20-F 1 d817229d20f.htm FORM 20-F Form 20-F
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2020

 

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 20-F

(Mark One)

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report             

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 1-13368

POSCO

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

POSCO

   The Republic of Korea

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

   (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

POSCO Center, 440 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu

Seoul, Republic of Korea 06194

(Address of principal executive offices)

Sohn, Kyle

POSCO Center, 440 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu

Seoul, Republic of Korea 06194

Telephone: +82-2-3457-1386; E-mail: sohnkangil@posco.com; Facsimile: +82-2-3457-1997

(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

 

Title of Each Class

   Trading symbol    Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

American Depositary Shares, each representing one-fourth of one share of common stock

   PKX    New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

Common Stock, par value Won 5,000 per share *

   PKX    New York Stock Exchange, Inc. *

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

None

As of December 31, 2019, there were 80,115,641 shares of common stock, par value Won 5,000 per share, outstanding

(not including 7,071,194 shares of common stock held by the company as treasury shares)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes          No  

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes          No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes          No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes          No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer          Accelerated filer          Non-accelerated filer          Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.    Yes          No  

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing.    U.S. GAAP          IFRS            Other  

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.    Item 17           Item 18  

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes               No  

 

*

Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of the American Depositary Shares.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

GLOSSARY

     1  

PART I

     2  

ITEM 1.

  IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGERS AND ADVISERS      2  
  Item 1.A.    Directors and Senior Management      2  
  Item 1.B.    Advisers      2  
  Item 1.C.    Auditor      2  

ITEM 2.

  OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE      2  
  Item 2.A.    Offer Statistics      2  
  Item 2.B.    Method and Expected Timetable      2  

ITEM 3.

  KEY INFORMATION      2  
  Item 3.A.    Selected Financial Data      2  
  Item 3.B.    Capitalization and Indebtedness      4  
  Item 3.C.    Reasons for Offer and Use of Proceeds      4  
  Item 3.D.    Risk Factors      4  

ITEM 4.

  INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY      23  
  Item 4.A.    History and Development of the Company      23  
  Item 4.B.    Business Overview      23  
  Item 4.C.    Organizational Structure      37  
  Item 4.D.    Property, Plants and Equipment      37  

ITEM 4A.

  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS      40  

ITEM 5.

  OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS      40  
  Item 5.A.    Operating Results      40  
  Item 5.B.    Liquidity and Capital Resources      73  
  Item 5.C.    Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.      76  
  Item 5.D.    Trend Information      77  
  Item 5.E.    Off-balance Sheet Arrangements      77  
  Item 5.F.    Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations      77  
  Item 5.G.    Safe Harbor      77  

ITEM 6.

  DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES      77  
  Item 6.A.    Directors and Senior Management      77  
  Item 6.B.    Compensation      80  
  Item 6.C.    Board Practices      81  
  Item 6.D.    Employees      82  
  Item 6.E.    Share Ownership      83  

ITEM 7.

  MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS      84  
  Item 7.A.    Major Shareholders      84  
  Item 7.B.    Related Party Transactions      85  
  Item 7.C.    Interests of Experts and Counsel      85  

ITEM 8.

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION      85  
  Item 8.A.    Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information      85  
  Item 8.B.    Significant Changes      87  

 

i


Table of Contents

ITEM 9.

  THE OFFER AND LISTING      87  
  Item 9.A.    Offer and Listing Details      87  
  Item 9.B.    Plan of Distribution      87  
  Item 9.C.    Markets      87  
  Item 9.D.    Selling Shareholders      88  
  Item 9.E.    Dilution      88  
  Item 9.F.    Expenses of the Issuer      88  

ITEM 10.

  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION      88  
  Item 10.A.    Share Capital      88  
  Item 10.B.    Memorandum and Articles of Association      88  
  Item 10.C.    Material Contracts      93  
  Item 10.D.    Exchange Controls      93  
  Item 10.E.    Taxation      98  
  Item 10.F.    Dividends and Paying Agents      104  
  Item 10.G.    Statements by Experts      104  
  Item 10.H.    Documents on Display      104  
  Item 10.I.    Subsidiary Information      104  

ITEM 11.

  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK      104  

ITEM 12.

  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES      106  
  Item 12.A.    Debt Securities      106  
  Item 12.B.    Warrants and Rights      106  
  Item 12.C.    Other Securities      106  
  Item 12.D.    American Depositary Shares      107  
PART II      108  

ITEM 13.

  DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES      108  

ITEM 14.

  MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS      108  

ITEM 15.

  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES      108  

ITEM 16.

  [RESERVED]      109  
  Item 16.A.    Audit Committee Financial Expert      109  
  Item 16.B.    Code of Ethics      109  
  Item 16.C.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services      110  
  Item 16.D.    Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees      110  
  Item 16.E.    Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers      111  
  Item 16.F.    Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant      111  
  Item 16.G.    Corporate Governance      111  
  Item 16.H.    Mine Safety Disclosure      113  
PART III      113  

ITEM 17.

  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      113  

ITEM 18.

  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      113  

ITEM 19.

  EXHIBITS      113  

 

ii


Table of Contents

GLOSSARY

 

“ADR”

   American Depositary Receipt evidencing ADSs.

“ADR depositary”

   Citibank, N.A.

“ADS”

   American Depositary Share representing one-fourth of one share of Common Stock.

“Commercial Code”

   Commercial Code of the Republic of Korea.

“common stock”

   Common stock, par value Won 5,000 per share, of POSCO.

“deposit agreement”

   Deposit Agreement, dated as of July 19, 2013, among POSCO, the ADR Depositary and all holders and beneficial owners from time to time of ADRs issued thereunder.

“Dollars,” “$” or “US$”

   The currency of the United States of America.

“FSCMA”

   Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act of the Republic of Korea.

“Government”

   The government of the Republic of Korea.

“IASB”

   International Accounting Standards Board.

“IFRS”

   International Financial Reporting Standards.

“Yen”

   The currency of Japan.

“Korea”

   The Republic of Korea.

“Gwangyang Works”

   Gwangyang Steel Works.

“We”

   POSCO and its consolidated subsidiaries.

“Pohang Works”

   Pohang Steel Works.

“POSCO Group”

   POSCO and its consolidated subsidiaries.

“Renminbi”

   The currency of the People’s Republic of China.

“Securities Act”

   The United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Securities Exchange Act”

   The United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“SEC”

   The United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

“tons”

   Metric tons (1,000 kilograms), equal to 2,204.6 pounds.

“U.S. GAAP”

   Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

“Won” or “

   The currency of the Republic of Korea.

Any discrepancies in any table between totals and the sums of the amounts listed are due to rounding.

 

1


Table of Contents

PART I

Item 1.  Identity of Directors, Senior Managers and Advisers

Item 1.A.  Directors and Senior Management

Not applicable

Item 1.B.  Advisers

Not applicable

Item 1.C.  Auditor

Not applicable

Item 2.  Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not applicable

Item 2.A.  Offer Statistics

Not applicable

Item 2.B.  Method and Expected Timetable

Not applicable

Item 3.  Key Information

Item 3.A.  Selected Financial Data

The selected financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto and “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included elsewhere in this annual report. The selected financial data in Won as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019 were derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this annual report. Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

In addition to preparing financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB included in this annual report, we prepare financial statements in accordance with Korean International Financial Reporting Standards (“K-IFRS”) as adopted by the Korean Accounting Standards Board (the “KASB”), which we are required to file with the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange under the FSCMA. English translations of such financial statements are furnished to the SEC under Form 6-K. K-IFRS differs in certain respects from IFRS as issued by the IASB in the presentation of operating profit. Additionally, under K-IFRS, revenue from the development and sale of certain real estate is recognized using the percentage of completion method. However, under IFRS as issued by the IASB, revenue from the development and sale of real estate is recognized when an individual unit of residential real estate is delivered to the buyer. As a result, our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and our consolidated statements of financial position prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB included in this annual report differ from our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated statements of financial position prepared in accordance with K-IFRS. See “Item 5.A. Operating Results — Explanatory Note Regarding Presentation of Certain Financial Information under K-IFRS.”

 

2


Table of Contents

The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations and should be read in conjunction with “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this annual report.

Selected consolidated statement of comprehensive income data

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
         2015             2016             2017              2018              2019(1)        
     (In billions of Won, except per share data)  

Revenue

       58,522         52,940         60,187          65,155          64,786  

Cost of sales

     52,018       46,271       51,916        57,129        58,462  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit

     6,504       6,668       8,271        8,026        6,324  

Impairment loss (reversal of impairment loss) on trade accounts and notes receivable

     190       165       174        75        (28

Other administrative expenses

     2,206       2,126       2,003        1,986        2,041  

Selling expenses

     1,729       1,554       1,557        369        368  

Impairment loss on other receivables

     158       38       98        63        80  

Other operating income

     549       215       448        524        451  

Other operating expenses

     1,285       718       691        2,014        1,090  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating profit

     1,486       2,282       4,196        4,042        3,223  

Share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted investees, net

     (506     (89     11        113        274  

Finance income

     2,557       2,232       2,373        1,706        1,872  

Finance costs

     3,387       3,014       2,484        2,244        2,242  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Profit before income tax

     150       1,412       4,095        3,616        3,127  

Income tax expense

     267       380       1,186        1,684        1,088  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Profit (loss)

     (116     1,032       2,909        1,932        2,038  

Total comprehensive income (loss)

     (278     1,486       2,348        1,504        2,185  

Profit (loss) for the period attributable to:

            

Owners of the controlling company

     171       1,355       2,756        1,712        1,864  

Non-controlling interests

     (288     (323     153        220        174  

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to:

            

Owners of the controlling company

     24       1,814       2,184        1,293        2,027  

Non-controlling interests

     (302     (328     164        211        158  

Basic and diluted earnings per share (2)

     1,731       16,521       34,040        21,177        23,189  

Dividends per share of common stock

     8,000       8,000       8,000        10,000        10,000  

Selected consolidated statements of financial position data

 

     As of December 31,  
         2015              2016              2017              2018              2019(1)        
     (In billions of Won)  

Working capital (3)

       9,148          10,711          12,354          14,721          18,593  

Total current assets

     29,502        29,655        31,844        34,152        35,144  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     34,523        33,770        31,884        30,018        29,926  

Total non-current assets

     51,246        50,483        47,941        44,625        44,226  

Total assets

     80,748        80,138        79,786        78,777        79,371  

Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term borrowings

     12,371        10,195        11,275        10,290        8,548  

Long-term borrowings, excluding current installments

     12,849        12,510        9,789        9,920        11,893  

Total liabilities

     35,735        34,372        32,459        32,104        31,608  

Share capital

     482        482        482        482        482  

Total equity

     45,013        45,765        47,327        46,673        47,763  

 

3


Table of Contents

Selected consolidated statements of cash flows data

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2015     2016     2017     2018     2019(1)  
     (In billions of Won)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

       7,602         5,269         5,607         5,870         6,005  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (4,535     (3,755     (3,818     (2,648     (3,683

Net cash used in financing activities

     (2,242     (3,951     (1,566     (3,195     (1,512

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     849       (2,424     165       31       871  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

     4,022       4,871       2,448       2,613       2,644  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

     4,871       2,448       2,613       2,644       3,515  

 

 

(1)

We have adopted IFRS No. 16 “Leases” from January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach, under which the cumulative effect of initial application is recognized in our retained earnings at January 1, 2019. Accordingly, the comparative information presented for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 has not been restated and is presented under IAS No. 17 and related interpretations. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2)

See Note 36 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for method of calculation. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share was 79,993,834 shares as of December 31, 2015, 79,996,389 shares as of December 31, 2016, 79,998,600 shares as of December 31, 2017, 80,000,606 shares as of December 31, 2018 and 80,113,759 shares as of December 31, 2019.

 

(3)

“Working capital” means current assets minus current liabilities.

Item 3.B.  Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable

Item 3.C.  Reasons for Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable

Item 3.D.  Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the risks described below.

The global economic downturn may adversely affect our business and performance. The global economic outlook for the near future remains uncertain.

Our business is affected by highly cyclical market demand for our steel products from a number of industries, including the construction, automotive, shipbuilding and electrical appliances industries as well as downstream steel processors, which are sensitive to general conditions in the global economy. Macroeconomic factors, such as the economic growth rate, employment levels, interest rates, inflation rates, exchange rates, commodity prices, demographic trends and fiscal policies of governments can have a significant effect on such industries. From time to time, these industries have experienced significant and sometimes prolonged downturns, which in turn have negatively impacted our steel business. Global economic conditions have deteriorated in recent years, with global financial and capital markets experiencing substantial volatility. In particular, the ongoing global pandemic of a new strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has materially and adversely affected the global economy and financial markets in recent months. See “— Earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, severe health epidemics (including the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and any possible recurrence of other types of widespread infectious diseases) and other natural calamities could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.” Such developments have also been caused by, and continue to be exacerbated by, among other things, the slowdown of economic growth in China and other major emerging market economies, adverse economic and political conditions in Europe and Latin America and continuing geopolitical and social instability in North Korea and various parts of the Middle East, as well as a deterioration in economic and trade relations between the United States and its major trading partners, particularly China.

 

4


Table of Contents

An actual or anticipated further deterioration of global economic conditions may result in a decline in demand for our products that could have a negative impact on our sales volume of steel products as well as the prices at which they can be sold. The slowdown of global economic growth and the resulting decline in demand for steel products has adversely affected the overall sales volume of our principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers in 2019 compared to 2018, and the continued deterioration in demand in the first quarter of 2020 has had a negative impact on our results of operations for the quarter compared to the first quarter of 2019. In the case of a prolonged decrease in demand, we will likely face pressure to reduce prices and we may need to rationalize our production capacity and reduce fixed costs. In the past, we have adjusted our crude steel production levels and sales prices in response to sluggish demand from our customers in industries adversely impacted by the deteriorating economic conditions.

We expect fluctuation in demand for our steel products and trading services to continue to prevail at least in the near future. We may decide to further adjust our future crude steel production or our sales prices on an on-going basis subject to market demand for our products, the production outlook of the global steel industry and global economic conditions in general. In addition, economic downturns in the Korean and global economies could result in market conditions characterized by weaker demand for steel products from a number of industries as well as falling prices for export and import products and reduced trade levels. Deterioration of market conditions may result in changes in assumptions underlying the carrying value of certain assets, which in turn could result in impairment of such assets, including intangible assets such as goodwill. In addition, our ability to reduce expenditures for production facilities and research and development during an industry downturn is limited because of the need to maintain our competitive position. If we are unable to reduce our expenses sufficiently to offset reductions in price and sales volume, our margins will suffer and our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

Earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, severe health epidemics (including the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and any possible recurrence of other types of widespread infectious diseases) and other natural calamities could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

If earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, severe health epidemics or any other natural calamities were to occur in the future in any area where any of our assets, suppliers or customers are located, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be adversely affected. A number of suppliers of our raw materials and customers of our products are located in countries that have historically suffered natural calamities from time to time, such as Australia, China and Japan, as well as Korea. Any occurrence of such natural calamities in countries where our suppliers are located may lead to shortages or delays in the supply of raw materials. In addition, natural calamities in areas where our customers are located, including China, Southeast Asia, Japan, Europe, North America and Korea, may cause disruptions in their businesses, which in turn could adversely impact their demand for our products.

In particular, COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 that was first reported to have been transmitted to humans in late 2019 and has since spread globally over the course of 2020 to date, has materially and adversely affected the global economy and financial markets in recent months as well as disrupted our business operations. The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 as a pandemic in March 2020.

Risks associated with prolonged outbreak of COVID-19 or other types of widespread infectious disease include:

 

   

an increase in unemployment among, and/or decrease in disposable income of, consumers who purchase the products manufactured by our customers and a decline in overall consumer confidence and spending levels, which in turn may decrease demand for our products;

 

5


Table of Contents
   

disruption in the normal operations of the businesses of our customers, which in turn may decrease demand for our products;

 

   

disruption in supply of raw materials from our vendors;

 

   

disruption in delivery of our products to our customers;

 

   

disruption in the normal operations of our business resulting from contraction of COVID-19 by our employees or quarantine measures imposed by governments, which may necessitate our employees to be quarantined and/or our manufacturing facilities, construction projects, energy and mineral development projects or offices to be temporarily shut down;

 

   

disruption resulting from the necessity for social distancing, including implementation of temporary adjustment of work arrangements requiring employees to work remotely, which may lead to a reduction in labor productivity (for example, from early March 2020 to early April 2020, we implemented staggered remote working arrangements for our employees at our headquarters, which we do not believe had a material impact on our operations);

 

   

depreciation of the Won against major foreign currencies, which in turn may increase the cost of imported raw materials;

 

   

unstable global and Korean financial markets, which may adversely affect our ability to meet our funding needs on a timely and cost-effective basis; and

 

   

impairments in the fair value of our investments in companies that may be adversely affected by the pandemic.

It is not possible to predict the duration or full magnitude of harm from COVID-19. In the event that COVID-19 or other types of widespread infectious diseases cannot be effectively and timely contained, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

Korea is our most important market, and our current business and future growth could be materially and adversely affected if economic conditions in Korea deteriorate.

We are incorporated in Korea, and a substantial portion of our operations and assets are located in Korea. Korea is our most important market, accounting for 37.3% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 2019. Domestic demand for our products is affected by the condition of major steel consuming industries, such as construction, shipbuilding, automotive, electrical appliances and downstream steel processors, and the Korean economy in general. In addition, the trading operations of POSCO International Corporation (“POSCO International” and formerly known as POSCO Daewoo Corporation) are affected by the general level of trade between Korea and other countries, which in turn tends to fluctuate based on general conditions in the Korean and global economies. As a result, we are subject to political, economic, legal and regulatory risks specific to Korea, and our performance and successful fulfillment of our operational strategies are largely dependent on the overall Korean economy. The economic indicators in Korea in recent years have shown mixed signs, and future growth of the Korean economy is subject to many factors beyond our control, including developments in the global economy.

In recent years, adverse conditions and volatility in the worldwide financial markets, fluctuations in oil and commodity prices and the general weakness of the global economy have contributed to the uncertainty of global economic prospects in general and have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, the Korean economy. The value of the Won relative to major foreign currencies has also fluctuated significantly and, as a result of changing global and Korean economic conditions, there has been volatility in the stock prices of Korean companies in recent years. Future declines in the

 

6


Table of Contents

Korea Composite Stock Price Index (the “KOSPI”) 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 to raise capital. Any future deterioration of the Korean or global economy could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Developments that could have an adverse impact on Korea’s economy include:

 

   

declines in consumer confidence and a slowdown in consumer spending;

 

   

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 (such as the ongoing trade disputes with Japan);

 

   

adverse conditions or developments in the economies of countries and regions that are important export markets for Korea, such as China, the United States, Europe and Japan, or in emerging market economies in Asia or elsewhere, including as a result of deteriorating economic and trade relations between the United States and China as well as increased uncertainties resulting from the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union on January 31, 2020;

 

   

the occurrence of severe health epidemics and pandemics in Korea or other parts of the world, such as the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

adverse changes or volatility in foreign currency reserve levels, commodity prices (including oil prices), exchange rates (including fluctuation of the U.S. dollar, Euro or Japanese Yen exchange rates or revaluation of the Chinese Renminbi), interest rates, inflation rates or stock markets;

 

   

increased sovereign default risk in select countries and the resulting adverse effects on the global financial markets;

 

   

investigations of large Korean business groups and their senior management for possible misconduct;

 

   

a continuing rise in the level of household debt and increasing delinquencies and credit defaults by retail and small-and medium-sized enterprise borrowers in Korea;

 

   

social and labor unrest;

 

   

decreases in the market prices of Korean real estate;

 

   

the economic impact of any pending or future free trade agreements or of any changes to existing free trade agreements;

 

   

a decrease in tax revenue or a substantial increase in the Government’s expenditures for fiscal stimulus measures, unemployment compensation and other economic and social programs that would lead to an increased government budget deficit;

 

   

financial problems or lack of progress in the restructuring of Korean business groups, other large troubled companies, their suppliers or the financial sector;

 

   

loss of investor confidence arising from corporate accounting irregularities or corporate governance issues concerning 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;

 

   

geo-political uncertainty and risk of further attacks by terrorist groups around the world;

 

7


Table of Contents
   

natural or man-made disasters that have a significant adverse economic or other impact on Korea or its major trading partners;

 

   

political uncertainty or increasing strife among or within political parties in Korea;

 

   

hostilities or political or social tensions involving oil producing countries in the Middle East (including a potential escalation of hostilities between the U.S. and Iran) and Northern Africa and any material disruption in the global supply of oil or sudden increase in the price of oil;

 

   

increased reliance on exports to service foreign currency debts, which could cause friction with Korea’s trading partners;

 

   

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 manufacturing bases from Korea to China);

 

   

political or social tensions involving Russia and any resulting adverse effects on the global supply of oil or the global financial markets; and

 

   

an increase in the level of tensions or an outbreak of hostilities between North Korea and Korea or the United States.

We rely on export sales for a significant portion of our total sales. Adverse economic and financial developments in Asia in the future may have an adverse effect on demand for our products in Asia and increase our foreign exchange risks.

Our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad accounted for 62.7% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 2019. Our export sales to customers in Asia, including China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, accounted for 62.6% of our total export sales revenue from steel products produced and exported by us in 2019, and we expect our sales to these countries to remain important in the future. In particular, our export sales to China has increased in recent years and accounted for 29.3% of our total export sales revenue from steel products produced and exported by us in 2019. Accordingly, adverse economic and financial developments in these countries may have an adverse effect on demand for our products. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions, which can be caused, among others, by difficulties in the financial sector, corporate, political or other scandals that may reduce confidence in the markets, declines in business confidence, increases in inflation, natural disasters or pandemics, outbreaks of hostilities or other geopolitical instability. 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 (such as the ongoing trade disputes with Japan), or a combination of these or other factors, have, in the past adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, demand for our products.

Economic weakness in Asia may also adversely affect our sales to the Korean companies that export to the region, especially companies in the construction, shipbuilding, automotive, electrical appliances and downstream steel processing industries. Weaker demand in these countries, combined with an increase in global production capacity, may also reduce export prices in Dollar terms of our principal products sold to customers in Asia. For a discussion of production over-capacity in the global steel industry, see “— We operate in the highly competitive steel, trading and construction industries, and our failure to successfully compete would adversely affect our market position and business.” We attempt to maintain and expand our export sales to generate foreign currency receipts to cover our foreign currency purchases and debt service requirements. Consequently, any decrease in our export sales could also increase our foreign exchange risks.

 

8


Table of Contents

Depreciation of the value of the Won against the Dollar and other major foreign currencies may have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations and on the price of the ADSs.

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared from our local currency denominated financial results, assets and liabilities and our subsidiaries around the world, which are then translated into Won. A substantial proportion of our consolidated financial results is accounted for in currencies other than the Won. Accordingly, our consolidated financial results and assets and liabilities may be materially affected by changes in the exchange rates of foreign currencies. In 2019, 62.7% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us was in overseas markets outside of Korea. To the extent that we incur costs in one currency and make sales in another, our profit margins may be affected by changes in the exchange rates between the two currencies. Since the currency in which sales are recorded may not be the same as the currency in which expenses are incurred, foreign exchange rate fluctuations may materially affect our results of operations. Depreciation of the Won may materially affect the results of our operations because, among other things, it causes:

 

   

an increase in the amount of Won required for us to make interest and principal payments on our foreign currency-denominated debt;

 

   

an increase in Won terms in the costs of raw materials and equipment that we purchase from overseas sources and a substantial portion of our freight costs, which are denominated primarily in Dollars; and

 

   

foreign exchange translation losses on foreign-currency denominated liabilities, which lower our earnings for accounting purposes.

Appreciation of the Won against major currencies, on the other hand, causes:

 

   

our export products to be less competitive by raising our prices in Dollar, Yen and Renminbi terms; and

 

   

a reduction in net sales and accounts receivables in Won from export sales, which are primarily denominated in Dollars and to a lesser extent in Yen and Renminbi.

The overall net impact from fluctuations of the Won against major currencies is difficult to estimate and varies from year to year. We strive to naturally offset our foreign exchange risk by matching foreign currency receivables with our foreign currency payables and our overseas subsidiaries have sought to further mitigate the adverse impact of exchange rate fluctuations by conducting business transactions in the local currency of the respective market in which the transactions occur. In particular, POSCO International’s exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates, including the Won/Dollar exchange rate, is limited because trading transactions typically involve matched purchase and sale contracts, which result in limited settlement exposure, and because POSCO International’s contracts with domestic suppliers of products for export and with domestic purchasers of imported products are generally denominated in Dollars. Although the impact of exchange rate fluctuations is partially mitigated by such strategies, we and our subsidiaries, particularly POSCO International and POSCO Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. (“POSCO E&C”), also periodically enter into derivative contracts, primarily foreign currency swaps and forward exchange contracts, to further hedge some of our foreign exchange risks. However, our results of operations have historically been affected by exchange rate fluctuations and there can be no assurance that such strategies will be sufficient to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of such fluctuations in the future.

Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Won and the Dollar will also affect the Dollar equivalent of the Won price of the shares of our common stock on the KRX KOSPI Market and, as a result, will likely affect the market price of the ADSs. These fluctuations will also affect the Dollar conversion by the depositary for the ADRs of cash dividends, if any, paid in Won on shares of common stock represented by the ADSs.

 

9


Table of Contents

We are dependent on imported raw materials, and significant increases in market prices of essential raw materials could adversely affect our margins and profits.

We purchase substantially all of the principal raw materials we use from sources outside Korea, including iron ore and coal. POSCO imported approximately 55 million dry metric tons of iron ore and 29 million wet metric tons of coal in 2019. Iron ore is imported primarily from Australia, Brazil and Canada. Coal is imported primarily from Australia, Canada and Russia. Although we have not experienced significant unanticipated supply disruptions in the past, supply disruptions, which could be caused by political or other events in the countries from which we import these materials, could adversely affect our operations. In addition, we are particularly exposed to increases in the prices of coal, iron ore and nickel, which represent the largest components of our cost of goods sold. The prices of our key raw materials have fluctuated significantly in recent years. For example, the average market price of coal per wet metric ton (Premium Low Vol Coking Coal, FOB Australia Index announced by Platts) was US$188 in 2017, US$207 in 2018 and US$176 in 2019. The average market price of iron ore per dry metric ton (Iron Ore 62% Fe, CFR China Index announced by Platts) was US$71 in 2017, US$69 in 2018 and US$93 in 2019.

Our long-term supply contracts generally have terms of three to ten years and provide for periodic price adjustments to the then-market prices. We typically adjust the prices on a quarterly basis and maintain approximately one month of inventory of raw materials. Such price adjustments are driven by various factors, including the global economic outlook, global market prices of raw materials and steel products, supply and demand outlook of raw materials and production costs of raw materials. For both coal and iron ore, we typically agree on the purchase price with the suppliers primarily based on the spot market price periodically announced by Platts (Premium Low Vol Coking Coal, FOB Australia Index and Iron Ore 62% Fe, CFR China Index). As of December 31, 2019, 102 million tons of iron ore and 11 million tons of coal remained to be purchased under long-term supply contracts. Future increases in prices of our key raw materials and our inability to pass along such increases to our customers could adversely affect our margins and profits. Increased prices may also cause potential customers to defer purchase of steel products, while rapidly falling prices may increase loss on valuation of raw material inventory purchased when prices were higher, either of which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We operate in the highly competitive steel, trading and construction industries, and our failure to successfully compete would adversely affect our market position and business.

Steel. The markets for our steel products are highly competitive and we face intense global competition. China is the largest steel producing country in the world by a significant margin, with the balance between its domestic production and demand being an important factor in the determination of global steel prices. In recent years, a slowdown in domestic demand for steel products in China resulting from slowed economic growth, combined with an expansion in steel production capacity, has led to production over-capacity in the Chinese steel industry, which in turn has led the Chinese government to pursue aggressive consolidation in the Chinese steel industry, such as the consolidation of Baosteel Group and Wuhan Iron and Steel in 2016, that has resulted in fewer but larger steel manufacturers that are able to compete more effectively in the global steel industry. In addition, the global steel industry has experienced consolidation in the past. Competition from such global steel manufacturers with expanded production capacity as well as competitors from emerging markets, especially from China and India, has resulted in significant price competition and may result in declining margins and reductions in revenue in the future. Our larger competitors may use their resources, which may be greater than ours, against us in a variety of ways, including by making additional acquisitions, investing more aggressively in product development and capacity and displacing demand for our export products.

 

10


Table of Contents

In the past, increased production capacity, combined with decreased demand resulting from a slowdown of the global economy, has from time to time resulted in production over-capacity in the global steel industry which in turn has resulted in downward pressure on global steel prices. Production over-capacity in global steel industry may intensify if global economic growth slows or demand from developing countries, particularly from China, continues to lag behind the growth in production capacity. Production over-capacity in the global steel industry is likely to:

 

   

reduce export prices in Dollar terms of our principal products, which in turn may reduce our sales prices in Korea;

 

   

increase competition in the Korean market as foreign producers seek to export steel products to Korea as other markets experience a slowdown;

 

   

negatively affect demand for our products abroad and our ability to expand export sales; and

 

   

affect our ability to increase steel production in general.

Steel also competes with other natural and synthetic materials that may be used as steel substitutes, such as aluminum, cement, composites, glass, plastic and wood. Government regulatory initiatives mandating the use of such materials instead of steel, whether for environmental or other reasons, as well as the development of attractive alternative substitutes for steel products, may reduce demand for steel products and increase competition in the global steel industry.

As part of our strategy to compete in this challenging landscape, we will continue to invest in developing innovative products that offer the greatest potential returns and enhance the overall quality of our products, as well as make additional investments in the development of new manufacturing technologies. However, there is no assurance that we will be able to continue to compete successfully in this economic environment or that a slowdown of the global economy or production over-capacity will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Trading. POSCO International competes principally with other Korean general trading companies that are affiliated with major domestic business groups, as well as global trading companies based in other countries. In the domestic market, competition for export transactions on behalf of domestic suppliers and import transactions on behalf of domestic purchasers was limited, as most affiliated general trading companies of large Korean business groups generally relied on affiliate transactions for the bulk of their trading business. However, in recent years, many of these Korean general trading companies have reduced their reliance on their affiliated business group and transactions carried out on behalf of their member companies and instead have generally evolved to focus on segments of the import and export markets in which they have a competitive advantage. As a result, competition among Korean general trading companies in the area of traditional trade has become more intense.

The overseas trading markets in which POSCO International operates are also highly competitive. POSCO International’s principal competitors in overseas trading markets include Korean trading companies that operate in various international markets, as well as foreign trading companies, particularly those based in Japan. As POSCO International diversifies into businesses other than traditional trading such as natural resources development, it also increasingly competes with other Korean and international companies involved in these businesses. Some of POSCO International’s competitors may be more experienced and have greater financial resources and pricing flexibility than POSCO International, as well as more extensive global networks and wider access to customers. There is no assurance that POSCO International will be able to continue to compete successfully in this economic environment or that the prolonged slowdown of the global economy will not have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition. In 2018 and 2019, we recognized impairment of goodwill of Won 158 billion and Won 55 billion, respectively, related to a decrease in value-in-use of POSCO International.

 

11


Table of Contents

Construction. POSCO E&C, our consolidated subsidiary, operates in the highly competitive construction industry. Competition is based primarily on price, reputation for quality, reliability, punctuality and financial strength of contractors. Intense competition among construction companies may result in, among other things, a decrease in the price POSCO E&C can charge for its services, difficulty in winning bids for construction projects, an increase in construction costs and difficulty in obtaining high-quality contractors and qualified employees.

In Korea, POSCO E&C’s main competition in the construction of residential and non-residential buildings, EPC (or engineering, procurement and construction) projects, urban planning and development projects and civil works projects consists of approximately ten major domestic construction companies, many of which are member companies of other large business groups in Korea and are capable of undertaking larger-scale, higher-value-added projects that offer greater potential returns. A series of measures introduced by the Government over the past several years to regulate housing prices in Korea, as well as increasing popularity of low-bid contracts in civil works project mandates, have contributed to increased competition in the Korean construction industry in recent years.

Competition for new project awards in overseas markets is also intense. In these markets, POSCO E&C faces competition from local construction companies and other major Korean construction companies with overseas operations, as well as international construction companies from other countries. Construction companies from other developed countries may be more experienced, have greater financial resources and possess more sophisticated technology than POSCO E&C, while construction companies from developing countries often have the advantage of lower wage costs. Some of these competitors have achieved higher market penetration than POSCO E&C has in specific markets in which it competes, and POSCO E&C may need to accept lower margins in order for it to compete successfully against them. POSCO E&C’s failure to successfully compete in the domestic or overseas construction markets could adversely affect its market position and its results of operations and financial condition.

