet existing payment or other obligations to us. See “The Republic of Korea—The Economy—Worldwide Economic and Financial Difficulties.” A continued deterioration in the financial condition of our borrowers could result in a deterioration in the quality of our loan portfolio, which in turn could result in an increase in delinquency ratios, increased charge-offs and higher provisioning, as well as an increase in impairment losses on such loans, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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As of December 31, 2023, our largest Credit Exposure was to Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd., or DSME) in the amount of W5,401 billion. As of December 31, 2023, our second largest and third largest Credit Exposures, respectively, were to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. in the amount of W4,388 billion and to Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. in the amount of W4,122 billion.

The following table sets out our five largest Credit Exposures as of December 31, 2023(1):

 

Rank

  

Name of Borrower

   Loan Credits      Guarantees      Total  
                           
          (billions of Won)  
1    Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd.    W   584      W 4,817      W 5,401  
2    HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.      110        4,278        4,388  
3    Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.      1,139        2,983        4,122  
4    Hanwha Aerospace Co., Ltd.      502        1,639        2,141  
5    SK hynix Inc.      1,914        0        1,914  

 

(1)

Excludes loans and guarantees extended to affiliates.

Source: Internal accounting records.

In recent years, DSME (now Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd.), one of the largest shipbuilding and offshore construction companies in Korea, suffered from financial difficulties primarily due to significant losses incurred in connection with the construction of offshore plants resulting from a prolonged slowdown in the global shipbuilding industry. In October 2015, we announced that we, along with The Korea Development Bank, plan to provide financial support to DSME, including provision of liquidity support of up to W4.2 trillion. In December 2016, in a bid to improve DSME’s capital structure, we exchanged a term loan in the amount of W1 trillion provided by us to DSME for perpetual bonds newly issued by DSME, while The Korea Development Bank engaged in debt-for-equity swaps amounting to W1.8 trillion. In March 2017, we and The Korea Development Bank announced a second joint plan to provide an additional W2.9 trillion in financial support to DSME, which was approved by the other creditors in April 2017. Based on such plan, we exchanged a term loan in the amount of W1.28 trillion provided by us to DSME for perpetual bonds issued by DSME and The Korea Development Bank provided additional debt-to-equity swaps of W0.3 trillion in June 2017. Other creditors also provided debt-to-equity swaps for up to 80% of their debt with DSME and rescheduled the maturities of the remainder. Subsequently, in March 2019, HHI entered into a definitive agreement with The Korea Development Bank to acquire DSME. In January 2022, however, the European Commission announced that it would not grant approval for such acquisition due to anti-competition concerns for LNG carriers. In December 2022, Hanwha Group entered into a definitive agreement with The Korea Development Bank to acquire a 49.3% equity stake in DSME for approximately W2 trillion, which has since received regulatory approval from all relevant jurisdictions. The acquisition closed in May 2023, upon which DSME became an affiliate of Hanwha Group and changed its name to Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd.

Asset Quality

The Supervisory Regulation of Banking Business, or the Supervisory Regulation, legislated by the Financial Services Commission requires banks, including us, to analyze and classify their credits into one of five categories as normal, precautionary, substandard, doubtful or estimated loss by taking into account borrowers’ repayment capacity as well as a number of other factors including the financial position, profitability, transaction history of the relevant borrower and the value of any collateral or guarantee taken as security for the extension of credit. Categorizations are applied to all loans except call loans and interbank loans, which are classified as normal. Credit categorizations are as follows:

 

Normal

  Credits extended to customers which, in consideration of their business and operations, financial conditions and future cash flows, do not raise concerns regarding their ability to repay the credits.

 

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Precautionary

  Credits extended to customers (1) which, in consideration of their business and operations, financial conditions and future cash flows, are judged to have potential risks with respect to their ability to repay the credits in the future, although there have not occurred any immediate risks of default in repayment; or (2) which are in arrears for one month or more but less than three months.

Substandard

  (1) Credits extended to customers, which in consideration of their business and operations, financial conditions and future cash flows, are judged to have incurred considerable risks for default in repayment as the customers’ ability to repay has deteriorated; or (2) that portion which is expected to be collected of total credits (a) extended to customers which have been in arrears for three months or more, (b) extended to customers which are judged to have incurred serious risks due to the occurrence of final refusal to pay their promissory notes, liquidation or bankruptcy proceedings, or closure of their businesses or (c) of “Doubtful Customers” or “Estimated-loss Customers” (each as defined below).

Doubtful

  That portion of credits in excess of the amount expected to be collected of total credits extended to (1) customers, or Doubtful Customers, which, in consideration of their business and operations, financial conditions and future cash flows, are judged to have incurred serious risks of default in repayment due to noticeable deterioration in their ability to repay; or (2) customers which have been in arrears for three months or more but less than twelve months.

Estimated Loss

  That portion of credits in excess of the amount expected to be collected of total credits extended to (1) customers, or Estimated-loss Customers, which, in consideration of their business and operations, financial conditions and future cash flows, are judged to have to be accounted as a loss as the inability to repay became certain due to serious deterioration in their ability to repay; (2) customers which have been in arrears for twelve months or more; or (3) customers which are judged to have incurred serious risks of default in repayment due to the occurrence of final refusal to pay their promissory notes, liquidation or bankruptcy proceedings, or closure of their businesses.

Under K-IFRS, we establish provisions for credit losses with respect to loans using either a case-by-case or collective approach. We assess individually significant loans on a case-by-case basis and other loans on a collective basis. In addition, if we determine that no objective evidence of impairment exists for a loan, we include such loan in a group of loans with similar credit risk characteristics and assess them collectively for impairment regardless of whether such loan is significant. If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss has been incurred for individually significant loans, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the financial asset’s carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at such asset’s original effective interest rate. Future cash flows are estimated through a case-by-case analysis of individually assessed assets, which takes into account the benefit of any guarantee or other collateral held. The value and timing of future cash flow receipts are based on available estimates in conjunction with facts available at the time of review and reassessed on a periodic basis as new information becomes available. For collectively assessed loans, we base the level of provisions for credit losses on a portfolio basis in light of the homogenous nature of the assets included in each portfolio. The provisions are determined based on a quantitative review of the relevant portfolio, taking into account such factors as the level of arrears, the value of any security, and historical and projected cash recovery trends over the recovery period. For more detailed information regarding our loan loss provisioning policy, see “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 3(7).”

 

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Asset Classifications

The following table provides information on our loan loss reserves:

 

     As of December 31, 2022      As of December 31, 2023  
     Loan
Amount(1)
     Loan
Loss
Reserve(2)(3)
     Loan
Amount(1)
     Loan
Loss
Reserve(2)(3)
 
                             
     (billions of Won)  

Normal

   W 159,106      W 808      W 180,006      W 2,463  

Precautionary

     11,754        1,448        886        291  

Sub-standard

     516        349        1,138        773  

Doubtful

     848        726        13        13  

Estimated Loss

     123        100        230        213  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 172,347      W 3,432      W 182,274      W 3,753  

 

(1)

These figures include loans (excluding interbank loans and call loans), domestic usance bills, bills bought, notes bought, advances for customers, confirmed and unconfirmed acceptances and guarantees and unused loan commitments, among others.

(2)

Consists of (i) allowance for loan losses, (ii) provisions for confirmed and unconfirmed acceptances and guarantees and (iii) certain financial guarantee contract liabilities.

(3)

These figures include present value discount.

Reserves for Credit Losses

Non-performing assets, or NPAs, are defined as assets that are classified as substandard or below.

The following table sets out our 10 largest non-performing assets as of December 31, 2023:

 

Borrower

   Loans      Guarantees      Total  
                      
     (billions of Won)  

YEMEN LNG COMPANY LTD.

   W 270      W 0      W 270  

DAE SUN SHIPBUILDING & ENGINEERING CO., LTD.

     172        70        242  

ACWA GUC ELEKTRIK ISLETME VE YONETIM SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI

     119        40        159  

PJSC SOVCOMBANK

     129        0        129  

CREDIT BANK OF MOSCOW

     128        0        128  

DYNATEC MADAGASCAR S.A.

     0        95        95  

TAEYOUNG ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO.,LTD.

     0        91        91  

HYUNJIN MATERIALS CO., LTD.

     15        0        15  

LEEYOUNG INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY CO., LTD.

     11        0        11  

CAPRO CORPORATION

     10        0        10  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 854      W 296      W 1,150  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We cannot provide any assurance that our current level of exposure to non-performing assets will continue in the future or that any of our borrowers (including our largest borrowers as described above) is not currently facing, or in the future will not face, material financial difficulties.

As of December 31, 2023, the amount of our non-performing assets was W1,381 billion, a decrease of 7% from W1,487 billion as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, our non-performing asset ratio was 0.8%, compared to 0.9% as of December 31, 2022.

 

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The following table sets forth our reserves for possible credit losses as of December 31, 2022 and 2023:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2022     2023  
              
     (billions of Won,
except for percentages)
 

Loan Loss Reserve (A)(1)

   W 3,432     W 3,753  

NPA (B)(2)

     1,487       1,381  

Total Shareholders’ Equity (C)

     15,436       17,951  

Reserve to NPA (A/B)

     231     272

Equity at Risk (B-A)/C

     —        —   

 

  (1)

Consists of allowance for loan losses and provisions for confirmed acceptances and guarantees, excluding the regulatory reserve for loans and guarantees.

  (2)

Non-performing assets, which are defined as assets that are classified as substandard or below.

Source: Internal accounting records

The following table sets forth our actual loan loss reserve ratios as of December 31, 2022 and 2023:

 

Classification of Loans

   Actual Reserve Coverage
(as of December 31, 2022)
    Actual Reserve Coverage
(as of December 31, 2023)
 

Normal

     0.5     1.4

Precautionary

     12.3     32.8

Substandard

     67.7     67.9

Doubtful

     85.6     100.0

Estimated Loss

     81.8     92.5

Investments

Under the KEXIM Decree, we are not allowed to hold stocks or securities of more than three years’ maturity in excess of 60% of our equity capital. However, investment in the following securities is not subject to this restriction:

 

   

Government bonds;

 

   

BOK currency stabilization bonds;

 

   

securities acquired via contributions by the Government; and

 

   

securities acquired through investment approved by the Minister of Economy and Finance, for research related to our operations, for our financing or pursuant to Korean statutes.

As of December 31, 2023, our total investment in securities amounted to W17,420 billion, representing 14% of our total assets. Our securities portfolio consists primarily of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income, or FVOCI. Financial assets at FVOCI mainly consist of marketable securities (including equity securities in Industrial Bank of Korea which was recapitalized by the Government through us) and non-marketable securities (including equity securities in Korea Expressway Corporation and Korea Land & Housing Corporation).

The following table sets out the composition of our securities as of December 31, 2022 and 2023:

 

     As of
December 31, 2022
    As of
December 31, 2023
 

Type of Investment Securities

   Amount      %     Amount      %  
                            
     (billions of Won, except for percentages)  

Financial Assets at FVOCI

   W 11,677        76   W 13,615        78

Financial Assets at Amortized Cost

     1,687        11       1,799        10  

Investments in Associates and Subsidiaries

     1,936        13       2,006        12  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 15,300        100   W 17,420        100

 

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For further information relating to the classification guidelines and methods of valuation of our financial instruments (including securities), see “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to separate financial statements and of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Notes 3 and 5.”

Guarantees and Acceptances and Contingent Liabilities

We have credit risk factors that are not reflected on the balance sheet, which include risks associated with guarantees and acceptances. Guarantees and acceptances do not appear on the balance sheet, but rather are recorded as an off-balance sheet item in the notes to the financial statements. Guarantees and acceptances include financial guarantees, project-related guarantees, such as bid bond, advance payment bond, performance bond or retention bond, and acceptances and advances relating to trade financings such as letters of credit or import freight. Contingent liabilities, for which the guaranteed amounts were not finalized, appear as unconfirmed guarantees and acceptance items in the notes to the financial statements as off-balance sheet items. Our guarantees are classified as either confirmed or unconfirmed based on whether a determination of the amount of the “primary obligation” has been made, which refers to the amount of liability that the primary obligor bears to its counterparty in an agreement subject to our guarantee. Our unconfirmed guarantees convert into confirmed guarantees once the primary obligation, such as an advance payment or disbursement of loans, among others, has taken place and the amount of the primary obligation has been determined and recorded as the amount of our confirmed guarantees, in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Financial Services Commission of Korea. Both confirmed and unconfirmed guarantees are recorded as off-balance sheet items of contingent liabilities in “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 30.”

As of December 31, 2023, we had issued a total amount of W43,061 billion in confirmed guarantees and acceptances, of which W42,617 billion, representing 99.0% of the total amount, was classified as normal, W148 billion, representing 0.3% of the total amount, was classified as precautionary, and W297 billion, representing 0.7% of the total amount, was classified as substandard or below.

Derivatives

The objective in our strategy and policies on derivatives is to actively manage and minimize our foreign exchange and interest rate risks. It is our policy to hedge all currency and interest rate risks wherever possible (taking into consideration the cost of hedging). We use various hedging instruments, including foreign exchange forwards and options, interest rate swaps, and cross currency swaps. These derivatives are classified as hedging instruments if hedge accounting method is applied, and if not, as trading derivatives for accounting purposes. See “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 20.” Under our hedging policy, our net gain (loss) on hedging derivative assets, net gain (loss) on the trading derivative components included in net gain (loss) on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, net gain (loss) on foreign exchange transaction and net gain (loss) on the fair value hedged items components included in net other operating income (expenses), all as shown in the separate statements of comprehensive income of our financial statements and the notes, generally offset one another to a substantial extent.

Under our internal trading rules that have been submitted to the Financial Supervisory Service, our policy is to engage in derivative transactions mainly for hedging our own position. As part of our total exposure management system, we monitor our exposure to derivatives and may make real-time inquiries, which enables our Risk Management Department to check our exposure on a regular basis. Under the guidelines set by the Financial Supervisory Service, we are required to submit reports on our derivatives exposure to the Financial Supervisory Service on a quarterly basis. As a measure to reduce the risk of intentional manipulation or error, we have separated responsibility for different functions such as initiation, authorization, approval, recording, monitoring and reporting to the Financial Supervisory Service. The Risk Management Department conducts regular reviews of derivative transactions to monitor any breach of compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements.

 

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As of December 31, 2023, our outstanding loans made at floating rates of interest totaled W61,899 billion, whereas our outstanding borrowings made at floating rates of interest totaled W62,768 billion, including those raised in Australian Dollar, Euro and Hong Kong Dollar and swapped into U.S. dollar floating rate borrowings. As a result, we are exposed to possible interest rate risks to the extent that the amount of our borrowings made at floating rates of interest exceeds the amount of our loans made at floating rates of interest. Foreign exchange risk arises because a majority of our assets and liabilities are denominated in non-Won currencies. In order to match our currency and interest rate structure, we generally enter into swap transactions.

The following table shows the unsettled notional amounts and estimated fair values of derivatives we held as of the dates indicated.

 

     As of December 31,  
     2022      2023  
     Unsettled
Notional
Amount
     Fair Value
of Assets
     Fair
Value of
Liabilities
     Unsettled
Notional
Amount
     Fair Value
of Assets
     Fair
Value of
Liabilities
 
                                           
     (billions of Won)  

Currency forwards

   W 10,733      W 256      W 339      W 16,836      W 160      W 249  

Currency swaps

     30,036        1,127        1,978        31,410        1,304        1,164  

Interest rate swaps

     56,314        904        2,553        73,694        824        2,225  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 97,083      W 2,287      W 4,870      W 121,941      W 2,288      W 3,637  

As of December 31, 2023, we had entered into 844 currency-related derivative contracts with a notional amount of W48,247 billion and 506 interest rate-related derivative contracts with a notional amount of W73,694 billion in accordance with our policy to hedge interest rate and currency risks. See “—Financial Statements and the Auditors—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 20.”

Sources of Funding

We obtain funds primarily through borrowings from the issuance of bonds in both domestic and international capital markets, borrowings from domestic and foreign financial institutions, capital contributions and internally generated funds. Internally generated funds result from various activities we carry on and include principal and interest payments on our loans, fees from guarantee operations and other services, and income from marketable securities we hold.

We raised a net total of W64,893 billion (new borrowings plus loan repayments by our clients less repayment of our existing debt) during 2023, a 10% decrease compared with the previous year’s W72,184 billion. The total loan repayments, including prepayments by our clients, during 2023 amounted to W64,961 billion, an increase of 16% from W55,908 billion during 2022.

Since our establishment, the Government has, from time to time, provided us with loans to support our lending to Korean exporters and provide liquidity to us. As of December 31, 2023, our outstanding borrowings from the Government amounted to W193 billion. We also issued Won-denominated domestic bonds in the aggregate amounts of W17,170 billion, W24,810 billion and W24,800 billion during 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

We have diversified our funding sources by borrowing from various overseas sources and issuing long-term floating-rate notes and fixed-rate debentures in the international capital markets. These issues were in foreign currencies, including the U.S. dollar, Thai Baht, Australian Dollar, Euro, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Swiss Franc, Brazilian Real, Mexican Peso, Peruvian Sol, Indian Rupee, Indonesian Rupiah, Chinese Yuan, New Zealand Dollar, Philippine Peso, South African Rand, Swedish Krona, Czech Koruna, Norwegian Krone, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Japanese Yen, Turkish Lira and Polish Zloty and have original maturities ranging from one to thirty years.

 

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During 2023, we issued Eurobonds in the aggregate principal amount of US$6,666 million in various types of currencies under our existing medium-term notes program, a 3% decrease from US$6,858 million in 2022. These bond issues consisted of offerings of US$1,895 million, HKD 3,760 million, BRL 8,183 million, CNY 3,135 million, AUD 484 million, CHF 200 million, EUR 1,395 million, INR 8,200 million, PEN 150 million, and TRY 936 million. In addition, we issued global bonds during 2023 in the aggregate amounts of US$5,500 million and EUR 500 million under our U.S. shelf registration statement, or the U.S. Shelf Program, compared with US$5,500 million in 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding amounts of our notes and debentures were US$ 33,118 million, HKD 9,068 million, BRL 12,407 million, EUR 6,237 million, THB 3,580 million, CHF 950 million, AUD 3,993 million, INR 11,450 million, CNY 6,667 million, IDR 8,655,500 million, NZD 174 million, ZAR 2,615 million, NOK 750 million, GBP 36 million, CAD 65 million, SEK 250 million, MXN 13,000 million, TRY 936 million, CZK 3,420 million, PEN 425 million, PHP 2,400 million, JPY 42,745 million and PLN 194 million.

We also borrow from foreign financial institutions in the form of loans that are principally made by syndicates of commercial banks at floating or fixed interest rates and in foreign currencies, with original maturities ranging from two to five years. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding amount of such borrowings from foreign financial institutions was US$2,064 million.

Our capital stock has increased from time to time since our establishment. From January 1998 to December 2023, the Government contributed W13,903 billion to our capital. As of December 31, 2023, our total capital stock amounted to W14,773 billion, and the Government, The Bank of Korea and The Korea Development Bank owned 73%, 8% and 19%, respectively, of our capital stock.

The KEXIM Act provides that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all of our borrowings, including the total outstanding export-import financing debentures we issued in accordance with the KEXIM Decree, may not exceed an amount equal to thirty times the sum of our capital stock plus our reserves. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of our borrowings (including export-import financing debentures), which was W98,789 billion, was equal to 19% of the authorized amount of W514,770 billion.

We are not permitted to accept demand or time deposits.

Each year we must submit to the Government for its approval an operating plan which includes our target levels for different types of funding. The following table is part of the operating plan dealing with fundraising for 2024:

 

Sources of Fund

   (billions of Won)  

Capital Contribution

     —   

Borrowings

     45,100  

Net Collection of Loans

     11,400  

Collection of Loans

     53,210  

Repayment of Debts

     (41,810

Others

     —   
  

 

 

 

Total

   W 56,500  

 

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Debt

Debt Repayment Schedule

The following table sets out the principal repayment schedule for our outstanding debt (consisting of borrowings and debentures) as of December 31, 2023:

Debt Principal Repayment Schedule

 

     Maturing on or before December 31,  

Currency(1)

   2024      2025      2026      2027      Thereafter  
                                    
     (billions of Won)  

Won

   W 20,630      W 4,490      W 3,100      W 50      W 1,330  

Foreign(2)

     19,244        13,965        12,530        6,940        18,517  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Won Equivalent

   W 39,874      W 18,455      W 15,630      W 6,990      W 19,847  

 

(1)

Borrowings and debentures in foreign currency have been translated into Won at the market average exchange rates on December 29, 2023, as announced by the Seoul Money Brokerage Services Ltd.

(2)

This figure includes debentures, bank loans, commercial papers and repurchase agreements.

Normally we determine the level of our foreign currency reserves based upon an estimate, at any given time, of aggregate loan disbursements to be made over the next two to three months. Our average foreign currency reserves in 2022 and 2023 were approximately US$5,533 million and US$8,236 million, respectively.

Although we currently believe that such reserves, together with additional borrowings available under our uncommitted short-term backup credit facilities and commercial paper programs, will be sufficient to repay our outstanding debt as it becomes due, there can be no assurance that we will continue to be able to borrow under such credit facilities, or that the devaluation of the Won will not adversely affect our ability to access funds sufficient to repay our foreign currency denominated indebtedness in the future. In addition to maintaining sufficient foreign currency reserves, we monitor the maturity profile of our foreign currency assets and liabilities to ensure that there are sufficient maturing assets to meet our liabilities as they become due.

As of December 31, 2023, our foreign currency assets maturing within three months, six months and one year exceeded our foreign currency liabilities coming due within such periods by US$11,833 million, US$9,852 million and US$9,239 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, our total foreign currency liabilities exceeded our total foreign currency assets by US$613 million.

Internal and External Debt of the Bank

The following table summarizes, as of December 31 of the years indicated, the outstanding internal debt of the Bank:

Internal Debt of the Bank

 

     (billions of Won)  

2019

     15,405  

2020

     22,805  

2021

     22,910  

2022

     28,920  

2023

     29,600  

 

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The following table sets out, by currency and the equivalent amount in U.S. Dollars, the outstanding external debt of the Bank as of December 31, 2023:

External Debt of the Bank

 

     Amount in
Original
Currency
     Equivalent
Amount in
U.S. Dollars(1)
 
               
     (billions)  

US$

   US$ 36.4      US$ 36.4  

Euro (EUR)

   EUR 6.3        6.9  

Brazilian real (BRL)

   BRL 12.4        2.5  

Australian Dollars (AUD)

   AUD 4.9        3.3  

British Pound (GBP)

   GBP 0.0        0.0  

Thai Baht (THB)

   THB 3.6        0.1  

Hong Kong dollar (HKD)

   HKD 9.1        1.2  

Swiss franc (CHF)

   CHF 1.0        1.0  

Swedish Krona (SEK)

   SEK 0.3        0.0  

Indonesian rupiah (IDR)

   IDR 8,655.5        0.6  

Chinese Yuan (CNY)

   CNY  6.7        1.0  

Norwegian Krone (NOK)

   NOK 0.8        0.1  

Mexican Peso (MXN)

   MXN  13.0      US$ 0.7  

New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

   NZD 0.2        0.1  

Indian Rupee (INR)

   INR 11.5        0.1  

South African Rand (ZAR)

   ZAR 2.6        0.2  

Peru Nuevo sol (PEN)

   PEN 0.4        0.1  

Canadian Dollar (CAD)

   CAD 0.1        0.1  

Turkish Lira (TRY)

   TRY 0.9        0.0  

Czech Koruna (CZK)

   CZK 3.4        0.1  

Polish Zloty (PLN)

   PLN 0.2        0.0  

Japanese Yen (JPY)

   JPY 59.9        0.4  

Philippine Peso (PHP)

   PHP 2.4        0.0  
     

 

 

 
      US$ 55.2  

 

(1)

Amounts expressed in currencies other than U.S. dollar are converted to U.S. dollar at the exchange rate announced by the Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd. in effect on December 29, 2023 or the prevailing market rate on December 29, 2023.

The following table summarizes, as of December 31 of the years indicated, the outstanding external debt of the Bank:

External Debt of the Bank

 

     (billions of Won)  

2019

     57,899  

2020

     54,677  

2021

     59,144  

2022

     74,486  

2023

     71,195  

For further information on the outstanding indebtedness of the Bank, see “—Tables and Supplementary Information.”

 

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Debt Record

We have never defaulted in the payment of principal of, or interest on, any of our obligations.

Credit Policies, Credit Approval and Risk Management

Credit Policies

The Credit Policy Department functions as our centralized policy-making and planning division with respect to our lending activities. The Credit Policy Department formulates and revises our internal regulations on loan programs, sets basic lending guidelines on a country basis and gathers data from our various operating groups and produces various internal and external reports.

Credit Approval

We have multiple levels of loan approval authority, depending on the loan amount and other factors such as the nature of the credit, the conditions of the transaction, and whether the loan is secured. Our Board of Directors can approve loans of any amount. The Chief Executive Credit Committee, Credit Committee, Loan Officer Committee, Director Generals and Directors each have authority to approve loans up to a specified amount. The amount differs depending on the type of loan and certain other factors, for example, whether a loan is collateralized or guaranteed.

At each level of authority, loan applications are reviewed on the basis of the feasibility of the project from a technical, financial and economic point of view in addition to evaluating the probability of recovery. In conducting such a review, the following factors are considered:

 

   

eligibility of the transaction under our financing criteria;

 

   

country risk of the country of the borrower and the country in which the related project is located;

 

   

credit risk of the borrower;

 

   

a supplier’s ability to perform under the related supply contract;

 

   

legal disputes over the related project and supply contract; and

 

   

availability of collateral.

Risk Management

Our overall risk management policy is set by the Risk Management Committee, which meets on a quarterly basis and from time to time to establish tolerance limits for various exposures, whereas the overall risk management is overseen by the Risk Management Department, which is responsible for monitoring risk exposure.

The Risk Management Department reports our loan portfolio to the Financial Supervisory Service on a quarterly basis. The Risk Management Department also monitors our operating groups’ compliance with internal guidelines and procedures. To manage liquidity risk, we review the strategy for the sources and uses of funds, with each division submitting projected sources and uses to the Treasury Group. The Risk Management Department and the Treasury Group continually monitor our overall liquidity and the Treasury Group prepares both weekly and monthly cash flow forecasts. Our policy is to maintain a liquidity level, which can cover loan disbursements for a period of two to three months going forward. We protect ourselves from potential liquidity squeezes by maintaining sufficient amount of liquid assets with additional back-up of short-term credit lines.

Our core lending activities expose us to market risk, mostly in the form of interest rate and foreign currency risks. The Risk Management Department reports interest rate and foreign exchange gap positions to the Risk

 

28


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Management Committee on a quarterly basis. We also monitor changes in, and matches of, foreign currency assets and liabilities in order to reduce exposure to currency fluctuations. Recently, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and ensuing actions taken by the United States and other countries, increases in policy interest rates globally (including Korea) to combat rising inflationary pressures, and more recently, the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East following the Israel-Hamas war, we have closely monitored foreign currency risks that could result from the depreciation of the Won against major foreign currencies (including the U.S. dollar), which in turn may increase our cost in servicing our foreign currency denominated debt and result in foreign exchange losses.

The Risk Management Department monitors various market indicators related to foreign currency liquidity on a regular basis and has been cooperating with other departments including the Treasury Group to effectively address any potential liquidity risk which may be associated with the conflict involving Ukraine and Russia.

One of the key components of our risk management policy, which also affects our fundraising efforts, is to monitor matches of asset maturities and liability maturities. The average maturity as of December 31, 2023 for our Won- and foreign currency-denominated loans was 13 months and 41 months, respectively, and for Won- and foreign currency-denominated liabilities was 13 months and 37 months, respectively.

Our Risk Management Department also monitors and manages various operational risks that we face from time to time.

In managing our risks, we follow an overall risk management process where we:

 

   

determine the risk management objectives;

 

   

identify key exposures;

 

   

measure key risks; and

 

   

monitor risk management results.

Our risk management system is a continuous system that is frequently evaluated and updated on an ongoing basis.

Capital Adequacy

Under the Financial Supervisory Service’s guidelines on risk-adjusted capital which were introduced in consideration of the standards set by the Bank for International Settlements, all banks in Korea, including us, are required to maintain a capital adequacy ratio (Tier I and Tier II) of at least 10.5% on a consolidated basis. To the extent that we fail to maintain this ratio, the Korean regulatory authorities may require corrective measures such as management improvement recommendations and disposal of assets.

The current capital adequacy requirements of the Financial Services Commission are derived from a new set of bank capital measures, referred to as Basel III, which the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision initially introduced in 2009 and began phasing in starting from 2013. Commencing in July 2013, the Financial Services Commission promulgated a series of amended regulations implementing Basel III, pursuant to which Korean banks, including us, were required to maintain a minimum ratio of Tier I common equity capital (which principally includes equity capital, capital surplus and retained earnings less reserve for credit losses) to risk-weighted assets of 3.5% and Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.5% from December 1, 2013, which minimum ratios were increased to 4.0% and 5.5%, respectively, from January 1, 2014 and increased further to 4.5% and 6.0%, respectively, from January 1, 2015. Such requirements are in addition to the pre-existing requirement for a minimum ratio of Tier I and Tier II capital (less any capital deductions) to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, which remains unchanged. The amended regulations also require an additional capital conservation buffer of 2.5%, as well as a potential counter-cyclical capital buffer of up to 2.5%, which is determined on a quarterly basis by the Financial Services Commission. In May 2023, the Financial Services

 

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Commission announced that it would increase the counter-cyclical capital buffer from 0% to 1%, which would become effective in May 2024 following a one-year grace period. As of December 31, 2023, our capital adequacy ratio, on a consolidated basis, was 14.5%, an increase from 13.4% as of December 31, 2022, which was primarily due to our receipt of capital contributions from the Government.

The following table sets forth our capital base and capital adequacy ratios (on a consolidated basis) reported as of December 31, 2022 and 2023:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2022     2023  
              
     (billions of Won,
except for percentages)
 

Tier I

   W 15,315     W 17,805  

Capital stock (including capital surplus and capital adjustments)

     12,639       14,632  

Retained Earnings(1)

     2,154       2,803  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     738       716  

Others

     3       2  

Deductions from Tier I Capital

     (219     (348

Capital Adjustments

     —        —   

Deferred Tax Asset

     —        —   

Others

     (219     (348

Tier II (General Loan Loss Reserves)

     2,186       2,205  

Total Capital

     17,501       20,010  

Risk Adjusted Assets

     130,726       138,260  

Capital Adequacy Ratios

    

Tier I common equity

     11.7     12.9

Tier I

     11.7     12.9

Tier I and Tier II

     13.4     14.5

 

(1)

Net amount after deducting regulatory reserve for loan losses.

Source: Internal accounting records

Overseas Operations

We maintain an international presence through 24 overseas representative offices, which are located in New York City, Tokyo, Beijing, São Paolo, Paris, Washington D.C., Shanghai, New Delhi, Dubai, Moscow, Mexico City, Tashkent, Hanoi, Manila, Jakarta, Yangon, Bogota, Istanbul, Dar es Salaam, Dhaka, Accra, Phnom Penh, Addis Ababa and Colombo.

We also have four wholly-owned subsidiaries: KEXIM Bank (UK) Ltd. in London, KEXIM (Asia) Ltd. in Hong Kong, KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co., Ltd. in Ho Chi Minh City and KEXIM Global (Singapore) Ltd. in Singapore. These subsidiaries are engaged in the merchant banking and lease financing businesses, and assist us in raising overseas financing. We also own 85% of P.T. Koexim Mandiri Finance, a subsidiary in Jakarta, which is primarily engaged in the business of lease financing.

The table below sets forth brief details of our subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023:

 

   

Principal Place
of Business

 

Type of Business

  Book Value     Bank’s Holding  
                     
            (billions of Won)     (%)  

Kexim Bank (UK) Ltd.

  United Kingdom   Commercial Banking   W 138       100

KEXIM (Asia) Ltd.

  Hong Kong   Commercial Banking     168       100  

P.T. Koexim Mandiri Finance

  Indonesia   Leasing and Factoring     90       85  

KEXIM Global (Singapore) Ltd.

  Singapore   Commercial Banking     373       100  

Kexim Vietnam Leasing Co., Ltd.

  Vietnam   Leasing and Lending     58       100  

 

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Property

Our head office is located at 38 Eunhaeng-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07242, Korea, a 45,715 square meter building on a site of 9,110 square meters and owned by us. In addition to the head office, we own a staff training center located near Seoul on a site of 47,881 square meters and a marine finance center, a 4,423 square meter building, located in Busan on a site of 556 square meters. We also maintain 13 branches in Busan, Gwangju, Daegu, Changwon, Daejeon, Suwon, Incheon, Ulsan, Cheongju, Jeonju, Gumi, Yeosu and Wonju. Our domestic branch offices and overseas representative offices are located in facilities held under long-term leases.

Management and Employees

Management

Our governance and management is the responsibility of our Board of Directors, which has authority to decide important matters relating to our business. The Board of Directors is chaired by our Chief Executive Officer and is comprised of seven members: the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Executive Director and four Independent Directors. The Auditor may attend and state his/her opinion at the meetings of the Board of Directors. The President of Korea appoints our Chief Executive Officer upon the recommendation of the Minister of Economy and Finance. The Minister of Economy and Finance appoints the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Executive Director and the Independent Directors upon the recommendation of our Chief Executive Officer. The Minister of Economy and Finance appoints the Auditor. All Board members and the Auditor serve for three years and are eligible for re-appointment for successive terms of office.

The members of the Board of Directors are currently as follows:

 

Name

  

Board Member Since

  

Position

Hee-sung Yoon

   July 27, 2022    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Jong-Hyuck Ahn

   December 30, 2023    Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Kiyeon Hwang

   October 1, 2023    Senior Executive Director

Jaimin Lee

   September 18, 2021    Independent Director

Tae-ho Yun

   September 18, 2021    Independent Director

Chang Huh

   April 10, 2023    Independent Director

Hye Jeong Nam

   April 10, 2023    Independent Director

Our basic policy guidelines for activities are established by the Operations Committee. According to the By-laws, the Operations Committee is composed of officials nominated as follows:

 

   

Chief Executive Officer of KEXIM;

 

   

official of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, nominated by the Minister of Economy and Finance;

 

   

official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nominated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs;

 

   

official of the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, nominated by the Minister of Trade, Industry & Energy;

 

   

official of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, nominated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport;

 

   

official of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, nominated by the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries;

 

   

official of the Financial Services Commission, nominated by the Chairman of the Financial Services Commission;

 

   

executive director of The Bank of Korea, nominated by the Governor of The Bank of Korea;

 

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executive director of the Korea Federation of Banks, nominated by the Chairman of the Korea Federation of Banks;

 

   

representative of an exporters’ association (Korea International Trade Association), nominated by the Minister of Economy and Finance after consultation with the Minister of Trade, Industry & Energy;

 

   

executive director of the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation established under the Trade Insurance Act, nominated by the Chairman and President of the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation; and

 

   

up to two persons who have extensive knowledge and experience in international economic cooperation work, recommended by our Chief Executive Officer and appointed by the Minister of Economy and Finance.

The members of the Operations Committee are currently as follows:

 

Name

  

Member Since

  

Position

Hee-sung Yoon

   July 27, 2022    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KEXIM

Ji-Young Choi

   August 25, 2023    Deputy Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy and Finance

Jae Kwon Kang

   December 12, 2022    Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Wan Ki Kim

   March 3, 2023    Deputy Minister for International Trade and Investment, Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy

Sang-Moon Kim

   August 22, 2022    Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Affairs, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

Hyun Soo Yoon

   August 10, 2022    Director General of Shipping and Logistics Bureau, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries

Se-Hoon Lee

   July 30, 2021    Secretary General, Financial Services Commission

Jong Ryeol Lee

   July 20, 2022    Deputy Governor, The Bank of Korea

Tae Hoon Lee

   June 7, 2023    Senior Executive Director, Korea Federation of Banks

Marn Ki Jeong

   September 21, 2022    Executive Vice Chairman, Korea International Trade Association

Ho Ill Kim

   March 23, 2022    Deputy President, Korea Trade Insurance Corporation

Ilkyung Moon

   May 4, 2023    Professor, Seoul National University

Hae Sun Park

   February 16, 2022    Professor, Konkuk University

Employees

As of December 31, 2023, we had 1,212 employees, among whom 998 employees were members of our labor union. We have never experienced a work stoppage of a serious nature. Every two years, the management and union negotiate and enter into a collective bargaining agreement. The most recent collective bargaining agreement was entered into in October 2022.

Tables and Supplementary Information

A. External Debt of the Bank

(1) External Bonds of the Bank

 

Currency

   Original
Principal
Amount
     Interest Rate (%)      Issue Date      Maturity Date      Principal Amount
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2023
 

USD

     50,000,000        0.00        December 20, 2023        December 20, 2043        50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.72        December 8, 2023        December 8, 2026        50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.72        December 7, 2023        December 7, 2026        50,000,000  

USD

     52,000,000        0.00        December 1, 2023        November 29, 2024        52,000,000  

USD

     70,000,000        0.00        November 16, 2023        November 15, 2024        70,000,000  

USD

     500,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.88        November 21, 2023        November 21, 2028        500,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        6.03        October 26, 2023        October 26, 2043        50,000,000  

 

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Table of Contents

Currency

   Original
Principal
Amount
     Interest Rate (%)      Issue Date      Maturity Date     Principal Amount
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2023
 

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.45        October 13, 2023        April 14, 2025       50,000,000  

USD

     20,000,000        5.00        October 5, 2023        October 5, 2026       20,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        5.00        October 5, 2023        October 5, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     500,000,000        5.13        September 18, 2023        September 18, 2033       500,000,000  

USD

      1,000,000,000        5.13        September 18, 2023        September 18, 2028       1,000,000,000  

USD

     500,000,000        5.38        September 18, 2023        September 18, 2025       500,000,000  

USD

     15,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.75        August 8, 2023        August 8, 2026       15,000,000  

USD

     45,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.75        August 7, 2023        August 7, 2026       45,000,000  

USD

     52,500,000        0.00        August 2, 2023        August 1, 2024       52,500,000  

USD

     40,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.75        August 1, 2023        August 1, 2026       40,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.80        June 23, 2023        June 23, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.80        June 22, 2023        June 22, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.80        June 21, 2023        June 21, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     500,000,000        4.63        June 7, 2023        June 7, 2033       500,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD Term SOFR 3M+0.90        April 19, 2023        April 19, 2028       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        4.85        March 14, 2023        March 14, 2028       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        5.14        February 22, 2023        February 22, 2024     50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        5.13        January 11, 2023        January 11, 2033       50,000,000  

USD

     1,500,000,000        5.00        January 11, 2023        January 11, 2028       1,500,000,000  

USD

     950,000,000        5.13        January 11, 2023        January 11, 2033       950,000,000  

USD

     1,000,000,000        4.88        January 11, 2023        January 11, 2026       1,000,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.75        December 20, 2023        December 20, 2043       50,000,000  

USD

     40,000,000        USD SOFR ON+1.20        December 8, 2023        December 8, 2026       40,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        5.24        December 7, 2023        December 7, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+1.06        December 1, 2023        November 29, 2024       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+1.06        November 16, 2023        November 15, 2024       50,000,000  

USD

     400,000,000        USD SOFR ON+1.06        November 21, 2023        November 21, 2028       400,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.40        October 26, 2023        October 26, 2043       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        5.00        October 13, 2023        April 14, 2025       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+1.03        October 5, 2023        October 5, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.96        October 5, 2023        October 5, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     500,000,000        4.50        September 18, 2023        September 18, 2033       500,000,000  

USD

     1,000,000,000        4.25        September 18, 2023        September 18, 2028         1,000,000,000  

USD

     1,000,000,000        4.00        September 18, 2023        September 18, 2025       1,000,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR Index+0.62        August 8, 2023        August 8, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.82        August 7, 2023        August 7, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.82        August 2, 2023        August 1, 2024       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        4.66        August 1, 2023        August 1, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     200,000,000        2.45        June 23, 2023        June 23, 2026       200,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.47        June 22, 2023        June 22, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.47        June 21, 2023        June 21, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.47        June 7, 2023        June 7, 2033       50,000,000  

USD

     700,000,000        1.63        April 19, 2023        April 19, 2028       700,000,000  

USD

     300,000,000        1.63        March 14, 2023        March 14, 2028       300,000,000  

USD

     1,000,000,000        2.13        February 22, 2023        February 22, 2024       1,000,000,000  

USD

     500,000,000        1.25        January 11, 2023        January 11, 2033       500,000,000  

USD

     500,000,000        1.25        January 11, 2023        January 11, 2028       500,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.90        January 11, 2023        January 11, 2033       50,000,000  

USD

     300,000,000        1.75        January 11, 2023        January 11, 2026       300,000,000  

USD

     700,000,000        1.75        November 3, 2022        November 3, 2025       700,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.80        October 31, 2022        October 31, 2027       50,000,000  

USD

     40,000,000        2.80        October 28, 2022        October 28, 2032       40,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        1.13        September 29, 2022        September 29, 2027       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        0.92        September 29, 2022        September 29, 2027       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR Index+0.25        September 29, 2022        September 29, 2027       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD SOFR Index+0.25        September 21, 2022        September 21, 2024       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        1.38        September 22, 2022        September 22, 2042       50,000,000  

USD

     500,000,000        2.50        September 20, 2022        September 20, 2027       500,000,000  

USD

     750,000,000        1.13        September 15, 2022        September 15, 2025       750,000,000  

 

33


Table of Contents

Currency

   Original
Principal
Amount
     Interest Rate (%)      Issue Date      Maturity Date     Principal Amount
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2023
 

USD

     750,000,000        0.63        September 15, 2022        September 15, 2032       750,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.95        September 15, 2022        September 15, 2027       50,000,000  

USD

     200,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.37        September 15, 2022        September 15, 2024       200,000,000  

USD

     200,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.47        July 22, 2022        July 22, 2024       200,000,000  

USD

     400,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.32        July 22, 2022        July 22, 2027       400,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.07        July 21, 2022        July 21, 2027       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        0.66        July 25, 2022        July 25, 2052       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        0.62        February 10, 2022        February 10, 2034       50,000,000  

USD

     300,000,000        1.13        February 8, 2022        February 8, 2027       300,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        1.38        February 8, 2022        February 8, 2027       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        0.45        February 8, 2022        February 8, 2027       50,000,000  

USD

     240,000,000        USD SOFR ON+0.30        January 18, 2022        January 18, 2027       240,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        0.45        January 18, 2022        January 18, 2027       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        1.38        January 18, 2022        January 18, 2032       50,000,000  

USD

     500,000,000        0.63        January 18, 2022        January 18, 2025       500,000,000  

USD

     300,000,000        1.38        January 18, 2022        January 18, 2025       300,000,000  

USD

     200,000,000        0.63        October 27, 2021        October 27, 2051       200,000,000  

USD

     500,000,000        0.38        October 19, 2021        October 19, 2028       500,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.60        October 19, 2021        October 19, 2028       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.60        October 1, 2021        October 2, 2051       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.30        September 16, 2021        September 16, 2051       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.40        September 10, 2021        March 24, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     500,000,000        1.25        September 9, 2021        September 9, 2025       500,000,000  

USD

     400,000,000        0.75        August 5, 2021        August 5, 2024       400,000,000  

USD

     100,000,000        0.83        August 5, 2021        August 5, 2024       100,000,000  

USD

     100,000,000        1.33        July 13, 2021        March 20, 2025       100,000,000  

USD

     100,000,000        1.22        June 29, 2021        June 29, 2041       100,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD Term SOFR 3M+1.20        June 29, 2021        December 29, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        USD Term SOFR 3M+1.61        June 29, 2021        June 29, 2024       50,000,000  

USD

     425,000,000        1.38        June 10, 2021        June 10, 2051       425,000,000  

USD

     500,000,000        1.88        May 27, 2021        April 27, 2024     500,000,000  

USD

     21,200,000        1.30        May 6, 2021        May 6, 2026       21,200,000  

USD

     500,000,000        2.38        April 29, 2021        April 29, 2024     500,000,000  

USD

     21,900,000        2.64        April 16, 2021        April 16, 2051       21,900,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.92        April 13, 2021        April 12, 2024     50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.65        April 8, 2021        April 8, 2024     50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.65        March 24, 2021        March 24, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.65        March 18, 2021        March 20, 2025       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.55        March 15, 2021        March 15, 2024     50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.55        March 11, 2021        March 11, 2024     50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.65        March 15, 2021        March 15, 2024     50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.65        March 9, 2021        March 20, 2025       50,000,000  

USD

     200,000,000        4.10        February 9, 2021        February 9, 2026       200,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.56        February 9, 2021        February 9, 2031       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.58        February 9, 2021        February 9, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.54        February 9, 2021        February 9, 2024     50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.25        December 7, 2020        December 7, 2050       50,000,000  

USD

     30,000,000        3.42        December 7, 2020        December 7, 2050       30,000,000  

USD

     30,000,000        3.42        December 15, 2020        December 15, 2050       30,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.20        October 29, 2020        October 29, 2050       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.23        September 21, 2020        September 21, 2030       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.74        September 21, 2020        September 21, 2025       50,000,000  

USD

     700,000,000        2.38        August 19, 2020        August 19, 2024       700,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.01        June 5, 2020        June 5, 2025       50,000,000  

USD

     45,000,000        3.25        June 5, 2020        June 5, 2024     45,000,000  

USD

     30,000,000        2.27        June 2, 2020        June 2, 2025       30,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.29        April 24, 2020        July 24, 2025       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.29        March 20, 2020        March 20, 2025       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.09        February 12, 2020        February 12, 2025       50,000,000  

 

34


Table of Contents

Currency

   Original
Principal
Amount
     Interest Rate (%)      Issue Date      Maturity Date     Principal Amount
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2023
 

USD

     50,000,000        2.21        August 29, 2019        August 28, 2024       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.09        June 25, 2019        June 25, 2024     50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.38        February 5, 2018        February 5, 2048       50,000,000  

USD

     1,000,000,000        2.63        November 27, 2017        November 27, 2047         1,000,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.60        November 17, 2017        November 17, 2047       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.60        November 17, 2017        November 17, 2047       50,000,000  

USD

     1,000,000,000        3.25        November 8, 2017        November 8, 2037       1,000,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.32        November 8, 2017        November 8, 2037       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.05        October 25, 2017        October 25, 2047       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.45        October 25, 2017        October 25, 2047       50,000,000  

USD

     30,000,000        3.33        October 11, 2017        October 11, 2047       30,000,000  

USD

     400,000,000        3.25        August 18, 2017        August 18, 2037       400,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.70        August 17, 2017        August 17, 2037       50,000,000  

USD

     40,000,000        3.09        April 24, 2017        April 26, 2032       40,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.85        April 24, 2017        April 24, 2029       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.80        January 6, 2017        January 6, 2029       50,000,000  

USD

     30,000,000        3.04        January 6, 2017        January 6, 2029       30,000,000  

USD

     30,000,000        3.04        December 14, 2016        December 14, 2028       30,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        2.81        December 12, 2016        December 12, 2028       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.02        November 17, 2016        November 17, 2028       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.02        October 21, 2016        April 21, 2027       50,000,000  

USD

     1,250,000,000        2.88        August 30, 2016        August 30, 2024       1,250,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.35        August 19, 2016        August 19, 2031       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.50        August 16, 2016        August 16, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.53        August 17, 2016        August 17, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.50        August 3, 2016        August 3, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.50        August 2, 2016        August 2, 2031       50,000,000  

USD

     30,000,000        3.46        August 2, 2016        August 2, 2026       30,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.23        July 22, 2016        July 22, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.40        July 1, 2016        July 1, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.41        May 26, 2016        May 26, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.41        February 25, 2016        February 25, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     500,000,000        3.25        February 25, 2016        February 25, 2026       500,000,000  

USD

     30,000,000        3.30        November 10, 2015        November 10, 2025       30,000,000  

USD

     40,000,000        4.04        September 3, 2015        September 3, 2030       40,000,000  

USD

     30,000,000        4.00        September 1, 2015        September 1, 2025       30,000,000  

USD

     30,000,000        4.00        August 4, 2015        August 4, 2030       30,000,000  

USD

     20,000,000        4.02        August 4, 2015        August 4, 2027       20,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        4.07        June 30, 2015        August 12, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        4.06        April 1, 2015        April 1, 2027       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        4.14        March 10, 2015        March 10, 2030       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        4.14        March 10, 2015        March 10, 2025       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        4.14        March 17, 2015        March 17, 2025       50,000,000  

USD

     220,000,000        3.95        March 6, 2015        March 6, 2030       220,000,000  

USD

     750,000,000        4.00        March 6, 2015        March 6, 2030       750,000,000  

USD

     30,000,000        4.03        March 6, 2015        March 6, 2025       30,000,000  

USD

     20,000,000        4.03        March 4, 2015        March 4, 2030       20,000,000  

USD

     30,000,000        4.03        March 4, 2015        March 4, 2030       30,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        4.03        January 21, 2015        January 21, 2025       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.91        November 28, 2014        November 28, 2026       50,000,000  

USD

     40,000,000        4.00        November 25, 2014        November 26, 2029       40,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        3.87        November 20, 2014        November 20, 2029       50,000,000  

USD

     50,000,000        4.37        November 19, 2014        November 19, 2029       50,000,000  

USD

     100,000,000        6.78        November 6, 2014        November 6, 2029       100,000,000  
             

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency     USD 33,117,600,000  
       

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(1)     W 42,701,833,440,000  
       

 

 

 

HKD

     315,000,000        4.93        December 6, 2023        December 6, 2024       315,000,000  

HKD

     380,000,000        4.87        December 5, 2023        December 5, 2025       380,000,000  

 

35


Table of Contents

Currency

   Original
Principal
Amount
     Interest Rate (%)      Issue Date      Maturity Date     Principal Amount
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2023
 

HKD

     385,000,000        4.80        December 4, 2023        December 4, 2026       385,000,000  

HKD

     390,000,000        4.60        November 22, 2023        November 22, 2026       390,000,000  

HKD

     315,000,000        5.05        November 8, 2023        November 8, 2024       315,000,000  

HKD

     375,000,000        5.00        November 1, 2023        May 1, 2025       375,000,000  

HKD

     380,000,000        5.00        August 3, 2023        February 3, 2025       380,000,000  

HKD

     390,000,000        4.90        March 15, 2023        March 15, 2026       390,000,000  

HKD

     390,000,000        4.84        March 14, 2023        March 14, 2026       390,000,000  

HKD

     440,000,000        4.62        February 21, 2023        February 21, 2024     440,000,000  

HKD

     224,000,000        5.18        October 28, 2022        October 28, 2032       224,000,000  

HKD

     224,000,000        5.18        October 27, 2022        October 27, 2032       224,000,000  

HKD

     390,000,000        5.00        October 27, 2022        October 27, 2025       390,000,000  

HKD

     390,000,000        3.66        July 27, 2022        July 27, 2024       390,000,000  

HKD

     320,000,000        1.00        August 19, 2021        August 19, 2026       320,000,000  

HKD

     320,000,000        0.98        August 18, 2021        August 18, 2026       320,000,000  

HKD

     345,000,000        0.90        August 13, 2021        August 13, 2026       345,000,000  

HKD

     310,000,000        0.97        July 21, 2021        July 21, 2026       310,000,000  

HKD

     310,000,000        0.70        July 20, 2021        July 20, 2025       310,000,000  

HKD

     1,000,000,000        0.52        April 27, 2021        January 26, 2024     1,000,000,000  

HKD

     385,000,000        2.22        April 14, 2020        April 14, 2025       385,000,000  

HKD

     320,000,000        2.34        March 26, 2020        March 26, 2025       320,000,000  

HKD

     390,000,000        2.05        September 26, 2019        September 26, 2024       390,000,000  

HKD

     380,000,000        2.08        September 25, 2019        September 25, 2024       380,000,000  
             

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency     HKD 9,068,000,000  
       

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(2)     W 1,496,764,080,000  
       

 

 

 

MXN

     1,000,000,000        10.05        June 24, 2022        April 28, 2025       1,000,000,000  

MXN

     5,000,000,000        TIIE 28D+0.20        January 26, 2021        January 20, 2026       5,000,000,000  

MXN

     7,000,000,000        7.93        August 8, 2019        July 30, 2026       7,000,000,000  
             

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency     MXN 13,000,000,000  
       

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(3)     W 987,610,000,000  
       

 

 

 

BRL

     243,000,000        8.93        November 22, 2023        November 19, 2025       243,000,000  

BRL

     246,000,000        9.27        November 21, 2023        November 19, 2025       246,000,000  

BRL

     500,000,000        9.37        October 31, 2023        October 30, 2025       500,000,000  

BRL

     250,000,000        9.81        October 27, 2023        October 27, 2025       250,000,000  

BRL

     250,000,000        9.73        October 27, 2023        October 27, 2025       250,000,000  

BRL

     505,000,000        9.30        October 18, 2023        October 2, 2026       505,000,000  

BRL

     508,000,000        9.32        October 17, 2023        October 1, 2026       508,000,000  

BRL

     245,500,000        8.78        October 4, 2023        October 1, 2025       245,500,000  

BRL

     242,500,000        8.70        October 4, 2023        September 19, 2025       242,500,000  

BRL

     249,500,000        8.86        August 29, 2023        August 20, 2025       249,500,000  

BRL

     248,000,000        8.67        August 23, 2023        August 14, 2025       248,000,000  

BRL

     1,424,000,000        9.66        August 9, 2023        August 9, 2024       1,424,000,000  

BRL

     1,490,000,000        10.93        May 25, 2023        May 25, 2024     1,490,000,000  

BRL

     255,000,000        10.23        April 4, 2023        March 21, 2025       255,000,000  

BRL

     264,000,000        10.08        March 31, 2023        November 26, 2024       264,000,000  

BRL

     262,500,000        10.41        March 21, 2023        September 19, 2024       262,500,000  

BRL

     260,500,000        11.80        December 29, 2022        December 20, 2024       260,500,000  

BRL

     450,000,000        11.77        November 29, 2022        August 29, 2024       450,000,000  

BRL

     490,000,000        11.90        November 28, 2022        July 29, 2024       490,000,000  

BRL

     500,000,000        10.50        November 14, 2022        October 15, 2024       500,000,000  

BRL

     264,500,000        10.54        October 20, 2022        June 27, 2024     264,500,000  

BRL

     260,000,000        10.50        October 18, 2022        June 27, 2024     260,000,000  

BRL

     259,000,000        10.79        September 28, 2022        July 30, 2024       259,000,000  

BRL

     487,000,000        11.07        September 21, 2022        April 19, 2024     487,000,000  

BRL

     495,000,000        10.86        September 19, 2022        April 29, 2024     495,000,000  

BRL

     257,500,000        12.11        June 28, 2022        June 28, 2024       257,500,000  

BRL

     233,000,000        12.26        April 26, 2022        January 26, 2024     233,000,000  

 

36


Table of Contents

Currency

   Original
Principal
Amount
     Interest Rate (%)      Issue Date      Maturity Date     Principal Amount
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2023
 

BRL

     255,500,000        11.21        March 23, 2022        April 3, 2024     255,500,000  

BRL

     253,500,000        11.35        March 21, 2022        April 2, 2024     253,500,000  

BRL

     252,000,000        11.21        March 18, 2022        March 18, 2024     252,000,000  

BRL

     254,000,000        11.07        March 14, 2022        March 14, 2024     254,000,000  

BRL

     252,500,000        10.92        March 11, 2022        March 11, 2024     252,500,000  
             

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency     BRL 12,407,000,000  
       

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(4)     W 3,296,912,110,000  
       

 

