The Ministry of Justice of Korean Government launched Special Committee for Korean Commercial Code revision project in order to provide for a better legal environment for Korean enterprises in July 2005. It held the first public hearing in July 2006 a...
The Ministry of Justice of Korean Government launched Special Committee for Korean Commercial Code revision project in order to provide for a better legal environment for Korean enterprises in July 2005. It held the first public hearing in July 2006 and announced its first Draft in October 2006, however, it was not completed. The MOJ prepared the second Draft in September 2007, and the third Draft in May 2008. This article deals with corporate restructuring system of the third Draft.
The KCC is composed of five parts, which are General Principles, Corporate Action, Corporation, Insurance, Maritime Transportation. The third Draft covers General Principle, Corporate Action and Corporation Parts. Regrading General Principles and Corporate Action Parts, 11 articles were scheduled to be amended among 171 current articles, which amended 6.4% of current articles. Regrading Corporation Parts, 226 articles are scheduled to be amended among 575 current articles, which will amend 39.3% of current articles.
The 2008 Revision puts an emphasis on Buyer's Side of M&A and introduces some Defensive Measures of M&A such as Warrant, Various Class Stocks, Liberalization of Stock Repurchase. Major Changes of 2008 Revision regarding M&A Buyer's Side can be classified into four categories, which are Deregulation of Merger Consideration, Freeze-out of Minority Shareholder by Controlling Shareholder, the Acceleration of Exchange Tender Offer through the Deregulation of Contribution in Kind, the Deregulation of Small Sized Business Acquisition.
Major Changes of the 2008 Revision regarding defensive measures of target corporation can be classified into four categories, which are Warrant, Class Stock, Stock Repurchase, Pre-disclosure for the Allocation of Newly Issued Stock to the third Party. The Korean domestic corporation’s requests to streamline corporate regulation and to emphasize post monitoring rather than pre regulation for better business environment. Even though the 2008 Revision introduces various systems in order to accelerate equity financing and to facilitate corporate restructuring, it appears that supplemental measures should also be adopted continuously. For example, the provision on the freeze-out of minority shareholders by controlling shareholder does not stipulate legitimate compensations including control premium for minority shareholders. Also, the introduction of super majority voting requirement for bust up M&A needs to be reviewed.
In addition, as it is not clear whether the right of defense against hostile M&A is included within the power of directors, it is necessary to stipulate expressly. Also, as defense measures against hostile M&A become strengthened, certain guideline shall be established to prevent the abuse of such measures.