We may not be able to successfully execute our diversification strategy.

In part to prepare for the eventual maturation of the Korean steel market, we have made investments in the past decade to secure new growth engines by diversifying into new businesses related to our steel operations that we believe will offer greater potential returns, such as participation in EPC projects in the steel sector and natural resources development, as well as entering into new businesses not related to our steel operations such as power generation and alternative energy solutions, LNG and agricultural trading and production of anode and cathode materials for rechargeable batteries as well as other comprehensive materials such as lithium. From time to time, we may selectively acquire or invest in companies to pursue such diversification strategy.

The success of our diversification strategy will depend, in part, on our ability to realize the anticipated growth opportunities and synergies. Some of our diversification efforts have not been successful. For example, in 2018, we incurred impairment loss of Won 810 billion related to our synthetic natural gas production facility in Gwangyang due to our discontinuation of the business which we had launched in 2011, which was adversely impacted by a decline in the market price of liquefied natural gas (“LNG”). In 2019, we incurred impairment loss of Won 74 billion related to the discontinued operation of a ferrosilicon facility in Pohang and Won 70 billion related to the discontinued operation of a compact endless cast-rolling mill facility in Gwangyang. The realization of the anticipated benefits depends on numerous factors, some of which are outside our control, including the availability of qualified personnel, establishment of new relationships and expansion of existing relationships with various customers and suppliers, procurement of necessary technology and know-how to engage in such businesses and decreases in the prices of competing products or services that make our products or services less competitive. The realization of the anticipated benefits may be impeded,

 

12


Table of Contents

delayed or reduced as a result of numerous factors, some of which are outside our control. These factors include:

 

   

difficulties in integrating the operations of the acquired business, including information and accounting systems, personnel, policies and procedures, and in reorganizing or reducing overlapping operations, marketing networks and administrative functions, which may require significant amounts of time, financial resources and management attention;

 

   

unforeseen contingent risks or latent liabilities relating to the acquisition that may become apparent in the future;

 

   

difficulties in managing a larger business; and

 

   

loss of key management personnel or customers.

In addition, in order to finance these acquisitions, we intend to use cash on hand, funds from operations, issuances of equity and debt securities, and, if necessary, financings from banks and other sources as well as entering into consortiums with financial investors. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able to obtain sufficient financing for such acquisitions or investments on terms commercially acceptable to us or at all. We cannot assure you that our diversification strategy can be completed profitably or that the diversification efforts will not adversely affect our combined business, financial condition and results of operations.

Expansion of our production operations abroad is important to our long-term success, and our limited experience in the operation of our business outside Korea increases the risk that our international expansion efforts will not be successful.

We conduct international trading and construction operations abroad, and our business relies on a global trading network comprised of overseas subsidiaries, branches and representative offices. Although many of our subsidiaries and overseas branches are located in developed countries, we also operate in numerous countries with developing economies. In addition, we intend to continue to expand our steel production operations internationally by carefully seeking out promising investment opportunities, particularly in China, India, Southeast Asia and Latin America, in part to prepare for the eventual maturation of the Korean steel market. We may enter into additional joint ventures with foreign steel producers that would enable us to rely on these businesses to conduct our operations, establish local networks and coordinate our sales and marketing efforts abroad. To the extent that we enter into these arrangements, our success will depend in part on the willingness of our partner companies to dedicate sufficient resources to their partnership with us.

In other situations, we may decide to establish manufacturing facilities by ourselves instead of relying on partners. The demand and market acceptance for our products produced abroad are subject to a high level of uncertainty and are substantially dependent upon the market condition of the global steel industry. We cannot assure you that our international expansion plan will be profitable or that we can recoup the costs related to such investments.

Expansion of our trading, construction and production operations abroad requires management attention and resources. In addition, we face additional risks associated with our expansion outside Korea, including:

 

   

challenges caused by distance, language and cultural differences;

 

   

higher costs associated with doing business internationally;

 

   

legal and regulatory restrictions, including foreign exchange controls that might prevent us from repatriating cash earned in countries outside Korea;

 

   

longer payment cycles in some countries;

 

13


Table of Contents
   

credit risk and higher levels of payment fraud;

 

   

currency exchange risks;

 

   

potentially adverse tax consequences;

 

   

political and economic instability; and

 

   

seasonal reductions in business activity during the summer months in some countries.

We have limited insurance coverage and may incur significant losses resulting from operating hazards, product liability claims from customers or business interruptions.

The normal operation of our manufacturing facilities may be interrupted by accidents caused by operating hazards, power supply disruptions and equipment failures, as well as natural disasters. As with other industrial companies, our operations involve the use, handling, generation, processing, storage, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials, which may result in fires, explosions, spills and other unexpected or dangerous accidents causing property damage as well as personal injuries or death. We are also exposed to risks associated with product liability claims in the event that the use of the products we sell results in injury. We maintain property insurance for our property, plant and equipment that we believe to be consistent with market practice in Korea. However, we may not have adequate resources to satisfy a judgment in excess of our insurance coverage in the event of a successful claim against us. Any occurrence of accidents or other events affecting our operations could result in potentially significant monetary damages, diversion of resources, production disruption and delay in delivery of our products, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Further increases in, or new impositions of, anti-dumping, safeguard or countervailing duty proceedings may have an adverse impact on our export sales.

As a steel producer with global sales and operations, we are involved in trade remedy proceedings in markets worldwide, including in the United States. We actively participate in such proceedings to minimize any adverse effects and associated risks. While there has been an increase in the number of trade cases in recent years, and an increased focus on trade issues by government officials, such cases have been limited in scope relative to our global sales and operations. We continue to carefully monitor developments with respect to trade remedy policy in all markets in which we participate and, where necessary, vigorously defend our rights through litigation before tribunals such as the U.S. Court of International Trade. Our products that are subject to anti-dumping duties, safeguard duties, countervailing duties, quotas or tariffs in the aggregate currently have not had a material adverse impact on our business and operations in recent years. However, there can be no assurance that increases in, or new impositions of, anti-dumping duties, safeguard duties, countervailing duties, quotas or tariffs on our exports of products abroad may not have a material adverse impact on our exports in the future.

We participate in overseas natural resources exploration, development and production projects, which expose us to various risks.

As part of our efforts to diversify our operations, we carefully seek out promising overseas natural resources exploration, development and production opportunities. We also participate in natural resources projects as part of consortia or through acquisitions of minority interests, such as a gas field exploration project in Myanmar through POSCO International. We may also selectively acquire or invest in companies or businesses that engage in such activities. To the extent that we enter into these arrangements, our success in these endeavors will depend in part on the willingness of our partner companies to dedicate sufficient resources to their partnership with us, as well as our ability to finance such investments.

 

14


Table of Contents

The demand and market acceptance for such activities abroad are subject to a substantially higher level of uncertainty than our traditional steel business and are substantially dependent upon the market condition of the global natural resources industry as well as the political and social environment of the target countries. The performance of projects in which we participate may be adversely affected by the occurrence of military hostility, political unrest or acts of terrorism. In addition, some of our current exploration, development and production projects involve drilling exploratory wells on properties with no proven amount of natural resource reserves. Although all drilling, whether developmental or exploratory, involves risks, exploratory drilling involves greater risks of dry holes or failure to find commercial quantities of natural resources. Other risks to which such activities are subject include obtaining required regulatory approvals and licenses, securing and maintaining adequate property rights to land and natural resources, and managing local opposition to project development. A decrease in the market price of raw materials may also adversely impact the value of our investments related to natural resources projects, potentially resulting in impairment losses. For example, in 2019, we recognized impairment loss of Won 118 billion related to the termination of the Block AD-7 exploration project in Myanmar by POSCO International. We have limited experience in this business, and we cannot assure you that our overseas natural resources exploration, development and production projects will be profitable, that we will be able to meet the financing requirements for such projects, or that we can recoup the costs related to such investments, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may encounter problems with joint overseas natural resources exploration, development and production projects and large-scale infrastructure projects, which may materially and adversely affect our business.

We typically pursue our natural resources exploration, development and production projects jointly with consortium partners or through acquisition of minority interests in such projects, and we expect to be involved in other joint projects in the future. We sometimes hold a majority interest in the projects among the consortium partners, but we often lack a controlling interest in the joint projects. Therefore, we may not be able to require that our joint ventures sell assets or return invested capital, make additional capital contributions or take any other action without the vote of at least a majority of our consortium partners. If there are disagreements between our consortium partners and us regarding the business and operations of the joint projects, we cannot assure you that we will be able to resolve them in a manner that will be in our best interests. Certain major decisions, such as selling a stake in the joint project, may require the consent of all other partners. These limitations may adversely affect our ability to obtain the economic and other benefits we seek from participating in these projects.

In addition, our consortium partners may:

 

   

have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with ours;

 

   

take actions contrary to our instructions, requests, policies or objectives;

 

   

be unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations;

 

   

have financial difficulties; or

 

   

have disputes with us as to their rights, responsibilities and obligations.

Any of these and other factors may have a material adverse effect on the performance of our joint projects and expose us to a number of risks, including the risk that the partners may be incapable of providing the required financial support to the partnerships and the risk that the partners may not be able to fulfill their other obligations, resulting in disputes not only between our partners and us, but also between the joint ventures and their customers. Such a material adverse effect on the performance of our joint projects may in turn materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

15


Table of Contents

Cyclical fluctuations based on macroeconomic factors may adversely affect POSCO E&C’s business and performance.

We engage in engineering and construction activities through POSCO E&C. The Construction Segment is highly cyclical and tends to fluctuate based on macroeconomic factors, such as consumer confidence and income, employment levels, interest rates, inflation rates, demographic trends and policies of the Government. From time to time, the construction industry has experienced significant and sometimes prolonged downturns, and our construction revenues have fluctuated in the past depending on the level of public and private sector construction activities in Korea and abroad. In addition, the performance of POSCO E&C’s domestic residential property business is highly dependent on the general condition of the real estate market in Korea. In recent years, the demand for construction activities in Korea and abroad has remained weak, and the overall prospects for Korean construction companies in 2020 and beyond remain uncertain. A prolonged general downturn in the construction market resulting in weaker demand may adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Many of POSCO E&C’s domestic and overseas construction projects are on a fixed-price basis, which could result in losses for us in the event that unforeseen additional expenses arise with respect to the project.

Many of POSCO E&C’s domestic and overseas construction projects are carried out on a fixed-price basis according to a predetermined timetable, pursuant to the terms of a fixed-price contract. Under such fixed-price contracts, POSCO E&C retains all cost savings on completed contracts but is also liable for the full amount of all cost overruns and may be required to pay damages for late delivery. The pricing of fixed-price contracts is crucial to POSCO E&C’s profitability, as is its ability to quantify risks to be borne by it and to provide for contingencies in the contract accordingly.

POSCO E&C attempts to anticipate costs of labor, raw materials, parts and components in its bids on fixed-price contracts. However, the costs incurred and gross profits realized on a fixed-price contract may vary from its estimates due to factors such as:

 

   

unanticipated variations in labor and equipment productivity over the term of a contract;

 

   

unanticipated increases in labor, raw material, parts and components, subcontracting and overhead costs, including as a result of bad weather;

 

   

delivery delays and corrective measures for poor workmanship; and

 

   

errors in estimates and bidding.

If unforeseen additional expenses arise over the course of a construction project, such expenses are usually borne by POSCO E&C, and its profit from the project will be correspondingly reduced or eliminated. For example, we incurred losses in recent years in connection with a delay in the construction of CSP-Companhia Siderurgia do Pecem steel plant complex in Brazil. If POSCO E&C experiences significant unforeseen additional expenses with respect to its fixed price projects, it may incur losses on such projects, which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to environmental regulations, and our operations could expose us to substantial liabilities.

We are subject to national and local environmental laws and regulations, including increasing pressure to reduce emission of carbon dioxide relating to our manufacturing process, and our steel manufacturing and construction operations could expose us to risk of substantial liability relating to environmental or health and safety issues, such as those resulting from discharge of pollutants and

 

16


Table of Contents

carbon dioxide into the environment, the handling, storage and disposal of solid or hazardous materials or wastes and the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites. We may be responsible for the investigation and remediation of environmental conditions at currently and formerly operated manufacturing or construction sites. We may also be subject to associated liabilities, including liabilities for natural resource damage, third party property damage or personal injury resulting from lawsuits brought by the Government or private litigants. In the course of our operations, hazardous wastes may be generated at third party-owned or operated sites, and hazardous wastes may be disposed of or treated at third party-owned or operated disposal sites. If those sites become contaminated, we could also be held responsible for the cost of investigation and remediation of such sites, for any associated natural resource damage, and for civil or criminal fines or penalties.

Significant breaches of information security could lead to legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation and a loss of confidence by our customers.

Our business relies heavily on mission-critical, complex and interdependent information technology systems that support our business processes. It involves the storage and transmission of confidential information relating to us as well as our customers and suppliers. Any significant breach in our information security could expose us to a risk of loss, improper use or disclosure of such information, and could give rise to significant liability or litigation, any of which could harm our reputation and adversely affect our business.

We believe that there has been no instance of a material breach in our information security to date that resulted in significant disruption of our operations and had a significant adverse effect on our operational results, or on third parties, including our customers and suppliers. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to prevent security incidents or other breaches in our information security from having a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation, financial viability or reputation.

In addition, our information security measures may fail due to external and internal security threats, outages, malicious intrusions and attacks, programming or human errors and malfeasance, or other similar events.

Instituting appropriate access controls and safeguards across our information technology infrastructure is challenging. Furthermore, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees to divulge sensitive information to gain access to our data or our customers’ data or access credentials. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade services or sabotage systems change frequently and often are not recognized until attacks are launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventative measures.

If an actual or perceived breach of our cybersecurity occurs or the market perception of the effectiveness of our information security measures is compromised, this may lead to significant legal and financial exposure, including legal claims and regulatory fines and penalties, reputational harm and a loss of confidence of our customers, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Failure to protect our intellectual property rights could impair our competitiveness and harm our business and future prospects.

We believe that developing new steel manufacturing technologies that can be differentiated from those of our competitors, such as FINEX, automotive steel manufacturing technology and high-manganese steel manufacturing technology, is critical to the success of our business. We take active measures to obtain protection of our intellectual property by obtaining patents and undertaking monitoring activities in our major markets. However, we cannot assure you that the measures we take

 

17


Table of Contents

will effectively deter competitors from improper use of our proprietary technologies. Our competitors may misappropriate our intellectual property, disputes as to ownership of intellectual property may arise and our intellectual property may otherwise become known or independently developed by our competitors. Any failure to protect our intellectual property could impair our competitiveness and harm our business and future prospects.

We rely on trade secrets and other unpatented proprietary know-how to maintain our competitive position, and unauthorized disclosure of our trade secrets or other unpatented proprietary know-how could negatively affect our business.

We rely on trade secrets and unpatented proprietary know-how and information. We enter into confidentiality agreements with each of our employees and consultants upon the commencement of an employment or consulting relationship. These agreements generally provide that all inventions, ideas, discoveries, improvements and patentable material made or conceived by the individual arising out of the employment or consulting relationship and all confidential information developed or made known to the individual during the term of the relationship is our exclusive property. We cannot assure the enforceability of these types of agreements, or that they will not be breached. We also cannot be certain that we will have adequate remedies for any breach. The disclosure of our trade secrets or other know-how as a result of such a breach could adversely affect our business.

We face the risk of litigation proceedings relating to infringement of intellectual property rights of third parties, which, if determined adversely to us, could cause us to lose significant rights, pay significant damage awards or suspend the sale of certain products.

Our success depends largely on our ability to develop and use our technology and know-how in a proprietary manner without infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties. The validity and scope of claims relating to technology and patents involve complex scientific, legal and factual questions and analysis and, therefore, may be highly uncertain. In addition, because patent applications in many jurisdictions are kept confidential for an extended period before they are published, we may be unaware of other persons’ pending patent applications that relate to our products or manufacturing processes. Accordingly, we face the risk of litigation proceedings relating to infringement of intellectual property rights of third parties.

The plaintiffs in actions relating to infringement of intellectual property rights typically seek injunctions and substantial damages. Although patent and other intellectual property disputes are often settled through licensing or similar arrangements, there can be no assurance that such licenses can be obtained on acceptable terms or at all. Accordingly, regardless of the scope or validity of disputed patents or the merits of any patent infringement claims by potential or actual litigants, we may have to engage in protracted litigation. The defense and prosecution of intellectual property suits, patent opposition proceedings and related legal and administrative proceedings can be both costly and time consuming and may significantly divert the efforts and resources of our technical and management personnel. An adverse determination in any such litigation or proceedings could subject us to pay substantial damages to third parties, require us to seek licenses from third parties and pay ongoing royalties or redesign certain products, or subject us to injunctions prohibiting the manufacture and sale of our products or the use of technologies in certain jurisdictions. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be exposed to potential claims for unpaid wages and become subject to additional labor costs arising from the Supreme Court of Korea’s interpretation of ordinary wages.

Under the Labor Standards Act, an employee’s “ordinary wage” is used as the basis for calculating various statutory benefits. Prior to the Supreme Court of Korea’s decision described below,

 

18


Table of Contents

we and other companies in Korea had interpreted the previous guidelines issued by the Ministry of Employment and Labor as excluding fixed bonuses that are paid other than on a monthly basis, such as bi monthly, quarterly or biannually paid bonuses, from employees’ ordinary wages.

In December 2013, the Supreme Court of Korea ruled that regularly paid bonuses, including those that are paid other than on a monthly basis, are included in the scope of employees’ ordinary wages if these bonuses are paid (i) “regularly,” (ii) “uniformly” and (iii) on a “fixed basis,” notwithstanding differential amounts based on seniority. Under this decision, any provision of a collective bargaining agreement or other agreements that attempt to exclude such regular bonuses from employees’ ordinary wages will be deemed void for violation of the mandatory provisions of Korean law.

The Supreme Court of Korea’s decision clarified that if payment of a regular bonus is limited only to those working for the employer on a specific date, such bonus is not fixed and thus does not constitute part of an employee’s ordinary wage. The Ministry of Employment and Labor subsequently published guidelines in January 2014 (the “Guidelines”). According to the Guidelines, the Government excludes, from ordinary wages, regular bonuses contingent on employment on a specific date. Based on the Supreme Court of Korea’s decision and the Guidelines, we believe that regular bonuses we have paid to our employees are likely not required to be included in their ordinary wages because we have paid regular bonuses only to those working for us on the date of payment calculation, the 15th day of each month. However, if we are nonetheless determined to have underpaid employees by under-calculating their ordinary wages over the past three years or in the future, we may be liable for additional payments reflecting the expanded scope of employees’ ordinary wages. Any such additional payments may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Escalations in tensions with North Korea could have an adverse effect on us and the market value of our common shares and ADSs.

Relations between Korea and North Korea have been tense throughout Korea’s modern history. The level of tension between the two Koreas has fluctuated and may increase abruptly as a result of current and future events. In particular, there have been heightened security concerns in recent years stemming from North Korea’s nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs as well as its hostile military actions against Korea. Some of the significant incidents in recent years include the following:

 

   

North Korea renounced its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in January 2003 and conducted six rounds of nuclear tests since October 2006, including claimed detonations of hydrogen bombs, which are more powerful than plutonium bombs, and warheads that can be mounted on ballistic missiles. Over the years, North Korea has also conducted a series of ballistic missile tests, including missiles launched from submarines and intercontinental ballistic missiles that it claims can reach the United States mainland. In response, the Government has repeatedly condemned the provocations and flagrant violations of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. In February 2016, the Government also closed the inter-Korea Gaesong Industrial Complex in response to North Korea’s fourth nuclear test in January 2016. Internationally, the United Nations Security Council has passed a series of resolutions condemning North Korea’s actions and significantly expanding the scope of sanctions applicable to North Korea, most recently in December 2017 in response to North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile test in November 2017. Over the years, the United States and the European Union have also expanded their sanctions applicable to North Korea.

 

   

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

 

19


Table of Contents
 

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 tensions affecting the Korean peninsula will not escalate in the future. Any increase in tensions, which may occur, for example, if North Korea experiences a leadership crisis, high-level contacts between Korea or the United States and North Korea break down or further military hostilities occur, could have a material adverse effect on the Korean economy and on our business, financial condition and results of operations and the market value of our common stock and ADSs.

If you surrender your ADRs to withdraw shares of our common stock, you may not be allowed to deposit the shares again to obtain ADRs.

Under the deposit agreement, holders of shares of our common stock may deposit those shares with the ADR depositary’s custodian in Korea and obtain ADRs, and holders of ADRs may surrender ADRs to the ADR depositary and receive shares of our common stock. However, under current Korean laws and regulations, the depositary bank is required to obtain our prior consent for the number of shares to be deposited in any given proposed deposit that exceeds the difference between (i) the aggregate number of shares deposited by us for the issuance of ADSs (including deposits in connection with the initial and all subsequent offerings of ADSs and stock dividends or other distributions related to these ADSs) and (ii) the number of shares on deposit with the depositary bank at the time of such proposed deposit. It is possible that we may not give the consent. As a result, if you surrender ADRs and withdraw shares of common stock, you may not be able to deposit the shares again to obtain ADRs. See “Item 10. Additional Information — Item 10.D. Exchange Controls.”

You may not be able to exercise preemptive rights for additional shares of common stock and may suffer dilution of your equity interest in us.

The Commercial Code and our articles of incorporation require us, with some exceptions, to offer shareholders the right to subscribe for new shares in proportion to their existing ownership percentage whenever new shares are issued. If we issue new shares to persons other than our shareholders (See “Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association — Preemptive Rights and Issuance of Additional Shares”), a holder of our ADSs will experience dilution of such holding. If none of these exceptions is available, we will be required to grant preemptive rights when issuing additional common shares under Korean law. Under the deposit agreement governing the ADSs, if we offer any rights to subscribe for additional shares of our common stock or any rights of any other nature, the ADR depositary, after consultation with us, may make the rights available to you or use reasonable efforts to dispose of the rights on your behalf and make the net proceeds available to you. The ADR depositary, however, is not required to make available to you any rights to purchase any additional shares unless it deems that doing so is lawful and feasible and:

 

   

a registration statement filed by us under the Securities Act is in effect with respect to those shares; or

 

   

the offering and sale of those shares is exempt from or is not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

20


Table of Contents

We are under no obligation to file any registration statement under the Securities Act to enable you to exercise preemptive rights in respect of the common shares underlying the ADSs, and we cannot assure you that any registration statement would be filed or that an exemption from the registration requirement under the Securities Act would be available. Accordingly, if a registration statement is required for you to exercise preemptive rights but is not filed by us, you will not be able to exercise your preemptive rights for additional shares and may suffer dilution of your equity interest in us.

U.S. investors may have difficulty enforcing civil liabilities against us and our directors and senior management.

We are incorporated in Korea with our principal executive offices located in Seoul. The majority of our directors and senior management are residents of jurisdictions outside the United States, and the majority of our assets and the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, U.S. investors may find it difficult to effect service of process within the United States upon us or such persons or to enforce outside the United States judgments obtained against us or such persons in U.S. courts, including actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. It may also be difficult for an investor to enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against us or such persons in courts in jurisdictions outside the United States, including actions predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. It may also be difficult for a U.S. investor to bring an action in a Korean court predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against our directors and senior management and non-U.S. experts named in this annual report.

We expect to continue operations and investments relating to countries targeted by United States and European Union economic sanctions.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or “OFAC,” enforces certain laws and regulations (“OFAC Sanctions”) that impose restrictions upon U.S. persons and, in some instances, foreign entities owned or controlled by U.S. persons, with respect to activities or transactions with certain countries, governments, entities and individuals that are the subject of OFAC Sanctions (“U.S. Sanctions Targets”). U.S. persons are also generally strictly prohibited from facilitating such activities or transactions. Similarly, the European Union enforces certain laws and regulations (“E.U. Sanctions”) that impose restrictions upon nationals of E.U. member states, persons located within E.U. member states, entities incorporated or constituted under the law of an E.U. member state, or business conducted in whole or in part in E.U. member states with respect to activities or transactions with certain countries, governments, entities and individuals that are the subject of E.U. Sanctions (“E.U. Sanctions Targets” and together with U.S. Sanctions Targets, “Sanctions Targets”). E.U. persons are also generally prohibited from activities that promote such activities or transactions.

We engage in limited business activities in countries that are deemed Sanctions Targets, including Iran and Cuba. We produce and export, typically through our sales subsidiaries, steel products to such countries, including automotive steel sheets and other steel materials to Iranian entities. Our subsidiaries also engage in limited business activities in countries that are deemed Sanctions Targets. In particular, POSCO International engages in the trading of steel, raw materials and other items with entities in countries that are deemed Sanctions Targets, including Iran and Cuba. We believe that such activities and investments do not involve any U.S. goods or services. Our activities in Iran and Cuba accounted for approximately 0.6% of our consolidated revenues in 2017, 0.3% in 2018 and 0.01% in 2019.

We expect to continue to engage in business activities and make investments in countries that are deemed Sanctions Targets over the foreseeable future. Although we believe that OFAC Sanctions under their current terms are not applicable to our current activities, our reputation may be adversely

 

21


Table of Contents

affected, and some of our U.S. investors may be required to divest their investments in us under the laws of certain U.S. states or under internal investment policies or may decide for reputational reasons to divest such investments. We are aware of initiatives by U.S. governmental entities and U.S. institutional investors, such as pension funds, to adopt or consider adopting laws, regulations or policies prohibiting transactions with or investment in, or requiring divestment from, entities doing business with countries identified as state sponsors of terrorism. We cannot assure you that the foregoing will not occur or that such occurrence will not have a material adverse effect on the value of our securities.

Uncertainty relating to benchmark regulation reforms may adversely affect our securities linked to a benchmark.

The London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) and other indices which are deemed to be “benchmarks” are the subject of recent national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. Some of these reforms are already effective while others have yet to be implemented. These reforms may cause such benchmarks to perform differently than in the past, or to disappear entirely, or have other consequences which cannot be predicted. Any such consequence could have a material adverse effect on any securities linked to such benchmarks.

Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 (the “Benchmark Regulation”) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on June 29, 2016 and has been in force since January 1, 2018. The Benchmark Regulation applies to the provision of benchmarks, the contribution of input data to a benchmark and the use of a benchmark, within the European Union. Among other things, (i) it requires benchmark administrators (such as ICE Benchmark Administration Limited and the European Money Market Institute, which currently administer LIBOR and EURIBOR, respectively) to be authorized or registered (or, if non-European Union based, to be subject to an equivalent regime or otherwise recognized or endorsed) and (ii) it prevents certain uses by European Union-supervised entities of benchmarks of administrators that are not authorized or registered (or, if non-European Union based, not deemed equivalent or recognized or endorsed). On July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”) announced that it will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of the LIBOR after 2021. The FCA announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021.

The Benchmark Regulation could have a material impact on any securities linked to a rate or index deemed to be a benchmark, in particular, if the methodology or other terms of the benchmark are changed in order to comply with the requirements of the Benchmark Regulation. Such changes could, among other things, have the effect of reducing, increasing or otherwise affecting the volatility of the published rate or level of the benchmark. More broadly, any of the international, national or other proposals for reform, or the general increased regulatory scrutiny of benchmarks, could increase the costs and risks of administering or otherwise participating in the setting of a benchmark and complying with any such regulations or requirements.

Such factors may have the following effects on certain benchmarks: (i) discourage market participants from continuing to administer or contribute to such benchmark; (ii) trigger changes in the rules or methodologies used in the benchmarks or (iii) lead to the disappearance of the benchmark. Any of the above changes or any other consequential changes as a result of international, national or other proposals for reform or other initiatives or investigations, could have a material adverse effect on the value of and return on any securities linked to a benchmark. Moreover, if a benchmark ceases to be calculated or administered and no replacement base rate is identified or selected, the fallback provisions for the interest rate calculations under the securities may result in interest accruing at a fixed rate based on the rate which applied in the previous period when the benchmark was available, effectively converting the securities into fixed rate securities.

 

22


Table of Contents

This annual report contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to various risks and uncertainties.

This annual report contains “forward-looking statements” that are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our company and our industry. The forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those statements using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continues,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “aim,” “plan,” “likely to,” “target,” “contemplate,” “predict,” “potential” and similar expressions and future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “can,” “may,” or similar expressions generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Those statements include, among other things, the discussions of our business strategy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity and capital resources. We caution you that reliance on any forward-looking statement involves risks and uncertainties, and that although we believe that the assumptions on which our forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and, as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions could be incorrect. The uncertainties in this regard include, but are not limited to, those identified in the risk factors discussed above. In light of these and other uncertainties, you should not conclude that we will necessarily achieve any plans and objectives or projected financial results referred to in any of the forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to release the results of any revisions of these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

Item 4.   Information on the Company

Item 4.A.  History and Development of the Company

We were established by the Government on April 1, 1968, under the Commercial Code, to manufacture and distribute steel rolled products and plates in the domestic and overseas markets. The Government owned more than 70% of our equity until 1988, when the Government reduced its ownership of our common stock to 35% through a public offering and listing our shares on the KRX KOSPI Market. In December 1998, the Government sold all of our common stock it owned directly, and The Korea Development Bank completed the sale of our shares that it owned in September 2000. The Government no longer holds any direct interest in us, and our outstanding common stock is currently held by individuals and institutions. See “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions — Item 7A. Major Stockholders.”

Our legal and commercial name is POSCO. Our principal executive offices are located at POSCO Center, 440 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea 06194, and our telephone number is +82-2-3457-0114. The address of our English website is http://www.posco.com.

The SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov), which contains reports, information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

Item 4.B.  Business Overview

The Company

We are the largest fully integrated steel producer in Korea, and one of the largest steel producers in the world, based on annual crude steel production. We produced approximately 42.9 million tons of crude steel and stainless steel in 2019, a substantial portion of which was produced at Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works. As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately 47.5 million tons of annual crude steel and stainless steel production capacity, including 17.6 million tons of production capacity of Pohang Works and 24.8 million tons of production capacity of Gwangyang Works. We believe Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works are two of the most

 

23


Table of Contents

technologically advanced integrated steel facilities in the world. We manufacture and sell a diversified line of steel products, including cold rolled and hot rolled products, stainless steel products, plates, wire rods and silicon steel sheets, and we are able to meet a broad range of customer needs from manufacturing industries that consume steel, including automotive, shipbuilding, home appliance, engineering and machinery industries.

Korea is our most important market. Domestic sales accounted for 37.3% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 2019 and 38.4% in 2018. On a non-consolidated basis, we believe that our steel products constituted approximately 48% of the total sales volume of such steel products sold in Korea in 2019 and approximately 49% in 2018. Our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad accounted for 62.7% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 2019 and 61.6% in 2018. Our major export market is Asia, with China accounting for 29.3%, Asia other than China and Japan accounting for 22.5%, and Japan accounting for 10.8% of our total steel export revenue from steel products produced and exported by us in 2019 and China accounting for 28.9%, Asia other than China and Japan accounting for 23.4%, and Japan accounting for 10.3% of our total steel export revenue from steel products produced and exported by us in 2018.

We also engage in businesses that complement our steel manufacturing operations as well as carefully seek out promising investment opportunities to diversify our businesses both vertically and horizontally, in part to prepare for the eventual maturation of the Korean steel market. POSCO International is a global trading company that primarily engages in trading of steel and raw materials as well as investing in energy and mineral development projects throughout the world. POSCO E&C is one of the leading engineering and construction companies in Korea that primarily engages in the planning, design and construction of industrial plants and architectural works and civil engineering. POSCO Energy Corporation is the largest private power generation company in Korea.

We generated revenue of Won 64,786 billion and profit of Won 2,038 billion in 2019, compared to revenue of Won 65,155 billion and profit of Won 1,932 billion in 2018. We had total assets of Won 79,371 billion and total equity of Won 47,763 billion as of December 31, 2019, compared to total assets of Won 78,777 billion and total equity of Won 46,673 billion as of December 31, 2018.

Major Products

We manufacture and sell a broad line of steel products, including the following:

 

   

cold rolled products;

 

   

hot rolled products;

 

   

stainless steel products;

 

   

plates;

 

   

wire rods; and

 

   

silicon steel sheets.