 

 

EUR

     500,000,000        3.63        September 18, 2023        September 18, 2027       500,000,000  

EUR

     45,000,000        3.75        June 23, 2023        June 23, 2026       45,000,000  

EUR

     500,000,000        3.63        June 7, 2023        June 7, 2030       500,000,000  

EUR

     850,000,000        3.62        June 7, 2023        June 7, 2026       850,000,000  

EUR

     50,000,000        1.38        November 11, 2022        November 24, 2025       50,000,000  

EUR

     50,000,000        1.38        November 11, 2022        November 24, 2025       50,000,000  

EUR

     950,000,000        1.38        May 24, 2022        November 24, 2025       950,000,000  

EUR

     550,000,000        EURIBOR 3M+1.00        May 24, 2022        May 24, 2024     550,000,000  

EUR

     45,000,000        2.63        April 25, 2022        April 25, 2052       45,000,000  

EUR

     850,000,000        0.00        October 19, 2021        October 19, 2024       850,000,000  

EUR

     700,000,000        0.83        April 27, 2020        April 27, 2025       700,000,000  

EUR

     150,000,000        0.14        December 16, 2019        December 16, 2024       150,000,000  

EUR

     750,000,000        0.38        March 26, 2019        March 26, 2024     750,000,000  

EUR

     20,000,000        1.54        August 23, 2018        August 23, 2028       20,000,000  

EUR

     30,000,000        1.53        August 13, 2018        August 13, 2028       30,000,000  

EUR

     25,000,000        1.64        August 6, 2018        August 6, 2030       25,000,000  

EUR

     25,000,000        1.64        August 6, 2018        August 6, 2030       25,000,000  

EUR

     30,000,000        3.60        July 19, 2012        July 19, 2027       30,000,000  

EUR

     117,000,000        3.88        July 12, 2012        July 12, 2032       117,000,000  
             

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency     EUR 6,237,000,000  
       

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(5)     W 8,897,641,830,000  
       

 

 

 

THB

     1,580,000,000        1.06        June 9, 2020        June 9, 2025       1,580,000,000  

THB

     500,000,000        4.78        July 31, 2013        July 31, 2025       500,000,000  

THB

     1,500,000,000        4.78        July 31, 2013        July 31, 2025       1,500,000,000  
             

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency     THB 3,580,000,000  
       

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(6)     W 134,679,600,000  
       

 

 

 

CHF

     200,000,000        0.20        November 14, 2023        November 14, 2028       200,000,000  

CHF

     150,000,000        0.00        November 27, 2019        May 27, 2025       150,000,000  

CHF

     300,000,000        0.38        July 11, 2018        July 11, 2024       300,000,000  

CHF

     250,000,000        0.17        July 18, 2017        July 18, 2025       250,000,000  
             

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency     CHF 900,000,000  
       

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(7)     W 1,374,138,000,000  
       

 

 

 

AUD

     75,000,000        6.22        December 4, 2023        December 4, 2038       75,000,000  

AUD

     77,000,000        6.00        November 27, 2023        November 27, 2043       77,000,000  

AUD

     63,000,000        5.70        October 6, 2023        October 6, 2043       63,000,000  

AUD

     60,000,000        5.56        August 8, 2023        August 8, 2038       60,000,000  

AUD

     73,500,000        5.55        August 2, 2023        August 2, 2043       73,500,000  

AUD

     350,000,000        BBSW 3M+1.00        June 26, 2023        June 26, 2028       350,000,000  

AUD

     375,000,000        BBSW 3M+0.85        June 26, 2023        June 26, 2026       375,000,000  

AUD

     125,000,000        5.10        June 26, 2023        June 26, 2026       125,000,000  

AUD

     70,000,000        5.40        March 14, 2023        March 14, 2038       70,000,000  

AUD

     65,000,000        5.46        February 21, 2023        February 21, 2038       65,000,000  

AUD

     40,000,000        5.90        November 4, 2022        November 4, 2037       40,000,000  

AUD

     450,000,000        BBSW 3M+1.0        April 7, 2022        April 7, 2027       450,000,000  

AUD

     200,000,000        3.55        April 7, 2022        April 7, 2025       200,000,000  

AUD

     60,000,000        2.70        December 22, 2021        December 22, 2036       60,000,000  

 

37


Table of Contents

Currency

   Original
Principal
Amount
     Interest Rate (%)      Issue Date      Maturity Date     Principal Amount
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2023
 

AUD

     55,000,000        BBSW+0.80        November 22, 2021        November 22, 2031       55,000,000  

AUD

     65,000,000        2.65        April 7, 2021        April 7, 2036       65,000,000  

AUD

     208,000,000        3.00        April 14, 2020        April 16, 2035       208,000,000  

AUD

     142,900,000        2.51        December 6, 2019        December 6, 2049       142,900,000  

AUD

     400,000,000        BBSW 3M+0.80        October 8, 2019        October 8, 2024       400,000,000  

AUD

     34,100,000        0.93        August 29, 2019        August 28, 2024       34,100,000  

AUD

     500,000,000        BBSW 3M+0.85        May 23, 2019        May 23, 2024     500,000,000  

AUD

     33,800,000        2.20        February 27, 2019        February 22, 2024     33,800,000  

AUD

     40,000,000        3.40        December 8, 2017        December 8, 2024       40,000,000  

AUD

     60,000,000        3.98        October 10, 2017        October 10, 2027       60,000,000  

AUD

     100,000,000        4.00        February 14, 2017        June 7, 2027       100,000,000  

AUD

     50,000,000        4.00        December 15, 2016        June 7, 2027       50,000,000  

AUD

     200,000,000        4.00        December 7, 2016        June 7, 2027       200,000,000  

AUD

     21,000,000        5.15        November 24, 2014        November 24, 2029       21,000,000  
             

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency     AUD 3,993,300,000  
       

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(8)     W 3,514,423,464,000  
       

 

 

 

INR

     4,100,000,000        4.10        October 16, 2023        October 16, 2028       4,100,000,000  

INR

     4,100,000,000        4.10        October 16, 2023        October 16, 2030       4,100,000,000  

INR

     3,250,000,000        7.15        April 18, 2018        April 18, 2025       3,250,000,000  
             

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency     INR 11,450,000,000  
       

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(9)     W 177,475,000,000  
       

 

 

 

CNY

     355,000,000        3.00        August 7, 2023        August 7, 2026       355,000,000  

CNY

     355,000,000        2.56        August 1, 2023        October 8, 2024       355,000,000  

CNY

     300,000,000        3.01        June 26, 2023        June 26, 2026       300,000,000  

CNY

     300,000,000        2.95        June 21, 2023        June 21, 2026       300,000,000  

CNY

     300,000,000        2.97        June 20, 2023        June 20, 2026       300,000,000  

CNY

     340,000,000        3.27        March 13, 2023        March 13, 2025       340,000,000  

CNY

     345,000,000        3.50        March 13, 2023        March 13, 2026       345,000,000  

CNY

     340,000,000        3.52        February 28, 2023        February 28, 2026       340,000,000  

CNY

     500,000,000        2.77        February 21, 2023        February 21, 2024     500,000,000  

CNY

     254,000,000        3.51        March 18, 2022        March 18, 2024     254,000,000  

CNY

     255,000,000        3.47        March 17, 2022        March 17, 2024     255,000,000  

CNY

     253,000,000        3.38        March 29, 2022        March 29, 2027       253,000,000  

CNY

     300,000,000        2.85        March 25, 2021        March 25, 2024     300,000,000  

CNY

     1,500,000,000        2.80        March 3, 2021        March 3, 2024     1,500,000,000  

CNY

     270,000,000        3.05        November 5, 2020        November 5, 2025       270,000,000  

CNY

     200,000,000        3.58        April 23, 2019        April 23, 2024     200,000,000  

CNY

     500,000,000        4.50        January 27, 2014        January 27, 2024     500,000,000  
             

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency     CNY 6,667,000,000  
       

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(10)     W 1,205,660,280,000  
       

 

 

 

IDR

     700,000,000,000        5.75        March 5, 2021        March 5, 2024     700,000,000,000  

IDR

     705,000,000,000        6.70        December 2, 2019        December 2, 2024       705,000,000,000  

IDR

     700,000,000,000        6.71        November 25, 2019        November 25, 2024       700,000,000,000  

IDR

     675,000,000,000        8.00        April 3, 2019        May 15, 2024     675,000,000,000  

IDR

     700,000,000,000        8.00        February 28, 2019        May 15, 2024     700,000,000,000  

IDR

     635,000,000,000        7.25        April 19, 2018        December 7, 2024       635,000,000,000  

IDR

     640,000,000,000        7.25        April 16, 2018        December 7, 2024       640,000,000,000  

IDR

     645,000,000,000        7.25        March 12, 2018        December 7, 2024       645,000,000,000  

IDR

     645,000,000,000        7.25        March 7, 2018        December 7, 2024       645,000,000,000  

IDR

     685,500,000,000        6.50        March 7, 2018        March 7, 2025       685,500,000,000  

IDR

     625,000,000,000        7.25        February 5, 2018        December 7, 2024       625,000,000,000  

IDR

     630,000,000,000        7.25        January 19, 2018        December 7, 2024       630,000,000,000  

IDR

     670,000,000,000        7.25        December 7, 2017        December 7, 2024       670,000,000,000  
             

 

 

 

 

38


Table of Contents

Currency

   Original
Principal
Amount
     Interest Rate (%)      Issue Date      Maturity Date      Principal Amount
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2023
 
        Subtotal in Original Currency      IDR 8,655,500,000,000  
        

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(11)      W 723,599,800,000  
        

 

 

 

PEN

     150,000,000        5.95        April 14, 2023        October 14, 2024        150,000,000  

PEN

     102,000,000        4.15        December 10, 2019        December 10, 2024        102,000,000  

PEN

     105,000,000        4.14        November 21, 2019        November 21, 2024        105,000,000  

PEN

     13,600,000        7.15        November 4, 2011        November 4, 2041        13,600,000  

PEN

     54,500,000        7.25        October 25, 2011        October 25, 2041        54,500,000  
              

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency      PEN 425,100,000  
        

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(12)      W 148,432,167,000  
        

 

 

 

NZD

     60,000,000        3.09        November 24, 2021        November 24, 2026        60,000,000  

NZD

     60,000,000        2.62        September 15, 2021        September 15, 2031        60,000,000  

NZD

     54,000,000        2.65        June 8, 2021        June 8, 2031        54,000,000  
              

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency      NZD 174,000,000  
        

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(13)      W 142,062,300,000  
        

 

 

 

ZAR

     715,000,000        8.05        September 28, 2021        September 28, 2031        715,000,000  

ZAR

     600,000,000        8.20        March 19, 2020        March 19, 2030        600,000,000  

ZAR

     600,000,000        8.43        November 27, 2019        November 27, 2026        600,000,000  

ZAR

     700,000,000        8.50        May 28, 2019        May 28, 2025        700,000,000  
              

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency      ZAR 2,615,000,000  
        

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(14)      W 181,664,050,000  
        

 

 

 

CAD

     65,000,000        3.16        February 16, 2017        February 16, 2032        65,000,000  
              

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency      CAD 65,000,000  
        

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(15)      W 63,351,600,000  
        

 

 

 

GBP

     36,000,000        1.93        March 7, 2022        March 7, 2029        36,000,000  
              

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency      GBP 36,000,000  
        

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(16)      W 59,104,440,000  
        

 

 

 

NOK

     250,000,000        4.55        June 26, 2013        June 26, 2025        250,000,000  

NOK

     250,000,000        4.55        June 26, 2013        June 26, 2025        250,000,000  

NOK

     250,000,000        4.55        June 26, 2013        June 26, 2025        250,000,000  
              

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency      NOK 750,000,000  
        

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(17)      W 94,807,500,000  
        

 

 

 

SEK

     250,000,000        1.28        December 11, 2017        December 11, 2024        250,000,000  
              

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency      SEK 250,000,000  
        

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(18)      W 32,250,000,000  
        

 

 

 

CZK

     1,140,000,000        1.54        November 14, 2019        November 14, 2024        1,140,000,000  

CZK

     1,140,000,000        1.52        November 6, 2019        November 6, 2024        1,140,000,000  

CZK

     1,140,000,000        1.55        November 6, 2019        November 6, 2024        1,140,000,000  
              

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency      CZK 3,420,000,000  
        

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(19)      W 197,539,200,000  
        

 

 

 

PLN

     194,000,000        2.12        October 25, 2019        October 25, 2024        194,000,000  
              

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency      PLN 194,000,000  
        

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(20)      W 63,847,340,000  
        

 

 

 

PHP

     2,000,000,000        3.70        March 23, 2021        March 23, 2026        2,400,000,000  
              

 

 

 

 

39


Table of Contents

Currency

   Original
Principal
Amount
     Interest Rate (%)      Issue Date      Maturity Date      Principal Amount
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2023
 
        Subtotal in Original Currency      PHP 2,400,000,000  
        

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(21)      W 55,656,000,000  
        

 

 

 

TRY

     935,906,503        0.00        November 29, 2023        December 2, 2024        935,906,503  
              

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency      TRY 935,906,503  
        

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(22)      W 40,889,755,116  
        

 

 

 

JPY

     7,320,000,000        0.42        November 7, 2022        November 7, 2025        7,320,000,000  

JPY

     7,300,000,000        0.43        November 4, 2022        November 4, 2025        7,300,000,000  

JPY

     7,150,000,000        0.26        September 15, 2022        September 15, 2025        7,150,000,000  

JPY

     7,000,000,000        0.26        September 14, 2022        September 14, 2025        7,000,000,000  

JPY

     7,000,000,000        0.27        September 13, 2022        September 13, 2025        7,000,000,000  

JPY

     6,975,000,000        0.25        September 8, 2022        September 8, 2025        6,975,000,000  
              

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Original Currency      JPY 42,745,000,000  
        

 

 

 
        Subtotal in Equivalent Amount of Won(23)      W 390,116,517,000  
        

 

 

 
     Total External Bonds of the Bank in Equivalent Amount of Won      W 65,980,458,473,116  
              

 

 

 

 

*

Repaid on the respective maturity dates.

(1)

U.S. dollar amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of US$1.00 to Won 1,289.40, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(2)

Hong Kong Dollar amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of HKD 1.00 to Won 165.06, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(3)

Mexican Peso amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of MXN 1.00 to Won 75.97, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(4)

Brazilian Real amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of BRL 1.00 to Won 265.73, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(5)

Euro amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of EUR 1.00 to Won 1,426.59, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(6)

Thai Baht amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of THB 1.00 to Won 37.62, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(7)

Swiss Franc amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of CHF 1.00 to Won 1,526.82, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(8)

Australian Dollar amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of AUD 1.00 to Won 880.08, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(9)

Indian Rupee amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of INR 1.00 to Won 15.50, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(10)

Chinese Yuan amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of CNY 1.00 to Won 180.84, the prevailing market rate on December 29, 2023.

(11)

Indonesian Rupiah amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of IDR 100.00 to Won 8.36, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(12)

Peruvian Sol amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of PEN 1.00 to Won 349.17, the prevailing market rate on December 29, 2023.

(13)

New Zealand Dollar amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of NZD 1.00 to Won 816.45, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(14)

South African Rand amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of ZAR 1.00 to Won 69.47, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(15)

Canadian Dollar amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of CAD 1.00 to Won 974.64, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(16)

Great Britain Pound amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of GBP 1.00 to Won 1,641.79, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(17)

Norwegian Krone amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of NOK 1.00 to Won 126.41, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(18)

Swedish Krona amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of SEK 1.00 to Won 129.00, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(19)

Czech Koruna amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of CZK 1.00 to Won 57.76, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

 

40


Table of Contents
(20)

Polish Zloty amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of PLN 1.00 to Won 329.11, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(21)

Philippine Peso amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of PHP 1.00 to Won 23.19, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(22)

Turkish Lira amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of TRY 1.00 to Won 43.69, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(23)

Japanese Yen amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of JPY 100.00 to Won 912.66, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(2) External Borrowings of the Bank

 

Lender

 

Classifications

  Range of Interest Rates     Range of
Years of
Issue
    Range of
Years of
Maturity
    Principal
Amount
Outstanding as
of December 31,
2023(1)
 
        (%)                 (millions of Won)  

MUFG

 

Borrowings from

MUFG

   

3M Term SOFR +0.69

3M Term SOFR +0.80

 

 

   

2022

2023

 

 

   

2024

2026

 

 

   

386,820

386,820

 

 

Bookook Securities

  Borrowings from Bookook     3M Term SOFR+0.78       2022       2027       515,760  

HSBC

 

Borrowings from

HSBC

   

3M Term SOFR +0.59

3M Term SOFR +0.75

 

 

   

2022

2023

 

 

   

2025

2026

 

 

   

128,940

257,880

 

 

ANZ

  Borrowings from ANZ    

BBSY 3M+0.74

BBSY 3M+0.89

 

 

   

2022

2022

 

 

   

2024

2025

 

 

   

114,410

660,060

 

 

BofA

  Borrowings from BofA     3M Term SOFR+0.83       2023       2026       193,410  
         

 

 

 

Long-term Borrowings from Foreign Financial Institution

            W2,644,100  

Compulsory Loan

      3M Term SOFR+0.70       2014       2024       W193,410  

Foreign Currency CP

      3.61~5.93       2023       2024     W 1,610,461  

Others (including foreign banks and Credit Support Annexes)

          W 766,571  
         

 

 

 

Total External Borrowings of the Bank

 

  W 5,214,542  
 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Converted to Won amounts at the relevant market average exchange rates in effect on December 29, 2023 as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

B. Internal Debt of the Bank

 

Title

   Range of
Interest Rates
     Range of
Years of Issue
     Range of
Years
of Original
Maturity
     Principal
Amounts
Outstanding as
of December 31,

2023
 
     (%)                    (millions of Won)  

Bonds

           

Short-term Won-denominated domestic bonds

     3.44~4.11        2023        2024      W 15,130,000  

Long-term Won-denominated domestic bonds

     1.24~5.58        2015~2023        2024~2053        14,470,000  
           

 

 

 

Total Bonds

     1.24~5.58        2015~2023        2024~2053        29,600,000  
           

 

 

 

Total Internal Debt

 

   W 29,600,000  

Financial Statements and the Auditors

The Minister of Economy and Finance appoints our internal Auditor who is responsible for examining our financial operations and auditing our financial statements and accounting records. Following the resignation of Jong-cheol Kim as our internal Auditor upon completion of his three-year term, which ended on January 24,

 

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2024, Kyung-sup Lim, the Director General of our Audit Department, has temporarily assumed the position of our acting internal Auditor.

We prepare our financial statements annually for submission to the Minister of Economy and Finance, accompanied by an opinion of the Auditor. Although we are not legally required to have financial statements audited by external auditors, an independent public accounting firm has audited our separate financial statements since 1983 and consolidated financial statements since 1998. As of the date of this prospectus, our independent auditor is KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp., located at 27th Floor, Gangnam Finance Center, 152 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06236, Korea, which has audited our separate financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 included in this prospectus.

Our separate financial statements and information included in this prospectus were prepared under K-IFRS. For a summary of financial statement preparation and significant accounting policies, see “—Notes to Separate Financial Statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022—Note 2.” These principles and procedures differ in certain material respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

 

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Table of Contents

Independent Auditors’ Report

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of

The Export-Import Bank of Korea:

Opinion

We have audited the accompanying separate financial statements of the Export-Import Bank of Korea (the “Bank”), which comprise the separate statements of financial position as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the separate statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the years then ended, and notes, comprising material accounting policies and other explanatory information.

In our opinion, the accompanying separate financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the separate financial position of the Bank as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and its separate financial performance and its separate cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with Korean International Financial Reporting Standards (“K-IFRS”).

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audits in accordance with Korean Standards on Auditing (KSAs). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Separate Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Bank in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the separate financial statements in the Republic of Korea, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Other Matter

The procedures and practices utilized in the Republic of Korea to audit such separate financial statements may differ from those generally accepted and applied in other countries.

Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Separate Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the separate financial statements in accordance with K-IFRS, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of separate financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the separate financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Bank’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the Bank or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Bank’s financial reporting process.

Auditors’ Responsibilities for the Audit of the Separate Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the separate financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors’ report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with KSAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these separate financial statements.

 

43


Table of Contents

As part of an audit in accordance with KSAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:

 

   

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the separate financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

 

   

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Bank’s internal control.

 

   

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used in the preparation of the separate financial statements and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.

 

   

Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Bank’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditors’ report to the related disclosures in the separate financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditors’ report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Bank to cease to continue as a going concern.

 

   

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the separate financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the separate financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

/s/ KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp.

KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp.

Seoul, Korea

March 29, 2024

 

This report is effective as of March 29, 2024, the audit report date. Certain subsequent events or circumstances, which may occur between the audit report date and the time of reading this report, could have a material impact on the accompanying separate financial statements and notes thereto. Accordingly, the readers of the audit report should understand that the above audit report has not been updated to reflect the impact of such subsequent events or circumstances, if any.

 

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Table of Contents

THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF KOREA

SEPARATE STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022

 

     December 31,
2023
    December 31,
2022
 
              
     (Korean won in millions)  

ASSETS:

  

Cash and due from financial institutions (Notes 4, 5 and 7)

   W 12,591,124     W 9,931,012  

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”) (Notes 4, 5, 8 and 20)

     3,715,536       4,172,754  

Hedging derivative assets (Notes 4, 5 and 20)

     611,960       329,210  

Loans at amortized cost (Notes 4, 5, 10 and 37)

     87,777,261       89,300,057  

Financial investments (Notes 4, 5 and 9)

     15,413,465       13,363,826  

Investments in associates and subsidiaries (Note 11)

     2,005,626       1,935,869  

Tangible assets, net (Note 12)

     292,735       273,003  

Intangible assets, net (Note 13)

     46,337       42,813  

Deferred tax assets (Note 34)

     987,104       867,269  

Retirement benefit assets, net (Note 18)

     28,431       45,142  

Other assets (Notes 4, 5, 14 and 37)

     1,924,867       1,808,995  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W 125,394,449     W 122,069,950  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

LIABILITIES:

    

Financial liabilities at FVTPL (Notes 4, 5 and 20)

   W 2,122,804     W 2,513,487  

Hedging derivative liabilities (Notes 4, 5 and 20)

     1,514,208       2,356,908  

Borrowings (Notes 4, 5 and 15)

     5,532,198       10,112,740  

Debentures (Notes 4, 5 and 16)

     93,256,543       87,791,623  

Provisions (Note 17)

     1,489,976       1,092,435  

Other liabilities (Notes 4, 5, 19 and 37)

     3,527,917       2,767,208  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     107,443,644       106,634,401  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

  

Capital stock (Note 1 and 21)

     14,773,254       12,773,254  

Capital adjustments

     (143,446     (133,840

Other components of equity (Notes 20 and 22)

     682,285       744,756  

Retained earnings (Note 23)

    

(Regulatory reserve for loan losses as of December 31, 2023 and 2022: W275,620 million and W239,710 million)

     2,638,712       2,051,379  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     17,950,805       15,435,549  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   W 125,394,449     W 122,069,950  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to separate financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF KOREA

SEPARATE STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022

 

     2023     2022  
              
     (Korean won in millions)  

OPERATING INCOME:

    

Net interest income (Notes 24 and 37):

    

Interest income

   W 5,856,490     W 3,070,500  

Interest expenses

     (4,971,276     (2,118,108
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     885,214       952,392  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net commission income (Notes 25 and 37):

    

Commission income

     464,744       362,932  

Commission expenses

     (30,189     (26,194
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     434,555       336,738  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividend income (Note 26)

     61,970       60,627  

Net gain (loss) on financial assets at FVTPL (Note 27)

     209,808       (305,507

Net gain (loss) on hedging derivative assets (Notes 20 and 28)

     2,013,401       (3,223,739

Net gain (loss) on financial investments (Note 29)

     726       (47

Net gain (loss) on foreign exchange transaction

     (1,062,884     514,938  

Net other operating income (expenses) (Note 30)

     (931,214     3,173,480  

Additional impairment loss on credit (Note 31 and 37)

     (279,070     (677,995

General and administrative expenses (Note 32)

     (271,357     (261,423
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating income

     1,061,149       569,464  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-OPERATING INCOME (Note 33):

    

Net gain (loss) on investments in associates and subsidiaries

     7,177       5,545  

Net other non-operating income (expenses)

     (6,982     (4,143
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     195       1,402  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

PROFIT BEFORE INCOME TAX

     1,061,344       570,866  

INCOME TAX EXPENSES (Note 34)

     (338,592     (183,955
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

     722,752       386,911  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Profit for the year adjusted for regulatory reserve for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022: W987,007 million and W351,001 million) (Note 23)

    

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

FOR THE YEAR (Note 22)

    

Items not reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

    

Net gain (loss) on equity securities at FVOCI

     (146,524     37,176  

Remeasurement of net defined benefit liabilities

     (10,329     23,879  

Income tax effect

     37,512       (2,878

Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

    

Net gain (loss) on debt securities at FVOCI

     63,073       (302,298

Net gain (loss) on valuation of cash flow hedge

     11,177       46,612  

Income tax effect

     (17,380     59,596  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (62,471     (137,913
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR

   W 660,281     W 248,998  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to separate financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF KOREA

SEPARATE STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022

 

                  Other components of equity              
     Capital
stock
     Capital
adjustments
    Gain (loss) on
valuation of
financial assets at
FVOCI
    Gain (loss) on
valuation of cash-
flow hedge
     Remeasurement,
net of defined
benefit liabilities
    Gain (loss) on
disposal of
financial assets at
FVOCI
    Retained
earnings
    Total  
                                                    
     (Korean won in millions)  

January 1, 2022

   W 12,748,254      W (133,716   W 930,776     W 2,968      W 18,865     W (69,940   W 1,855,724     W 15,352,931  

Payment of dividends

     —         —        —        —         —        —        (191,256     (191,256

Paid-in Capital Increase

     25,000        (124     —        —         —        —        —        24,876  

Total comprehensive Income

                     248,998  

Profit for the year

     —         —        —        —         —        —        386,911       386,911  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                     (137,913

Net loss on valuation of financial assets at FVOCI, net of tax

     —         —        (268,456     —         —        —        —        (268,456

Net gain on valuation of cash flow hedge, net of tax

     —         —        —        35,837        —        —        —        35,837  

Remeasurement elements of defined benefit plans, net of tax

     —         —        —        —         18,589       —        —        18,589  

Net gain on disposal of financial assets at FVOCI, net of tax

     —         —        —        —         —        76,117       —        76,117  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

   W 12,773,254      W (133,840   W 662,320     W 38,805      W 37,454     W 6,177     W 2,051,379     W 15,435,549  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

January 1, 2023

   W 12,773,254      W (133,840   W 662,320     W 38,805      W 37,454     W 6,177     W 2,051,379     W 15,435,549  

Payment of dividends

     —           —        —         —        —        (135,419     (135,419

Paid-in Capital Increase

     2,000,000        (9,606     —        —         —        —        —        1,990,394  

Total comprehensive Income

                     660,281  

Profit for the year

     —           —        —         —        —        722,752       722,752  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                     (62,471

Net loss on valuation of financial assets at FVOCI, net of tax

     —           (276,705     —         —        —        —        (276,705

Net gain on valuation of cash flow hedge, net of tax

     —           —        8,646        —        —        —        8,646  

Remeasurement elements of defined benefit plans, net of tax

     —           —        —         (7,894     —        —        (7,894

Net gain on disposal of financial assets at FVOCI, net of tax

     —           —        —         —        213,482       —        213,482  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2023

   W 14,773,254      W (143,446   W 385,615     W 47,451      W 29,560     W 219,659     W 2,638,712     W 17,950,805  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to separate financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF KOREA

SEPARATE STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022

 

     2023     2022  
              
     (Korean won in millions)  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Profit for the year

   W 722,752     W 386,911  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments for:

    

Income tax expense

     338,591       183,954  

Interest income

     (5,856,490     (3,070,500

Interest expenses

     4,971,276       2,118,108  

Dividend and distribution income

     (91,254     (80,566

Dividend received from subsidiaries and associates

     (7,177     (5,545

Loss on financial assets at FVTPL

     27,367       16,362  

Loss on financial assets at FVOCI

     532       144  

Transfer to derivatives’ credit risk provision

     11,738       5,982  

Loss on foreign exchange transactions

     2,678,304       1,922,433  

Impairment loss on credit

     279,070       677,995  

Loss on fair value hedged items

     1,210,415       273,771  

Depreciation and amortization

     20,672       18,674  

Loss on disposals of tangible, intangible and other assets

     5       3  

Loss on valuation of derivative assets for trading

     563,390       2,330,999  

Loss on valuation of derivative assets for hedging

     85,975       2,324,297  

Increase in other provisions

     6       60  

Retirement benefits

     6,262       11,064  

Gain on financial assets at FVTPL

     (106,707     (36,319

Gain on financial assets at FVOCI

     (1,258     (97

Reversal of derivatives’ credit risk provision

     (13,834     (17,165

Gain on foreign exchange transactions

     (1,615,429     (2,437,371

Gain on fair value hedged items

     (282,391     (3,439,246

Gain on valuation of derivative assets for trading

     (618,916     (1,567,207

Gain on valuation of derivative assets for hedging

     (910,713     (297,788

Gain on disposals of tangible, intangible and other assets

     (44     (86
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     689,390       (1,068,044
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Due from financial institutions

     855,184       (3,865,143

Financial assets and liabilities at FVTPL

     199,438       (533,003

Hedging derivative net assets

     (287,439     (79,832

Loans at amortized cost

     2,965,877       (8,988,823

Other assets

     (111,967     (935,202

Provisions

     7,399       40,231  

Payment of retirement benefits

     119       (18,721

Other liabilities

     (1,000,867     377,869  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,627,744       (14,002,624
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Payment of income tax

     (97,220     (10,322

Interest received

     4,523,143       2,781,824  

Interest paid

     (3,021,996     (1,621,718

Dividend received

     98,431       86,111  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     5,542,244       (13,447,862
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF KOREA

SEPARATE STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022

 

     2023     2022  
              
     (Korean won in millions)  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Disposal of financial investments

   W 3,870,084     W 1,539,545  

Disposal of investments in associates and subsidiaries

     2,145       2,981  

Disposal of tangible assets

     82       161  

Acquisition of financial investments

     (2,608,149     (1,977,923

Acquisition of investments in associates and subsidiaries

     (71,902     (373,697

Acquisition of tangible assets

     (30,050     (11,783

Acquisition of intangible assets

     (13,920     (17,966
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     1,148,290       (838,682
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Proceeds from borrowings

     1,807,700       11,683,576  

Proceeds from debentures

     41,971,865       20,853,080  

Paid-in capital increase

     —        25,000  

Increase in deposits

     —        2  

Decrease in call money

     (45,745     (752,829

Repayment of borrowings

     (6,632,506     (6,700,287

Repayment of debentures

     (39,864,259     (9,245,611

Expense related to paid-in capital increases

     (9,607     (124

Payment of dividends

     (135,419     (191,255

Decrease in deposits

     —        (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (2,907,971     15,671,550  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     3,782,563       1,385,006  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

     4,781,957       3,146,957  

EFFECTS OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON THE BALANCE OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES

     (299,201     249,994  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF THE YEAR (Note 7 and 35)

   W 8,265,319     W 4,781,957  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to separate financial statements.

 

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THE EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF KOREA

NOTES TO THE SEPARATE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022

 

1.

GENERAL:

 

(1)

Summary of The Export-Import Bank of Korea

The Export-Import Bank of Korea (the “Bank”) was established in 1976 as a special financial institution under The Export-Import Bank of Korea Act (the “EXIM Bank Act”) to grant financial facilities for overseas trade (i.e., export and import), investments and resources development activities. As of December 31, 2023, the Bank operates a head office in Seoul, a domestic subsidiary, ten domestic branches, three domestic offices, five overseas subsidiaries and twenty-four overseas offices.

The Bank’s authorized capital is W15,000,000 million, and through numerous capital increases since the establishment, its paid-in capital is W14,773,254 million as of December 31, 2023. The Government of the Republic of Korea (the “Government”), the Bank of Korea, and the Korea Development Bank hold 73.02%, 7.89%, and 19.09%, respectively, of the ownership of the Bank as of December 31, 2023.

The Bank, as a trustee of the Government, has managed the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (“EDCF”) since June 1987 and the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund (“IKCF”) since March 1991. These funds are accounted for separately and are not included in the Bank’s separate financial statements. The Bank receives fees from the Government for the trustee services.

 

(2)

Summary of subsidiaries and associates

 

1)

Subsidiaries of the Bank as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

(December 31, 2023)

 

Subsidiaries

 

Location

 

Capital stock

   

Main

business

  Number of
shares owned
(in shares)
    Percentage
of owner-
ship (%)
    Financial
statements
as of
 

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

  United Kingdom   GBP     81mil.     Finance     81,283,897       100.00       Dec. 31, 2023  

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co. (*1)

  Vietnam   USD     53mil.     Finance     —        100.00       Dec. 31, 2023  

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance(*2)

  Indonesia   IDR     806,433mil.     Finance     3,065       97.52       Dec. 31, 2023  

KEXIM Asia Limited

  Hong Kong   USD     130mil.     Finance     130,000,000       100.00       Dec. 31, 2023  

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd

  Singapore   USD     300mil.     Finance     300,000,000       100.00       Dec. 31, 2023  

EXIM PLUS Co., Ltd.

  Korea   KRW     950mil.     Service     190,000       100.00       Dec. 31, 2023  

 

  (*1)

This entity does not issue share certificates.

  (*2)

Convertible loan recognized as capital for an Indonesian corporation located in Indonesia is included.

(December 31, 2022)

 

Subsidiaries

 

Location

 

Capital stock

   

Main

business

  Number of
shares owned
(in shares)
    Percentage
of owner-
ship (%)
    Financial
statements
as of
 

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

  United Kingdom   GBP     81mil.     Finance     81,283,897       100.00       Dec. 31, 2022  

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co. (*1)

  Vietnam   USD     53mil.     Finance     —        100.00       Dec. 31, 2022  

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

  Indonesia   IDR     52,000mil.     Finance     442       85.00       Dec. 31, 2022  

KEXIM Asia Limited

  Hong Kong   USD     130mil.     Finance     130,000,000       100.00       Dec. 31, 2022  

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd

  Singapore   USD     300mil.     Finance     300,000,000       100.00       Dec. 31, 2022  

EXIM PLUS Co., Ltd.

  Korea   KRW     950mil.     Service     190,000       100.00       Dec. 31, 2022  

 

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  (*1)

This entity does not issue share certificates.

 

2)

Associates of the Bank as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

(December 31, 2023)

 

Associates

 

Location

 

Capital stock

   

Main business

  Number of
shares owned
(in shares)
    Percentage
of owner-
ship (%)
    Financial
statements
as of
 

Credit Guarantee and Investment Fund

  Philippines   USD     1,158mil.     Financial service     171,400,000       14.80       Dec. 31, 2023  

KTB Newlake Global Healthcare PEF

  Korea   KRW     13,350mil.     Financial service     3,336,768,385       24.99       Dec. 31, 2023  

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

  Korea   KRW     611,453mil.     Manufacturing     25,745,964       26.41       Dec. 31, 2023  

KB-Badgers Future Mobility ESG Fund I

  Korea   KRW     18,766mil.     Financial service     4,265,000,000       22.73       Dec. 31, 2023  

WWG Green New Deal PEF

  Korea   KRW     13,900mil.     Financial service     3,475,000,000       25.00       Dec. 31, 2023  

Corporate Structure Innovation PEF IV

  Korea   KRW     2,450mil.     Financial service     543,900,000       22.20       Dec. 31, 2023  

(December 31, 2022)

 

Associates

 

Location

 

Capital stock

   

Main business

  Number of
shares owned
(in shares)
    Percentage
of owner-
ship (%)
    Financial
statements
as of
 

Credit Guarantee and Investment Fund

  Philippines   USD     1,149mil.     Financial service     171,400,000       14.92       Dec. 31, 2022  

KTB Newlake Global Healthcare PEF

  Korea   KRW     21,930mil.     Financial service     5,481,550,532       25.00       Dec. 31, 2022  

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

  Korea   KRW     487,376mil.     Manufacturing     25,745,964       26.41       Dec. 31, 2022  

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (*1)

  Korea   KRW     541,453mil.     Shipbuilding     —        —        Dec. 31, 2022  

KB-Badgers Future Mobility ESG Fund I

  Korea   KRW     5,225mil.     Financial service     1,187,500,000       22.73       Dec. 31, 2022  

 

  (*1)

During the year, the Bank has assessed that there is no significant influence considering potential voting rights and equity ratio and the entity is excluded from the associates.

 

2.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

 

(1)

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

The Bank’s separate financial statements are prepared under Korean International Financial Reporting Standards (“K-IFRS”).

The Bank’s financial statements are separate financial statements in accordance with K-IFRS No. 1027 ‘Separate Financial Statements’.

 

(2)

Basis of measurement

The separate financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for the following material items in the statement of financial position:

 

   

Derivative financial instruments measured at fair value

 

   

Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss

 

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Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

   

Financial assets and liabilities designated as hedged items in a fair value hedge accounting of which changes in fair value attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in profit or loss

 

   

Liabilities for defined benefit plans, which are recognized as net of the total present value of defined benefit obligations less the fair value of plan assets

 

(3)

Functional and presentation currency

These separate financial statements are presented in Korean won, which is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the Bank operates.

 

(4)

Significant Estimates and Judgments

The preparation of separate financial statements requires the application of accounting policies and certain critical accounting estimates and assumptions may have a significant impact on assets (liabilities) and income (expenses). The management’s estimate may differ from the actual outcome if the management’s estimate and assumption based on its best judgment at the reporting date are different from an actual environment.

Estimates and assumptions are continually evaluated and the change in an accounting estimate is recognized prospectively by including it in profit or loss in the period of the change, if the change affects that period only, or the period of the change and future periods, if the change affects both.

Uncertainty in estimates and assumptions with significant risk that will result in material adjustment are as follows:

 

1)

Fair value of financial instruments

The fair value of financial instruments where no active market exists or where quoted prices are not otherwise available are determined by using valuation techniques. Financial instruments that are not actively traded in the market and with less transparent market price, will have less objective fair value and will require judgment in liquidity, concentration, uncertainty in market factors and assumption in price determination and other risks.

As described in the significant accounting policies ‘Recognition and Measurement of Financial Instruments’ diverse valuation techniques are used to determine the fair value of financial instruments, from general market accepted valuation model to internally developed valuation model that incorporates various types of assumptions and variables.

 

2)

Provision of credit losses (allowances for loan losses, provisions for acceptances and guarantees, financial guarantee contracts and unused loan commitments)

The Bank recognizes credit loss allowance for expected credit losses on debt instruments, loans and receivables that are measured at amortized cost, loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts in accordance with K- IFRS No. 1109 ‘Financial Instruments’. The allowance is determined by techniques, assumptions and input variables used by the Bank to measure expected future cash flows of individual financial instruments and to measure expected credit losses in a collective manner.

 

3)

Defined benefit obligation

The present value of defined benefit obligations is measured by the independent actuaries using projected unit credit method. It is determined by actuarial assumptions and variables such as future increases in salaries, rate of retirement, discount rate and others.

 

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4)

Income taxes

The Bank has recognized current and deferred taxes that reflect tax consequences based on the best estimates in which the Bank expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities. However, actual income taxes in the future may not be identical to the recognized deferred tax assets and liabilities, and this difference can affect current and deferred tax at the period when the final tax effect is determined.

 

5)

Hedging relationship

The Bank expects a high hedge effectiveness throughout the hedging period in designating the hedging relationship and it is probable that the hedged transaction will be highly probable in the cash flow hedge.

 

(5)

Changes in Accounting Policies

The Bank has adopted the same accounting policies that applied to the separate financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, except for the application of the amended standards first effective from January 1, 2023, which are explained below.

 

1)

K-IFRS No.1001 Presentation of Financial Statements – Disclosure of Accounting Policies

The amendments define and require entities to disclose their material accounting policy information. The amendments do not have a significant impact on the financial statements.

 

2)

K-IFRS No.1001 Presentation of Financial Statements – Disclosure of gain or loss on valuation of financial liabilities subject to adjustment of exercise price

If the entire or a part of financial instrument, whose exercise price is subject to change due to the issuer’s share price, is classified as a financial liability, the carrying amount of the financial liability and related gains and losses shall be disclosed. The amendments do not have a significant impact on the financial statements.

 

3)

K-IFRS No.1008 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors – Definition of Accounting Estimates

The amendments define accounting estimates and clarify how to distinguish them from changes in accounting policies. The amendments do not have a significant impact on the financial statements.

 

4)

K-IFRS No.1012 Income Taxes – Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction

The amendments include an additional condition to the exemption to initial recognition of an asset or liability that a transaction does not give rise to equal taxable and deductible temporary differences at the time of the transaction. The amendments do not have a significant impact on the financial statements.

 

5)

K-IFRS No.1012 Income Taxes – Global Minimum Tax

In accordance with the global minimum tax legislation, The Bank will be liable to pay top-up tax for the difference between the effective tax rate for each jurisdiction and the 15% minimum rate. Accordingly, The Bank is expected to be subject to the global minimum tax legislation. Since the legislation is scheduled to be effective from January 1, 2024, there is no impact on current tax expense as of December 31, 2023. Also, The Bank applies the exception to recognizing and disclosing information about deferred tax assets and liabilities related to global minimum tax legislation.

 

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3.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

 

(1)

General

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these separate financial statements after transition to K-IFRS are set out below.

 

(2)

Investments in subsidiaries and associates

The accompanying separate financial statements have been prepared on a stand-alone basis in accordance with K-IFRS No.1027, ‘Separate Financial Statements’. The Bank’s investments in subsidiaries and associates are recorded at cost in accordance with K-IFRS No.1027. Dividend received from its subsidiaries and associates is recognized in profit or loss when the Bank is entitled to receive the dividend.

 

(3)

Foreign Currency

 

1)

Foreign currency transactions

In preparing the separate financial statements of the Bank, transactions in currencies other than the Bank’s functional currency (foreign currencies) are recorded by applying the rates of exchange at the dates of the transactions.

At the end of each reporting period foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate which is the spot exchange rate at the end of the reporting period. Non-monetary items that are measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the spot exchange rates at the date when the fair value was determined and non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the spot exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items or on translating monetary items at rates different from those at which they were translated on initial recognition during the period or in previous financial statements are recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they arise. When gains or losses on a non-monetary item are recognized in other comprehensive income, any exchange component of those gains or losses are recognized in other comprehensive income. Conversely, when gains or losses on a non-monetary item are recognized in profit or loss, any exchange component of those gains or losses are recognized in profit or loss.

 

2)

Foreign operations

The results and financial position of all foreign operations, whose functional currency differs from the Bank’s presentation currency, are translated into the Bank’s presentation currency using the following procedures;

Assets and liabilities for each statement of financial position presented are translated at the closing rate at the date of that statement of financial position. Income and expenses for statement of comprehensive income presented are translated at average exchange rates for the period.

Any fair value adjustments to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities arising from the acquisition of that foreign operation are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation. Thus, they are expressed in the functional currency of the foreign operation and are translated into the presentation currency at the closing rate.

On the disposal of a foreign operation, the cumulative amount of the exchange differences relating to that foreign operation, recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the separate component of equity, are reclassified from equity to profit or loss (as a reclassification adjustment) when the gains or losses on disposal are recognized. On the partial disposal of a subsidiary that includes a foreign operation, the Bank reattributes the proportionate share of the cumulative amount of the exchange differences recognized in other comprehensive income to the non-controlling interests in that foreign operation. In any other partial disposal of a foreign operation, the Bank reclassifies to profit or loss only the proportionate share of the cumulative amount of the exchange differences recognized in other comprehensive income.

 

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(4)

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, foreign currency, and highly liquid short-term investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash, which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

 

(5)

Non-derivative Financial Assets

Financial assets are recognized when the Bank becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. In addition, a regular way purchase or sale (a purchase or sale of a financial asset under a contract whose terms require delivery of the asset within the time frame established generally by regulation or convention in the market concerned) is recognized on the trade date.

A financial asset is measured initially at its fair value plus, for an item not at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss (“FVTPL”), transaction costs that are directly attributable to its acquisition of the financial asset. Transaction costs on the financial assets at FVTPL that are directly attributable to the acquisition are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

 

1)

Financial assets designated at FVTPL

Financial assets can be irrevocably designated as measured at FVTPL despite of classification standards stated below, if doing so eliminates or significantly reduces an accounting mismatch that would otherwise arise from measuring assets or liabilities or recognizing the gains or losses on them on different bases.

 

2)

Equity instruments

For the equity instruments that are not held for trading, at initial recognition, the Bank may make an irrevocable election to present subsequent changes in fair value in other comprehensive income. Equity instruments that are not classified as financial assets at Fair Value through Other Comprehensive Income (“FVOCI”) are classified as financial assets at FVTPL.

The Bank subsequently measures all equity investments at fair value. Valuation gains or losses of the equity instruments that are classified as financial assets at FVOCI previously recognized as other comprehensive income is not reclassified as profit or loss on derecognition. The Bank recognizes dividends in profit or loss when the Bank’s right to receive payments of the dividend is established.

Valuation gains or losses due to changes in fair value of the financial assets at FVTPL are recognized as gains or losses on financial assets at FVTPL. Impairment loss (reversal) on equity instruments at FVOCI is not recognized separately.

 

3)

Debt instruments

Subsequent measurement of debt instruments depends on the Bank’s business model in which the asset is managed and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the asset. Debt instruments are classified as financial assets at amortized cost, at FVOCI, or at FVTPL. Debt instruments are reclassified only when the Bank’s business model changes.

 

 

Financial assets at amortized cost

Assets that are held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows where those cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest are measured at amortized cost. Impairment losses, and gains or losses on derecognition of the financial assets at amortized cost are recognized in profit or loss. Interest income on the effective interest method is included in the ‘Interest income’ in the separate statement of comprehensive income.

 

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Financial assets at FVOCI

Assets that are held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling financial assets, where the assets’ cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest, are measured at FVOCI. Other than impairment losses, interest income amortized using effective interest method and foreign exchange differences, gains or losses of the financial assets at FVOCI are recognized as other comprehensive income in equity. On derecognition, gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss. The interest income on the effective interest method is included in the ‘Interest income’ in the separate statement of comprehensive income. Foreign exchange differences and impairment losses are included in the ‘Net foreign currency transaction gain’ and ‘Impairment loss on credit’ in the separate statement of comprehensive income, respectively.

 

 

Financial assets at FVTPL

Debt securities other than financial assets at amortized costs or FVOCI are classified at FVTPL. Unless hedge accounting is applied, gains or losses from financial assets at FVTPL are recognized as profit or loss and are included in ‘Net gain on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss’ in the separate statement of comprehensive income.

 

4)

Embedded derivatives

Financial assets with embedded derivatives are classified regarding the entire hybrid contract, and the embedded derivatives are not separately recognized. The entire hybrid contract is considered when it is determined whether the contractual cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest.

 

5)

Derecognition of financial assets

The Bank derecognizes a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows on the financial asset in a transaction in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred. Any interest in transferred financial assets that is created or retained by the Bank is recognized as a separate asset or liability.

If the Bank retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the transferred financial assets, the Bank continues to recognize the transferred financial assets and recognizes financial liabilities for the consideration received.

 

6)

Offsetting

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is presented in the separate statement of financial position only when the Bank currently has a legally enforceable right to set off the recognized amounts, and intends either to settle on a net basis or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

 

(6)

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value, and changes therein are accounted for as described below.

 

1)

Hedge accounting

The Bank holds forward exchange contracts, interest rate swaps, currency swaps and other derivative contracts to manage interest rate risk and foreign exchange risk. The Bank designated derivatives as hedging

 

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instruments to hedge the risk of changes in the fair value of assets, liabilities or firm commitments (a fair value hedge) and foreign currency risk of highly probable forecasted transactions or firm commitments (a cash flow hedge).

On initial designation of the hedge, the Bank formally documents the relationship between the hedging instrument(s) and hedged item(s), including the risk management objectives and strategy in undertaking the hedge transaction, together with the methods that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the hedging relationship.

 

 

Fair value hedge

Changes in the fair value of a derivative hedging instrument designated as a fair value hedge are recognized in profit or loss. The gain or loss from remeasuring the hedging instrument at fair value for a derivative hedging instrument and the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in the separate statement of comprehensive income, in net gain (loss) on hedging derivative assets and net other operating income (expenses), respectively.

The Bank discontinues fair value hedge accounting if the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or if the hedge no longer meets the criteria. Any adjustment arising from G/L on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk is amortized to profit or loss from the date the hedge accounting is discontinued.

 

 

Cash flow hedge

When a derivative is designated to hedge the variability in cash flows attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecasted transaction that could affect profit or loss, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax, and presented in the hedging reserve in equity. Any ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

If the hedging instrument no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, expires or is sold, terminated, exercised, or the designation is revoked, then hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively. The cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument that has been recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss in the periods during which the forecasted transaction occurs. If the forecasted transaction is no longer expected to occur, then the balance in other comprehensive income is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

 

 

Net investment hedge

The portion of the change in fair value of a financial instrument designated as a hedging instrument that meets the requirements for hedge accounting for a net investment in a foreign operation is recognized in other comprehensive income and the ineffective portion of the hedge is recognized in profit or loss. The portion recognized as other comprehensive income that is effective as a hedge is recognized in the statement of comprehensive income as a result of reclassification adjustments in accordance with K-IFRS No. 1021, ‘Effect of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates’ at the time of disposing of its overseas operations or disposing of a portion of its overseas operations to profit or loss.

 

2)

Other derivative financial instruments

Changes in the fair value of other derivative financial instrument not designated as a hedging instrument are recognized immediately in profit or loss.

 

3)

Unobservable valuation differences at initial recognition

Any difference between the fair value of over the counter derivatives at initial recognition and the amount that would be determined at that date using a valuation technique in a situation in which the valuation is

 

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dependent on unobservable parameters is not recognized in profit or loss but is recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the instrument or immediately when the fair value becomes observable.

 

(7)

Impairment: Financial assets

The Bank measures expected credit loss and recognizes loss allowance at the end of the reporting period for financial assets measured at amortized cost and fair value through other comprehensive income with the exception of financial asset measured at fair value through profit or loss.

Expected credit losses are a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses (i.e. the present value of all cash shortfalls) over the expected life of the financial instrument. The Bank measures expected credit losses by reflecting reasonable and supportable information that is reasonably available at the reporting date without undue cost or effort, including information about past events, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions.

The Bank uses the following three measurement techniques in accordance with K-IFRS:

 

   

General approach: for financial assets and off-balance-sheet unused credit line that are not applied below two approaches

 

   

Credit-impaired approach: for purchased or originated credit-impaired financial assets

Different measurement approaches are applied depending on significant increase in credit risk. 12 months expected credit losses is recognized when credit risk has not significantly increased since initial recognition. A loss allowance at an amount equal to lifetime expected credit losses is recognized when credit risk has significantly increased since initial recognition. Lifetime is presumed to be a period to the contractual maturity date of a financial asset (the expected life of the financial asset).

One or more of the following items is deemed significant increase in credit risk. When the contractual cash flows of a financial asset are renegotiated or otherwise modified, the Bank determines whether the credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition using the following information.

 

   

more than 30 days past due;

 

   

decline in credit rating at period end by more than certain notches as compared to that at initial recognition;

 

   

the soundness of the assets is under precautionary from the grade table by Korean Financial Supervisory service

The Bank generally deems one or more of the following items credit-impaired:

 

   

no less than 90 days past due

 

   

legal proceedings related to collection

 

   

a borrower that has received a credit-warning from Korea Credit Information Services

 

   

corporate borrowers that are considered impaired (internally rating S, D, or F)

 

   

a borrower with the external auditor’s opinion that is qualified or disclaimer

 

   

negative capital and

 

   

debt restructuring.

 

1)

Forward-looking information

The Bank uses forward-looking information, when it measures expected credit losses.

 

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The Bank assumes ‘probability of default’(PD), which is one of the risk components, has a certain correlation with the business cycle and calculates the expected credit loss by reflecting the forward-looking information with macroeconomic variables on the measurement inputs.

 

2)

Measuring expected credit losses on financial assets at amortized cost

The amount of the loss on financial assets at amortized cost is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate.

The Bank estimates expected future cash flows for financial assets that are individually significant (individual assessment of impairment).

For financial assets that are not individually significant, the Bank collectively estimates expected credit loss by grouping loans with homogeneous credit risk profile (collective assessment of impairment).

 

 

Individual assessment of impairment

Individual assessment of impairment losses is calculated using management’s best estimate on present value of expected future cash flows. The Bank uses all the available information including operating cash flow of the borrower and net realizable value of any collateral held.

 

 

Collective assessment of impairment

Collective assessment of loss allowance involves historical loss experience along with incorporation of forward-looking information. Such process incorporates factors such as type of collateral, product and borrowers, credit rating, size of portfolio and recovery period and applies ‘probability of default’(PD) on a group of assets and ‘loss given default’(LGD) by type of recovery method. Also, the expected credit loss model involves certain assumption to determine input based on loss experience and forward-looking information. These models and assumptions are periodically reviewed to reduce gap between loss estimate and actual loss experience.

Lifetime expected credit loss as at the end of the reporting period is calculated by product based on the carrying amount net of expected repayment, PD for each period and LGD adjusted by change in carrying amount.

 

3)

Measuring expected credit losses on financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income Measuring method of expected credit losses on financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income is equal to the method of financial assets at amortized cost, except for loss allowances that are recognized as other comprehensive income. Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income for sale or repayment of financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss.

 

(8)

Tangible assets

 

1)

Recognition and measurement

All property and equipment that qualify for recognition as an asset are measured at their cost and subsequently carried at their cost less any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

The cost of property and equipment includes any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management and the initial estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located.

 

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Subsequent expenditures are capitalized only when they prolong the useful life or enhance values of the assets but the costs of the day-to-day servicing of the assets such as repair and maintenance costs are recognized in profit or loss as incurred. If part of an item of an asset has a useful life different from that of the entire asset, it is recognized as a separate asset.

 

2)

Depreciation

Land is not depreciated whereas other property and equipment are depreciated using the method that reflects the pattern in which the asset’s future economic benefits are expected to be consumed by the Bank. The depreciable amount of an asset is determined after deducting its residual value.

The depreciation method is straight-line and estimated useful lives of the assets are as follows.

 

Property and equipment

   Estimated useful lives
Buildings and structures    10–60 years
Leasehold Improvements    5 years
Vehicles    4 years
Tools, furniture and fixtures    4–20 years

The residual value, the useful life and the depreciation method applied to an asset are reviewed at least at each financial year-end and, if expectations differ from previous estimates or if there has been a significant change in the expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits embodied in the asset, the changes are accounted for as a change in an accounting estimate.

 

(9)

Intangible assets

Intangible assets are measured initially at cost and subsequently carried at its cost less any accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method with no residual value over their estimated useful economic life since the assets are available for use.

 

Intangible assets

   Estimated useful lives
Software    5 years
System development costs    5 years

The amortization period and the amortization method for intangible assets with a definite useful life are reviewed at least at each financial year-end. The useful life of an intangible asset that is not being amortized is reviewed each period to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life assessment for that asset. If there is any change, it is accounted for as a change in an accounting estimate.

 

(10)

Impairment of non-financial assets

The Bank assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is any indication that a non-financial asset, except for deferred tax assets, assets arising from employee benefits and non-current assets (or group of assets to be sold) classified as held for sale, may be impaired. If any such indication exists, the Bank estimates the recoverable amount of the asset. However, irrespective of whether there is any indication of impairment, the Bank tests goodwill acquired in a business combination, an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life and an intangible asset not yet available for use for impairment annually by comparing its carrying amount with its recoverable amount.

The recoverable amount is estimated for the individual asset. If it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of the individual asset, the Bank determines the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs (the asset’s cash-generating unit).

 

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The recoverable amount of an asset is the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount and such impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

 

(11)

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

Financial liabilities at FVTPL include contingent consideration that may be paid by an acquirer as part of a business combination to which K-IFRS No.1103, ‘Business Combination’ applies, short-term financial liabilities and financial liabilities recognized as financial liabilities at FVTPL initially. Financial liabilities at FVTPL are stated at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on remeasurement recognized in profit or loss. Otherwise, the transaction cost is recognized in current profit or loss.

 

(12)

Provisions

A provision is recognized if the Bank has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of the past event and it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. The risks and uncertainties that inevitably surround many events and circumstances are taken into account in reaching the best estimate of a provision, and where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount of a provision is the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation.

Provisions on confirmed and unconfirmed acceptances and guarantees, and unused credit line of corporate loans are recognized using valuation model that applies the credit conversion factor, default rates, and loss given default. Provisions are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate. If it is no longer probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, the provisions are reversed.

 

(13)

Financial guarantee contracts

A financial guarantee contract is a contract that requires the issuer (the Bank) to make specified payments to reimburse the holder for a loss it incurs because a specified debtor fails to make payments when due in accordance with the original or modified terms of a debt instrument.

Financial guarantee contracts are initially recognized at fair value and are amortized over the life of the contract. After initial recognition, financial guarantee contracts are measured at the greater of:

 

   

The amount determined in accordance with K-IFRS No.1109, ‘Financial Instruments’ and

 

   

The initial amount recognized, less, when appropriate, cumulative amortization recognized in accordance with K-IFRS No.1115, ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’

 

(14)

Equity and Reserve

Equity and Reserve are any contract or agreement that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities

 

(15)

Interest income and expenses

Interest income and expenses are recognized using the effective interest method. Effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a financial asset or a financial liability (or groups of financial assets or financial liabilities) and of allocating the interest income or interest expenses over the relevant period.

 

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The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts or payments through the expected life of the financial instrument or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount of the financial asset or financial liability. When calculating the effective interest rate, the Bank estimates cash flows considering all contractual terms of the financial instrument but does not consider future credit losses. The calculation includes all fees and points paid or received between parties to the contract that are an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs, and all other premiums or discounts. In those rare cases when it is not possible to estimate reliably the cash flows or the expected life of a financial instrument (or group of financial instruments), the Bank uses the contractual cash flows over the full contractual term of the financial instrument (or group of financial instruments).

Interest on impaired financial assets is recognized using the rate of interest used to discount the future cash flows for the purpose of measuring the impairment loss.

 

(16)

Fee and commission income

The Bank recognizes financial service fee in accordance with the accounting standard of the financial instrument related to the fees earned.

 

1)

Fees that are an integral part of the effective interest of a financial instrument

Such fees are generally treated as adjustments of effective interest. Such fees may include compensation for activities such as evaluating the borrower’s financial condition, evaluating and recording guarantees, collateral and other security arrangements, negotiating the terms of the instrument, preparing and processing documents and closing the transaction and origination fees received on issuing financial liabilities measured at amortized cost. However, fees relating to the creation or acquisition of a financial asset at FVTPL are recognized as revenue immediately

 

2)

Fees earned as services are provided

Such fees are recognized as revenue as the services are provided.

 

3)

Fees that are earned on the execution of a significant act

Such fees are recognized as revenue when the significant act has been completed.

 

(17)

Dividend income

Dividend income is recognized in profit or loss when the right to receive payment is established. Dividend income from financial assets at FVTPL and financial investments is recognized in profit or loss as part of dividend income in the separate statements of comprehensive income.

 

(18)

Employee compensation and benefits

 

1)

Defined contribution plans

When employees render service related to defined contribution plans, contributions related to employees services are recognized in current profit or loss without contributions included in cost of assets. Contributions which are supposed to be paid are recognized in accrued expenses after deducting any amount already paid. Also, if contributions already paid exceed contributions which would be paid at the end of period, the amount of excess is recognized in prepaid expenses.

 

2)

Defined benefit plans

The Bank’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit plans is calculated separately for each plan by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in the current and prior periods, discounting that amount and deducting the fair value of any plan assets.

 

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The calculation of defined benefit obligations is performed annually by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method. When the calculation results in a potential asset for the Bank, the recognized asset is limited to the present value of economic benefits available in the form of any future refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan. To calculate the present value of economic benefits, consideration is given to any applicable minimum funding requirements.

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability, which comprise actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets (excluding interest) and the effect of the asset ceiling (if any, excluding interest), are recognized immediately in OCI. The Bank determines the net interest expense (income) on the net defined benefit liability (asset) for the period by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual period to the then-net defined benefit liability (asset), taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability (asset) during the period as a result of contributions and benefit payments. Net interest expense and other expenses related to defined benefit plans are recognized in profit or loss.

When the benefits of a plan are changed or when a plan is curtailed, the resulting change in benefit that relates to past service or the gain or loss on curtailment is recognized immediately in profit or loss. The Bank recognizes gains and losses on the settlement of a defined benefit plan when the settlement occurs.

 

3)

Short-term employee benefits

Short-term employee benefits are employee benefits that are due to be settled within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service.

Short-term employee benefits are recognized in current profit and loss when employees render the related service. Short-term employee benefits are not discounted.

 

(19)

Income taxes

Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax and is recognized as profit or loss, except for taxes directly adjusted in equity or other comprehensive income and loss and for taxes that arise from business combination.

 

1)

Current tax

Current income tax is the amount of income taxes payable (recoverable) in respect of the taxable profit (tax loss) for a period. The difference between the taxable profit and accounting profit may arise when income or expenses are included in accounting profit in one period, but is included in taxable profit in a different period, and if there is revenue that is exempt from taxation, expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit (tax loss). Current income tax liabilities (assets) for the current and prior periods are measured at the amount expected to be paid to (recovered from) the taxation authorities, using the tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.

The Bank offsets current income tax assets and current income tax liabilities if, and only if, the Bank has a legally enforceable right to set off the recognized amounts and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

 

2)

Deferred tax

Deferred tax is recognized, using the asset-liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax base amount of assets and liabilities and their carrying amount in the financial statements. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognized for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against

 

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which the deductible temporary difference can be utilized. However, deferred tax liabilities are not recognized if they arise from the initial recognition of goodwill; deferred tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss.

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, except for deferred tax liabilities which the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the Bank and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

The carrying amount of a deferred tax asset is reviewed at the end of each reporting period. The Bank reduces the carrying amount of a deferred tax asset to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow the benefit of part or all of the deferred tax asset to be utilized.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Bank expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

The Bank offsets deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities when the Bank has a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities; and the deferred tax assets and the deferred tax liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity; or different taxable entity which intend either to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or recovered.

 

(20)

New standards and interpretations not yet adopted

The following new standards and amendments to existing standards have been published and are mandatory for the Bank to adopt for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2023, and the Bank has not early adopted them.

The following new standards and amendments to existing standards are not expected to significantly affect the Bank:

 

1)

Amendments to K-IFRS No.1001 Presentation of Financial Statements – Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current, Non-current Liabilities with Covenants

The amendments published during year 2020 and 2022 clarify that liabilities are classified as either current or non-current, depending on the substantive rights that exist at the end of the reporting period. Also, require an entity to disclose information about non-current liabilities with covenants. The amendments should be applied for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024. The Bank does not expect that these amendments have a significant impact on the financial statements.

 

2)

Amendments to K-IFRS No.1007 Statement of Cash Flows, Korean IFRS 1107 Financial Instruments: Disclosures – Supplier finance arrangements

When applying supplier finance arrangements, an entity shall disclose information about its supplier finance arrangements that enables users of financial statements to assess the effects of those arrangements on the entity’s liabilities and cash flows and on the entity’s exposure to liquidity risk. The amendments should be applied for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024, and earlier application is permitted. The Bank does not expect that these amendments have a significant impact on the financial statements.

 

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4.

RISK MANAGEMENT:

 

4-1.

Summary

 

(1)

Overview of Risk Management Policy

The financial risks that the Bank is exposed to are credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, interest risk, credit concentration risk, strategy/reputational risk, outsourcing risk, settlement risk and others. Credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, and operational risk have been recognized as the Bank’s key risks.

The Bank’s risk management system focuses on increasing transparency, developing risk management environment and preemptive response to risks due to rapid changes in financial environment to support the Bank’s long-term strategy and business decision efficiently.

The note regarding financial risk management provides information about the risks that the Bank is exposed to, the objective, policies and process for managing the risk, the methods used to measure the risk and capital adequacy. Additional quantitative information is disclosed throughout the separate financial statements.

 

(2)

Risk Management Group

 

1)

Risk Management Committee

The Risk Management Committee establishes risk management strategies in accordance with the directives of the board of directors and determines the Bank’s target risk appetite, approves significant risk matters and reviews the level of risks that the Bank is exposed to and the appropriateness of the Bank’s risk management operations as an ultimate decision-making authority.

 

2)

Risk Management Council

The Risk Management Council is a consultative group that reviews and makes decisions on matters delegated by the Risk Management Committee and discusses the detailed issues relating to the Bank’s risk management.

 

3)

Risk Management Practices Committee

The Risk Management Practices Committee assists the Risk Management Committee and the Risk Management Council. It performs practical work process relating to risk management plan, including targeted Bank for International Settlements (“BIS”) ratio, risk management strategy, risk measurement, risk analysis, economic capital limit and others.

 

4-2.

Credit risk

 

(1)

Overview of Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of possible losses in an asset portfolio in the events of counterparty’s default, breach of contract and deterioration in the credit quality of the counterparty. For the risk management reporting purposes, the individual borrower’s default risk, country risk, specific risks and other credit risk exposure components are considered as a whole.

 

(2)

Credit Risk Management

The Bank controls the credit concentration risk exposure by applying and managing total exposure limits to prevent the excessive risk concentration to specific industry and specific borrowers. The Bank maintains allowances for loan losses associated with credit risk on loans and receivables to manage its credit risk.

 

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(3)

Maximum exposure to credit risk

The Bank’s maximum exposure of financial instruments to credit risk as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, is as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Cash and due from financial institutions

   W 12,591,124      W 9,931,012  

Financial assets at FVTPL

     3,715,536        4,168,062  

Hedging derivative assets

     611,960        329,210  

Loans at amortized cost (*1)

     87,779,980        89,308,139  

Financial investments

     4,788,893        4,362,663  

Other financial assets

     1,852,213        1,645,865  

Acceptances and guarantee contracts

     54,579,410        53,388,080  

Commitments (*2)

     44,137,856        32,346,450  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W  210,056,972      W  195,479,481  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Loans at amortized cost exclude loans valuation adjustment related to fair value hedging and allowances for loan losses.

 

(*2)

Commitments exclude commitments on purchase of beneficiary certificates which are included in other commitments in Note 36.

 

(4)

Credit risk of loans

The Bank maintains allowances for loan losses associated with credit risk on loans to manage its credit risk. Impairment loss on loans can be directly from the carrying amount of the asset or deducted using an allowance account.

The Bank measures the credit risk inherent in financial assets classified as loans and presents it in financial statements as Allowance for loan losses in the form of deduction from the carrying amount of the assets. The Bank writes off on non-profitable loans, non-recoverable loans, loans classified as estimated loss by asset quality category, loans requested to be written off by Financial Supervisory Service (“FSS”) and others upon approval of Loan Management Committee.

 

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Loans categorized as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

     12 months
expected credit
losses
     Lifetime
expected credit
losses
     Credit-impaired
financial assets
     Total  

Collective assessment:

           

Best

   W 27,846,916      W 4,679      W 1,870      W 27,853,465  

Outstanding

     35,466,990        —         10,038        35,477,028  

Good

     23,292,100        928,795        4,046        24,224,941  

Below normal

     —         41,847        333,669        375,516  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     86,606,006        975,321        349,623        87,930,950  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Individual assessment:

           

Best

     —         —         4,341        4,341  

Outstanding

     —         —         —         —   

Good

     —         1,124,100        65,600        1,189,700  

Below normal

     —         1,009,968        178,036        1,188,004  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     —         2,134,068        247,977        2,382,045  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W  86,606,006      W  3,109,389      W  597,600      W 90,312,995  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred loan origination fees and costs

              (481,624

Allowances

              (2,051,391
           

 

 

 

Total

            W  87,779,980  
           

 

 

 

 

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(December 31, 2022)

 

     12 months
expected credit
losses
     Lifetime
expected credit
losses
     Credit-impaired
financial assets
     Total  

Collective assessment:

           

Best

   W 30,155,535      W 5,469      W 1,905      W 30,162,909  

Outstanding

     33,368,921        1,521        11,150        33,381,592  

Good

     24,000,386        2,027,067        50,334        26,077,787  

Below normal

     —         194,819        308,213        503,032  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     87,524,842        2,228,876        371,602        90,125,320  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Individual assessment:

           

Best

     —         —         4,266        4,266  

Outstanding

     —         —         —         —   

Good

     —         —         —         —   

Below normal

     —         928,236        666,689        1,594,925  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     —         928,236        670,955        1,599,191  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W  87,524,842      W  3,157,112      W  1,042,557      W  91,724,511  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred loan origination fees and costs

              (403,461

Allowances

              (2,012,911
           

 

 

 

Total

            W 89,308,139  
           

 

 

 

The above carrying amounts exclude loan valuation adjustment related to fair value hedging amounting to W(2,719) million and W(8,082) million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

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(5)

Credit quality of Financial investments (debt securities)

Financial investments (debt securities) exposed to credit risk as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

     12 months
expected
credit losses
     Lifetime
expected
credit
losses
     Credit-
impaired
financial assets
     Total  

Grade 1

   W 4,788,893      W —       W —       W 4,788,893  

Grade 2

     —         —         —         —   

Grade 3

     —         —         —         —   

Grade 4

     —         —         —         —   

Grade 5

     —         —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W  4,788,893      W  —       W  —       W  4,788,893  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(December 31, 2022)

 

     12 months
expected
credit losses
     Lifetime
expected
credit
losses
     Credit-
impaired
financial assets
     Total  

Grade 1

   W 4,362,663      W —       W —       W 4,362,663  

Grade 2

     —         —         —         —   

Grade 3

     —         —         —         —   

Grade 4

     —         —         —         —   

Grade 5

     —         —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W  4,362,663      W  —       W  —       W  4,362,663  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(6)

Concentration of credit risk

The amounts disclosed below exclude loan valuation adjustment related to fair value hedging amounting to W(2,719) million and W(8,082) million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

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1)

Loans by country where the credit risk belongs to as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

    Loans in
local currency
    Loans in
foreign
currencies(*1)
    Others     Total     Ratio
(%)
    Deferred loan
origination
fees
    Allowances  

Asia:

             

Korea

  W  27,871,602     W  24,901,341     W  2,380,121     W  55,153,064       61.07     W (46,311   W  (941,677

China

    —        346,385       697,606       1,043,991       1.16       (914     (3,353

Saudi Arabia

    —        1,857,355       24,116       1,881,471       2.08       (17,988     (13,316

India

    —        3,082,098       34,700       3,116,798       3.45       (28,032     (3,773

Indonesia

    —        2,661,021       3,376       2,664,397       2.95       (95,464     (9,932

Vietnam

    —        2,342,618       201,773       2,544,391       2.82       (20,840     (147,608

Australia

    —        596,348       229       596,577       0.66       (15,470     (1,213

Philippines

    —        —        522       522       —        —        —   

Qatar

    —        540,505       —        540,505       0.60       (14,341     (2,796

Singapore

    —        896,531       81,025       977,556       1.08       (2,868     (2,688

Oman

    —        881,832       —        881,832       0.98       (10,724     (10,859

Hong Kong

    —        238,539       777,455       1,015,994       1.12       —        (90

The United Arab Emirates

    —        3,151,234       7,245       3,158,479       3.50       (29,515     (1,561

Uzbekistan

    —        913,823       —        913,823       1.01       (6,980     (22,757

Others

    —        2,550,512       2,787,471       5,337,983       5.91       (69,163     (281,507
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

    27,871,602       44,960,142       6,995,639       79,827,383       88.39       (358,610     (1,443,130
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Europe:

             

Russia

    —        297,490       —        297,490       0.33       (252     (261,360

United Kingdom

    —        1,554,713       —        1,554,713       1.72       (9,333     (9,103

France

    —        70,332       395,569       465,901       0.52       (1,283     (4

Netherlands

    —        206,304       13,044       219,348       0.24       (304     (726

Maltae

    —        16,602       —        16,602       0.02       (447     (103

Greece

    —        1,404,934       —        1,404,934       1.56       (6,303     (234

Türkiye

    —        1,152,396       29,112       1,181,508       1.31       (9,326     (172,170

Germany

    —        47,772       258,196       305,968       0.34       (103     —   

Others

    —        664,068       52,300       716,368       0.79       (23,885     (11,759
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

    —        5,414,611       748,221       6,162,832       6.83       (51,236     (455,459
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

America:

             

Panama

    —        68,935       320,566       389,501       0.43       (229     (744

United States

    —        52,961       23,928       76,889       0.09       (318     (595

Mexico

    —        196,255       —        196,255       0.22       (2,655     (471

Bermuda

    —        152,413       —        152,413       0.17       (772     (2,708

Brazil

    —        1,142,503       3,146       1,145,649       1.26       —        (3,826

Others

    —        1,299,137       —        1,299,137       1.43       (21,324     (11,788
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

    —        2,912,204       347,640       3,259,844       3.60       (25,298     (20,132
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Africa:

             

Nigeria

    —        40,654       —        40,654       0.05       (2,737     (1,325

Others

    —        1,022,282       —        1,022,282       1.13       (43,743     (131,345
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

    —        1,062,936       —        1,062,936       1.18       (46,480     (132,670
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  W 27,871,602     W 54,349,893     W 8,091,500     W 90,312,995       100.00     W  (481,624   W  (2,051,391
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

The Bank has changed the classification method by country of loan receivables based on the same criteria as the method of calculating provision (from the borrower’s country of location to the country of risk attribution) during the current year.

 

70


Table of Contents

(December 31, 2022)

 

    Loans in
local currency
    Loans in
foreign
currencies
    Others     Total     Ratio
(%)
    Deferred loan
origination
fees
    Allowances  

Asia:

             

Korea

  W 28,665,695     W 10,236,442     W 2,309,444     W 41,211,581       44.93     W (14,857   W  (682,166

China

    —        1,686,247       256,613       1,942,860       2.12       (1,024     (24,458

Saudi Arabia

    —        2,123,068       7,429       2,130,497       2.32       (17,335     (13,542

India

    —        2,737,735       38,294       2,776,029       3.03       (14,540     (3,116

Indonesia

    15,000       2,872,577       13,577       2,901,154       3.16       (34,383     (9,103

Vietnam

    —        4,283,876       78,780       4,362,656       4.76       (25,781     (105,525

Australia

    —        469,043       —        469,043       0.51       (16,022     (3,415

Philippines

    —        6,677       696       7,373       0.01       —        (420

Qatar

    —        471,410       —        471,410       0.51       (1,450     (2,733

Singapore

    —        800,470       253,460       1,053,930       1.15       (3,506     (3,050

Oman

    —        1,216,937       —        1,216,937       1.33       (13,066     (16,918

Hong Kong

    —        280,707       711,195       991,902       1.08       —        (1,731

The United Arab Emirates

    —        6,356,459       3,013       6,359,472       6.93       (44,810     (3,381

Uzbekistan

    —        1,108,308       —        1,108,308       1.21       (8,047     (82,355

Others

    9,800       3,172,143       2,267,024       5,448,967       5.94       (79,288     (110,739
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

    28,690,495        37,822,099       5,939,525       72,452,119       78.99        (274,109     (1,062,652
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Europe:

             

Russia

    —        365,005       —        365,005       0.40       (269     (209,032

United Kingdom

    —        1,360,193       15,058       1,375,251       1.50       (6,866     (19,589

France

    —        218,679       1,655       220,334       0.24       (1,704     (158

Netherlands

    —        —        23,560       23,560       0.03       —        (137

Greece

    —        1,835,089       —        1,835,089       2.00       (8,671     (1,783

Ireland

    —        28,734       —        28,734       0.03       (224     (65

Türkiye

    —        1,383,606       22,723       1,406,329       1.53       (11,270     (178,378

Germany

    —        276,499       21,192       297,691       0.32       (184     (1,161

Ukraine

    —        63,188       —        63,188       0.07       (45     (128

Hungary

    —        1,893,201       —        1,893,201       2.06       (2,975     (2,875

Others

    —        2,692,104       80,931       2,773,035       3.03       (13,350     (8,811
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

    —        10,116,298       165,119       10,281,417       11.21       (45,558     (422,117
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

America:

             

Panama

    —        1,120,261       171,126       1,291,387       1.41       (4,137     (1,268

United States

    —        2,497,356       8,123       2,505,479       2.73       (2,867     (12,761

The British Virgin Islands

    —        7,501       —        7,501       0.01       —        —   

Mexico

    —        315,642       —        315,642       0.34       (2,807     (3,733

Brazil

    —        2,011,896       —        2,011,896       2.19       (3,326     (5,272

Others

    —        1,268,288       —        1,268,288       1.39       (5,959     (9,885
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

    —        7,220,944       179,249       7,400,193       8.07       (19,096     (32,919
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Africa:

             

Marshall Islands

    —        507,862       —        507,862       0.55       (2,126     (532

Liberia

    —        125,670       —        125,670       0.14       (9,202     (259

Nigeria

    —        284,645       —        284,645       0.31       (4,648     (5,802

Morocco

    —        80,731       —        80,731       0.09       (796     (112

Others

    —        586,114       5,760       591,874       0.64       (47,926     (488,518
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

    —        1,585,022       5,760       1,590,782       1.73       (64,698     (495,223
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  W  28,690,495     W  56,744,363     W  6,289,653     W  91,724,511       100.00     W  (403,461   W  (2,012,911
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

71


Table of Contents
2)

Loans by industry as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

     Loans      Deferred loan
origination
fees
    Allowances  
     Loans
in local currency
     Loans in
foreign
currencies
     Others      Total      Ratio
(%)
 

Manufacturing

   W 14,351,677      W 26,750,238      W 509,226      W 41,611,141        46.07      W (242,246   W (1,283,291

Transportation

     1,433,190        5,658,223        418,897        7,510,310        8.32        (49,148     (244,919

Financial institutions

     9,435,219        7,891,197        7,021,834        24,348,250        26.96        (28,189     (271,822

Wholesale and retail

     1,084,170        1,548,102        106,469        2,738,741        3.03        (1,469     (13,426

Real estate

     2,200        631,802        —         634,002        0.70        (1,945     (73,463

Construction

     515,860        2,215,012        2,371        2,733,243        3.03        (26,095     (18,501

Public sector and others

     1,049,286        9,655,319        32,703        10,737,308        11.89        (132,532     (145,969
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   W  27,871,602      W  54,349,893      W  8,091,500      W  90,312,995        100.00      W  (481,624   W  (2,051,391
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

(December 31, 2022)

 

     Loans      Deferred loan
origination
fees
    Allowances  
     Loans
in local currency
     Loans in
foreign
currencies
     Others      Total      Ratio
(%)
 

Manufacturing

   W 15,239,184      W 27,145,888      W 479,733      W 42,864,805        46.73      W  (167,426   W  (1,439,253

Transportation

     1,713,800        6,689,326        341,413        8,744,539        9.53        (44,042     (97,147

Financial institutions

     9,298,997        6,469,119        5,413,523        21,181,639        23.09        (3,705     (218,711

Wholesale and retail

     932,415        1,219,784        25,243        2,177,442        2.38        (1,946     (13,434

Real estate

     —         500,463        1        500,464        0.55        (2,239     (80,611

Construction

     404,960        2,071,318        2,371        2,478,649        2.70        (28,134     (20,927

Public sector and others

     1,101,139        12,648,465        27,369        13,776,973        15.02        (155,969     (142,828
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   W  28,690,495      W  56,744,363      W  6,289,653      W  91,724,511        100.00      W (403,461   W (2,012,911
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

72


Table of Contents
3)

Concentration of credit risk of financial assets at FVTPL and financial investments (debt securities) by industry as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  
     Amount      Ratio (%)      Amount      Ratio (%)  

Financial Assets at FVTPL

           

Government and government sponsored institutions

   W 225,955        6.08      W 135,804        3.26  

Banking and insurance

     3,132,157        84.30        3,759,214        90.19  

Others

     357,424        9.62        273,044        6.55  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     3,715,536        100.00        4,168,062        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial Assets at FVOCI

           

Government and government sponsored institutions

     1,517,635        50.76        1,490,379        55.70  

Banking and insurance

     1,023,574        34.23        799,192        29.86  

Others

     448,784        15.01        386,504        14.44  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     2,989,993        100.00        2,676,075        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities at amortized cost

           

Government and government sponsored institutions

     1,193,865        66.37        1,358,147        80.53  

Banking and insurance

     454,204        25.25        202,318        12.00  

Others

     150,831        8.38        126,123        7.47  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     1,798,900        100.00        1,686,588        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Hedging derivative assets

           

Banking and insurance

     611,960        100.00        329,210        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W  9,116,389         W  8,859,935     
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

4)

Concentration of credit risk of financial assets at FVTPL and financial investments (debt securities) by country as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  
     Amount      Ratio (%)      Amount      Ratio (%)  

Financial Assets at FVTPL

           

Korea

   W 3,135,028        84.38      W 3,966,136        95.16  

Others

     580,508        15.62        201,926        4.84  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     3,715,536        100.00        4,168,062        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial Assets at FVOCI

           

Korea

     1,371,957        45.88        1,283,346        47.95  

United States

     1,234,828        41.30        1,016,334        37.98  

Others

     383,208        12.82        376,395        14.07  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     2,989,993        100.00        2,676,075        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities at amortized cost

           

Korea

     865,270        48.10        884,045        52.41  

United States

     752,178        41.81        657,362        38.98  

Others

     181,452        10.09        145,181        8.61  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     1,798,900        100.00        1,686,588        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Hedging derivative assets

           

Korea

     249,248        40.72        231,022        70.18  

France

     177,698        29.04        49,580        15.06  

United States

     132,093        21.59        34,704        10.54  

Others

     52,922        8.65        13,904        4.22  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     611,960        100.00        329,210        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W  9,116,389         W  8,859,935     
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

73


Table of Contents
5)

Credit enhancement and its financial effect as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

     Loans (*1)      Acceptances
and guarantees
     Unused loan
commitments
     Total      Ratio
(%)
 

Maximum exposure to credit risk

   W 87,779,980      W 54,579,410      W 44,137,856      W 186,497,246        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit enhancement:

              

Deposits and savings

     148,574        50,317        11,517        210,408        0.11  

Export guarantee insurance

     298,148        1,053,986        —         1,352,134        0.73  

Guarantee

     1,526,158        1,475,565        3,479,564        6,481,287        3.48  

Securities

     14,114        38,658        —         52,772        0.03  

Real estate

     3,145,729        596,015        152,462        3,894,206        2.09  

Ships

     394,972        70,287        —         465,259        0.24  

Others

     25,775        —         —         25,775        0.01  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     5,553,470        3,284,828        3,643,543        12,481,841        6.69  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exposure to credit risk after deducting credit enhancement

   W  82,226,510      W  51,294,582      W  40,494,313      W  174,015,405        93.31  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(December 31, 2022)

 

     Loans (*1)      Acceptances
and guarantees
     Unused loan
commitments
     Total      Ratio
(%)
 

Maximum exposure to credit risk

   W 89,308,139      W 53,388,080      W 32,346,450      W 175,042,669        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit enhancement:

              

Deposits and savings

     195,478        53,983        6,005        255,466        0.15  

Export guarantee insurance

     339,601        584,313        2,136        926,050        0.53  

Guarantee

     1,795,814        1,723,608        178,543        3,697,965        2.11  

Securities

     22,211        42,449        —         64,660        0.04  

Real estate

     2,335,539        331,485        123,691        2,790,715        1.59  

Ships

     1,218,222        237,108        —         1,455,330        0.83  

Others

     42,196        —         —         42,196        0.02  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     5,949,061        2,972,946        310,375        9,232,382        5.27  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exposure to credit risk after deducting credit enhancement

   W  83,359,078      W  50,415,134      W  32,036,075      W  165,810,287        94.73  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Loans exclude loans valuation adjustment related to fair value hedging.

4-3. Liquidity risk

 

(1)

Overview of liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Bank is unable to meet its payment obligations arising from financial liabilities as they become due. The Bank discloses all financial asset, financial liabilities and off-balance-sheet items, such as loan commitments and analysis of the contractual maturity, which are related to liquidity risk, into seven categories. The cash flows disclosed in the maturity analysis are undiscounted contractual amounts, including principal and future interest, which resulted in disagreement with the discounted cash flows included in the separate statements of financial position. However, for derivatives, each discounted cash flow consisting of current fair value is presented.

 

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(2)

Principles of the liquidity risk management

 

1)

Liquidity risk is managed with integration. The Bank measures, reports and controls liquidity risk by quantification with reasonable method.

 

2)

Liquidity risk reflects financing plans and fund-using plans, and the Bank reports the liquidity risk with preciseness, timeliness and consistency.

 

3)

The Bank establishes liquidity risk management strategy by analyzing liquidity maturity, liquidity gap structure and market environment.

 

(3)

Liquidity risk management

Risk management department monitors changes by liquidity risk sources and compliance of risk limits. It notifies related departments to prepare countermeasures in case the measured liquidity risk is close to risk limits. Also, it analyzes crisis situations and effects of the crisis situations and reports to the Risk Management Committee on a regular basis. Each related department monitors changes of liquidity risk sources and compliance of risk limits by itself and if exposure to new risk is expected, it discusses the matter with the head of risk management department.

 

(4)

Measurement of liquidity risk

The Bank measures liquidity ratio, liquidity gap ratio and others for local currency and foreign currencies and simulates analysis reflecting market environment, product features and the Bank’s strategies.

 

(5)

Analysis on remaining contractual maturity of financial liabilities and off-balance-sheet items

Remaining contractual maturity and amount of financial liabilities and off-balance-sheet items as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

    On demand     Within 1
month
    1 to 3
months
    3 to 6
months
    6 to 12
months
    1 year to
5 years
    Over
5 years
    Total  

Financial liabilities:

               

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

  W 2,122,804     W —      W —      W —      W —      W —      W —      W 2,122,804  

Hedging derivative liabilities

    —        20,714       54,928       17,989       97,956       476,186       846,435       1,514,208  

Borrowings

    —        242,972       523,874       1,375,352       834,734       2,405,711       374,816       5,757,459  

Debentures

    —        1,929,332       6,931,707       10,978,525       18,213,418       50,349,703       16,481,654       104,884,339  

Other financial liabilities

    —        1,888,986       64       2,239       1,718       164,052       834,443       2,891,502  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  W 2,122,804     W 4,082,004     W 7,510,573     W 12,374,105     W 19,147,826     W 53,395,652     W 18,537,348     W 117,170,312  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Off-balance sheet items (*1):

               

Commitments

  W 44,137,856     W —      W —      W —      W —      W —      W —      W 44,137,856  

Financial guarantee contracts

    14,372,468       —        —        —        —        —        —        14,372,468  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  W 58,510,324     W —      W —      W —      W —      W —      W —      W 58,510,324  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(December 31, 2022)

 

    On demand     Within 1
month
    1 to 3
months
    3 to 6
months
    6 to 12
months
    1 year to
5 years
    Over
5 years
    Total  

Financial liabilities:

               

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

  W 2,513,487     W —      W —      W —      W —      W —      W —      W 2,513,487  

Hedging derivative liabilities

    —        4,086       125,534       19,748       392,886       876,212       938,442       2,356,908  

Borrowings

    —        874,682       2,022,891       2,282,703       3,065,877       2,135,810       —        10,381,963  

Debentures

    —        1,163,134       7,694,833        9,377,102       19,730,207       47,780,202       13,041,873        98,787,351  

Other financial liabilities

    —        1,362,669       —        572       3,140       320,354       837,540       2,524,275  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  W 2,513,487     W 3,404,571     W 9,843,258     W 11,680,125     W 23,192,110     W 51,112,578     W 14,817,855     W 116,563,984  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Off-balance sheet items (*1):

               

Commitments

  W 32,346,450     W —      W —      W —      W —      W —      W —      W 32,346,450  

Financial guarantee contracts

    13,496,820       —        —        —        —        —        —        13,496,820  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  W 45,843,270     W —      W —      W —      W —      W —      W —      W 45,843,270  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Although financial guarantees and loan commitments provided by the Bank have maturities, the Bank should fulfill the obligation immediately when the counter party requests payments.

4-4. Market risk

 

(1)

Overview of market risk

 

1)

Definition of market risk

Market risk is the risk of possible losses that arise from the changes of market factors, such as interest rate, stock price, foreign exchange rate, commodity value. The Bank classifies exposures to market risk into either foreign exchange rate risk or interest rate risk. Foreign exchange risk is the possible losses on assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies due to changes of foreign exchange rate. Interest rate risk is the possible losses on assets and liabilities due to changes of interest rate.

 

2)

Market risk management group

The Bank operates the Risk Management Committee and the Risk Management Council for managing risks and risk limits. The Risk Management Practices Committee assists the Risk Management Committee and the Risk Management Council for practical matters, such as managing adequate assets and liabilities by analyzing foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk and effects by initiating new product. Market risk is managed by product and currency for minimizing segments exposed to changes of foreign exchange, interest rate and securities’ price. Foreign exchange risk is measured by definite method. Interest rate risk is measured by IRRBB standards, definite method and probabilistic method and definite method is used for limits management. Meanwhile, the Bank performs financial crisis analysis supposing exceptional, but possible events for evaluating latent weakness. The analysis is used for important decision making, such as risk mitigation, emergency plan development and limit setup. The results of the analysis are reported to the board of directors and management on a quarterly basis.

 

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(2)

Foreign exchange risk

 

1)

Management of foreign exchange risk

Foreign exchange risk management limit is set up and a risk management division head monitors changes of foreign exchange risk by source and compliance of risk limits regularly. A finance division head also monitors changes of foreign exchange risk by source and compliance of risk limits. The finance division head needs to cooperate with the risk management division head in case it is expected that the Bank will be exposed to a new risk. The risk management division head orders related divisions to prepare countermeasures in case it is apprehended that foreign exchange risk exceeds risk limit. If foreign exchange risk exceeds the risk limit, the risk management division head orders related divisions to prepare countermeasures and reports to Risk Management Committee after resolving the exceeded limit problem.

 

2)

Measurement of foreign exchange risk

Foreign exchange risk is managed by foreign exchange VaR and foreign exchange position. Foreign exchange VaR is measured on a monthly basis and foreign exchange position is measured on a daily basis. It is measured separately by currency for assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies exceeding 5% of total assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies.

 

3)

Measurement method

 

LOGO

Value at Risk (VaR)

The Bank uses a yearly VaR to measure market risk. The yearly VaR is a statistically estimated maximum amount of loss that could occur in one year under normal distribution of financial variables. The Bank calculates VaR using equal weighted-average method based on historical changes in market rates, prices and volatilities over the previous five years data and measures VaR at a 99% single tail confidence level. VaR is a commonly used market risk management technique. However, the method has some shortcomings.

VaR estimates possible losses over a certain period at a particular confidence level using past market movement data. Past market movement, however, is not necessarily a good indicator of future events, as there may be conditions and circumstances in the future that the model does not anticipate. As a result, the timing and magnitude of the actual losses can be different, depending on the assumptions made at the time of calculation. In addition, the time periods used for the model, generally one day or 10 days are assumed to be a sufficient holding period before liquidating the relevant underlying positions. If these holding periods are not sufficient, or too long, the VaR results may understate or overstate the potential loss.

 

LOGO

Stress testing

The stress testing is carried out to analyze the abnormal market situation reflecting intrinsic volatility of foreign exchange that has significant influent on the value of portfolio.

 

LOGO

Results of measurement

Results of foreign exchange VaR as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  
     Average      Minimum      Maximum      Ending      Average      Minimum      Maximum      Ending  

Foreign exchange risk

     W86,924        W2,153        W141,081        W76,774        W43,362        W15,318        W78,559        W25,191  

 

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(3)

Interest rate risk

 

1)

Management of interest rate risk

Interest rate risk management limit is set up and included in internal capital management limit. A risk management division head monitors changes of interest rate risk by source and compliance of risk limits regularly. A finance division head also monitors changes of interest rate risk by source and compliance of risk limits. The finance division head needs to cooperate with the risk management division head in case it is expected that the Bank will be exposed to a new risk. The risk management division head orders related divisions to prepare countermeasures in case it is apprehended that interest rate risk exceeds risk limit. If interest rate risk exceeds the risk limit, the risk management division head orders related divisions to prepare countermeasures and reports to Risk Management Committee after resolving the exceeded limit problem.

 

2)

Measurement of interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is managed by measuring ΔNII (Change in Net Interest Income) and ΔEVE (Change in Economic Value of Equity) and uses interest rate sensitivity gap and duration gap as supplementary index. ΔNII and ΔEVE are measured on a monthly basis, and interest rate sensitivity gap and duration gap are measured on a daily basis. The Bank simulates analysis reflecting market environment, product features and the Bank’s strategies.

 

3)

Measurement method

 

LOGO

Change in Economic Value of Equity (ΔEVE)

The Bank uses a yearly ΔEVE to measure interest rate risk. The yearly ΔEVE is the maximum amount of loss that could occur in one year under normal distribution of financial variables. The Bank calculates the yearly ΔEVE by using variance-covariance method at a 99% single tail confidence level based on the previous five years data using equal weighted-average method.

ΔEVE estimates possible losses over a certain period at a particular confidence level using past market movement data. Past market movement, however, is not necessarily a good indicator of future events, as there may be conditions and circumstances in the future that the model does not anticipate. As a result, the timing and magnitude of the actual losses can be different depending on the assumptions made at the time of calculation.

 

LOGO

Stress testing

The stress testing is carried out to analyze the abnormal market situation reflecting intrinsic volatility of interest rate that has significant influence on the value of portfolio and is performed at least once in every quarter.

 

LOGO

Results of measurement

Results of interest rate VaR as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  
     Average      Minimum      Maximum      Ending      Average      Minimum      Maximum      Ending  

Interest rate risk

     W200,874        W127,582        W266,083        W224,214        W227,335        W117,244        W422,964        W373,195  

4-5. Capital risk

The Bank follows the standard of capital adequacy established by the Financial Services Commission. The standard is based on Basel III, which was established by Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in BIS.

 

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In Korea, this standard has been followed since December 2013. According to the standard, the Bank should maintain at least 8% or above of BIS capital ratio for risk-weighted asset, and quarterly report BIS capital ratio to the FSS.

According to Korean Banking Supervision rules for operations, the Bank’s capitals are mainly divided into two categories:

 

1)

Tier 1 capital (basic capital): Basic capital is composed of capital stock-common and other basic capital. Capital stock-common includes common stock satisfied with qualifications, capital surplus, retained earnings, accumulated other comprehensive income, other reserves and non-controlling interests among the common stock of consolidated subsidiaries. Other basic capital includes securities and capital surplus satisfied with qualifications.

 

2)

Tier 2 capital (supplementary capital): Supplementary capital is composed of the securities and capital surplus satisfied with qualifications, non-controlling interests among the securities of consolidated subsidiaries and the amounts of less than below 1.25% of credit risk-weighted asset like allowance for credit losses in respect of credits classified as normal or precautionary.

The risk-weighted asset includes intrinsic risks in total assets, errors of internal operation processes and loss risk from external events. It indicates a size of assets reflecting the level of risks that the Bank bears. The Bank computes the risk-weighted asset by risks (credit risk, market risk and operational risk) and uses it for calculation of BIS capital ratio.

 

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5.

FINANCIAL ASSETS AND FINANCIAL LIABILITIES:

5-1. Classification and fair value

 

(1)

Carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  
     Carrying
amount
     Fair value      Carrying
amount
     Fair value  

Financial assets:

           

Cash and due from financial institutions

   W 12,591,124      W 12,591,124      W 9,931,012      W 9,931,012  

Financial assets at FVTPL

     3,715,536        3,715,536        4,172,754        4,172,754  

Hedging derivative assets

     611,960        611,960        329,210        329,210  

Loans at amortized cost

     87,777,261        87,738,349        89,300,057        89,461,313  

Financial assets at FVOCI

     13,614,565        13,614,565        11,677,238        11,677,238  

Securities at amortized cost

     1,798,900        1,714,544        1,686,588        1,574,782  

Other financial assets

     1,852,213        1,852,213        1,645,865        1,645,865  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 121,961,559      W 121,838,291      W 118,742,724      W 118,792,174  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

           

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

   W 2,122,804      W 2,122,804      W 2,513,487      W 2,513,487  

Hedging derivative liabilities

     1,514,208        1,514,208        2,356,908        2,356,908  

Borrowings

     5,532,198        5,401,602        10,112,740        10,037,578  

Debentures

     93,256,543        89,014,363        87,791,623        84,166,475  

Other financial liabilities

     2,891,502        2,891,502        2,524,275        2,524,275  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W   105,317,255      W   100,944,479      W   105,299,033      W   101,598,723  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair value is the amount at which the assets could be exchanged, or the liabilities could be settled in transection between knowledgeable and willing independent parties. For each class of financial assets and financial liabilities, the Bank discloses the fair value of that class of assets and liabilities in a way that permits them to be compared with their carrying amount at the end of each reporting period. The best estimated fair value is the published price quotation in an active market.

Methods for measuring fair value of financial instruments are as follows:

 

Financial instruments

  

Method of measuring fair value

Loans and receivables   

As demand deposits and transferable deposits do not have maturity and are readily convertible to cash, the carrying amounts of these deposits approximate their fair values. Fair values of the deposits with the maturity of more than one year are determined by discounted cash flow model (“DCF model”).

DCF model is also used to determine the fair value of loans. Fair value is determined by discounting the cash flows expected from each contractual period by applying the discount rates for each period.

Investment securities    Financial assets and liabilities at FVTPL and financial assets at FVOCI are measured at fair value using a quoted market price in an active market. If a quoted market price is not available, they are measured by using a price quoted by a third party, such as a pricing service or broker with the DCF model.

 

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Financial instruments

  

Method of measuring fair value

Derivatives    For exchange traded derivative, quoted price in active market is used to determine fair value and for OTC derivative, fair value is determined primarily using valuation techniques. The Bank uses internally developed valuation models using valuation techniques that are widely used by market participants to determine fair value of plain OTC derivatives including option, interest rate swap and currency swap based on observable market parameters. However, some complex financial instruments are valued using the results of independent pricing services, where part or all of the inputs are not observable in the market.
Borrowings    Fair value is determined using DCF model discounting contractual future cash flows by appropriate discount rate.
Debentures   

Fair value of debentures denominated in local currency is determined by using the valuation of independent third-party pricing services in accordance with the market prices that are quoted in active markets.

Fair value of debentures denominated in foreign currencies is determined by DCF model.

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities classified as fair value Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are determined by using the valuation of independent third-party pricing services. Meanwhile, carrying amounts of other financial assets and financial liabilities are regarded as an approximation of fair values.

 

(2)

Fair value hierarchy

 

1)

The Bank classifies financial instruments as three level of fair value hierarchy as below:

 

  Level 1:

Financial instruments measured at quoted prices from active markets are classified as fair value Level 1. This level includes listed equity securities, derivatives, and government bonds traded in an active exchange market.

 

  Level 2:

Financial instruments measured using valuation techniques where all significant inputs are observable market data are classified as Level 2. This level includes the majority of debt and general OTC derivatives such as swap, futures and options

 

  Level 3:

Financial instruments measured using valuation techniques where one or more significant inputs are not based on observable market data are classified as Level 3. This level includes unlisted equity securities, structured bonds and OTC derivatives.

 

2)

Fair value hierarchy of financial assets and liabilities, which are not measured at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, is as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Financial assets:

           

Cash and due from financial Institutions

   W 7,365,319      W —       W 5,225,805      W 12,591,124  

Loans at amortized cost

     —         —         87,738,349        87,738,349  

Securities at amortized cost

     —         1,714,544        —         1,714,544  

Other financial assets

     —         —         1,852,213        1,852,213  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W  7,365,319      W 1,714,544      W  94,816,367      W  103,896,230  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

           

Borrowings

   W —       W 5,401,602      W —       W 5,401,602  

Debentures

     —         89,014,363        —         89,014,363  

Other financial liabilities

     —         —         2,891,502        2,891,502  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W —       W  94,415,965      W 2,891,502      W 97,307,467  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(December 31, 2022)

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Financial assets:

           

Cash and due from financial institutions

   W 4,781,957      W —       W 5,149,055      W 9,931,012  

Loans at amortized cost

     —         —         89,461,313        89,461,313  

Securities at amortized cost

     —         1,574,782        —         1,574,782  

Other financial assets

     —         —         1,645,865        1,645,865  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W  4,781,957      W 1,574,782      W  96,256,233      W  102,612,972  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

           

Borrowings

   W —       W 10,037,578      W —       W 10,037,578  

Debentures

     —         84,166,475        —         84,166,475  

Other financial liabilities

     —         —         2,524,275        2,524,275  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W —       W  94,204,053      W 2,524,275      W 96,728,328  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

3)

Fair value hierarchy of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2023, and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Financial assets:

           

Financial assets at FVTPL

   W —       W 2,455,663      W 1,259,873      W 3,715,536  

Hedging derivative assets

     —         602,861        9,099        611,960  

Financial assets at FVOCI

     409,279        2,989,993        10,215,293        13,614,565  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W  409,279      W 6,048,517      W 11,484,265      W 17,942,061  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

           

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

   W —       W 1,535,489      W 587,315      W 2,122,804  

Hedging derivative liabilities

     —         944,482        569,726        1,514,208  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W —       W  2,479,971      W  1,157,041      W  3,637,012  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(December 31, 2022)

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Financial assets:

           

Financial assets at FVTPL

   W —       W 2,879,445      W 1,293,309      W 4,172,754  

Hedging derivative assets

     —         328,688        522        329,210  

Financial assets at FVOCI

     518,407        2,676,075        8,482,756        11,677,238  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W  518,407      W  5,884,208      W  9,776,587      W  16,179,202  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

           

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

   W —       W 1,840,344      W 673,143      W 2,513,487  

Hedging derivative liabilities

     —         1,728,285        628,623        2,356,908  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W —       W 3,568,629      W 1,301,766      W 4,870,395  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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4)

The valuation techniques and input variables of Level 2 financial instruments subsequently not measured at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

     Fair value      Valuation
techniques
     Input variables  

Financial assets

        

Financial assets at amortized cost Debt securities

   W 1,714,544        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Financial liabilities

        

Borrowings

   W 5,401,602        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Debentures

      89,014,363        DCF Model        Discount rate  

(December 31, 2022)

 

     Fair value      Valuation
techniques
     Input variables  

Financial assets

        

Financial assets at amortized cost Debt securities

   W 1,574,782        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Financial liabilities

        

Borrowings

   W 10,037,578        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Debentures

      84,166,475        DCF Model        Discount rate  

 

5)

The valuation techniques and input variables of Level 3 financial instruments subsequently not measured at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

     Fair value      Valuation
techniques
     Input variables  

Financial assets

        

Cash and due from financial Institutions

   W 5,225,805        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Loans at amortized cost

      87,738,349        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Other financial assets

     1,852,213        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Financial liabilities

        

Other financial liabilities

   W 2,891,502        DCF Model        Discount rate  

(December 31, 2022)

 

     Fair value      Valuation
techniques
     Input variables  

Financial assets

        

Cash and due from financial Institutions

   W 5,149,055        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Loans at amortized cost

      89,461,313        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Other financial assets

     1,645,865        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Financial liabilities

        

Other financial liabilities

   W 2,524,275        DCF Model        Discount rate  

 

83


Table of Contents
6)

The valuation techniques and input variables of Level 2 financial instruments subsequently measured at fair value, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

     Fair value      Valuation
techniques
     Input variables  

Financial assets

        

Financial assets at FVTPL:

        

Debt securities

   W 1,393,663        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Derivative assets for trading

      1,062,000        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Hedging derivative assets

     602,861        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Financial assets at FVOCI:

        

Debt securities

     2,989,993        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Financial liabilities

        

Financial liabilities at FVTPL:

        

Derivative liabilities for trading

   W 1,535,489        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Hedging derivative liabilities

     944,482        DCF Model        Discount rate  

(December 31, 2022)

 

     Fair value      Valuation
techniques
     Input variables  

Financial assets

        

Financial assets at FVTPL:

        

Debt securities

   W 1,623,074        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Derivative assets for trading

      1,256,371        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Hedging derivative assets

     328,688        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Financial assets at FVOCI:

        

Debt securities

     2,676,075        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Financial liabilities

        

Financial liabilities at FVTPL:

        

Derivative liabilities for trading

   W 1,840,344        DCF Model        Discount rate  

Hedging derivative liabilities

     1,728,285        DCF Model        Discount rate  

 

84


Table of Contents
7)

The valuation techniques and significant unobservable input variables of Level 3 financial instruments subsequently measured at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

    Fair value
(Korean won in
million)
    Valuation
techniques
    Significant
unobservable
input factors
    Range  

Relationship between

unobservable input factors
and fair value estimates

Financial assets at FVTPL:

         

Beneficiary certificates

  W 359,283       NAV Methods       —      —    — 

Paid-in capital

    308,161          

Loans

    3,703       T-F Models      

Volatility

Riskfree Rate

Risk Return

 

 

 

  25.84%

3.50%

9.64%

 

If volatility is increased(decreased),

If discount rate is decreased(increased),

fair value is increased (decreased).

Derivatives

    588,727      
Hull-White
Model
 
 
    Correlation     -0.8 ~ 1.0  

If correlation is increased(decreased),

fair value is increased (decreased).

Hedging derivative assets

         

Derivatives

  W 9,099      
Hull-White
Model
 
 
    Correlation     -0.8 ~ 1.0  

If correlation is increased(decreased),

fair value is increased (decreased).

Financial assets at FVOCI:

         

Unlisted stock

  W 10,187,197      


DCF Model

Binomial
Model

CCA Methods

NAV Methods

 

 
 

 

 

   

Discount rate
Growth rate
Volatility
 
 
 
  10.21% ~ 17.24%
0%
19.99% ~ 48.44%
 

If discount rate is decreased (increased)/

if growth rate is increased (decreased)/

if volatility is increased(decreased),

fair value is increased (decreased).

Paid-in capital

    28,096       NAV Methods       —      —    — 

Financial liabilities at FVTPL:

         

Derivatives

  W 587,315      
Hull-White
Model
 
 
    Correlation     -0.8 ~ 1.0  

If correlation is increased(decreased),

fair value is increased (decreased).

Hedging derivative liabilities

         

Derivatives

  W 569,726      
Hull-White
Model
 
 
    Correlation     -0.8 ~ 1.0  

If correlation is increased(decreased),

fair value is increased (decreased).

 

85


Table of Contents

(December 31, 2022)

 

    Fair value
(Korean won in
million)
    Valuation
techniques
    Significant
unobservable
input factors
    Range  

Relationship between

unobservable input factors
and fair value estimates

Financial assets at FVTPL:

         

Unlisted stock

  W 4,691       Cost Methods       —      —    — 

Beneficiary certificates

    378,116       NAV Methods       —      —    — 

Paid-in capital

    233,794          

Loans

    3,565       T-F Models      

Volatility

Riskfree Rate

Risk Return

 

 

 

  29.15%

3.76%

14.31%

 

If volatility is increased(decreased),

If discount rate is decreased(increased),

fair value is increased (decreased).

Derivatives

    673,143      
Hull-White
Model
 
 
    Correlation     -0.8 ~ 1.0  

If correlation is increased(decreased),

fair value is increased (decreased).

Hedging derivative assets

         

Derivatives

  W 522      
Hull-White
Model
 
 
    Correlation     -0.8 ~ 1.0  

If correlation is increased(decreased),

fair value is increased (decreased).

Financial assets at FVOCI:

         

Unlisted stock

  W  8,455,796      


DCF Model

Binomial
Model

CCA Methods

NAV Methods

 

 
 

 

 

   

Discount rate
Growth rate
Volatility
 
 
 
  9.19% ~ 16.38%
0%
32.87% ~ 34.87%
 

If discount rate is decreased (increased)/

if growth rate is increased (decreased)/

if volatility is increased(decreased),

fair value is increased (decreased).

Paid-in capital

    26,960       NAV Methods       —      —    — 

Financial liabilities at FVTPL:

         

Derivatives

  W 673,143      
Hull-White
Model
 
 
    Correlation     -0.8 ~ 1.0  

If correlation is increased(decreased),

fair value is increased (decreased).

Hedging derivative liabilities

         

Derivatives

  W 628,623      
Hull-White
Model
 
 
    Correlation     -0.8 ~ 1.0  

If correlation is increased(decreased),

fair value is increased (decreased).

 

86


Table of Contents
LOGO

Changes in Level 3 financial instruments that are measured at fair value for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(2023)

 

    Beginning
balance
    Profit
(Loss)
    Other
comprehensive
income
(loss)
    Purchases /
Issues
    Sales /
Settlements
    Ending
balance
 

Securities at FVTPL

  W 616,601     W 16,313     W —      W 156,215     W (121,685   W 667,444  

Loans at FVTPL

    3,565       138       —        —        —        3,703  

Derivative assets for trading

    673,143       (84,988     —        1,414       (843     588,726  

Hedging derivative assets

    522       341       —        8,236       —        9,099  

Financial assets at FVOCI

    8,482,756       —        (241,567     2,000,106       (26,002     10,215,293  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  W 9,776,587     W (68,196   W (241,567   W 2,165,971     W (148,530   W 11,484,265  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities for trading

  W 673,143     W (85,816   W —      W —      W (12   W 587,315  

Hedging derivative liabilities

    628,623       (53,518     —        (5,379     —        569,726  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  W 1,301,766     W  (139,334   W —      W (5,379   W (12   W 1,157,041  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(2022)

 

    Beginning
balance
    Profit
(Loss)
    Other
comprehensive
income
(loss)
    Purchases /
Issues
    Sales /
Settlements
    Transfers
into Level 3 /
Transfers out
of Level 3
    Ending
balance
 

Financial assets

             

Securities at FVTPL

  W 595,864     W 57,680     W —      W 216,947     W (253,890   W —      W 616,601  

Loans at FVTPL

    5,505       (289     —        —        (1,651     —        3,565  

Derivative assets for trading

    250,865       417,696       —        4,982       (400     —        673,143  

Hedging derivative assets

    15,615       (14,877     —        522       (738     —        522  

Financial assets at FVOCI

    8,912,213       —        (77,005     —        (292,712     (59,740     8,482,756  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  W 9,780,062     W 460,210     W (77,005   W 222,451     W (549,391   W (59,740   W 9,776,587  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

             

Derivative liabilities for trading

  W 251,130     W 417,420     W —      W 4,982     W (389   W —      W 673,143  

Hedging derivative liabilities

    133,447       462,246       —        32,930       —        —        628,623  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  W 384,577     W 879,666     W —      W 37,912     W (389   W —      W 1,301,766  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

87


Table of Contents
LOGO

In relation to changes in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, total gains or losses recognized in profit or loss for the year and total gains or losses for financial instruments held at the end of the reporting period in the separate statement of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Net gain (loss) from
financial investments
 
     2023     2022  

Total gains (losses) on financial assets held at the end of year

   W (68,196   W 460,210  

Total gains (losses) on financial liabilities held at the end of year

     (139,333     879,666  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gains (losses) included in profit or loss for the year

   W 71,137     W (419,456)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

LOGO

The sensitivity of fair value analysis for the Level 3 financial instruments

The Bank performed the sensitivity analysis for the Level 3 financial instruments for which fair value would be measured differently upon reasonably possible alternative assumptions. The Bank classified the effect from changes upon the alternative assumptions into favorable effect and unfavorable effect and presented the most favorable effect or the most unfavorable effect in the table hereunder. Stocks are the financial instruments subject to sensitivity analysis, which are classified as Level 3 and of which changes in fair value are recognized as other comprehensive income. Meanwhile, equity instruments, which are recognized as cost among the financial instruments and are classified as Level 3 are excluded from the sensitivity analysis.