The table below sets out our revenue of steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers (either by us or through POSCO Processing & Service Co., Ltd. (“POSCO P&S”), our former subsidiary that primarily engaged in sales of steel products produced by us prior to the transfer of its steel product sales business to POSCO International in March 2017) which are recognized as external revenue of the Steel Segment, by major steel product categories for the periods indicated. Such amounts do not include steel products produced by us and sold to our consolidated subsidiaries (including POSCO International) other than POSCO P&S. Commencing March 2017, our external revenue of the Steel Segment was negatively impacted by the recognition of the external

 

24


Table of Contents

revenue of POSCO P&S’s steel product sales business under the Trading Segment following the transfer of such business to POSCO International.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2017     2018     2019  

Steel Products

   Billions of
Won
             %             Billions of
Won
             %             Billions of
Won
             %          

Cold rolled products

   9,441        31.2   10,585        32.7   10,057        31.4

Hot rolled products

     5,101        16.9       5,620        17.4       5,252        16.4  

Stainless steel products

     6,624        21.9       6,624        20.5       6,956        21.7  

Plates

     3,087        10.2       3,587        11.1       4,070        12.7  

Wire rods

     1,880        6.2       1,882        5.8       1,749        5.5  

Silicon steel sheets

     1,025        3.4       1,012        3.1       923        2.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sub-total

     27,159        89.8       29,309        90.6       29,007        90.6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Others

     3,072        10.2       3,049        9.4       3,070        9.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

       30,230        100.0       32,358        100.0       32,078        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The table below sets out our sales volume of the principal categories of steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers (either by us or through POSCO P&S prior to the transfer of its steel product sales business to POSCO International in March 2017), which are recognized as external sales volume of the Steel Segment, by major steel product categories for the periods indicated. Such amounts do not include steel products produced by us and sold to our consolidated subsidiaries (including POSCO International) other than POSCO P&S. Commencing March 2017, our external sales volume of the Steel Segment was negatively impacted by the recognition of the external sales volume of POSCO P&S’s steel product sales business under the Trading Segment following the transfer of such business to POSCO International.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2017     2018     2019  

Steel Products

   Thousands
of Tons
             %             Thousands
of Tons
             %             Thousands
of Tons
             %          

Cold rolled products

     11,279        37.5     12,300        39.2     11,196        36.9

Hot rolled products

     7,786        25.9       8,153        26.0       7,891        26.0  

Stainless steel products

     2,874        9.6       2,853        9.1       2,973        9.8  

Plates

     4,896        16.3       4,957        15.8       5,399        17.8  

Wire rods

     2,333        7.8       2,227        7.1       2,095        6.9  

Silicon steel sheets

     877        2.9       892        2.8       816        2.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total (1)

     30,046        100.0     31,381        100.0     30,369        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Not including sales volume of steel products categorized under “others.”

In addition to steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers (either by us or through POSCO P&S prior to the transfer of its steel product sales business to POSCO International in March 2017), we engage our consolidated sales subsidiaries (including POSCO International) to sell our steel products produced by us. Our revenue from steel products produced by us and sold to our consolidated sales subsidiaries that in turn sold them to their external customers amounted to Won 7,385 billion in 2017, Won 7,492 billion in 2018 and Won 7,740 billion in 2019. Sales of such steel products by our consolidated sales subsidiaries to external customers are recognized as external revenue of the Trading Segment.

Cold Rolled Products

Cold rolled coils and further refined galvanized cold rolled products are used mainly in the automotive industry to produce car body panels. Other users include the household goods, electrical appliances, engineering and metal goods industries.

 

25


Table of Contents

Our deliveries of cold rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 11.2 million tons in 2019, representing 36.9% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers.

Cold rolled products constitute our largest product category in terms of sales volume and revenue from steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. In 2019, our sales volume of cold rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 9.0% compared to our sales volume in 2018 primarily due to a decrease in sales of cold rolled products manufactured and sold by our subsidiaries in Southeast Asia.

Including sales of cold rolled products produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to cold rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we believe we had a domestic market share for cold rolled products of approximately 59% on a non-consolidated basis in 2019.

Hot Rolled Products

Hot rolled coils and sheets have many different industrial applications. They are used to manufacture structural steel used in the construction of buildings, industrial pipes and tanks, and automobile chassis. Hot rolled coil is also manufactured in a wide range of widths and thicknesses as the feedstock for higher value-added products such as cold rolled products and silicon steel sheets.

Our deliveries of hot rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 7.9 million tons in 2019, representing 26.0% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. The largest customers of our hot rolled products are downstream steelmakers in Korea which use the products to manufacture pipes and cold rolled products.

Hot rolled products constitute our second largest product category in terms of sales volume and third largest product category in terms of revenue from steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. In 2019, our sales volume of hot rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 3.2% compared to our sales volume in 2018 reflecting a decrease in demand for such products.

Including sales of hot rolled products produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to hot rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we believe we had a domestic market share for hot rolled products of approximately 50% on a non-consolidated basis in 2019.

Stainless Steel Products

Stainless steel products are used to manufacture household goods and are also used by the chemical industry, paper mills, the aviation industry, the automotive industry, the construction industry and the food processing industry.

Our deliveries of stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 3.0 million tons in 2019, representing 9.8% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers.

Stainless steel products constitute our second largest product category in terms of revenue from steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. Although sales of stainless steel products accounted for only 9.8% of total sales volume of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers in 2019, they represented 21.7% of our total revenue from steel products in 2019. In 2019, our sales volume of stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 4.2% compared to our sales volume in 2018, in part due to an increase in sales of stainless steel products manufactured and sold by our Chinese subsidiaries.

 

26


Table of Contents

Including sales of stainless steel products produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we believe we had a domestic market share for stainless steel products of approximately 41% on a non-consolidated basis in 2019.

Plates

Plates are used in shipbuilding, structural steelwork, offshore oil and gas production, power generation, mining, and the manufacture of earth-moving and mechanical handling equipment, boiler and pressure vessels and other industrial machinery.

Our deliveries of plates produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 5.4 million tons in 2019, representing 17.8% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. The Korean shipbuilding industry, which uses plates to manufacture chemical tankers, rigs, bulk carriers and containers, and the construction industry are our largest customers of plates.

In 2019, our sales volume of plates produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 8.9% compared to our sales volume in 2018 primarily due to an increase in demand from the shipbuilding industry.

Including sales of plates produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to plates produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we believe we had a domestic market share for plates of approximately 49% on a non-consolidated basis in 2019.

Wire Rods

Wire rods are used mainly by manufacturers of wire, fasteners, nails, bolts, nuts and welding rods. Wire rods are also used in the manufacture of coil springs, tension bars and tire cords in the automotive industry.

Our deliveries of wire rods produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 2.1 million tons in 2019, representing 6.9% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. The largest customers for our wire rods are manufacturers of wire ropes and fasteners.

In 2019, our sales volume of wire rods produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 5.9% compared to 2018 primarily due to a decrease in demand for such products in Korea.

Including sales of wire rods produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to wire rods produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we believe we had a domestic market share for wire rods of approximately 55% on a non-consolidated basis in 2019.

Silicon Steel Sheets

Silicon steel sheets are used mainly in the manufacture of power transformers and generators and rotating machines.

Our deliveries of silicon steel sheets produced by us and directly sold to external customers amounted to 0.8 million tons in 2019, representing 2.7% of our total sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers.

In 2019, our sales volume of silicon steel sheets produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 8.6% compared to 2018 primarily due to a decrease in demand for silicon steel sheets in Europe and Southeast Asia.

 

27


Table of Contents

Including sales of silicon steel sheets produced by us and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to silicon steel sheets produced by us and directly sold to external customers, we believe we had a domestic market share for silicon steel sheets of approximately 82% on a non-consolidated basis in 2019.

Others

Other products include lower value-added semi-finished products such as pig iron, billets, blooms and slab.

Markets

Korea is our most important market. Domestic sales represented 37.3% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 2019. Our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad represented 62.7% of our total revenue from steel products in 2019. Our sales strategy has been to devote our production primarily to satisfy domestic demand, while seeking export sales to utilize capacity to the fullest extent and to expand our international market presence.

Domestic Market

We primarily sell in Korea higher value-added and other finished products to end-users and semi-finished products to other steel manufacturers for further processing. Local distribution companies and sales affiliates sell finished steel products to low-volume customers. We provide service technicians for large customers and distributors in each important product area.

The table below sets out our estimate of the market share of our steel products in Korea for the periods indicated based on sales volume.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Source

       2017             2018             2019      

POSCO’s sales (1)

     43.1     49.2     48.1

Other domestic steel companies’ sales

     28.4       27.9       27.0  

Imports

     28.5       22.9       24.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

POSCO’s sales volume includes steel products produced by us (but not by our subsidiaries) and sold through our consolidated sales subsidiaries in addition to steel products produced by us (but not by our subsidiaries) and directly sold to external customers.

Exports

Our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad represented 62.7% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us in 2019, 62.6% of which was generated from exports sales and overseas sales to customers in Asian countries. Our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad in terms of revenue from such products increased by 1.7% from Won 24,551 billion in 2018 to Won 24,971 billion in 2019.

 

28


Table of Contents

The tables below set out our export sales and overseas sales to customers abroad in terms of revenue from steel products produced and sold by us (including our consolidated sales subsidiaries), by geographical market and by product for the periods indicated.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2017      2018      2019  

Region

   Billions of
Won
     %      Billions of
Won
     %      Billions of
Won
     %  

China

   6,542        28.5%      7,097        28.9%      7,322        29.3%  

Asia (other than China and Japan)

     5,354        23.3        5,749        23.4        5,622        22.5  

Japan

     2,601        11.3        2,530        10.3        2,686        10.8  

Europe

     2,181        9.5        2,212        9.0        2,662        10.7  

Middle East

     163        0.7        204        0.8        271        1.1  

North America

     1,947        8.5        1,861        7.6        1,858        7.4  

Others

     4,176        18.2        4,898        19.9        4,551        18.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

       22,963        100.0%          24,551        100.0%          24,971        100.0%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2017      2018      2019  

Steel Products

   Billions of
Won
     %      Billions of
Won
     %      Billions of
Won
     %  

Cold rolled products

   9,224        40.2%      10,499        42.8%      9,949        39.8%  

Hot rolled products

     2,604        11.3        2,738        11.2        3,159        12.6  

Stainless steel products

     5,345        23.3        5,661        23.1        5,918        23.7  

Plates

     2,000        8.7        1,812        7.4        2,128        8.5  

Wire rods

     606        2.6        677        2.8        729        2.9  

Silicon steel sheets

     950        4.1        1,021        4.2        988        4.0  

Others

     2,235        9.7        2,143        8.7        2,101        8.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

       22,963        100.0%          24,551        100.0%          24,971        100.0%  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We distribute our export products mostly through Korean trading companies, including POSCO International, and our overseas sales subsidiaries. Our largest export market in 2019 was China, which accounted for 29.3% of our export revenue from steel products produced and sold by us. The principal products exported to China were cold rolled products, including continuous galvanized products. Our exports to China increased by 3.2% from Won 7,097 billion in 2018 to Won 7,322 billion in 2019 primarily due to increases in sales of stainless steel products to steel processing companies in China.

Our second largest export market in 2019 was Asia (other than China and Japan), which accounted for 22.5% of our export revenue from steel products produced and sold by us. The principal products exported to Asia (other than China and Japan) were cold rolled products, including continuous galvanized products. Our exports to Asia (other than China and Japan) decreased by 2.2% from Won 5,749 billion in 2018 to Won 5,622 billion in 2019 primarily due to decreases in sales of steel products in Vietnam.

Anti-Dumping, Safeguard and Countervailing Duty Proceedings

From time to time, our exporting activities have become subject to anti-dumping, safeguard and countervailing proceedings. As a steel producer with global sales and operations, we are involved in trade remedy proceedings in markets worldwide, including in the United States. We actively participate in such proceedings to minimize any adverse effects and associated risks. While there has been an increase in the number of trade cases in recent years, and an increased focus on trade issues by government officials, such cases have been limited in scope relative to our global sales and operations. We continue to carefully monitor developments with respect to trade remedy policy in all markets in which we participate and, where necessary, vigorously defend our rights through litigation

 

29


Table of Contents

before tribunals such as the U.S. Court of International Trade. Our products that are subject to anti-dumping duties, safeguard duties, countervailing duties, quotas or tariffs in the aggregate currently have not had a material adverse impact on our business and operations in recent years.

Pricing Policy

We determine the sales price of our products based on market conditions, taking into consideration production outlook of the global steel industry and global economic conditions in general. In setting prices, we take into account our costs, including those of raw materials, supply and demand in the Korean market, exchange rates, and conditions in the international steel market. Our prices can fluctuate considerably over time, depending on market conditions and other factors. The prices of our higher value-added steel products in the largest markets are determined considering the prices of similar products charged by our competitors.

Raw Materials

Steel Production

The principal raw materials used in producing steel through the basic oxygen steelmaking method are iron ore and coal. We require approximately 1.7 tons of iron ore and 0.7 tons of coal to produce one ton of steel. We import all of the coal and virtually all of the iron ore that we use. In 2019, POSCO imported approximately 55 million dry metric tons of iron ore and 29 million wet metric tons of coal. Iron ore is imported primarily from Australia, Brazil and Canada. Coal is imported primarily from Australia, Canada and Russia.

We purchase a substantial portion of our iron ore and coal imports pursuant to long-term contracts. Our long-term supply contracts generally have terms of three to ten years and provide for periodic price adjustments to the then-market prices. We typically adjust the prices on a quarterly basis and maintain approximately one month of inventory of raw materials. Such price adjustments are driven by various factors, including the global economic outlook, global market prices of raw materials and steel products, supply and demand outlook of raw materials and production costs of raw materials. For both coal and iron ore, we typically agree on the purchase price with the suppliers primarily based on the spot market price periodically announced by Platts (Premium Low Vol Coking Coal, FOB Australia Index and Iron Ore 62% Fe, CFR China Index). We or the suppliers may cancel the long-term contracts only if performance under the contracts is prevented by causes beyond our or their control and these causes continue for a specified period.

We also engage in exploration and production projects abroad to enhance our ability to meet the requirements for high-quality raw materials, by acquiring mining rights of raw materials or by investing in projects either as part of a consortium or through an acquisition of a minority interest. In 2019, we purchased approximately 39% of our iron ore imports and 19% of our coal imports from foreign mines in which we have made investments. Our major investments to procure supplies of coal, iron ore and nickel are primarily located in Australia, Brazil, New Caledonia and Canada. We will continue to selectively seek opportunities to enter into additional strategic relationships that would enhance our ability to meet the requirements for principal raw materials.

The average market price of coal per wet metric ton (Premium Low Vol Coking Coal, FOB Australia Index announced by Platts) was US$188 in 2017, US$207 in 2018 and US$176 in 2019. The average market price of iron ore per dry metric ton (Iron Ore 62% Fe, CFR China Index announced by Platts) was US$71 in 2017, US$69 in 2018 and US$93 in 2019. We currently do not depend on any single country or supplier for our coal or iron ore.

Stainless Steel Production

The principal raw materials for the production of stainless steel are ferronickel, ferrochrome and stainless steel scrap. We purchase a majority of our ferronickel primarily from suppliers in Korea that

 

30


Table of Contents

procure nickel ore from New Caledonia, and the remainder primarily from leading suppliers in Indonesia, Japan and Ukraine. Our primary suppliers of ferrochrome are located in South Africa, India and Kazakhstan. Our stainless steel scraps are primarily supplied by domestic and overseas suppliers in Japan and Southeast Asia. Revert scraps from the Pohang Steelworks are also used for our stainless steel production. The average market price of nickel per ton on the London Metal Exchange was US$10,411 in 2017, US$13,122 in 2018 and US$13,936 in 2019.

Transportation

In order to meet our transportation needs for iron ore and coal, we have entered into long-term contracts with shipping companies in Korea to retain a fleet of dedicated vessels. Such contracts are on a consecutive voyage basis with maximum capacity loading, where the shipping company is compensated for the maximum amount of cargo on each trip regardless of whether the vessel is loaded to such amount. These dedicated vessels transported approximately 69% of the total requirements in 2019, and the remaining approximately 31% was transported by vessels retained through short to medium term contracts, depending on market conditions. We plan to continue to optimize the fleet of dedicated vessels that we use in order to cope with changes in the global shipping environment, as well as upgrade some of the existing vessels with others that utilize more energy-efficient technologies.

The Steelmaking Process

Our major production facilities, Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works, produce steel by the basic oxygen steelmaking method. The stainless steel plant at Pohang Works produces stainless steel by the electric arc furnace method. Continuous casting improves product quality by imparting a homogenous structure to the steel. Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works produce all of their products through the continuous casting.

Steel — Basic Oxygen Steelmaking Method

First, molten pig iron is produced in a blast furnace from iron ore, which is the basic raw material used in steelmaking. Molten pig iron is then refined into molten steel in converters by blowing pure oxygen at high pressure to remove impurities. Different desired steel properties may also be obtained by regulating the chemical contents.

At this point, molten steel is made into semi-finished products such as slabs, blooms or billets at the continuous casting machine. Slabs, blooms and billets are produced at different standardized sizes and shapes. Slabs, blooms and billets are semi-finished lower margin products that we either use to produce our further processed products or sell to other steelmakers that produce further processed steel products.

Slabs are processed to produce hot rolled coil products at hot strip mills or to produce plates at plate mills. Hot rolled coils are an intermediate stage product that may either be sold to our customers as various finished products or be further processed by us or our customers into higher value-added products, such as cold rolled sheets and silicon steel sheets. Blooms and billets are processed into wire rods at wire rod mills.

Stainless Steel — Electric Arc Furnace Method

Stainless steel is produced from stainless steel scrap, chrome, nickel and steel scrap using an electric arc furnace. Stainless steel is then processed into higher value-added products by methods similar to those used for steel production. Stainless steel slabs are produced at a continuous casting mill. The slabs are processed at hot rolling mills into stainless steel hot coil, which can be further processed at cold strip mills to produce stainless cold rolled steel products.

 

31


Table of Contents

Competition

Domestic Market

We are the largest fully integrated steel producer in Korea. In hot rolled products, where we believe we had a market share of approximately 50% on a non-consolidated basis in 2019, we face competition from a Korean steel producer that operates mini-mills and produces hot rolled coil products from slabs and from various foreign producers, primarily from China and Japan. In cold rolled products and stainless steel products, where we believe we had a market share of approximately 59% and 41%, respectively, on a non-consolidated basis in 2019, we compete with smaller specialized domestic manufacturers and various foreign producers, primarily from China and Japan. For a discussion of domestic market shares, see “— Markets — Domestic Market.”

We may face increased competition in the future from new specialized or integrated domestic manufacturers of steel products in the Korean market. Our biggest competitor in Korea is Hyundai Steel Co., Ltd.

The Korean Government does not impose quotas on or provide subsidies to local steel producers. As a World Trade Organization signatory, Korea has also removed all steel tariffs.

Export Markets

The competitors in our export markets include all the leading steel manufacturers of the world. In the past decade, there has been a trend toward industry consolidation among our competitors, and smaller competitors in the global steel market today may become larger competitors in the future. In recent years, a slowdown in domestic demand for steel products in China resulting from slowed economic growth, combined with an expansion in steel production capacity, has led to production over-capacity in the Chinese steel industry, which in turn has led the Chinese government to pursue aggressive consolidation in the Chinese steel industry, such as the consolidation of Baosteel Group and Wuhan Iron and Steel in 2016, that has resulted in fewer but larger steel manufacturers that are able to compete more effectively in the global steel industry. Competition from global steel manufacturers with significant production capacity such as ArcelorMittal S.A. and Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation, as well as competitors from emerging markets, especially from China and India, could result in a significant increase in competition. Major competitive factors include range of products offered, quality, price, delivery performance and customer service. Our larger competitors may use their resources, which may be greater than ours, against us in a variety of ways, including by making additional acquisitions, investing more aggressively in product development and capacity and displacing demand for our export products.

Various export markets currently impose tariffs on different types of steel products. However, we do not believe that tariffs significantly affect our ability to compete in these markets.

Subsidiaries and Global Joint Ventures

Steel Production

In order to effectively implement our strategic initiatives and to solidify our leadership position in the global steel industry, we have established various subsidiaries and joint ventures in Korea and elsewhere around the world that engage in steel production activities.

China. We entered into an agreement with Sagang Group Co. to establish Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd., a joint venture company in China for the manufacture and sale of stainless cold rolled steel products. We have an 82.5% interest in the joint venture (including 23.9% interest held by POSCO China Holding Corporation), which commenced production of stainless cold rolled steel products in December 1998. As of December 31, 2019, Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless

 

32


Table of Contents

Steel had an annual production capacity of 1,100 thousand tons of stainless steel products and it produced 1,134 thousand tons of stainless steel products in 2019. See “— Production Facilities Abroad — Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel.”

Indonesia. We entered into an agreement with PT. Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk. to establish PT. Krakatau POSCO Co., Ltd. (“PT. Krakatau POSCO”), a joint venture company in Indonesia for the manufacture and sale of plates and slabs. We hold a 70.0% interest in the joint venture. We completed the construction of a steel manufacturing plant in December 2013. As of December 31, 2019, PT. Krakatau POSCO had an annual production capacity of 2,944 thousand tons of plates and slabs and it produced 3,018 thousand tons of plates and slabs in 2019. See “— Production Facilities Abroad — PT. Krakatau POSCO.”

Vietnam. We established POSCO SS VINA JOINT STOCK COMPANY (“POSCO SS VINA”), a wholly owned subsidiary engaged in the manufacture and sale of shape steel and steel reinforcement products. The plant became operational in June 2015. As of December 31, 2019, POSCO SS VINA had an annual production capacity of 1,100 thousand tons of shape steel and steel reinforcement products and it produced 789 thousand tons of shape steel and steel reinforcement products in 2019. See “Production Facilities Abroad — POSCO SS VINA.”

Trading

Our trading activities consist primarily of trading activities of POSCO International. Our consolidated subsidiaries that also engage in trading activities include POSCO Asia Co., Ltd. located in Hong Kong, POSCO Japan Co., Ltd. located in Tokyo, Japan, POSCO America Corporation located in Georgia, U.S.A., POSCO (Thailand) Company Limited located in Chonburi, Thailand and POSCO Singapore LNG Trading Pte. Ltd. in Singapore.

POSCO International is a global trading company that primarily engages in trading of steel and raw materials as well as investing in energy and mineral development projects. It also manufactures and sells textiles and agricultural commodities. POSCO International was established in December 2000 when the international trading and construction businesses of Daewoo Corporation were spun off into three separate companies as part of a debt workout program of Daewoo Corporation. In order to expand and strengthen its core business and to further promote efficiency within the POSCO Group, POSCO International acquired the steel product sales business from POSCO P&S in March 2017.

 

33


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth a breakdown of POSCO International’s total consolidated sales by export sales, domestic sales and third-country trades as well as product category for the periods indicated:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Product Category

   2017     2018     2019  
     (in billions of Won, except percentages)  

Export trading sales:

            

Steel and metal

   5,059       22.4   5,354       21.3   5,041       20.6

Chemical and commodities

     1,429       6.3       1,563       6.2       1,711       7.0  

Automobile and machinery parts

     2,224       9.9       1,795       7.1       1,015       4.2  

Other goods

                 0       0.0       0       0.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total

     8,712       38.6       8,712       34.6       7,767       31.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Domestic trading sales:

            

Steel and metal

   2,322       10.3   3,316       13.2   3,107       12.7

Chemical and commodities

     23       0.1       19       0.1       10       0.0  

Automobile and machinery parts

     59       0.2       36       0.1       97       0.4  

Other goods

     17       0.1                          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total

     2,421       10.7       3,371       13.4       3,213       13.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Manufactured product sales

   502       2.2     547       2.2     635       2.6  

Others

   253       1.1     222       0.9     458       1.9  

Third-Country Trades:

            

Trading

       14,969       66.3       17,390       69.1       17,367       71.1

Natural resources development

     573       2.5       829       3.3       1,359       5.6  

Manufactured product trading

     221       1.0       329       1.3       101       0.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total third-country trades

     15,763       69.8       18,547       73.7       18,827       77.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total sales prior to consolidation adjustments

     27,650       122.4       31,399       124.7       30,900       126.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidation adjustments

     (5,079     (22.4     (6,225     (24.7     (6,477     26.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total sales

   22,572       100.0   25,174       100.0   24,423       100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trading Activities. POSCO International’s trading activities consist of exporting and importing a wide variety of products and commodities, including iron and steel, raw materials for steel production, non-ferrous metals, chemicals, automotive parts, machinery and plant equipment, electronics products, agricultural commodities and textiles. POSCO International is also engaged in third-country trade that does not involve exports from or imports to Korea. The products are obtained from and supplied to numerous suppliers and purchasers in Korea and overseas, which are procured through a global trading network comprised of overseas trading subsidiaries, branches and representative offices. Such subsidiaries and offices support POSCO International’s trading activities by locating suitable local suppliers and purchasers on behalf of customers, identifying business opportunities and providing information regarding local market conditions.

In most cases, POSCO International enters into trading transactions after the underlying sale and purchase contracts have been matched, which mitigates inventory and price risks to POSCO International. POSCO International typically enters into trading transactions as a principal, and in limited cases as an import or export agent. When acting as a principal or an agent, POSCO International derives its gross trading profit from the margin between the selling price of the products and the purchase price it pays for such products. In the case of principal transactions, the selling price is recorded as sales and the purchase price is recorded as cost of sales, while only the margin is recorded as sales in the case of agency transactions in which POSCO International does not assume the risks and rewards of ownership of the goods. In the instances in which it acts as an arranger for a third country transaction, POSCO International derives its gross trading profit from, and records as sales, the commission paid to it by the customer. The sizes of margins and commissions for POSCO International’s trading activities vary depending on a number of factors, including prevailing supply and

 

34


Table of Contents

demand conditions for the product involved, the cost of financing, insurance, storage and transport and the creditworthiness of the customer, and tends to decline as the product or market matures.

In connection with its export and import transactions, POSCO International has accounts receivable and payable in a number of currencies, but principally in Dollars. POSCO International’s exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates, including the Won/Dollar exchange rate, is limited because trading transactions typically involve matched purchase and sale contracts, which result in limited settlement exposure, and because POSCO International’s contracts with domestic suppliers of products for export and with domestic purchasers of imported products are generally denominated in Dollars. Although the impact of exchange rate fluctuations is substantially mitigated by such strategies, POSCO International also periodically enters into derivative contracts, primarily currency forward contracts, to further hedge its foreign exchange risks.

In connection with its trading activities, POSCO International arranges insurance and product transport at the request of customers, the costs of which generally become reflected in the sales price of the relevant products, and also provides financing services to its purchasers and suppliers as necessary. In the case of trading transactions involving large-scale industrial or construction projects, POSCO International also provides necessary project planning and organizing services to its customers.

Natural Resources Development Activities. POSCO International also invests in energy and mineral development projects throughout the world. In particular, POSCO International holds interests in several gas field projects in Myanmar, where production of gas commenced in July 2013. POSCO International recognized revenues of approximately Won 498 billion in 2017, Won 474 billion in 2018 and Won 723 billion in 2019 from the Myanmar gas field projects. Such natural resources development projects, while entailing higher risks than the traditional trading business, offer higher potential returns. POSCO International intends to continue to expand its operations by carefully seeking out promising energy development projects abroad.

Competition. POSCO International competes principally with other Korean general trading companies that are affiliated with major domestic business groups, as well as global trading companies based in other countries. In the domestic market, competition for export transactions on behalf of domestic suppliers and import transactions on behalf of domestic purchasers was limited, as most affiliated general trading companies of large Korean business groups generally relied on affiliate transactions for the bulk of their trading business. However, in recent years, many of these Korean general trading companies have reduced their reliance on their affiliated business group and transactions carried out on behalf of their member companies and instead have generally evolved to focus on segments of the import and export markets in which they have a competitive advantage. As a result, competition among Korean general trading companies in the area of traditional trade has become more intense. POSCO International’s principal competitors in the overseas trading markets include Korean trading companies that operate in various international markets, as well as foreign trading companies, particularly those based in Japan. As POSCO International diversifies into businesses other than traditional trading such as natural resources development, it also increasingly competes with other Korean and international companies involved in these businesses.

Construction

POSCO E&C is one of the leading engineering and construction companies in Korea, primarily engaged in the planning, design and construction of industrial plants and architectural works and civil engineering projects. In particular, POSCO E&C has established itself as one of the premier engineering and construction companies in Korea through:

 

   

its strong and stable customer base; and

 

35


Table of Contents
   

its cutting-edge technological expertise obtained from construction of advanced integrated steel plants, as well as participation in numerous modernization and rationalization projects at our Pohang Works and Gwangyang Works.

Leveraging its technical know-how and track record of building some of the leading industrial complexes in Korea, POSCO E&C has also focused on diversifying its operations into construction of high-end apartment complexes and participating in a wider range of architectural works and civil engineering projects, as well as engaging in urban planning and development projects and expanding its operations abroad. In September 2015, we completed the sale of our 38.0% interest in POSCO E&C to PIF, the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, for US$1.05 billion. In connection with the sale, POSCO E&C and PIF agreed to jointly explore additional business opportunities in Saudi Arabia, including participating in various infrastructure projects sponsored by the Saudi Arabian government.

POSCO E&C also has substantial experience in the energy field obtained from the construction of various power plants for member companies of the POSCO Group, specializing primarily in engineering and construction of LNG and coal-fired thermal power plants. In recent years, POSCO E&C has obtained various orders for such power plants, including a coal-fired thermal power plant in Samcheok, Korea, an ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant in Matarbari, Bangladesh, a combined cycle power plant in Erbil, Iraq and an integrated cycle power plant and an LNG terminal facility in Colón, Panama. In response to increasing demand from the energy industry, POSCO E&C plans to continue to target opportunities in power plant construction, especially in Asia and Africa, which it believes offers significant growth potential. In order to further promote efficiency among the member companies of the POSCO Group as well as to enhance the engineering expertise of POSCO E&C, POSCO Engineering Co., Ltd. merged into POSCO E&C in February 2017.

Competition. Competition in the construction industry is based primarily on price, reputation for quality, reliability, punctuality and financial strength of contractors. In Korea, POSCO E&C’s main competition in the construction of residential and non-residential buildings, EPC projects, urban planning and development projects and civil works projects consists of approximately ten major domestic construction companies, all of which are member companies of other large business groups in Korea and are capable of undertaking larger-scale, higher-value-added projects that offer greater potential returns. A series of measures introduced by the Government over the past few years to regulate housing prices in Korea, as well as an increasing popularity of low-bid contracts in civil works project mandates, have contributed to increased competition in the Korean construction industry in recent years. In the overseas markets, POSCO E&C faces competition from local construction companies and other major Korean construction companies with overseas operations, as well as international construction companies from other countries.

Others

As part of our diversification efforts, we strive to identify business opportunities that supplement our steel, trading and construction segments, including power generation, LNG logistics, manufacturing of various industrial materials and network and system integration.

POSCO Energy Corporation. In 2006, we acquired the largest domestic private power utility company that operates LNG combined cycle power generation facilities with total power generation capacity of 1,800 megawatts and subsequently renamed it POSCO Energy Corporation. Since our acquisition, POSCO Energy Corporation has expanded its power generation capacity by constructing additional power plants in Korea and Southeast Asia. POSCO Energy Corporation’s total power generation capacity was approximately 3,794 megawatts as of December 31, 2019. POSCO Energy Corporation is also selectively seeking opportunities to expand into solar, wind and other renewable energy businesses in order to become an integrated provider of energy solutions.

 

36


Table of Contents

POSCO Energy Corporation also operates an LNG receiving terminal with an aggregate capacity to process up to 3.0 million tons of LNG annually in Gwangyang. In order to achieve maximum operational efficiency of our LNG terminal, it participates in the LNG trading and LNG ship gas trial businesses.

POSCO Chemical Co., Ltd. POSCO Chemical Co., Ltd. specializes in the manufacturing of refractories and lime used in steel manufacturing processes as well as a wide range of chemical products. It also expanded into the anode and cathode manufacturing business in 2018 following its merger with POSCO ESM Co., Ltd., our former subsidiary specializing in the production of battery materials.

Others. POSCO M-Tech Co., Ltd. produces aluminum deoxidizers, substances used to remove excess oxygen during the steel manufacturing process to improve durability of steel products, and it also provides integrated steel product packing solutions for steel production facilities. POSCO ICT Co., Ltd. provides information and technology consulting and system network integration and outsourcing services.

Insurance

We maintain property insurance for our property, plant and equipment that we believe to be consistent with market practice in Korea.

Item 4.C.  Organizational Structure

The following table sets out the jurisdiction of incorporation and our ownership interests of our significant subsidiaries as of December 31, 2019:

 

Name

   Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
   Percentage of
Ownership
 

POSCO International Corporation

   Korea      62.9

POSCO Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd

   Korea      52.8

POSCO Energy Corporation

   Korea      100.0

PT. Krakatau POSCO

   Indonesia      70.0

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

   Hong Kong      100.0

POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited

   India      100.0

Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

   China      82.5 % (1) 

POSCO Chemical Co., Ltd.

   Korea      61.3

POSCO SS VINA

   Vietnam      100.0

 

 

(1)

POSCO holds a 58.6% interest and POSCO-China holds a 23.9% interest.