Sensitivity analysis details per market risk variable of each Level 3 financial instrument held and measured at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

Details(*1)

   Profit (loss)     Other comprehensive income (loss)  
   Favorable      Unfavorable     Favorable      Unfavorable  
                            

Financial assets:

          

Loans at FVTPL (*2)

   W 19      W (19   W —       W —   

Financial assets at FVOCI (*2,3)

     —         —        73,851        (55,275
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 19      W (19   W 73,851      W (55,275
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

(December 31, 2022)

 

Details(*1)

   Profit (loss)      Other comprehensive income (loss)  
   Favorable      Unfavorable      Favorable      Unfavorable  

Financial assets:

           

Loans at FVTPL (*2)

   W —       W —       W —       W —   

Financial assets at FVOCI (*2,3)

     —         —         88,840        (66,596
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W —       W —       W 88,840      W (66,596
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

The above level 3 financial instruments exclude which are practically impossible to perform sensitivity analysis effected by input variables amounting to W4,563,485 million and W1,975,431 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(*2)

Changes in fair value are computed by increasing or decreasing the volatility of the underlying asset by 10%, which are unobservable inputs.

(*3)

Changes in fair value of stocks are computed by increasing or decreasing growth rate by 0.5% and discount rate by 1%, which are unobservable inputs.

 

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Table of Contents

5-2. Classification by category of financial instruments

The carrying amounts of each category of financial assets and financial liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

    Financial assets 
at FVTPL
    Financial assets
at amortized cost
    Financial
assets
at FVOCI
    Hedging
derivative assets
    Total  

Financial assets:

         

Cash and due from financial institutions

  W —      W 12,591,124     W —      W —      W 12,591,124  

Financial assets at FVTPL

    3,715,536       —        —        —        3,715,536  

Hedging derivative assets

    —        —        —        611,960       611,960  

Loans at amortized cost

    —        87,777,261       —        —        87,777,261  

Financial investments

    —        1,798,900       13,614,565       —        15,413,465  

Other financial assets

    —        1,852,213       —        —        1,852,213  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  W 3,715,536     W 104,019,498     W 13,614,565     W 611,960     W 121,961,559  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Financial liabilities
at FVTPL
    Financial liabilities
at amortized cost
    Hedging derivative
liabilities
    Total  

Financial liabilities:

       

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

  W 2,122,804     W —      W —      W 2,122,804  

Hedging derivative liabilities

    —        —        1,514,208       1,514,208  

Borrowings

    —        5,532,198       —        5,532,198  

Debentures

    —        93,256,543       —        93,256,543  

Other financial liabilities

    —        2,891,502       —        2,891,502  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  W 2,122,804     W 101,680,243     W 1,514,208     W 105,317,255  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(December 31, 2022)

 

    Financial assets 
at FVTPL
    Financial assets
at amortized cost
    Financial
assets
at FVOCI
    Hedging
derivative assets
    Total  

Financial assets:

         

Cash and due from financial institutions

  W —      W 9,931,012     W —      W —      W 9,931,012  

Financial assets at FVTPL

    4,172,754       —        —        —        4,172,754  

Hedging derivative assets

    —        —        —        329,210       329,210  

Loans at amortized cost

    —        89,300,057       —        —        89,300,057  

Financial investments

    —        1,686,588       11,677,238       —        13,363,826  

Other financial assets

    —        1,645,865       —        —        1,645,865  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  W 4,172,754     W 102,563,522     W 11,677,238     W 329,210     W 118,742,724  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Financial liabilities
at FVTPL
     Financial liabilities
at amortized cost
     Hedging derivative
liabilities
     Total  

Financial liabilities:

           

Financial liabilities at FVTPL

   W 2,513,487      W —       W —       W 2,513,487  

Hedging derivative liabilities

     —         —         2,356,908        2,356,908  

Borrowings

     —         10,112,740        —         10,112,740  

Debentures

     —         87,791,623        —         87,791,623  

Other financial liabilities

     —         2,524,275        —         2,524,275  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 2,513,487      W 100,428,638      W 2,356,908      W 105,299,033  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

5-3. Offset of financial instruments

The Bank holds the financial instruments, receivable and payable spot exchange which grant it the rights to offset in case of default, insolvency, or bankruptcy of the counterparties though it does not meet the criteria for offsetting of K-IFRS No. 1032. Cash collaterals do not meet the offsetting criteria in K-IFRS No. 1032, but they can be set off with net amounts of financial instruments, receivable and payable spot exchange.

The effects of netting agreements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follow (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

     Gross amounts
of recognized
financial assets
(liabilities)
     Gross amounts
of recognized
financial
liabilities
(assets) to be
setoff
     Net amounts of
financial assets
(liabilities) presented
in the separate
statements of
financial position
     Amount that is not offset
in the separate statements
of financial position
    Net amount  
   Financial
instruments
    Cash
collateral
 

Financial assets:

                              

Derivatives

   W 2,261,272      W —       W 2,261,272      W (1,108,583   W —      W 1,152,689  

Financial investments

     547,471        —         547,471        (471,791     —        75,680  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   W 2,808,743      W —       W 2,808,743      W (1,580,374   W —      W 1,228,369  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

               

Derivatives

   W 3,637,011      W —       W 3,637,011      W (1,108,583   W (654,640   W 1,873,788  

Securities sold under repurchase agreement

     471,791        —         471,791        (471,791     —        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   W 4,108,802      W —       W 4,108,802      W (1,580,374   W (654,640   W 1,873,788  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(December 31, 2022)

 

     Gross amounts
of recognized
financial assets
(liabilities)
     Gross amounts
of recognized
financial
liabilities
(assets) to be
setoff
     Net amounts of
financial assets
(liabilities) presented
in the separate
statements of
financial position
     Amount that is not offset
in the separate statements
of financial position
    Net amount  
   Financial
instruments
    Cash
collateral
 

Financial assets:

               

Derivatives

   W 2,258,724      W —       W 2,258,724      W (1,268,098   W (11,538   W 979,088  

Financial investments

     479,592        —         479,592        (431,604     —        47,988  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   W 2,738,316      W —       W 2,738,316      W (1,699,702   W (11,538   W 1,027,076  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

               

Derivatives

   W 4,870,395      W —       W 4,870,395      W (1,268,098   W (1,157,908   W 2,444,389  

Securities sold under repurchase agreement

     431,604        —         431,604        (431,604     —        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   W 5,301,999      W —       W 5,301,999      W (1,699,702   W (1,157,908   W 2,444,389  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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5-4. Transfer of financial assets

The Bank continues to recognize the financial assets related to repurchase agreements on the statement of financial position since those transactions are not qualified for derecognition even though the Bank transfers the financial assets. Financial asset is sold under a repurchase agreements to repurchase some asset at fixed price. Thus, the Bank retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset.

Details of carrying amount of assets transferred and relevant liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  
     Carrying
amount of
transferred
assets
     Carrying
amount of
relevant
liabilities
     Carrying
amount of
transferred
assets
     Carrying
amount of
relevant
liabilities
 

Securities sold under repurchase agreement

   W 547,471      W 471,791      W 479,592      W 431,604  

 

6.

OPERATING SEGMENT:

Though the Bank conducts business activities related to financial services, in accordance with relevant laws, such as the Export-Import Bank of Korea Act, it does not report separate segment information, as management considers the Bank to be operating under one core business. As the Bank’s originating location for all transactions is in Korea, the geographical information for revenue and non-current assets is omitted.

 

7.

CASH AND DUE FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS:

 

(1)

Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

Detail

   Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Due from financial institutions in local currency

   W 3,031,852      W 2,556,448  

Due from financial institutions in foreign currencies

     9,559,272        7,374,564  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     12,591,124        9,931,012  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Restricted due from financial institutions

     (2,225,805      (2,949,055

Due from financial institutions with original maturities of more than three months at acquisition date

     (2,100,000      (2,200,000
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     (4,325,805      (5,149,055
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total (*1)

   W 8,265,319      W 4,781,957  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Equal to the cash and cash equivalents as presented on the separate statements of cash flows.

 

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Table of Contents
(2)

Details of due from financial institutions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Detail

   Amount      Interest
(%)
     Amount      Interest
(%)
 

Due from financial institutions in local currency:

           

Demand deposits

   W 978        0.00~1.00      W 1,100        0.00~0.10  

Time deposits

     3,000,000        4.00~4.47        2,200,000        3.63~5.71  

Others

     6,000        1.65        355,200        0.95~3.95  

Margin for derivatives

     24,874        —         148        —   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Subtotal

     3,031,852           2,556,448     
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Due from financial institutions in foreign currencies:

           

Demand deposits

     29,430        0.00~0.00        57,363        0.00~0.01  

On demand

     7,173,939        0.00~5.14        4,169,190        0.00~4.25  

Offshore demand deposits

     154,972        0.00~5.14        199,104        0.00~4.25  

Others

     1,270,138        5.33~5.38        2,021,432        4.30~4.33  

Margin for derivatives

     878,160        0.00        927,475        0.00  

Margin for repurchase agreement

     52,633        0.00        —      
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Subtotal

     9,559,272           7,374,564     
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total

   W 12,591,124         W 9,931,012     
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

(3)

Restricted due from financial institutions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

Detail

  

Financial Institution

   Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022     

Reason for restriction

Others

   DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS and others    W 2,225,805      W 2,949,055      Credit Support Annex (CSA) for derivative transactions

 

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8.

FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FVTPL:

Details of financial assets at FVTPL as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Debt securities in local currency

     

Paid-in capital

   W 296,760      W 222,358  

Beneficiary certificates

     1,588,964        1,945,090  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     1,885,724        2,167,448  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt securities in foreign currencies

     

Bonds

     116,735        —   

Paid-in capital

     11,401        11,435  

Beneficiary certificates

     47,246        56,100  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     175,382        67,535  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity securities in foreign currency stocks

     

Stocks

     —         4,692  

Loans at FVTPL

     

Private placement corporate bonds

     3,703        3,565  

Derivative assets for trading

     

Equity related

     1,415        —   

Interest rates related

     814,175        903,044  

Foreign currencies related

     835,137        1,026,470  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     1,650,727        1,929,514  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 3,715,536      W 4,172,754  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

9.

FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS:

Details of financial investments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31 2022  

Financial assets at FVOCI

     

Debt securities in local currency

     

National bond

   W 999,808      W 780,612  

Equity securities in local currency

     

Stocks(*1)

     10,596,476        8,816,550  

Paid-in capital

     28,096        26,960  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     10,624,572        8,843,510  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt securities in foreign currencies

     

Corporate bonds and etc. (*2)

     1,990,185        1,895,463  

Equity securities in foreign currency

     

Stocks(*1)

     —         157,653  

Securities at amortized cost

     

Debt securities in local currencies

     

National bond

     168,710        146,401  

Public bond

     —         9,999  

Banking Institution bond

     498,897        517,491  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     667,607        673,891  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt securities in foreign currencies

     

Corporate bonds and etc. (*2)

     1,131,293        1,012,697  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 15,413,465      W 13,363,826  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
(*1)

The Bank designated the above equity instruments at FVOCI, in accordance with the Bank’s policy requirements. Cumulative net gains or losses reclassified in equity arising from disposition of equity securities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were W219,659 million and W6,177 million, respectively, and there were no cumulated net gains or losses arising from the reclassification of the account for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

(*2)

It includes debt securities, which are pledged as collateral amounting to W719,666 million and W700,380 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

10.

LOANS AT AMORTIZED COST:

Loans as presented below exclude loan valuation adjustment related to fair value hedging amounting to W(2,719) million and W(8,082) million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

(1)

Details of loans as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

    

Detail

   Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Loans in local currency

   Loans for export    W 18,040,407      W 19,323,322  
  

Loans for foreign investments

     2,241,255        2,989,567  
  

Loans for import

     6,720,707        5,329,803  
  

Troubled Debt Restructuring

     694,579        827,268  
  

Others

     174,654        220,535  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Subtotal

     27,871,602        28,690,495  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loans in foreign currencies

   Loans for export      18,182,694        23,272,064  
  

Loans for foreign investments

     29,365,332        29,204,343  
  

Loans for rediscounted trading notes

     1,276,506        494,247  
  

Loans for import

     4,456,500        3,023,757  
  

Overseas funding loans

     797,836        664,011  
  

Loans for economic cooperation

     245,255        64,016  
   Others      25,770        21,925  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Subtotal

     54,349,893        56,744,363  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Others

   Domestic usance bills      154,619        235,258  
  

Foreign-currency bills bought

     1,044,469        734,071  
  

Advance payments on acceptances and guarantees

     45,687        54,242  
  

Call loans

     5,270,315        4,721,502  
  

Interbank loans in foreign currency

     1,482,810        388,580  
  

Private placement corporate bonds in local currency

     93,600        156,000  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Subtotal

     8,091,500        6,289,653  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Total

     90,312,995        91,724,511  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred loan origination fees and costs

     (481,624      (403,461

Allowance for loan losses

     (2,051,391      (2,012,911
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Total

   W 87,779,980      W 89,308,139  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
(2)

Loans classified by type of customers as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

   

Detail

  Loans in
local
currency
    Loans in
foreign currencies
    Others     Total     Ratio
(%)
 

Customer

 

Large enterprise

  W 10,227,038     W 31,697,520     W 558,825     W 42,483,383       58.99  
 

Small and medium sized enterprise

    8,005,879       6,044,689       163,434       14,214,002       19.74  
 

Public sector and others

    4,223,731       10,301,931       797,407       15,323,069       21.27  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

    22,456,648       48,044,140       1,519,666       72,020,454       100.00  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Net deferred loan origination fees and costs

    (6,494     (466,478     —        (472,972  
 

Allowance for loan losses

    (592,264     (1,147,188     (44,770     (1,784,222  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
 

Subtotal

    21,857,890       46,430,474       1,474,896       69,763,260    
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Financial
institution

 

Bank

    5,354,954       3,215,519       5,346,343       13,916,816       76.08  
 

Others

    60,000       3,090,234       1,225,491       4,375,725       23.92  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

    5,414,954       6,305,753       6,571,834       18,292,541       100.00  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Net deferred loan origination fees and costs

    (111     (8,541     —        (8,652  
 

Allowance for loan losses

    (536     (266,450     (183     (267,169  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
 

Subtotal

    5,414,307       6,030,762       6,571,651       18,016,720    
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
 

Total

  W 27,272,197     W 52,461,236     W 8,046,547     W 87,779,980    
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

95


Table of Contents

(December 31, 2022)

 

   

Detail

   Loans in
local
currency
    Loans in
foreign currencies
    Others     Total     Ratio
(%)
 

Customer

 

Large enterprise

   W 10,374,660     W 35,759,328     W 498,033     W 46,632,021       60.93  
 

Small and medium sized enterprise

     8,928,437       6,384,461       186,088       15,498,986       20.25  
 

Public sector and others

     4,687,376       9,524,326       192,009       14,403,711       18.82  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

     23,990,473       51,668,115       876,130       76,534,718       100.00  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Net deferred loan origination fees and costs

     (6,589     (394,898     —        (401,487  
 

Allowance for loan losses

     (385,304     (1,371,033     (40,052     (1,796,389  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
 

Subtotal

     23,598,580       49,902,184       836,078       74,336,842    
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Financial
institution

 

Bank

     4,700,022       2,103,161       4,699,932       11,503,115       75.73  
 

Others

     —        2,973,087       713,591       3,686,678       24.27  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

     4,700,022       5,076,248       5,413,523       15,189,793       100.00  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Net deferred loan origination fees and costs

     —        (1,974     —        (1,974  
 

Allowance for loan losses

     (394     (215,930     (198     (216,522  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
 

Subtotal

     4,699,628       4,858,344       5,413,325       14,971,297    
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
 

Total

   W 28,298,208     W 54,760,528     W 6,249,403     W 89,308,139    
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(3)

Changes in allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(2023)

 

     12 months
expected
credit
losses
    Lifetime
expected
credit losses
    Credit-
impaired
financial
assets
    Total  

Beginning balance

   W 372,510     W 751,731     W 888,670     W 2,012,911  

- Transfer to 12 months expected credit losses

     7,129       (6,170     (959     —   

- Transfer to lifetime expected credit losses

     (3,727     571,009       (567,282     —   

- Transfer to credit-impaired financial assets

     4,506       (1,904     (2,602     —   

Written-off

     —        —        (3,797     (3,797

Collection of written-off loans

     —        —        9,137       9,137  

Loan-for-equity swap

     —        —        (10,649     (10,649

Others

     44,948       (26,025     (17,508     1,415  

Unwinding effect

     —        —        (2,220     (2,220

Foreign exchange translation

     3,268       20,217       4,074       27,559  

Additional provisions

(Reversal of provisions)

     (103,433     (35,906     156,374       17,035  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 325,201     W 1,272,952     W 453,238     W 2,051,391  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

(2022)

 

     12 months
expected
credit losses
    Lifetime
expected
credit losses
    Credit-
impaired
financial
assets
    Total  

Beginning balance

   W 330,018     W 597,885     W 1,237,600     W 2,165,503  

- Transfer to 12 months expected credit losses

     6,815       (6,815     —        —   

- Transfer to lifetime expected credit losses

     (21,612     27,137       (5,525     —   

- Transfer to credit-impaired financial assets

     (1,064     (891     1,955       —   

Written-off

     —        —        (28,405     (28,405

Collection of written-off loans

     —        —        1,942       1,942  

Loan-for-equity swap

     —        —        (424,889     (424,889

Others

     4       —        —        4  

Unwinding effect

     —        —        (4,467     (4,467

Foreign exchange translation

     7,696       19,750       29,514       56,960  

Additional provisions

     50,653       114,665       80,945       246,263  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 372,510     W 751,731     W 888,670     W 2,012,911  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

11.

INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES AND SUBSIDIARIES:

 

(1)

Details of investments in associates and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

Company

  Detail     Location     Business     Year-end     Ownership
(%)
    Net asset (*1)     Carrying
amount
 

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

    Subsidiary       United Kingdom       Financial service     December       100.00     W 165,156     W 138,312  

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

    Subsidiary       Vietnam       Financial service       December       100.00       82,158       57,755  

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

    Subsidiary       Indonesia       Financial service       December       97.52       85,965       90,076  

KEXIM Asia Limited

    Subsidiary       Hong Kong       Financial service       December       100.00       219,460       167,839  

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd.

    Subsidiary       Singapore       Financial service       December       100.00       388,676       372,510  

EXIM PLUS Co., Ltd.

    Subsidiary       Korea       Service       December       100.00       1,549       950  

Credit Guarantee and Investment Fund (*2)

    Associate       Philippines       Financial service       December       14.80       248,575       197,820  

KTB Newlake Global Healthcare PEF

    Associate       Korea       Financial service       December       24.99       2,654       3,337  

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

    Associate       Korea       Manufacturing       December       26.41       427,990       968,743  

KB-Badgers Future Mobility ESG Fund I

    Associate       Korea       Financial service       December       22.73       3,393       4,265  

WWG Green New Deal PEF

    Associate       Korea       Financial service       December       25.00       3,014       3,475  

Corporate Structure Innovation PEF IV

    Associate       Korea       Financial service       December       22.20       422       544  
             

 

 

 

Total

              W 2,005,626  
             

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

(December 31, 2022)

 

Company

  Detail     Location     Business     Year-end     Ownership
(%)
    Net asset (*1)     Carrying
amount
 

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

    Subsidiary       United Kingdom       Financial service       December       100.00     W 140,436     W 138,312  

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

    Subsidiary       Vietnam       Financial service       December       100.00       77,861       57,755  

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

    Subsidiary       Indonesia       Financial service       December       85.00       22,149       25,270  

KEXIM Asia Limited

    Subsidiary       Hong Kong       Financial service       December       100.00       204,352       167,839  

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd.

    Subsidiary       Singapore       Financial service       December       100.00       377,007       372,510  

EXIM PLUS Co., Ltd.

    Subsidiary       Korea       Service       December       100.00       1,352       950  

Credit Guarantee and Investment Fund (*2)

    Associate       Philippines       Financial service       December       14.92       230,216       197,820  

KTB Newlake Global Healthcare PEF

    Associate       Korea       Financial service       December       25.00       4,842       5,482  

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

    Associate       Korea       Manufacturing       December       26.41       377,124       968,744  

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd (*3)

    Associate       Korea       Shipbuilding       December       —        —        —   

KB-Badgers Future Mobility ESG Fund I

    Associate       Korea       Financial service       December       22.73       820       1,187  
             

 

 

 

Total

              W 1,935,869  
             

 

 

 

 

(*1)

In cases of associates, the amounts represent net asset after considering percentage of ownership.

(*2)

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, this entity is classified into an associate because the Bank has significant influence in the way of representation on the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the investee.

(*3)

During previous year, the Bank classified the entity which is not associate as an associate considering potential voting rights but during the year, the Bank has assessed that there is no significant influence considering potential voting rights and equity ratio and the entity is excluded from the associates. The Bank holds convertible bonds issued by the entity amounting to W2,332,832 million.

 

(2)

Changes in investments in associates and subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(2023)

 

Company

  Detail     Beginning
balance
    Acquisitions     Disposals     Impairment
loss
    Ending
balance
 

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

    Subsidiary     W 138,312     W —      W —      W —      W 138,312  

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

    Subsidiary       57,755       —        —        —        57,755  

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

    Subsidiary       25,270       64,806       —        —        90,076  

KEXIM Asia Limited

    Subsidiary       167,839       —        —        —        167,839  

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd.

      372,510       —        —        —        372,510  

EXIM PLUS Co., Ltd.

    Subsidiary       950       —        —        —        950  

Credit Guarantee and Investment Fund

    Associate       197,820       —        —        —        197,820  

KTB Newlake Global Healthcare PEF

    Associate       5,482       —        (2,145     —        3,337  

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

    Associate       968,743       —        —        —        968,743  

KB-Badgers Future Mobility ESG Fund I

    Associate       1,188       3,077       —        —        4,265  

WWG Green New Deal PEF

    Associate       —        3,475       —        —        3,475  

Corporate Structure Innovation PEF IV

    Associate       —        544       —        —        544  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    W 1,935,869     W 71,902     W (2,145   W —      W 2,005,626  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

(2022)

 

Company

  Detail     Beginning
balance
    Acquisitions     Disposals     Impairment
loss
    Ending
balance
 

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

    Subsidiary     W 138,312     W —      W —      W —      W 138,312  

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

    Subsidiary       57,755       —        —        —        57,755  

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

    Subsidiary       25,270       —        —        —        25,270  

KEXIM Asia Limited

    Subsidiary       167,839       —        —        —        167,839  

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd.

      —        372,510       —        —        372,510  

EXIM PLUS Co., Ltd.

    Subsidiary       950       —        —        —        950  

Credit Guarantee and Investment Fund

    Associate       197,820       —        —        —        197,820  

KTB Newlake Global Healthcare PEF

    Associate       8,463       —        (2,981     —        5,482  

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

    Associate       968,744       —        —        —        968,744  

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.

    Associate       —        —        —        —        —   

KB-Badgers Future Mobility ESG Fund I

      —        1,187       —        —        1,187  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    W 1,565,153     W 373,697     W (2,981   W —      W 1,935,869  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(3)

Summarized financial information of associates and subsidiaries as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

Company

  Assets     Liabilities     Operating
income (loss)
    Profit (Loss)
for the year
    Total
comprehensive
income (loss)
 
                               

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

  W 860,604     W 695,448     W 5,335     W 3,657     W 21,823  

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

    213,998       128,033       755       6       (990

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

    207,723       125,565       3,599       2,977       4,297  

KEXIM Asia Limited

    997,964       778,504       5,266       4,295       15,108  

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd.

    463,540       74,865       6,045       4,735       11,668  

EXIM PLUS Co., Ltd.

    2,615       1,066       97       197       197  

Credit Guarantee and Investment Fund

    1,788,935       109,533       58,633       57,428       124,163  

KTB Newlake Global Healthcare PEF

    10,619       1       2,649       2,649       2,649  

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

    7,148,026       5,527,642       247,510       221,844       191,536  

KB-Badgers Future Mobility ESG Fund I

    15,600       672       (2,219     (2,219     (2,219

WWG Green New Deal PEF

    12,309       254       (1,096     (1,096     (1,096

Corporate Structure Innovation PEF IV

    2,450       549       (549     (549     (549

 

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Table of Contents

(December 31, 2022)

 

Company

  Assets     Liabilities     Operating
income (loss)
    Profit (Loss)
for the year
    Total
comprehensive
income (loss)
 

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

  W 791,592     W 651,156     W 5,196     W 3,138     W (11,964

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

    247,692       169,831       3,056       2,544       7,362  

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

    161,656       139,508       658       431       (190

KEXIM Asia Limited

    909,779       705,427       7,237       5,971       6,202  

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd.

    383,597       6,589       (3,158     (3,164     4,497  

EXIM PLUS Co., Ltd.

    2,407       1,055       108       172       172  

Credit Guarantee and Investment Fund

    1,653,409       110,405       19,719       10,534       (2,920

KTB Newlake Global Healthcare PEF

    19,426       55       1,236       1,236       1,236  

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

    7,795,181       6,341,964       141,618       115,919       175,268  

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.

    12,235,665       11,490,693       (1,613,565     (1,744,778     (1,472,612

KB-Badgers Future Mobility ESG Fund I

    3,607       —        (1,618     (1,618     (1,618

 

12.

TANGIBLE ASSETS:

 

(1)

Details of tangible assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

Detail

   Acquisition
cost
     Accumulated
depreciation
     Government
grants
     Carrying
amount
 
                             

Lands

   W 191,259      W —       W —       W 191,259  

Buildings

     102,514        (45,972      (17      56,525  

Leasehold improvements

     1,670        (916      —         754  

Vehicles

     4,763        (3,654      (100      1,009  

Furniture and fixture

     72,212        (48,904      —         23,308  

Construction in progress

     19,880        —         —         19,880  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 392,298      W (99,446    W (117    W 292,735  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(December 31, 2022)

 

Detail

   Acquisition
cost
     Accumulated
depreciation
     Government
grants
     Carrying
amount
 
                             

Lands

   W 190,807      W —       W —       W 190,807  

Buildings

     100,778        (44,039      (17      56,722  

Leasehold improvements

     1,668        (583      —         1,085  

Vehicles

     4,406        (3,241      (37      1,128  

Furniture and fixture

     61,455        (43,913      —         17,542  

Construction in progress

     5,719        —         —         5,719  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 364,833      W (91,776    W (54    W 273,003  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
(2)

Changes in tangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(2023)

 

Detail

   Beginning
balance
     Acquisitions      Disposals     Depreciation     Others     Ending
balance
 

Lands

   W 190,807      W 452      W —      W —      W —      W 191,259  

Buildings

     56,722        1,736        —        (1,933     —        56,525  

Leasehold improvements

     1,085        2        —        (333     —        754  

Vehicles

     1,128        565        —        (599     (85     1,009  

Furniture and fixture

     17,542        13,220        (3     (7,451     —        23,308  

Construction in progress

     5,719        14,161        —        —        —        19,880  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   W 273,003      W 30,136      W (3   W (10,316   W (85   W 292,735  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(2022)

 

Detail

   Beginning
balance
     Acquisitions      Disposals     Depreciation     Others     Ending
balance
 

Lands

   W 190,807      W —       W —      W —      W —      W 190,807  

Buildings

     58,645        —         —        (1,923     —        56,722  

Leasehold improvements

     1,148        259        —        (322     —        1,085  

Vehicles

     1,129        622        —        (580     (43     1,128  

Furniture and fixture

     17,096        6,768        (2     (6,320     —        17,542  

Construction in progress

     1,542        4,177        —        —        —        5,719  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   W 270,367      W 11,826      W (2   W (9,145   W (43   W 273,003  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

13.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS:

 

(1)

Details of intangible assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

Detail

   Acquisition
cost
     Accumulated
depreciation
     Accumulated
Impairment
losses
     Carrying
amount
 
                             

Computer software

   W 41,603      W (30,481    W —       W 11,122  

System development fees

     90,108        (58,550      —         31,558  

Memberships

     3,823        —         (166      3,657  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 135,534      W (89,031    W (166    W 46,337  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(December 31, 2022)

 

Detail

   Acquisition
cost
     Accumulated
depreciation
     Accumulated
Impairment
losses
     Carrying
amount
 
                             

Computer software

   W 39,404      W (26,802    W —       W 12,602  

System development fees

     78,412        (51,873      —         26,539  

Memberships

     3,838        —         (166      3,672  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 121,654      W (78,675    W (166    W 42,813  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
(2)

Changes in intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(2023)

 

Detail

   Beginning
balance
     Acquisitions      Disposals     Amortization     Reversal of
(Additional)
impairment
     Ending
balance
 

Computer software

   W 12,602      W 2,200      W —      W (3,680   W —       W 11,122  

System development fees

     26,539        11,695        —        (6,676     —         31,558  

Memberships

     3,672        25        (40     —        —         3,657  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 42,813      W 13,920      W (40   W (10,356   W —       W 46,337  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

(2022)

 

Detail

   Beginning
balance
     Acquisitions      Disposals     Amortization     Reversal of
(Additional)
impairment
     Ending
balance
 

Computer software

   W 11,389      W 4,654      W —      W (3,441   W —       W 12,602  

System development fees

     19,407        13,220        —        (6,088     —         26,539  

Memberships

     3,656        92        (76     —        —         3,672  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 34,452      W 17,966      W (76   W (9,529   W —       W 42,813  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

14.

OTHER ASSETS:

 

(1)

Details of other assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Other financial assets:

     

Guarantee deposits

   W 47,565      W 48,800  

Accounts receivable

     492,520        384,640  

Accrued income

     1,326,049        1,237,376  

Receivable spot exchange

     59        43  

Allowances for loan losses on other assets

     (13,980      (24,994
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     1,852,213        1,645,865  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other assets:

     

Advance payments

     1        —   

Prepaid expenses

     40,812        125,943  

Current income tax asset

     1,925        1,921  

Sundry assets

     29,916        35,266  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     72,654        163,130  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 1,924,867      W 1,808,995  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2)

Changes in allowances for loan losses on other assets for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023     2022  

Beginning balance

   W 24,994     W 8,034  

Collection

     —        5  

Exchange fluctuations effect

     238       —   

Additional provisions (Reversal of provisions)

     (11,252     16,566  

Others

     —        389  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 13,980     W 24,994  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
15.

BORROWINGS:

 

(1)

Details of borrowings as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

Detail

  

Lender

  

Interest rate (%)

   Amount  

Sales of repurchase agreement:

        

Sales of repurchase agreement

  

ING BANK

   5.61    W 471,791  

Borrowings in foreign currencies:

        

Borrowings from the Government

  

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE

   LIBOR 3M+0.7      193,410  

Long term borrowings from foreign financial institutions

  

MUFG Bank Seoul Branch(JP) and others

   JPY TONA ON+0.29 ~
USD Term SOFR 3M+0.83
     2,968,052  

Commercial papers denominated in foreign currencies

  

CITIBANK N.A., HONG KONG(US) and others

   5.30 ~ 5.90      992,838  

Offshore commercial papers denominated in foreign currencies

  

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED(US) and others

   3.61 ~ 5.93      619,737  

Others (Foreign banks)

  

DBS BANK LTD and others

   0.06 ~ 0.80      154,619  

Others (CSA)

  

UBS and others

   5.31 ~ 5.33      131,751  
        

 

 

 

Subtotal

           5,060,407  
        

 

 

 

Total

         W 5,532,198  
        

 

 

 

(December 31, 2022)

 

Detail

  

Lender

  

Interest rate (%)

   Amount  

Call money:

        

call money dominated in foreign currencies

  

CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, HONGKONG

   4.53    W 46,768  

Sales of repurchase agreement:

        

Sales of repurchase agreement

  

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK (HONG KONG) LIMITED and others

   0.95 ~ 1.31      431,604  

Borrowings in foreign currencies:

        

Borrowings from the Government

  

MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE

   LIBOR 3M+0.65 ~
LIBOR 3M+0.78
     667,866  

Short term borrowings from foreign financial institutions

  

MUFG Bank Seoul Branch(JP) and others

   LIBOR 3M+0.09, 
2.20
     626,046  

Short term borrowings from domestic financial institutions

  

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Seoul Branch

   3.61 ~ 3.63      247,124  

Long term borrowings from foreign financial institutions

  

MUFG Bank Seoul Branch(JP)

   USD Term SOFR 3M+0.69      1,769,241  

Commercial papers denominated in foreign currencies

  

CITIBANK N.A., HONG KONG(US) and others

   (-)0.49 ~ 3.57      5,645,822  

Offshore commercial papers denominated in foreign currencies

  

BARCLAYS BANK PLC(GB)and others

   (-)0.35 ~ 1.62      426,599  

Others (Foreign banks)

  

DBS BANK LTD and others

   0.06 ~ 0.30      235,258  

Others (CSA)

  

BANK OF AMERICA (VM) and others

   0.07      16,412  
        

 

 

 

Subtotal

           9,634,368  
        

 

 

 

Total

         W 10,112,740  
        

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
(2)

Details of the borrowings from other financial institutions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

Type

   Call-money      Sales of
repurchase
agreement
     Borrowings in
foreign
currencies
     Total  

Commercial banks

   W —       W 471,791      W 4,866,997      W 5,338,788  

(December 31, 2022)

 

Type

   Call-money      Sales of
repurchase
agreement
     Borrowings in
foreign
currencies
     Total  

Commercial banks

   W 46,768      W 431,604      W 8,966,502      W 9,444,874  

 

16.

DEBENTURES:

Details of debentures as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023     Dec. 31, 2022  

Detail

   Interest rate (%)      Amount     Interest rate (%)      Amount  

Local currencies:

          

Floating rate

    

31-Day CD+0.04~

31-Day CD+0.35

 

 

   W 6,120,000      

31-Day CD+0.11~

31-Day CD+0.60

 

 

   W 4,090,000  

Fixed rate

     1.11 ~ 7.80        23,480,000       0.89 ~ 5.58        24,830,000  
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Subtotal

        29,600,000          28,920,000  
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Fair value hedging adjusting

        (105,724        (170,631

Discount on debentures

        (136,598        (195,715
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Subtotal

        29,357,678          28,553,654  
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Foreign currencies:

          

Floating rate

    


MXN TIIE
28D+0.20 ~
USD Term SOFR
3M +1.61
 

 
 
     7,397,267      
USD SOFR Index+0.25 ~
USD SOFR Index+0.775

 
     9,443,252  

Fixed rate

     0.00 ~ 12.26        58,659,207       0.00 ~ 12.60        52,761,984  
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Subtotal

        66,056,474          62,205,236  
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Fair value hedging adjusting

        (1,988,082        (2,857,028

Discount on debentures

        (169,527        (110,239
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Subtotal

        63,898,865          59,237,969  
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

      W 93,256,543        W 87,791,623  
     

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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17.

PROVISIONS:

 

(1)

Details of provisions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Provisions for acceptances and guarantees

   W 914,742      W 597,078  

Provisions for unused loan commitments

     550,207        467,183  

Other provisions

     25,027        28,174  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 1,489,976      W 1,092,435  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2)

Changes in provisions for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(2023)

 

     Acceptances and guarantees  
     12 months
expected
credit losses
    Lifetime
expected
credit losses
    Credit-impaired
financial assets
    Total  

Beginning balance

   W 73,774     W 513,109     W 10,195     W 597,078  

- Transfer to 12 months expected credit losses

     9,709       (90     (9,619     —   

- Transfer to lifetime expected credit losses

     —        —        —        —   

- Transfer to credit-impaired financial assets

     (1,287     —        1,287       —   

Foreign exchange translation

     1,058       7,150       17       8,225  

Additional provisions (Reversal of provisions)

     (26,178     197,695       137,922       309,439  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 57,076     W 717,864     W 139,802     W 914,742  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Unused loan commitments  
     12 months
expected
credit losses
    Lifetime
expected
credit losses
    Credit-impaired
financial assets
     Total  

Beginning balance

   W 56,929     W 410,079     W 175      W 467,183  

- Transfer to 12 months expected credit losses

     4       (4     —         —   

- Transfer to lifetime expected credit losses

     (828     828       —         —   

- Transfer to credit-impaired financial assets

     —        (18     18        —   

Foreign exchange translation

     853       47       —         900  

Additional provisions (Reversal of provisions)

     33,136       35,644       13,344        82,124  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 90,094     W 446,576     W 13,537      W 550,207  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

(2022)

 

    Acceptances and guarantees  
    12 months
expected
credit losses
    Lifetime
expected
credit losses
    Credit-impaired
financial assets
    Total  

Beginning balance

  W 52,984     W 311,291     W 16,708     W 380,983  

- Transfer to 12 months expected credit losses

    22,024       (22,024     —        —   

- Transfer to lifetime expected credit losses

    (44     44       —        —   

- Transfer to credit-impaired financial assets

    —        —        —        —   

Foreign exchange translation

    3,272       14,426       644       18,342  

Additional provisions (Reversal of provisions)

    (4,462     209,372       (7,157     197,753  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  W 73,774     W 513,109     W 10,195     W 597,078  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
     Unused loan commitments  
     12 months
expected
credit losses
    Lifetime
expected
credit losses
    Credit-impaired
financial assets
    Total  

Beginning balance

   W 37,640     W 199,789     W 2,053     W 239,482  

- Transfer to 12 months expected credit losses

     1,965       (1,965     —        —   

- Transfer to lifetime expected credit losses

     (11     142       (131     —   

- Transfer to credit-impaired financial assets

     —        —        —        —   

Foreign exchange translation

     773       —        —        773  

Additional provisions (Reversal of provisions)

     16,562       212,113       (1,747     226,928  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 56,929     W 410,079     W 175     W 467,183  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

18.

RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLAN:

The Bank operates both defined benefit plan and defined contribution plan.

 

(1)

Defined benefit plan

The Bank operates defined benefit plans, which have the following characteristics:

 

   

The entity has the obligation to pay the agreed benefits to all its current and past employees.

 

   

The entity is liable for actuarial risk (excess of actual payment against expected amount) and investment risk.

The present value of the defined benefit obligation recognized in the separate statements of financial position is calculated annually by independent actuaries in accordance with actuarial valuation method. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is calculated using the projected unit credit method (“PUC”). The data used in the PUC, such as interest rates, future salary increase rate, mortality rate, consumer price index and expected return on plan asset, are based on observable market data and historical data, which are annually updated.

Actuarial assumptions may differ from actual results due to change in the market, economic trend and mortality trend, which may affect defined benefit obligation liabilities and future payments. Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in actuarial assumptions are recognized in the period incurred through other comprehensive income or loss.

 

(2)

Details of net defined benefit liabilities (assets) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Present value of defined benefit obligations

   W 116,681      W 99,458  

Fair value of plan assets

     (145,112      (144,600
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net defined benefit liabilities (assets)

   W (28,431    W (45,142
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
(3)

Changes in net defined benefit obligations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(2023)

 

     Present value
of the defined
benefit
obligations
     Plan assets      Net
defined
benefit
liabilities
(assets)
 

Beginning balance

   W 99,458      W (144,600    W (45,142

Contributions from the employer

     —         —         —   

Current-service cost

     8,788        —         8,788  

Interest expense (income)

     5,625        (8,354      (2,729

Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in demographic assumptions

     100        —         100  

Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in financial assumptions

     10,558        291        10,849  

Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments

     (620      —         (620

Management fees on plan assets

     —         203        203  

Benefits paid

     (7,228      7,348        120  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 116,681      W (145,112    W (28,431
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(2022)

 

     Present value
of the defined
benefit
obligations
     Plan assets      Net
defined
benefit
liabilities
(assets)
 

Beginning balance

   W 119,697      W (133,302    W (13,605

Contributions from the employer

     —         (16,874      (16,874

Current-service cost

     11,373        —         11,373  

Interest expense (income)

     4,234        (4,775      (541

Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in demographic assumptions

     1,408        —         1,408  

Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in financial assumptions

     (26,129      1,979        (24,150

Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments

     (1,137      —         (1,137

Management fees on plan assets

     —         232        232  

Benefits paid

     (9,988      8,140        (1,848
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 99,458      W (144,600    W (45,142
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(4)

Details of fair value of plan assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Debt securities

   W 4,584      W 8,102  

Others

     140,528        136,498  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 145,112      W 144,600  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
(5)

Actuarial assumptions used in retirement benefit obligations assessment as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

 

     Dec. 31, 2023     Dec. 31, 2022  

Discount rate

     5.12     5.87

Expected wage growth rate

     4.80     1.37

 

(6)

Assuming that all the other assumptions remain unchanged, the effect of changes in the significant actuarial assumptions which were made within the reasonable limit on retirement benefit obligations as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

Detail

   1%p Increase      1%p Decrease  

Change of discount rate

   W (10,335    W 9,887  

Change of future salary increase rate

     12,366        (12,135

(December 31, 2022)

 

Detail

   1%p Increase      1%p Decrease  

Change of discount rate

   W (8,408    W 9,782  

Change of future salary increase rate

     10,075        (8,842

The above sensitivity analysis does not present any actual changes in the retirement benefit obligations as there is no change in actuarial assumptions which is independently made due to the correlation among the assumptions. In addition, the actuarial present value of promised retirement benefits in the sensitivity analysis is determined using the projected unit credit method, which is used in the calculation of the retirement benefit obligations in the separate financial statements.

 

(7)

Retirement benefit cost incurred from the defined contribution plan for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Retirement benefits

   W 1,129      W 1,564  

 

19.

OTHER LIABILITIES:

 

(1)

Details of other liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Other financial liabilities:

     

Financial guarantee contract liabilities

   W 1,002,162      W 1,161,253  

Foreign exchanges payable

     133,410        110  

Accounts payable

     479,138        369,796  

Accrued expenses

     1,276,439        992,763  

Guarantee deposit received

     353        353  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     2,891,502        2,524,275  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other liabilities:

     

Allowance For Deferred Day 1 Profit Or Loss In Derivatives

     8,988        9,515  

Unearned income

     194,050        124,862  

Current tax payable

     428,862        102,200  

Sundry liabilities

     4,515        6,356  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     636,415        242,933  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 3,527,917      W 2,767,208  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
(2)

Changes in financial guarantee contract liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Beginning balance

   W 1,161,253      W 1,140,299  

Foreign exchange translation

     32,529        48,611  

Additional financial guarantee contract liabilities

(Reversal of financial guarantee contract liabilities)

     (118,023      (9,963

Others(*1)

     (73,597      (17,694
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 1,002,162      W 1,161,253  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Others are the effects of the change due to newly occurrence and the arrival of maturity of financial guarantee contracts evaluated by fair value the first time and the changes in discount rates.

 

20.

DERIVATIVES:

The Bank operates derivatives both for trading and hedging purposes. Derivatives held for trading purpose are included in financial assets and liabilities at FVTPL.

 

(1)

Fair value hedge

Fair value hedge is a hedge of the exposure to changes in fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, or an identified portion of such an asset, liability or firm commitment, that is attributable to a particular risk and could affect profit or loss. When applying fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk shall adjust the carrying amount of the hedged item and be recognized in profit or loss.

The Bank shall discontinue prospectively the fair value hedge if the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting or the Bank revokes the designation. Any adjustment arising from the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk to the carrying amount of a hedged financial instrument for which the effective interest method is used shall be amortized to profit or loss.

The Bank uses interest rate swaps for hedging changes of fair values in hedged items arising from changes in interest rates. The Bank also uses currency swaps for hedging changes of fair values in hedged items arising from changes in foreign exchange rates.

 

(2)

Cash flow hedge

Cash flow hedge is a hedge of the exposure to variability in cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability (such as all or some future interest payments on variable rate debt) or a highly probable forecast transaction and could affect profit or loss. When applying cash flow hedge, the portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument that is determined to be an effective hedge shall be recognized in other comprehensive income; and the ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument are recognized in profit or loss. If a hedge of a forecast transaction subsequently results in the recognition of a financial asset or a financial liability, the associated gains or losses that were recognized in other comprehensive income are reclassified from equity to profit or loss as a reclassification adjustment in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecast cash flows affect profit or loss.

The Bank shall discontinue prospectively the cash flow hedge if hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting or the Bank revokes the designation. The forecasted transaction is no longer expected to occur, any related cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument that has been recognized in other comprehensive income from the period when the hedge was effective are reclassified from equity to profit or loss as a reclassification adjustment.

 

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Table of Contents

The Bank uses interest rate swaps for hedging changes of cash flows in hedged items arising from changes in interest rates. The Bank also uses currency swaps for hedging changes of cash flows in hedged items arising from changes in foreign exchange.

 

(3)

Details of derivative assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

            Derivative assets(*1)  

Detail

   Notional
amount
     Fair value
hedge
     Cash flow
hedge
     Trading      Total  

Interest:

              

Interest rate swaps

   W 73,694,116      W 10,002      W —       W 814,175      W 824,177  

Currency:

              

Currency forwards

     16,836,450        —         —         159,979        159,979  

Currency swaps

     31,410,141        567,592        60,757        675,157        1,303,506  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     48,246,591        567,592        60,757        835,136        1,463,485  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stock:

              

Stock options

     1,397        —         —         1,415        1,415  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 121,942,104      W 577,594      W 60,757      W 1,650,726      W 2,289,077  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Credit risk adjustments related to derivatives are excluded.

 

            Derivative liabilities  

Detail

   Notional
amount
     Fair value
hedge
     Cash flow
hedge
     Trading      Total  

Interest:

              

Interest rate swaps

   W 73,694,116      W 899,097      W —       W 1,325,699      W 2,224,796  

Currency:

              

Currency forwards

     16,836,450        —         —         248,563        248,563  

Currency swaps

     31,410,141        615,111        —         548,542        1,163,653  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     48,246,591        615,111        —         797,105        1,412,216  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stock:

              

Stock options

     1,397        —         —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 121,942,104      W 1,514,208      W —       W 2,122,804      W 3,637,012  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(December 31, 2022)

 

            Derivative assets(*1)  

Detail

   Notional
amount
     Fair value
hedge
     Cash flow
hedge
     Trading      Total  

Interest:

              

Interest rate swaps

   W 56,314,118      W 522      W —       W 903,044      W 903,566  

Currency:

              

Currency forwards

     10,733,286        —         —         256,184        256,184  

Currency swaps

     30,035,585        307,595        49,580        770,286        1,127,461  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     40,768,871        307,595        49,580        1,026,470        1,383,645  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 97,082,989      W 308,117      W 49,580      W 1,929,514      W 2,287,211  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Credit risk adjustments related to derivatives are excluded.

 

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Table of Contents
            Derivative liabilities  

Detail

   Notional
amount
     Fair value
hedge
     Cash flow
hedge
     Trading      Total  

Interest:

              

Interest rate swaps

   W 56,314,118      W 1,095,377      W —       W 1,457,447      W 2,552,824  

Currency:

              

Currency forwards

     10,733,286        —         —         339,352        339,352  

Currency swaps

     30,035,585        1,261,531        —         716,688        1,978,219  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     40,768,871        1,261,531        —         1,056,040        2,317,571  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 97,082,989      W 2,356,908      W —       W 2,513,487      W 4,870,395  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(4)

Gains and losses from fair value hedging instruments and hedged items attributable to the hedged risk for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Fair value hedge – hedged items

   W (928,023    W 3,165,476  

Fair value hedge – hedging instruments

   W 2,013,401      W (3,229,844

 

(5)

As a result of cash flow hedge, the Bank recognized W11,177 million and W46,612 million as other comprehensive income (loss) (before tax effect) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and there is no ineffectiveness recognized in relation to cash flow hedge for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

(6)

Hedge accounting

 

1)

Purpose and strategy of hedge accounting

The Bank transacts with derivative financial instruments to hedge its interest rate risk and currency risk arising from the assets and liabilities of the Bank. The Bank applies the fair value hedge accounting for the changes in the market interest rates of the financial debentures in Korean won and foreign currency and the loans in foreign currency; and cash flow hedge accounting for interest rate swaps to hedge cash flow risk due to interest rates of the debentures in Korean won.

 

2)

Nominal amount and average hedge ratio for derivatives as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

    Within
1 year
    1 to
2 years
    2 to
3 years
    3 to
4 years
    4 to
5 years
    Over
5 years
    Total  

Fair value hedges

             

Nominal amount of hedged items

  W 14,231,762     W 12,018,460     W 10,357,727     W 4,427,957     W 5,205,413     W 11,997,397     W 58,238,716  

Nominal amount of hedging instruments

    14,244,231       11,018,710       10,357,727       4,427,957       5,205,413       12,075,933       57,329,971  

Average hedge ratio

    100.09%       91.68%       100.00%       100.00%       100.00%       100.65%       98.44%  

Cash flow hedges

             

Nominal amount of hedged items

  W 113,211     W 653,137     W —      W —      W —      W —      W 766,348  

Nominal amount hedging instruments

    113,211       653,137       —        —        —        —        766,348  

Average hedge ratio

    100.00%       100.00%       —        —        —        —        100.00%  

 

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(December 31, 2022)

 

    Within
1 year
    1 to
2 years
    2 to
3 years
    3 to
4 years
    4 to
5 years
    Over
5 years
    Total  

Fair value hedges

             

Nominal amount of hedged items

  W 10,180,257     W 12,030,420     W 9,817,699     W 5,946,113     W 3,540,756     W 8,604,823     W 50,120,068  

Nominal amount of hedging instruments

    10,228,201       12,042,974       8,867,224       5,946,113       3,540,756       8,689,614       49,314,882  

Average hedge ratio

    100.47%       100.10%       90.32%       100.00%       100.00%       100.99%       98.39%  

Cash flow hedges

             

Nominal amount of hedged items

  W —      W 111,593     W 643,808     W —      W —      W —      W 755,401  

Nominal amount hedging instruments

    —        111,593       643,808       —        —        —        755,401  

Average hedge ratio

    —        100.00%       100.00%       —        —        —        100.00%  

 

3)

Effect of hedge accounting on financial statement, statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity

 

Effect of hedging instruments on statement financial position, statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

Detail

   Nominal
amount
     Carrying
amount
of assets(*1)
     Carrying
amount
of
liabilities
     Changes of
fair value
in the year
 

Fair value hedges

           

Interest swap

   W 41,327,475      W 10,002      W 899,097      W 919,829  

Currency swap

     16,002,496        567,592        615,111        168,970  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     57,329,971        577,594        1,514,208        1,088,799  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow hedges

     766,348        60,757        —         11,177  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 58,096,319      W 638,351      W 1,514,208      W 1,099,976  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (*1)

Credit risk adjustments related to derivatives are excluded.

(December 31, 2022)

 

Detail

   Nominal
amount
     Carrying
amount
of assets(*1)
     Carrying
amount
of
liabilities
     Changes of
fair value
in the year
 

Fair value hedges

           

Interest swap

   W 34,285,517      W 522      W 1,095,377      W (2,935,547

Currency swap

     15,029,365        307,595        1,261,531        (722,761
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     49,314,882        308,117        2,356,908        (3,658,308
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow hedges

     755,401        49,580        —         45,664  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 50,070,283      W 357,697      W 2,356,908      W (3,612,644
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (*1)

Credit risk adjustments related to derivatives are excluded.

 

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Effect of fair value hedged items on statement financial position, statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

     Statement financial position      Accumulated adjustment of
fair value hedging
       

Detail

   Loan      Debenture      Asset     Liability     Changes of
fair value
in the year
 

Interest:

            

Debentures in local currency

   W —       W 874,906      W —      W (105,724   W (64,906

Debentures in foreign currencies

     —         42,095,686        —        (1,787,353     (723,648
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     —         42,970,592        —        (1,893,077     (788,554
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Currency:

            

Loans in foreign currencies

     158,155        —         (2,629     —        5,732  

Discontinuation of risk hedging

            

Loans in foreign currencies

     11,372        —         (34     —        33  

Debentures in foreign currencies

     —         16,077,655        —        (199,166     (179,132

Discontinuation of risk hedging

            

Debentures in foreign currencies

     —         19,105        —        (1,743     97  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     169,527        16,096,760        (2,663     (200,909     (173,270
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   W 169,527      W 59,067,352      W (2,663   W (2,093,986   W (961,824
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(December 31, 2022)

 

     Statement financial position      Accumulated adjustment of
fair value hedging
       

Detail

   Loan      Debenture      Asset     Liability     Changes of
fair value
in the year
 

Interest:

            

Discontinuation of risk hedging

            

Loans in foreign currencies

   W 17,093      W —       W 402     W —      W (1,188

Debentures in local currency

     —         602,989        —        (170,631     107,011  

Debentures in foreign currencies

     —         31,810,613        —        (2,602,017     1,081,608  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     17,093        32,413,602        402       (2,772,648     1,187,431  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Currency:

            

Loans in foreign currencies

     149,661        —         (8,360     —        (4,204

Discontinuation of risk hedging

            

Loans in foreign currencies

     13,782        —         (67     —        33  

Debentures in foreign currencies

     —         14,360,000        —        (253,171     (254,124

Discontinuation of risk hedging

            

Debentures in foreign currencies

     —         18,333        —        (1,840     97  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     163,443        14,378,333        (8,427     (255,011     (258,198
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   W 180,536      W 46,791,935      W (8,025   W (3,027,659   W 929,233  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Effect of cash flow hedged items on statement financial position, statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

Detail

   Statements of
Financial
position
     Accumulated
adjustment of
cash flow hedging
     Changes of
fair value
in the year
 

Currency:

        

Loans in foreign currencies

   W 766,348      W 47,451      W (10,717

(December 31, 2022)

 

Detail

   Statements of
Financial
position
     Accumulated
adjustment of
cash flow hedging
     Changes of
fair value
in the year
 

Currency:

        

Loans in foreign currencies

   W 755,401      W 38,805      W (46,172

 

4)

Gains (losses) on hedged items and hedging instruments attributable to the hedged ineffectiveness for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(2023)

 

     Losses on
hedged items
    Gains on
hedging
instruments
     Hedge
ineffectiveness
recognized
in profit (loss)
 

Fair value hedges

   W (961,954   W 1,088,799      W 126,845  

Cash flow hedges

     (10,717     11,177        —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W (972,671   W 1,099,976      W 126,845  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

(2022)

 

     Losses on
hedged items
    Gains on
hedging
instruments
    Hedge
ineffectiveness
recognized
in profit (loss)
 

Fair value hedges

   W 3,150,578     W (2,709,371   W 441,207  

Cash flow hedges

     (46,172     45,664       —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   W 3,104,406     W (2,663,707   W 441,207  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

21.

CAPITAL STOCK:

As of December 31, 2023, the authorized capital and paid-in capital of the Bank are W15,000,000 million and W14,773,254 million, respectively. The Bank does not issue share certificates.

Changes in capital stock for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Beginning balance

   W 12,773,254      W 12,748,254  

Paid-in capital increase

     2,000,000        25,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 14,773,254      W 12,773,254  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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22.

OTHER COMPONENTS OF EQUITY:

 

(1)

Details of other components of equity as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Gain (Loss) on equity securities at FVOCI

   W 770,956      W 882,404  

Gain (Loss) on debt securities at FVOCI

     (165,682      (213,907

Gain (Loss) on valuation of cash flow hedge

     47,451        38,805  

Remeasurement of net defined benefit liabilities

     29,560        37,454  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 682,285      W 744,756  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2)

Changes in other components for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(2023)

 

     Beginning
Balance
     Increase
(Decrease)
     Tax effect      Ending
balance
 

Gain (Loss) on equity securities at FVOCI

   W 882,404      W (146,524    W 35,076      W 770,956  

Gain (Loss) on debt securities at FVOCI

     (213,907      63,073        (14,848      (165,682

Gain (Loss) on valuation of cash flow hedge

     38,805        11,177        (2,531      47,451  

Remeasurement of net defined benefit liabilities

     37,454        (10,329      2,435        29,560  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 744,756      W (82,603    W 20,132      W 682,285  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(2022)

 

     Beginning
Balance
     Increase
(Decrease)
     Tax effect      Ending
balance
 

Gain (Loss) on equity securities at FVOCI

   W 842,816      W 37,176      W 2,412      W 882,404  

Gain (Loss) on debt securities at FVOCI

     18,020        (302,298      70,371        (213,907

Gain (Loss) on valuation of cash flow hedge

     2,968        46,612        (10,775      38,805  

Remeasurement of net defined benefit liabilities

     18,865        23,879        (5,290      37,454  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 882,669      W (194,631    W 56,718      W 744,756  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

23.

RETAINED EARNINGS:

 

(1)

Details of retained earnings as of as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Legal reserve (*1)

   W 539,682      W 500,991  

Voluntary reserve(*2)

     1,100,658        923,767  

Regulatory reserve for loan losses

     275,620        239,710  

Unappropriated retained earnings

     722,752        386,911  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 2,638,712      W 2,051,379  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (*1)

Pursuant to the EXIM Bank Act, the Bank appropriates 10% of separate profit for the year as legal reserve, until the accumulated reserve equals to its paid-in capital.

  (*2)

The Bank appropriates profit for the year, net of the regulatory reserve for loan losses and the dividends, as voluntary reserve.

 

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(2)

Changes in retained earnings for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Beginning balance

   W 2,051,379      W 1,855,724  

Profit for the year

     722,752        386,911  

Dividends

     (135,419      (191,256
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 2,638,712      W 2,051,379  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(3)

Details of dividends for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

The Government

   W 93,083      W 131,464  

Bank of Korea

     12,375        17,478  

Korea Development Bank

     29,961        42,314  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 135,419      W 191,256  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(4)

Statements of appropriations of retained earnings for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023
(Expected
date of
appropriation:
Mar. 25, 2024)
     2022
(Date of
appropriation:
April. 6, 2023)
 

I. Retained earnings before appropriations:

   W 722,752      W 386,911  

1. Unappropriated retained earnings carried over from prior years

     —         —   

2. Profit for the year

     722,752        386,911  

II. Other reserve transferred

     264,255        —   

III. Appropriations:

     987,007        386,911  

1. Legal reserve

     72,275        38,691  

2. Dividend

     252,963        135,419  

3. Other reserve

     661,769        176,891  

4. Regulatory reserve for loan losses

     —         35,910  

IV. Unappropriated retained earnings at the end of the year

     —         —   

 

(5)

Regulatory reserve for loan losses

Regulatory reserve for loan losses is calculated and disclosed according to Article 29 (1) and (2), Regulation on Supervision of Banking Business. In accordance with Regulation on Supervision of Banking Business, etc., if the estimated allowance for credit loss determined by K-IFRS for the accounting purpose is lower than those for the regulatory purpose required by Regulation on Supervision of Banking Business, the Bank should reserve such difference as the regulatory reserve for loan losses. Due to the fact that regulatory reserve for loan losses is a voluntary reserve, the amounts that exceed the existing regulatory reserve for loan losses over the compulsory regulatory reserve for loan losses at the year-end date are reversed in profit. In case of accumulated deficit, the Bank should recommence setting aside regulatory reserve for loan losses at the time when accumulated deficit is reduced to zero.

 

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Table of Contents
1)

Regulatory reserve for loan losses

Details of regulatory reserve for loan losses as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Accumulated regulatory reserve for loan losses

   W 275,620      W 239,710  

Expected regulatory reserve for loan losses

     (264,255      35,910  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Regulatory reserve for loan losses

   W 11,365      W 275,620  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

2)

Provision for regulatory reserve for loan losses and profit for the year after adjusting regulatory reserve for loan losses.

Details of regulatory reserve for loan losses and profit for the year after adjusting the reserve for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Profit for the year

   W 722,752      W 386,911  

Provision (Reversal of) for regulatory reserve for loan losses

     (264,255      35,910  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Profit after adjusting the regulatory reserve for loan losses (*1)

   W 987,007      W 351,001  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (*1)

Adjusted profit for the year considering reserve for loan losses as above is calculated by assuming that the provision in regulatory reserve for loan losses before income tax is reflected in profit for the year.

 

24.

NET INTEREST INCOME:

Net interest income is the amount after deduction of interest expenses from interest income, and the details are as follows:

 

(1)

Details of interest income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Interest of due from financial institutions:

     

Due from financial institutions in local currency

   W 74,776      W 32,980  

Due from financial institutions in foreign currencies

     381,513        99,300  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     456,289        132,280  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest of financial assets at FVTPL:

     

Interest of securities at FVTPL

     1,520        —   

Interest of financial investments:

     

Interest of securities at FVOCI

     78,068        47,847  

Interest of securities at amortized cost

     45,570        24,580  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     123,638        72,427  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest of loans at amortized cost:

     

Interest of loans in local currency

     1,202,939        758,491  

Interest of loans in foreign currencies

     3,818,865        2,034,466  

Interest of bills bought

     54,917        20,383  

Interest of advances for customers

     1,669        293  

Interest of call loans

     157,386        42,967  

Interest of interbank loans

     39,268        9,193  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     5,275,044        2,865,793  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 5,856,491      W 3,070,500  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
(2)

Details of interest expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Interest of borrowings:

     

Interest of borrowings in foreign currencies

   W 312,981      W 166,976  

Interest of sales of repurchase agreement

     17,906        10,343  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     330,887        177,319  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest of call-money

     225        1,922  

Interest of debentures:

     

Interest of debentures in local currency

     1,009,991        561,506  

Interest of debentures in foreign currencies

     3,632,008        1,376,173  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     4,641,999        1,937,679  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other interest expense

     (1,835      1,188  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 4,971,276      W 2,118,108  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

25.

NET COMMISSION INCOME:

Net commission income is the amount after deduction of commission expenses from commission income, and the details are as follows.

 

(1)

Details of commission income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Commission income in local currency:

     

Commission income on management of EDCF

   W 22,057      W 21,382  

Commission income on management of IKCF

     2,182        2,170  

Other commission income in local currency

     815        1,344  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     25,054        24,896  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commission income in foreign currencies:

     

Commission income on letters of credit

     2,452        3,236  

Commission income on loan commitments

     57,540        46,240  

Management fees

     23        214  

Arrangement fees

     6,438        17,036  

Advisory fees

     483        1,895  

Cancellation fees

     96        —   

Prepayment fees

     19,676        5,723  

Miscellaneous income for foreign currencies

     119        81  

Brokerage fee for foreign currencies exchange funds

     68        110  

Other commission income in foreign currencies

     25,412        4,843  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     112,307        79,378  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Others:

     

Other commission income

     13,561        6,308  

Guarantee fees in foreign currencies:

     

Guarantee fees in foreign currencies

     189,333        163,982  

Premium for guarantee

     124,489        88,368  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     313,822        252,350  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 464,744      W 362,932  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents
(2)

Details of commission expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Commission expenses in local currency:

     

Commission expenses on domestic transactions

   W 958      W 594  

Commission expenses in foreign currencies:

     

Commissions paid on borrowings in foreign currency

     3,795        9,071  

Sundry commission expenses on foreign exchange

     15,270        6,069  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     19,065        15,140  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Others:

     

Other commission expenses

     10,166        10,460  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 30,189      W 26,194  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

26.

DIVIDEND INCOME:

Details of dividend income for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Financial assets at FVTPL

   W 60      W —   

Financial assets at FVOCI

     61,910        60,627  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   W 61,970      W 60,627  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

27.

GAIN (LOSS) ON FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FVTPL:

Details of gain (loss) on financial assets at FVTPL for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Securities at FVTPL:

     

Gain on valuation

   W 35,945      W 36,319  

Loss on valuation

     (19,413      (16,073

Gain on disposal

     70,623        39,517  

Loss on disposal

     (7,953      (2,609

Others

     29,284        19,939  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     108,486        77,093  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loans at FVTPL:

     

Gain on valuation

     138        —   

Loss on valuation

     —         (289

Loss on disposal

     —         (119
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     138        (408
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Trading derivatives:

     

Gain on valuation

     618,916        1,567,207  

Loss on valuation

     (563,390      (2,330,999

Gain on transaction

     1,646,358        1,617,433  

Loss on transaction

     (1,600,700      (1,235,833
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     101,184        (382,192
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 209,808      W (305,507
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

119


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28.

GAIN (LOSS) ON HEDGING DERIVATIVES:

Details of gain (loss) on hedging derivatives for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Gain on hedging instruments

   W 2,856,110      W 492,483  

Loss on hedging instruments

     (842,709      (3,716,222
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 2,013,401      W (3,223,739
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

29.

GAIN (LOSS) ON FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS:

Details of gain (loss) on financial investments for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Financial assets at FVOCI:

     

Gain on disposals

   W   1,258      W 97  

Loss on disposals

     (532      (144
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 726      W    (47
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

30.

OTHER OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES):

Details of other operating income (expenses) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Other operating income:

     

Gain on fair value hedged items

   W 282,391      W 3,439,247  

Others

     14,513        19,523  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     296,904        3,458,770  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other operating expenses:

     

Loss on fair value hedged items

     (1,210,415      (273,771

Contribution to miscellaneous funds

     (4,876      (4,598

Transfer of other provisions

     (6      (60

Others

     (12,821      (6,861
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     (1,228,118      (285,290
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W (931,214    W 3,173,480  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

31.

IMPAIRMENT LOSS (REVERSAL) ON CREDIT:

Details of impairment loss (reversal) on credit for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Loans at amortized cost

   W 17,035      W 246,263  

Other financial assets

     (11,252      16,566  

Guarantees

     309,438        197,753  

Unused loan commitments

     82,123        226,928  

Financial guarantee contract

     (118,023      (9,963

Financial assets at FVOCI

     (311      317  

Securities at amortized cost

     60        131  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 279,070      W 677,995  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

120


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32.

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:

Details of general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

    

Detail

   2023      2022  

General and administrative

   Short-term salaries    W 123,858      W 121,037  

Other expenses in financing department

   Office expenses      88,928        81,866  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Subtotal

     212,786        202,903  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Office expenses of EDCF

        2,419        2,249  

General and
administrative—Others

  

Retirement benefits (defined contributions)

     1,129        1,564  
  

Retirement benefits (defined benefits)

     6,262        11,064  
  

Depreciation of tangible assets

     10,316        9,145  
  

Amortization of intangible assets

     10,356        9,529  
  

Taxes and dues

     26,089        23,613  
  

Donations and contributions

     2,000        1,356  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Subtotal

     56,152        56,271  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Total

   W 271,357      W 261,423  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

33.

NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES):

Details of non-operating income (expenses) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

    

Detail

   2023      2022  

Gain (Loss) on investments in associates and subsidiaries

  

Dividend income

   W 7,177      W 5,545  

Other incomes

  

Gain on disposals of tangible assets

     44        86  
  

Rental income

     531        401  
  

Interest on other loans

     221        134  
  

Revenue on research project

     10,379        7,964  
  

Other miscellaneous income

     1,578        980  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Subtotal

     12,753        9,565  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other expenses

  

Loss on disposal of tangible assets

     (1      (2
  

Loss on disposal of intangible assets

     (4      (1
  

Donations and contributions

     (9,455      (5,673
  

Court cost

     (243      (849
  

Expenses on research project

     (9,970      (6,805
  

Other miscellaneous expenses

     (62      (378
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Subtotal

     (19,735      (13,708
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
  

Total

   W (6,982    W (4,143
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

121


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34.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE:

 

(1)

Details of income tax expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023      2022  

Current income tax payable

   W 374,282      W 95,080  

Adjustment recognized in the current period for tax payable of prior periods

     7,432        17,322  

Changes in deferred income taxes due to temporary differences

     (127,266      (9,491

Changes in deferred income taxes directly recognized in equity

     84,144        81,044  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   W 338,592      W 183,955  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2)

Changes in temporary differences and deferred income tax assets (liabilities) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(2023)

 

     Temporary differences     Deferred tax
assets
(liabilities) -
ending
balance
 

Detail

   Beginning
balance
    Increase
(Decrease)
    Ending
balance
 

Depreciation

   W 144     W 34     W 178     W 41  

Fair value hedging income (loss)

     (3,188,331     1,097,244       (2,091,087     (483,041

Financial guarantee contract liability

     970,255       (131,835     838,420       193,675  

Loans

     (5,672     349       (5,323     (1,230

Allowance for loan losses

     749,617       258,802       1,008,419       232,945  

Unused commitment provisions

     467,183       83,024       550,207       127,098  

Net deferred loan origination fees and costs

     403,461       78,163       481,624       111,255  

Long-term income in advance

     (1,715     509       (1,206     (279

Provisions for acceptances and guarantees

     597,078       317,666       914,744       211,306  

Loan-for-equity swap

     1,396,195       (1,135,966     260,229       60,113  

Loss on valuation of derivatives

     (792,034     900,892       108,858       25,146  

Gain on valuation of derivatives

     2,741,608       (1,407,997     1,333,611       308,064  

Provision for hedging derivatives

     —        26,390       26,390       6,096  

Defined benefit liability

     (6,969     (6,878     (13,847     (3,199

Accrued interest receivables and payables related to swap transaction

     (305,055     94,025       (211,030     (48,748

Tangible assets

     (176,005     (95     (176,100     (40,679

Others

     1,837,069       472       1,837,541       424,472  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

   W 4,686,829     W 174,799     W 4,861,628     W 1,123,035  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) directly adjusted in equity

           (135,931
        

 

 

 

Total

         W 987,104  
        

 

 

 

 

122


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(2022)

 

     Temporary differences      Deferred tax
assets
(liabilities) -
ending
balance
 

Detail

   Beginning
balance
     Increase
(Decrease)
     Ending
balance
 

Depreciation

   W 112      W 32      W 144      W 33  

Fair value hedging income (loss)

     144,646        (3,332,977      (3,188,331      (739,693

Financial guarantee contract liability

     971,196        (941      970,255        225,099  

Loans

     (6,745      1,073        (5,672      (1,316

Allowance for loan losses

     457,061        292,556        749,617        173,911  

Unused commitment provisions

     239,482        227,701        467,183        108,387  

Net deferred loan origination fees and costs

     368,209        35,252        403,461        93,603  

Long-term income in advance

     (2,689      974        (1,715      (398

Provisions for acceptances and guarantees

     380,983        216,095        597,078        138,522  

Loan-for-equity swap

     1,234,314        161,881        1,396,195        323,917  

Loss on valuation of derivatives

     (253,407      (538,627      (792,034      (183,752

Gain on valuation of derivatives

     (94,198      2,835,806        2,741,608        636,053  

Defined benefit liability

     (6,492      (477      (6,969      (1,617

Accrued interest receivables and payables related to swap transaction

     (304,990      (65      (305,055      (70,773

Tangible assets

     (175,093      (912      (176,005      (40,833

Others

     1,908,019        (70,950      1,837,069        426,202  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

   W 4,860,408      W (173,579    W 4,686,829      W 1,087,345  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) directly adjusted in equity

              (220,076
           

 

 

 

Total

            W 867,269  
           

 

 

 

 

(3)

Details of the reconciliation between profit before income tax and income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

     2023     2022  

Profit before income tax

   W 1,061,344     W 570,866  

Income tax calculated at statutory tax rate (9.9% up to 200 million, 20.9% over 200 million to 20 billion, 23.1% over 20 billion to 300 billion, and 26.4% over 300 billion)

     269,834       146,626  

Adjustments:

    

Effect on non-taxable income

     (19,880     (2,866

Effect on non-deductible expense

     73,076       89  

Effect on tax deduction

     (9,601     (15,256

Others

     17,733       38,040  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     61,328       20,007  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustment recognized as current tax for the prior periods

     7,430       17,322  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   W 338,592     W 183,955  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective tax rate from operations

     31.90     32.22

 

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(4)

Details of deferred tax relating to items that are recognized directly in equity as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

Detail

   Dec. 31,
2023
     Dec. 31,
2022
 

Loss on valuation of financial investments

   W (115,835    W (200,076

Gain(Loss) on valuation of cash flow hedge

     (14,254      (11,722

Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability

     (8,879      (11,314
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W (138,968    W (223,112
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(5)

Unrecognized deferred tax assets and liabilities

The Bank does not recognize deferred tax liabilities for taxable temporary difference of W54,532 million related to investments in associates and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023 because the Bank is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

The Bank also does not recognize deferred tax assets for deductible temporary differences of W4,469 million related to impairment loss of financial investments as of December 31, 2023 because the realizable period has already passed.

 

35.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS:

 

(1)

Details of non-cash flow transactions for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

Detail

   2023      2022  

Written-off

   W 3,797      W 28,405  

Gain(Losses) on valuation of FVOCI Securities

     276,705        268,457  

Debt-Equity Swap of loans

     10,649        424,889  

Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability

     (10,329      23,879  

 

(2)

Changes in liabilities arising from financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(2023)

 

Detail

   Borrowings      Debentures      Total  

Beginning balance

   W 10,112,740      W 87,791,623      W 97,904,363  

Change in cash flows

     (4,870,550      2,107,605        (2,762,945

Amortization

     —         413,826        413,826  

Foreign exchange transaction

     290,008        2,009,734        2,299,742  

Change in fair value hedged items

     —         933,755        933,755  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 5,532,198      W 93,256,543      W 98,788,741  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(2022)

 

Detail

   Borrowings      Debentures      Total  

Beginning balance

   W 5,576,909      W 76,486,053      W 82,062,962  

Change in cash flows

     4,230,460        11,607,469        15,837,929  

Amortization

     —         222,411        222,411  

Foreign exchange transaction

     305,371        2,645,370        2,950,741  

Change in fair value hedged items

     —         (3,169,680      (3,169,680
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   W 10,112,740      W 87,791,623      W 97,904,363  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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36.

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS:

 

(1)

Details of contingent liabilities and commitments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

   

Detail

   Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Guarantees

  Confirmed    W 43,061,482      W 39,372,509  
 

Unconfirmed

     11,517,928        14,015,571  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

     54,579,410        53,388,080  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loan commitments

 

Local currency, foreign currencies loan commitments

     41,917,506        31,998,501  
 

Others

     2,900,321        881,384  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

     44,817,827        32,879,885  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
 

Total

   W 99,397,237      W 86,267,965  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2)

Details of guarantees that have been provided for others as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

   

Detail

   Dec. 31, 2023      Dec. 31, 2022  

Confirmed guarantees

  Local currency:      
 

Performance of contracts

   W 45,714      W 51,149  
 

Repayment of advances

     44,115        65,877  
 

Others

     24,311        36,752  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

     114,140        153,778  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  Foreign currencies:      
 

Performance of contracts

     8,219,273        8,141,137  
 

Repayment of advances

     19,186,524        16,386,175  
 

Acceptances of imported goods

     —         5,726  
 

Acceptances of import letter of credit outstanding

     64,670        65,471  
 

Foreign liabilities

     11,595,947        11,233,647  
 

Others

     3,880,928        3,386,575  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

     42,947,342        39,218,731  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unconfirmed guarantees

  Foreign liabilities      1,688,469        1,686,845  
  Repayment of advances      9,772,701        12,246,724  
  Import letter of credit issued      56,722        81,968  
  Others      36        34  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

     11,517,928        14,015,571  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
 

Total

   W 54,579,410      W 53,388,080  
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

125


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(3)

Details of guarantees classified by country as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

    Confirmed guarantees     Unconfirmed guarantees     Total  

Detail

  Amount     Ratio (%)     Amount     Ratio (%)     Amount     Ratio (%)  

Asia

  Korea   W 32,149,504       74.67     W 10,165,628       88.25     W 42,315,132       77.53  
 

China

    46,809       0.11       —        —        46,809       0.09  
 

Saudi Arabia

    957,326       2.22       —        —        957,326       1.75  
 

India

    359,894       0.84       —        —        359,894       0.66  
 

Indonesia

    1,280,567       2.97       291,415       2.53       1,571,982       2.88  
 

Vietnam

    1,249,081       2.90       240,363       2.09       1,489,444       2.73  
 

Australia

    158,823       0.37       —        —        158,823       0.29  
 

Qatar

    172,174       0.40       —        —        172,174       0.32  
 

Singapore

    58,023       0.13       —        —        58,023       0.11  
 

Oman

    363,441       0.84       1,032       0.01       364,473       0.67  
 

Uzbekistan

    228,409       0.53       —        —        228,409       0.42  
 

Others

    2,273,845       5.28       121,953       1.06       2,395,798       4.39  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

    39,297,896       91.26       10,820,391       93.94       50,118,287       91.84  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Europe

  United Kingdom     400,400       0.93       —        0.00       400,400       0.73  
  France     228,903       0.53       —        0.00       228,903       0.42  
 

Netherlands

    180,516       0.42       —        0.00       180,516       0.33  
 

Others

    1,344,118       3.12       571,946       4.97       1,916,064       3.51  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

    2,153,937       5.00       571,946       4.97       2,725,883       4.99  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

America

  United States     48,232       0.11       16,762       0.15       64,994       0.12  
 

Mexico

    10,315       0.02       —        0.00       10,315       0.02  
 

Others

    787,707       1.84       108,829       0.94       896,536       1.64  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

    846,254       1.97       125,591       1.09       971,845       1.78  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Africa

  Madagascar     95,317       0.22       —        0.00       95,317       0.17  
 

Others

    668,078       1.55       —        0.00       668,078       1.22  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

    763,395       1.77       —        0.00       763,395       1.39  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total

  W 43,061,482       100.00     W 11,517,928       100.00     W 54,579,410       100.00  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(December 31, 2022)

 

    Confirmed guarantees     Unconfirmed guarantees     Total  

Detail

  Amount     Ratio (%)     Amount     Ratio (%)     Amount     Ratio (%)  

Asia

  Korea   W 26,084,669       66.25     W 12,328,584       87.96     W 38,413,253       71.95  
 

China

    139,708       0.35       —        0.00       139,708       0.26  
 

Saudi Arabia

    1,125,810       2.86       —        0.00       1,125,810       2.11  
 

India

    611,203       1.55       —        0.00       611,203       1.14  
 

Indonesia

    761,936       1.94       198,396       1.42       960,332       1.80  
 

Vietnam

    1,426,630       3.62       434,295       3.10       1,860,925       3.49  
 

Australia

    184,734       0.47       —        0.00       184,734       0.35  
 

Qatar

    202,033       0.51       —        0.00       202,033       0.38  
 

Singapore

    184,201       0.47       —        0.00       184,201       0.35  
 

Oman

    525,228       1.33       5,449       0.04       530,677       0.99  
 

Uzbekistan

    299,939       0.76       —        0.00       299,939       0.56  
 

Others

    2,588,970       6.59       758,274       5.41       3,347,244       6.27  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

    34,135,061       86.70       13,724,998       97.93       47,860,059       89.65  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Europe

  United Kingdom     179,233       0.46       —        0.00       179,233       0.34  
 

France

    400,919       1.02       —        0.00       400,919       0.75  
 

Others

    2,003,259       5.08       250,021       1.78       2,253,280       4.22  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

    2,583,411       6.56       250,021       1.78       2,833,432       5.31  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

America

  United States     1,095,214       2.78       16,475       0.12       1,111,689       2.08  
 

Brazil

    418,563       1.06       —        0.00       418,563       0.78  
 

Mexico

    397,367       1.01       —        0.00       397,367       0.74  
 

Others

    420,555       1.07       24,077       0.17       444,632       0.84  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

    2,331,699       5.92       40,552       0.29       2,372,251       4.44  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Africa

  Madagascar     93,683       0.24       —        0.00       93,683       0.18  
 

Others

    228,655       0.58       —        0.00       228,655       0.42  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Subtotal

    322,338       0.82       —        0.00       322,338       0.60  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
 

Total

  W 39,372,509       100.00     W 14,015,571       100.00     W 53,388,080       100.00  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(4)

Details of guarantees classified by industry as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

     Confirmed guarantees      Unconfirmed guarantees      Total  

Detail

   Amount      Ratio (%)      Amount      Ratio (%)      Amount      Ratio (%)  

Manufacturing

   W 27,349,344        63.51      W 10,232,081        88.84      W 37,581,425        68.85  

Transportation

     2,217,735        5.15        586,553        5.09        2,804,288        5.14  

Financial institution

     878,641        2.04        3,683        0.03        882,324        1.62  

Wholesale and retail

     1,753,614        4.07        26,265        0.23        1,779,879        3.26  

Real estate business

     54,275        0.13        4,641        0.04        58,916        0.11  

Construction

     4,598,227        10.68        81,846        0.71        4,680,073        8.57  

Public sector and others

     6,209,646        14.42        582,859        5.06        6,792,505        12.45  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 43,061,482        100.00      W 11,517,928        100.00      W 54,579,410        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(December 31, 2022)

 

     Confirmed guarantees      Unconfirmed guarantees      Total  

Detail

   Amount      Ratio (%)      Amount      Ratio (%)      Amount      Ratio (%)  

Manufacturing

   W 24,159,531        61.36      W 13,045,936        93.08      W 37,205,467        69.69  

Transportation

     2,403,519        6.10        43,727        0.31        2,447,246        4.58  

Financial institution

     867,051        2.20        142        0.00        867,193        1.62  

Wholesale and retail

     1,640,149        4.17        41,454        0.30        1,681,603        3.15  

Real estate business

     33,820        0.09        21,983        0.16        55,803        0.10  

Construction

     4,314,405        10.96        98,537        0.70        4,412,942        8.27  

Public sector and others

     5,954,034        15.12        763,792        5.45        6,717,826        12.59  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 39,372,509        100.00      W 14,015,571        100.00      W 53,388,080        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(5)

Global Medium-Term Note Program and CP programs

The Bank has been establishing the following programs regarding the issue of foreign currencies bonds and CPs:

 

  1)

Established on August 1, 1991, initially, and annually renewed, U.S. Shelf Registration to issue foreign bonds under the Securities and Exchange Commission rule of the United States of America with an issuance limit of USD 65 billion.

 

  2)

Established on May 14, 1997, and May 16, 1997, initially, and annually renewed, CP program to issue CPs with issuance limits of USD 10 billion and USD 2 billion, respectively.

 

  3)

Established on November 6, 1997, initially, and annually renewed, Global Medium-Term Note Program to issue mid-to-long-term foreign currencies bonds with an issuance limit of USD 35 billion.

 

  4)

Established in 1995, initially, and renewed every two years, Yen Shelf Registration to issue Samurai bond with an issuance limit of JPY 500 billion.

 

  5)

Established on May 31, 2010, Australian Domestic Debt Issuance Program to issue Kangaroo bond with limit of AUD 6 billion.

 

  6)

Established on January 17, 2011, and renewed every two years, Uridashi Shelf Registration to issue Uridashi bond with an issuance limit of JPY 500 billion.

 

(6)

Litigations

As of December 31, 2023, 3 lawsuits (aggregated claim amount: W54,901 million) were filed as a plaintiff and 1 pending litigations as a defendant were filed (aggregated claim amount: W21,246 million). The Bank’s management expects that there is no significant impact on the financial statements due to these lawsuits, but it is possible to make additional loss to the Bank due to the results of future litigation.

 

(7)

Written-off loans

The Bank manages written-off loans that have claims on debtors due to the statute of limitations, uncollected after write-off, etc. The written-off loans as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are W1,739,567 million and W2,053,356 million, respectively. Also, as of December 31, 2023 the contractual unrecoverable amount of financial assets that were written-off but recovery activities are still ongoing is W3,797 million.

 

(8)

Related to Ukraine crisis occurred in February 2022, international sanctions are being imposed to Russia. The sanctions may affect companies, industries, or economies which do business directly or indirectly with Russia, but the impact on the Bank’s financial position and operation has yet to be observed. The Bank consistently monitors and controls the effects of Ukraine crisis.

 

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37.

TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES WITH RELATED PARTIES:

Related parties consist of entities related to the Bank, postemployment benefits, a key management personnel and a close member of that person’s family, an entity controlled or jointly controlled and an entity influenced significantly.

 

(1)

Details of related parties as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

Detail

   Relationship      Ownership-
percentage (%)
 

Parent:

     

Korean government

     Parent        73.02  

Subsidiaries and Associates:

     

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

     Subsidiary        100.00  

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

     Subsidiary        97.52  

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

     Subsidiary        100.00  

KEXIM Asia Limited

     Subsidiary        100.00  

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd

     Subsidiary        100.00  

EXIM PLUS Co., Ltd.

     Subsidiary        100.00  

Credit Guarantee and Investment Fund

     Associate        14.80  

KTB Newlake Global Healthcare PEF

     Associate        24.99  

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

     Associate        26.41  

KB-Badgers Future Mobility ESG Fund I

     Associate        22.73  

WWG Green New Deal PEF

     Associate        25.00  

Corporate Structure Innovation PEF IV

     Associate        22.20  

 

(2)

Significant balances of receivables, payables and guarantees with the related parties

 

  1)

Significant balances of receivables and payables with the related parties as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

Detail

   Receivables      Allowance
/
Provisions
     Payables  

Subsidiaries:

        

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

   W 269,384      W —       W —   

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

     121,958        212        —   

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

     105,733        157        —   

KEXIM Asia Limited

     240,647        127        —   

EXIM PLUS Co., Ltd.

     —         —         —   

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd

     65,163        —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     802,885        496        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Associates:

        

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

     —         1,431        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     —         1,431        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 802,885      W 1,927      W —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

(December 31, 2022)

 

Detail

   Receivables      Allowance
/ Provisions
     Payables  

Subsidiaries:

        

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

   W 250,676      W —       W —   

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

     135,416        275        —   

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

     134,596        168        —   

KEXIM Asia Limited

     150,485        88        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     671,173        531        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Associates:

        

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (*1)

     2,520,986        1,247,570        —   

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

     —         1,444        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     2,520,986        1,249,014        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 3,192,159      W 1,249,545      W —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (*1)

During the period, the Bank has assessed that there is no significant influence considering potential voting rights and equity ratio and the entity is excluded from the associates.

 

2)

Guarantees provided to the related parties as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(December 31, 2023)

 

Detail

   Confirmed
guarantees
     Unconfirmed
guarantees
     Loan
commitments
     Other
commitments
 

Subsidiaries:

           

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

   W —       W —       W 411,623      W —   

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

     —         —         7,736        —   

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

     —         —         148,042        —   

KEXIM Asia Limited

     —         —         219,611        —   

EXIM PLUS Co., Ltd.

     —         —         —         —   

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd

     —         —         335,789        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     —         —         1,122,801        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Associates:

           

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

     1,375,403        —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 1,375,403      W —       W 1,122,801      W —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

(December 31, 2022)

 

Detail

   Confirmed
guarantees
     Unconfirmed
guarantees
     Loan
commitments
     Other
commitments
 

Subsidiaries:

           

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

   W —       W —       W 231,768      W —   

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

     —         —         55,761        —   

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

     —         142        115,434        —   

KEXIM Asia Limited

     —         —         194,290        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     —         142        597,253        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Associates:

           

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (*1)

     4,826,783        4,128,813        1,450,000        140,549  

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

     1,377,023        —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     6,203,806        4,128,813        1,450,000        140,549  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 6,203,806      W 4,128,955      W 2,047,253      W 140,549  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (*1)

During the period, the Bank has assessed that there is no significant influence considering potential voting rights and equity ratio and the entity is excluded from the associates.

 

(3)

Profit and loss transactions with related parties

Profit and loss transactions with related parties for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(2023)

 

Detail

   Revenue      Bad debt
expenses
     Expenses  

Subsidiaries:

        

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

   W 16,369      W —       W —   

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

     5,768        (63      —   

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

     6,378        (12      —   

KEXIM Asia Limited

     10,810        39        —   

EXIM PLUS Co., Ltd.

     —         —         6,818  

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd

     792        —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     40,117        (36      6,818  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Associates:

        

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.(*1)

     53,642        (6,545      44  

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

     4,663        (36      —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     58,305        (6,581      44  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 98,422      W (6,617    W 6,862  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (*1)

Profit and loss transactions before being excluded from the related parties for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

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(2022)

 

Detail

   Revenue      Bad debt
expenses
     Expenses  

Subsidiaries:

        

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

   W 4,782      W —       W —   

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

     3,281        7        —   

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

     3,163        (148      —   

KEXIM Asia Limited

     3,482        5        —   

EXIM PLUS Co., Ltd.

     —         —         6,550  

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd

        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     14,708        (136      6,550  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Associates:

        

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.

     63,339        595,586        —   

Korea Aerospace Industries. Ltd.

     1,291        1,444        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     64,630        597,030        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 79,338      W 596,894      W 6,550  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(4)

Loan transactions with related parties

Loan transactions with related parties for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

(2023)

 

Detail

   Financing transaction      Investing transaction  
     Loan      Collection      Increase      Decrease  

Subsidiaries:

           

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

   W 785,350      W 778,143      W —       W —   

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

     242,707        265,698        64,805        —   

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

     401,130        432,696        —         —   

KEXIM Asia Limited

     154,673        132,489        —         —   

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd

     69,387        4,534        —         —   

Associates:

              —   

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. (*1)

     460,000        461,467        —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 2,113,247      W 2,075,027      W 64,805      W —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (*1)

Loan transactions before being excluded from the related parties for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

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(2022)

 

Detail

   Financing transaction      Investing transaction  
     Loan      Collection      Increase      Decrease  

Subsidiaries:

           

KEXIM Bank UK Limited

   W 1,021,752      W 956,147      W —       W —   

PT.KOEXIM Mandiri Finance

     429,556        449,268        —         —   

KEXIM Vietnam Leasing Co.

     475,406        495,782        —         —   

KEXIM Asia Limited

     226,006        217,905        —         —   

KEXIM Global(Singapore) Ltd

     —         —         372,510        —   

Associates:

           

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.

     —         1,519        —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W 2,152,720      W 2,120,621      W 372,510      W —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(5)

Details of compensation for key executives for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (Korean won in millions):

 

Detail

   2023      2022  

Salaries

   W 3,321      W 3,307  

Severance and retirement benefits

     241        258  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   W  3,562      W  3,565  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

38.

APPROVAL OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

The financial statements of the Bank were approved by Board of Directors on March 19, 2024 and were finally approved by the Operations Committee on March 22, 2024.

 

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THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Land and History

Territory and Population

Located generally south of the 38th parallel on the Korean peninsula, The Republic of Korea covers about 38,000 square miles, approximately one-fourth of which is arable. The Republic has a population of approximately 51 million people. The country’s largest city and capital, Seoul, has a population of about 10 million people.

Map of the Republic of Korea

 

LOGO

Political History

Dr. Rhee Seungman, who was elected President in each of 1948, 1952, 1956 and 1960, dominated the years after the Republic’s founding in 1948. Shortly after President Rhee’s resignation in 1960 in response to student-led demonstrations, a group of military leaders headed by Park Chung Hee assumed power by coup. The military leaders established a civilian government, and the country elected Mr. Park as President in October 1963. President Park served as President until his assassination in 1979 following a period of increasing strife between the Government and its critics. The Government declared martial law and formed an interim government under Prime Minister Choi Kyu Hah, who became the next President. After clashes between the Government and its critics, President Choi resigned, and General Chun Doo Hwan, who took control of the Korean army, became President in 1980.

 

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In late 1980, the country approved, by national referendum, a new Constitution, providing for indirect election of the President by an electoral college and for certain democratic reforms, and shortly thereafter, in early 1981, re-elected President Chun.

Responding to public demonstrations in 1987, the legislature revised the Constitution to provide for direct election of the President. In December 1987, Roh Tae Woo won the presidency by a narrow plurality, after opposition parties led by Kim Young Sam and Kim Dae Jung failed to unite behind a single candidate. In February 1990, two opposition political parties, including the one led by Kim Young Sam, merged into President Roh’s ruling Democratic Liberal Party.

In December 1992, the country elected Kim Young Sam as President. The election of a civilian and former opposition party leader considerably lessened the controversy concerning the legitimacy of the political regime. President Kim’s administration reformed the political sector and deregulated and internationalized the Korean economy.

In December 1997, the country elected Kim Dae Jung as President. President Kim’s party, the Millennium Democratic Party (formerly known as the National Congress for New Politics), formed a coalition with the United Liberal Democrats led by Kim Jong Pil, with Kim Jong Pil becoming the first prime minister in President Kim’s administration. The coalition, which temporarily ended before the election held in April 2000, continued with the appointment of Lee Han Dong of the United Liberal Democrats as the Prime Minister in June 2000. The coalition again ended in September 2001.

In December 2002, the country elected Roh Moo Hyun as President. President Roh and his supporters left the Millennium Democratic Party in 2003 and formed a new party, the Uri Party, in November 2003. On August 15, 2007, 85 members of the National Assembly, previously belonging to the Uri Party, or the Democratic Party, formed the United New Democratic Party, or the UNDP. The Uri Party merged into the UNDP on August 20, 2007. In February 2008, the UNDP merged back into the Democratic Party. In December 2011, the Democratic Party merged with the Citizens Unity Party to form the Democratic United Party, which changed its name to the Democratic Party in May 2013.

In December 2007, the country elected Lee Myung-Bak as President. He commenced his term in February 2008. In April 2018, the Korean prosecutor’s office indicted former President Lee on 16 counts of corruption, including bribery, abuse of power, embezzlement and other irregularities. In October 2018, a Seoul district court sentenced him to 15 years of prison term, which decision he subsequently appealed. In October 2020, the Supreme Court ruled against such appeal and sentenced him to 17 years of prison term. Subsequently, he was granted a special pardon by President Yoon, the current president of the Republic, and was released from prison in December 2022.

In December 2012, the country elected Park Geun-hye as President. She commenced her term in February 2013. In March 2017, the Constitutional Court unanimously upheld a parliamentary vote to impeach President Park, triggering her immediate dismissal, for a number of constitutional and criminal violations, including violation of the Constitution and abuse of power by allowing her confidant to exert influence on state affairs and allowing senior presidential aides to aid in her extortion from companies. After a series of trials, former President Park was sentenced to a combined 22 years of prison term and a fine of W21.5 billion. In light of her deteriorating health, however, former President Park was granted a special pardon by President Moon, her successor, and was released from prison in December 2021.

A special election to elect a successor to former President Park was held in May 2017 and the country elected Moon Jae-in as President. His term, which commenced on May 10, 2017, ended on May 9, 2022.

 

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In March 2022, the country elected Yoon Suk-yeol as President. His term commenced on May 10, 2022. The Yoon administration’s key policy objectives include, among others, the following:

 

   

mitigating the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Korean economy, including through the provision of relief packages in support of small businesses and the self-employed;

 

   

stabilizing the housing market by increasing the supply of new homes and reforming property-related tax regulations;

 

   

pursuing economic prosperity by promoting private sector growth and supporting the semiconductor, artificial intelligence, battery and other strategic industries;

 

   

pursuing the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, enhancing Korea’s core military capabilities and improving foreign relations and national security;

 

   

pursuing enhanced environmental, social and corporate governance management, including through efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by reversing the previous administration’s nuclear-phase out policy and combining renewable energy with nuclear power generation; and

 

   

pursuing efficient management of the government through various measures, including the establishment of a digital platform and the relocation of presidential offices.

Government and Politics

Government and Administrative Structure

Governmental authority in the Republic is centralized and concentrated in a strong presidency. The President is elected by popular vote and can only serve one term of five years. The President chairs the State Council, which consists of the President, the prime minister, the deputy prime ministers, the respective heads of Government ministries and the ministers of state. The President can select the members of the State Council and appoint or remove all other Government officials, except for elected local officials.

The President can veto new legislation and take emergency measures in cases of natural disaster, serious fiscal or economic crisis, state of war or other similar circumstances. The President must promptly seek the concurrence of the National Assembly for any emergency measures taken and failing to do so automatically invalidates the emergency measures. In the case of martial law, the President may declare martial law without the consent of the National Assembly; provided, however, that the National Assembly may request the President to rescind such martial law.

The National Assembly exercises the country’s legislative power. The Constitution and the Public Official Election Act provide for the direct election of about 84% of the members of the National Assembly and the distribution of the remaining seats proportionately among parties winning more than five seats in the direct election or receiving over 3% of the popular vote. National Assembly members serve four-year terms. The National Assembly enacts laws, ratifies treaties and approves the national budget. The executive branch drafts most legislation and submits it to the National Assembly for approval.

The country’s judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court and lower courts of various levels. The President appoints the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and appoints the other Justices of the Supreme Court upon the recommendation of the Chief Justice. All appointments to the Supreme Court require the consent of the National Assembly. The Chief Justice, with the consent of the conference of Supreme Court Justices, appoints all the other judges in Korea. Supreme Court Justices serve for six years and all other judges serve for ten years. Other than the Chief Justice, justices and judges may be reappointed to successive terms.

The President formally appoints all nine judges of the Constitutional Court, but three judges must be designated by the National Assembly and three by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Constitutional Court judges serve for six years and may be reappointed to successive terms.

 

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Administratively, the Republic comprises six provinces (Gyeonggi, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk and Gyeongnam), three special autonomous provinces (Jeju, Gangwon and Jeonbuk), one special city (Seoul), six metropolitan cities (Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon and Ulsan) and one special autonomous city (Sejong). From 1961 to 1995, the national government controlled the provinces and the President appointed provincial officials. Local autonomy, including the election of provincial officials, was reintroduced in June 1995.

Political Parties

The 22nd legislative general election was held on April 10, 2024 and the term of the National Assembly members elected in the 22nd legislative general election commenced on May 30, 2024. Currently, there are three major political parties: The Democratic Party of Korea, or the DPK, the People Power Party, or the PPP, and the Rebuilding Korea Party, or the RKP.

As of May 31, 2024, the parties control the following number of seats in the National Assembly:

 

     DPK      PPP      RKP      Others      Total  

Number of seats

     171        108        12        9        300  

Relations with North Korea

Relations between the Republic and North Korea have been tense over most of the Republic’s history. The Korean War began with the invasion of the Republic by communist forces from the north in 1950, which was repelled by the Republic and the United Nations forces led by the United States. Following a military stalemate, an armistice was reached establishing a demilitarized zone monitored by the United Nations in the vicinity of the 38th parallel in 1953.

North Korea maintains a military force estimated at more than a million regular troops, mostly concentrated near the northern side of the demilitarized zone, and approximately 7.6 million reserves. The Republic’s military forces, composed of approximately 500,000 regular troops and 3.1 million reserves, maintain a state of military preparedness along the southern side of the demilitarized zone. In addition, the United States has maintained its military presence in the Republic since the signing of the armistice and currently has approximately 28,500 troops stationed in the Republic. The Republic and the United States share a joint command structure over their military forces in Korea. In October 2014, the United States and the Republic agreed to implement a conditions-based approach to the dissolution of their joint command structure at an appropriate future date, which would allow the Republic to assume the command of its own armed forces in the event of war on the Korean peninsula. Over the years, the Republic and the United States have entered into a series of Special Measures Agreements, or SMAs, which cover the Republic’s contribution to the cost of maintaining the U.S. military presence in the Republic. In March 2021, the Republic and the United States reached an agreement to enter into a new six-year SMA, under which the Republic would increase its share of the cost of the American military presence in the Republic, which became effective in September 2021 upon ratification by the National Assembly.

The level of tension between the two Koreas has fluctuated and may increase abruptly as a result of current and future events. In particular, since the death of Kim Jong-il in December 2011, there has been increased uncertainty with respect to the future of North Korea’s political leadership and concern regarding its implications for political and economic stability in the region. Kim Jong-il’s third son, Kim Jong-un, has assumed power as his father’s designated successor.

In addition, there have been heightened security concerns in recent years stemming from North Korea’s nuclear weapons, ballistic missile and satellite programs as well as its hostile military and other actions against Korea. Some of the significant incidents in recent years include the following:

 

   

From time to time, North Korea has conducted ballistic missile tests. In February 2016, North Korea launched a long-range rocket in violation of its agreement with the United States as well as United

 

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Nations sanctions barring it from conducting launches that use ballistic missile technology. Despite international condemnation, North Korea released a statement that it intends to continue its rocket launch program and it conducted a series of ballistic missile tests in 2016 and 2017. In response, the United Nations Security Council issued unanimous statements condemning North Korea and agreeing to continue to closely monitor the situation and to take further significant measures, and in December 2017, unanimously passed a resolution extending existing sanctions that were imposed on North Korea. Despite such actions, North Korea increased the frequency of its military actions since the beginning of 2022, firing numerous ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, and in November 2023, successfully launched its first spy satellite.

 

   

North Korea renounced its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in January 2003 and conducted three rounds of nuclear tests between October 2006 and February 2013. In January 2016, North Korea conducted a fourth nuclear test, claiming that the test involved its first hydrogen bomb. In September 2016, North Korea conducted a fifth nuclear test, claiming to have successfully detonated a nuclear warhead that could be mounted on ballistic missiles. In September 2017, North Korea announced that it successfully conducted its sixth nuclear test by detonating a hydrogen bomb designed to be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile, which resulted in increased tensions in the region and elicited strong objections worldwide. In response to such tests (as well as North Korea’s long-range ballistic missile program), the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed several rounds of resolutions condemning North Korea’s actions and significantly expanding the scope of the sanctions applicable to North Korea, while the United States and the European Union also imposed additional sanctions on North Korea.

 

   

In August 2015, two Korean soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion near the Korean demilitarized zone. Claiming the landmines were set by North Koreans, the Korean army re-initiated its propaganda program toward North Korea utilizing loudspeakers near the demilitarized zone. In retaliation, the North Korean army fired artillery rounds on the loudspeakers, resulting in the highest level of military readiness for both Koreas.

 

   

In March 2010, a Korean naval vessel was destroyed by an underwater explosion, killing many of the crewmen on board. The Government formally accused North Korea of causing the sinking, while North Korea denied responsibility. Moreover, in November 2010, North Korea fired more than one hundred artillery shells that hit Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island near the Northern Limit Line, which acts as the de facto maritime boundary between Korea and North Korea on the west coast of the Korean peninsula, causing casualties and significant property damage. The Government condemned North Korea for the attack and vowed stern retaliation should there be further provocation.

North Korea’s economy also faces severe challenges, which may further aggravate social and political pressures within North Korea. Although bilateral summit meetings were held between Korea and North Korea in April, May and September 2018 and between the United States and North Korea in June 2018, February 2019 and June 2019, there can be no assurance that the level of tension on the Korean peninsula will not escalate in the future or that such escalation will not have a material adverse impact on the Republic’s economy and us. Any further increase in tension, which may occur, for example, if North Korea experiences a leadership crisis, high-level contacts between the Republic and North Korea or between the United States and North Korea break down or further military hostilities occur, could have a material adverse effect on the Republic’s economy and us. Over the longer term, reunification of the two Koreas could occur. Reunification may entail a significant economic commitment by the Republic.

Foreign Relations and International Organizations

The Republic maintains diplomatic relations with most nations of the world, most importantly with the United States with which it entered into a mutual defense treaty and several economic agreements. The Republic also has important relationships with Japan and China, its largest trading partners together with the United States.

 

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The Republic belongs to a number of supranational organizations, including:

 

   

United Nations;

 

   

the International Monetary Fund, or the IMF;

 

   

the World Bank;

 

   

the Asian Development Bank, or the ADB;

 

   

the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency;

 

   

the International Finance Corporation;

 

   

the International Development Association;

 

   

the African Development Bank;

 

   

the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development;

 

   

the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development;

 

   

the Bank for International Settlements;

 

   

the World Health Organization, or the WHO;

 

   

the World Trade Organization, or the WTO;

 

   

the International Atomic Energy Agency, or the IAEA;

 

   

the Inter-American Development Bank, or the IDB;

 

   

the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or the OECD; and

 

   

the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

The Economy

The following table sets forth information regarding certain of the Republic’s key economic indicators for the periods indicated.

 

     As of or for the year ended December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  
                                
     (billions of dollars and trillions of Won, except percentages)  

GDP Growth (at current prices)

     1.7     0.9     7.9     4.6     3.3 %(7) 

GDP Growth (at chained 2020 year prices)

     2.3     (0.7 )%      4.6     2.7     1.4 %(7) 

Inflation(1)

     0.4     0.5     2.5     5.1     3.6 %(7) 

Unemployment(2)

     3.8     4.0     3.7     2.9     2.7 %(7) 

Trade Surplus (Deficit)(3)

   $ 38.9     $ 44.9     $ 29.3     $ (47.8   $ (10.2 )(7) 

Foreign Currency Reserves

   $ 408.8     $ 443.1     $ 463.1     $ 423.2     $ 420.1  

External Liabilities(4)

   $ 470.7     $ 550.6     $ 630.7     $ 665.2     $ 663.6 (7) 

Fiscal Balance

   W (12.0   W (71.2   W (30.5   W (64.6   W (36.8 )(7) 

Direct Internal Debt of the Government(5)
(as % of GDP(6))

     33.3     39.3     43.1     46.2     48.2 %(7) 

Direct External Debt of the Government(5) (as % of GDP(6))

     0.4     0.5     0.5     0.5     0.5 %(7) 

 

(1)

Measured by the year-on-year change in the consumer price index with base year 2020, as announced by The Bank of Korea.

(2)

Average for year.

(3)

Derived from customs clearance statistics on a C.I.F. basis, meaning that the price of goods includes insurance and freight cost.

(4)

Calculated under the criteria based on the sixth edition of the Balance of Payment Manual published by the International Monetary Fund in December 2010.

 

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(5)

Does not include guarantees by the Government. See “—Debt—External and Internal Debt of the Government—Guarantees by the Government” for information on outstanding guarantees by the Government.

(6)

At chained 2020 year prices.

(7)

Preliminary.

Source: The Bank of Korea

Worldwide Economic and Financial Difficulties

In recent years, the global financial markets have experienced significant volatility as a result of, among other things:

 

   

the occurrence of severe health epidemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

hostilities, political or social tensions involving Russia (including the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and ensuing actions that the United States and other countries have taken or may take in the future, such as the imposition of sanctions against Russia) and the resulting adverse effects on the global supply of oil and other natural resources and the global financial markets;

 

   

rising inflationary pressures leading to increases in the costs of goods and services and a decrease in purchasing power;

 

   

interest rate fluctuations as well as perceived or actual changes in policy rates, or other monetary and fiscal policies set forth, by the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks;

 

   

disruptions in the global supply chain for raw materials, natural resources, consumer goods, rare earth minerals, component parts and other supplies, including as a result of health epidemics, government policies and labor shortages;

 

   

increased uncertainties in the global financial markets and industry, including difficulties faced by several banks in the United States and Europe;

 

   

a deterioration in economic and trade relations between the United States and its major trading partners, including China;

 

   

financial and social difficulties affecting many governments worldwide, in particular in Latin America and Europe;

 

   

escalations in trade protectionism globally and geopolitical tensions in East Asia and the Middle East (including those resulting from the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East following the Israel-Hamas war);

 

   

the slowdown of economic growth in China and other major emerging market economies;

 

   

political and social instability in various countries in the Middle East, including Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen; and

 

   

fluctuations in oil and commodity prices.

There has been significant volatility in global financial markets resulting from, among others, the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ensuing sanctions against Russia, the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East following the Israel-Hamas war, and more recently, difficulties faced by several banks in the United States and Europe, which has also led to significant volatility in the Korea Composite Stock Price Index in recent years. See “—The Financial System—Securities Markets”. Declines in the index and large amounts of sales of Korean securities by foreign investors and subsequent repatriation of the proceeds of such sales may adversely affect the value of the Won, the foreign currency reserves held by financial institutions in Korea, and the ability of Korean companies and banks to raise capital. Moreover, the value of the Won relative to major foreign currencies in general and the U.S. dollar in particular has fluctuated widely. A depreciation of the Won generally increases the cost of imported goods and services and the required amount of the Won revenue for Korean companies to service foreign currency-denominated debt.

 

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In light of the high level of interdependence of the global economy, any of the foregoing developments could have a material adverse effect on the Korean economy and financial markets. In addition, in the event of difficult conditions in the global credit markets or a deterioration of the global economy in the future, the Korean economy could be adversely affected and Korean banks may be forced to fund their operations at a higher cost or may be unable to raise as much funding as they need to support their lending and other activities.

In addition to the global developments, domestic developments that could lead to or contribute to a material adverse effect on the Korean economy include, among other things, the following:

 

   

a slowdown in consumer spending and depressed consumer sentiment due to the outbreak of infectious diseases, such as the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

increasing delinquencies and credit defaults by consumer and small- and medium-sized enterprise borrowers, which may occur due to, among others, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in interest rates;

 

   

steadily rising household debt consisting of housing loans and merchandise credit, which increased to approximately Won 1,886.4 trillion as of December 31, 2023 from Won 843.2 trillion as of December 31, 2010, primarily due to increases in mortgage loans and purchases with credit cards;

 

   

deterioration in economic or diplomatic relations between Korea and other countries resulting from territorial or trade disputes or disagreements in foreign policy;

 

   

a substantial increase in the Government’s expenditures for (i) fiscal stimulus measures to provide emergency relief payments to households and emergency loans to corporations in need of funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic and (ii) pension and social welfare programs, due in part to an aging population (defined as the population of people aged 65 years or older) that accounted for approximately 18.2% of the Republic’s total population as of December 31, 2023, an increase from 7.2% as of December 31, 2000, and is expected to surpass 21.6% in 2026;

 

   

decreases in the market prices of Korean real estate; and

 

   

the occurrence of severe health epidemics that affect the livestock industry.

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic since early 2020 had resulted in significant economic and financial disruptions in Korea. Although the Korean economy has mostly recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, the outlook for the Republic’s economy and its financial services sector in 2024 and for the foreseeable future remains uncertain due to the residual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Korean and global economies and financial markets, fluctuations in oil and commodity prices, interest rates and exchange rates, rising inflationary pressures, higher unemployment, lower consumer confidence, stock market volatility, changes in fiscal and monetary policies, the ongoing military conflict involving Russia and Ukraine, difficulties faced by several banks in the United States and Europe, the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East following the Israel-Hamas war, and continued tensions with North Korea.