 

Item 4.D.  Property,

Plants and Equipment

Our principal properties are Pohang Works, which is located at Youngil Bay on the southeastern coast of Korea, and Gwangyang Works, which is located in Gwangyang City in the southwestern region of Korea. We also maintain and operate production properties abroad, including plants operated by Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel in China, PT. Krakatau POSCO in Indonesia and POSCO SS VINA in Vietnam. We may increase our production capacity in the future when we increase our capacity as part of our facilities expansion or as a result of continued modernization and rationalization of our existing facilities. For a discussion of major items of our capital expenditures currently in progress, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources — Liquidity — Capital Expenditures and Capital Expansion.”

We are vigorous in our efforts to engage in environmentally responsible management of, and to protect the environment from damage resulting from, our operations. Our levels of pollution control are higher than those mandated by Government standards. We established an on-line environmental

 

37


Table of Contents

monitoring system with real-time feedback on pollutant levels and a forecast system of pollutant concentration in surrounding areas. We also undergo periodic environmental inspection by both internal and external inspectors in accordance with ISO 14001 standards to monitor execution and maintenance of our environmental management plan. We also operate a certification program targeting our suppliers and outsourcing partners, pursuant to which they are encouraged to establish environmental management systems of their own.

Production Facilities in Korea

Pohang Works

Construction of Pohang Works began in 1970 and ended in 1983. Pohang Works currently has an annual crude steel and stainless steel production capacity of 17.6 million tons. Pohang Works produces a wide variety of steel products. Products produced at Pohang Works include hot rolled sheets, plates, wire rods and cold rolled sheets, as well as specialty steel products such as stainless steel sheets and silicon steel sheets. These products can also be customized to meet the specifications of our customers.

Situated on a site of 8.9 million square meters at Youngil Bay on the southeastern coast of Korea, Pohang Works consists of iron-making, crude steelmaking and continuous casting and other rolling facilities. Pohang Works also has docking facilities capable of accommodating large ships for unloading raw materials, storage areas for raw materials and separate docking facilities for ships carrying products for export. Pohang Works is equipped with a highly advanced computerized production-management system allowing constant monitoring and control of the production process.

Gwangyang Works

Construction of Gwangyang Works began in 1985 and ended in 1992. Gwangyang Works currently has an annual crude steel production capacity of 24.8 million tons. Gwangyang Works specializes in high volume production of a limited number of steel products. Products manufactured at Gwangyang Works include both hot and cold rolled types.

Situated on a site of 13.7 million square meters reclaimed from the sea in Gwangyang City in the southwestern region of Korea, Gwangyang Works is comprised of iron-making plants, steelmaking plants, continuous casting plants, hot strip mills and thin-slab hot rolling plants. The site also features docking and unloading facilities for raw materials capable of accommodating large ships for unloading raw materials, storage areas for raw materials and separate docking facilities for ships carrying products for export.

We believe Gwangyang Works is one of the most technologically advanced integrated steel facilities in the world. Gwangyang Works has a completely automated, linear production system that enables the whole production process, from iron-making to finished products, to take place without interruption. This advanced system reduces the production time for hot rolled products to only four hours. Like Pohang Works, Gwangyang Works is equipped with a highly advanced computerized production-management system allowing constant monitoring and control of the production process.

 

38


Table of Contents

Capacity Utilization Rates

The following table sets out the capacity utilization rates of our production facilities in Korea for the periods indicated.

 

         As of or for the Year Ended December 31,       
     2017     2018     2019  

Crude steel and stainless steel production capacity as of end of the year (million tons per year)

     42.39       42.39       42.39  

Actual crude steel and stainless steel output (million tons)

     37.21       37.74       38.01  

Capacity utilization rate (%) (1)

     87.8     89.0     89.7

 

 

(1)

Calculated by dividing actual crude steel and stainless steel output by the actual crude steel and stainless steel production capacity for the relevant period as determined by us.

Production Facilities Abroad

Our various subsidiaries and joint ventures around the world, including Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd. in China, PT. Krakatau POSCO in Indonesia and POSCO SS VINA in Vietnam, engage in steel production activities. For a discussion of such operations, see “Item 4. Information on the Company — Item 4.B. Business Overview — Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures.”

Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel

The following table sets out Zhangjiagang’s capacity utilization rates for the periods indicated.

 

         As of or for the Year Ended December 31,       
     2017     2018     2019  

Crude steel and stainless steel production capacity as of end of the year (million tons per year)

     1.10       1.10       1.10  

Actual crude steel and stainless steel output (million tons)

     1.16       1.16       1.13  

Capacity utilization rate (%) (1)

     105.4     105.3     103.1

 

 

(1)

Calculated by dividing actual crude steel and stainless steel output by the actual crude steel and stainless steel production capacity for the relevant period as determined by us.

PT. Krakatau POSCO

The following table sets out PT. Krakatau POSCO’s capacity utilization rates for the periods indicated.

 

     As of or for the Year Ended December 31,      
     2017     2018     2019  

Crude steel production capacity as of end of the year (million tons per year)

     3.00       3.00       2.94  

Actual crude steel output (million tons)

     2.92       3.01       3.02  

Capacity utilization rate (%) (1)

     97.4     100.3     102.5

 

 

(1)

Calculated by dividing actual crude steel output by the actual crude steel production capacity for the relevant period as determined by us.

 

39


Table of Contents

POSCO SS VINA

The following table sets out POSCO SS VINA’s capacity utilization rates for the periods indicated.

 

         As of or for the Year Ended December  31,  
     2017     2018     2019  

Crude steel production capacity as of end of the year (million tons per year)

     1.10       1.10       1.10  

Actual crude steel output (million tons)

     0.91       0.97       0.79  

Capacity utilization rate (%) (1)

     82.3     87.7     71.7

 

 

(1)

Calculated by dividing actual crude steel output by the actual crude steel production capacity for the relevant period as determined by us.

Item 4A.  Unresolved Staff Comments

We do not have any unresolved comments from the Securities and Exchange Commission staff regarding our periodic reports under the Exchange Act of 1934.

Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

Item 5.A.  Operating Results

The following discussion and analysis is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB. Unless otherwise noted, the amounts included in Item 5.A. are presented on a consolidated basis.

Overview

We are the largest fully integrated steel producer in Korea. We have four reportable operating segments — a steel segment, a trading segment, a construction segment and a segment that contains operations of all other entities which fall below the reporting thresholds. The steel segment includes production of steel products and sale of such products. The trading segment consists primarily of global trading activities and natural resources development activities of POSCO International. POSCO International exports and imports a wide range of steel products that are both obtained from and supplied to POSCO, as well as between other suppliers and purchasers in Korea and overseas. The construction segment includes planning, designing and construction of industrial plants, civil engineering projects and commercial and residential buildings, both in Korea and overseas. The “others” segment includes power generation, LNG logistics, manufacturing of various industrial materials and network and system integration. See Note 40 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

One of the major factors contributing to our historical performance has been the growth of the Korean economy, and our future performance will depend at least in part on Korea’s general economic growth and prospects. For a description of recent developments that have had and may continue to have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition, see “Item 3. Key Information — Item 3.D. Risk Factors — Korea is our most important market, and our current business and future growth could be materially and adversely affected if economic conditions in Korea deteriorate.” A number of other factors have had or are expected to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition and capital expenditures. These factors include:

 

   

our sales volume, unit prices and product mix;

 

   

costs and production efficiency; and

 

   

exchange rate fluctuations.

 

40


Table of Contents

As a result of these factors, our financial results in the past may not be indicative of future results or trends in those results.

Sales Volume, Prices and Product Mix

In recent years, our net sales have been affected by the following factors:

 

   

the demand for our products in the Korean market and our capacity to meet that demand;

 

   

our ability to compete for sales in the export market;

 

   

price levels; and

 

   

our ability to improve our product mix.

Domestic demand for our products is affected by the condition of major steel consuming industries, such as construction, shipbuilding, automotive, electrical appliances and downstream steel processors, and the Korean economy in general.

In 2018, unit sales prices in Won for each of our principal product lines of steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, other than silicon steel products, increased. The weighted average unit price for such products increased by 3.3% from 2017 to 2018, despite an appreciation in the average value of the Won against the Dollar in 2018 that decreased our export prices in Won terms. The average exchange rate of the Won against the Dollar, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd., appreciated from Won 1,130.8 to US$1.00 in 2017 to Won 1,100.3 to US$1.00 in 2018.

The unit sales price of plates, which accounted for 15.8% of total sales volume of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, increased by 14.8% in 2018. The unit sales price of hot rolled products, which accounted for 26.0% of total sales volume of such products, increased by 5.2% in 2018. The unit sales price of wire rods, which accounted for 7.1% of total sales volume of such products, increased by 4.9% in 2018. The unit sales price of cold rolled products, which accounted for 39.2% of total sales volume of such products, increased by 2.8% in 2018. The unit sales price of stainless steel products, which accounted for 9.1% of total sales volume of such products, increased by 0.8% in 2018. On the other hand, the unit sales price of silicon steel products, which accounted for 2.8% of total sales volume of such products, decreased by 2.9% in 2018.

In 2019, the unit sales prices in Won of cold rolled products, plates and stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased, while the unit sales prices in Won of the remainder of our principal product lines of steel products decreased. The weighted average unit price for such products increased by 2.3% from 2018 to 2019, which was enhanced by the depreciation in the average value of the Won against the Dollar in 2019 that increased our export prices in Won terms. The average exchange rate of the Won against the Dollar, as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd., depreciated from Won 1,100.3 to US$1.00 in 2018 to Won 1,165.7 to US$1.00 in 2019.

The unit sales price of cold rolled products, which accounted for 36.9% of total sales volume of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers, increased by 4.4% in 2019. The unit sales price of plates, which accounted for 17.8% of total sales volume of such products, increased by 4.2% in 2019. The unit sales price of stainless steel products, which accounted for 9.8% of total sales volume of such products, increased by 0.8% in 2019. On the other hand, the unit sales price of hot rolled products, which accounted for 26.0% of total sales volume of such products, decreased by 3.4% in 2019. The unit sales price of wire rods, which accounted for 6.9% of total sales volume of such products, decreased by 1.2% in 2019. The unit sales price of silicon steel sheets, which accounted for 2.7% of total sales volume of such products, decreased by 0.3% in 2019.

 

41


Table of Contents

The table below sets out the average unit sales prices for our semi-finished and finished steel products for the periods indicated.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  

Products

       2017              2018              2019      
     (In thousands of Won per ton)  

Cold rolled products

   837      861      898  

Hot rolled products

     655        689        666  

Stainless steel products

         2,304            2,322            2,340  

Plates

     631        724        754  

Wire rods

     806        845        835  

Silicon steel sheets

     1,169        1,135        1,132  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average (1)

   904      934      955  

 

 

(1)

“Average” prices are based on the weighted average, by sales volume, of our sales for the listed principal products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — Item 4.B. Business Overview — Major Products.” The average unit sales price calculation does not include sales results of steel products categorized as “others.”

Costs and Production Efficiency

Our major costs and operating expenses are raw material purchases, depreciation, labor and other purchases. The table below sets out our cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of our revenue as well as gross profit margin and operating profit margin for the periods indicated.

 

                 For the Year Ended December 31,              
         2017             2018             2019      
     (Percentage of net sales)  

Cost of sales

     86.3     87.7     90.2

Selling and administrative expenses

     6.2       3.7       3.7  

Gross margin

     13.7       12.3       9.8  

Operating profit margin

     7.0       6.2       5.0  

Our operating profit margin decreased from 7.0% in 2017 to 6.2% in 2018 and 5.0% in 2019 as discussed below.

We are closely monitoring changes in market conditions and we implemented the following measures in recent years to improve our profit margins:

 

   

pursuing cost reduction through enhancing product designs, improving productivity and reducing fixed costs;

 

   

focusing on marketing activities to increase the sales of higher margin, higher value-added products and to strengthen our domestic market position;

 

   

pursuing synergies among member companies of the POSCO Group through corporate restructurings; and

 

   

establishing a special sales committee to more effectively respond to changes in market trends and preparing responses to various scenarios of future sales.

 

42


Table of Contents

Production capacity represents our maximum production capacity that can be achieved with an optimal level of operations of our facilities. The table below sets out certain information regarding our production capacity and efficiency in the production of steel products for the periods indicated.

 

             For the Year Ended December 31,           
     2017     2018     2019  

Crude steel and stainless steel production capacity (million tons per year)

     47.6       47.6       47.5  

POSCO

     42.4       42.4       42.4  

Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

     1.1       1.1       1.1  

PT. Krakatau POSCO

     3.0       3.0       2.9  

POSCO SS VINA

     1.1       1.1       1.1  

Actual crude steel and stainless steel output (million tons)

     42.2       42.9       42.9  

POSCO

     37.2       37.7       38.0  

Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

     1.2       1.2       1.1  

PT. Krakatau POSCO

     2.9       3.0       3.0  

POSCO SS VINA

     0.9       1.0       0.8  

Capacity utilization rate (%)

     88.7     90.1     90.4

POSCO

     87.8     89.0     89.7

Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

     105.4     105.3     103.1

PT. Krakatau POSCO

     97.4     100.3     102.5

POSCO SS VINA

     82.3     87.7     71.7

Exchange Rate Fluctuations

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared from our local currency denominated financial results, assets and liabilities and our subsidiaries around the world, which are then translated into Won. A substantial proportion of our consolidated financial results is accounted for in currencies other than the Won. Accordingly, our consolidated financial results and assets and liabilities may be materially affected by changes in the exchange rates of foreign currencies. In 2019, 62.7% of our total revenue from steel products produced and sold by us was in overseas markets outside of Korea. To the extent that we incur costs in one currency and make sales in another, our profit margins may be affected by changes in the exchange rates between the two currencies. Since the currency in which sales are recorded may not be the same as the currency in which expenses are incurred, foreign exchange rate fluctuations may materially affect our results of operations. Depreciation of the Won may materially affect the results of our operations because, among other things, it causes:

 

   

an increase in the amount of Won required for us to make interest and principal payments on our foreign currency-denominated debt;

 

   

an increase in Won terms in the costs of raw materials and equipment that we purchase from overseas sources and a substantial portion of our freight costs, which are denominated primarily in Dollars; and

 

   

foreign exchange translation losses on foreign-currency denominated liabilities, which lower our earnings for accounting purposes.

Appreciation of the Won against major currencies, on the other hand, causes:

 

   

our export products to be less competitive by raising our prices in Dollar, Yen and Renminbi terms; and

 

   

a reduction in net sales and accounts receivables in Won from export sales, which are primarily denominated in Dollars and to a lesser extent in Yen and Renminbi.

The overall net impact from fluctuations of the Won against major currencies is difficult to estimate and varies from year to year. We strive to naturally offset our foreign exchange risk by matching foreign currency receivables with our foreign currency payables and our overseas subsidiaries have sought to further mitigate the adverse impact of exchange rate fluctuations by

 

43


Table of Contents

conducting business transactions in the local currency of the respective market in which the transactions occur. In particular, POSCO International’s exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates, including the Won/Dollar exchange rate, is limited because trading transactions typically involve matched purchase and sale contracts, which result in limited settlement exposure, and because POSCO International’s contracts with domestic suppliers of products for export and with domestic purchasers of imported products are generally denominated in Dollars. Although the impact of exchange rate fluctuations is partially mitigated by such strategies, we and our subsidiaries, particularly POSCO International and POSCO E&C, also periodically enter into derivative contracts, primarily foreign currency swaps and forward exchange contracts, to further hedge some of our foreign exchange risks. However, our results of operations have historically been affected by exchange rate fluctuations and there can be no assurance that such strategies will be sufficient to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of such fluctuations in the future.

Inflation

Inflation in Korea, which was 1.9% in 2017, 1.5% in 2018 and 0.5% in 2019 has not had a material impact on our results of operations in recent years.

Critical Accounting Estimates

We have prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts in our consolidated financial statements. Our estimates and judgments are based on historical experience, forecasted future events and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and judgments may differ under different assumptions or conditions. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We believe the critical accounting policies discussed below are the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations. Each of them is dependent on projections of future market conditions, and they often require us to make difficult, subjective and complex judgments.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for exposures in our receivable balances that represent our estimate of probable losses in our short-term and long-term receivable balances from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate and negatively impact their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Determining the allowance for doubtful accounts requires significant management judgment and estimates including, among others, the credit worthiness of our customers, experience of historical collection patterns, potential events and circumstances affecting future collections and the ongoing risk assessment of our customer’s ability to pay.

Trade account receivables are analyzed on a regular basis and, upon our becoming aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial commitments to us, the value of the receivable is reduced through a charge to the allowance for doubtful accounts. In addition, we record a charge to the allowance for doubtful accounts upon receipt of customer claims in connection with sales that management estimates are unlikely to be collected in full. As of December 31, 2019, the percentage of allowance for doubtful accounts related to net trade accounts and notes receivables compared to our trade accounts and notes receivables was 6.96%. Our allowance for doubtful accounts decreased by 2.0%, or Won 19 billion, from Won 917 billion as of December 31, 2018 to Won 898 billion as of December 31, 2019. See Note 23 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Lifetime expected credit losses are expected credit losses from any default that may occur over the expected life of a financial instrument. 12-month expected credit losses are portions of lifetime expected credit losses that result from defaults that may occur within the 12 months after the reporting

 

44


Table of Contents

date. The expected life of a financial instrument is the entire contractual period over which we are exposed to credit risk. Expected credit losses are probability-weighted estimates of credit losses. Credit losses are measured as the present value of all cash shortfalls, such as the difference between cash flows specified under contracts and cash flows that we expect to receive.

The actual average annual uncollected percentage rate of accounts receivables resulting in write-offs for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019 was 1.22%. These historical results, as well as current known conditions impacting the collectability of our accounts receivable balances, are significant factors for us when we estimate the amount of the necessary allowance for doubtful accounts. Historically, losses from uncollectible accounts receivables have been within expectations and in line with the allowances established. However, unforeseen circumstances such as adverse market conditions that deviate significantly from our estimates may require us to change the timing of, and make additional allowances to, our receivable balances. In this case, our results of operations, financial condition and net worth could be materially and adversely affected.

Valuation of Financial Instruments including Debt and Equity Securities and Derivatives

We invest in various financial instruments including debt and equity securities and derivatives. Depending on the accounting treatment specific to each type of financial instrument, an estimate of fair value is required to determine the instrument’s effect on our consolidated financial statements.

If available, quoted market prices provide the best indication of fair value. We determine the fair value of our financial instruments using quoted market prices when available, including quotes from dealers trading those securities. If quoted market prices are not available, we determine the fair value based on pricing or valuation models, quoted prices of instruments with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. Determining the fair value of unlisted financial instruments involves a significant degree of management resources and judgment as no quoted prices exist and such securities are generally very thinly traded. Derivatives for which quoted market prices are not available are valued using valuation models such as the discounted cash flow method. The key inputs used in the valuation of such derivatives depend upon the type of derivative and the nature of the underlying instrument and include interest rate yield curves, foreign exchange rates, the spot price of the underlying instrument, volatility and correlation. The fair values based on pricing and valuation models and discounted cash flow analysis are subject to various assumptions used that, if changed, could significantly affect the fair value of the investments.

We have estimated fair values of material non-marketable securities. We estimated these fair values based on pricing or valuation models, quoted prices of instruments with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flow models. The discounted cash flow model valuation technique is based on the estimated cash flow projections of the underlying investee. Key assumptions and estimates include market conditions, revenue growth rates, operating margin rates, income tax rates, depreciation and amortization rates, the level of capital expenditures, working capital amounts and the discount rates. These estimates are based on historical results of the investee and other market data. In these cash flows projections, the two most significant estimates are the discount rates and revenue growth rates. As of December 31, 2019, if the discount rates used in these valuations were increased by 1%, then the estimated fair values would have decreased by approximately 10% in total. In addition, as of December 31, 2019, if the revenue growth rate assumptions were decreased by 1% in the cash flow models, then the estimated fair values would have decreased by approximately 11% in total.

We recognized impairment losses on available-for-sale financial assets of Won 123 billion in 2017, but we did not recognize any such impairment loss in 2018 and 2019 due to our adoption of IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments,” effective as of January 1, 2018, which classifies available-for-sale financial assets as financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income. See Note 33 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

45


Table of Contents

Our estimates and assumptions used to evaluate the fair value of investments are made taking into consideration our assessment of the latest information available. However, unforeseen circumstances such as adverse market conditions that deviate significantly from our estimates may require us to revise the fair value of investments. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair values of our investments and potentially result in different impacts on our results of operations.

Long-lived Assets

At each reporting date, we review the carrying amounts of our tangible and intangible assets (excluding goodwill) to determine whether there is any indication that the carrying amount of those assets may not be recoverable through continuing use. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset (or cash generating unit) is reviewed in order to determine the amount of the impairment, if any. The recoverable amount is the higher of the asset’s net selling price (fair value less costs to sell) and its value in use. When the book value of long-lived asset exceeds the recoverable amount of the asset due to obsolescence, physical damage or a decline in market value and such amount is material, the impairment of the asset is recognized and the asset’s carrying value is reduced to its recoverable amount and the resulting impairment loss is charged to current operations. Such recoverable amount is based on our estimates of the future use of assets and is subject to changes in market conditions. Based on an impairment test as of December 31, 2019, we recognized impairment loss on property, plant and equipment amounting to Won 443 billion in 2019, which related primarily to impairment loss of Won 205 billion incurred by POSCO SS VINA, Won 74 billion related to the discontinued operation of a ferrosilicon facility in Pohang and Won 70 billion related to the discontinued operation of a compact endless cast-rolling mill facility in Gwangyang.

The depreciable lives and salvage values of our long-lived assets are estimated and reviewed each year based on industry practices and prior experience to reflect economic lives of long-lived assets. Our estimates of the useful lives and recoverable amount of long-lived assets are based on historical trends adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions. Also, our estimates include the expected future period in which the future cash flows are expected to be generated from continuing use of the assets that we review for impairment and cash outflows to prepare the assets for use that can be directly attributed or allocated on a reasonable and consistent basis. If applicable, estimates also include net cash flows to be received or paid for the disposal of the assets at the end of their useful lives. As a result of the impairment review, when the sum of the discounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets is less than the book value of the assets, we recognize impairment losses based on the recoverable amount of those assets. We make a number of significant assumptions and estimates in the application of the discounted cash flow model to forecast cash flows, including business prospects, market conditions, selling prices and sales volume of products, costs of production and funding sources. The estimated cash flow forecast amounts are derived from the most recent financial budgets for the next three to five years. Beyond the specifically forecasted period, we extrapolate the cash flows for the remaining years based on an estimated growth rate. This estimated growth rate does not exceed the long-term average growth rate of our industry. As of December 31, 2019, for the applicable cash generating units, we estimated a discount rate of 6.25% to 9.00% and a revenue growth rate of 1.0% to 2.1%. Further impairment charges may be required if triggering events occur, such as adverse market conditions, that suggest deterioration in an asset’s recoverability or fair value. Results in actual transactions could differ from those estimates used to evaluate the impairment of such long-lived assets. If our future cash flow projections are not realized, either because of an extended recessionary period or other unforeseen events, impairment charges may be required in future periods.

 

46


Table of Contents

If the estimated discount rates used in these valuations were increased by 1%, then the estimated recoverable amount would have decreased by 5.42% to 6.84% in total. If the estimated revenue growth rate were decreased by 1%, then the estimated recoverable amount would have decreased by 1.23% to 6.75% in total. We believe that any reasonably possible negative change in the key assumptions on which the recoverable amount is based would result in impairment loss of long-lived assets.  

Goodwill

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually at the level of the groups of cash generating units or whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The recoverable amounts of the groups of cash-generating units are determined from the higher of their fair value less cost to sell or their value-in-use calculations. The key assumptions for the value in use calculations are those regarding the discount rates, terminal growth rates and estimated sales during the period.

Our management estimates discount rates using post-tax rates that reflect current market rates for investments of similar risk. Terminal growth rates are based on industry growth forecasts, and estimated sales are based on historical experience and expectations of future changes in the market. Cash flow forecasts are derived from the most recent financial budgets for the next five years. Beyond the specifically forecasted period, we extrapolate cash flows for the remaining years based on an estimated growth rate. This rate does not exceed the average long-term growth rate for the relevant markets. Once recognized, impairment losses recognized for goodwill are not reversed.

In validating the value in use determined for the cash generating units, the sensitivity of key assumptions used in the discounted cash-flow model such as discount rates and the terminal growth rate was evaluated. As of December 31, 2019, if the estimated average discount rates used in these valuations were increased by 0.25%, the estimated value-in-use for the respective cash generating units would have decreased by Won 158 billion or 4.65% in total. As of December 31, 2019, if the estimated terminal growth rates were decreased by 0.25%, the estimated value-in-use for the respective cash generating units would have decreased by Won 69 billion or 2.05% in total. Based on an impairment test as of December 31, 2019, we recognized impairment loss on goodwill of Won 55 billion incurred by POSCO International. We believe that determining the existence and impairment of goodwill is a critical accounting estimate because significant management judgment is involved in the evaluation of the value of the cash-generating groups, and any reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions on which the recoverable amount is based would cause a change in impairment loss on goodwill. See Note 15 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Costs of inventories are determined using the moving-weighted average or weighted average method. Materials-in-transit are determined using the specific identification method. Amounts of inventory are written down to net realizable value due to losses occurring in the normal course of business and the allowance is reported as a contra inventory account, while the related charge is recognized in cost of goods sold.

The net realizable value is determined based on the latest selling price available at the end of each quarter taking into account the directly attributable selling costs. The latest selling price is the base price which is the negotiated selling price based upon the recent transactions entered into with major customers. Considering that our inventory turnover is approximately two months and inventories at the balance sheet date would be sold during the following two months, we perform valuation of inventories using the base price as of the balance sheet date and adjust for significant changes in selling price occurring subsequent to the reporting date. The selling price range used for determining

 

47


Table of Contents

the net realizable value of our inventories ranged from the inventory cost amount less 5.0% of the gross profit margin to the inventory cost amount plus 15.6% of the gross profit margin. For inventories in which expected selling prices are less than the cost amount, the necessary adjustment to write-down the inventories to net realizable value is made. There was no recovery in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The valuation losses of inventories recognized within cost of goods sold were Won 79 billion in 2017, Won 142 billion in 2018 and Won 96 billion in 2019.

Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures

We hold a significant amount of investments in associates and joint ventures, which interests are accounted for using the equity method. As of December 31, 2019, the book value of our investments in associates and joint ventures was Won 3,928 billion. The carrying amounts of our investments in associates and joint ventures are reviewed at the end of the reporting period to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated.

We estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset. If it is impossible to measure the individual recoverable amount of an asset, then we estimate the recoverable amount of cash-generating unit (“CGU”), which is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. The value in use is estimated by applying a post-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU for which estimated future cash flows have not been adjusted, to the estimated future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or CGU. We treat individual operating entities as CGUs, and an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or a CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss.

As part of our impairment review, the operating results, net asset value and future performance forecasts of our associates and joint ventures as well as general market conditions are taken into consideration in order to assess whether there is any objective evidence of impairment, such as significant financial difficulty of the associate or joint venture. Unforeseen circumstances such as adverse market conditions that deviate significantly from our estimates may require us to recognize additional losses on impairment of our interest in our associates and joint ventures. We base our value in use estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair values used to evaluate impairment of our interest in our associates and joint ventures and potentially have different impacts on our results of operations.

Revenue Recognized by the Input Method

POSCO E&C, our consolidated subsidiary, engages in various construction activities, including construction of industrial plants and civil engineering projects, and revenue recognition is different based on types of contracts. We recognize revenue over time when (i) our customers receive the benefits from our construction activities simultaneously with our performance of such activities, (ii) our construction activities create or improve an asset when such asset is under the customer’s control or (iii) our construction activities do not provide alternative benefits to us, and we have an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date.

In the case of construction contracts where we construct plants or other similar structures, our customers control the assets as they are being constructed. Under such contracts, we perform construction of the projects according to the customers’ on-going specifications, and if a contract is terminated by the customer, we are entitled to reimbursement of all costs incurred to date, including a reasonable margin. When the revenue and costs of a contract can be reliably estimated, we recognize

 

48


Table of Contents

such estimated revenue and costs based on the progress of construction as of the end of the reporting period. The percentage of completion is determined based on the proportion that contract costs incurred for work performed to date bear to the estimated total contract costs. If the revenue and costs of a contract cannot be reliably estimated, revenue is recognized only to the extent the recovery of contract costs are probable. If the total contract cost is likely to exceed the total contract revenue, expected losses are immediately recognized as costs.

Our contract revenue recognition policy requires our management to exercise judgment in estimating the outcome of our contracts and measuring the percentage of completion and actual costs incurred in respect of our projects, which affects the amount and timing of recognition of revenues and cost of sales, provisions for estimated losses, charges against current earnings, trade account receivables and advances. For example, due to factors causing variation in costs for 2019, the estimated total contract costs were changed. Details of changes in estimated total contract costs and the impact on profit before income taxes for 2019 and future periods are as follows:

 

     Amount  
     (In millions of Won)  

Changes in estimated total contract costs

       533,639  

Changes in profit before income taxes of construction contracts:

  

Current period

     (166,077

Future periods

     (43,584

The effect on current and future profit is estimated based on circumstances that have occurred from the commencement date of the contract to the end of 2019. The estimation is evaluated for total contract costs and expected total contract revenue as of the end of the period. Such estimate may change in future periods.

Our ability to measure reliably the estimated total cost of a project has a significant effect on the amount and timing of recognizing our sales and cost of sales. The timing of recognition of sales we report may differ materially from the timing of actual contract payments received. In addition, to the extent that sales recognized by us exceed the amount of payments to be received by us, such amount is reflected as trade account receivables on our balance sheet. To the extent payments received by us exceed the sales recognized, such amount is reflected under advances from customers on our balance sheet. Thus our ability to measure reliably the estimated total costs and the percentage of completion also affects the amount of our trade account receivables and advances from customers. For a discussion of uncertainty of estimates related to contract revenues and costs, see Note 29(d) of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Deferred Income Taxes

Our deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which we expect, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of our assets and liabilities. We recognize deferred income tax liability for all taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, except to the extent that we are 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. We recognize deferred income tax asset for deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which they can be utilized. However, deferred tax is not recognized for taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill or the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting profit or loss nor taxable income. The carrying amount of a deferred income tax asset is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and is reduced 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 that deferred tax asset to be utilized.

 

49


Table of Contents

We believe that recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities is a significant accounting policy that requires our management’s estimates and assumptions regarding, among other things, the level of future taxable income, interpretation of the tax laws and tax planning. Changes in tax laws, projected levels of taxable income and tax planning could affect the effective tax rate and tax balances recorded by us in the future.

Employee Benefits

Our accounting of employee benefits for defined benefit plans involves judgments about uncertain events including, but not limited to, discount rates, life expectancy, future pay inflation and expected rate of return on plan assets. The discount rates are determined by reference to the yield at the reporting date on high quality corporate bonds that have maturity dates approximating the terms of our benefits obligations and that are denominated in the same currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid. We determine 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 that are recognized in profit or loss. Due to changing market and economic conditions, the underlying key assumptions may differ from actual developments and may lead to significant changes in our defined benefit plan. We immediately recognize all actuarial gains and losses arising from defined benefit plans in retained earnings. If the estimated average discount rates by actuarial assumptions used in these valuations were increased by 1%, then the estimated provision for severance benefits would have decreased by Won 168 billion, or 6.9% in total, as of December 31, 2019. If the estimated future pay inflation rates were decreased by 1%, then the estimated provision for severance benefits would have decreased by Won 171 billion, or 7.0% in total, as of December 31, 2019.

Recent Accounting Changes

For a discussion of new standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards that have been published, including our adoption of IFRS No. 16 “Leases” starting on January 1, 2019, see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Explanatory Note Regarding Presentation of Certain Financial Information under K-IFRS

In addition to preparing financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB included in this annual report, we also prepare financial statements in accordance with K-IFRS as adopted by the KASB, which we are required to file with the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange under the FSCMA.

K-IFRS differs in certain respects from IFRS as issued by the IASB in the presentation of operating profit. Additionally, under K-IFRS, revenue from the development and sale of real estate is recognized using the percentage of completion method. However, under IFRS as issued by the IASB, revenue from the development and sale of certain real estate is recognized when an individual unit of residential real estate is delivered to the buyer. As a result, our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and our consolidated statements of financial position prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB included in this annual report differ from our consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated statements of financial position prepared in accordance with K-IFRS.

The table below sets forth a reconciliation of our operating profit and net income or loss as presented in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB for each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 to our

 

50


Table of Contents

operating profit and net income or loss in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income prepared in accordance with K-IFRS, for each of the corresponding years, taking into account such differences:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2017     2018     2019  
     (In millions of Won)  

Operating profit under IFRS as issued by the IASB

       4,196,121         4,041,827         3,222,713  

Additions:

      

Impairment loss on other receivables

     98,177       63,092       80,323  

Impairment loss on assets held for sale

           50,829       38,328  

Loss on disposals of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     19,985       5,226       6,539  

Loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment

     151,343       117,614       120,227  

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment

     117,231       1,004,704       442,700  

Impairment loss on investment property

           51,461       32,642  

Impairment loss on intangible assets

     167,995       337,519       191,021  

Increase to provisions

     33,964       134,632       23,074  

Loss on valuation of firm commitment

     43,164       66,281       37,685  

Donations

     51,424       52,074       51,567  

Idle tangible asset expenses

     10,490       9,257       34,152  

Others

     95,780       184,865       112,029  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     789,553       2,077,554       1,170,287  

Deductions:

      

Gain on disposals of assets held for sale

     (1,180     (27,171     (37,461

Gain on disposals of investment in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     (81,794     (45,241     (27,836

Gain on disposals of property, plant and equipment

     (32,145     (53,139     (49,367

Gain on disposals of intangible assets

     (23,391     (117,139     (1,896

Gain on valuation of firm commitment

     (56,301     (39,028     (60,201

Gain on valuation of emission rights

                 (25,440

Gain on disposals of emission rights

                 (11,141

Reversal of other provisions

           (3,557     (36,522

Others

     (253,670     (238,311     (201,027
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (448,481     (523,586     (450,891
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue recognition related to development and sale of real estate

     468,233       (176,859     (418,862

Cost of sales recognition related to development and sale of real estate

     (383,592     123,664       345,605  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit under K-IFRS

   4,621,834     5,542,600     3,868,854  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income under IFRS as issued by the IASB

   2,909,311     1,932,386     2,038,165  

Adjustments related to development and sale of real estate:

      

Revenue

     468,233       (176,859     (418,862

Cost of sales

     (383,592     123,664       345,605  

Income tax

     (20,483     12,873       17,728  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income under K-IFRS

   2,973,469     1,892,064     1,982,637  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

51


Table of Contents

Operating Results — 2018 Compared to 2019

The following table presents our statement of comprehensive income information and changes therein for 2018 and 2019.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2018 versus 2019  
     2018      2019     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Revenue

       65,155          64,786     (369     (0.6 )% 

Cost of sales

     57,129        58,462       1,333       2.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

Gross profit

     8,026        6,324       (1,702     (21.2

Selling and administrative expenses:

         

Impairment loss (reversal of impairment loss) on trade accounts and notes receivable

     75        (28     (103     N.A.  (1) 

Other administrative expenses

     1,986        2,041       56       2.8  

Selling expenses

     369        368       (1     (0.3

Other operating income and expenses:

         

Impairment loss on other receivables

     63        80       17       27.3  

Other operating income

     524        451       (73     (13.9

Other operating expenses

     2,014        1,090       (924     (45.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

Operating profit

     4,042        3,223       (819     (20.3

Share of profit of equity-accounted investees, net

     113        274       161       143.0  

Finance income

     1,706        1,872       166       9.7  

Finance costs

     2,244        2,242       (2     (0.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

Profit before income tax

     3,616        3,127       (489     (13.5

Income tax expense

     1,684        1,088       (595     (35.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

Profit

     1,932        2,038       106       5.5  

Profit for the period attributable to owners of the controlling company

     1,712        1,864       152       8.9  

Profit for the period attributable to non-controlling interests

     220        174       (46     (20.9

 

 

(1)

N.A. means not applicable.

 

52


Table of Contents

Revenue

The following table presents our revenue by segment and changes therein for 2018 and 2019.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2018 versus 2019  
     2018     2019     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment:

        

External revenue

       32,358         32,078         (280     (0.9 )% 

Internal revenue

     18,063       17,730       (333     (1.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Steel Segment

     50,421       49,808       (613     (1.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Trading Segment:

        

External revenue

     22,408       22,157       (251     (1.1

Internal revenue

     15,911       15,468       (443     (2.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Trading Segment

     38,319       37,625       (694     (1.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Construction Segment:

        

External revenue

     6,769       6,945       175       2.6  

Internal revenue

     551       743       192       34.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Construction Segment

     7,321       7,688       367       5.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Others Segment:

        

External revenue

     3,443       3,187       (256     (7.4

Internal revenue

     2,755       2,796       41       1.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Others Segment

     6,198       5,983       (215     (3.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue prior to consolidation adjustments

     102,259       101,104       (1,154     (1.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Consolidation adjustments

     (37,281     (36,737     543       (1.5

Basis difference adjustments (1)

     177       419       242       136.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Revenue

   65,155     64,786       (369     (0.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1)

Basis difference adjustments are related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 40 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our revenue decreased by 0.6%, or Won 369 billion, from Won 65,155 billion in 2018 to Won 64,786 billion in 2019 due to decreases in external revenues from the Steel Segment, the Others Segment and the Trading Segment, which were offset in part by an increase in revenue from the Construction Segment. Specifically:

Steel Segment. External revenue from the Steel Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased by 0.9%, or Won 280 billion, from Won 32,358 billion in 2018 to Won 32,078 billion in 2019 primarily due to a decrease in our sales volume of the steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers (including miscellaneous steel products not included in any of our major product categories), which was partially offset by an increase in the average unit sales price per ton of the principal steel products produced by us and sold to external customers. The overall sales volume of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 3.2% from 31.4 million tons in 2018 to 30.4 million tons in 2019, while the weighted average unit sales price per ton of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 2.3% from Won 933,990 per ton in 2018 to Won 955,209 per ton in 2019. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

The sales volume of each of our major product categories, other than plates and stainless steel products, decreased from 2018 to 2019. The sales volume of cold rolled products,

 

53


Table of Contents
 

silicon steel sheets, wire rods and hot rolled products produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 9.0%, 8.6%, 5.9% and 3.2%, respectively, from 2018 to 2019. On the other hand, the sales volume of plates and stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 8.9% and 4.2%, respectively, from 2018 to 2019. For a discussion of changes in the sales volume of each of our principal product lines, see “Item 4.B. Business Overview — Major Products.”

 

   

In 2019, the unit sales prices in Won of cold rolled products, plates and stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased, while the unit sales prices in Won of the remainder of our principal product lines of steel products decreased. The unit sales prices in Won of cold rolled products, plates and stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 4.4%, 4.2% and 0.8%, respectively, from 2018 to 2019. On the other hand, the unit sales prices in Won of hot rolled products, wire rods and silicon steel sheets produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 3.4%, 1.2% and 0.3% from 2018 to 2019. For a discussion of changes in the unit sales prices of each of our principal product lines, see “— Overview — Sales Volume, Prices and Product Mix” above.

Total revenue from the Steel Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, decreased by 1.2%, or Won 613 billion, from Won 50,421 billion in 2018 to Won 49,808 billion in 2019 as internal revenue from inter-company transactions decreased by 1.8%, or Won 333 billion, from Won 18,063 billion in 2018 to Won 17,730 billion in 2019 primarily due to a decrease in our steel sales activities through trading subsidiaries, particularly POSCO International.

Trading Segment. External revenue from the Trading Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased by 1.1%, or Won 251 billion, from Won 22,408 billion in 2018 to Won 22,157 billion in 2019 primarily due to decreases in POSCO International’s export trading sales of automobiles and machinery parts as well as steel and metal products, which was offset in part by an increase in revenue from the natural resources development activities of POSCO International.

Total revenue from the Trading Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, decreased by 1.8%, or Won 694 billion, from Won 38,319 billion in 2018 to Won 37,625 billion in 2019 as internal revenue from inter-company transactions decreased by 2.8%, or Won 443 billion, from Won 15,911 billion in 2018 to Won 15,468 billion in 2019 primarily due to a decrease in our steel sales activities through trading subsidiaries.

Construction Segment. External revenue from the Construction Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation and basis difference adjustments, increased by 2.6%, or Won 175 billion, from Won 6,769 billion in 2018 to Won 6,945 billion in 2019 primarily due to an increase in external revenue from construction projects in Korea.

Total revenue from the Construction Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, increased by 5.0%, or Won 367 billion, from Won 7,321 billion in 2018 to Won 7,688 billion in 2019 as internal revenue from inter-company transactions increased by 34.8%, or Won 192 billion, from Won 551 billion in 2018 to Won 743 billion in 2019. Such increase in internal revenue reflected an increase in the amount of construction activities for member companies of the POSCO Group in 2019 compared to 2018.

Others Segment. The Others Segment primarily includes power generation, manufacturing of various industrial materials and information technology services. External revenue from the Others Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased by 7.4%, or Won 256 billion, from Won 3,443 billion in 2018 to Won 3,187 billion in 2019, primarily due to decreases in revenue of

 

54


Table of Contents

POSCO Energy Corporation and revenue from information technology services, which were offset in part by an increase in revenue of POSCO Chemical Co., Ltd. from an increase in sales volume of anode and cathode materials.

Total revenue from the Others Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, decreased by 3.5%, or Won 215 billion, from Won 6,198 billion in 2018 to Won 5,983 billion in 2019 as external revenue decreased as discussed above. Such decrease was partially offset by an increase in internal revenue from inter-company transactions by 1.5%, or Won 41 billion, from Won 2,755 billion in 2018 to Won 2,796 billion in 2019 primarily due to an increase in inter-company sales related to POSCO ICT Co., Ltd.

Cost of Sales

The following table presents a breakdown of our cost of sales by segment, prior to adjusting for inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation and basis difference, and changes therein for 2018 and 2019.

 

                 Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2018 versus 2019  
     2018     2019     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment

   44,377     45,642         1,265       2.9

Trading Segment

     37,202       36,330       (872     (2.3

Construction Segment

     6,651       7,155       504       7.6  

Others Segment

     5,603       5,324       (279     (5.0

Consolidation adjustments

     (36,828     (36,334     494       (1.3

Basis difference adjustments (1)

     124       346       222       179.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Cost of sales

       57,129         58,462       1,333       2.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1)

Basis difference adjustments are related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 40 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our cost of sales increased by 2.3%, or Won 1,333 billion, from Won 57,129 billion in 2018 to Won 58,462 billion in 2019 due to increases in cost of sales of the Steel Segment and the Construction Segment, which were offset in part by decreases in cost of sales of the Trading Segment and the Others Segment. Specifically:

Steel Segment. The cost of sales of our Steel Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, increased by 2.9%, or Won 1,265 billion, from Won 44,377 billion in 2018 to Won 45,642 billion in 2019 primarily due to an increase in the average prices in Won terms of certain raw materials used to manufacture our steel products, which was offset in part by a slight decrease in our sales volume of principal steel products produced by us and sold to external customers.

Trading Segment. The cost of sales of our Trading Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased by 2.3%, or Won 872 billion, from Won 37,202 billion in 2018 to Won 36,330 billion in 2019 primarily due to decreases in export and domestic trading activities of POSCO International, which were offset in part by an increase in its natural resources development activities.

Construction Segment. The cost of sales of our Construction Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, increased by 7.6%, or Won 504 billion, from Won 6,651 billion in 2018 to Won 7,155 billion in 2019, reflecting the progress of large-scale construction projects in Korea.

 

55


Table of Contents

Others Segment. The cost of sales of our Others Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased by 5.0%, or Won 279 billion, from Won 5,603 billion in 2018 to Won 5,324 billion in 2019 primarily due to a decrease in the cost of sales of POSCO Energy Corporation.

Gross Profit

The following table presents our gross profit by segment, prior to adjusting for inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation and basis difference, and changes therein for 2018 and 2019.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2018 versus 2019  
     2018     2019     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment

   6,044     4,166     (1,878)       (31.1 )% 

Trading Segment

     1,117       1,295               178       16.0  

Construction Segment

     669       533       (136     (20.4

Others Segment

     595       659       64       10.7  

Consolidation adjustments

     (453     (403     50       (11.1

Basis difference adjustments (1)

     53       73       20       37.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Gross profit

       8,026         6,324       (1,702     (21.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1)

Basis difference adjustments are related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 40 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our gross profit decreased by 21.2%, or Won 1,702 billion, from Won 8,026 billion in 2018 to Won 6,324 billion in 2019 primarily due to decreases in gross profit of the Steel Segment and the Construction Segment, which were offset in part by increases in gross profit of the Trading Segment and the Others Segment. Our gross margin, which is gross profit as a percentage of total revenue, decreased from 12.3% in 2018 to 9.8% in 2019.

Steel Segment. The gross profit of our Steel Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased by 31.1%, or Won 1,878 billion, from Won 6,044 billion in 2018 to Won 4,166 billion in 2019 primarily due to an increase in the average prices in Won terms of certain raw materials used to manufacture our finished steel products that outpaced an increase in the average unit sales price per ton of the principal steel products produced by us and sold to external and internal customers during the period. In particular, the average market price of iron ore per dry metric ton (Iron Ore 62% Fe, CFR China Index announced by Platts) was US$69 in 2018 and US$93 in 2019. The gross margin of our Steel Segment decreased from 12.0% in 2018 to 8.4% in 2019.

Trading Segment. The gross profit of our Trading Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, increased by 16.0%, or Won 178 billion, from Won 1,117 billion in 2018 to Won 1,295 billion in 2019 primarily due to an increase in gross profit from POSCO International’s natural resources development activities. The gross margin of our Trading Segment increased from 2.9% in 2018 to 3.4% in 2019.

Construction Segment. The gross profit of our Construction Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased by 20.4%, or Won 136 billion, from Won 669 billion in 2018 to Won 533 billion in 2019 primarily reflecting a decrease in POSCO E&C’s participation in higher margin construction projects in 2019. The gross margin of our Construction Segment decreased from 9.1% in 2018 to 6.9% in 2019.

 

56


Table of Contents

Others Segment. The gross profit of our Others Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, increased by 10.7%, or Won 64 billion, from Won 595 billion in 2018 to Won 659 billion in 2019 primarily due to an increase in the gross profit of POSCO Chemical Co., Ltd. The gross margin of our Others Segment improved from 9.6% in 2018 to 11.0% in 2019.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

The following table presents a breakdown of our selling and administrative expenses and changes therein for 2018 and 2019.

 

                  Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2018 versus 2019  
     2018      2019     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Impairment loss (reversal of impairment loss) on trade accounts and notes receivable

   75      (28   (103)       N.A.  (1) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

Freight and custody expenses

   185      180     (4     (2.3 )% 

Sales commissions

     79        74       (5     (6.5

Sales promotion

     14        10       (4     (27.6

Sales insurance premium

     37        33       (5     (12.4

Contract cost

     17        38       21       124.1  

Others

     37        33       (4     (11.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

Total selling expenses

   369      368       (1     (0.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

Wages and salaries

   813      841             27       3.3

Expenses related to post-employment benefits

     73        89       16       21.3  

Other employee benefits

     176        178       2       0.9  

Depreciation

     101        131       30       29.7  

Amortization

     112        112       (0     (0.2

Taxes and public dues

     72        79       7       9.7  

Rental

     70        40       (30     (42.6

Advertising

     107        83       (24     (22.7

Research and development

     108        110       2       1.8  

Service fees

     166        193       28       16.6  

Others

     186        185       (1     (0.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

Total other administrative expenses

   1,986      2,041       56       2.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

Total selling and administrative expenses

       2,430          2,381       (48     (2.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

(1)

N.A. means not applicable.

Our selling and administrative expenses decreased by 2.0%, or Won 48 billion, from Won 2,430 billion in 2018 to Won 2,381 billion in 2019, primarily due to an impairment loss on trade accounts and notes receivable in 2018 compared to a reversal of such impairment loss in 2019 as well as decreases in rental and advertising expenses, which were offset in part by increases in depreciation expenses and wages and salaries. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

We recognized impairment loss on trade accounts and notes receivable of Won 75 billion in 2018 primarily related to impairment loss on trade accounts and notes receivables of POSCO E&C and its subsidiary in Vietnam. However, we recognized reversal of such impairment loss of Won 28 billion in 2019 primarily due to a reversal of impairment loss on trade accounts and notes receivables of POSCO E&C.

 

   

Our rental expenses decreased by 42.6%, or Won 30 billion, from Won 70 billion in 2018 to Won 40 billion in 2019 primarily due to the adoption of IFRS No. 16 in 2019 which has impacted rental expenses of POSCO E&C and POSCO International. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

57


Table of Contents
   

Our advertising expenses decreased by 22.7%, or Won 24 billion, from Won 107 billion in 2018 to Won 83 billion in 2019 primarily reflecting our advertising activities in 2018 related to our sponsorship of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games compared to no such advertising activities in 2019.

 

   

Our depreciation expenses increased by 29.7%, or Won 30 billion, from Won 101 billion in 2018 to Won 131 billion in 2019 primarily due to our adoption of IFRS No. 16 in 2019, under which we recognized depreciation expenses related to our right-of-use assets. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

   

Our wages and salaries increased by 3.3%, or Won 27 billion, from Won 813 billion in 2018 to Won 841 billion in 2019 primarily due to increases in base salaries at our domestic subsidiaries.

Other Operating Income and Expenses

The following table presents our impairment loss on other receivables and changes therein for 2018 and 2019.

 

            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2018 versus 2019  
     2018      2019      Amount      %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Impairment loss on other receivables

       63              80              17        27.3

Our impairment loss on other receivables increased by 27.3%, or Won 17 billion, from Won 63 billion in 2018 to Won 80 billion in 2019 primarily due to a decrease in our reversals of allowances for bad debt, as well as an increase in allowance for bad debt of POSCO International.

The following table presents a breakdown of our other operating income and changes therein for 2018 and 2019.

 

            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2018 versus 2019  
     2018      2019          Amount             %      
     (In billions of Won)  

Gain on disposal of assets held for sale

   27      37      10       37.9

Gain on disposal of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     45        28        (17     (38.5

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

     53        49        (4     (7.1

Gain on disposal of intangible assets

     117        2        (115     (98.4

Gain on valuation of firm commitment

     39        60        21       54.3  

Gain on valuation of emission rights

            25        25       N.A.  (1) 

Gain on disposal of emission rights

            11        11       N.A.  (1) 

Reversal of other provisions

     4        37        33       926.8  

Others

     238        201        (37     (15.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total other non-operating income

       524          451        (73     (13.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

(1)

N.A. means not applicable.

Our other operating income decreased by 13.9%, or Won 73 billion, from Won 524 billion in 2018 to Won 451 billion in 2019, primarily due to decreases in gain on disposal of intangible assets and the recognition of a tax refund in 2018, which were partially offset by increases in reversal of other provisions and gain on valuation of emission rights. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

Our gain on disposal of intangible assets decreased by 98.4%, or Won 115 billion, from Won 117 billion in 2018 to Won 2 billion in 2019 primarily due to a gain from exchange or disposal of emission allowances in 2018, compared to no such gain in 2019.

 

58


Table of Contents
   

In 2018, we recognized a tax refund of Won 55 billion relating to a correction of the results of a tax investigation (which is included in “others”), compared to no such refund in 2019.

 

   

Our reversal of other provisions increased by 926.8%, or Won 33 billion, from Won 4 billion in 2018 to Won 37 billion in 2019 primarily due to a reversal of other provisions related to a lawsuit involving POSCO E&C.

 

   

We recognized gain on valuation of emission rights of Won 25 billion in 2019 compared to no such gain in 2018.

The following table presents a breakdown of our other operating expenses and changes therein for 2018 and 2019.

 

            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2018 versus 2019  
     2018      2019      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Impairment loss on assets held for sale

   51      38      (13     (24.6 )% 

Loss on disposals of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     5        7        1       25.1  

Loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment

     118        120        3       2.2  

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment

     1,005        443        (562     (55.9

Impairment loss on investment property

     51        33        (19     (36.6

Impairment loss on intangible assets

     338        191        (146     (43.4

Loss on valuation of firm commitment

     66        38        (29     (43.1

Idle tangible asset expenses

     9        34        25       268.9  

Increase to provisions

     135        23        (112     (82.9

Donations

     52        52        (1     (1.0

Others

     185        112        (73     (39.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total other operating expenses

       2,014          1,090        (924     (45.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Our other operating expenses decreased by 45.9%, or Won 924 billion, from Won 2,014 billion in the 2018 to Won 1,090 billion in 2019, primarily due to decreases in impairment loss on property, plant and equipment and impairment loss on intangible assets. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

Our impairment loss on property, plant and equipment decreased by 55.9%, or Won 562 billion, from Won 1,005 billion in 2018 to Won 443 billion in 2019. In 2018, we recognized impairment loss of Won 810 billion related to the discontinuation of our synthetic natural gas production facility in Gwangyang Works. In 2019, we recognized impairment loss of Won 205 billion incurred by POSCO SS VINA, Won 74 billion related to the discontinued operation of a ferro silicon facility in Pohang Works and Won 70 billion related to the discontinued operation of a compact endless cast-rolling mill in Gwangyang Works.

 

   

Our impairment loss on intangible assets decreased by 43.4%, or Won 146 billion, from Won 338 billion in 2018 to Won 191 billion in 2019. In 2018, our impairment loss on intangible assets related primarily to impairment loss on goodwill of Won 158 billion attributable to POSCO International and Won 66 billion attributable to POSCO E&C in connection with a decrease in value-in-use of such entities due to reduced expected cash flow arising from the uncertain global economic climate, as well as impairment of industrial property rights of Won 78 billion related to our investment in Hume Coal Pty Limited, a coal mining company in Australia. In 2019, we recognized write-offs of intangible assets of Won 118 billion related to the termination of the Block AD-7 exploration project in Myanmar by POSCO International.

 

59


Table of Contents

Operating Profit

Due to the factors described above, our operating profit decreased by 20.3%, or Won 819 billion, from Won 4,042 billion in 2018 to Won 3,223 billion in 2019. Our operating margin decreased from 6.2% in 2018 to 5.0% in 2019.

Share of Profit of Equity-Accounted Investees

Our share of profit of equity-accounted investees increased by 143.0%, or Won 161 billion, from Won 113 billion in 2018 to Won 274 billion in 2019.

In 2018, we recognized a net gain for our proportionate share of equity-accounted investees of Won 113 billion primarily due to our share of gains of Won 75 billion of KOBRASCO, Won 70 billion of POSCO Mitsubishi Carbon Technology Ltd., Won 59 billion of Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd. and Won 30 billion of AES-VCM Mong Duong Power Company Limited, which were partially offset by our share of loss of Won 110 billion of CSP-Compania Siderurgica do Pecem.

In 2019, we recognized a net gain for our proportionate share of equity-accounted investees of Won 274 billion primarily due to our share of gains of Won 158 billion of Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd, Won 64 billion of South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd., Won 56 billion of KOBRASCO and Won 28 billion of SNNC Co., Ltd., which were offset in part by our share of loss of Won 58 billion of CSP – Compania Siderurgica do Pacem. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Finance Income and Finance Costs

The following table presents a breakdown of our finance income and costs and changes therein for 2018 and 2019.

 

            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2018 versus 2019  
     2018      2019      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Interest income

   337      352      15       4.5

Dividend income

     63        75        12       19.1  

Gain on foreign currency transactions

     716        825        109       15.2  

Gain on foreign currency translations

     212        206        (6     (3.0

Gain on derivatives transactions

     248        196        (52     (20.8

Gain on valuations of derivatives

     97        163        67       68.6  

Gain on disposals of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

     9        9        (0     (2.5

Gain on valuations of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

     16        42        26       161.9  

Others

     7        3        (4     (53.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total finance income

   1,706      1,872        166       9.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Interest expenses

   741      756        14       1.9

Loss on foreign currency transactions

     811        747        (64     (7.9

Loss on foreign currency translations

     322        319        (2     (0.7

Loss on derivatives transactions

     209        228        19       9.3  

Loss on valuations of derivatives

     41        47        7       16.7  

Loss on disposal of trade accounts and notes receivable

     40        37        (3     (7.6

Loss on disposal of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

     1        3        1       101.4  

Loss on valuations of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

     59        66        6       10.8  

Others

     20        39        19       92.9  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total finance costs

   2,244      2,242        (2     (0.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

60


Table of Contents

We recognized net loss on foreign currency transactions of Won 95 billion in 2018 compared to a net gain on foreign currency transactions of Won 78 billion in 2019 and our net loss on foreign currency translations increased by 3.8%, or Won 4 billion, from Won 109 billion in 2018 to Won 113 billion in 2019, as the Won depreciated against the Dollar in 2018 and further depreciated in 2019. In terms of the market average exchange rates announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd., the Won depreciated from Won 1,071.4 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2017 to Won 1,118.1 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2018 and further depreciated to Won 1,157.8 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2019. Against such fluctuations, our net gain on valuations of derivatives increased by 106.1%, or Won 60 billion, from Won 56 billion in 2018 to Won 116 billion in 2019, and we recognized a net gain on transactions of derivatives of Won 39 billion in 2018 compared to a net loss on transactions of derivatives of Won 32 billion in 2019.

Profit before Income Taxes

Due to the factors described above, our profit before income taxes decreased by 13.5%, or Won 489 billion, from Won 3,616 billion in 2018 to Won 3,127 billion in 2019.

The following table presents our profit and loss by segment, prior to adjusting for goodwill and corporate fair value adjustments, elimination of inter-segment profits, income tax expense and basis difference, and changes therein for 2018 and 2019.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2018 versus 2019  
             2018                     2019                 Amount         %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment

           1,268             586     (682     (53.8 )% 

Trading Segment

     49       165       116       235.6  

Construction Segment

     0       28       28       N.M  (2)  

Others Segment

     14       545       531       3,904.7  

Goodwill and corporate fair value adjustments

     (78     (80     (2     3.2  

Elimination of inter-segment profits

     638       739       100       15.7  

Income tax expense

     1,671       1,071       (600     (35.9

Basis difference adjustments (1)

     53       73       20       37.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Profit before income taxes

   3,616     3,127       (489     (13.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1)

Basis difference adjustments are related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 40 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2)

N.M. means not meaningful.

Income Tax Expense

Our income tax expense decreased by 35.4%, or Won 595 billion, from Won 1,684 billion in 2018 to Won 1,088 billion in 2019, primarily reflecting a decrease in profit before income tax described above. Our effective tax rate decreased from 46.6% in 2018 to 34.8% in 2019. In 2018, our effective tax rate was higher than the statutory rate of 27.5% primarily due to adjustments related to (i) non-deductible impairment loss related to a synthetic natural gas production facility in Gwangyang Works and (ii) a tax audit. In 2019, our effective tax rate was higher than the statutory rate primarily due to the effect of deductible temporary difference in our investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, for which no deferred tax assets were recognized. See Note 35 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

61


Table of Contents

Profit

Due to the factors described above, our profit increased by 5.5%, or Won 106 billion, from Won 1,932 billion in 2018 to Won 2,038 billion in 2019.

Operating Results – 2017 Compared to 2018

The following table presents our statement of comprehensive income information and changes therein for 2017 and 2018.

 

            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2017 versus 2018  
     2017      2018      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Revenue

       60,187          65,155          4,968       8.3

Cost of sales

     51,916        57,129        5,123       10.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Gross profit

     8,271        8,026        (246     (3.0

Selling and administrative expenses:

          

Impairment loss on trade accounts and notes receivable

     174        75        (99     (56.9

Other administrative expenses

     2,003        1,986        (17     (0.9

Selling expenses

     1,557        369        (1,188     (76.3

Other operating income and expenses:

          

Impairment loss on other receivables

     98        63        (35     (35.7

Other operating income

     448        524        75       16.7  

Other operating expenses

     691        2,014        1,323       191.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Operating profit

     4,196        4,042        (154     (3.7

Share of profit of equity-accounted investees, net

     11        113        102       968.6  

Finance income

     2,373        1,706        (667     (28.1

Finance costs

     2,484        2,244        (240     (9.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Profit before income tax

     4,095        3,616        (479     (11.7

Income tax expense

     1,186        1,684        498       42.0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Profit

     2,909        1,932        (977     (33.6

Profit for the period attributable to owners of the controlling company

     2,756        1,712        (1,044     (37.9

Profit for the period attributable to non-controlling interests

     153        220        67       44.0  

 

62


Table of Contents

Revenue

The following table presents our revenue by segment and changes therein for 2017 and 2018.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2017 versus 2018  
     2017     2018     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment:

        

External revenue

   30,230     32,358     2,128       7.0

Internal revenue

     17,381       18,063       682       3.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Steel Segment

     47,611       50,421       2,810       5.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Trading Segment:

        

External revenue

     20,802       22,408       1,606       7.7

Internal revenue

     14,076       15,911       1,835       13.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Trading Segment

     34,878       38,319       3,441       9.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Construction Segment:

        

External revenue

     6,887       6,769       (117     (1.7

Internal revenue

     399       551       152       38.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Construction Segment

     7,286       7,321       35       0.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Others Segment:

        

External revenue

     2,736       3,443       707       25.8  

Internal revenue

     2,549       2,755       207       8.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue from Others Segment

     5,285       6,198       913       17.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total revenue prior to consolidation adjustments and basis difference

     95,060       102,259       7,199       7.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Consolidation adjustments

     (34,405     (37,281     (2,876     8.4  

Basis difference adjustments (1)

     (468     177       645       N.A.  (2) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Revenue

   60,187     65,155       4,968       8.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1)

Basis difference adjustments are related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 40 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2)

N.A. means not applicable.

Our revenue increased by 8.3%, or Won 4,968 billion, from Won 60,187 billion in 2017 to Won 65,155 billion in 2018 due to increases in external revenues from the Steel Segment, the Trading Segment and the Others Segment, which were offset in part by a decrease in external revenue from the Construction Segment. Specifically:

Steel Segment. External revenue from the Steel Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation and basis difference adjustments, increased by 7.0%, or Won 2,128 billion, from Won 30,230 billion in 2017 to Won 32,358 billion in 2018 due to an increase in our sales volume of the steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers (including miscellaneous steel products not included in any of our major product categories), as well as an increase in the average unit sales price per ton of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers. The overall sales volume of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 4.4% from 30.0 million tons in 2017 to 31.4 million tons in 2018, while the weighted average unit sales price per ton of the principal steel products produced by us and directly sold to external

 

63


Table of Contents

customers increased by 3.3% from Won 903,897 per ton in 2017 to Won 933,990 per ton in 2018. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

The sales volume of each of our major product categories, other than wire rods and stainless steel products, increased from 2017 to 2018. The sales volume of cold rolled products, hot rolled products, silicon steel products and plates produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 9.1%, 4.7%, 1.7% and 1.2%, respectively, from 2017 to 2018. On the other hand, the sales volume of wire rods and stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 4.6% and 0.8%, respectively, from 2017 to 2018. For a discussion of changes in sales volume of each of our principal product lines, see “Item 4.B. Business Overview — Major Products.”

 

   

The unit sales prices in Won of each of our major product categories, other than silicon steel products, increased from 2017 to 2018. The unit sales prices in Won of plates, hot rolled products, wire rods, cold rolled products and stainless steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers increased by 14.8%, 5.2%, 4.9%, 2.8% and 0.8%, respectively, from 2017 to 2018. On the other hand, the unit sales price in Won of silicon steel products produced by us and directly sold to external customers decreased by 2.9% from 2017 to 2018. For a discussion of changes in the unit sales prices of each of our principal product lines, see “— Overview — Sales Volume, Prices and Product Mix” above.

Total revenue from the Steel Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, increased by 5.9%, or Won 2,810 billion, from Won 47,611 billion in 2017 to Won 50,421 billion in 2018 as internal revenue from inter-company transactions increased by 3.9%, or Won 682 billion, from Won 17,381 billion in 2017 to Won 18,063 billion in 2018.

Trading Segment. External revenue from the Trading Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation and basis difference adjustments, increased by 7.7%, or Won 1,606 billion, from Won 20,802 billion in 2017 to Won 22,408 billion in 2018 primarily due to an increase in third-country trades by POSCO International and our other trading subsidiaries from 2017 to 2018, reflecting an increase in trading of agricultural products and steel slabs, as well as the recognition of the sales of POSCO P&S’s steel product sales business under the Trading Segment commencing March 2017 following the transfer of such business to POSCO International.

Total revenue from the Trading Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, increased by 9.9%, or Won 3,441 billion, from Won 34,878 billion in 2017 to Won 38,319 billion in 2018 as internal revenue from inter-company transactions increased by 13.0%, or Won 1,835 billion, from Won 14,076 billion in 2017 to Won 15,911 billion in 2018.

Construction Segment. External revenue from the Construction Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased by 1.7%, or Won 117 billion, from Won 6,887 billion in 2017 to Won 6,769 billion in 2018 primarily due to a decrease in POSCO E&C’s construction activities in Brazil following the completion of construction of CSP-Companhia Siderurgia do Pecem steel plant complex in 2017.