Gross Domestic Product

GDP measures the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country for a given period and reveals whether a country’s productive output rises or falls over time. Economists present GDP in both current market prices and “real” or “inflation-adjusted” terms. In March 2009, the Republic adopted a method known as the “chain-linked” measure of GDP, replacing the previous fixed-base, or “constant” measure of GDP, to show the real growth of the aggregate economic activity, as recommended by the System of National Accounts 1993. GDP at current market prices values a country’s output using the actual prices of each year, whereas the “chain-linked” measure of GDP is compiled by using “chained indices” linking volume growth between consecutive time periods. In March 2014, the Republic published a revised GDP calculation method by implementing the System of National Accounts 2008 and updating the reference year from 2005 to 2010 to align Korean national accounts statistics with the recommendations of the new international standards for compiling

 

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national economic accounts and to maintain comparability with other nations’ accounts. The main components of these revisions include, among other things, (i) recognizing expenditures for research and development and creative activity for the products of entertainment, literary and artistic originals as fixed investment, (ii) incorporating a wide array of new and revised source data such as the economic census, the population and housing census and 2010 benchmark input-output tables, which provide thorough and detailed information on the structure of the Korean economy, (iii) developing supply-use tables, which provide a statistical tool for ensuring consistency among the production, expenditure and income approaches to measuring GDP and (iv) recording merchandise trade transactions based on ownership changes rather than movements of goods across the national border. The Republic has updated the reference year from 2010 to 2015 in July 2019, and from 2015 to 2020 in June 2024, to better align Korean national accounts statistics with the recommendations of the previously implemented System of National Accounts 2008, to accurately reflect recent economic structural changes, and to maintain comparability with other countries’ accounts.

The following table sets out the composition of the Republic’s GDP at current market and chained 2020 year prices and the annual average increase in the Republic’s GDP.

Gross Domestic Product

 

    2019     2020     2021     2022     2023(1)     As % of GDP
2023(1)
 
                                     
    (billions of Won)  

Gross Domestic Product at Current Market Prices:

           

Private

    1,022,456.7       984,088.0       1,046,772.2       1,139,397.2       1,197,566.9       49.9  

Government

    327,780.4       349,586.2       378,268.2       409,866.5       423,133.2       17.6  

Gross Capital Formation

    636,575.4       648,928.8       721,964.5       774,411.5       774,563.6       32.3  

Exports of Goods and Services

    755,863.2       712,542.3       874,074.3       1,052,553.6       996,865.6       41.5  

Less Imports of Goods and Services

    (702,081.5     (636,678.7     (799,166.2     (1,052,447.3     (990,452.9     (41.2

Statistical Discrepancy

    0.0       0.0       0.0       0.0       (487.1     0.0  

Expenditures on Gross Domestic Product

    2,040,594.3       2,058,466.5       2,221,912.9       2,323,781.5       2,401,189.4       100.0  

Net Factor Income from the Rest of the World

    16,609.8       16,943.8       23,413.6       28,055.4       42,128.6       1.8  

Gross National Income(2)

    2,057,204.1       2,075,410.3       2,245,326.5       2,351,837.0       2,443,318.1       101.8  

Gross Domestic Product at Chained 2020 Year Prices:

           

Private

    1,031,986.0       984,088.0       1,020,878.4       1,063,928.5       1,082,682.9       48.3  

Government

    332,258.6       349,586.2       369,293.7       384,235.8       389,091.8       17.3  

Gross Capital Formation

    643,841.6       648,928.8       675,845.0       676,282.5       681,957.7       30.4  

Exports of Goods and Services

    724,600.9       712,542.3       789,432.2       820,347.6       849,926.1       37.9  

Less Imports of Goods and Services

    (658,136.3     (636,678.7     (701,537.0     (730,672.0     (756,395.9     (33.7

Statistical Discrepancy

    (748.6     0.0       (489.4     (842.9     (886.5     0.0  

Expenditures on Gross Domestic Product(3)

    2,072,982.4       2,058,466.5       2,153,422.9       2,212,158.9       2,243,220.4       100.0  

Net Factor Income from the Rest of the World in the Terms of Trade

    16,485.9       16,943.8       22,553.7       25,584.2       38,122.9       1.7  

Trading Gains and Losses from Changes in the Terms of Trade

    (17,145.8     0.0       (21,620.0     (94,623.4     (91,400.4     (4.1

Gross National Income(4)

    2,072,357.0       2,075,410.3       2,154,356.5       2,143,107.5       2,189,886.8       97.6  

Percentage Increase (Decrease) of GDP over Previous Year:

           

At Current Prices

    1.7       0.9       7.9       4.6       3.3    

At Chained 2020 Year Prices

    2.3       (0.7     4.6       2.7       1.4    

 

(1)

Preliminary.

 

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(2)

GDP plus net factor income from the rest of the world is equal to the Republic’s gross national income.

(3)

Under the “chain-linked” measure of GDP, the components of GDP will not necessarily add up to the total GDP.

(4)

Under the “chain-linked” measure of Gross National Income, the components of Gross National Income will not necessarily add up to the total Gross National Income.

Source: The Bank of Korea

The following table sets out the Republic’s GDP by economic sector at current market prices:

Gross Domestic Product by Economic Sector

(at current market prices)

 

    2019     2020     2021     2022     2023(1)     As % of GDP
2023(1)
 
                                     
    (billions of Won)  

Industrial Sectors:

    717,338.0       719,110.4       773,620.4       789,147.0       824,491.9       34.3  

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

    30,749.6       32,481.6       36,998.4       33,656.4       34,325.0       1.4  

Manufacturing, Mining and Quarrying

    539,992.2       530,768.1       585,053.1       617,557.4       617,134.7       25.7  

Mining and Quarrying

    1,883.9       1,737.2       1,843.5       1,807.8       2,261.3       0.1  

Manufacturing

    538,108.3       529,030.9       583,209.6       615,749.6       614,873.4       25.6  

Electricity, Gas and Water Supply

    38,151.4       45,605.3       37,579.5       16,493.8       42,538.6       1.8  

Construction

    108,444.8       110,255.4       113,989.4       121,439.4       130,493.6       5.4  

Services:

    1,161,848.5       1,171,665.8       1,264,275.9       1,349,454.4       1,405,368.8       58.5  

Wholesale and Retail Trade, Accommodation and Food Services

    226,821.5       214,871.3       227,253.6       248,366.2       265,510.1       11.1  

Transportation and Storage

    71,042.4       66,603.8       82,702.3       95,655.6       94,378.8       3.9  

Finance and Insurance

    103,072.5       110,016.4       124,021.2       136,404.4       138,566.4       5.8  

Real Estate

    153,138.6       161,030.1       162,658.9       158,314.6       160,025.3       6.7  

Information and Communication

    84,153.0       89,215.3       102,319.0       103,549.3       106,049.4       4.4  

Business Activities

    151,040.4       156,652.6       166,098.7       177,636.8       186,753.6       7.8  

Public Administration, Defense and Social Security

    123,791.6       129,850.9       138,688.7       149,078.6       155,208.6       6.5  

Education

    91,337.2       90,436.1       96,862.5       101,581.8       103,917.0       4.3  

Human Health and Social Work

    101,960.5       106,034.6       114,340.0       123,519.0       131,995.9       5.5  

Cultural and Other Services

    55,490.8       46,954.8       49,330.9       55,348.1       62,963.6       2.6  

Taxes Less Subsidies on Products

    161,407.8       167,690.3       184,016.7       185,180.2       171,328.7       7.1  

Gross Domestic Product at Current Market Prices

    2,040,594.3       2,058,466.5       2,221,912.9       2,323,781.5       2,401,189.4       100.0  

Net Factor Income from the Rest of the World

    16,609.8       16,943.8       23,413.6       28,055.4       42,128.6       1.8  

Gross National Income at Current Market Price

    2,057,204.1       2,075,410.3       2,245,326.5       2,351,837.0       2,443,318.1       101.8  

 

(1)

Preliminary.

Source: The Bank of Korea

The following table sets out the Republic’s GDP per capita:

Gross Domestic Product per capita

(at current market prices)

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023(1)  

GDP per capita (thousands of Won)

     39,420        39,711        42,919        44,971        46,433  

GDP per capita (U.S. dollar)

     33,819        33,652        37,503        34,809        35,570  

Average Exchange Rate (in Won per U.S. dollar)

     1,165.7        1,180.1        1,144.4        1,292.0        1,305.4  

 

(1)

Preliminary.

Source: The Bank of Korea

 

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The following table sets out the Republic’s Gross National Income, or GNI, per capita:

Gross National Income per capita

(at current market prices)

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023(1)  

GNI per capita (thousands of Won)

     39,741        40,038        43,372        45,514        47,248  

GNI per capita (U.S. dollar)

     34,094        33,929        37,898        35,229        36,194  

Average Exchange Rate (in Won per U.S. dollar)

     1,165.7        1,180.1        1,144.4        1,292.0        1,305.4  

 

(1)

Preliminary.

Source: The Bank of Korea

The following table sets out the Republic’s GDP by economic sector:

Gross Domestic Product by Economic Sector

(at chained 2020 year prices)

 

    2019     2020     2021     2022     2023(1)     As % of GDP
2023(1)
 
                                     
    (billions of Won)  

Industrial Sectors:

    730,320.1       719,110.4       754,589.3       771,177.9       782,080.7       34.9  

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

    34,808.6       32,481.6       33,598.5       33,866.3       32,972.5       1.5  

Manufacturing, Mining and Quarrying

    541,638.8       530,768.1       565,269.6       579,036.4       588,841.5       26.2  

Mining and Quarrying

    1,794.5       1,737.2       1,974.8       1,785.3       1,808.5       0.1  

Manufacturing

    539,843.1       529,030.9       563,294.8       577,227.8       587,008.9       26.2  

Electricity, Gas and Water Supply

    43,128.9       45,605.3       46,403.2       48,020.4       46,648.8       2.1  

Construction

    110,743.8       110,255.4       109,318.0       110,254.8       113,617.9       5.1  

Services:

    1,176,689.5       1,171,665.8       1,222,603.2       1,269,070.6       1,295,453.4       57.7  

Wholesale and Retail Trade, Accommodation and Food Services

    224,177.1       214,871.3       219,693.4       231,974.4       228,939.2       10.2  

Transportation and Storage

    77,008.3       66,603.8       73,634.5       82,748.1       92,818.6       4.1  

Finance and Insurance

    100,167.6       110,016.4       117,411.7       120,645.5       121,705.1       5.4  

Real Estate

    155,441.6       161,030.1       163,741.0       160,447.8       160,758.7       7.2  

Information and Communication

    85,575.8       89,215.3       97,513.5       99,786.9       100,881.1       4.5  

Business Activities

    156,315.5       156,652.6       159,603.6       163,453.3       166,386.4       7.4  

Public Administration, Defense and Social Security

    126,186.1       129,850.9       134,868.3       139,003.2       142,043.4       6.3  

Education

    91,935.7       90,436.1       95,484.0       98,708.1       99,515.9       4.4  

Human Health and Social Work

    104,355.6       106,034.6       112,370.6       119,255.3       124,697.3       5.6  

Cultural and Other Services

    56,331.6       46,954.8       48,282.6       52,244.1       56,119.8       2.5  

Taxes Less Subsidies on Products

    165,787.9       167,690.3       176,230.4       172,134.2       164,486.4       7.3  

Gross Domestic Product(2)

    2,072,982.4       2,058,466.5       2,153,422.9       2,212,158.9       2,243,220.4       100.0  

 

(1)

Preliminary.

(2)

Under the “chain-linked” measure of GDP, the components of GDP will not necessarily add up to the total GDP.

Source: The Bank of Korea

GDP growth in 2019 was 2.3% at chained 2020 year prices, as aggregate private and general government consumption expenditures increased by 3.3% and imports of goods and services decreased by 2.0%, which more than offset a decrease in gross domestic fixed capital formation by 2.1% and a decrease in exports of goods and services by 0.2%, each compared with 2018.

GDP in 2020 contracted by 0.7% at chained 2020 year prices, primarily due to a 4.6% decrease in private consumption expenditures and a 1.7% decrease in exports of goods and services, which were offset in significant

 

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part by a 3.3% decrease in imports of goods and services, a 5.2% increase in general government consumption expenditures and a 2.8% increase in gross domestic fixed capital formation, each compared with 2019. The contraction of the Republic’s GDP in 2020 was primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

GDP growth in 2021 was 4.6% at chained 2020 year prices, as exports of goods and services increased by 10.8%, aggregate private and general government consumption expenditures increased by 4.2% and gross domestic fixed capital formation increased by 4.3%, which more than offset an increase in imports of goods and services by 10.2%, each compared with 2020.

GDP growth in 2022 was 2.7% at chained 2020 year prices, as aggregate private and general government consumption expenditures increased by 4.2% and exports of goods and services increased by 3.9%, which more than offset an increase in imports of goods and services by 4.2% and a decrease in gross fixed capital formation by 0.2%, each compared with 2021.

Based on preliminary data, GDP growth in 2023 was 1.4% at chained 2020 year prices, as exports of goods and services increased by 3.6%, aggregate private and general government consumption expenditures increased by 1.6% and gross domestic fixed capital formation increased by 1.4%, which was offset in significant part by a 3.5% increase in imports of goods and services, each compared with 2022.

Based on preliminary data, GDP growth in the first quarter of 2024 was 3.3% at chained 2020 year prices, primarily due to a 9.1% increase in exports of goods and services, a 1.0% increase in private consumption expenditures, a 0.4% decrease in imports of goods and services and a 0.9% increase in gross domestic fixed capital formation, the effects of which were offset in part by a 0.5% decrease in general government consumption expenditures, each compared with the corresponding period of 2023.

 

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Principal Sectors of the Economy

Industrial Sectors

The following table sets out production indices for the principal industrial products of the Republic and their relative contribution to total industrial production:

Industrial Production

(2020 = 100)

 

    Index
Weight(1)
    2019     2020     2021     2022     2023(2)  

Industries

    10,000.0       100.3       100.0       108.2       108.8       108.7  

Mining and Manufacturing

    9,555.0       100.3       100.0       108.2       108.8       108.7  

Mining

    23.0       70.2       100.0       94.2       95.8       113.9  

Manufacturing

    9,532.0       100.4       100.0       108.2       108.8       108.7  

Food Products

    485.9       96.3       100.0       111.7       114.0       109.3  

Beverage Products

    102.0       112.5       100.0       93.0       91.4       77.7  

Tobacco Products

    44.7       92.9       100.0       88.4       93.2       100.9  

Textiles

    110.6       121.2       100.0       104.3       100.4       82.1  

Wearing Apparel, Clothing Accessories and Fur Articles

    83.2       158.9       100.0       137.3       117.6       114.0  

Tanning and Dressing of Leather, Luggage and Footwear

    17.6       180.7       100.0       92.0       78.7       49.4  

Wood and Products of Wood and Cork (Except Furniture)

    31.0       94.0       100.0       80.4       89.5       94.5  

Pulp, Paper and Paper Products

    133.8       106.4       100.0       97.5       95.1       93.7  

Printing and Reproduction of Recorded Media

    43.9       119.4       100.0       109.4       129.3       117.7  

Coke, hard-coal and lignite fuel briquettes and Refined Petroleum Products

    354.5       107.0       100.0       98.4       101.9       104.3  

Chemicals and Chemical Products

    756.8       100.8       100.0       105.9       93.6       91.0  

Pharmaceuticals, Medicinal Chemicals and Botanical Products

    288.9       77.6       100.0       96.2       111.7       141.2  

Rubber and Plastic Products

    414.8       111.3       100.0       104.5       110.9       112.8  

Non-metallic Minerals

    213.6       110.9       100.0       107.6       96.4       84.8  

Basic Metals

    600.2       106.1       100.0       101.0       95.5       97.5  

Fabricated Metal Products

    495.9       114.3       100.0       83.7       82.7       93.4  

Electronic Components, Computer, Radio, Television and Communication Equipment and Apparatuses

    2,402.9       303.0       300.0       342.5       316.7       329.7  

Medical, Precision and Optical Instruments, Watches and Clocks

    389.1       336.9       300.0       297.5       365.1       364.4  

Electrical Equipment

    478.2       105.4       100.0       113.4       138.3       120.8  

Other Machinery and Equipment

    776.7       104.0       100.0       116.6       113.4       108.6  

Motor Vehicles, Trailers and Semitrailers

    1,014.2       122.8       100.0       109.6       121.0       137.1  

Other Transport Equipment

    144.1       98.4       100.0       93.3       108.0       103.1  

Furniture

    43.1       90.2       100.0       72.9       64.1       52.8  

Other Products

    106.3       107.0       200.0       233.0       340.0       244.0  

Electricity, Gas

    445.0       103.0       100.0       104.9       107.5       103.5  

Total Index

    10,000.0       100.3       100.0       108.2       108.8       108.7  

 

(1)

Index weights were established on the basis of an industrial census in 2020 and reflect the average annual value added by production in each of the classifications shown, expressed as a percentage of total value added in the mining, manufacturing and electricity and gas industries in that year.

(2)

Preliminary.

Source: The Bank of Korea; Korea National Statistical Office

 

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Industrial production increased by 0.9% in 2019, primarily due to increased domestic consumption. Industrial production decreased by 0.3% in 2020, primarily due to decreased domestic consumption and exports resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Industrial production recovered and increased by 8.2% in 2021, primarily due to increased exports and domestic consumption. Industrial production increased by 0.6% in 2022, primarily due to increased exports and domestic consumption. Based on preliminary data, industrial production decreased by 0.1% in 2023, primarily due to decreased domestic consumption and exports.

Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector increased production by 0.9% in 2019, primarily due to increased demand for consumer electronics products and electronic components (including semiconductors). The manufacturing sector decreased production by 0.4% in 2020, primarily due to decreased demand for automobiles. The manufacturing sector increased production by 8.2% in 2021, primarily due to increased demand for consumer electronics products, electronic components (including semiconductors) and machinery. The manufacturing sector increased production by 0.6% in 2022, primarily due to increased demand for electrical equipment and automobiles. Based on preliminary data, the manufacturing sector decreased production by 0.1% in 2023, primarily due to decreased demand for electrical equipment and electronic components.

Automobiles. In 2019, automobile production decreased by 1.9%, domestic sales volume recorded a decrease of 1.8% and export sales volume recorded a decrease of 2.0%, compared with 2018, primarily due to decreased domestic production of automobiles resulting mainly from partial strikes by unionized workers of automobile manufacturers, increased overseas production, decreased domestic demand for automobiles and decreased demand for automobiles in China. In 2020, automobile production decreased by 11.2% and export sales volume recorded a decrease of 21.4%, compared with 2019, primarily due to a general decline in global demand for automobiles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which outpaced a 4.7% increase in domestic sales volume from 2019 to 2020, primarily due to increased domestic demand for automobiles. In 2021, automobile production decreased by 1.3% and domestic sales volume recorded a decrease of 8.5%, compared with 2020, primarily due to the global shortage of semiconductors amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but exports sales volume recorded an increase of 8.6% compared with 2020, primarily due to an increase in the market share of domestic automobile manufacturers in the global automotive market. In 2022, automobile production increased by 8.5% and exports sales volume recorded an increase of 12.7%, compared with 2021, primarily due to an increase in demand for Korean automobiles in the global automotive market as well as the gradual easing of the global shortage of automotive semiconductors in the second half of 2022, but domestic sales volume recorded a decrease of 3.2% compared with 2021, primarily due to the global shortage of automotive semiconductors during the first half of 2022. Based on preliminary data, in 2023, automobile production increased by 13.0%, exports sales volume recorded an increase of 20.3% and domestic sales volume recorded an increase of 3.3%, compared with 2022, primarily due to the continued easing of the global shortage of automotive semiconductors and increased global and domestic demand for environmentally-friendly automobiles.

Electronics. In 2019, electronics production amounted to W322,729 billion, a decrease of 11.7% from the previous year, and exports amounted to US$176.9 billion, a decrease of 19.7% from the previous year, primarily due to a significant decrease in semiconductor prices. In 2019, export sales of semiconductor memory chips constituted approximately 17.6% of the Republic’s total exports. In 2020, electronics production amounted to W332,084 billion, an increase of 2.9% from the previous year, and exports of electronics amounted to US$183.5 billion, an increase of 3.7% from the previous year, primarily due to an increase in demand for semiconductors, computers and other electronic apparatuses. In 2020, export sales of semiconductor memory chips constituted approximately 19.5% of the Republic’s total exports. In 2021, electronics production amounted to W368,407 billion, an increase of 10.9% from the previous year, and exports amounted to US$227.6 billion, an increase of 24.0% from the previous year, primarily due to an increase in demand for semiconductors, display panels, mobile devices, solid state drives and secondary cell batteries. In 2021, export sales of semiconductor memory chips constituted approximately 20.0% of the Republic’s total exports. In 2022, electronics production amounted to W369,552 billion, an increase of 0.3% from the previous year, and exports amounted to

 

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US$233.2 billion, an increase of 2.5% from the previous year, primarily due to an increase in demand for semiconductors, display panels and secondary cell batteries. In 2022, export sales of semiconductor memory chips constituted approximately 19.1% of the Republic’s total exports. Based on preliminary data, in 2023, electronics production amounted to W322,857 billion, a decrease of 12.6% from the previous year, and exports amounted to US$186.8 billion, a decrease of 19.9% from the previous year, primarily due to a decrease in demand for semiconductors, computers and other electronic apparatuses. In 2023, export sales of semiconductor memory chips constituted approximately 15.8% of the Republic’s total exports.

Iron and Steel. In 2019, crude steel production totaled 71.4 million tons, a decrease of 1.5% from 2018, primarily due to adverse conditions in the construction and shipbuilding industries, and export sales volume of iron and steel products decreased by 0.2%, primarily due to continued restrictions on imports of steel products imposed by the United States, Canada and the European Union. In 2020, crude steel production totaled 67.1 million tons, a decrease of 6.0% from 2019, primarily due to adverse conditions in the construction and shipbuilding industries in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and export sales volume of iron and steel products decreased by 5.0%, primarily due to a decrease in global demand for crude steel products resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, crude steel production totaled 70.4 million tons, an increase of 4.9% from 2020, primarily due to an increase in domestic demand for crude steel products following a gradual economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, but export sales volume of iron and steel products decreased by 6.1%, primarily due to an increase in the price of steel products coupled with a decrease in global demand for crude steel products resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, crude steel production totaled 65.8 million tons, a decrease of 6.5% from 2021, primarily due to disruptions in supply chain resulting from the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the temporary closure of steel production plants in Korea due to a typhoon during the course of 2022, and export sales volume of iron and steel products decreased by 5.3%, primarily due to a decrease in global demand for crude steel products resulting from the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and a general slowdown of the global economy. Based on preliminary data, in 2023, crude steel production totaled 66.7 million tons, an increase of 1.4% from 2022, primarily due to the re-opening of steel production plants in Korea following the recovery from the damage caused by a typhoon during 2022, and export sales volume of iron and steel products increased by 6.5%, primarily due to an increase in demand for crude steel products from North America and Japan.

Shipbuilding. In 2019, the Republic’s shipbuilding orders amounted to approximately 10 million compensated gross tons, a decrease of 23.1% compared to 2018, primarily due to decreased demand for container carriers and bulk carriers, which more than offset increased demand for LNG carriers. In 2020, the Republic’s shipbuilding orders amounted to approximately 8 million compensated gross tons, a decrease of 20.0% compared to 2019, primarily due to the adverse conditions in the domestic and global shipbuilding industry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the Republic’s shipbuilding orders amounted to approximately 17 million compensated gross tons, an increase of 112.5% compared to 2020, primarily due to increased demand for container carriers and LNG carriers. In 2022, the Republic’s shipbuilding orders amounted to approximately 16 million compensated gross tons, a decrease of 5.9% compared to 2021, primarily due to a decrease in demand for oil tankers and container carriers. Based on preliminary data, in 2023, the Republic’s shipbuilding orders amounted to approximately 10 million compensated gross tons, a decrease of 37.5% compared to 2022, primarily due to decreased demand for container carriers and LNG carriers.

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

The Government’s agricultural policy has traditionally focused on:

 

   

grain production;

 

   

development of irrigation systems;

 

   

land consolidation and reclamation;

 

   

seed improvement;

 

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mechanization measures to combat drought and flood damage; and

 

   

increasing agricultural incomes.

Recently, however, the Government has increased emphasis on cultivating profitable crops and strengthening international competitiveness as a result of the continued opening of the domestic agricultural market.

In 2019, rice production decreased 5.1% from 2018 to 3.7 million tons. In 2020, rice production decreased 5.4% from 2019 to 3.5 million tons. In 2021, rice production increased 11.4% from 2020 to 3.9 million tons. In 2022, rice production decreased 2.6% from 2021 to 3.8 million tons. In 2023, rice production decreased 2.6% from 2022 to 3.7 million tons. Due to limited crop yields resulting from geographical and physical constraints, the Republic depends on imports for certain basic foodstuffs.

The Government is seeking to develop the fishing industry by encouraging the building of large fishing vessels and modernizing fishing equipment, marketing techniques and distribution outlets.

In 2019, the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry increased by 3.9% compared to 2018, primarily due to an increase in farming and livestock production. In 2020, the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry decreased by 5.8% compared to 2019, primarily due to a decrease in farming and livestock production. In 2021, the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry increased by 5.2% compared to 2020, primarily due to an increase in farming and fisheries production. Based on preliminary data, in 2022, the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry decreased by 1.0% compared to 2021, primarily due to a decrease in farming and fisheries production. Based on preliminary data, in 2023, the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry decreased by 2.4% compared to 2022, primarily due to a decrease in farming and fisheries production.

Construction

In 2019, the construction industry decreased by 2.6% compared to 2018, primarily due to a continued decrease in the construction of residential buildings. In 2020, the construction industry decreased by 1.3% compared to 2019, primarily due to a decrease in the construction of residential buildings. In 2021, the construction industry decreased by 1.9% compared to 2020, primarily due to a decrease in the construction of residential buildings. Based on preliminary data, in 2022, the construction industry increased by 0.7% compared to 2021, primarily due to an increase in the construction of commercial buildings. Based on preliminary data, in 2023, the construction industry increased by 2.7% compared to 2022, primarily due to an increase in commercial buildings.

Electricity and Gas

The following table sets out the Republic’s dependence on imports for energy consumption:

Dependence on Imports for Energy Consumption

 

     Total Primary
Energy Supply
     Imports      Imports Dependence
Ratio
 
                      
     (millions of tons of oil equivalents(1), except ratios)  

2019

     297.6        284.8        95.7  

2020

     285.5        271.2        95.0  

2021

     300.5        284.8        94.8  

2022(2)

     304.0        287.0        94.4  

2023(2)

     297.5        279.4        93.9  

 

(1)

Conversion to tons of oil equivalents was calculated based on energy conversion factors under the Energy Act Enforcement Decree as amended in July 2017.

 

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(2)

Preliminary.

Source: Korea Energy Economics Institute; Korea National Statistical Office

Korea has almost no domestic oil or gas production and depends on imported oil and gas to meet its energy requirements. Accordingly, the international prices of oil and gas significantly affect the Korean economy. Any significant long-term increase in the prices of oil and gas will increase inflationary pressures in Korea and adversely affect the Republic’s balance of trade.

To reduce its dependence on oil and gas imports, the Government has encouraged energy conservation and energy source diversification emphasizing nuclear energy. The following table sets out the principal primary sources of energy supplied in the Republic, expressed in oil equivalents and as a percentage of total energy consumption.

Primary Energy Supply by Source

 

     Coal      Gas      Oil      Nuclear      Others(1)      Total  
     Quantity      %      Quantity      %      Quantity      %      Quantity      %      Quantity      %      Quantity      %  
     (millions of tons of oil equivalents(2), except percentages)  

2019

     85,048        28.6        53,875        18.1        115,408        38.8        31,079        10.4        12,201        4.1        297,612        100.0  

2020

     75,983        26.6        53,915        18.9        107,970        37.8        34,119        12.0        13,525        4.7        285,512        100.0  

2021

     76,968        25.6        59,594        19.8        115,204        38.3        33,657        11.2        15,092        5.0        300,515        100.0  

2022(3)

     75,869        25.0        59,176        19.5        114,675        37.7        37,500        12.3        16,734        5.5        303,954        100.0  

2023(3)

     73,516        24.7        56,770        19.1        111,081        37.3        38,442        12.9        17,710        6.0        297,519        100.0  

 

(1)

Includes hydro-electric power, biofuels and waste-based energy, geothermal and solar power and heat.

(2)

Conversion to tons of oil equivalents was calculated based on energy conversion factors under the Energy Act Enforcement Decree as amended in July 2017.

(3)

Preliminary.

Source: Korea Energy Economics Institute; The Bank of Korea

The Republic’s first nuclear power plant went into full operation in 1978 with a rated generating capacity of 587 megawatts. As of December 31, 2023, the Republic had 25 nuclear plants with a total estimated nuclear power installed generating capacity of 24,650 megawatts and three nuclear plants under construction.

In January 2023, the Government announced the Tenth Basic Plan of Long-Term Electricity Supply and Demand for the period from 2022 to 2036, which focuses on, among other things, (i) establishing a stable and safe source of energy supply for the long term, (ii) setting attainable goals for energy transition through a balanced mix of nuclear power and renewable energy, (iii) reducing greenhouse gas by cutting back on coal-fired generation, and (iv) diversifying the electricity market system and promoting fair competition in the renewable energy market. Furthermore, the Tenth Basic Plan includes the following implementation measures: (i) the previously suspended construction of two nuclear power units will be resumed, (ii) existing nuclear power plants will continue their operation, (iii) 28 coal-fired generation plants will be retired and converted to LNG fuel use by 2036, (iv) ammonia-coal and hydrogen-LNG co-firing will be introduced to reduce greenhouse gas, and (v) domestic renewable energy generation capacity will be expanded to 108.3 gigawatts by 2036. In May 2024, the Government revealed the working plan of the Eleventh Basic Plan of Long-Term Electricity Supply and Demand, with plans to release the final version at a later date in 2024. Such working plan, which covers the period from 2024 to 2038, includes (i) prioritization of carbon-free power sources, with the goal of increasing the proportion of such sources to 70% of total energy generation by 2038, (ii) projections of renewable energy capacity increases (solar and wind energy capacity is projected to triple from 23 gigawatts in 2022 to 72 gigawatts by 2030, with the total renewable energy capacity projected to reach 120 gigawatts by 2038), and (iii) capacity for the addition of up to 4.2 gigawatts (3 units) of new large-scale nuclear power plants and 0.7 gigawatts (1 unit) of a new small modular reactor.

 

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Services Sector

In 2019, the service industry increased by 2.7% compared to 2018 as the health and social work sector increased by 9.0%, the professional, scientific and technical activities sector increased by 6.3% and the water supply, sewage, waste management and materials recovery sector increased by 4.8%, each compared with 2018. In 2020, the service industry decreased by 0.7% compared to 2019 as the arts, sports and recreation related services sector decreased by 31.9%, the accommodation and food service activities sector decreased by 17.9% and the transportation and storage sector decreased by 12.4%, each compared with 2019. In 2021, the service industry increased by 8.8% compared to 2020 as the arts, sports and recreation related services sector increased by 18.8%, the information and communications sector increased by 14.6% and the transportation and storage sector increased by 11.9%, each compared with 2020. In 2022, the service industry increased by 11.6% compared to 2021 as the arts, sports and recreation related services sector increased by 48.5%, the transportation and storage sector increased by 30.5% and the accommodation and food services sector increased by 25.6%, each compared with 2021. Based on preliminary data, in 2023, the service industry increased by 4.8% compared to 2022 as the arts, sports and recreation related services sector increased by 9.8%, the membership organizations, repair and other personal services sector increased by 8.9% and the financial and insurance activities sector increased by 8.1%, each compared with 2022.

Prices, Wages and Employment

The following table shows selected price and wage indices and unemployment rates:

 

     Producer
Price
Index(1)
     Increase
(Decrease)
Over
Previous
Year
    Consumer
Price
Index(1)
     Increase
(Decrease)
Over
Previous
Year
     Wage
Index(1)(2)
    Increase
(Decrease)
Over
Previous
Year
    Unemployment
Rate(1)(3)
 
     (2015=100)      (%)     (2020=100)      (%)      (2015=100)     (%)     (%)  

2019

     103.5        0.0       99.5        0.4        116.2       2.3       3.8  

2020

     103.0        (0.5     100.0        0.5        115.5       (0.6     4.0  

2021

     109.6        6.4       102.5        2.5        123.5       6.9       3.7  

2022

     118.8        8.4       107.7        5.1        130.7       5.8       2.9  

2023

     120.7        1.6       111.6        3.6        N/A (4)      N/A (4)      2.7  

 

(1)

Average for the year.

(2)

Nominal wage index of average earnings in the manufacturing industry.

(3)

Expressed as a percentage of the economically active population.

(4)

Not available.

Source: The Bank of Korea; Korea National Statistical Office

In 2019, the inflation rate decreased to 0.4%, primarily due to decreases in the prices of agricultural and livestock products and oil. In 2020, the inflation rate increased to 0.5%, primarily due to increases in agricultural and livestock product prices. In 2021, the inflation rate increased to 2.5%, primarily due to increases in agricultural and livestock product prices and oil prices. In 2022, the inflation rate increased to 5.1%, primarily due to increases in agricultural and livestock product prices and oil prices. Based on preliminary data, in 2023, the inflation rate decreased to 3.6%, primarily due to a slower rate of increase in the prices of agricultural and livestock products and oil. Based on preliminary data, the inflation rate was 3.0% in the first quarter of 2024.

In 2019, the unemployment rate remained constant at 3.8%. In 2020, the unemployment rate increased to 4.0%, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the unemployment rate decreased to 3.7%, reflecting a gradual recovery of the Korean economy from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the unemployment rate decreased to 2.9%, reflecting a gradual recovery of the Korean economy from the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on preliminary data, in 2023, the unemployment rate decreased to 2.7%, primarily due to an increase in the number of workers employed in the service industry. Based on preliminary data, the unemployment rate was 3.3% in the first quarter of 2024.

 

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From 1992 to 2009, the economically active population of the Republic increased by approximately 24.8% to 24.3 million, while the number of employees increased by approximately 23.7% to 23.5 million. The economically active population over 15 years old as a percentage of the total over-15 population has remained between 61% and 65% over the past decade. Literacy among workers under 50 is almost universal. As of December 31, 2023, the economically active population of the Republic was 29.2 million and the number of employees was 28.4 million.

The following table shows selected employment information by industry and by gender:

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  
                                    
     (all figures in percentages, except as indicated)  

Labor force (in thousands of persons)

     27,123        26,904        27,273        28,089        28,416  

Employment by Industry:

              

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

     5.1        5.4        5.3        5.4        5.3  

Mining and Manufacturing

     16.4        16.3        16.1        16.1        15.7  

S.O.C & Services

     78.5        78.3        78.6        78.5        79.0  

Electricity, Transport, Communication and Finance

     11.7        11.8        12.3        12.4        12.5  

Business, Private & Public Service and Other Services

     37.4        38.0        38.6        39.0        39.4  

Construction

     7.4        7.5        7.7        7.6        7.4  

Wholesale & Retail Trade, Hotels and Restaurants

     22.0        21.0        20.0        19.6        19.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Employed

     100.0        100.0        100.0        100.0        100.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Employment by Gender:

              

Male

     57.0        57.2        57.0        56.7        56.1  

Female

     43.0        42.8        43.0        43.3        43.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Employed

     100.0        100.0        100.0        100.0        100.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Source: The Bank of Korea

Pursuant to certain amendments to the Labor Standards Act that became effective on July 1, 2018, the maximum working hours of employees have been reduced from 68 hours per week to 52 hours per week, and the number of special industries that are exempt from restrictions on maximum working hours will be significantly reduced. This new maximum working hours restriction under the amended Labor Standards Act is in effect for workplaces with 300 or more workers from July 1, 2018, and has been extended to workplaces with 50 or more but fewer than 300 workers from January 1, 2020, and has been further extended to workplaces with five or more but fewer than 50 workers from July 1, 2021.

Labor unrest in connection with demands by unionized workers for better wages and working conditions and greater job security occurs from time to time in the Republic. Some of the significant incidents in recent years include the following:

 

   

In May 2019, unionized bus drivers launched a nationwide strike seeking higher wages and increased manpower in time for the 52-hour work week that was implemented in July 2019.

 

   

In September 2019, unionized workers at GM Korea went on full strike, the first in more than 20 years, demanding higher wages and protesting against GM Korea’s restructuring plans.

 

   

In October and November 2019, several thousand members of the National Railroad Workers’ Union went on full strike demanding a normalization of wages and requesting the hiring of additional personnel.

 

   

In October, November and December 2020, unionized workers at GM Korea went on partial strikes during wage and collective agreement negotiations.

 

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In November and December 2020, unionized workers at Kia went on partial strikes demanding higher wages, performance-based incentives and other benefits.

 

   

In November and December 2021, unionized workers at Hankook Tire & Technology, one of Korea’s largest tire makers, went on a full strike demanding higher wages and performance-based incentive payments.

 

   

In 2021, unionized workers at CJ Logistics, one of Korea’s largest freight transportation companies, went on a series of partial strikes and demonstrations, demanding higher wages commensurate with increases in parcel delivery fees.

 

   

In June and November 2022, unionized truck drivers across various industries went on nationwide strikes demanding that a minimum pay system based on freight rates be made permanent and expanded in scope.

 

   

In 2022, subcontracted workers of Daewoo Shipping and Marine Engineering went on a full strike demanding higher wages.

 

   

In September 2023, the National Railroad Workers’ Union went on strike demanding improved pay and working conditions and an expansion of the KTX bullet train services.

 

   

In November 2023, unionized Seoul subway workers went on strike in protest of the city-run Seoul Metro’s bid to downsize its workforce.

 

   

In early 2024, thousands of doctors went on strike to protest the Government’s plans to increase the number of medical school admissions, and to demand higher pay and reductions in their workload, among others.

Actions such as these by labor unions may hinder implementation of the labor reform measures and disrupt the Government’s plans to create a more flexible labor market. Although much effort is being expended to resolve labor disputes in a peaceful manner, there can be no assurance that further labor unrest will not occur in the future. Continued labor unrest in key industries of the Republic may have an adverse effect on the economy.

In 1997, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions organized a political alliance, which led to the formation of the Democratic Labor Party in January 2000. The Democratic Labor Party merged with The New People’s Participation Party and changed its name to The Unified Progressive Party, or the UPP, in December 2011. In October 2012, the UPP split and seven UPP members of the National Assembly and their supporters formed a new party, the Progressive Justice Party, which changed its name to the Justice Party in July 2013. In December 2014, the Constitutional Court ordered the dissolution of the UPP and the removal of the party’s five lawmakers from the National Assembly for violating the Republic’s Constitution after certain of its members were convicted of trying to instigate an armed rebellion and supporting North Korea. In the legislative general election held on April 13, 2016, the Justice Party won six seats in the National Assembly, and the members-elect began their four-year terms on May 30, 2016. As of December 31, 2023, the Justice Party held six seats in the National Assembly.

Population and Birthrate

The following table shows the population and birthrate of the Republic:

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Population (in thousands of persons)

     51,850        51,829        51,639        51,439        51,325  

Birthrate (percentage)(1)

     0.918        0.837        0.808        0.778        0.720 (2) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Represents the average number of children a woman gives birth to over her lifetime.

(2)

Preliminary.

Source: Ministry of the Interior and Safety; Korea National Statistical Office

 

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Both the population and birthrate in the Republic have been declining in recent years, with the population decreasing by 1.0% from 2019 to 2023, and the birthrate decreasing by 21.6% from 2019 to 2023.

The Financial System

Structure of the Financial Sector

The Republic’s financial sector includes the following categories of financial institutions:

 

   

The Bank of Korea;

 

   

banking institutions;

 

   

non-bank financial institutions; and

 

   

other financial entities, including:

 

   

financial investment companies;

 

   

credit guarantee institutions;

 

   

venture capital companies; and

 

   

miscellaneous others.

To increase transparency in financial transactions and enhance the integrity and efficiency of the financial markets, Korean law requires that financial institutions confirm that their clients use their real names when transacting business. The Government also strengthened confidentiality protection for private financial transactions.

In July 2007, the Korean National Assembly passed the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, or the FSCMA, under which various industry-based capital markets regulatory systems were consolidated into a single regulatory system. The FSCMA, which became effective in February 2009, expands the scope of permitted investment-related financial products and activities through expansive definitions of financial instruments and function-based regulations that allow financial investment companies to offer a wider range of financial services, as well as strengthening investor protection and disclosure requirements.

Prior to the effective date of the FSCMA, separate laws regulated various types of financial institutions depending on the type of the financial institution (for example, securities companies, futures companies, trust business companies and asset management companies) and subjected financial institutions to different licensing and ongoing regulatory requirements (for example, under the Securities and Exchange Act, the Futures Trading Act and the Indirect Investment Asset Management Business Act). By applying one uniform set of rules to financial businesses having the same economic function, the FSCMA attempts to improve and address issues caused by the previous regulatory system under which the same economic function relating to capital markets-related business were governed by multiple regulations. To this end, the FSCMA categorizes capital markets-related businesses into six different functions as follows:

 

   

investment dealing (trading and underwriting of financial investment products);

 

   

investment brokerage (brokerage of financial investment products);

 

   

collective investment (establishment of collective investment schemes and the management thereof);

 

   

investment advice;

 

   

discretionary investment management; and

 

   

trusts (together with the five businesses set forth above, the Financial Investment Businesses).

 

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Accordingly, all financial businesses relating to financial investment products are classified as one or more of the Financial Investment Businesses described above, and financial institutions are subject to the regulations applicable to their relevant Financial Investment Businesses, irrespective of what type of financial institution it is. For example, under the FSCMA, derivative businesses conducted by securities companies and future companies are subject to the same regulations, at least in principle.

The banking business and the insurance business are not subject to the FSCMA and will continue to be regulated under separate laws; provided, however, that they are subject to the FSCMA if their activities involve any Financial Investment Businesses requiring a license based on the FSCMA.

Banking Industry

The banking industry comprises commercial banks and specialized banks. Commercial banks serve the general public and corporate sectors. They include nationwide banks, regional banks and branches of foreign banks. Regional banks provide services similar to nationwide banks, but operate in a geographically restricted region. Branches of foreign banks have operated in the Republic since 1967 but provide a relatively small proportion of the country’s banking services. As of December 31, 2023, there were six nationwide banks, six regional banks, three internet-only banks and 34 foreign banks with branches operating in the Republic.

Specialized banks meet the needs of specific sectors of the economy in accordance with Government policy; they are organized under, or chartered by, special laws. Specialized banks include (i) The Korea Development Bank, (ii) The Export-Import Bank of Korea, (iii) Industrial Bank of Korea, (iv) SuHyup Bank and (v) NongHyup Bank. The Government has made capital contributions to three of these specialized banks as follows:

 

   

The Korea Development Bank: the Government owns directly all of its paid-in capital and has made capital contributions since its establishment in 1954. Recent examples include the Government’s contributions to its capital of W555 billion in 2019, W2,103 billion in 2020, W1,121 billion in 2021, W1,265 billion in 2022 and W775 billion in 2023. Taking into account these capital contributions, its total paid-in capital was W23,927 billion as of December 31, 2023.

 

   

The Export-Import Bank of Korea: the Government owns, directly and indirectly, all of its paid-in capital and has made capital contributions since its establishment in 1976. Recent examples include the Government’s contributions to its capital of W56 billion in 2019, W578 billion in 2020, W299 billion in 2021, W25 billion in 2022 and W2,000 billion in 2023. Taking into account these capital contributions, its total paid-in capital was W14,773 billion as of December 31, 2023.

 

   

Industrial Bank of Korea: the Government directly owned 59.5% of its total shares (including common and preferred shares) as of December 31, 2023. The Government had owned all of the issued share capital of Industrial Bank of Korea until 1994, but the Government’s minimum share ownership requirement was repealed in 1997, and the Government has since periodically adjusted its ownership percentage in Industrial Bank of Korea through transactions involving the purchase and sale of its common shares. In 2019, Industrial Bank of Korea issued an aggregate of 17,178,164 new common shares to the Government for a total of W225 billion in cash. In 2020, Industrial Bank of Korea issued an aggregate of 161,507,381 new common shares to the Government for a total of W1,266 billion in cash. In November 2020, Industrial Bank of Korea acquired from the Government and cancelled an aggregate of 44,847,038 perpetual preferred shares that it had previously issued to the Government. In May 2021, Industrial Bank of Korea issued and sold 5,636,227 new ordinary shares to the Government for an aggregate consideration of W49 billion in cash. Taking into account such transactions, its total paid-in capital was W4,211 billion as of December 31, 2023.

The economic difficulties in 1997 and 1998 caused an increase in Korean banks’ non-performing assets and a decline in capital adequacy ratios of Korean banks. From 1998 through 2002, the Financial Services Commission amended banking regulations several times to adopt more stringent criteria for non-performing assets that more closely followed international standards.

 

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The following table sets out the total loans (including loans in Won and loans in foreign currencies) and non-performing assets of Korean banks as of the dates indicated.

 

     Total Loans      Non-Performing
Assets(1)
     Percentage
of Total
 
                      
     (trillions of won)      (percentage)  

December 31, 2019

     1,980.6        15.3        0.8  

December 31, 2020

     2,171.7        13.9        0.6  

December 31, 2021

     2,371.9        11.8        0.5  

December 31, 2022

     2,532.4        10.1        0.4  

December 31, 2023(2)

     2,629.0        12.5        0.5  

 

(1)

Assets classified as substandard or below.

(2)

Preliminary.

Source: Financial Supervisory Service

In 2019, these banks posted an aggregate net profit of W13.9 trillion, compared to an aggregate net profit of W15.6 trillion in 2018, primarily due to losses on investments in subsidiaries and associates in 2019 compared to gains on investments in subsidiaries and associates in 2018, which more than offset decreased loan loss provisions. In 2020, these banks posted an aggregate net profit of W12.1 trillion, compared to an aggregate net profit of W13.9 trillion in 2019, primarily due to increased loan loss provisions. In 2021, these banks posted an aggregate net profit of W16.9 trillion, compared to an aggregate net profit of W12.1 trillion in 2020, primarily due to the significant amount of gains recognized by The Korea Development Bank in connection with the exercise of its right to convert its convertible bonds issued by HMM Company Limited into common shares, which took place in June 2021, and to a lesser extent, increased net interest income and decreased loan loss provisions. In 2022, these banks posted an aggregate net profit of W18.5 trillion, compared to an aggregate net profit of W16.9 trillion in 2021, primarily due to increased net interest income reflecting the rise in interest rates during 2022. Based on preliminary data, in 2023, these banks posted an aggregate net profit of W21.3 trillion, compared to an aggregate net profit of W18.5 trillion in 2022, primarily due to an increase in net interest income, which was offset in part by an increase in loan loss provisions.

Non-Bank Financial Institutions

Non-bank financial institutions include:

 

   

savings institutions, including trust accounts of banks, mutual savings banks, credit unions, mutual credit facilities, community credit cooperatives and postal savings;

 

   

life insurance institutions; and

 

   

credit card companies.

As of December 31, 2023, 79 mutual savings banks, 22 life insurance institutions, which include joint venture life insurance institutions and wholly-owned subsidiaries of foreign life insurance companies, and eight credit card companies operated in the Republic.

Money Markets

In the Republic, the money markets consist of the call market and markets for a wide range of other short-term financial instruments, including treasury bills, monetary stabilization bonds, negotiable certificates of deposits, repurchase agreements and commercial paper.

Securities Markets

On January 27, 2005, the Korea Exchange was established pursuant to the now repealed Korea Securities and Futures Trading Act by consolidating the Korea Stock Exchange, the Korea Futures Exchange, the

 

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KOSDAQ Stock Market, Inc., or the KOSDAQ, and the KOSDAQ Committee of the Korea Securities Dealers Association, which had formerly managed the KOSDAQ. There are three major markets operated by the Korea Exchange: the KRX KOSPI Market, the KRX KOSDAQ Market, and the KRX Derivatives Market. The Korea Exchange has two trading floors located in Seoul, one for the KRX KOSPI Market and one for the KRX KOSDAQ Market, and one trading floor in Busan for the KRX Derivatives Market. The Korea Exchange is a joint stock company with limited liability, the shares of which are held by (i) financial investment companies that were formerly members of the Korea Futures Exchange or the Korea Stock Exchange and (ii) the stockholders of the KOSDAQ. Currently, the Korea Exchange is the only stock exchange in Korea and is operated by membership, having as its members Korean financial investment companies and some Korean branches of foreign financial investment companies.

The Korea Exchange publishes the Korea Composite Stock Price Index every ten seconds, which is an index of all equity securities listed on the Korea Exchange. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index is computed using the aggregate value method, whereby the market capitalizations of all listed companies are aggregated, subject to certain adjustments, and this aggregate is expressed as a percentage of the aggregate market capitalization of all listed companies as of the base date, January 4, 1980.

 

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The following table shows the value of the Korea Composite Stock Price Index as of the dates indicated:

 

December 30, 2019

     2,197.7  

January 31, 2020

     2,119.0  

February 28, 2020

     1,987.0  

March 31, 2020

     1,754.6  

April 29, 2020

     1,947.6  

May 29, 2020

     2,029.6  

June 30, 2020

     2,108.3  

July 31, 2020

     2,249.4  

August 31, 2020

     2,326.2  

September 29, 2020

     2,327.9  

October 30, 2020

     2,267.2  

November 30, 2020

     2,591.3  

December 30, 2020

     2,873.5  

January 29, 2021

     2,976.2  

February 26, 2021

     3,013.0  

March 31, 2021

     3,061.4  

April 30, 2021

     3,147.9  

May 31, 2021

     3,203.9  

June 30, 2021

     3,296.7  

July 30, 2021

     3,202.3  

August 31, 2021

     3,199.3  

September 30, 2021

     3,068.8  

October 29, 2021

     2,970.7  

November 30, 2021

     2,839.0  

December 30, 2021

     2,977.7  

January 28, 2022

     2,663.3  

February 28, 2022

     2,699.2  

March 31, 2022

     2,757.7  

April 29, 2022

     2,695.1  

May 31, 2022

     2,685.9  

June 30, 2022

     2,332.6  

July 29, 2022

     2,451.5  

August 31, 2022

     2,472.1  

September 30, 2022

     2,155.5  

October 31, 2022

     2,293.6  

November 30, 2022

     2,472.5  

December 29, 2022

     2,236.4  

January 31, 2023

     2,425.1  

February 28, 2023

     2,412.9  

March 31, 2023

     2,476.9  

April 28, 2023

     2,501.5  

May 31, 2023

     2,577.1  

June 30, 2023

     2,564.3  

July 31, 2023

     2,632.6  

August 31, 2023

     2,556.3  

September 27, 2023

     2,465.1  

October 31, 2023

     2,278.0  

November 30, 2023

     2,535.3  

December 28, 2023

     2,655.3  

January 31, 2024

     2,497.1  

February 29, 2024

     2,642.4  

March 29, 2024

     2,746.6  

April 30, 2024

     2,692.1  

May 31, 2024

     2,636.5  

 

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Over the years, liquidity and credit concerns and volatility in the global financial markets have led to fluctuations in the stock prices of Korean companies. In recent years, there was significant volatility in the stock prices of Korean companies due to deteriorating market conditions domestically and abroad. The index was 2,784.1 on June 27, 2024.

Supervision System

The Office of Bank Supervision, the Securities Supervisory Board, the Insurance Supervisory Board and all other financial sector regulatory bodies merged in January 1999 to form the Financial Supervisory Service. The Financial Services Commission acts as the executive body over the Financial Supervisory Service. The Financial Services Commission reports to, but operates independently of, the Prime Minister’s office.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance focuses on financial policy and foreign currency regulations. The Bank of Korea manages monetary policy focusing on price stabilization.

Deposit Insurance System

The Republic’s deposit insurance system insures amounts on deposit with banks, non-bank financial institutions, securities companies and life insurance companies.

Since January 2001, deposits at any single financial institution are insured only up to W50 million per person regardless of the amount deposited.

The Government excluded certain deposits, such as repurchase agreements, from the insurance scheme, expanded the definition of unsound financial institutions to which the insurance scheme would apply and gradually increased the insurance premiums payable by insured financial institutions.

Monetary Policy

The Bank of Korea

The Bank of Korea was established in 1950 as Korea’s central bank and the country’s sole currency issuing bank. A seven-member Monetary Policy Committee, chaired by the Governor of The Bank of Korea, formulates and controls monetary and credit policies.

Inflation targeting is the basic system of operation for Korean monetary policy. The consumer price index is used as The Bank of Korea’s target indicator. To achieve its established inflation target, the Monetary Policy Committee of The Bank of Korea determines and announces the “Bank of Korea Base Rate”, the reference rate applied in transactions such as repurchase agreements between The Bank of Korea and its financial institution counterparts. The Bank of Korea uses open market operations as its primary instrument to keep the call rate in line with the Monetary Policy Committee’s target rate. In addition, The Bank of Korea is able to establish policies regarding its lending to banks in Korea and their reserve requirements.

Interest Rates

On November 30, 2017, The Bank of Korea raised its policy rate to 1.5% from 1.25%, which was further raised to 1.75% on November 30, 2018, in response to signs of inflationary pressures and the continued growth of the global and domestic economy. The Bank of Korea lowered its policy rate to 1.5% from 1.75% on July 18, 2019 and to 1.25% from 1.5% on October 16, 2019 to address the sluggishness of the global and domestic economy. On March 16, 2020, The Bank of Korea further lowered its policy rate to 0.75% from 1.25%, which was further lowered to 0.5% on May 28, 2020, in response to deteriorating economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the economy began to show signs of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic starting from the second half of 2021, The Bank of Korea raised its policy rate from 0.50% to 0.75% on August 26, 2021, 1.00% on November 25, 2021, 1.25% on January 14, 2022, 1.50% on April 14, 2022, 1.75%

 

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on May 26, 2022, 2.25% on July 13, 2022, 2.50% on August 25, 2022, 3.00% on October 12, 2022, 3.25% on November 24, 2022 and 3.50% on January 13, 2023 in response to rising levels of household debt and inflationary pressures.

With the deregulation of interest rates on banks’ demand deposits on February 2, 2004, The Bank of Korea completed the interest rate deregulation based upon the “Four-Stage Interest Rate Liberalization Plan” announced in 1991. The prohibition on the payment of interest on ordinary checking accounts was, however, maintained.

Money Supply

The following table shows the volume of the Republic’s money supply:

 

     December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  
                                
     (billions of Won)  

Money Supply (M1)(1)

     952,922.8       1,197,828.9       1,372,336.6       1,236,983.3       1,246,196.4  

Quasi-money(2)

     1,960,686.8       2,002,006.8       2,241,351.0       2,521,252.2       2,658,356.2  

Money Supply (M2)(3)

     2,913,609.6       3,199,835.7       3,613,687.6       3,758,235.5       3,904,552.6  

Percentage Increase Over Previous Year

     7.9     9.8     12.9     4.0     3.9

 

(1)

Consists of currency in circulation and demand and instant access savings deposits at financial institutions.

(2)

Includes time and installment savings deposits, marketable instruments, yield-based dividend instruments and financial debentures, excluding financial instruments with a maturity of more than two years.

(3)

Money Supply (M2) is the sum of Money Supply (M1) and quasi-money.

Source: The Bank of Korea

Exchange Controls

Authorized foreign exchange banks, as registered with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, handle foreign exchange transactions. The ministry has designated other types of financial institutions to handle foreign exchange transactions on a limited basis.

Korean laws and regulations generally require a report to either the Ministry of Economy and Finance, The Bank of Korea or authorized foreign exchange banks, as applicable, for issuances of international bonds and other instruments, overseas investments and certain other transactions involving foreign exchange payments.

In 1994 and 1995, the Government relaxed regulations of foreign exchange position ceilings and foreign exchange transaction documentation and created free Won accounts which may be opened by non-residents at Korean foreign exchange banks. The Won funds deposited into the free Won accounts may be converted into foreign currencies and remitted outside Korea without any governmental approval. In December 1996, after joining the OECD, the Republic freed the repatriation of investment funds, dividends and profits, as well as loan repayments and interest payments. The Government continues to reduce exchange controls in response to changes in the world economy, including the new trade regime under the WTO, anticipating that such foreign exchange reform will improve the Republic’s competitiveness and encourage strategic alliances between domestic and foreign entities.