Total revenue from the Construction Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, increased by 0.5%, or Won 35 billion, from Won 7,286 billion in 2017 to Won 7,321 billion in 2018 as internal revenue from inter-company transactions increased by 38.2%, or Won 152 billion, from Won 399 billion in 2017 to Won 551 billion in 2018. Such increase in internal revenue reflected an increase in the amount of construction activities for member companies of the POSCO Group in 2018 compared to 2017, which was partially offset by a decrease in external revenue as discussed above.

 

64


Table of Contents

Others Segment. The Others Segment primarily includes power generation, LNG logistics, manufacturing of various industrial materials and information technology service. External revenue from the Others Segment, which does not include internal revenue from inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation and basis difference adjustments, increased by 25.8%, or Won 707 billion, from Won 2,736 billion in 2017 to Won 3,443 billion in 2018 primarily due to increases in revenue of POSCO Energy Corporation and POSCO Chemical Co., Ltd.

Total revenue from the Others Segment, which includes internal revenue from inter-company transactions, increased by 17.3%, or Won 913 billion, from Won 5,285 billion in 2017 to Won 6,198 billion in 2018 as internal revenue from inter-company transactions increased by 8.1% or Won 207 billion, from Won 2,549 billion in 2017 to Won 2,755 billion in 2018. Such increase primarily reflected an increase in inter-company sales of coal coking by-products from POSCO Chemical Co., Ltd. to POSCO.

Cost of Sales

The following table presents a breakdown of our cost of sales by segment, prior to adjusting for inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation and basis difference, and changes therein for 2017 and 2018.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2017 versus 2018  
     2017     2018     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment

   41,479     44,377     2,898       7.0

Trading Segment

     33,388       37,202       3,814       11.4  

Construction Segment

     6,598       6,651       53       0.8  

Others Segment

     4,636       5,603       967       20.9  

Consolidation adjustments

     (33,802     (36,828     (3,026     9.0  

Basis difference adjustments (1)

     (383     124           507       N.A.  (2) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Cost of sales

       51,916         57,129         5,213       10.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1)

Basis difference adjustments are related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 40 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2)

N.A. means not applicable.

Our cost of sales increased by 10.0%, or Won 5,213 billion, from Won 51,916 billion in 2017 to Won 57,129 billion in 2018. The increase in cost of sales was primarily due to increases in the average price in Won terms of key raw materials that were used to manufacture our finished goods sold as well as in our sales volume of steel products. Following our adoption of IFRS No. 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” starting on January 1, 2018, we also began classifying a substantial majority of our freight and custody expenses as cost of sales, which had all been recognized as selling expenses in 2017. We recognized Won 1,415 billion as freight and custody expenses in 2018, of which we recognized Won 1,230 billion as cost of sales and Won 185 billion as selling expenses.

Steel Segment. The cost of sales of our Steel Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, increased by 7.0%, or Won 2,898 billion, from Won 41,479 billion in 2017 to Won 44,377 billion in 2018 primarily due to increases in our sales volume of the principal steel products produced by us and sold to external and internal customers and in the average price in Won terms of key raw materials that were used to manufacture our finished goods sold, as well as our classification of Won 919 billion of freight and custody expenses of the Steel Segment as cost of sales (instead of selling expenses) following our adoption of IFRS 15 starting in 2018.

 

65


Table of Contents

Trading Segment. The cost of sales of our Trading Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, increased by 11.4%, or Won 3,814 billion, from Won 33,388 billion in 2017 to Won 37,202 billion in 2018 primarily due to an increase in the volume of export and import products sold, as well as our classification of Won 307 billion of freight and custody expenses of the Trading Segment as cost of sales (instead of selling expenses) following our adoption of IFRS 15 starting in 2018.

Construction Segment. The cost of sales of our Construction Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, increased by 0.8%, or Won 53 billion, from Won 6,598 billion in 2017 to Won 6,651 billion in 2018 in line with an increase in the amount of construction activities described above.

Others Segment. The cost of sales of our Others Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, increased by 20.9%, or Won 967 billion, from Won 4,636 billion in 2017 to Won 5,603 billion in 2018 primarily due to increases in the average price in Won terms of key raw materials used by POSCO Energy Corporation.

Gross Profit

The following table presents our gross profit by segment, prior to adjusting for inter-company transactions that are eliminated during consolidation and basis difference, and changes therein for 2017 and 2018.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2017 versus 2018  
     2017     2018     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment

   6,132     6,044     (88)       (1.4 )% 

Trading Segment

     1,490       1,117       (374     (25.1

Construction Segment

     688       669       (18     (2.6

Others Segment

     649       595       (54     (8.3

Consolidation adjustments

     (603     (453     150       (24.8

Basis difference adjustments (1)

     (85     53           138       N.A.  (2) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Gross profit

       8,271         8,026     (246     (3.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1)

Basis difference adjustments are related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 40 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2)

N.A. means not applicable.

Our gross profit decreased by 3.0%, or Won 246 billion, from Won 8,271 billion in 2017 to Won 8,026 billion in 2018 due to decreases in gross profit of each of our four segments, particularly from the Trading Segment. Our gross margin decreased from 13.7% in 2017 to 12.3% in 2018.

Steel Segment. The gross profit of our Steel Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased by 1.4%, or Won 88 billion, from Won 6,132 billion in 2017 to Won 6,044 billion in 2018 primarily due to our classification of Won 919 billion of freight and custody expenses of the Steel Segment as cost of sales (instead of selling expenses) following our adoption of IFRS 15 starting in 2018, which was largely offset by the impact from our external revenue from the Steel Segment increasing at a greater rate than its cost of sales (excluding freight and custody expenses), prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, as discussed above. Due to such factors, the gross margin of our Steel Segment, which is gross profit as a percentage of total revenue prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased from 12.9% in 2017 to 12.0% in 2018.

 

66


Table of Contents

Trading Segment. The gross profit of our Trading Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased by 25.1%, or Won 374 billion, from Won 1,490 billion in 2017 to Won 1,117 billion in 2018 primarily due to a decrease in trading margins resulting from our classification of Won 307 billion of freight and custody expenses of the Trading Segment as cost of sales (instead of selling expenses) following our adoption of IFRS 15 starting in 2018. The gross margin of our Trading Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased from 4.3% in 2017 to 2.9% in 2018.

Construction Segment. The gross profit of our Construction Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased by 2.6%, or Won 18 billion, from Won 688 billion in 2017 to Won 669 billion in 2018 primarily due to a decrease in POSCO E&C’s construction activities overseas as well as a decrease in its participation of construction projects with higher margins in 2018. The gross margin of our Construction Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased from 9.4% in 2017 to 9.1% in 2018.

Others Segment. The gross profit of our Others Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased by 8.3%, or Won 54 billion, from Won 649 billion in 2017 to Won 595 billion in 2018 primarily due to a decrease in gross profit of POSCO Energy Corporation. The gross margin of our Others Segment, prior to consolidation and basis difference adjustments, decreased from 12.3% in 2017 to 9.6% in 2018.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

The following table presents a breakdown of our selling and administrative expenses and changes therein for 2017 and 2018.

 

                   Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2017 versus 2018  
     2017      2018      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Impairment loss on trade accounts and notes receivable

   174      75      (99     (56.9 )% 

Freight and custody expenses

   1,337      185      (1,152     (86.2 )% 

Sales commissions

     116        79        (37     (31.8

Sales promotion

     12        14        1       11.1  

Sales insurance premium

     37        37        1       1.9  

Contract cost

     23        17        (6     (26.3

Others

     32        37        5       15.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total selling expenses

   1,557      369        (1,188     (76.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Wages and salaries

   775      813              39       5.0

Expenses related to post-employment benefits

     79        73        (5     (6.8

Other employee benefits

     160        176        16       10.2  

Depreciation

     97        101        4       4.1  

Amortization

     146        112        (34     (23.2

Taxes and public dues

     73        72        (1     (9.6

Rental

     70        70        (0     (0.7

Advertising

     120        107        (13     (10.7

Research and development

     126        108        (17     (13.9

Service fees

     193        166        (27     (14.2

Others

     164        186        22       13.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total other administrative expenses

   2,003      1,986        (17     (0.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total selling and administrative expenses

       3,734          2,430        (1,304     (34.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Our selling and administrative expenses decreased by 34.9%, or Won 1,304 billion, from Won 3,734 billion in 2017 to Won 2,430 billion in 2018 primarily due to our classification of a substantial majority of our freight and custody expenses as cost of sales starting in 2018 (as compared to the entire amount as selling expenses in 2017), as well as decreases in impairment loss on trade

 

67


Table of Contents

accounts and notes receivable, sales commissions, amortization expenses and service fees, which were partially offset by an increase in wages and salaries. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

Our freight and custody expenses decreased by 86.2%, or Won 1,152 billion, from Won 1,337 billion in 2017 to Won 185 billion in 2018 primarily due to our classification of Won 1,230 billion of freight and custody expenses as cost of sales starting in 2018.

 

   

Our impairment loss on trade accounts and notes receivable decreased by 56.9%, or Won 99 billion, from Won 174 billion in 2017 to Won 75 billion in 2018 primarily due to a decrease in impairment loss on trade accounts and notes receivable of POSCO International.

 

   

Our sales commissions decreased by 31.8%, or Won 37 billion, from Won 116 billion in 2017 to Won 79 billion in 2018 primarily due to a large one-time sales commission in 2017 that did not reoccur in 2018, as well as an increase in transactions without sales commissions.

 

   

Our amortization expenses decreased by 23.2%, or Won 34 billion, from Won 146 billion in 2017 to Won 112 billion in 2018 primarily due to a decrease in amortization of intangible assets related to upgrading of our information technology infrastructure.

 

   

Our wages and salaries increased by 5.0%, or Won 39 billion, From Won 775 billion in 2017 to Won 813 billion in 2018 primarily due to an increase in employee incentive bonuses.

Other Operating Income and Expenses

The following table presents our impairment loss on other receivables and changes therein for 2017 and 2018.

 

            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2017 versus 2018  
     2017      2018      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Impairment loss on other receivables

       98              63               (35)      (35.7 )% 

Our impairment loss on other receivables decreased by 35.7%, or Won 35 billion, from Won 98 billion in 2017 to Won 63 billion in 2018. In 2017, our impairment loss on other receivables related primarily to joint venture projects of POSCO E&C. In 2018, our impairment loss on other receivables related primarily to uncollectible loans made by POSCO E&C to PT. POSCO E&C Indonesia.

The following table presents a breakdown of our other operating income and changes therein for 2017 and 2018.

 

            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2017 versus 2018  
     2017      2018      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Gain on disposal of assets held for sale

   1      27          26       2,202.6

Gain on disposal of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     82        45        (37     (44.7

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

     32        53        21       65.3  

Gain on disposal of intangible assets

     23        117        94       400.8  

Gain on valuation of firm commitment

     56        39        (17     (30.7

Reversal of other provisions

            4        4       N.A.  (1)  

Others

     254        238        (16     (6.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total other operating income

       448          524        75       16.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

(1)

N.A. means not applicable.

 

68


Table of Contents

Our other operating income increased by 16.7%, or Won 75 billion, from Won 448 billion in 2017 to Won 524 billion in 2018 primarily due to increases in gain on disposal of intangible assets, gain on disposal of assets held for sale and gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment, which were partially offset by a decrease in gain on disposal of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

Our gain on disposal of intangible assets increased significantly, by Won 94 billion, from Won 23 billion in 2017 to Won 117 billion in 2018 primarily due to an increase in gain from disposal of our carbon credits.

 

   

Our gain on disposal of assets held for sale increased significantly, by Won 26 billion, from Won 1 billion in 2017 to Won 27 billion in 2018 primarily due to the disposal of assets of POSPower Co., Ltd. in 2018, compared to no such gain from our disposal of assets held for sale in 2017.

 

   

Our gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment increased by 65.3%, or Won 21 billion, from Won 32 billion in 2017 to Won 53 billion in 2018 primarily due to an increase in gains from sales of corporate housing units to employees.

 

   

Our gain on disposal of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures decreased by 44.7%, or Won 37 billion, from Won 82 billion in 2017 to Won 45 billion in 2018 primarily due to a decrease in disposition of our interests in some of our subsidiaries and associates as part of our reorganization efforts.

The following table presents a breakdown of our other operating expenses and changes therein for 2017 and 2018.

 

            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2017 versus 2018  
     2017      2018      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Impairment losses on assets held for sale

        51      51       N.A.  (1)

Loss on disposal of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     20        5        (15     (73.9

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

     151        118        (34     (22.3

Impairment losses on property, plant and equipment

     117        1,005        887       757.0  

Impairment losses on investment property

            51        51       N.A.  (1) 

Impairment losses on intangible assets

     168        338        170       100.9  

Increase to provisions

     34        135        101       296.4  

Loss on valuation of firm commitment

     43        66        23       53.6  

Donations

     51        52        1       1.3  

Idle tangible assets expenses

     10        9        (1     (11.8

Others

     96        185        89       92.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total other operating expenses

       691          2,014        1,323       191.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

(1)

N.A. means not applicable.

Our other operating expenses increased by 191.4%, or Won 1,323 billion, from Won 691 billion in 2017 to Won 2,014 billion in 2018 primarily due to increases in impairment losses on property, plant and equipment, impairment losses on intangible assets and increase to provisions, which were partially offset by a decrease in loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment. Such factors were principally attributable to the following:

 

   

Our impairment losses on property, plant and equipment increased significantly, by Won 887 billion, from Won 117 billion in 2017 to Won 1,005 billion in 2018. In 2017, our impairment losses on property, plant and equipment related primarily to SkyCube operated by Suncheon Eco Trans Co., Ltd. as well as disposal plans regarding certain assets. In

 

69


Table of Contents
 

2018, we recognized impairment losses on property, plant and equipment of Won 810 billion related to our synthetic natural gas production facility in Gwangyang due to our discontinuation of such business, as well as impairment losses of Won 54 billion related to the operating loss of POSCO Energy Corporation’s fuel cell business.

 

   

Our impairment losses on intangible assets increased significantly, by Won 170 billion, from Won 168 billion in 2017 to Won 338 billion in 2018. In 2017, our impairment losses on intangible assets related primarily to losses of POSCO Engineering, which merged into POSCO E&C. In 2018, our impairment losses on intangible assets related primarily to impairment losses on goodwill of Won 158 billion incurred by POSCO International and Won 66 billion incurred by POSCO E&C in connection with a decrease in value-in-use of such entities due to reduced expected cash flow arising from the uncertain global economic climate, as well as impairment of industrial property rights of Won 78 billion related to our investment in Hume Coal Pty Limited, a coal mining company in Australia.

 

   

Our increase to provisions increased significantly, by Won 101 billion, from Won 34 billion in 2017 to Won 135 billion in 2018 primarily due to an increase in provisions related to our synthetic natural gas production facility in Gwangyang due to our discontinuation of such business in 2018.

 

   

Our loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment decreased by 22.3%, or Won 34 billion, from Won 151 billion in 2017 to Won 118 billion in 2018. In 2017, our loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment related primarily to our blast furnace upgrading project at Pohang Works. In 2018, our loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment related primarily to rationalization of the LNG plants at Gwangyang Works.

Operating Profit

Due to the factors described above, our operating profit decreased by 3.7%, or Won 154 billion, from Won 4,196 billion in 2017 to Won 4,042 billion in 2018. Our operating margin decreased from 7.0% in 2017 to 6.2% in 2018.

Share of Profit (Loss) of Equity-Accounted Investees

Our share of profit of equity-accounted investees increased significantly, by Won 102 billion, from Won 11 billion in 2017 to Won 113 billion in 2018. In 2017, we recognized a net gain for our proportionate share of equity-accounted investees of Won 11 billion primarily due to our share of gains of Won 56 billion of KOBRASCO, Won 46 billion of Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd., Won 43 billion of South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd. and Won 28 billion of POSCO Mitsubishi Carbon Technology Ltd., which were partially offset by our share of loss of Won 148 billion of CSP-Compania Siderurgica do Pecem. In 2018, we recognized a net gain for our proportionate share of equity-accounted investees of Won 113 billion primarily due to our share of gains of Won 75 billion of KOBRASCO, Won 70 billion of POSCO Mitsubishi Carbon Technology Ltd., Won 59 billion of Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd. and Won 30 billion of AES-VCM Mong Duong Power Company Limited, which were partially offset by our share of loss of Won 110 billion of CSP-Compania Siderurgica do Pecem. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

70


Table of Contents

Finance Income and Finance Costs

The following table presents a breakdown of our finance income and costs and changes therein for 2017 and 2018.

 

            Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,      2017 versus 2018  
             2017                      2018                  Amount         %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Interest income

   212      337      125       58.7

Dividend income

     93        63        (30     (31.9

Gain on foreign currency transactions

     786        716        (70     (8.9

Gain on foreign currency translations

     564        212        (352     (62.3

Gain on derivatives transactions

     211        248        37       17.5  

Gain on valuation of derivatives

     65        97        32       49.8  

Gain on disposals of available-for-sale financial assets

     426               (426     (100.0

Gain on valuations of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

            16        16       N.A.  (1) 

Others

     16        16        (0     (1.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total finance income

       2,373          1,706        (667     (28.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Interest expenses

   653      741        88       13.5

Loss on foreign currency transactions

     757        811        54       7.2  

Loss on foreign currency translations

     423        322        (101     (23.9

Loss on derivatives transactions

     236        209        (28     (11.6

Loss on valuation of derivatives

     226        41        (186     (82.0

Impairment losses on available-for-sale financial assets

     123               (123     (100.0

Loss on valuations of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

            59        59       N.A.  (1) 

Others

     66        62        (4     (6.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total finance costs

   2,484      2,244        (240     (9.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

(1)

N.A. means not applicable.

We recognized a net gain on foreign currency translations of Won 141 billion in 2017 compared to a net loss on foreign currency translations of Won 109 billion in 2018, and we recorded a net gain on foreign currency transactions of Won 29 billion in 2017 compared to a net loss on foreign currency transactions of Won 95 billion in 2018, as the Won appreciated against the Dollar in 2017 but depreciated in 2018. In terms of the market average exchange rates announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd., the Won appreciated from Won 1,208.5 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2016 to Won 1,071.4 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2017 but depreciated to Won 1,118.1 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2018. Against such fluctuations, we recognized a net loss on valuations of derivatives of Won 162 billion in 2017 compared to a net gain on valuations of derivatives of Won 56 billion in 2018, as well as a net loss on transactions of derivatives of Won 26 billion in 2017 compared to a net gain on transactions of derivatives of Won 39 billion in 2018.

We recognized a gain on disposals of available-for-sale financial assets of Won 426 billion in 2017 related primarily to disposals of our interests in Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. and KB Financial Group Inc., compared to no such gain in 2018.

Our interest income increased by 58.7%, or Won 125 billion, from Won 212 billion in 2017 to Won 337 billion in 2018 primarily due to an increase in interest-earning financial assets, as well as a general increase in interest rates in Korea in 2018.

We recognized impairment losses on available-for-sale financial assets of Won 123 billion in 2017 related primarily to a significant and prolonged decline in the fair value of shares of Congonhas Minèrios S.A. below cost, compared to no such impairment loss in 2018.

 

71


Table of Contents

Profit before Income Taxes

Due to the factors described above, our profit before income taxes decreased by 11.7%, or Won 479 billion, from Won 4,095 billion in 2017 to Won 3,616 billion in 2018.

The following table presents our profit and loss by segment, prior to adjusting for goodwill and corporate fair-value adjustments, elimination of inter-segment profits, income tax expense and basis difference, and changes therein for 2017 and 2018.

 

           Changes  
     For the Year Ended December 31,     2017 versus 2018  
         2017                     2018                 Amount         %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Steel Segment

   2,791     1,268         (1,523     (54.6 )% 

Trading Segment

     113       49       (63     (56.3

Construction Segment

     25       0       (24     (99.0

Others Segment

     233       14       (219     (94.2

Goodwill and corporate fair value adjustments

     (84     (78     7       (7.8

Elimination of inter-segment profits

     (103     638       741       N.A.  (1) 

Income tax expense

     1,206       1,671       465       38.5  

Basis difference adjustments (2)

     (85     53       137       N.A.  (1) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Profit before income taxes

       4,095         3,616       (479     (11.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

(1)

N.A. means not applicable.

 

(2)

Basis difference adjustments are related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses of the Construction Segment in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the chief executive officer and the consolidated financial statements. See Notes 3 and 40 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income Tax Expense

Our income tax expense increased by 42.0%, or Won 498 billion, from Won 1,186 billion in 2017 to Won 1,684 billion in 2018. Our effective tax rate increased from 29.0% in 2017 to 46.6% in 2018 primarily due to the following:

 

   

an increase in income tax expenses from Won 28 billion in 2017 to Won 272 billion in 2018 (that resulted in an increase in effective tax rate of 6.8%) in connection with non-deductible impairment losses on property, plant and equipment that we recognized on our synthetic natural gas production facility in Gwangyang in 2018.

 

   

a tax effect of Won 130 billion in 2018 in connection with the reconciliation of discrepancies in the interpretation of certain tax laws between the tax authority and us (that resulted in an increase in effective tax rate of 3.6%) compared to no such effect in 2017.

See Note 35 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Profit

Due to the factors described above, our profit decreased by 33.6%, or Won 977 billion, from Won 2,909 billion in 2017 to Won 1,932 billion in 2018.

 

72


Table of Contents

Item 5.B.  Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table sets forth the summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated.

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
     2017     2018     2019  
     (In billions of Won)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

       5,607         5,870         6,005  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (3,818     (2,648     (3,683

Net cash used in financing activities

     (1,566     (3,195     (1,512

Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash held

     (59     5       62  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

     2,448       2,613       2,644  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

     2,613       2,644       3,515  

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     165       31       871  

Capital Requirements

Historically, uses of cash consisted principally of purchases of property, plant and equipment and other assets and repayments of outstanding debt and payments of dividends. From time to time, we also use cash for repurchases of our shares.

Net cash used in investing activities was Won 3,818 billion in 2017, Won 2,648 billion in 2018 and Won 3,683 billion in 2019. Our cash outflows for acquisition of property, plant and equipment were Won 2,288 billion in 2017, Won 2,136 billion in 2018 and Won 2,519 billion in 2019. We plan to spend approximately Won 6.0 trillion in capital expenditures in 2020, which we may adjust on an on-going basis subject to market demand for our products, the production outlook of the global steel industry and global economic conditions in general. We may delay or not implement some of our current capital expenditure plans based on our assessment of such market conditions. We had net acquisitions of short-term financial instruments of Won 1,697 billion in 2017, Won 1,068 billion in 2018 and Won 647 billion in 2019.

In our financing activities, we used cash of Won 3,136 billion in 2017, Won 3,136 billion in 2018 and Won 3,747 billion in 2019 for repayments of borrowings. We paid dividends on common stock in the amount of Won 863 billion in 2017, Won 724 billion in 2018 and Won 946 billion in 2019. In April 2020, we entered into a trust contract to engage in repurchases of our shares until April 2021 for up to Won 1.0 trillion.

In recent years, we have also selectively considered various opportunities to acquire or invest in companies that may complement our businesses, as well as invest in overseas resources development projects. We may require additional capital for such acquisitions or entering into other strategic relationships. Other than capital required for such activities, we anticipate that capital expenditures, repayments of outstanding debt and payments of cash dividends will represent the most significant uses of funds for the next several years.

 

73


Table of Contents

Payments of contractual obligations and commitments will also require considerable resources. In our ordinary course of business, we routinely enter into commercial commitments for various aspects of our operations, as well as issue guarantees for indebtedness of our related parties and others. For our contingent liabilities on outstanding guarantees provided by us, see Note 38(b) of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The following table sets forth the amount of long-term debt and lease obligations as of December 31, 2019.

 

     Payments Due by Period  
     Total      Less than
1 Year
     1 to 3 Years      4 to 5 Years      More than
5 Years
 
     (In billions of Won)  

Long-term debt obligations (a)

   15,230      3,118      6,851      3,599      1,662  

Interest payments on long-term debt (b)

     1,290        503        520        202        66  

Lease obligations

     242        34        107        78        23  

Purchase obligations (c)

     24,311        10,047        8,958        3,637        1,669  

Long-term shipping service contract

     21,079        2,329        4,659        4,659        9,423  

Accrued severance benefits (d)

     2,902        280        603        483        1,536  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

       65,054          16,311          21,698          12,658          14,379  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Includes the current portion and premium on bond redemption but excludes amortization of discount on debentures and issuance costs.

 

(b)

As of December 31, 2019, a portion of our long-term debt carried variable interest rates. We used the interest rate in effect as of December 31, 2019 in calculating the interest payments on long-term debt for the periods indicated.

 

(c)

Our purchase obligations include supply contracts to purchase iron ore, coal, nickel, LNG and other raw materials. These contracts generally have terms of one to ten years and the long-term contracts provide for periodic price adjustments according to the market prices. As of December 31, 2019, 102 million tons of iron ore and 11 million tons of coal remained to be purchased under long-term contracts. In addition, we entered into an agreement with Tangguh LNG Consortium in Indonesia to purchase 550 thousand tons of LNG for 20 years commencing in August 2005. The purchase price under the agreement with Tangguh LNG Consortium is variable based on the monthly standard oil price (as represented by the Japan Customs cleared Crude Price), subject to a ceiling. We used the market price and exchange rate in effect as of December 31, 2019 in calculating the iron ore, coal and LNG purchase obligations described above for the periods indicated.

 

(d)

Represents, as of December 31, 2019, the expected amount of severance benefits that we will be required to pay under applicable Korean law to all of our employees when they reach their normal retirement age. The amounts were determined based on the employees’ current salary rates and the number of service years that will be accumulated upon their retirement. These amounts do not include amounts that may be paid to employees who cease to work at the company before their normal retirement age.

Capital Resources

We have traditionally met our working capital and other capital requirements principally from cash provided by operations, while raising the remainder of our requirements primarily through long-term debt and short-term borrowings. We expect that these sources will continue to be our principal sources of cash in the future. From time to time, we may also generate cash through issuance of hybrid bonds and sale of treasury shares and our holdings in available-for-sale securities.

Our net cash provided by operating activities increased by 4.7%, or Won 263 billion, from Won 5,607 billion in 2017 to Won 5,870 billion in 2018. Our gross cash flow from our sales activities increased as discussed above. In addition, our outstanding trade accounts and notes payable increased in 2018, as we lengthened payment terms of some of our key suppliers, which further enhanced our net cash provided by operating activities. However, our inventory of raw materials and materials-in-transit increased in 2018, which in turn negatively impacted our cash provided by operating activities.

Our net cash provided by operating activities increased by 2.3%, or Won 135 billion, from Won 5,870 billion in 2018 to Won 6,005 billion in 2019. Our gross cash flow from our sales activities

 

74


Table of Contents

decreased as discussed above. However, we recorded cash outflow related to the buildup of inventories in 2018 compared to cash inflow related to more efficient management of inventories in 2019, which in turn positively impacted our net cash provided by operating activities. On the other hand, we recorded cash inflow related to our management of trade accounts and notes payable in 2018 compared to cash outflow in 2019, which in turn negatively impacted our net cash provided by operating activities. In addition, cash outflows related to income taxes paid increased from Won 1,140 billion in 2018 to Won 1,513 billion in 2019.

We had net repayments of borrowings, after adjusting for proceeds from borrowings, of Won 1,410 billion in 2017 and Won 374 billion in 2018 and net proceeds from borrowings, after adjusting for repayments of borrowings, of Won 1,900 billion in 2019. We had net proceeds of short-term borrowings, after deducting for repayment of short-term borrowings, of Won 558 billion in 2017, and net repayment of short-term borrowings, after deducting for proceeds of short-term borrowings, of Won 855 billion in 2018 and Won 2,195 billion in 2019. Long-term borrowings, excluding current installments, were Won 9,789 billion as of December 31, 2017, Won 9,920 billion as of December 31, 2018 and Won 11,893 billion as of December 31, 2019. Total short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term borrowings were Won 11,275 billion as of December 31, 2017, Won 10,290 billion as of December 31, 2018 and Won 8,548 billion as of December 31, 2019. Outstanding hybrid bonds were Won 997 billion as of December 31, 2017 and Won 199 billion as of December 31, 2018 and 2019. Our net borrowings-to-equity ratio, which is calculated by deducting cash and cash equivalents from total borrowings and dividing the net amount with our total equity, was 38.99% as of December 31, 2017, 37.64% as of December 31, 2018 and 35.43% as of December 31, 2019.

We periodically increase our short-term borrowings and adjust our long-term debt financing levels depending on changes in our capital requirements. From time to time, we also generate cash from the sale of our treasury shares. We believe that we have sufficient working capital for our current requirements and that we have a variety of alternatives available to us to satisfy our liquidity requirements to the extent that they are not met by funds generated by operations, including the issuance of debt and equity securities and bank borrowings denominated in Won and various foreign currencies. However, our ability to rely on some of these alternatives could be affected by factors such as the liquidity of the Korean and the global financial markets, prevailing interest rates, our credit rating and the Government’s policies regarding Won currency and foreign currency borrowings.

Liquidity

We had working capital (current assets minus current liabilities) of Won 12,354 billion as of December 31, 2017, Won 14,721 billion as of December 31, 2018 and Won 18,593 billion as of December 31, 2019. Our holdings of cash and cash equivalents (which do not include cash and cash equivalents categorized under “assets held for sale”) were Won 2,613 billion as of December 31, 2017, Won 2,644 billion as of December 31, 2018 and Won 3,515 billion as of December 31, 2019. See Notes 5 and 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Our holding of other receivables and other short-term financial assets were Won 8,682 billion as of December 31, 2017, Won 9,467 billion as of December 31, 2018 and Won 10,578 billion as of December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, approximately 14% of our cash and cash equivalents, other receivables and other short-term financial assets were held outside of Korea, which we expect to use in our operations abroad, including capital expenditure activities. In the event that such assets are needed for our operations in Korea, such amounts are typically not restricted under local laws from being used in Korea. In addition, we believe that there are no material tax implications in the event our foreign subsidiaries elect to grant cash dividends to us. POSCO had total available credit lines of Won 1,064 billion as of December 31, 2019, none of which was used as of such date. We have not had, and do not believe that we will have, difficulty gaining access to short-term financing sufficient to meet our current requirements.

Our liquidity is affected by exchange rate fluctuations. See “— Overview — Exchange Rate Fluctuations.”

 

75


Table of Contents

Capital Expenditures and Capacity Expansion

Cash used for acquisitions of property, plant and equipment was Won 2,288 billion in 2017, Won 2,136 billion in 2018 and Won 2,519 billion in 2019. We plan to spend approximately Won 6.0 trillion in capital expenditures in 2020, which we may adjust on an on-going basis subject to market demand for our products, the production outlook of the global steel industry and global economic conditions in general. We may delay or not implement some of our current capital expenditure plans based on our assessment of such market conditions.

Our current plan for capital investment in production facilities emphasizes capacity rationalization, increased production of higher value-added products, improvements in the efficiency of older facilities in order to reduce operating costs and construction and expansion of facilities related to our non-steel businesses. The following table sets out the major items of our capital expenditures as of December 31, 2019:

 

Project

   Expected
Completion Date
     Total Cost of
Project
     Estimated
Remaining Cost of
Completion as of
December 31,
2019
 
            (In billions of Won)  

Rationalization of furnace no. 3 at Gwangyang Works and construction of facilities for removing nitrogen oxide during iron ore processing at Pohang Works

     December 2021          2,027          1,159  

Construction of by-product gas plant at Pohang Works and expansion of hyper-strength steel manufacturing facilities at Gwangyang Works

     August 2022        615        474  

Construction of cathode materials production facilities at Gwangyang Works

     March 2020        225        73  

Additional major capital expenditure projects that we plan to start in 2020 include the following:

 

Project

   Expected
Spending in
2020
     Expected
Spending in
2021
     Expected
Spending in
2022
     Total  
            (In billions of Won)  

Rationalization and upgrading of facilities at Gwangyang Works and Pohang Works related to periodic maintenance and improvement of steel products

       233          816          670          1,720  

Rationalization and upgrading of facilities at Gwangyang Works and Pohang Works related to cost reduction

     122        239        317        678  

Construction and expansion of anode materials production facilities

     59        66               125  

Item 5.C.  Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.

We maintain a research and development program to carry out basic research and applied technology development activities. As of December 31, 2019, POSCO Technical Research Laboratories employed 914 personnel, including 500 researchers. Our technology development department also works closely with the Pohang University of Science & Technology, Korea’s first research-oriented college founded by us in 1986, and the Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Korea’s first private comprehensive research institute founded by us in 1987. We also established POSCO Research Institute (POSRI) in 1994, which engages in research activities and consulting services.

Our research and development program has filed approximately 44,500 industrial rights applications relating to steel-making technology, approximately 14,000 of which were registered as of December 31, 2019, and has successfully applied many of these to the improvement of our manufacturing process.

 

76


Table of Contents
Item 5.D.  Trend

Information

These matters are discussed under Item 5.A. and Item 5.B. above where relevant.

Item 5.E.  Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

Item 5.F.  Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

These matters are discussed under Item 5.B. above where relevant.

Item 5.G.  Safe Harbor

See “Item 3. Key Information — Item 3.D. Risk Factors — This annual report contains “forward-looking statements” that are subject to various risks and uncertainties.”

Item 6.  Directors, Senior Management and Employees

Item 6.A.  Directors and Senior Management

Board of Directors

Our board of directors has the ultimate responsibility for the management of our business affairs. Our board consists of five directors who are our executive officers (“Inside Directors”) and seven directors who are outside directors (“Outside Directors”). Our shareholders elect both the Inside Directors and Outside Directors at a general meeting of shareholders. Candidates for Inside Directors are recommended to shareholders by the board of directors after the board reviews such candidates’ qualifications, and candidates for Outside Directors are recommended to the shareholders by a separate board committee consisting of three Outside Directors and one Inside Director (“Director Candidate Recommendation and Management Committee”) after the committee reviews such candidates’ qualifications. Pursuant to the Korean Commercial Act and our articles of incorporation, any shareholder holding our outstanding shares with voting rights may suggest candidates for Outside Directors to the Director Candidate Recommendation and Management Committee.

Our board of directors maintains the following five sub-committees:

 

   

the Director Candidate Recommendation and Management Committee;

 

   

the Evaluation and Compensation Committee;

 

   

the Finance and Related Party Transactions Committee;

 

   

the Executive Management Committee; and

 

   

the Audit Committee.

Our board committees are described in greater detail below under “— Item 6.C. Board Practices.”

Under the Commercial Code and our articles of incorporation, one Chairman should be elected among the Outside Directors and several Representative Directors may be elected among the Inside Directors by our board of directors’ resolution.

 

77


Table of Contents

Inside Directors

As of March 31, 2020, our Inside Directors are as follows:

 

Name

  

Position

  

Responsibilities and
Division

   Years
as
Director
     Age      Expiration
of Term of
Office

Choi, Jeong-Woo

   Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director    —                          2        62      March
2021

Chang, In-Hwa

   President and Representative Director    Head of Steel Business Unit      3        64      March
2021

Chon, Jung-Son

   Senior Executive Vice President    Head of Global & Infra Business Unit and Head of Corporate Strategy & Planning Division      2        57      March
2021

Kim, Hag-Dong

   Senior Executive Vice President    Head of Steel Production & Technology Division      1        60      March
2021

Jeong, Tak

   Senior Executive Vice President    Head of Marketing Division      1        60      March
2021

All Inside Directors are engaged in our business on a full-time basis.

Outside Directors

Each of our Outside Directors meets the applicable independence standards set forth under the rules of the FSCMA.

 

Name

   Position   

Principal Occupation

   Years
as
Director
     Age      Expiration
of Term of
Office
 

Chung, Moon-Ki

   Chairman    Professor of Accounting, Sungkyunkwan University      3        60        March 2022  

Kim, Joo-Hyun

   Director    Former President, the Financial News      5        67        March 2021  

Bahk, Byong-Won

   Director    Former Chairman, Korea Employers Federation      5        67        March 2021  

Kim, Shin-Bae

   Director    Former Vice Chairman, SK Group      3        65        March 2022  

Chang, Seung-Wha

   Director    Professor of Law, Seoul National University      2        56        March 2023  

Kim, Sung-Jin

   Director    Former Minister, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries      2        70        March 2021  

Pahk, Heui-Jae

   Director    Professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University      1        58        March 2022  

The term of office of the Director elected in March 2020 is up to three years. Each Director’s term expires at the close of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders convened in respect of the fiscal year that is the last one to end during such Director’s tenure.

 

78


Table of Contents

Senior Management

In addition to the Inside Directors who are also our executive officers, we have the following executive officers as of March 19, 2020:

 

Name

  

Position

  

Responsibility and Division

   Age  

Oh, Gyu-Seok

   Senior Executive Vice President    Head of New Growth Business Unit      57  

Kim, Jhi-Yong

   Senior Executive Vice President    President, PT Krakatau POSCO Co., Ltd.      58  

Chung, Chang-Hwa

   Senior Executive Vice President    Head of Management Support Division      59  

Yoo, Byeong-Og

   Senior Executive Vice President    Head of Purchasing and Investment Division      58  

Lee, Si-Woo

   Senior Executive Vice President    Head of Gwangyang Works      60  

Lee, Duk-Lak

   Senior Executive Vice President    Head of Technical Research Laboratories      60  

Nam, Soo-Hi

   Senior Executive Vice President    Head of Pohang Works      61  

Lee, Sung-Wook

   Senior Executive Vice President    Head of Legal Affairs Office      56  

Kim, Gyo-Sung

   Executive Vice President    Head of Automotive Steel Research Lab      59  

Yang, Weon-Jun

   Executive Vice President    Head of Corporate Citizenship Office      55  

Lim, Seung-Kyu

   Executive Vice President    Head of Finance Office      57  

Choo, Se-Don

   Executive Vice President    Head of Steel Solution Research Lab      59  

Jung, Duk-Kyoon

   Executive Vice President    Head of Information Planning Office      58  

Choi, In-Suk

   Executive Vice President    Deputy Head of Pohang Works (Administration)      57  

Lee, Ju-Tae

   Executive Vice President    Head of Corporate Strategy Office      56  

Ha, Dae-Ryong

   Executive Vice President    Head of Europe Office      56  

Kim, Soon-Ki

   Executive Vice President    Head of Labor and Cooperation Office      56  

Kim, Bok-Tae

   Executive Vice President    Logistics Integration TF Team Leader      58  

Kim, Jeoung-Su

   Executive Vice President    Deputy Head of Gwangyang Works (Administration)      57  

Kim, Kwang-Moo

   Executive Vice President    Head of Steel Business Planning & Coordination Office      56  

Kim, Kyung-Han

   Executive Vice President    Head of International Trade Office      55  

Kim, Min-Chul

   Executive Vice President    Head of Investment Planning & Engineering Office      58  

Kim, Ki-Soo

   Executive Vice President    Head of Process and Engineering Research Lab      55  

Choi, Yong-Jun

   Executive Vice President    Deputy Head of Pohang Works (Process & Quality)      56  

Lee, Jae-Yeol

   Executive Vice President    Head of Business & Administration Support Office      59  

Park, Hyeon

   Senior Vice President    Head of Safety & Environmental Planning Office      53  

Song, Kyung-Hwa

   Senior Vice President    Head of Stainless Steel Marketing Office      58  

Lee, Jean-Su

   Senior Vice President    Deputy Head of Gwangyang Works (Hot and Cold Rolling)      57  

Kim, Young-Joong

   Senior Vice President    Head of Marketing Strategy Office      55  

Song, Yong-Sam

   Senior Vice President    Head of Automotive Materials Marketing Office      57  

Lee, Yu-Kyung

   Senior Vice President    Head of Plant, Equipment and Materials Procurement Office      53  

Lee, Hee-Geun

   Senior Vice President    Deputy Head of Pohang Works (Iron and Steel Making)      58  

Lee, Ju-Hyeob

   Senior Vice President    Deputy Head of Pohang Works (Stainless Steel Production)      56  

An, Geun-Sik

   Senior Vice President    Deputy Head of Gwangyang Works (Process & Quality)      59  

Lee, Kyung-Sub

   Senior Vice President    Head of Investment Strategy Office      55  

Jung, Bum-Su

   Senior Vice President    Deputy Head of Gwangyang Works (Maintenance)      56  

 

79


Table of Contents

Name

  

Position

  

Responsibility and Division

   Age  

Nam, Jae-Bok

   Senior Vice President    Giga Steel Commercialization TF Team Leader, Gwangyang Works      59  

Lee, Sang-Ho

   Senior Vice President    Head of Production Division, PT Krakatau POSCO Co., Ltd.      56  

Kim, Sang-Gyun

   Senior Vice President    Head of Construction Steel Materials Marketing Office      56  

Chung, Seok-Mo

   Senior Vice President    Head of LiB Materials Business Office      54  

Kim, Won-Hee

   Senior Vice President    Head of Global Infra Business Management Office      55  

Ahn, Sang-Bog

   Senior Vice President    Head of Steel Product Research Lab      58  

Han, Soo-Ho

   Senior Vice President    PT KP Downstream Construction Cooperation TF Team Leader      59  

Choi, Young

   Senior Vice President    Head of Communication Office      52  

Lee, Cheol-Ho

   Senior Vice President    Head of Labor and Management Development Group      55  

Yoon, Chang-Woo

   Senior Vice President    Head of Electrical and Electronic Materials Marketing Office      56  

Jeong, Dae-Hyung

   Senior Vice President    Head of Business Assessment Office      52  

Yang, Byeong-Ho

   Senior Vice President    Head of Human Resources and Corporate Culture Office      54  

Hwang, Guy-Sam

   Senior Vice President    Deputy Head of Pohang Works (Hot and Cold Rolling)      56  

Kim, Sang-Chul

   Senior Vice President    Head of Energy and Shipbuilding Materials Marketing Office      53  

Cho, Ju-Ik

   Senior Vice President    Head of New Growth Planning Office      55  

Kim, Yong-Soo

   Senior Vice President    Head of Human Resources Management Office      55  

Oh, Kyung-Shik

   Senior Vice President    PosMC Technology Development TF Team Leader      62  

Kim, Kyeong-Chan

   Senior Vice President    Head of Steel Business Planning & Coordination Group      51  

Choi, Jong-Kyo

   Senior Vice President    High Manganese Steel Solutions TF Team Leader      59  

Chung, Kyung-Jin

   Senior Vice President    Head of Corporate Audit Office      55  

Song, Chi-Young

   Senior Vice President    Deputy Head of Pohang Works (Safety and Environment)      56  

Choun, Si-Youl

   Senior Vice President    Head of Steel Production Technology Strategy Office      55  

Kang, Sung-Wook

   Senior Vice President    Head of Raw Materials Office I      55  

Lee, Chan-Gi

   Senior Vice President    Deputy Head of Pohang Works (Maintenance)      57  

Lee, Chang-Hyun

   Senior Vice President    Deputy Head of Gwangyang Works (Safety and Environment)      59  

Park, Sung-Jin

   Senior Vice President    Head of Industry-Academy-Research Cooperation Office      52  

Do, Han-Eui

   Senior Vice President    Head of International Trade, Europe Office      55  

Kim, Hee

   Senior Vice President    Head of Steel Production Coordination Office      53  

Park, Nam-Sik

   Senior Vice President    Head of Sales & Production and Technology Planning Group      53  

Yang, Keun-Sik

   Senior Vice President    Head of Global Quality & Service Management Office      57  

Kim, Dae-Up

   Senior Vice President    Head of Hot Rolled Steel & Wire Rod Marketing Office      56  

Yoon, Sung-Won

   Senior Vice President    Head of Raw Materials Office II      55  

Lee, Dong-Ryeol

   Senior Vice President    Deputy Head of Gwangyang Works (Iron and Steel Making)      56  

 

Item 6.B.

Compensation

Compensation of Directors and Officers

Salaries and bonuses for Inside Directors and salaries for Outside Directors are paid in accordance with standards decided by the board of directors within the limitation of directors remuneration approved by the annual general meeting of shareholders. In addition, executive officers’ compensation is paid in accordance with standards decided by the board of directors. In 2019, the aggregate compensation paid and accrued to all Directors and executive officers was approximately Won 47 billion and the aggregate amount set aside or accrued by us to provide pension and retirement benefits to such persons was Won 12 billion.

 

80


Table of Contents

Among those who received total annual compensation exceeding Won 500 million in 2019, the highest-paid five individuals were as follows:

 

Name

 

Position

  Total
Compensation in
2019
    Long-term Incentive Compensation for
Payment Subsequent to 2019
 
        (In millions of Won)  

You, Seong

  Former Senior Executive Vice President     2,143       287  

Choi, Jeong-Woo

  Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director     1,617        

Oh, In-Hwan

  President and Representative Director     1,450       186  

Chang, In-Hwa

  President and Representative Director     1,141        

Min, Kyung-Jun

  Former Senior Executive Vice President     1,135        

We have also granted stock options to some of our Directors and executive officers. See “— Item 6.E. Share Ownership” for a list of stock options granted to our Directors and executive officers. At the annual shareholders’ meeting held in February 2006 our shareholders elected to terminate the stock option program. Stock options granted prior to this meeting remain valid and outstanding pursuant to the articles of incorporation in effect at the time of the issuance of the stock option.

 

Item 6.C.

Board Practices

Director Candidate Recommendation and Management Committee

The Director Candidate Recommendation and Management Committee is composed of three Outside Directors, Bahk, Byong-Won, Kim, Joo-Hyun and Pahk, Heui-Jae, and one Inside Director, Chon, Jung-Son. The Director Candidate Recommendation and Management Committee reviews the qualifications of potential candidates and proposes nominees to serve on our board of directors as an Outside Director. It also reviews operational matters of our board of directors. Any shareholder holding our outstanding shares with voting rights may suggest candidates for Outside Directors to the Director Candidate Recommendation and Management Committee.

Evaluation and Compensation Committee

The Evaluation and Compensation Committee is composed of four Outside Directors, Chang, Seung-Wha, Kim, Joo-Hyun, Kim, Shin-Bae and Kim, Sung-Jin. The Evaluation and Compensation Committee’s primary responsibilities include establishing evaluation procedures and compensation plans for executive officers and taking necessary measures to execute such plans.

Finance and Related Party Transactions Committee

The Finance and Related Party Transactions Committee is composed of three Outside Directors, Chang, Seung-Hwa, Kim, Shin-Bae, Kim, Sung-Jin and one Inside Director, Chang, In-Hwa. This committee is an operational committee that oversees decisions with respect to finance and operational matters, including making assessments with respect to potential capital investments and evaluating prospective capital-raising activities. It also reviews related party and other internal transactions and ensures compliance with the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act.

Executive Management Committee

The Executive Management Committee is composed of five Inside Directors, Choi, Jeong-Woo, Chang, In-Hwa, Chon, Jung-Son, Kim, Hag-Dong and Jeong, Tak. This committee oversees decisions with respect to our operational and management matters, including review of management’s proposals

 

81


Table of Contents

of new strategic initiatives, as well as deliberation over critical internal matters related to organization structure and development of personnel.

Audit Committee

Under Korean law and our articles of incorporation, we are required to have an Audit Committee. The Audit Committee may be composed of three or more directors; all members of the Audit Committee must be Outside Directors. Audit Committee members must also meet the applicable independence criteria set forth under the rules and regulations of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Members of the Audit Committee are elected by the shareholders at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders. We currently have an Audit Committee composed of three Outside Directors. Members of our Audit Committee are Chung, Moon-Ki, Bahk, Byong-Won and Pahk, Heui-Jae.

The duties of the Audit Committee include:

 

   

engaging independent auditors;

 

   

approving independent audit fees;

 

   

approving audit and non-audit services;

 

   

reviewing annual financial statements;

 

   

reviewing audit results and reports, including management comments and recommendations;

 

   

reviewing our system of controls and policies, including those covering conflicts of interest and business ethics; and

 

   

examining improprieties or suspected improprieties.

In addition, in connection with general meetings of stockholders, the committee examines the agenda for, and financial statements and other reports to be submitted by, the board of directors at each general meeting of stockholders. Our internal and external auditors report directly to the Audit Committee. The committee holds regular meetings at least once each quarter, and more frequently as needed.

Item 6.D. Employees

As of December 31, 2019, we had 35,261 employees, including 17,758 persons employed by our subsidiaries. Of the total number of employees, approximately 80% are technicians and skilled laborers and 20% are administrative staff. We use subcontractors for maintenance, cleaning and transport activities. We had 33,784 employees, including 16,634 persons employed by our subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2018, and 32,287 employees, including 15,232 persons employed by our subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2017.

We consider our relations with our work force to be satisfactory. We have never experienced a work stoppage or strike. Wages of our employees are among the highest of manufacturing companies in Korea. In addition to a base monthly wage, employees receive periodic bonuses and allowances. Base wages are determined annually following negotiations between the management and the majority labor union. A limited number of our employees are members of the Federation of Korean Metal Workers’ Trade Unions or the Korean Metal Workers’ Union. The Federation of Korean Metal Workers’ Trade Unions currently negotiates the terms of employment with the management.

In accordance with the National Pension Act of Korea, we contribute an amount equal to 4.5% of an employee’s standard monthly wages, and each employee contributes 4.5% of his or her standard monthly wages, into his or her personal pension account. Our employees, including executive officers as well as non-executive employees, are subject to a pension insurance system, under which we make

 

82


Table of Contents

monthly contributions to the pension accounts of the employees, and upon retirement, such employees are paid from their pension accounts. Prior to 2011, our executive and non-executive employees were subject to a lump-sum severance payment system, under which they were entitled to receive a lump-sum severance payment upon termination of their employment, based on their length of service and salary level at the time of termination. Starting in 2011, in accordance with the Korean Employee Retirement Income Security Act, we replaced such lump-sum severance payment system with our current pension insurance system in the form of either a defined benefit plan or a defined contribution plan. Our employees have the option of choosing either the defined benefit plan or the defined contribution plan. See Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Lump-sum severance amounts previously accrued prior to our adoption of the current pension insurance system continue to remain payable. We also provide a wide range of fringe benefits to our employees, including housing, housing loans, company-provided hospitals and schools, a company-sponsored pension program, an employee welfare fund, industrial disaster insurance and cultural and athletic facilities.

As of December 31, 2019, our employees owned, through our employee stock ownership association, approximately 1.71% of our common stock in their employee accounts.

 

Item 6.E.

Share Ownership

The persons who are currently our Directors or executive officers held, as a group, 35,388 common shares as of March 31, 2020, the most recent practicable date for which this information is available. The table below shows the ownership of our common shares by our Directors and executive officers.

 

Name

   Number of
Common Shares
 

Choi, Jeong-Woo

     1,526  

Kim, Hag-Dong

     1,460  

Chang, In-Hwa

     1,389  

Kim, Soon-Ki

     1,332  

Jeong, Tak

     1,299  

Chon, Jung-Son

     1,262  

Yoo, Byeong-Og

     1,149  

Kim, Gyo-Sung

     1,041  

Lee, Chang-Hyun

     1,023  

Nam, Soo-Hi

     987  

Lee, Si-Woo

     905  

Choi, In-Suk

     859  

Song, Chi-Young

     800  

Lee, Duk-Lak

     774  

Kim, Bok-Tae

     738  

Lee, Chan-Gi

     737  

Lim, Seung-Kyu

     692  

Kim, Min-Chul

     680  

Chung, Chang-Hwa

     650  

Lee, Jean-Su

     648  

Lee, Ju-Tae

     623  

Jung, Bum-Su

     583  

Kim, Jeoung-Su

     578  

Yang, Weon-Jun

     576  

Park, Hyeon

     523  

Lee, Cheol-Ho

     509  

Choo, Se-Don

     505  

Oh, Gyu-Seok

     500  

Lee, Ju-Hyeob

     500  

Lee, Jae-Yeol

     450  

Kim, Dae-Up

     441  

Lee, Yu-Kyung

     437  

Kim, Hee

     433  

Ahn, Sang-Bog

     420  

 

83


Table of Contents

Name

   Number of
Common Shares
 

Ha, Dae-Ryong

     402  

Kim, Jhi-Yong

     385  

Kim, Sang-Gyun

     380  

Kim, Ki-Soo

     373  

Han, Soo-Ho

     359  

Choi, Young

     355  

Kim, Young-Joong

     350  

Choi, Yong-Jun

     344  

Lee, Hee-Geun

     335  

Choi, Jong-Kyo

     324  

Lee, Sang-Ho

     312  

An, Geun-Sik

     300  

Chung, Kyung-Jin

     294  

Oh, Kyung-Shik

     274  

Choun, Si-Youl

     264  

Song, Yong-Sam

     260  

Park, Nam-Sik

     244  

Nam, Jae-Bok

     217  

Yang, Keun-Sik

     208  

Lee, Sung-Wook

     200  

Kim, Kyung-Han

     200  

Lee, Kyung-Sub

     200  

Chung, Seok-Mo

     200  

Kim, Sang-Chul

     200  

Cho, Ju-Ik

     200  

Park, Sung-Jin

     200  

Hwang, Guy-Sam

     157  

Jeong, Dae-Hyung

     130  

Yang, Byeong-Ho

     123  

Kim, Won-Hee

     120  

Kang, Sung-Wook

     104  

Yoon, Chang-Woo

     100  

Lee, Dong-Ryeol

     100  

Kim, Kwang-Moo

     73  

Yoon, Sung-Won

     50  

Kim, Yong-Soo

     12  

Jung, Duk-Kyoon

     10  
  

 

 

 

Total

     35,388  
  

 

 

 

Item 7.  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

Item 7.A.  Major Shareholders

The following table sets forth certain information relating to the shareholders of our common stock issued as of December 31, 2019.

 

Shareholders

   Number of Shares
Owned
     Percentage  

National Pension Service

     10,291,670        11.80

BlackRock Fund Advisors(1) (2) (3)

     5,429,071        6.23  

Nippon Steel Corporation(1)

     2,894,712        3.32  

Samsung Group and subsidiaries(2)

     2,401,789        2.75  

GIC Private Limited

     1,777,316        2.04  

Others

     64,392,277        73.86  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total issued shares of common stock

     87,186,835        100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes ADRs.

(2)

Includes shares held by subsidiaries and others.

(3)

The number of shares owned by the shareholder is based on the status report of large-scale shareholders filed with the Korea Exchange on April 16, 2019.

 

84


Table of Contents

As of December 31, 2019, there were 8,706,978 shares of common stock outstanding in the form of ADRs, representing 9.99% of the total issued shares of common stock.

Item 7.B.  Related Party Transactions

We have issued guarantees in favor of affiliated and related companies, and we have also engaged in various transactions with our subsidiaries and affiliated companies. See Notes 37 and 38 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

As of December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, we had no loans outstanding to our executive officers and Directors.

Item 7.C.  Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not applicable

Item 8.  Financial Information

Item 8.A.  Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

See “Item 18. Financial Statements” and pages F-1 through F-143.

Legal Proceedings

As a steel producer with global sales and operations, we are involved in trade remedy proceedings in markets worldwide, including in the United States. We proactively participate in and plan for such proceedings to minimize any adverse effects and associated risks. While there has been an increase in the number of trade cases in recent years, and an increased focus on trade issues by government officials, all such cases have been product and market-specific, and thus have been limited in scope relative to our global sales and operations. We continue to carefully monitor developments with respect to trade remedy policy in all markets in which we participate and, where necessary, vigorously defend our rights through litigation before tribunals such as the U.S. Court of International Trade. Our products that are subject to anti-dumping, safeguard or countervailing duty proceedings in the aggregate currently do not account for a material portion of our total sales, and such proceedings have not had a material adverse impact on our business and operations in recent years. However, there can be no assurance that increases in, or new impositions of, anti-dumping duties, safeguard duties, countervailing duties, quotas or tariffs on our exports of products abroad may not have a material adverse impact on our exports in the future. See “Item 4. Information on the Company — Item 4.B. Business Overview — Markets — Exports.”

In 2013, the Korea Fair Trade Commission imposed a total fine of Won 108.6 billion on us and POSCO Coated & Color Steel Co., Ltd. (“POSCO Coated & Color Steel”), our consolidated subsidiary, as well as two corrective orders on us for alleged antitrust violations in Korea relating to galvanized steel sheets and color sheets. Subsequent to paying such fines, we and POSCO Coated & Color Steel each filed for judicial review of such fines in the Seoul High Court in February 2013. In July 2015, the Seoul High Court ruled in our favor for the Won 89.3 billion fine imposed on us, which was subsequently appealed by the Korea Fair Trade Commission to the Supreme Court of Korea. In November 2016, the Supreme Court of Korea vacated the Seoul High Court’s ruling and remanded the proceeding in November 2016. In February 2019, the Seoul High Court revoked the fine and one of the two corrective orders initially imposed on us, which was subsequently appealed by both us and the Korea Fair Trade Commission. In July 2019, the Supreme Court of Korea dismissed the appeal, and the Korea Fair Trade Commission is recalculating the fine to be imposed on us. We intend to continue to vigorously defend against such administrative action if necessary. In January 2016, the Seoul High Court ruled against POSCO Coated & Color Steel with respect to the fine of Won 19.3 billion imposed against it. POSCO Coated & Color Steel appealed with respect to Won 3.0 billion of such fine, which it lost in November 2016.

 

85


Table of Contents

In May 2002, Industrial Development Bank of India brought a suit against Daewoo International Corporation (currently, POSCO International), Daewoo Motors India Ltd., Daewoo Corporation and Daewoo Construction & Engineering Co., Ltd. in the India Delhi Mumbai Court, regarding its loans to Daewoo Motors India Ltd. guaranteed by Daewoo Co., Ltd. (predecessor of POSCO International). The total claim amount is 4.46 billion Indian Rupees, and POSCO International recorded provision of Won 22 billion relating to its portion of the guarantee alleged by Industrial Development Bank of India. Daewoo International Corporation challenged the jurisdiction of the court in 2003. The outcome of such lawsuits remains uncertain and POSCO International’s provision is classified as a non-current liability as of December 31, 2019.

In March 2019, affiliates of Gale Investments Company, LLC, a former joint venture partner of POSCO E&C in the urban planning and development project in Songdo International City in Incheon (the “Songdo Project”), filed a claim in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and filed a request for arbitration pursuant to the rules of the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce against POSCO E&C, claiming POSCO E&C wrongfully seized and sold certain properties of the claimants. In December 2013, POSCO E&C and one of the claimants entered into a series of loan facility agreements with several lenders to finance the Songdo Project, with their respective stakes in the joint venture pledged as collateral. The loan facility agreements entitled POSCO E&C to certain subrogation rights related to guaranteeing the obligations of the claimant to repay the principal amounts of the loans. In 2017, upon default of certain series of the loans, POSCO E&C exercised such subrogation rights, claimed the pledged assets of the claimant and sold such assets. The claimants are seeking damages of approximately Won 2,400 billion allegedly resulting from POSCO E&C’s purported wrongful seizure and sale of such properties as well as alleged overcharges made by POSCO E&C while serving as the construction contractor for the Songdo Project. POSCO E&C believes that its actions were legally permissible and plans to vigorously defend against the claims made by the claimants.

Except as described above, we are not involved in any pending or threatened legal or arbitration proceedings that may have, or have had during the last 12 months, a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.

Dividends

The amount of dividends paid on our common stock is subject to approval at the annual general meeting of shareholders, which is typically held in February or March of the following year. In addition to our annual dividends, our board of directors is authorized to declare and distribute quarterly dividends under our articles of incorporation. If we decide to pay quarterly dividends, our articles of incorporation authorize us to pay them in cash to the shareholders of record as of the end of March, June and September of the relevant fiscal year. We may pay cash dividends out of retained earnings that have not been appropriated to statutory reserves.

 

86


Table of Contents

The table below sets out the annual dividends declared on the outstanding common stock to shareholders of record on December 31 of the years indicated and the interim dividends (including quarterly dividends starting in the second half of 2016), declared on the outstanding common stock to applicable shareholders of record of the years indicated. A total of 87,186,835 shares of common stock were issued as of December 31, 2019. Of these shares and as of such date, 80,115,641 shares were outstanding and 7,071,194 shares were held by us in treasury. The annual dividends set out for each of the years below were paid in the immediately following year.

 

Year

   Annual Dividend per
Common Stock to
Public
   Interim Dividend per
Common Stock
   Average Total
Dividend per
Common Stock
 
     (In Won)  

2015

   6,000    2,000      8,000  

2016

   5,750    2,250      8,000  

2017

   3,500    4,500      8,000  

2018

   5,000    5,000      10,000  

2019

   4,000    6,000      10,000  

Owners of the ADSs are entitled to receive any dividends payable in respect of the underlying shares of common stock.

Historically, we have paid to holders of record of our common stock an annual dividend. However, we can give no assurance that we will continue to declare and pay any dividends in the future.

Item 8.B. Significant Changes

Except as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.

Item 9. The Offer and Listing

Item 9.A. Offer and Listing Details

Notes

Not applicable

Common Stock

The principal trading market for our common stock is the KRX KOSPI Market. Our common stock, which is in registered form and has a par value of Won 5,000 per share, has been listed on the KRX KOSPI Market since June 1988 under the identifying code 005490.

ADSs

Our common stock is also listed on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of ADSs. The ADSs have been issued by Citibank, N.A. as ADR depositary and are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PKX.” One ADS represents one-fourth of one share of common stock. As of December 31, 2019, 34,827,912 ADSs representing 8,706,978 common shares were outstanding, representing 9.99% of total issued shares of common stock.

Item 9.B. Plan of Distribution

Not applicable

Item 9.C. Markets

See “Item 9.A. Offering and Listing Details.”

 

87


Table of Contents

Item 9.D. Selling Shareholders

Not applicable

Item 9.E.  Dilution

Not applicable

Item 9.F.  Expenses of the Issuer

Not applicable

Item 10.  Additional Information

Item 10.A.  Share Capital

Currently, our authorized share capital is 200,000,000 shares, which consists of shares of common stock, par value Won 5,000 per share (“Common Shares”) and shares of non-voting stock, par value Won 5,000 per share (“Non-Voting Preferred Shares”). Our Non-Voting Preferred Shares have a preferential right to dividend payments. Common Shares and Non-Voting Preferred Shares together are referred to as “Shares.” Under our articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue Non-Voting Preferred Shares up to the limit prescribed by applicable law, the aggregate of which currently is one-quarter of our total issued and outstanding capital stock. As of December 31, 2019, 87,186,835 Common Shares were issued, of which 7,071,194 shares were held by us in treasury. We have never issued any Non-Voting Preferred Shares. All of the issued and outstanding Common Shares are fully-paid and non-assessable and are in registered form. We issue share certificates in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 10,000 shares.

Item 10.B.  Memorandum and Articles of Association

Under Article 2 of our articles of incorporation, the primary purpose of POSCO is to engage in, among others: manufacturing, marketing, promoting, selling and distributing iron, steel and rolled products; harbor loading and unloading, transportation and warehousing businesses; power generation and distribution as well as resources development; technology license sales and engineering businesses; and any other activities that are related, directly or indirectly, to the attainment and continuation of the foregoing.

The following provides information relating to our capital stock, including brief summaries of material provisions of our articles of incorporation, the FSCMA, the Commercial Code and related laws, all as currently in effect. The following summaries are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, our articles of incorporation and the applicable provisions of the FSCMA and the Commercial Code. We have filed copies of our articles of incorporation and these laws (except for the newly enacted the FSCMA) as exhibits to registration statements under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act previously filed by us.

Board of Directors

Under our articles of incorporation and the Commercial Code, any director who has a special interest in a proposal or a resolution is prohibited from voting on such proposal or resolution at the meeting of the board of directors. Any resolution of the board of directors must be approved by an affirmative majority vote of the directors present at the meeting of the board of directors. The compensation for directors, including severance benefits, is paid within the limitation approved by the annual general meeting of shareholders.

 

88


Table of Contents

Dividends

We distribute dividends to our shareholders in proportion to the number of shares owned by each shareholder. The Common Shares represented by the ADSs have the same dividend rights as other outstanding Common Shares.

Holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares are entitled to receive dividends in priority to the holders of Common Shares in an amount not less than 9% of the par value of the Non-Voting Preferred Shares as determined by the board of directors at the time of their issuance. If the amount available for dividends is less than the aggregate amount of such minimum dividend, we do not have to declare dividends on the Non-Voting Preferred Shares.

We may declare dividends annually at the annual general meeting of shareholders which is held within three months after the end of the fiscal year. We pay the annual dividend shortly after the annual general meeting to the shareholders of record as of the end of the preceding fiscal year. In addition, we may declare quarterly dividends pursuant to a board resolution each fiscal year to the eligible shareholders recorded as of the end of March, June and September of the relevant fiscal year. We may distribute the annual dividend in cash, Shares or other form of property. However, we may distribute the quarterly dividend only in cash. A dividend of Shares must be distributed at par value and may not exceed one-half of the annual and quarterly dividends declared each fiscal year in the aggregate. We have no obligation to pay any dividend unclaimed for five years from the payment date.

Under the Commercial Code, we may pay dividends only to the extent the net asset amount in our balance sheets exceeds the sum of the following: (i) our stated capital, (ii) the total amount of our capital surplus reserve and earned surplus reserve accumulated up to the end of the relevant dividend period, (iii) the legal reserve to be set aside for dividends, and (iv) unrealized profits determined in the Presidential Decree to the Commercial Code. We may not pay dividends unless we have set aside as earned surplus reserve an amount equal to at least 10% of the cash portion of dividends or unless we have accumulated earned surplus reserve of not less than one-half of our stated capital. We may not use legal reserve to pay cash dividends but may transfer amounts from legal reserve to capital stock or use legal reserve to reduce an accumulated deficit.