In September 1998, the National Assembly passed the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, which became effective in April 1999 and has subsequently been amended numerous times. In principle, most currency and capital transactions, including, among others, the following transactions, have been liberalized:

 

   

the investment in real property located overseas by Korean companies and financial institutions;

 

   

the establishment of overseas branches and subsidiaries by Korean companies and financial institutions;

 

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the investment by non-residents in deposits and trust products having more than one year maturities; and

 

   

the issuance of debentures by non-residents in the Korean market.

To minimize the adverse effects from further opening of the Korean capital markets, the Ministry of Economy and Finance is authorized to introduce a variable deposit requirement system to restrict the influx of short-term speculative funds.

The Government has also embarked on a second set of liberalization initiatives starting in January 2001, under which ceilings on international payments for Korean residents have been eliminated, including overseas travel expenses, overseas inheritance remittances and emigration expenses. Overseas deposits, trusts, acquisitions of foreign securities and other foreign capital transactions made by residents and the making of deposits in Korean currency by non-residents have also been liberalized. In line with the foregoing liberalization, measures will also be adopted to curb illegal foreign exchange transactions and to stabilize the foreign exchange market.

Effective as of January 1, 2006, the Government liberalized the regulations governing “capital transactions”. The regulations provide that no regulatory approvals are required for any capital transactions. The capital transactions previously subject to approval requirements are now subject only to reporting requirements.

In January 2010, the Financial Supervisory Services released FX Derivative Transactions Risk Management Guideline to prevent over-hedging of foreign exchange risk by corporate investors. According to the guideline as amended in October 2023, if a corporate investor, other than a financial institution or a public enterprise, wishes to enter into a currency forward, currency option, foreign exchange swap or currency swap agreement with a bank, the bank is required to verify whether the corporate investor’s assets, liabilities or contracts face foreign exchange risks that could be mitigated by a currency forward, currency option, foreign exchange swap or currency swap agreement. In addition, the bank is required to ensure that the corporate investor’s risk hedge ratio, which is the ratio of the aggregate notional amount to the aggregate amount of risk, does not exceed 100%.

 

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Foreign Exchange

The following table shows the exchange rate between the Won and the U.S. Dollar (in Won per U.S. Dollar) as announced by the Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd. as of the dates indicated:

 

     Won/U.S. Dollar
Exchange Rate
 

December 31, 2019

     1,157.8  

January 31, 2020

     1,183.5  

February 28, 2020

     1,215.9  

March 31, 2020

     1,222.6  

April 29, 2020

     1,225.2  

May 29, 2020

     1,239.4  

June 30, 2020

     1,200.7  

July 31, 2020

     1,191.4  

August 31, 2020

     1,185.1  

September 29, 2020

     1,173.5  

October 30, 2020

     1,133.4  

November 30, 2020

     1,104.4  

December 31, 2020

     1,088.0  

January 29, 2021

     1,114.6  

February 26, 2021

     1,108.4  

March 31, 2021

     1,133.5  

April 30, 2021

     1,119.4  

May 31, 2021

     1,116.0  

June 30, 2021

     1,130.0  

July 30, 2021

     1,147.4  

August 31, 2021

     1,164.4  

September 30, 2021

     1,184.9  

October 29, 2021

     1,171.7  

November 30, 2021

     1,193.4  

December 31, 2021

     1,185.5  

January 28, 2022

     1,202.4  

February 28, 2022

     1,202.7  

March 31, 2022

     1,210.8  

April 29, 2022

     1,269.4  

May 31, 2022

     1,245.8  

June 30, 2022

     1,299.4  

July 29, 2022

     1,304.0  

August 31, 2022

     1,347.5  

September 30, 2022

     1,434.8  

October 31, 2022

     1,419.3  

November 30, 2022

     1,331.5  

December 30, 2022

     1,267.3  

January 31, 2023

     1,228.7  

February 28, 2023

     1,317.4  

March 31, 2023

     1,303.8  

April 28, 2023

     1,339.9  

May 31, 2023

     1,322.2  

June 30, 2023

     1,312.8  

July 31, 2023

     1,280.0  

August 31, 2023

     1,321.4  

September 27, 2023

     1,344.8  

October 31, 2023

     1,352.8  

November 30, 2023

     1,289.0  

December 29, 2023

     1,289.4  

January 31, 2024

     1,330.6  

February 29, 2024

     1,334.0  

March 29, 2024

     1,346.8  

April 30, 2024

     1,378.1  

May 31, 2024

     1,376.5  

 

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During the period from January 2, 2008 through April 16, 2009, the value of the Won relative to the U.S. dollar declined by approximately 29.9%, due primarily to adverse economic conditions resulting from liquidity and credit concerns and volatility in the global credit and financial markets and repatriations by foreign investors of their investments in the Korean stock market. The exchange rate between the Won and the U.S. Dollar has fluctuated since then. In recent years, the value of the Won relative to the U.S. dollar fluctuated significantly, due primarily to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the ensuing sanctions against Russia, the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East following the Israel-Hamas war and the widening difference in policy rates between the United States and the Republic, among others. The market average exchange rate was Won 1,390.1 to US$1.00 on June 27, 2024.

Balance of Payments and Foreign Trade

Balance of Payments

Balance of payments figures measure the relative flow of goods, services and capital into and out of the country as represented in the current balance and the capital balance. The current balance tracks a country’s trade in goods and services and transfer payments and measures whether a country is living within its income from trading and investments. The capital balance covers all transactions involving the transfer of capital into and out of the country, including loans and investments. The overall balance represents the sum of the current and capital balances. An overall balance surplus indicates a net inflow of foreign currencies, thereby increasing demand for and strengthening the local currency. An overall balance deficit indicates a net outflow of foreign currencies, thereby decreasing demand for and weakening the local currency. The financial account mirrors the overall balance. If the overall balance is positive, the surplus, which represents the nation’s savings, finances the overall deficit of the country’s trading partners. Accordingly, the financial account will indicate cash outflows equal to the overall surplus. If, however, the overall balance is negative, the nation has an international deficit which must be financed. Accordingly, the financial account will indicate cash inflows equal to the overall deficit.

The following table sets out certain information with respect to the Republic’s balance of payments:

Balance of Payments(1)

 

Classification

   2019     2020     2021     2022(4)     2023(4)  
                                
     (millions of dollars)  

Current Account

     59,676.1       75,902.2       85,228.2       25,828.6       35,488.2  

Goods

     79,812.1       80,604.8       75,730.9       15,620.0       34,092.4  

Exports(2)

     556,667.9       517,909.3       649,475.2       694,324.1       645,048.1  

Imports(2)

     476,855.8       437,304.5       573,744.3       678,704.1       610,955.7  

Services

     (26,845.3     (14,670.1     (5,286.7     (7,253.1     (25,660.0

Income

     12,856.0       13,486.9       19,444.9       20,347.1       31,605.3  

Current Transfers

     (6,146.7     (3,519.4     (4,660.9     (2,885.4     (4,549.5

Capital and Financial Account

     58,857.6       80,996.4       78,335.3       27,063.2       32,435.2  

Capital Account

     (169.3     (386.3     (155.3     0.7       42.3  

Financial Account(3)

     59,026.9       81,382.7       78,490.6       27,062.5       32,392.9  

Net Errors and Omissions

     (479.9     5,866.8       (6,582.3     1,233.2       (3,137.6

 

(1)

Figures are prepared based on the sixth edition of the Balance of Payment Manual published by International Monetary Fund in December 2010 and implemented by the Government in December 2013. In December 2018, The Bank of Korea revised the Republic’s balance of payments information to capture new economic activities and reflect the changes in raw data.

(2)

These entries are derived from trade statistics and are valued on a free on board basis, meaning that the insurance and freight costs are not included.

(3)

Includes borrowings from the IMF, syndicated bank loans and short-term borrowings.

(4)

Preliminary.

Source:

The Bank of Korea

 

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Based on preliminary data, the current account surplus in 2022 decreased to US$25.8 billion from the current account surplus of US$85.2 billion in 2021, primarily due to a decrease in surplus from the goods account, the effect of which was offset in part by a decrease in deficit from the current transfers account and an increase in surplus from the income account. Based on preliminary data, the current account surplus in 2023 increased to US$35.5 billion in 2023 from the current account surplus of US$25.8 billion in 2022, primarily due to an increase in surplus from the goods account, as well as an increase in surplus from the income account, the effects of which were offset in part by an increase in deficit from the services account. Based on preliminary data, the Republic recorded a current account surplus of US$16.8 billion in the first quarter of 2024, which represented a change from the current account deficit of US$6.0 billion in the corresponding period of 2023, primarily due to a change from a deficit to a surplus from the goods account and a decrease in deficit from services account, the effects of which were offset in part by a decrease in surplus from the income account.

Foreign Direct Investment

Since 1960, the Government has adopted a broad range of related laws, administrative rules and regulations that provide a framework for the conduct and regulation of foreign investment activities. In September 1998, the Government promulgated the Foreign Investment Promotion Act, or the FIPA, which replaced previous foreign direct investment related laws, rules and regulations, to promote inbound foreign investments by providing incentives to, and facilitating investment activities in the Republic by, foreign nationals. The FIPA prescribes, among others, procedural requirements for inbound foreign investments, incentives for foreign investments such as tax reductions, and requirements relating to designation and development of foreign investment target regions. The Government believes that providing a stable and receptive environment for foreign direct investment will accelerate the inflow of foreign capital, technology and management techniques.

The following table sets forth information regarding annual foreign direct investment in the Republic for the periods indicated.

Foreign Direct Investment

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023(2)  
                                    
     (billions of dollars)  

Contracted and Reported Investment

              

Greenfield Investment(1)

     15.9        14.5        18.1        22.3        23.5  

Merger & Acquisition

     7.4        6.2        11.4        8.1        9.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     23.3        20.7        29.5        30.4        32.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Actual Investment

     13.4        11.4        18.6        18.2        18.8  

 

(1)

Includes building new factories and operational facilities.

(2)

Preliminary.

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

In 2022, the contracted and reported amount of foreign direct investment in the Republic increased to US$30.4 billion from US$29.5 billion in 2021, primarily due to an increase in foreign investment in the manufacturing sector to US$12.5 billion in 2022 from US$5.0 billion in 2021.

Based on preliminary data, in 2023, the contracted and reported amount of foreign direct investment in the Republic increased to US$32.7 billion from US$30.4 billion in 2022, primarily due to an increase in foreign investment in the services sector to US$17.8 billion in 2023 from US$16.6 billion in 2022.

 

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The following table sets forth information regarding the source of foreign direct investment by region and country for the periods indicated:

Foreign Direct Investment by Region and Country

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  
                                    
     (billions of dollars)  

North America

              

U.S.A.

     6.8        5.3        5.3        8.7        6.1  

Others

     1.7        3.5        1.6        5.8        6.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     8.6      8.8      6.9      14.5      12.6  

Asia

              

Japan

     1.4        0.8        1.2        1.5        1.3  

Hong Kong

     1.9        1.1        0.6        0.4        1.2  

Singapore

     1.3        2.3        4.2        3.2        2.7  

China

     1.0        2.0        1.9        1.5        1.6  

Others

     1.0        0.4        1.2        0.5        1.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     6.6      6.6      9.1      7.1      8.6  

Europe

              

Netherlands

     1.7        0.6        1.0        4.9        1.1  

England

     2.1        0.7        0.8        0.6        3.6  

Germany

     0.4        0.5        2.8        0.5        0.2  

France

     0.1        0.2        0.2        0.2        1.2  

Others

     3.1        2.8        8.0        1.9        3.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     7.4        4.8        12.8        8.1        9.8  

Other regions and countries

     0.7        0.5        0.7        0.8        1.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     23.3        20.7        29.5        30.4        32.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Trade Balance

Trade balance figures measure the difference between a country’s exports and imports. If exports exceed imports the country has a trade balance surplus while if imports exceed exports the country has a deficit. A deficit, indicating that a country’s receipts from abroad fall short of its payments to foreigners, must be financed, rendering the country a debtor nation. A surplus, indicating that a country’s receipts exceed its payments to foreigners, allows the country to finance its trading partners’ net deficit to the extent of the surplus, rendering the country a creditor nation.

The following table summarizes the Republic’s trade balance for the periods indicated:

Trade Balance

 

     Exports(1)      As % of
GDP(2)
     Imports(1)      As % of
GDP(2)
     Balance of
Trade
    Exports as %
of Imports
 
                                          
     (billions of dollars, except percentages)  

2019

     542.2        31.0%        503.3        28.7%        38.9       107.7  

2020

     512.5        29.4%        467.6        26.8%        44.9       109.6  

2021

     644.4        33.2%        615.1        31.7%        29.3       104.8  

2022

     683.6        38.0%        731.4        40.7%        (47.8     93.5  

2023(3)

     632.4        34.4%        642.6        34.9%        (10.2     98.4  

 

(1)

These entries are derived from customs clearance statistics on a C.I.F. basis, meaning that the price of goods includes insurance and freight cost.

 

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(2)

At current market prices.

(3)

Preliminary.

Source: The Bank of Korea; Korea Customs Service

The Republic, due to its lack of natural resources, relies on extensive trading activity for growth. The country meets virtually all domestic requirements for petroleum, wood and rubber with imports, as well as much of its coal and iron needs. Exports consistently represent a high percentage of GDP and, accordingly, the international economic environment is of crucial importance to the Republic’s economy. See “—The Economy—Worldwide Economic and Financial Difficulties”.

The following tables give information regarding the Republic’s exports and imports by major commodity groups:

Exports by Major Commodity Groups (C.I.F.)(1)

 

    2019     As % of
2019
Total
    2020     As % of
2020
Total
    2021     As % of
2021
Total
    2022     As % of
2022
Total
    2023(2)     As % of
2023
Total(2)
 
                                                             
    (billions of dollars, except percentages)  

Foods & Consumer Goods

    8.2       1.5       8.6       1.7       9.8       1.5       10.4       1.5       10.8       1.7  

Raw Materials and Fuels

    48.8       9.0       32.1       6.3       51.4       8.0       75.1       11.0       62.7       9.9  

Petroleum & Derivatives

    41.3       7.6       24.7       4.8       38.8       6.0       63.3       9.3       52.4       8.3  

Others

    7.5       1.4       7.4       1.4       12.6       2.0       11.8       1.7       10.3       1.6  

Light Industrial Products

    34.2       6.3       32.4       6.3       35.3       5.5       35.2       5.1       33.4       5.3  

Heavy & Chemical Industrial Products

    451.0       83.2       439.3       85.7       547.9       85.0       563.0       82.4       525.5       83.1  

Electronic & Electronic Products

    171.4       31.6       178.5       34.8       221.8       34.4       224.2       32.8       181.1       28.6  

Chemicals & Chemical Products

    67.4       12.4       66.6       13.0       91.9       14.3       98.0       14.3       86.5       13.7  

Metal Goods

    44.1       8.1       39.6       7.7       52.6       8.2       55.3       8.1       49.8       7.9  

Machinery & Precision Equipment

    67.6       12.5       63.4       12.4       70.9       11.0       70.9       10.4       72.6       11.5  

Transport Equipment

    87.7       16.2       77.6       15.1       94.2       14.6       98.4       14.4       118.3       18.7  

Passenger Cars

    40.5       7.5       35.6       6.9       44.3       6.9       51.7       7.6       68.3       10.8  

Ship & Boat

    19.5       3.6       19.2       3.7       22.4       3.5       17.6       2.6       20.9       3.3  

Others

    27.7       5.1       22.8       4.4       27.5       4.3       29.2       4.3       29.1       4.6  

Others

    12.7       2.3       13.6       2.7       16.6       2.6       16.1       2.4       17.2       2.7  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    542.2       100.0       512.5       100.0       644.4       100.0       683.6       100.0       632.4       100.0  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

These entries are derived from customs clearance statistics. C.I.F. means that the price of goods includes insurance and freight costs.

(2)

Preliminary.

Source: The Bank of Korea; Korea Customs Service

 

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Imports by Major Commodity Groups (C.I.F.)(1)

 

     2019      As % of
2019
Total
     2020      As % of
2020
Total
     2021      As % of
2021
Total
     2022      As % of
2022
Total
     2023(2)      As % of
2023
Total(2)
 
                                                                       
     (billions of dollars, except percentages)                

Industrial Materials and Fuels

     254.0        50.5        206.3        44.1        302.6        49.2        393.8        53.8        328.4        51.1  

Crude Petroleum

     70.3        14.0        44.5        9.5        67.0        10.9        106.0        14.5        86.2        13.4  

Mineral

     21.7        4.3        21.4        4.6        33.3        5.4        31.3        4.3        27.1        4.2  

Chemicals

     47.0        9.3        46.4        9.9        60.4        9.8        70.2        9.6        64.8        10.1  

Iron & Steel Products

     19.8        3.9        15.2        3.3        22.2        3.6        22.7        3.1        21.3        3.3  

Non-ferrous Metal

     12.0        2.4        11.7        2.5        18.4        3.0        19.5        2.7        15.9        2.5  

Others

     83.2        16.5        67.1        14.3        101.3        16.5        144.1        19.7        113.1        17.6  

Capital Goods

     164.9        32.8        177.1        37.9        212.8        34.6        228.9        31.3        211.4        32.9  

Machinery & Precision Equipment

     50.7        10.1        57.9        12.4        70.0        11.4        68.6        9.4        66.1        10.3  

Electric & Electronic Machines

     100.4        20.0        105.1        22.5        127.6        20.7        144.8        19.8        129.3        20.1  

Transport Equipment

     11.6        2.3        11.9        2.5        13.0        2.1        13.2        1.8        13.7        2.1  

Others

     2.1        0.4        2.3        0.5        2.2        0.4        2.3        0.3        2.3        0.4  

Consumer Goods

     84.5        16.8        84.2        18.0        99.6        16.2        108.7        14.9        102.7        16.0  

Cereals

     6.9        1.4        7.1        1.5        8.9        1.4        11.3        1.5        9.8        1.5  

Goods for Direct Consumption

     22.2        4.4        22.3        4.8        25.7        4.2        29.0        4.0        27.5        4.3  

Consumer Durable Goods

     34.5        6.9        34.9        7.5        42.2        6.9        42.8        5.9        40.7        6.3  

Consumer Nondurable Goods

     20.9        4.2        20.0        4.3        22.8        3.7        25.6        3.5        24.7        3.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     503.3        100.0        467.6        100.0        615.1        100.0        731.4        100.0        642.6        100.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

These entries are derived from customs clearance statistics. C.I.F. means that the price of goods includes insurance and freight costs.

(2)

Preliminary.

Source: The Bank of Korea; Korea Customs Service

In 2019, the Republic recorded a trade surplus of US$38.9 billion. Exports decreased by 10.4% to US$542.2 billion in 2019 from US$604.9 billion in 2018, primarily due to a significant decrease in semiconductor prices. Imports decreased by 6.0% to US$503.3 billion in 2019 from US$535.2 billion in 2018, primarily due to a decrease in oil prices, which also led to decreased unit prices of other major raw materials.

In 2020, the Republic recorded a trade surplus of US$44.9 billion. Exports decreased by 5.5% to US$512.5 billion in 2020 from US$542.2 billion in 2019, primarily due to a slowdown of the global economy resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Imports decreased by 7.1% to US$467.6 billion in 2020 from US$503.3 billion in 2019, primarily due to a decrease in oil prices, which also led to decreased unit prices of other major raw materials, as well as decreased domestic consumption, which were mainly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, the Republic recorded a trade surplus of US$29.3 billion. Exports increased by 25.7% to US$644.4 billion in 2021 from US$512.5 billion in 2020, primarily due to a recovery of the global economy from the COVID-19 pandemic. Imports increased by 31.5% to US$615.1 billion in 2021 from US$467.6 billion in 2020, primarily due to an increase in domestic consumption as well as an increase in oil prices, which also led to increased unit prices of other major raw materials.

 

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In 2022, the Republic recorded a trade deficit of US$47.8 billion. Exports increased by 6.1% to US$683.6 billion in 2022 from US$644.4 billion in 2021, primarily due to an improvement in the domestic economic conditions of the Republic’s major trading partners. Imports increased by 18.9% to US$731.4 billion in 2022 from US$615.1 billion in 2021, primarily due to an increase in energy and commodity prices, which also led to increased unit prices of other major raw materials.

Based on preliminary data, in 2023, the Republic recorded a trade deficit of US$10.2 billion. Exports decreased by 7.5% to US$632.4 billion in 2023 from US$683.6 billion in 2022, primarily due to a deterioration in the domestic economic conditions of the Republic’s major trading partners and a downturn in the semiconductor industry. Imports decreased by 12.1% to US$642.6 billion in 2023 from US$731.4 billion in 2022, primarily due to a decrease in energy and commodity prices, which also led to decreased unit prices of other major raw materials.

Based on preliminary data, the Republic recorded a trade surplus of US$9.0 billion in the first quarter of 2024. Exports increased by 8.3% to US$163.8 billion in the first quarter of 2024 from US$151.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2023, primarily due to an improvement in the domestic economic conditions of the Republic’s major trading partners. Imports decreased by 11.1% to US$154.7 billion in the first quarter of 2024 from US$174.0 billion in the corresponding period of 2023, primarily due to a decrease in oil prices, which also led to decreased unit prices of other major raw materials.

The following table sets forth the Republic’s exports trading partners:

Exports

 

    2019     As % of
2019
Total
    2020     As % of
2020
Total
    2021     As % of
2021
Total
    2022     As % of
2022
Total
    2023(1)     As % of
2023
Total(1)
 
                                                             
    (millions of dollars, except percentages)  

China

    136,202.5       25.1       132,565.4       25.9       162,913.0       25.3       155,789.4       22.8       124,817.7       19.7  

United States

    73,343.9       13.5       74,115.8       14.5       95,902.0       14.9       109,765.7       16.1       115,696.3       18.3  

Japan

    28,420.2       5.2       25,097.7       4.9       30,061.8       4.7       30,606.3       4.5       29,000.6       4.6  

Hong Kong

    31,912.9       5.9       30,653.8       6.0       37,467.1       5.8       27,651.2       4.0       25,193.6       4.0  

Singapore

    12,768.0       2.4       9,828.4       1.9       14,148.5       2.2       20,205.4       3.0       18,752.0       3.0  

Vietnam

    48,177.7       8.9       48,510.6       9.5       56,728.5       8.8       60,963.7       8.9       53,479.5       8.5  

Taiwan

    15,666.3       2.9       16,465.4       3.2       24,285.3       3.8       26,198.2       3.8       20,178.8       3.2  

India

    15,096.3       2.8       11,937.3       2.3       15,603.3       2.4       18,870.1       2.8       17,949.6       2.8  

Indonesia

    7,650.1       1.4       6,312.9       1.2       8,550.3       1.3       10,215.9       1.5       9,140.2       1.4  

Mexico

    10,927.0       2.0       8,241.0       1.6       11,290.2       1.8       12,654.2       1.9       12,222.0       1.9  

Australia

    7,890.6       1.5       6,188.5       1.2       9,750.5       1.5       18,753.0       2.7       17,791.4       2.8  

Germany

    8,685.7       1.6       9,576.1       1.9       11,109.9       1.7       10,067.7       1.5       10,317.1       1.6  

Others(2)

    145,491.4       26.8       133,005.1       26.0       166,590.0       25.9       181,844.0       26.6       177,687.0       28.1  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    542,232.6       100.0       512,498.0       100.0       644,400.4       100.0       683,584.8       100.0       632,225.8       100.0  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Preliminary.

(2)

Includes more than 200 countries and regions.

Source: The Bank of Korea; Korea Customs Service

 

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The following table sets forth the Republic’s imports trading partners:

Imports

 

    2019     As % of
2019
Total
    2020     As % of
2020
Total
    2021     As % of
2021
Total
    2022     As % of
2022
Total
    2023(1)     As % of
2023
Total(1)
 
                                                             
    (millions of dollars, except percentages)  

China

    107,228.7       21.3       108,884.6       23.3       138,628.1       22.5       154,576.3       21.1       142,857.3       22.2  

Japan

    47,580.9       9.5       46,023.0       9.8       54,642.2       8.9       54,711.8       7.5       47,656.5       7.4  

United States

    61,878.6       12.3       57,492.2       12.3       73,213.4       11.9       81,784.7       11.2       71,272.0       11.1  

Saudi Arabia

    21,840.6       4.3       15,979.6       3.4       24,271.3       3.9       41,640.3       5.7       32,762.5       5.1  

Qatar

    13,036.6       2.6       7,562.1       1.6       11,611.1       1.9       16,567.2       2.3       14,998.9       2.3  

Australia

    20,608.2       4.1       18,707.1       4.0       32,918.0       5.4       44,929.4       6.1       32,823.0       5.1  

Germany

    19,936.9       4.0       20,680.9       4.4       21,996.3       3.6       23,614.9       3.2       23,611.2       3.7  

Kuwait

    10,771.1       2.1       5,827.9       1.2       8,253.9       1.3       12,401.9       1.7       9,659.0       1.5  

Taiwan

    15,717.7       3.1       17,837.0       3.8       23,485.8       3.8       28,274.6       3.9       24,370.6       3.8  

United Arab Emirates

    8,991.1       1.8       5,692.7       1.2       7,318.7       1.2       15,492.8       2.1       16,422.8       2.6  

Indonesia

    8,819.8       1.8       7,594.7       1.6       10,725.1       1.7       15,734.9       2.2       12,145.9       1.9  

Malaysia

    9,279.9       1.8       8,892.6       1.9       10,456.2       1.7       15,249.1       2.1       15,237.1       2.4  

Others(2)

    157,652.8       31.3       146,458.4       31.3       197,573.3       32.1       226,391.8       31.0       198,755.3       30.9  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    503,342.9       100.0       467,632.8       100.0       615,093.4       100.0       731,369.7       100.0       642,572.1       100.0  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Preliminary.

(2)

Includes more than 200 countries and regions.

Source: The Bank of Korea; Korea Customs Service

In recent years, the value of the Won relative to the U.S. dollar and Japanese Yen has fluctuated widely, in particular due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the ensuing sanctions against Russia, the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East following the Israel-Hamas war and the widening difference in policy rates between the United States and the Republic, among others. See “—The Economy—Worldwide Economic and Financial Difficulties”. An appreciation of the Won against the U.S. dollar and Japanese Yen increases the Won value of the Republic’s export sales and diminishes the price-competitiveness of export goods in foreign markets in U.S. dollar and Japanese Yen terms, respectively. However, it also decreases the cost of imported raw materials in Won terms and the cost in Won of servicing the Republic’s U.S. dollar and Japanese Yen denominated debt. In general, when the Won appreciates, export dependent sectors of the Korean economy, including automobiles, electronics and shipbuilding, suffer from the resulting pressure on the price-competitiveness of export goods, which may lead to reduced profit margins and loss in market share, more than offsetting a decrease in the cost of imported raw materials. If the export dependent sectors of the Korean economy suffer reduced profit margins or a net loss, it could result in a material adverse effect on the Korean economy.

Since the Government announced its plans to pursue free trade agreements, or FTAs, in 2003, the Republic has entered into FTAs with key trading partners. The Republic has had bilateral FTAs in effect with Chile since 2004, Singapore since 2006, India since 2010, Peru since 2011, the United States since 2012, Turkey since 2013, Australia since 2014, Canada, China, New Zealand and Vietnam since 2015, Colombia since July 2016, the United Kingdom since January 2021, Israel and Cambodia since December 2022 and Indonesia since January 2023. The Republic is currently in negotiations with a number of other key trading partners. In addition, the Republic has had regional FTAs in effect with the European Free Trade Association since 2006, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations since 2009, the European Union since 2011, with each of Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua since 2021 and with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership since 2022, and is currently negotiating additional regional FTAs. The Republic and Turkey have completed revisions to their bilateral FTA, which became effective in August 2018. The Republic and the United States have also completed revisions to their bilateral FTA, which became effective in January 2019.

 

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Non-Commodities Trade Balance

The Republic had non-commodities trade deficits of US$20.1 billion in 2019 and US$4.7 billion in 2020, and non-commodities trade surpluses of US$9.5 billion in 2021 and US$10.2 billion in 2022. Based on preliminary data, the Republic had a non-commodities trade surplus of US$1.4 billion in 2023.

Foreign Currency Reserves

The foreign currency reserves are external assets that are readily available to and controlled by monetary authorities for meeting balance of payments financing needs and for other related purposes. The following table shows the Republic’s total official foreign currency reserves:

Total Official Reserves

 

     December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  
                                    
     (millions of dollars)  

Gold

   $ 4,794.8      $ 4,794.8      $ 4,794.8      $ 4,794.8      $ 4,794.8  

Foreign Exchange(1)

     397,876.1        430,117.2        438,319.2        399,043.1        395,643.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Gold and Foreign Exchange

     402,670.9        434,912.0        443,114.0        403,837.9        400,438.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reserve Position at IMF

     2,792.9        4,815.3        4,634.9        4,489.5        4,627.8  

Special Drawing Rights

     3,352.4        3,370.8        15,369.5        14,836.3        15,082.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Official Reserves

   $ 408,816.1      $ 443,098.1      $ 463,118.4      $ 423,163.7      $ 420,147.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

More than 95% of the Republic’s foreign currency reserves are comprised of convertible foreign currencies.

Source: The Bank of Korea; International Monetary Fund

The Government’s foreign currency reserves increased to US$262.2 billion as of December 31, 2007 from US$8.9 billion as of December 31, 1997, primarily due to continued balance of trade surpluses and capital inflows. In 2008, the Government’s foreign currency reserves decreased, falling to US$201.2 billion as of December 31, 2008, partially as a result of the Government’s use of the foreign currency reserve to provide foreign currency liquidity to Korean financial institutions. The Government’s foreign currency reserves increased to US$408.8 billion as of December 31, 2019, US$443.1 billion as of December 31, 2020 and US$463.1 billion as of December 31, 2021, primarily due to continued trade surpluses and capital inflows. The Government’s foreign currency reserves decreased to US$423.2 billion as of December 31, 2022 and US$420.1 billion as of December 31, 2023, however, primarily in relation to the depreciation of the Won against the U.S. dollar. The amount of the Government’s foreign currency reserve was US$412.8 billion as of May 31, 2024.

Government Finance

The Ministry of Economy and Finance prepares the Government budget and administers the Government’s finances.

The Government’s fiscal year commences on January 1. The Government must submit the budget, which is drafted by the Minister of Economy and Finance and approved by the President of the Republic, to the National Assembly not later than 90 days prior to the start of the fiscal year and may submit supplementary budgets revising the original budget at any time during the fiscal year.

2022 budgeted revenues increased by 14.8% to W517.7 trillion from W450.9 trillion in 2021, led by an increase in budgeted tax revenues (including taxes on income, profits and capital gains as well as taxes on goods and services). 2022 budgeted expenditures and net lending increased by 8.6% to W571.8 trillion from W526.3 trillion in 2021, led by increases in budgeted expenditures on recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic (including support for small businesses) and revitalization of the economy. The 2022 budget anticipated a W54.1 trillion budget deficit.

 

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2023 budgeted revenues increased by 13.7% to W588.6 trillion from W517.7 trillion in 2022, led by an increase in budgeted tax revenues (including taxes on income, profits and capital gains). 2023 budgeted expenditures and net lending increased by 5.2% to W601.6 trillion from W571.8 trillion in 2022, led by increases in budgeted expenditures on revitalization of the economy. The 2023 budget anticipated a W13.1 trillion budget deficit.

2024 budgeted revenues decreased by 2.6% to W573.3 trillion from W588.6 trillion in 2023, led by a decrease in budgeted tax revenues (including taxes on income, profits and capital gains). 2024 budgeted expenditures and net lending increased by 2.7% to W617.7 trillion from W601.6 trillion in 2023, led by increases in budgeted expenditures on revitalization of the economy. The 2024 budget anticipated a W44.4 trillion budget deficit.

Beginning in March 2020, the National Assembly approved a series of supplementary budgets as part of the Government’s efforts to mitigate adverse effects on the Korean economy resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. See “—The Economy—Worldwide Economic and Financial Difficulties”. These supplementary budgets, which amounted to W66.8 trillion in 2020, W49.8 trillion in 2021 and W78.9 trillion in 2022, have been some of the largest of their kind drawn up in response to an outbreak of an infectious disease in Korea. The supplementary budgets have been funded through the issuance of treasury bonds by the Government, The Bank of Korea’s unappropriated surplus and other surplus funds available to the Government, among others.

Any significant increase in additional spending measures may lead to a budget deficit for 2024, which could result in a deterioration in the Government’s fiscal position and an increase in borrowings.

 

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The following table shows consolidated Government revenues and expenditures:

Consolidated Central Government Revenues and Expenditures

 

    Actual     Budget  
    2019     2020     2021     2022     2023(1)     2022     2023     2024(1)  
                                                 
    (billions of Won)  

Total Revenues

    443,853       446,628       537,619       588,332       543,586       517,701       588,577       573,261  

Current Revenues

    441,148       443,694       534,999       585,325       539,887       514,696       584,672       569,507  

Total Tax Revenues

    363,005       360,129       422,182       479,384       432,989       424,050       486,573       459,643  

Taxes on income, profits and capital gains

    155,736       148,622       184,509       232,319       196,253       180,740       236,860       203,425  

Social security contributions

    69,550       74,583       78,104       83,444       88,918       80,666       86,116       92,329  

Tax on property

    15,474       22,735       31,392       27,696       25,311       28,047       27,815       24,149  

Taxes on goods and services

    98,614       91,047       99,840       105,828       97,008       106,738       107,760       110,503  

Taxes on international trade and transaction

    7,882       7,059       8,227       10,324       7,288       8,735       10,724       8,907  

Other tax

    15,748       16,084       20,110       19,773       18,211       19,124       17,299       20,330  

Non-Tax Revenues

    78,143       83,565       112,818       105,941       106,898       90,646       98,099       109,864  

Operating surpluses of departmental enterprise sales and property income

    29,345       33,571       56,664       47,459       42,537       34,628       36,492       41,432  

Administration fees & charges and non-industrial sales

    10,181       9,929       10,865       11,434       12,428       11,402       12,470       13,357  

Fines and forfeits

    22,554       23,583       26,993       28,276       29,752       25,501       27,816       30,829  

Contributions to government employee pension fund

    13,523       13,876       14,918       16,348       18,149       16,633       18,480       20,322  

Current revenue of non-financial public enterprises

    2,540       2,606       3,378       2,425       4,032       2,483       2,842       3,925  

Capital Revenues

    2,705       2,934       2,620       3,007       3,700       3,006       3,905       3,754  

Total Expenditures and Net Lending

    455,850       517,781       568,113       652,902       580,354       571,814       601,629       617,664  

Total Expenditures

    436,698       489,966       538,034       622,997       559,707       546,446       584,587       593,643  

Current Expenditures

    387,100       455,098       502,191       585,593       523,270       506,262       545,493       553,669  

Expenditure on goods and service

    60,196       79,460       88,144       89,759       90,389       94,814       94,966       98,053  

Interest payment

    13,837       14,452       15,431       18,481       22,362       17,928       21,726       24,968  

Subsidies and other current transfers

    309,575       357,295       395,826       473,661       405,733       389,599       424,353       425,078  

Current expenditure of non-financial public enterprises

    3,492       3,891       2,790       3,692       4,785       3,922       4,449       5,570  

Capital Expenditures

    49,598       34,868       35,842       37,404       36,437       40,184       39,094       39,974  

Net Lending

    19,152       27,815       30,079       29,905       20,647       25,369       17,042       24,021  

 

(1)

Preliminary.

Source: Ministry of Economy and Finance; The Bank of Korea; Korea National Statistical Office

The consolidated Government account consists of a General Account, Special Accounts (including a non-financial public enterprise special account) and Public Funds. The Government segregates the accounts of certain functions of the Government into Special Accounts and Public Funds for more effective administration and fiscal control. The Special Accounts and Public Funds relate to business type activities, such as economic development, road and railway construction and maintenance, monopolies, and communications developments and the administration of loans received from official international financial organizations and foreign governments.

 

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Revenues derive mainly from national taxes and non-tax revenues. Taxes in Korea can be roughly classified into the following types:

 

   

income tax and capital gains tax,

 

   

property tax,

 

   

value-added tax,

 

   

customs duty tax, and

 

   

other taxes.

Income tax and capital gains tax are imposed on income derived from labor, business operation and ownership of assets and profits derived from capital appreciation. Income tax and capital gains tax, depending on the type of taxpayer, can be further classified into corporate income tax and individual income tax. Property tax is imposed on exchange or ownership of property and includes inheritance tax and gift tax. Value-added tax is imposed on value added to goods and services. Customs duty tax is imposed on imported goods. Other taxes include tax on certain securities transactions and a stamp tax for certain documents.

Expenditures include general administration, national defense, community service, education, health, social security, certain annuities and pensions and local finance, which involves the transfer of tax revenues to local governments.

For 2019, the Republic recorded total revenues of W443.9 trillion and total expenditures and net lending of W455.9 trillion. The Republic had a fiscal deficit of W12.0 trillion in 2019.

For 2020, the Republic recorded total revenues of W446.6 trillion and total expenditures and net lending of W517.8 trillion. The Republic had a fiscal deficit of W71.2 trillion in 2020.

For 2021, the Republic recorded total revenues of W537.6 trillion and total expenditures and net lending of W568.1 trillion. The Republic had a fiscal deficit of W30.5 trillion in 2021.

For 2022, the Republic recorded total revenues of W588.3 trillion and total expenditures and net lending of W652.9 trillion. The Republic had a fiscal deficit of W64.6 trillion in 2022.

Based on preliminary data, the Republic recorded total revenues of W543.6 trillion and total expenditures and net lending of W580.4 trillion in 2023. The Republic had a fiscal deficit of W36.8 trillion in 2023.

Debt

The Government estimates that the total outstanding debt of the Government (including guarantees by the Government) as of December 31, 2022 amounted to approximately W1,044.0 trillion, an increase of 9.9% over the previous year.

The Government estimates that the total outstanding debt of the Government (including guarantees by the Government) as of December 31, 2023 amounted to approximately W1,102.1 trillion, an increase of 5.6% over the previous year.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance administers the national debt of the Republic.

 

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External and Internal Debt of the Government

The following table sets out, by currency and the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars, the estimated outstanding direct external debt of the Government as of December 31, 2023:

Direct External Debt of the Government

 

     Amount in
Original
Currency
     Equivalent
Amount in
U.S. Dollars(1)
 
               
     (millions)  

US$

     US$ 6,025.0      US$ 6,025.0  

Euro (EUR)

     EUR 2,150.0        2,378.8  
     

 

 

 

Total

      US$ 8,403.8  
     

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts expressed in currencies other than US$ are converted to US$ at the arbitrage rate announced by the Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd. in effect on December 29, 2023.

The following table summarizes, as of December 31 of the years indicated, the outstanding direct internal debt of the Republic:

Direct Internal Debt of the Government

 

     (billions of Won)  

2019

     690,524.1  

2020

     808,941.0  

2021

     927,865.2  

2022

     1,021,574.4  

2023

     1,080,844.4  

The following table sets out all guarantees by the Government of indebtedness of others:

Guarantees by the Government

 

     December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  
                                    
     (billions of Won)  

Domestic

     14,760.0        12,490.0        10,930.0        10,620.0        10,460.0  

External(1)

     —         —         —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     14,760.0        12,490.0        10,930.0        10,620.0        10,460.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Converted to Won at foreign exchange banks’ telegraphed transfer selling rates to customers or the market average exchange rates in effect on December 31 of each year.

For further information on the outstanding indebtedness, including guarantees, of the Republic, see “—Tables and Supplementary Information”.

 

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External Liabilities

The following tables set out certain information regarding the Republic’s external liabilities calculated under the criteria based on the sixth edition of the Balance of Payment Manual published by the International Monetary Fund in December 2010 and implemented by the Government in December 2013. Under BPM6, in particular, prepayments received in connection with the construction of ships are excluded from the external liabilities.

 

     December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023(1)  
                                    
     (billions of dollars)  

Long-term Liabilities

     335.3        390.6        465.6        498.8        527.4  

General Government

     91.2        119.4        144.4        156.1        170.8  

Monetary Authorities

     14.4        15.0        35.9        25.1        22.5  

Banks

     104.4        112.2        128.1        146.5        147.6  

Other Sectors

     125.2        144.0        157.2        171.1        186.5  

Short-term Liabilities

     135.5        160.1        165.1        166.5        136.2  

General Government

     1.6        2.1        1.6        1.2        1.6  

Monetary Authorities

     10.9        10.8        9.7        4.7        3.9  

Banks

     102.0        122.0        124.3        129.2        101.9  

Other Sectors

     21.0        25.2        29.6        31.3        28.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total External Liabilities

     470.7        550.6        630.7        665.2        663.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Preliminary.

Commitments to Assume Treasury Obligations

The Government may, if deemed necessary for recovery from disasters and calamities, make commitments to assume treasury obligations to the extent resolved by the National Assembly each fiscal year. In such cases, such commitments shall be executed in accordance with the procedures for spending reserve funds within general accounts. As of September 8, 2023, such commitments assumed by the Government amounted to W0.2 trillion.

Debt Record

The Government has always paid when due the full amount of principal of, interest on, and amortization of sinking fund requirements of, all of its indebtedness.

 

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Tables and Supplementary Information

A. External Debt of the Government

(1) External Bonds of the Government

 

Series

  Issue Date     Maturity Date     Interest
Rate (%)
    Currency     Original
Principal
Amount
    Principal Amount
Outstanding as of
December 31, 2023
 

2005-001

    November 2, 2005       November 3, 2025       5.625       USD       400,000,000       400,000,000  

2014-001

    June 10, 2014       June 10, 2044       4.125       USD       1,000,000,000       1,000,000,000  

2014-002

    June 10, 2014       June 10, 2024       2.125       EUR       750,000,000       750,000,000  

2017-001

    January 19, 2017       January 19, 2027       2.750       USD       1,000,000,000       1,000,000,000  

2018-001

    September 20, 2018       September 20, 2028       3.500       USD       500,000,000       500,000,000  

2018-002

    September 20, 2018       September 20, 2048       3.875       USD       500,000,000       500,000,000  

2019-001

    June 19, 2019       June 19, 2029       2.500       USD       1,000,000,000       1,000,000,000  

2019-002

    June 19, 2019       June 19, 2024       2.000       USD       500,000,000       500,000,000  

2020-001

    September 16, 2020       September 16, 2030       1.000       USD       625,000,000       625,000,000  

2020-002

    September 16, 2020       September 16, 2025       0.000       EUR       700,000,000       700,000,000  

2021-001

    October 15, 2021       October 15, 2026       0.000       EUR       700,000,000       700,000,000  

2021-002

    October 15, 2021       October 15, 2031       1.750       USD       500,000,000       500,000,000  
           

 

 

 

Total External Bonds in Original Currencies

 

  USD 6,025,000,000  
  EUR 2,150,000,000  
 

 

 

 

Total External Bonds in Equivalent Amount of Won(1)

 

  W 10,835,803,500,000  
 

 

 

 

 

(1)

U.S. dollar amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of US$1.00 to W1,289.4, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd. Euro amounts are converted to Won amounts at the rate of EUR 1.00 to W1,426.6, the market average exchange rate in effect on December 29, 2023, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

(2) External Borrowings of the Government

None.

B. External Guaranteed Debt of the Government

None.

 

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C. Internal Debt of the Government

 

Title

   Range of
Interest Rates
     Range of
Years of Issue
     Range of Years
of Original
Maturity
     Principal
Amounts
Outstanding as
of December 31,
2023
 
     (%)                    (billions of Won)  

1. Bonds

           

Interest-Bearing Treasury Bond for Treasury Bond Management Fund

     0.750-5.750        2006-2023        2024-2072        998,003.4  

Interest-Bearing Treasury Bond for National Housing I

     1.00-2.00        2019-2023        2024-2029        81,624.2  

Interest-Bearing Treasury Bond for National Housing II

     0.0-3.0        2014-2020        2024-2030        2.4  

Interest-Bearing Treasury Bond for National Housing III

     —         —         —         0  

Non-interest-Bearing Treasury Bond for Contribution to International Organizations(1)

     0        1968-1985        —         9.4  
           

 

 

 

Total Bonds

              1,079,639.4  
           

 

 

 

2. Borrowings

           

Borrowings from The Bank of Korea

     —         —         —         0  

Borrowings from the Sports Promotion Fund

     1.870-3.665        2022-2023        2024-2025        960.0  

Borrowings from The Korea Foundation Fund

     —         —         —         0  

Borrowings from the Labor Welfare Promotion Fund

     3.665-3.975      2023      2024      50.0  

Borrowings from Korea Technology Finance Corporation

     3.135-3.585        2022        2024        195.0  

Borrowings from the Credit Guarantee Fund for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Suppliers

     —         —         —         0  

Borrowings from the Government Employees’ Pension Fund

     —         —         —         0  

Borrowings from the Film Industry Development Fund

     —         —         —         0  

Borrowings from the Korea Credit Guarantee Fund

     —         —         —         0  

Borrowings from the Housing Finance Credit Guarantee Fund

     —         —         —         0  

Borrowings from the Korea Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Fund

     —         —         —         0  
           

 

 

 

Total Borrowings

              1,205.0  
           

 

 

 

Total Internal Funded Debt

              1,080,844.4  
           

 

 

 

 

(1)

Interest Rates and Years of Original Maturity not applicable.

 

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D. Internal Guaranteed Debt of the Government

 

Title

   Range of
Interest Rates
     Range of
Years of Issue
     Range of Years
of Original
Maturity
     Principal
Amounts
Outstanding as
of December 31, 2023
 
     (%)                    (billions of Won)  

1. Bonds of Government-Affiliated Corporations

           

Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation

     —         —         —         0  

Korea Student Aid Foundation

     1.07-5.48        2011-2023        2024-2043        9,980.0  

Key Industry Stabilization Fund

     1.08-2.19        2020-2021        2024-2025        480.0  
           

 

 

 

Total Internal Guaranteed Debt

              10,460.0  

E. Others

Commitments to Assume Treasury Obligations

The Government may, if deemed necessary for recovery from disasters and calamities, make commitments to assume treasury obligations to the extent resolved by the National Assembly each fiscal year. In such cases, such commitments shall be executed in accordance with the procedures for spending reserve funds within general accounts. As of September 8, 2023, such commitments assumed by the Government amounted to W0.2 trillion.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES

Description of Debt Securities

We will issue debt securities under a fiscal agency agreement or agreements. The description below summarizes the material provisions of the debt securities and the fiscal agency agreement. Since it is only a summary, the description may not contain all of the information that may be important to you as a potential investor in the debt securities. Therefore, we urge you to read the form of fiscal agency agreement and the form of global debt security before deciding whether to invest in the debt securities. We have filed a copy of these documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. You should refer to such exhibits for more complete information.

The financial terms and other specific terms of your debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to your debt securities. The description in the prospectus supplement will supplement this description or, to the extent inconsistent with this description, replace it.

We will appoint a fiscal agent or agents in connection with debt securities whose duties will be governed by the fiscal agency agreement. We may replace the fiscal agent or appoint different fiscal agents for different series of debt securities.

General Terms of the Debt Securities

We may issue debt securities in separate series at various times. The Republic may irrevocably guarantee the payment of principal of, and interest on, one or more series of debt securities. The prospectus supplement that relates to your debt securities will specify some or all of the following terms:

 

   

the aggregate principal amount;

 

   

the currency of denomination and payment;

 

   

any limitation on principal amount and authorized denominations;

 

   

the percentage of their principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued;

 

   

the maturity date or dates;

 

   

the interest rate for the debt securities and, if variable, the method by which the interest rate will be calculated;

 

   

whether any amount payable in respect of the debt securities will be determined based on an index or formula, and how any such amount will be determined;

 

   

the dates from which interest, if any, will accrue for payment of interest and the record dates for any such interest payments;

 

   

where and how we will pay principal and interest;

 

   

whether and in what circumstances the debt securities may be redeemed before maturity;

 

   

any sinking fund or similar provision;

 

   

whether any part or all of the debt securities will be in the form of a global security and the circumstances in which a global security is exchangeable for certificated securities;

 

   

if issued in certificated form, whether the debt securities will be in bearer form with interest coupons, if any, or in registered form without interest coupons, or both forms, and any restrictions on exchanges from one form to the other;

 

   

whether any of the terms set out herein will differ for the debt securities;

 

   

whether the Republic will irrevocably guarantee the payment of principal of, and interest on, the debt securities; and

 

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other specific provisions.

Depending on the terms of the debt securities we issue, the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities may also describe applicable U.S. federal income tax and other considerations additional to the disclosure in this prospectus.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will maintain at an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, a register for the registration of transfers of debt securities issued in registered form.

Payments of Principal, Premium and Interest

On every payment date specified in the relevant prospectus supplement, we will pay the principal, premium and/or interest due on that date to the registered holder of the relevant debt security at the close of business on the related record date. We will make all payments at the place and in the currency set out in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the relevant prospectus supplement or the debt securities, we will make payments in U.S. dollars at the New York office of the fiscal agent or, outside the United States, at the office of any paying agent. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or debt securities, we will pay interest by check, payable to the registered holder.

We will make any payments on debt securities in bearer form at the offices and agencies of the fiscal agent or any other paying agent outside the United States as we may designate. At the option of the holder of the bearer debt securities, we will make such payments by check or by transfer to an account maintained by the holder with a bank located outside of the United States. We will not make payments on bearer debt securities at the corporate trust office of the fiscal agent in the United States or at any other paying agency in the United States. In addition, we will not make any payment by mail to an address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained by a holder of bearer debt securities with a bank in the United States. Nevertheless, we will make payments on a bearer debt security denominated and payable in U.S. dollars at an office or agency in the United States if:

 

   

payment outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions; and

 

   

the payment is then permitted under United States law, without material adverse consequences to us.

If we issue bearer debt securities, we will designate the offices of at least one paying agent outside the United States as the location for payment.

Repayment of Funds; Prescription

If no one claims money paid by us to the fiscal agent for the payment of principal or interest in respect of any series of debt securities for two years after the payment was due and payable, the fiscal agent or paying agent will repay the money to us. After such repayment, the fiscal agent or paying agent will not be liable with respect to the amounts so repaid, and you may look only to us for any payment under the debt securities.

Under Korean laws concerning prescriptive periods for filing claims, as generally interpreted, you will not be permitted to file a claim against us for payment of principal or interest on any series of debt securities unless you do so within five years, in the case of principal, and three years, in the case of interest, from the date on which payment was due.

Global Securities

The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will indicate whether any of that series of debt securities will be represented by a global security. The prospectus supplement will also describe any unique specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to that series. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, we anticipate that the following provisions will apply to depositary arrangements.

 

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Registered Ownership of the Global Security

The global security will be registered in the name of a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement, or its nominee, and will be deposited with the depositary, its nominee or a custodian. The depositary, or its nominee, will therefore be considered the sole owner or holder of debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the fiscal agency agreement. Except as specified below or in the applicable prospectus supplement, beneficial owners:

 

   

will not be entitled to have any of the debt securities represented by the global security registered in their names;

 

   

will not receive physical delivery of any debt securities in definitive form;

 

   

will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities;

 

   

must rely on the procedures of the depositary and, if applicable, any participants (institutions that have accounts with the depositary or a nominee of the depositary, such as securities brokers and dealers) to exercise any rights of a holder; and

 

   

will receive payments of principal and interest from the depositary or its participants rather than directly from us.

We understand that, under existing industry practice, the depositary and participants will allow beneficial owners to take all actions required of, and exercise all rights granted to, the registered holders of the debt securities.

We will register debt securities in the name of a person other than the depositary or its nominee only if:

 

   

the depositary for a series of debt securities is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary; or

 

   

we determine, in our sole discretion, not to have a series of debt securities represented by a global security.

In either such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security will be entitled to registration of a principal amount of debt securities equal to its beneficial interest in its name and to physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive form.

Beneficial Interests in and Payments on a Global Security

Only participants, and persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants, can own a beneficial interest in the global security. The depositary keeps records of the ownership and transfer of beneficial interests in the global security by its participants. In turn, participants keep records of the ownership and transfer of beneficial interests in the global security by other persons (such as their customers). No other records of the ownership and transfer of beneficial interests in the global security will be kept.

All payments on a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee. When the depositary receives payment of principal or interest on the global security, we expect the depositary to credit its participants’ accounts with amounts that correspond to their respective beneficial interests in the global security. We also expect that, after the participants’ accounts are credited, the participants will credit the accounts of the owners of beneficial interests in the global security with amounts that correspond to the owners’ respective beneficial interests in the global security.

The depositary and its participants establish policies and procedures governing payments, transfers, exchanges and other important matters that affect owners of beneficial interests in a global security. The depositary and its participants may change these policies and procedures from time to time. We have no responsibility or liability for the records of ownership of beneficial interests in the global security, or for payments made or not made to owners of such

 

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beneficial interests. We also have no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the relationship between the depositary and its participants or for any aspect of the relationship between participants and owners of beneficial interests in the global security.

Bearer Securities

We may issue debt securities in a series in the form of one or more bearer global debt securities deposited with a common depositary for the Euroclear and Clearstream, or with a nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The specific terms and procedures, including the specific terms of the depositary arrangement, with respect to any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Additional Amounts

We will make all payments of principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on the debt securities, without withholding or deducting any present or future taxes imposed by the Republic or any of its political subdivisions, unless required by law. If Korean law requires us to deduct or withhold taxes, we will pay additional amounts as necessary to ensure that you receive the same amount as you would have received without such withholding or deduction.

We will not pay, however, any additional amounts if you are liable for Korean tax because:

 

   

you are connected with the Republic other than by merely owning the debt security or receiving income or payments on the debt security;

 

   

you failed to complete and submit a declaration of your status as a non-resident of the Republic after we or the relevant tax authority requested you to do so; or

 

   

you failed to present your debt security for payment within 30 days of when the payment is due or, if the fiscal agent did not receive the money prior to the due date, the date notice is given to holders that the fiscal agent has received the full amount due to holders. Nevertheless, we will pay additional amounts to the extent you would have been entitled to such amounts had you presented your debt security for payment on the last day of the 30-day period.

We will not pay any additional amounts for taxes on the debt securities except for taxes payable through deduction or withholding from payments of principal, premium or interest. Examples of the types of taxes for which we will not pay additional amounts include the following: estate or inheritance taxes, gift taxes, sales or transfer taxes, personal property or related taxes, assessments or other governmental charges. We will pay stamp or other similar taxes that may be imposed by the Republic, the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority in one of those two countries on the fiscal agency agreement or be payable in connection with the issuance of the debt securities.

Status of Debt Securities

The debt securities will:

 

   

constitute our direct, unconditional, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations; and

 

   

rank without any preference among themselves and equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. It is understood that this provision shall not be construed so as to require us to make payments under the debt securities ratably with payments being made under our any other debt securities.

 

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Negative Pledge Covenant

If any debt securities are outstanding, we will not create or permit any security interests on our assets as security for any of our Long-Term External Indebtedness or guarantees issued by us, unless the security interest also secures our obligations under the debt securities. “Long-Term External Indebtedness” means any obligation for the payment or repayment of money borrowed that is denominated in a currency other than the currency of the Republic and which has a final maturity of one year or more from its date of issuance.

We may, however, create or permit a security interest:

 

   

in favor of the Government or The Bank of Korea or any other agency or instrumentality of or controlled by the Government;

 

   

arising from, or any deposit or other arrangement made or entered into in connection with, the sale, assignment or other disposition or the discounting of any of our notes or receivables, or any other transaction in the ordinary course of our business; or

 

   

on any asset (or documents of title to such asset) incurred when the asset was purchased or improved to secure payment of the cost of the activity.

Events of Default

Each of the following constitutes an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities:

 

  1.

Non-Payment: we do not pay principal or interest or premium or deposit any sinking fund payment on any debt securities of the series when due and such failure to pay continues for 30 days.

 

  2.

Breach of Other Obligations: we fail to observe or perform any of the covenants in the series of debt securities (other than non-payment) for 60 days after written notice of the default is delivered to us at the corporate trust office of the fiscal agent in New York City by holders representing at least 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series.

 

  3.

Cross Default and Cross Acceleration:

 

   

we default on any External Indebtedness, and, as a result, becomes obligated to pay an amount equal to or greater than US$10,000,000 in aggregate principal amount prior to its due date; or

 

   

we fail to pay when due, including any grace period, any of our External Indebtedness in aggregate principal amount equal to or greater than US$10,000,000 or we fail to pay when requested and required by the terms thereof any guarantee for External Indebtedness of another person equal to or greater than US$10,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, except in any such case where such External Indebtedness or guarantee is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

 

  4.

Moratorium/Default:

 

   

we declare a general moratorium on the payment of our External Indebtedness, including obligations under guarantees;

 

   

the Republic declares a general moratorium on the payment of its External Indebtedness, including obligations under guarantees;

 

   

the Republic becomes liable to repay prior to maturity any amount of External Indebtedness, including obligations under guarantees, as a result of a default under such External Indebtedness or obligations; or

 

   

the international monetary reserves of the Republic become subject to a security interest or segregation or other preferential arrangement for the benefit of any creditors.

 

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  5.

Bankruptcy:

 

   

we are declared bankrupt or insolvent by any court or administrative agency with jurisdiction over us;

 

   

we pass a resolution to apply for bankruptcy or to request the appointment of a receiver or trustee or similar official in insolvency;

 

   

a substantial part of our assets are liquidated;

 

   

we are wound up or dissolved; or

 

   

we cease to conduct the banking business.

 

  6.

Failure of Support: the Republic fails to provide financial support for us as required under Article 37 of the KEXIM Act as of the date of the debt securities of such series.

 

  7.

Control of Assets: the Republic ceases to control us (directly or indirectly).

 

  8.

IMF Membership/World Bank Membership: the Republic ceases to be a member in good standing of the IMF or the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank).

For purposes of the foregoing, “External Indebtedness” means any obligation for the payment or repayment of money borrowed that is denominated in a currency other than the currency of the Republic.

If an event of default occurs, any holder may declare the principal amount of debt securities that it holds to be immediately due and payable by written notice to us and the fiscal agent.

You should note that:

 

   

despite the procedure described above, no debt securities may be declared due and payable if we cure the applicable event of default before we receive the written notice from the debt security holder;

 

   

we are not required to provide periodic evidence of the absence of defaults; and

 

   

the fiscal agency agreement does not require us to notify holders of the debt securities of an event of default or grant any debt security holder a right to examine the security register.

Modifications and Amendments; Debt Securityholders’ Meetings

Each holder of a series of debt securities must consent to any amendment or modification of the terms of that series of debt securities or the fiscal agency agreement that would, among other things:

 

   

change the stated maturity of the principal of the debt securities or any installment of interest;

 

   

reduce the principal amount of such series of debt securities or the portion of the principal amount payable upon acceleration of such debt securities;

 

   

change the debt security’s interest rate or premium payable;

 

   

change the currency of payment of principal, interest or premium;

 

   

amend either the procedures provided for a redemption event or the definition of a redemption event;

 

   

shorten the period during which we are not allowed to redeem the debt securities or grant us a right to redeem the debt securities which we previously did not have; or

 

   

reduce the percentage of the outstanding principal amount needed to modify or amend the fiscal agency agreement or the terms of such series of debt securities.

We may, with the exception of the above changes, with the consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% in principal amount of the debt securities of a series that are outstanding, modify and amend other terms of that series of debt securities.

 

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The fiscal agency agreement and a series of debt securities may be modified or amended, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, to:

 

   

add covenants made by us that benefit holders of the debt securities;

 

   

surrender any right or power given to us;

 

   

secure the debt securities;

 

   

permit registered securities to be exchanged for bearer securities or relax or eliminate restrictions on the payment of principal, premium or interest on bearer securities to the extent permitted under United States Department of Treasury regulations, provided that holders of the debt securities do not suffer any adverse tax consequences as a result; and

 

   

cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any defective provision in the fiscal agency agreement or the debt securities, without materially and adversely affecting the interests of the holders of the debt securities.

Fiscal Agent

The fiscal agency agreement governs the duties of each fiscal agent. We may maintain bank accounts and a banking relationship with each fiscal agent. The fiscal agent is our agent and does not act as a trustee for the holders of the debt securities.

Further Issues of Debt Securities

We may, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, create and issue additional debt securities with the same terms and conditions as any series of debt securities (or that are the same except for the amount of the first interest payment and for the interest paid on the series of debt securities prior to the issuance of the additional debt securities); provided that if any such additional debt securities are not fungible with the outstanding series of debt securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, they will be issued under a separate CUSIP or other identifying number. We may consolidate such additional debt securities with the outstanding debt securities to form a single series.

Description of Warrants

The description below summarizes some of the provisions of warrants for the purchase of debt securities that we may issue from time to time and of the warrant agreement. Copies of the forms of warrants and the warrant agreement are or will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Since it is only a summary, the description may not contain all of the information that is important to you as a potential investor in the warrants.

The description of the warrants that will be contained in the prospectus supplement will supplement this description and, to the extent inconsistent with this description, replace it.

General Terms of the Warrants

Each series of warrants will be issued under a warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The prospectus supplement relating to the series of warrants will describe:

 

   

the terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, as described above under “Description of the Securities—Description of Debt Securities—General Terms of the Debt Securities”;

 

   

the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the exercise price;

 

   

the procedures and conditions for the exercise of the warrants;

 

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the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants begins and expires;

 

   

whether and under what conditions the warrants may be terminated or canceled by us;

 

   

whether and under what conditions the warrants and any debt securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable;

 

   

whether the warrants will be issued in bearer or registered form;

 

   

whether the warrants will be exchangeable between registered and bearer form, and, if issued in registered form, where they may be transferred and registered; and

 

   

other specific provisions.

Terms Applicable to Debt Securities and Warrants

Governing Law

The fiscal agency agreement, any warrant agreement and the debt securities and any warrants will be governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to any principles of New York law requiring the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. Nevertheless, all matters governing our authorization, execution and delivery of the debt securities and the fiscal agency agreement and any warrants and warrant agreement by us will be governed by the laws of the Republic.

Jurisdiction and Consent to Service

We are owned by a foreign sovereign government and all of our board of directors and executive officers and some of the experts named in this prospectus are residents of Korea. In addition, all or most our assets and the assets of the people named in the preceding sentence are located outside of the United States. For that reason, you may have difficultly serving process on us or the individuals described above in the United States or enforcing in a U.S. court a U.S.-court judgment based on the U.S. federal securities laws. Our Korean counsel has informed us that there is doubt regarding the enforceability in Korea, either in original actions or in actions for the enforcement of U.S.-court judgments, of civil liabilities based on the U.S. federal securities laws. The enforcement of U.S.-court judgments against us may be affected or limited by the general principle of good morals and other social order and the general principle of good faith and fairness provided in the Civil Code of Korea. The courts of Korea will recognize as a valid judgment and enforce any judgment obtained in a U.S. court without re-examination of the merits; provided, that (a) such judgment was finally and conclusively given by a court having valid jurisdiction in accordance with the international jurisdiction principles under Korean law and applicable treaties, (b) we were duly served with service of process (otherwise than by publication or similar means) in sufficient time to enable us to prepare our defense in conformity with applicable laws or responded to the action without being served with process, (c) in light of the substance of such judgment and the procedures of litigation, recognition of such judgment is not contrary to the public policy of Korea, and (d) judgments of the courts of Korea are accorded reciprocal treatment in the jurisdiction of the court which had issued such judgment or the requirements for the recognition of a foreign judgment in the jurisdiction of the court which had issued such judgment are neither manifestly inequitable nor substantially different in material respects from the requirements for recognition of a foreign judgment in Korea.

We have appointed the Chief Representative of our New York Representative Office, Ms. Jin Yi, and a Senior Representative of our New York Representative Office, Mr. Seyoung Kim, and each of their successors in the future, as our authorized agents to receive service of process in any suit which a holder of any series of debt securities or warrants may bring in any state or federal court in New York City and we have accepted the jurisdiction of those courts for those actions. Our New York Representative Office is located at 460 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022. These appointments are irrevocable as long as any amounts of principal, premium or interest remain payable by us to the Fiscal Agent under any series of debt securities or any warrants have not expired or otherwise terminated under their terms. If for any reason either of these two men ceases to

 

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act as our authorized agent or ceases to have an address in Manhattan, we shall appoint a replacement. The appointment of agents for receipt of service of process and the acceptance of jurisdiction of state or federal courts in New York City do not, however, apply to actions brought under the United States federal securities laws. We may also be sued in courts having jurisdiction over us located in the Republic.

We will irrevocably consent to any relief and process in connection with a suit against us in relation to the debt securities or warrants, including the enforcement or execution of any order or judgment of the court. To the extent permitted by law, we will waive irrevocably any immunity from jurisdiction to which we might otherwise be entitled in any suit based on any series of debt securities or warrants.

Foreign Exchange Controls

Before we may issue debt securities outside the Republic, the Minister of Economy and Finance of Korea must receive a report with respect to the issuance by us of debt securities having a maturity of more than one year (if the issue amount is more than US$50 million or the equivalent thereof) in accordance with the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act of Korea and the Enforcement Decree and regulations promulgated thereunder. After issuance of debt securities outside the Republic, we are required to notify the Minister of Economy and Finance of such issuance. No further approval or authorization is required for us to pay principal of or interest on the debt securities.

Description of Guarantees

The description below summarizes some of the provisions of the guarantees that the Republic may issue from time to time to guarantee our debt securities. Since it is only a summary, the description may not contain all of the information that is important to you as a potential beneficiary of a guarantee.

The prospectus supplement relating to a guarantee to be issued by the Republic will specify other specific provisions. The description of a guarantee to be issued by the Republic that will be contained in the prospectus supplement will supplement this description and, to the extent inconsistent with this description, replace it.

General Terms of the Guarantees

Each guarantee will be issued by the Republic as guarantor. The prospectus supplement relating to a guarantee will specify:

 

   

the relevant obligor and the obligations guaranteed under the guarantee;

 

   

the nature and scope of the guarantee, including whether or not it is irrevocable and unconditional;

 

   

the status of the guarantee in relation to the Republic’s other obligations;

 

   

the governing law of the guarantee; and

 

   

other relevant provisions of the guarantee.

 

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LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER DEBT SECURITIES AND BEARER WARRANTS

Bearer securities will not be offered, sold or delivered in the United States or its possessions or to a United States person; except in certain circumstances permitted by United States tax regulations. Bearer securities will initially be represented by temporary global securities, without interest coupons, deposited with a common depositary in London for Euroclear and Clearstream for credit to designated accounts. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement:

 

   

each temporary global security will be exchangeable for definitive bearer securities on or after the date that is 40 days after issuance only upon receipt of certification of non-United States beneficial ownership of the temporary global security as provided for in United States tax regulations, provided that no bearer security will be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States in connection with the exchange; and

 

   

any interest payable on any portion of a temporary global security with respect to any interest payment date occurring prior to the issuance of definitive bearer securities will be paid only upon receipt of certification of non-United States beneficial ownership of the temporary global security as provided for in United States tax regulations.

Bearer securities, other than temporary global debt securities, and any related coupons will bear the following legend: “Any United States person who holds this obligation will be subject to limitations under the United States federal income tax laws, including the limitations provided in Section 165(j) and 1287(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.” The sections referred to in the legend provide that, with certain exceptions, a United States person who holds a bearer security or coupon will not be allowed to deduct any loss realized on the disposition of the bearer security, and any gain, which might otherwise be characterized as capital gain, recognized on the disposition will be treated as ordinary income.

For purposes of this section, “United States person” means:

 

   

a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof; or

 

   

an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source.

For purposes of this section, “United States” means the United States of America, including each state and the District of Columbia, its territories, possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

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TAXATION

The following discussion summarizes certain Korean and U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to you if you invest in debt securities. This summary is based on laws, regulations, rulings and decisions in effect as of the date of this prospectus. These laws, regulations, rulings and/or decisions may change; any such change could apply retroactively and could affect the continued validity of this summary.

This summary does not describe all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to you or your situation, particularly if you are subject to special tax rules. You should consult your tax adviser about the tax consequences of holding the debt securities, including the relevance to your particular situation of the considerations discussed below, as well as of state, local or other tax laws.

Korean Taxation

The following summary of Korean tax considerations applies to you so long as you are not:

 

   

a resident of Korea;

 

   

a company having its head office, principal place of business or place of effective management in Korea, or a Korean company; or

 

   

engaging in a trade or business in Korea through a permanent establishment or a fixed base to which the relevant income is attributable or with which the relevant income is effectively connected.

Tax on Interest Payments

Under the Special Tax Treatment Control Law, or the STTCL, when we make payments of interest to you on the debt securities, no amount will be withheld from such payments for, or on account of, taxes of any kind imposed, levied, withheld or assessed by Korea or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein; provided that the debt securities are deemed to be foreign currency denominated bonds issued outside of Korea for the purpose of the STTCL.

Tax on Capital Gains

You will not be subject to any Korean income or withholding taxes in connection with the sale, exchange or other disposition of a debt security, provided that the disposition does not involve a transfer of the debt security to a Korean resident (or the Korean permanent establishment of a non-resident). In addition, the STTCL exempts you from Korean taxation on any capital gains that you earn from the transfer of the debt securities outside of Korea; provided that the offering of the debt securities such as foreign currency-denominated bonds is deemed to be an overseas issuance for the purpose of the STTCL. If you sell or otherwise dispose of debt securities to a Korean resident and such disposition or sale is made within Korea, any gain realized on the transaction will be taxable at ordinary Korean withholding tax rates at the lower of 22% (including local income surtax) of net gain (subject to the production of satisfactory evidence of the acquisition costs and certain direct transaction costs) or 11% (including local income surtax) of gross sale proceeds with respect to transactions, unless an exemption is available under an applicable income tax treaty. For example, if you are a resident of the United States for the purposes of the income tax treaty currently in force between Korea and the United States, you are generally entitled to an exemption from Korean taxation in respect of any gain realized on a disposition of a debt security, regardless of whether the disposition is to a Korean resident. For more information regarding tax treaties, please refer to the heading “Tax Treaties” below.

With respect to computing the above-mentioned 22% withholding taxes (including local income surtax) on net gain, please note that there is no provision under relevant Korean law for offsetting gains and losses or otherwise aggregating transactions for the purpose of computing the net gain attributable to sales of the debt securities. The purchaser of the debt securities or, in the case of the sale of the debt securities through a securities company in Korea, the securities company through which such sale is effected, is required under Korean law to

 

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withhold the applicable amount of Korean tax and make payment thereof to the relevant Korean tax authority. Unless you, as the seller, can either claim the benefit of an exemption or a reduced rate of tax under an applicable tax treaty or produce satisfactory evidence of your acquisition cost and certain direct transaction costs in relation to the debt securities being sold, the purchaser or the securities company, as applicable, must withhold an amount equal to 11% of the gross sale proceeds. Any withheld tax must be paid no later than the tenth day of the month following the month in which the payment for the purchase of the relevant debt securities occurred. Failure to timely transmit the withheld tax to the Korean tax authorities technically subjects the purchaser or the securities company to penalties under Korean tax laws.

Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax

If you die while domiciled in Korea, Korean inheritance tax will be imposed upon the transfer by succession of any of the debt securities, wherever located, that you own at the time of death. Furthermore, regardless of where you are domiciled when you die, Korean inheritance tax will be imposed upon the transfer by succession of any of the debt securities you own that are located in Korea at the time of death. Similarly, if you give the debt securities as a gift to any other person, the donee will be subject to Korean gift tax, based on where the donee or you are domiciled or where the debt securities are located at the time that you make the gift. The amount, if any, of the applicable inheritance or gift tax imposed in specific cases depends on the value of the debt securities (or other property) and the identities of the parties involved.

Under Korean inheritance and gift tax laws, debt securities issued by Korean companies are deemed to be located in Korea irrespective of where they are physically located or by whom they are owned.

Stamp Duty

You will not be subject to any Korean stamp duty, registration duty or similar documentary tax in respect of or in connection with a transfer of any debt securities or in connection with the exercise of exchange rights or conversion rights that may be acquired with the debt securities.

Guarantees

Based on an administrative interpretation issued in April 2019, we believe any payments of interest on and principal amount of the debt securities (or the issued price if the debt securities were originally issued at a discount) by the Republic under the Republic’s guarantee on the debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and issued by us are not subject to withholding tax, provided that the debt securities are deemed to be foreign currency denominated bonds issued outside of Korea for the purpose of the STTCL. Further details of the tax consequences of the holders of our debt securities guaranteed by the Republic may be provided in the relevant prospectus supplement.

Tax Treaties

At the date of this prospectus, Korea has tax treaties with, among others, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Fiji, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Vietnam under which the rate of withholding tax on interest and dividends is reduced, generally to between 5% and 16.5%, and the tax on capital gains is often eliminated.

With respect to any gains subject to Korean withholding tax, as described under the heading “Tax on Capital Gains” above, you should inquire for yourself whether you are entitled to the benefit of a tax treaty with Korea. It will be your responsibility to claim the benefits of any tax treaty that may exist between your country and Korea in respect of capital gains, and to provide to the purchaser of the debt securities, or the relevant securities

 

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company through which the transfer of the debt securities is effected, as applicable, a certificate as to your country of tax residence. In the absence of sufficient proof, the purchaser, or the relevant securities company, as the case may be, must withhold tax at normal rates.

In addition, subject to certain exceptions, in order to receive the benefit of a tax exemption available under any applicable tax treaty, you may also be required to submit to the payer of such Korean source income an application for tax exemption under a tax treaty, together with documents evidencing that you are a beneficial owner of such Korean source income, or the Beneficial Owner Evidencing Documents, which include, in principle, a certificate as to your country of tax residence. In the event (a) a party claiming the benefits of a tax treaty is a non-Korean corporation (excluding the instance where the payment is received by an overseas investment vehicle as described below) and (b) the total amount of tax applicable for the tax exemption under the tax treaty is W1 billion or more (including the instance where the total amount of tax previously exempted by the tax treaty is W1 billion or more for the past one year from the last day of the month in which the payment of such Korean source income is made), then such corporation will be required to submit (a) the names and addresses of the members of the board of directors, (b) the personal details of shareholders and the status of their current equity holdings and (c) the audit reports submitted to the country of its tax residence for the immediately preceding three years to the payer of such Korean source income, in addition to the certificate of tax residency, as part of the Beneficial Owner Evidencing Documents. Subject to certain exceptions, Korean tax laws also require an overseas investment vehicle, or an OIV, (which is defined as an organization established in a foreign jurisdiction that manages funds collected through investment solicitation by way of acquiring, disposing or otherwise investing in proprietary targets and then distributes the outcome of such management to investors) to obtain the application for tax exemption from the beneficial owners together with the Beneficial Owner Evidencing Documents of the beneficial owner and submit a report of OIV to the payer, together with a detailed statement on the beneficial owner of the income and the obtained application for exemption and the Beneficial Owner Evidencing Documents from the beneficial owner. The payer of such Korean source income, in turn, will be required to submit such exemption application to the relevant district tax office in Korea by the ninth day of the month following the date of the first payment of such income. Even if the beneficial owner was unable to receive the benefit of a tax exemption due to his or her failure to timely submit such application, the beneficial owner may still receive the tax treaty benefits by claiming a tax refund with evidentiary documents to the relevant tax office within five years from the eleventh day of the month following the month during which the payment of such income occurred. Furthermore, the Corporation Income Tax Law, or the CITL, and Individual Income Tax Law, or the IITL, require the beneficial owner to submit an application for entitlement to a preferential tax rate together with evidence of tax residence (including a certificate of tax residence of the beneficial owner issued by a competent authority of the country of tax residence of the beneficial owner) to a withholding obligor paying Korean source income in order to benefit from the available reduced tax rate pursuant to the relevant tax treaty. Subject to certain exceptions, the CITL and IITL also require an OIV to obtain the application for entitlement to a preferential tax rate together with evidence of tax residence (including a certificate of tax residence of the beneficial owner issued by a competent authority of the country of tax residence of the beneficial owner) from the beneficial owners and submit a report of OIV to the withholding obligor, together with a detailed statement on the beneficial owner of the income.

Due to recent amendment to the Korean tax laws, OIVs may be regarded as beneficial owners of Korean sourced income in certain situations. Pursuant to such amendment, OIVs may be treated as beneficial owners of Korean sourced income if one of the following conditions are met: (i) the OIV is subject to taxation in the jurisdiction in which it has been established and is eligible for non-taxation, tax exemption or reduced tax rates under the relevant tax treaty on its Korean sourced income; (ii) the OIV is treated as the beneficial owner to its Korean sourced income under the relevant tax treaty and is eligible for non-taxation, tax exemption or reduced tax rates under the relevant tax treaty on its Korean sourced income; or (iii) the OIV is unable to confirm its list of beneficial owners investing in the OIV (if only a portion of the beneficial owners are confirmed, applies with respect to the remaining unconfirmed list of beneficial owners). OIVs that are not regarded as foreign “corporations” for purposes of the Korean tax law may be recognized as beneficial owners if one of the above conditions (ii) or (iii) are met. Further, OIVs that meet condition (iii) would be subject to the default statutory

 

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withholding tax rate under the Korean tax laws and the treaty withholding rates under relevant tax treaties would not apply even though the OIVs are deemed to be beneficial owners to Korean source income.

At present, Korea has not entered into any tax treaties regarding inheritance or gift tax.

United States Tax Considerations

The following discussion summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to you if you invest in debt securities and are a U.S. holder. You will be a U.S. holder if you are the beneficial owner of a debt security and you are an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a U.S. domestic corporation, or any other person that is subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of its investment in a debt security. This summary deals only with U.S. holders that hold debt securities as capital assets for tax purposes. This summary does not apply to you if you are an investor that is subject to special tax rules, such as:

 

   

a bank or thrift;

 

   

a real estate investment trust;

 

   

a regulated investment company;

 

   

an insurance company;

 

   

a dealer in securities or currencies;

 

   

a trader in securities or commodities that elects mark-to-market treatment;

 

   

a person that will hold debt securities as a hedge against currency risk or as a position in a straddle or conversion transaction for tax purposes or as a part of a “synthetic security” or other integrated financial transaction;

 

   

an entity taxed as a partnership or a partner therein;

 

   

a tax exempt organization;

 

   

U.S. expatriates;

 

   

nonresident alien individuals present in the United States for more than 182 days in a taxable year; or

 

   

a United States person whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar.

This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations promulgated thereunder, and published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.

Any special U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to a particular issuance of debt securities will be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement. This discussion does not address U.S. state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences, the Medicare tax on certain investment income, special timing rules prescribed under section 451(b) of the Code or any alternative minimum tax.

This summary deals only with debt securities that are properly treated as indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This summary does not discuss tax considerations relevant to the ownership and disposal of bearer securities. You should consult your tax adviser about the tax consequences of holding debt securities, including the relevance to your particular situation of the considerations discussed below, as well as of state, local or other tax laws.

 

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Payments or Accruals of Interest and Additional Amounts

Payments or accruals of “qualified stated interest” (as defined below) on a debt security, and additional amounts, if any (i.e., without reduction for Korean withholding taxes, determined utilizing the appropriate Korean withholding tax rate applicable to you), but excluding any pre-issuance accrued interest, will be taxable to you as ordinary interest income at the time that you receive or accrue such amounts, in accordance with your regular method of tax accounting. If you use the cash method of tax accounting and you receive payments of interest pursuant to the terms of a debt security in a currency other than U.S. dollars (a “foreign currency”), the amount of interest income you will realize will be the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency payment based on the exchange rate in effect on the date you receive the payment regardless of whether you convert the payment into U.S. dollars. If you are an accrual method holder, the amount of interest income you will realize will be based on the average exchange rate in effect during the interest accrual period or, with respect to an interest accrual period that spans two taxable years, at the average exchange rate for the partial period within the taxable year. Alternatively, as an accrual method holder you may elect to translate all interest income on foreign currency-denominated debt securities at the spot rate on the last day of the accrual period (or the last day of the taxable year, in the case of an accrual period that spans more than one taxable year), or on the date that you receive the interest payment if that date is within five business days of the end of the accrual period. If you make this election you must apply it consistently to all debt instruments from year to year and you cannot change the election without the consent of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS. If you are an accrual method holder, you will recognize foreign currency gain or loss on the receipt of a foreign currency interest payment if the exchange rate in effect on the date the payment is received differs from the rate applicable to a previous accrual of that interest income. Amounts attributable to pre-issuance accrued interest will generally not be includable in income, except to the extent of foreign currency gain or loss attributable to any changes in exchange rates during the period between the date the U.S. Holder acquired the debt security and the first interest payment date. This foreign currency gain or loss will be treated as ordinary income or loss, but generally will not be treated as an adjustment to interest income received on the debt security.

Subject to generally applicable limitations and conditions, Korean interest withholding tax paid at the appropriate rate applicable to the U.S. holder may be eligible for credit against such U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. These generally applicable limitations and conditions include requirements adopted by the IRS in regulations promulgated in December 2021, and any Korean tax will need to satisfy these requirements in order to be eligible to be a creditable tax for a U.S. holder. In the case of a U.S. holder that consistently elects to apply a modified version of these rules under recently issued temporary guidance and complies with specific requirements set forth in such guidance, the Korean tax on interest will be treated as meeting the new requirements and therefore as a creditable tax. In the case of all other U.S. holders, the application of these requirements to the Korean tax on interest is uncertain and we have not determined whether these requirements have been met. If the Korean interest tax is not a creditable tax or you do not elect to claim a foreign tax credit for any foreign income taxes, you may be able to deduct the Korean tax in computing your taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Interest and additional amounts will constitute income from sources without the United States and, if you elect to claim foreign tax credits, generally will constitute “passive category income” for foreign tax credit purposes.

The availability and calculation of foreign tax credits and deductions for foreign taxes depend on a U.S. holder’s particular circumstances and involve the application of complex rules to those circumstances. The temporary guidance discussed above also indicates that the Treasury and the IRS are considering proposing amendments to the December 2021 regulations and that the temporary guidance can be relied upon until additional guidance is issued that withdraws or modifies the temporary guidance. You should consult your tax advisers regarding the application of these rules to your particular situations.

Purchase, Sale and Retirement of Debt Securities

Initially, your tax basis in a debt security generally will equal the cost of the debt security to you. Your basis will increase by any amounts that you are required to include in income under the rules governing original issue

 

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discount and market discount, and will decrease by the amount of any amortized premium and any payments other than qualified stated interest made on the debt security. (The rules for determining these amounts are discussed below.) If you purchase a debt security that is denominated in a foreign currency, the cost to you, and therefore generally your initial tax basis, will be the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency purchase price on the date of purchase calculated at the exchange rate in effect on that date. If the foreign currency-denominated debt security is traded on an established securities market and you use the cash method of tax accounting, or if you are an accrual method holder that makes a special election, then you will determine the U.S. dollar value of the cost of the debt security by translating the amount of the foreign currency that you paid for the debt security at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of your purchase. The amount of any subsequent adjustments to your tax basis in a foreign currency-denominated debt security in respect of original issue discount, market discount and premium will be determined in the manner described below. If you convert U.S. dollars into a foreign currency and then immediately use that foreign currency to purchase a debt security, you generally will not have any taxable gain or loss as a result of the purchase.

When you sell or exchange a debt security, or if a debt security that you hold is retired, you generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount you realize on the transaction, less any accrued qualified stated interest, which will be subject to tax in the manner described above, and your tax basis in the debt security. If you sell or exchange a debt security for a foreign currency, or receive foreign currency on the retirement of a debt security, the amount you will realize for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally will be the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency that you receive calculated at the exchange rate in effect on the date the foreign currency debt security is disposed of or retired. If you dispose of a foreign currency debt security that is traded on an established securities market and you are a cash-basis U.S. holder, or if you are an accrual-basis holder that makes a special election, then you will determine the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized by translating the amount of the foreign currency that you received on the debt security at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of the sale, exchange or retirement.

The special election available for accrual method holders in respect of the purchase and sale of foreign currency debt securities traded on an established securities market, which is discussed in the two preceding paragraphs, must be applied consistently to all debt instruments from year to year and cannot be changed without the consent of the IRS.

Except as discussed below with respect to market discount, short-term debt securities and foreign currency gain or loss, the gain or loss that you recognize on the sale, exchange or retirement of a debt security generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the debt security for more than one year. The Code provides preferential treatment under certain circumstances for net long-term capital gains recognized by individual U.S. holders. The ability of U.S. holders to offset capital losses against ordinary income is limited.

Despite the foregoing, the gain or loss that you recognize on the sale, exchange or retirement of a foreign currency debt security generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss to the extent that the gain or loss is attributable to changes in exchange rates during the period in which you held the debt security. However, any such foreign currency gain or loss (including any foreign currency gain or loss with respect to the receipt of accrued but unpaid interest) will be realized only to the extent of total gain or loss realized on the sale or retirement. This foreign currency gain or loss will not be treated as an adjustment to interest income that you receive on the debt security.

Under the foreign tax credit requirements adopted by the IRS in regulations promulgated in December 2021, a U.S. holder generally will not be entitled to credit any Korean tax imposed on the sale or other disposition of the debt securities against such U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, except in the case of a U.S. holder that consistently elects to apply a modified version of the U.S. foreign tax credit rules that is permitted under recently issued temporary guidance and complies with the specific requirements set forth in such guidance. Additionally, capital gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder on the sale or other disposition of the debt securities generally will be U.S. source gain or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Consequently, even if

 

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the Korean tax qualifies as a creditable tax, a U.S. holder may not be able to credit the tax against its U.S. federal income tax liability unless such credit can be applied (subject to generally applicable conditions and limitations) against tax due on other income treated as derived from foreign sources. If the Korean tax is not a creditable tax, the tax would reduce the amount realized on the sale or other disposition of the debt securities even if the U.S. holder has elected to claim a foreign tax credit for other taxes in the same year. The temporary guidance discussed above also indicates that the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS are considering proposing amendments to the December 2021 regulations and that the temporary guidance can be relied upon until additional guidance is issued that withdraws or modifies the temporary guidance. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the foreign tax credit rules to a sale or other disposition of the debt securities and any Korean tax imposed on such sale or disposition.

Original Issue Discount

If we issue debt securities at a discount from their “stated redemption price at maturity”, and the discount is equal to or more than the product of one-fourth of one percent (0.25%) of the “stated redemption price at maturity” of the debt securities multiplied by the number of whole years to their maturity (the “de minimis threshold”), the debt securities will be “Original Issue Discount Debt Securities.” The difference between the issue price and their “stated redemption price at maturity” will be the “original issue discount.” The “issue price” of the debt securities will be the first price at which a substantial amount of the debt securities are sold to the public (i.e., excluding sales of debt securities to underwriters, placement agents, wholesalers, or similar persons). The “stated redemption price at maturity” will include all payments under the debt securities other than payments of qualified stated interest. The term “qualified stated interest” generally means stated interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or property, other than debt instruments issued by us, at least annually during the entire term of a debt security at a single fixed interest rate or, subject to certain conditions, based on one or more interest indices.

If you invest in Original Issue Discount Debt Securities you generally will be subject to the special tax accounting rules for original issue discount obligations provided by the Code and certain U.S. Treasury regulations, or the OID regulations. You should be aware that, as described in greater detail below, if you invest in an Original Issue Discount Debt Security you generally will be required to include original issue discount in ordinary gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as it accrues, before you may have received the cash attributable to that income.

In general, and regardless of whether you use the cash or the accrual method of tax accounting, if you are the holder of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security with a maturity greater than one year, you will be required to include in ordinary gross income the sum of the “daily portions” of original issue discount on that Original Issue Discount Debt Security for all days during the taxable year that you own the Original Issue Discount Debt Security. The daily portions of original issue discount on an Original Issue Discount Debt Security are determined by allocating to each day in any accrual period a ratable portion of the original issue discount allocable to that period. Accrual periods may be any length and may vary in length over the term of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security, so long as no accrual period is longer than one year and each scheduled payment of principal or interest occurs on the first or last day of an accrual period. If you are the initial holder of the Original Issue Discount Debt Security, the amount of original issue discount on an Original Issue Discount Debt Security allocable to each accrual period is determined by:

 

  (i)

multiplying the “adjusted issue price” (as defined below) of the Original Issue Discount Debt Security at the beginning of the accrual period by a fraction, the numerator of which is the annual yield to maturity (as defined below) of the Original Issue Discount Debt Security and the denominator of which is the number of accrual periods in a year; and

 

  (ii)

subtracting from that product the amount, if any, payable as qualified stated interest allocable to that accrual period.

 

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In the case of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security that is a floating rate debt security, both the “annual yield to maturity” and the qualified stated interest will be determined for these purposes as though the Original Issue Discount Debt Security had borne interest in all periods at a fixed rate generally equal to the rate that would be applicable to interest payments on the Original Issue Discount Debt Security on its date of issue or, in the case of some floating rate debt securities, the rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the Original Issue Discount Debt Security. Additional rules may apply if interest on a floating rate debt security is based on more than one interest index. The “adjusted issue price” of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security at the beginning of any accrual period will generally be the sum of its issue price, including any accrued interest, and the amount of original issue discount allocable to all prior accrual periods, reduced by the amount of all payments other than any qualified stated interest payments on the Original Issue Discount Debt Security in all prior accrual periods. All payments on an Original Issue Discount Debt Security, other than qualified stated interest, will generally be viewed first as payments of previously accrued original issue discount, to the extent of the previously accrued discount, with payments considered made from the earliest accrual periods first, and then as a payment of principal. The “annual yield to maturity” of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security is the discount rate, appropriately adjusted to reflect the length of accrual periods, that causes the present value on the issue date of all payments on the Original Issue Discount Debt Security to equal the issue price. As a result of this “constant yield” method of including original issue discount income, the amounts you will be required to include in your gross income if you invest in an Original Issue Discount Debt Security denominated in U.S. dollars will generally be lesser in the early years and greater in the later years than amounts that would be includible on a straight-line basis.

You generally may make an irrevocable election to include in income your entire return on a debt security (i.e., the excess of all remaining payments to be received on the debt security, including payments of qualified stated interest, over the amount you paid for the debt security) under the constant yield method described above. For debt securities purchased at a premium or bearing market discount in your hands, if you make this election you will also be deemed to have made the election (discussed below under “—Premium and Market Discount”) to amortize premium or to accrue market discount in income currently on a constant yield basis in respect of all other premium or market discount debt securities that you hold.

In the case of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security that is also a foreign currency-denominated debt security, you should determine the U.S. dollar amount includible as original issue discount for each accrual period by (i) calculating the amount of original issue discount allocable to each accrual period in the foreign currency using the constant yield method, and (ii) translating that foreign currency amount so determined at the average exchange rate in effect during that accrual period (or, with respect to an interest accrual period that spans two taxable years, at the average exchange rate for each partial period). Alternatively, you may translate the foreign currency amount so determined at the spot rate of exchange on the last day of the accrual period (or the last day of the taxable year, for an accrual period that spans two taxable years), or at the spot rate of exchange on the date of receipt, if that date is within five business days of the last day of the accrual period, provided that you have made the election described under the caption “Payments or Accruals of Interest” above. Because exchange rates may fluctuate, if you are the holder of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security that is also a foreign currency debt security you may recognize a different amount of original issue discount income in each accrual period than would be the case if you were the holder of an otherwise similar Original Issue Discount Debt Security denominated in U.S. dollars. Upon the receipt of an amount attributable to original issue discount, whether in connection with a payment of an amount that is not qualified stated interest or the sale or retirement of the Original Issue Discount Debt Security, you will recognize ordinary income or loss measured by the difference between the amount received, translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt or on the date of disposition of the Original Issue Discount Debt Security, as the case may be, and the amount accrued, using the exchange rate applicable to such previous accrual.

If you purchase an Original Issue Discount Debt Security outside of the initial offering at a cost less than its “remaining redemption amount”, or if you purchase an Original Issue Discount Debt Security in the initial offering at a price other than the Original Issue Discount Debt Security’s issue price, you will also generally be required to include in gross income the daily portions of original issue discount, calculated as described above.

 

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However, if you acquire an Original Issue Discount Debt Security at a price greater than its adjusted issue price, you will be required to reduce your periodic inclusions of original issue discount to reflect the premium paid over the adjusted issue price. The remaining redemption amount for an Original Issue Discount Debt Security is the total of all future payments to be made on the debt security other than qualified stated interest.

Floating rate debt securities generally will be treated as “variable rate debt instruments” under the OID regulations. Accordingly, the stated interest on a floating rate debt security generally will be treated as qualified stated interest, and such a debt security will not have original issue discount solely as a result of the fact that it provides for interest at a variable rate. A floating rate debt security that does not qualify as a variable rate debt instrument will be subject to special rules (the “contingent payment regulations”) that govern the tax treatment of debt obligations that provide for contingent payments (“contingent debt obligations”). A detailed description of the tax considerations relevant to U.S. holders of any such debt securities will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Certain Original Issue Discount Debt Securities may be redeemed prior to maturity, either at our option or at the option of the holder, or may have special repayment or interest rate reset features as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Original Issue Discount Debt Securities containing these features may be subject to rules that differ from the general rules discussed above. If you purchase Original Issue Discount Debt Securities with these features, you should carefully examine the applicable prospectus supplement and consult your tax adviser about their treatment since the tax consequences with respect to original issue discount will depend, in part, on the particular terms and features of the Original Issue Discount Debt Securities.

If a debt security provides for a scheduled accrual period that is longer than one year (for example, as a result of a long initial period on a debt security with interest that is generally paid on an annual basis), then stated interest on the debt security will not qualify as “qualified stated interest” under the OID Regulations. As a result, the debt security would be an Original Issue Discount Debt Security. In that event, among other things, if you are a cash-method U.S. holder you will be required to accrue stated interest on the debt security under the rules for original issue discount described above, and regardless of your method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you will be required to accrue original issue discount that would otherwise fall under the de minimis threshold.

Short-Term Debt Securities

The rules described above will also generally apply to Original Issue Discount Debt Securities with maturities of one year or less (“short-term debt securities”), but with some modifications.

First, the original issue discount rules treat none of the interest on a short-term debt security as qualified stated interest, but treat a short-term debt security as having original issue discount. Thus, all short-term debt securities will be Original Issue Discount Debt Securities. Except as noted below, if you are a cash-basis holder of a short-term debt security and you do not identify the short-term debt security as part of a hedging transaction you will generally not be required to accrue original issue discount currently, but you will be required to treat any gain realized on a sale, exchange or retirement of the short-term debt security as ordinary income to the extent such gain does not exceed the original issue discount accrued with respect to the short-term debt security during the period you held the short-term debt security. You may not be allowed to deduct all of the interest paid or accrued on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry a short-term debt security until the maturity of the short-term debt security or its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you are a cash-basis U.S. holder of a short-term debt security you may elect to accrue original issue discount on a current basis, in which case the limitation on the deductibility of interest described above will not apply. A U.S. holder using the accrual method of tax accounting and some cash method holders, including banks, securities dealers, regulated investment companies and certain trust funds, generally will be required to include original issue discount on a short-term debt security in gross income on a current basis. Original issue discount will be treated as accruing for these purposes on a ratable basis or, at the election of the holder, on a constant yield basis based on daily compounding.

 

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Second, regardless of whether you are a cash- or accrual-basis holder, if you are the holder of a short-term debt security you can elect to accrue any “acquisition discount” with respect to the short-term debt security on a current basis. Acquisition discount is the excess of the remaining redemption amount of the short-term debt security at the time of acquisition (i.e., all amounts payable on the short-term debt security) over the purchase price. Acquisition discount will be treated as accruing ratably or, at the election of the holder, under a constant yield method based on daily compounding. If you elect to accrue acquisition discount, the original issue discount rules will not apply.

Finally, the market discount rules described below will not apply to short-term debt securities.

As described above, certain of the debt securities may be subject to special redemption features. These features may affect the determination of whether a debt security has a maturity of one year or less and thus is a short-term debt security. If you purchase debt securities with these features, you should carefully examine the prospectus supplement and consult your tax adviser about these features.

Premium and Market Discount

If you purchase a debt security at a cost greater than the debt security’s remaining redemption amount, you will be considered to have purchased the debt security at a premium, and you may elect to amortize the premium as an offset to interest income, using a constant yield method, over the remaining term of the debt security. If you make this election, it generally will apply to all debt instruments that you hold at the time of the election, as well as any debt instruments that you subsequently acquire. In addition, you may not revoke the election without the consent of the IRS. If you elect to amortize the premium, you will be required to reduce your tax basis in the debt security by the amount of the premium amortized during your holding period. Original Issue Discount Debt Securities purchased at a premium will not be subject to the original issue discount rules described above. In the case of premium on a foreign currency debt security, you should calculate the amortization of the premium in the foreign currency. Amortization deductions attributable to a period reduce interest payments in respect of that period, and therefore are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate that you use for those interest payments. Exchange gain or loss will be realized with respect to amortized premium on a foreign currency debt security based on the difference between the exchange rate computed on the date or dates the premium is amortized against interest payments on the debt security and the exchange rate on the date when the holder acquired the debt security. For a U.S. holder that does not elect to amortize premium, the amount of premium will be included in your tax basis when the debt security matures or is disposed of. Therefore, if you do not elect to amortize premium and you hold the debt security to maturity, you generally will be required to treat the premium as capital loss when the debt security matures.

If you purchase a debt security at a price that is lower than the debt security’s remaining redemption amount, or in the case of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security, the debt security’s adjusted issue price, by 0.25% or more of the remaining redemption amount, or adjusted issue price, multiplied by the number of remaining whole years to maturity, the debt security will be considered to bear “market discount” in your hands. In this case, any gain that you realize on the disposition of the debt security generally will be treated as ordinary interest income to the extent of the market discount that accrued on the debt security during your holding period. In addition, you could be required to defer the deduction of a portion of the interest paid on any indebtedness that you incurred or maintained to purchase or carry the debt security. In general, market discount will be treated as accruing ratably over the term of the debt security, or, at your election, under a constant yield method. You must accrue market discount on a foreign currency debt security in the specified currency. The amount that you will be required to include in income in respect of accrued market discount will be the U.S. dollar value of the accrued amount, generally calculated at the exchange rate in effect on the date that you dispose of the debt security.

You may elect to include market discount in gross income currently as it accrues (on either a ratable or constant yield basis), in lieu of treating a portion of any gain realized on a sale of the debt security as ordinary income. If you elect to include market discount on a current basis, the interest deduction deferral rule described above will not apply. If you do make such an election, it will apply to all market discount debt instruments that

 

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you acquire on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies. The election may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. Any accrued market discount on a foreign currency debt security that is currently includible in income will be translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for the accrual period (or portion thereof within your taxable year).

Warrants

A description of the tax consequences of an investment in warrants will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Guarantees

A description of the tax consequences of an investment in guarantees will be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Indexed Debt Securities and Other Debt Securities Providing for Contingent Payments

The contingent payment regulations generally require accrual of interest income on a constant yield basis in respect of contingent debt obligations at a yield determined at the time of issuance of the obligation, and may require adjustments to these accruals when any contingent payments are made. In addition, special rules may apply to floating rate debt securities if the interest payable on the debt securities is based on more than one interest index. We will provide a detailed description of the tax considerations relevant to U.S. holders of any debt securities that are subject to the special rules discussed in this paragraph in the relevant prospectus supplement.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with debt security payments made to certain United States persons. If you are a United States person, you generally will not be subject to U.S. backup withholding tax on such payments if you provide your taxpayer identification number to the withholding agent. You may also be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax requirements with respect to the proceeds from a sale of the debt securities. If you are not a United States person, in order to avoid information reporting and backup withholding tax requirements you may have to comply with certification procedures to establish that you are not a United States person. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a United States or non-United States person will be allowed as a credit against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets

Certain U.S. holders that own “specified foreign financial assets” with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000 on the last day of the taxable year or $75,000 at any time during the taxable year are generally required to file an information statement along with their tax returns, currently on IRS Form 8938, with respect to such assets. “Specified foreign financial assets” include any financial accounts held at a non-U.S. financial institution, as well as securities issued by a non-U.S. issuer (which would include the debt securities) that are not held in accounts maintained by financial institutions. Higher reporting thresholds apply to certain individuals living abroad and to certain married individuals. Regulations extend this reporting requirement to certain entities that are treated as formed or availed of to hold direct or indirect interests in specified foreign financial assets based on certain objective criteria. U.S. holders who fail to report the required information could be subject to substantial penalties. In addition, the statute of limitations for assessment of tax would be suspended, in whole or part. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the possible application of these rules to your investment in the debt securities, including the application of the rules to your particular circumstances.

 

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Reportable Transactions

A U.S. taxpayer that participates in a “reportable transaction” will be required to disclose its participation to the IRS. Under the relevant rules, if the debt securities are denominated in a foreign currency, a U.S. holder may be required to treat a foreign currency exchange loss from the debt securities as a reportable transaction if this loss exceeds the relevant threshold in the regulations ($50,000 in a single taxable year, if the U.S. holder is an individual or trust, or higher amounts for other non-individual U.S. holders), and to disclose its investment by filing IRS Form 8886 with the IRS. A penalty in the amount of $10,000 in the case of a natural person and $50,000 in all other cases is generally imposed on any taxpayer that fails to timely file an information return with the IRS with respect to a transaction resulting in a loss that is treated as a reportable transaction. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

We or a non-U.S. financial institution through which payments are made may be required pursuant to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, to collect and provide to the IRS or another tax authority substantial information regarding investors in debt securities. As such, holders may be required to provide information and tax documentation regarding their tax identities as well as that of their direct and indirect owners. Moreover, we, any paying agents, and other financial institutions through which payments are made, may be required to withhold U.S. tax at a 30% rate on “foreign passthru payments” (a term not yet defined) paid to an investor who does not provide information sufficient for the institution to determine whether the investor is a United States person or should otherwise be treated as holding a “United States account” of the institution, or to an investor that is, or holds the debt securities directly or indirectly through, a non-U.S. financial institution that is not in compliance with FATCA. Under a grandfathering rule, this withholding tax will not apply unless the debt securities are issued or materially modified after the date that is six months after the date on which final U.S. Treasury Regulations defining the term “foreign passthru payment” are filed with the U.S. Federal Register.

By purchasing the debt securities, U.S. holders agree to provide an IRS form W-9, and whatever other information may be necessary for us to comply with these reporting obligations. If an amount of, or in respect of, U.S. withholding tax were to be deducted or withheld from payments on the debt securities as a result of an investor’s failure to comply with these rules, neither we nor any paying agent nor any other person would be required to pay additional amounts with respect to any debt securities as a result of the deduction or withholding of such tax. You should consult your tax advisors on how FATCA may apply to payments you receive under the debt securities.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We and the Republic, if a guarantee by the Republic is furnished, may sell or issue the debt securities or warrants or guarantees in any of three ways:

 

   

through underwriters or dealers;

 

   

directly to one or more purchasers; or

 

   

through agents.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities or warrants or guarantees will state:

 

   

the names of any underwriters;

 

   

the purchase price of the securities;

 

   

the proceeds to us from the sale;

 

   

any underwriting discounts and other compensation;

 

   

the initial public offering price;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchanges on which the securities will be listed.

Any underwriter involved in the sale of securities will acquire the securities for its own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices to be determined at the time of sale. The securities may be offered to the public either by underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, certain conditions must be satisfied before the underwriters become obligated to purchase securities from us and the Republic, if applicable, and they will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if any are purchased. The underwriters may change any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

If we and the Republic, if a guarantee by the Republic is furnished, sell any securities through agents, the prospectus supplement will identify the agent and indicate any commissions payable by us and the Republic, if applicable. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, all agents will act on a best efforts basis and will not acquire the securities for their own account.

We and the Republic, if a guarantee by the Republic is furnished, may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified entities to purchase the securities from us and the Republic, if applicable, at the public offering price set forth in a prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts. The prospectus supplement will set out the conditions of the delayed delivery contracts and the commission receivable by the agents, underwriters or dealers for soliciting the contracts.

We and the Republic, if a guarantee by the Republic is furnished, may offer debt securities as consideration for the purchase of other of our debt securities, either in connection with a publicly announced tender offer or in privately negotiated transactions. The offer may be in addition to or in lieu of sales of debt securities directly or through underwriters or agents.

Agents and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribution from us with respect to certain payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make. Agents and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services (including commercial and investment banking services) for, us and the Republic in the ordinary course of business.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of any particular series of debt securities or warrants issued with debt securities will be passed upon for us and any underwriters or agents by United States and Korean counsel identified in the related prospectus supplement.

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES IN THE UNITED STATES

Our authorized agents in the United States are Ms. Jin Yi, Chief Representative of our New York Representative Office, and Mr. Seyoung Kim, Senior Representative of our New York Representative Office. The address of our New York Representative Office is 460 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022. The authorized representative of the Republic in the United States is Mr. Munkyu Park, Financial Attaché, Korean Consulate General in New York, located at 460 Park Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10022.

OFFICIAL STATEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS

Our Chairman and President, in his official capacity, has supplied the information set forth under “The Export-Import Bank of Korea” (except for the information set out under “The Export-Import Bank of Korea—Business—Government Support and Supervision”). Such information is stated on his authority.

The Minister of Economy and Finance of The Republic of Korea, in his official capacity, has supplied the information set out under “The Export-Import Bank of Korea—Business—Government Support and Supervision” and “The Republic of Korea.” Such information is stated on his authority. The documents identified in the portion of this prospectus captioned “The Republic of Korea” as the sources of financial or statistical data are official public documents of the Republic or its agencies and instrumentalities.

EXPERTS

The separate financial statements of The Export-Import Bank of Korea as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 have been included in this prospectus in reliance upon the report of KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp., independent auditor, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus includes future expectations, projections or “forward-looking statements”, as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project” and similar words identify forward-looking statements. In addition, all statements other than statements of historical facts included in this prospectus are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove correct. This prospectus discloses important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations (“Cautionary Statements”). All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements.

Factors that could adversely affect the future performance of the Korean economy include:

 

   

the occurrence of severe health epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

hostilities, political or social tensions involving Russia (including the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the ensuing actions that the United States and other countries have taken or may take in the future, such as the imposition of sanctions against Russia) and the resulting adverse effects on the global supply of oil and other natural resources and the global financial markets;

 

   

adverse conditions or developments in the economies of countries and regions that are important export markets for Korea, such as the United States, Europe, Japan and China, or in emerging market economies in Asia or elsewhere, including as a result of the deterioration of economic and trade relations between the United States and China and increased uncertainties in the global financial markets and industry;

 

   

disruptions in the global supply chain for raw materials, natural resources, consumer goods, rare earth minerals, component parts and other supplies, including semiconductors;

 

   

interest rate fluctuations as well as perceived or actual changes in policy rates, or other monetary and fiscal policies set forth, by the U.S. Federal Reserve, Korea and other central banks;

 

   

rising inflationary pressures leading to increases in the costs of goods and services and a decrease in purchasing power;

 

   

adverse changes or volatility in foreign currency reserve levels, commodity prices (including oil prices), exchange rates (including fluctuation of the U.S. dollar, the euro or Japanese yen exchange rates or revaluation of the Chinese Yuan and the depreciation of the Won against such currencies), interest rates, inflation rates or stock markets;

 

   

difficulties in the financial sectors and increased sovereign default risks in select countries and the resulting adverse effects on the global financial markets;

 

   

a substantial decrease in tax revenues and a substantial increase in the Government’s expenditures for fiscal stimulus measures, unemployment compensation and other economic and social programs, in particular in light of the Government’s ongoing efforts to provide emergency relief payments to households and corporations in need of funding in light of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as interest rate increases which, together, would lead to an increased Government budget deficit as well as an increase in the Government’s debt;

 

   

declines in consumer confidence and a slowdown in consumer spending including as a result of severe health epidemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and increases in market interest rates;

 

   

a continuing rise in the level of household debt and increasing delinquencies and credit defaults by retail or small- and medium-sized enterprise borrowers in Korea;

 

   

substantial changes in the market prices of Korean real estate;

 

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the continued growth of the Chinese economy, to the extent its benefits (such as increased exports to China) are outweighed by its costs (such as competition in export markets or for foreign investment and the relocation of the manufacturing base from Korea to China), as well as a slowdown in the growth of China’s economy, which is Korea’s most important export market;

 

   

investigations of large Korean business groups and their senior management for possible misconduct;

 

   

the economic impact of any pending or future free trade agreements or of any changes to existing free trade agreements;

 

   

social and labor unrest;

 

   

financial problems or lack of progress in the restructuring of Korean conglomerates, other large troubled companies, their suppliers or the financial sector;

 

   

loss of investor confidence arising from corporate accounting irregularities or corporate governance issues at certain Korean companies;

 

   

increases in social expenditures to support an aging population in Korea or decreases in economic productivity due to the declining population size in Korea;

 

   

a continued decrease in the population and birthrates;

 

   

geo-political uncertainty and risk of further attacks by terrorist groups around the world;

 

   

deterioration in economic or diplomatic relations between Korea and its trading partners or allies, including deterioration resulting from territorial or trade disputes or disagreements in foreign policy;

 

   

political uncertainty or increasing strife among or within political parties in Korea;

 

   

natural or man-made disasters that have a significant adverse economic or other impact on Korea or its major trading partners;

 

   

hostilities or political or social tensions involving countries in the Middle East (including those resulting from the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East following the Israel-Hamas war) and Northern Africa and any material disruption in the supply of oil or sudden changes in the price of oil; and

 

   

an increase in the level of tensions or an outbreak of hostilities between North Korea and Korea or the United States.

 

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FURTHER INFORMATION

We filed a registration statement with respect to the securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and its related rules and regulations. You can find additional information concerning ourselves and the securities in the registration statement and any pre- or post-effective amendment, including its various exhibits, which may be inspected at the public reference facilities maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. These filings are also available to the public from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our Internet address is http://www.koreaexim.go.kr/he/index.

 

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HEAD OFFICE OF THE BANK

 

38 Eunhaeng-ro

Yeongdeungpo-gu

Seoul 07242

Korea

 

FISCAL AGENT AND PRINCIPAL PAYING AGENT

 

The Bank of New York Mellon

Global Finance Americas

240 Greenwich Street, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10286

United States of America

 

LEGAL ADVISORS TO THE BANK

 

as to Korean law   as to U.S. law

Yoon & Yang LLC

  Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

19th Floor, ASEM Tower,

517, Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu

Seoul,
Korea

  c/o 19th Floor, Ferrum Tower
19 Eulji-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu
Seoul 04539
Korea

 

LEGAL ADVISOR TO THE UNDERWRITERS

 

as to U.S. law

Linklaters LLP
22nd Floor, Center One Building
26, Eulji-ro 5gil, Jung-gu

Seoul 04539
Korea

 

AUDITOR OF THE BANK

 

KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp.

10th Floor, Gangnam Finance Center

152 Tehran-ro, Gangnam-gu

Seoul 06236

Korea

 

SINGAPORE LISTING AGENT

 

Shook Lin & Bok LLP

1 Robinson Road

#18-00 AIA Tower

Singapore 048542


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