Distribution of Free Shares

In addition to paying dividends in Shares out of our retained or current earnings, we may also distribute to our shareholders an amount transferred from our capital surplus or legal reserve to our stated capital in the form of free shares. We must distribute such free shares to all our shareholders in proportion to their existing shareholdings.

Preemptive Rights and Issuance of Additional Shares

We may issue authorized but unissued shares at times and, unless otherwise provided in the Commercial Code or our articles of incorporation, on the terms our board of directors may determine. All our shareholders are generally entitled to subscribe for any newly issued Shares in proportion to their existing shareholdings. We must offer new Shares on uniform terms to all shareholders who have preemptive rights and are listed on our shareholders’ register as of the relevant record date. Under the Commercial Code, we may vary, without shareholders’ approval, the terms of these preemptive rights for different classes of shares. We must give public notice of the preemptive rights regarding new Shares and their transferability at least two weeks before the relevant record date. Our board of directors may determine how to distribute Shares for which preemptive rights have not been exercised or where fractions of Shares occur.

 

89


Table of Contents

Under our articles of incorporation, we may issue new Shares pursuant to a board resolution to persons other than existing shareholders, who in these circumstances will not have preemptive rights, if the new Shares are:

 

   

offered publicly or to underwriters for underwriting pursuant to the FSCMA and other applicable regulations;

 

   

issued to members of our employee stock ownership association pursuant to the FSCMA and other applicable regulations;

 

   

represented by depositary receipts pursuant to the FSCMA and other applicable regulations;

 

   

issued in a general public offering pursuant to a board resolution in accordance with the FSCMA and other applicable regulations, the amount of which is no more than 10% of the outstanding Shares;

 

   

issued to our creditors pursuant to a debt-equity swap;

 

   

issued to domestic or foreign entities pursuant to a joint venture agreement, strategic coalition or technology license or transfer agreement when deemed necessary for management purposes; or

 

   

issued to domestic or foreign financial institutions when necessary for raising funds in emergency cases.

In addition, we may issue convertible bonds or bonds with warrants, each up to an aggregate principal amount of Won 2 trillion, to persons other than existing shareholders.

Members of our employee stock ownership association, whether or not they are our shareholders, generally have a preemptive right to subscribe for up to 20% of the Shares publicly offered pursuant to the FSCMA. This right is exercisable only to the extent that the total number of Shares so acquired and held by members of our employee stock ownership association does not exceed 20% of the total number of Shares then issued. As of December 31, 2019, our employees owned, through our employee stock ownership association, approximately 1.71% of our common stock in their employee accounts.

General Meeting of Shareholders

We hold the annual general meeting of shareholders within three months after the end of each fiscal year. The record date of the register of shareholders is December 31 of each year, and such shareholders listed on the register of shareholder as of the record date are entitled to exercise their right at the general meeting of shareholders. Subject to a board resolution, court approval or other applicable laws and regulations, we may hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders:

 

   

as necessary;

 

   

at the request of holders of an aggregate of 3% or more of our outstanding Shares;

 

   

at the request of shareholders holding an aggregate of 1.5% or more of our outstanding Shares for at least six months; or

 

   

at the request of our Audit Committee.

Holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares may request a general meeting of shareholders only after the Non-Voting Preferred Shares become entitled to vote or “enfranchised,” as described under “— Voting Rights” below.

We must give shareholders written notice or electronic document setting out the date, place and agenda of the meeting at least two weeks before the date of the general meeting of shareholders.

 

90


Table of Contents

However, for holders of 1% or less of the total number of issued and outstanding voting Shares, we may give notice by placing at least two public notices in at least two daily newspapers or by notices to be posted on the electronic disclosure database system maintained by the Financial Supervisory Service or the Korea Exchange at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. Currently, we use The Seoul Shinmun published in Seoul, The Maeil Shinmun published in Taegu and The Kwangju Ilbo published in Kwangju for this purpose. Shareholders not on the shareholders’ register as of the record date are not entitled to receive notice of the general meeting of shareholders or attend or vote at the meeting. Holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares, unless enfranchised, are not entitled to receive notice of general meetings of shareholders, but may attend such meetings. Our general meetings of shareholders are held either in Pohang or Seoul.

Voting Rights

Holders of our Common Shares are entitled to one vote for each Common Share, except that voting rights of Common Shares held by us, or by a corporate shareholder that is 10% (or more) owned by us either directly or indirectly, may not be exercised. The Commercial Code permitted cumulative voting, under which voting method each shareholder would have multiple voting rights corresponding to the number of directors to be appointed in the voting and may exercise all voting rights cumulatively to elect one director.

Our shareholders may adopt resolutions at a general meeting by an affirmative majority vote of the voting Shares present or represented at the meeting, where the affirmative votes also represent at least one-fourth of our total voting Shares then issued and outstanding. However, under the Commercial Code and our articles of incorporation, the following matters, among others, require approval by the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting Shares present or represented at a meeting, where the affirmative votes also represent at least one-third of our total voting Shares then issued and outstanding:

 

   

amending our articles of incorporation;

 

   

removing a director;

 

   

effecting any dissolution, merger or consolidation of us;

 

   

transferring the whole or any significant part of our business;

 

   

acquisition of all or a part of the business of any other company that may have a material impact on our business;

 

   

issuing any new Shares at a price lower than their par value; or

 

   

approving matters required to be approved at a general meeting of shareholders, which have material effects on our assets, as determined by the board of directors.

In general, holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares are not entitled to vote on any resolution or receive notice of any general meeting of shareholders. However, in the case of amendments to our articles of incorporation, or any merger or consolidation of us, or in some other cases that affect the rights or interests of the Non-Voting Preferred Shares, approval of the holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares is required. We may obtain the approval by a resolution of holders of at least two-thirds of the Non-Voting Preferred Shares present or represented at a class meeting of the holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares, where the affirmative votes also represent at least one-third of our total issued and outstanding Non-Voting Preferred Shares.

Shareholders may exercise their voting rights by proxy. When a shareholder is a corporate entity, such shareholder may give proxies to its officers or directors.

 

91


Table of Contents

Holders of ADRs exercise their voting rights through the ADR depositary, an agent of which is the record holder of the underlying Common Shares. Subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement, ADR holders are entitled to instruct the ADR depositary how to vote the Common Shares underlying their ADSs.  

Rights of Dissenting Shareholders

In some limited circumstances, including the transfer of the whole or any significant part of our business and our merger or consolidation with another company, dissenting shareholders have the right to require us to purchase their Shares. Only the shareholders who have executed a share purchase agreement evidencing their acquisition of the relevant Shares on or prior to the day immediately following the public disclosure of the board resolutions approving any of the aforementioned transactions have the rights to require us to purchase their Shares. To exercise this right, shareholders, including holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares, must submit to us a written notice of their intention to dissent before the general meeting of shareholders. Within 20 days after the relevant resolution is passed at a meeting, the dissenting shareholders must request us in writing to purchase their Shares. We are obligated to purchase the Shares of dissenting shareholders within one month after the expiration of the 20-day period. The purchase price for the Shares is required to be determined through negotiation between the dissenting shareholders and us. If we cannot agree on a price through negotiation, the purchase price will be the average of (1) the weighted average of the daily Share prices on the Korea Exchange for the two-month period before the date of the adoption of the relevant board resolution, (2) the weighted average of the daily Share price on the Korea Exchange for the one month period before the date of the adoption of the relevant resolution and (3) the weighted average of the daily Share price on the Korea Exchange for the one week period before such date of the adoption of the relevant resolution. However, the court may determine this price if we or dissenting shareholders do not accept the purchase price. Holders of ADSs will not be able to exercise dissenter’s rights unless they have withdrawn the underlying common stock and become our direct shareholders.

Register of Shareholders and Record Dates

We maintain the register of our shareholders electronically through Kookmin Bank, our transfer agent. Kookmin Bank performs electronic registration of our Shares, manages the electronic register of our shareholders and oversees other matters related to our Shares.

The record date for annual dividends is December 31. For the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to annual dividends, the register of shareholders may be closed for the period from January 1 to January 15 of each year. Further, for the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to some other rights pertaining to the Shares, we may, on at least two weeks’ public notice, set a record date and/or close the register of shareholders for not more than three months. The trading of Shares may continue while the register of shareholders is closed. However, pursuant to the Act on Electronic Registration of Stocks, Bonds, etc., which became effective on September 16, 2019, the closure of the register of shareholders is not required in order to determine the shareholders entitled to certain shareholder rights. Instead, we may set the record date by a board resolution and determine the shareholders of record as of such record date without closing the register of shareholders.

Annual Report

At least one week before the annual general meeting of shareholders, we must make our annual report and audited financial statements available for inspection at our principal office and at all of our branch offices. In addition, copies of annual reports, the audited financial statements and any resolutions adopted at the general meeting of shareholders will be available to our shareholders.

Under the FSCMA, we must file with the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange (1) an annual business report within 90 days after the end of our fiscal year, (2) a half-year report within 45 days after the end of the first six months of our fiscal year, and (3) quarterly reports within 45 days after the end of the third month and the ninth month of our fiscal year. Copies of these

 

92


Table of Contents

reports are or will be available for public inspection at websites of the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange.

Transfer of Shares

Under the Commercial Code, the transfer of Shares is effected by electronic registration of such transfer. However, to assert shareholders’ rights against us, the transferee must have his name and address registered on our register of shareholders. For this purpose, a shareholder is required to file his name, address and seal with our transfer agent. A non-Korean shareholder may file a specimen signature in place of a seal, unless he is a citizen of a country with a sealing system similar to that of Korea. In addition, a non-resident shareholder must appoint an agent authorized to receive notices on his behalf in Korea and file a mailing address in Korea. The above requirements do not apply to the holders of ADSs.

Under current Korean regulations, the Korea Securities Depository, foreign exchange banks (including domestic branches of foreign banks), financial investment companies with a brokerage, dealing or collective investment license and internationally recognized custodians may act as agents and provide related services for foreign shareholders. Certain foreign exchange controls and securities regulations apply to the transfer of Shares by non-residents or non-Koreans. See “Item 10. Additional Information — Item 10.D. Exchange Controls.”

Our transfer agent is Kookmin Bank, located at 26, Gukjegeumyung-ro 8-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Korea.

Acquisition of Shares by Us

We may acquire our own Shares, subject to the approval by the general meeting of shareholders. In addition, we may acquire Shares through purchases on the Korea Exchange or through a tender offer or by acquiring the interests in a trust account holding our own Shares through agreements with trust companies and asset management companies. The aggregate purchase price for the Shares may not exceed the total amount available for distribution of dividends available at the end of the preceding fiscal year less the amount of dividends and mandatory reserves required to be set aside for that fiscal year, subject to certain procedural requirements.

In accordance with the Commercial Code, we may resell or transfer any Shares acquired by us to a third party, subject to the approval by the board of directors. In general, corporate entities in which we own more than 50% equity interest may not acquire our Shares. Under the FSCMA, we are subject to certain selling restrictions for the Shares acquired by us.

Liquidation Rights

In the event of our liquidation, after payment of all debts, liquidation expenses and taxes, our remaining assets will be distributed among shareholders in proportion to their shareholdings. Holders of Non-Voting Preferred Shares have no preference in liquidation.

Item 10.C. Material Contracts

None.

Item 10.D. Exchange Controls

Shares and ADSs

The Foreign Exchange Transaction Act and the Presidential Decree and regulations under that Act and Decree (collectively, “Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws”) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Law regulate investment in Korean securities by non-residents and issuance of securities outside Korea by Korean companies. Under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws, non-residents may invest in Korean securities subject to procedural requirements in accordance with these laws. The

 

93


Table of Contents

Financial Services Commission has also adopted, pursuant to its authority under the FSCMA, regulations that restrict investment by foreigners in Korean securities.

Subject to certain limitations, the Ministry of Economy and Finance has the authority to take the following actions under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws:

 

   

if the Government deems it necessary on account of war, armed conflict, natural disaster or grave and sudden and significant changes in domestic or foreign economic circumstances or similar events or circumstances, the Ministry of Economy and Finance may (i) temporarily suspend performance under any or all foreign exchange transactions, in whole or in part, to which the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws apply (including suspension of payment and receipt of foreign exchange), (ii) impose an obligation to deposit, safe-keep or sell precious metal or any other means of payment to The Bank of Korea, a foreign exchange stabilization fund or certain other governmental agencies or financial companies or (iii) require Korean creditors to collect debts owned by non-Korean debtors and deposit them in their bank accounts in Korea; and

 

   

if the Government concludes that the international balance of payments and international financial markets are experiencing or are likely to experience significant disruption or that the movement of capital between Korea and other countries is likely to adversely affect its currency policies, exchange rate policies or other macroeconomic policies, the Ministry of Economy and Finance may take action to require any person who intends to effect a capital transaction to obtain permission or to require any person who effects a capital transaction to deposit a portion of the means of payment acquired in such transactions with The Bank of Korea, a foreign exchange stabilization fund or certain other governmental agencies or financial companies.

Government Review of Issuance of ADSs

In order for us to issue shares represented by ADSs, we are required to file a prior report of the issuance with our designated foreign exchange bank or the Ministry of Economy and Finance, depending on the issuance amount. No further Korean governmental approval is necessary for the initial offering and issuance of the ADSs.

Under current Korean laws and regulations, the depositary bank is required to obtain our prior consent for the number of shares to be deposited in any given proposed deposit which exceeds the difference between (1) the aggregate number of shares deposited by us for the issuance of ADSs (including deposits in connection with the initial and all subsequent offerings of ADSs and stock dividends or other distributions related to these ADSs) and (2) the number of shares on deposit with the depositary bank at the time of such proposed deposit. We can give no assurance that we would grant our consent, if our consent is required.

Reporting Requirements for Holders of Substantial Interests

Under the FSCMA, any person whose direct or beneficial ownership of a listed company’s shares with voting rights, whether in the form of shares or ADSs, certificates representing the rights to subscribe for Shares and equity-related debt securities including convertible bonds and bonds with warrants (collectively, “Equity Securities”) together with the Equity Securities beneficially owned by certain related persons or by any person acting in concert with the person accounts for 5% or more of the total outstanding Equity Securities of such listed company is required to report the status and the purpose (whether or not to exert an influence on management control over the issuer) of the holdings to the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange within five business days after reaching the 5% ownership interest. In addition, any change in the purpose of holding such ownership interest or a change in the ownership interest subsequent to the report which equals or exceeds 1% of the total outstanding Equity Securities is required to be reported to the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange within five business days from the date of the change. However, the reporting

 

94


Table of Contents

deadline of such reporting requirement is extended (1) for certain professional investors, as specified by the Presidential Decrees under the FSCMA, (i) to the tenth day of the month immediately following the month of such change in their shareholding if the shares are held with the intention of actively exercising shareholder rights as provided by the applicable laws, but without the intention of exercising management control or (ii) to the tenth day of the month immediately following the quarter of such change in their shareholding if the shares are held for portfolio investment purposes; and (2) for persons other than such professional investors, (i) to the tenth business day of the date of such change in their shareholding if the shares are held with the intention of exercising the statutory rights of shareholders as provided by the applicable laws, but without the intention of exercising management control or (ii) to the tenth day of the month immediately following the month of such change in their shareholding if the shares are held for portfolio investment purposes. Those who report the purpose of shareholding as management control of the issuer are prohibited from exercising their voting rights and acquiring additional shares for five days subsequent to their report under the FSCMA.

Violation of these reporting requirements may subject a person to criminal sanctions such as fines or imprisonment and may result in a loss of voting rights with respect to the ownership of Equity Securities exceeding 5%. Furthermore, the Financial Services Commission may issue an order to dispose of Equity Securities for which the reporting requirements were violated.

In addition to the reporting requirements described above, any person whose direct or beneficial ownership of a listed company’s voting stock accounts for 10% or more of the total issued and outstanding voting stock (a “major stockholder”) must report the status of his or her shareholding to the Securities and Futures Commission and the Korea Exchange within five business days after he or she becomes a major stockholder. In addition, any change in his or her ownership interest subsequent to the report must be reported to the Securities and Futures Commission and the Korea Exchange within five business days. However, the reporting deadline of such reporting requirement is extended (i) to the tenth day of the month immediately following the month of such change in their shareholding for certain professional investors, as specified by the Presidential Decree under the FSCMA, who hold shares with the intention of actively exercising shareholder rights as provided by the applicable laws, but without the intention of exercising management control or (ii) to the tenth day of the month immediately following the quarter of such change in their shareholding if the shares are held for portfolio investment purposes. Violation of these reporting requirements may subject a person to criminal sanctions such as fines or imprisonment.

Under the KRX regulations, if a company listed on the KRX KOSPI Market has submitted public disclosure of material matters to a foreign financial investment supervisory authority pursuant to the laws of the foreign jurisdiction, then it must submit a copy of the public disclosure and a Korean translation thereof to the Korea Exchange. In addition, if a company listed on the KRX KOSPI Market is approved for listing on a foreign stock exchange or determined to be de-listed from the foreign stock exchange or actually lists on, or de-lists from, a foreign stock exchange, then it must submit to the Korea Exchange a copy, together with a Korean translation thereof, of all documents submitted to, or received from, the relevant foreign government, supervisory authority or stock exchange.

Restrictions Applicable to ADSs

No Korean governmental approval is necessary for the sale and purchase of ADSs in the secondary market outside Korea or for the withdrawal of shares underlying ADSs and the delivery inside Korea of shares in connection with the withdrawal, provided that a foreigner who intends to acquire the shares must obtain an investment registration card from the Financial Supervisory Service as described below. The acquisition of the shares by a foreigner must be immediately reported by the foreigner or his standing proxy in Korea to the Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service (“Governor”).

Persons who have acquired shares as a result of the withdrawal of shares underlying the ADSs may exercise their preemptive rights for new shares, participate in free distributions and receive dividends on shares without any further governmental approval.

 

95


Table of Contents

In addition, under the Financial Services Commission regulations, effective as of November 30, 2006, we are required to file a securities registration statement with the Financial Services Commission and such securities registration statement has to become effective pursuant to the FSCMA in order for us to issue shares represented by ADSs, except in certain limited circumstances.

Restrictions Applicable to Shares

Under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws and the Financial Services Commission regulations (together, the “Investment Rules”), foreigners may invest, with limited exceptions and subject to procedural requirements, in all shares of Korean companies, whether listed on the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market, unless prohibited by specific laws. Foreign investors may trade shares listed on the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market only through the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market, except in limited circumstances, including, among others:

 

   

odd-lot trading of shares;

 

   

acquisition of shares (“Converted Shares”) by exercise of warrant, conversion right under convertible bonds, exchange right under exchangeable bonds or withdrawal right under depositary receipts issued outside of Korea by a Korean company;

 

   

acquisition of shares as a result of inheritance, donation, bequest or exercise of shareholders’ rights, including preemptive rights or rights to participate in free distributions and receive dividends;

 

   

over-the-counter transactions between foreigners of shares of a public service corporation for which the ceiling on aggregate acquisition by foreigners, as explained below, has been reached or exceeded with certain exceptions;

 

   

acquisition of shares by direct investment as defined in the Foreign Investment Promotion Law or disposal of such shares;

 

   

disposal of shares pursuant to the exercise of appraisal rights of dissenting shareholders;

 

   

acquisition or disposal of shares in connection with a tender offer;

 

   

acquisition of underlying shares by a foreign depositary in connection with the issuance of depositary receipts;

 

   

acquisition and disposal of shares through overseas stock exchange market if such shares are simultaneously listed on the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market and such overseas stock exchange; and

 

   

arm’s length transactions between foreigners, if all of such foreigners belong to an investment group managed by the same person.

For over-the-counter transactions between foreign investors outside the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market involving shares of a public service corporation for which the limit on aggregate foreign ownership has been reached or exceeded, an investment broker licensed in Korea must act as an intermediary. Odd-lot trading of shares outside the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market must involve an investment dealer licensed in Korea. Foreign investors are prohibited from engaging in margin trading by borrowing shares from investment brokers or investment dealers with respect to shares that are subject to foreign ownership limitation.

The Investment Rules require a foreign investor who wishes to invest in or dispose of shares for the first time on the Korea Exchange (including Converted Shares) to register its identity with the Financial Supervisory Service prior to making any such investment or disposal; however, the registration requirement does not apply to foreign investors who acquire Converted Shares with the

 

96


Table of Contents

intention of selling such Converted Shares within three months from the date of acquisition of the Converted Shares or who acquire the shares in an over-the-counter transaction or dispose of shares where such acquisition or disposal is deemed to be a foreign direct investment pursuant to the Foreign Investment Promotion Law. Upon registration, the Financial Supervisory Service will issue to the foreign investor an investment registration card which must be presented each time the foreign investor opens a brokerage account with a financial investment company with a brokerage license or dealing license in Korea. Foreigners eligible to obtain an investment registration card include foreign nationals who are individuals residing abroad for more than six months, foreign governments, foreign municipal authorities, foreign public institutions, international financial institutions or similar international organizations, corporations incorporated under foreign laws and any person in any additional category designated by the Enforcement Decree to the FSCMA. All Korean offices of a foreign corporation as a group are treated as a separate foreigner from the offices of the corporation outside Korea. However, a foreign corporation or depositary issuing depositary receipts may obtain one or more investment registration cards in its name in certain circumstances as described in the relevant regulations.

Upon a foreign investor’s purchase of shares through the Korea Exchange, no separate report by the investor is required because the investment registration card system is designed to control and oversee foreign investment through a computer system. However, a foreign investor’s acquisition or sale of shares outside the Korea Exchange (as discussed above) must be reported by the foreign investor or his standing proxy to the Governor at the time of each such acquisition or sale; provided, however, that a foreign investor must ensure that any acquisition or sale by it of shares outside the Korea Exchange in the case of trades in connection with a tender offer, odd-lot trading of shares or trades of shares of certain public service corporations for which the aggregate foreign ownership limit has been reached or exceeded, is reported to the Governor by the Korea Securities Depository, financial investment companies with a dealing or brokerage license or securities finance companies engaged to facilitate such transaction. A foreign investor must appoint one or more standing proxies from among the Korea Securities Depository, foreign exchange banks (including domestic branches of foreign banks), financial investment companies with a dealing, brokerage or collective investment license (including domestic branches of foreign financial investment companies) and internationally recognized custodians which will act as a standing proxy to exercise shareholders’ rights or perform any matters related to the foregoing activities if the foreign investor does not perform these activities himself. However, a foreign investor may be exempted from complying with these standing proxy rules with the approval of the Governor in cases deemed inevitable by reason of conflict between laws of Korea and those of the home country of the foreign investor.

Certificates evidencing shares of Korean companies owned by a foreign investor must be kept in custody with an eligible custodian in Korea. Only foreign exchange banks (including domestic branches of foreign banks), financial investment companies with a dealing, brokerage or collective investment license (including domestic branches of foreign financial investment companies), the Korea Securities Depository and internationally recognized custodians are eligible to act as a custodian of shares for a non-resident or foreign investor. A foreign investor must ensure that his custodian deposits its shares with the Korea Securities Depository. However, a foreign investor may be exempted from complying with this deposit requirement with the approval of the Governor in circumstances where compliance with that requirement is made impracticable, including cases where compliance would contravene the laws of the home country of such foreign investor.

Under the Investment Rules, with certain exceptions, foreign investors may acquire shares of a Korean company without being subject to any foreign investment ceiling. As one such exception, designated public service corporations are subject to a 40% ceiling on the acquisition of shares by foreigners in the aggregate. Designated public service corporations may set a ceiling on the acquisition of shares by a single foreign investor according to its articles of incorporation. Furthermore, an investment by a foreign investor of not less than 10% of the outstanding shares with voting rights and in the amount of not less than Won 10 million of a Korean company is defined as a foreign direct investment under the Foreign Investment Promotion Law, which is, in general, subject to report to, and acceptance by, the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy. The acquisition of shares of a Korean company by a foreign investor may also be subject to certain foreign shareholding restrictions in the

 

97


Table of Contents

event that the restrictions are prescribed in each specific law which regulates the business of the Korean company. Changes in ownership of a Korean company by a foreign direct investor, as well as changes in certain aspects of the foreign direct investment (including changes in the foreign direct investor’s name, address or business), are also subject to reporting requirements.

Under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws, a foreign investor who intends to acquire shares must designate a foreign exchange bank at which he must open a foreign currency account and a Won account exclusively for stock investments. No approval is required for remittance into Korea and deposit of foreign currency funds in the foreign currency account. Foreign currency funds may be transferred from the foreign currency account at the time required to place a deposit for, or settle the purchase price of, a stock purchase transaction to a Won account opened in the name of a financial investment company with a dealing, brokerage or collective investment license. Funds in the foreign currency account may be remitted abroad without any governmental approval.

Dividends on Shares are paid in Won. No governmental approval is required for foreign investors to receive dividends on, or the Won proceeds of the sale of, any shares to be paid, received and retained in Korea. Dividends paid on, and the Won proceeds of the sale of, any shares held by a non-resident of Korea must be deposited either in a Won account with the investor’s financial investment company with a dealing, brokerage or collective investment license or his Won Account. Funds in the investor’s Won Account may be transferred to his foreign currency account or withdrawn for local living expenses up to certain limitations. Funds in the Won Account may also be used for future investment in shares or for payment of the subscription price of new shares obtained through the exercise of preemptive rights.

Financial investment companies with a dealing, brokerage or collective investment license are allowed to open foreign currency accounts with foreign exchange banks exclusively for accommodating foreign investors’ stock investments in Korea. Through these accounts, these financial investment companies may enter into foreign exchange transactions on a limited basis, such as conversion of foreign currency funds and Won funds, either as counterparty to or on behalf of foreign investors, without the investors having to open their own accounts with foreign exchange banks.

Item 10.E. Taxation

The following summary is based upon tax laws of the United States and Korea as in effect on the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, and is subject to any change in United States or Korean law that may come into effect after such date. Investors in the shares of common stock or ADSs are advised to consult their own tax advisers as to the United States, Korean or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of such securities, including the effect of any foreign, state or local tax laws.

Korean Taxation

The following is a summary of the principal Korean tax consequences to owners of the common shares or ADSs, as the case may be, who are non-resident individuals or non-Korean corporations without a permanent establishment in Korea to which the relevant income is attributable or with which the relevant income is effectively connected (“Non-resident Holders”). The statements regarding Korean tax laws set forth below are based on the laws in force and as interpreted by the Korean taxation authorities as of the date hereof. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations which may apply to a particular investor and potential investors are advised to satisfy themselves as to the overall tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the common shares or ADSs, including specifically the tax consequences under Korean law, the laws of the jurisdiction of which they are resident, and any tax treaty between Korea and their country of residence, by consulting their own tax advisers.

 

98


Table of Contents

Tax on Dividends

Dividends on the common shares or ADSs paid (whether in cash or in shares) to a Non-resident Holder will be subject to Korean withholding taxes at the rate of 22% (including local income tax) or such lower rate as is applicable under a treaty between Korea and such Non-resident Holder’s country of tax residence. Free distributions of shares representing a capitalization of certain capital surplus reserves may be subject to Korean withholding taxes.

The tax is withheld by the payer of the dividend. While it is the payer which is required to withhold the tax, Korean law generally entitles the person who was subject to the withholding of Korean tax to recover from the Government any part of the Korean tax withheld, upon providing evidence that it was entitled to have tax withheld at a lower rate, if certain conditions are met.

Tax on Capital Gains

As a general rule, capital gains earned by Non-resident Holders upon transfer of the common shares or ADSs are subject to Korean withholding tax at the lower of (i) 11% (including local income tax) of the gross proceeds realized or (ii) 22% (including local income tax) of the net realized gains (subject to the production of satisfactory evidence of the acquisition costs and certain direct transaction costs), unless exempt from Korean income taxation under the effective Korean tax treaty with the Non-resident Holder’s country of tax residence or Korean tax law.

However, a Non-resident Holder will not be subject to Korean income taxation on capital gains realized upon the sale of the common shares through the KRX KOSPI Market if the Non-resident Holder (i) has no permanent establishment in Korea and (ii) did not or has not owned (together with any shares owned by any entity with a specified special relationship with such Non-resident Holder) 25% or more of the total issued and outstanding shares of us at any time during the calendar year in which the sale occurs and during the five calendar years prior to the calendar year in which the sale occurs.

It should be noted that capital gains earned by you (regardless of whether you have a permanent establishment in Korea) from a transfer of ADSs outside Korea will generally be exempt from Korean income taxation, provided that the ADSs are deemed to have been issued overseas. If and when an owner of the underlying common shares transfers the ADSs following the conversion of the underlying shares for ADSs, such person will not be exempt from Korean income taxation.

Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax

Korean inheritance tax is imposed upon (1) all assets (wherever located) of the deceased if at the time of his death he was a tax resident of Korea and (2) all property located in Korea which passes on death (irrespective of the domicile of the deceased). Gift tax is imposed in similar circumstances to the above. The taxes are imposed if the value of the relevant property is above a certain limit and the rate varies from 10% to 50% depending on the value of the property.

Under Korean inheritance and gift tax laws, securities issued by a Korean corporation are deemed to be located in Korea irrespective of where they are physically located or by whom they are owned and consequently, the Korea inheritance and gift taxes will be imposed on transfers of the securities by inheritance or gift.

Securities Transaction Tax

Securities transaction tax is imposed on the transfer of shares issued by a Korean corporation or the right to subscribe for such shares generally at the rate of 0.45% of the sales price. In the case of the transfer of shares listed on the KRX KOSPI Market (such as the common shares), the securities

 

99


Table of Contents

transaction tax is imposed generally at the rate of (i) 0.25% of the sales price of such shares (including agricultural and fishery special surtax thereon) if traded on the KRX KOSPI Market or (ii) subject to certain exceptions, 0.45% of the sales price of such shares if traded outside the KRX KOSPI Market.

Securities transaction tax or the agricultural and fishery special surtax is not applicable if (i) the shares or rights to subscribe for shares are listed on a designated foreign stock exchange and (ii) the sale of the shares takes place on such exchange.

Securities transaction tax, if applicable, must be paid by the transferor of the shares or rights, in principle. When the transfer is effected through a securities settlement company, such settlement company is generally required to withhold and pay (to the tax authority) the tax, and when such transfer is made through a financial investment company with a brokerage license only, such company is required to withhold and pay the tax. Where the transfer is effected by a Non-resident Holder without a permanent establishment in Korea, other than through a securities settlement company or a financial investment company with a brokerage license, the transferee is required to withhold the securities transaction tax. Failure to do so will result in the imposition of penalties equal to the sum of (i) between 10% to 40% of the tax amount due, depending on the nature of the improper reporting, and (ii) 10.95% per annum on the tax amount due for the default period.

Tax Treaties

Currently, Korea has income tax treaties with a number of countries, including, inter alia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, under which the rate of withholding tax on dividend and interest is reduced, generally to between 5% and 16.5% (including local income tax), and the tax on capital gains derived by a non-resident from the transfer of securities issued by a Korean company is often eliminated.

Each Non-resident Holder of common shares should inquire for itself whether it is entitled to the benefits of a tax treaty with Korea. It is the responsibility of the party claiming the benefits of a tax treaty in respect of interest, dividend, capital gains or “other income” to submit to us (or our agent), the purchaser or the financial investment company with a brokerage license, as the case may be, prior to or at the time of payment, such evidence of tax residence of the party claiming the treaty benefit as the Korean tax authorities may require in support of its claim for treaty protection. In the absence of sufficient proof, we (or our agent), the purchaser or the financial investment company with a brokerage license, as the case may be, must withhold tax at the normal rates.

For a non-resident of Korea to obtain the benefits of treaty-reduced tax rates on certain Korean source income (e.g., capital gains and interest) under an applicable tax treaty, Korean tax law requires such non-resident (or its agents) to submit to the payer of such Korean source income an application for treaty-reduced tax rates prior to receipt of such Korean source income; provided, however, that an owner of ADSs who is a non-resident of Korea is not required to submit such application, if the Korean source income on the ADSs is paid through an account opened at the Korea Securities Depository by a foreign depository. The payer of such Korean source income, in turn, is required to submit such application to the relevant district tax office by the ninth day of the month following the date of the first payment of such income.

If Korean source income is paid to a non-resident through an overseas investment vehicle, such investment vehicle must obtain an application for tax exemption or reduced tax rates from each non-resident, who is the beneficial owner of such investment vehicle and submit to the payer of such Korean source incomes an overseas investment vehicle report, together with the applications for tax exemptions or reduced tax rates prepared by the non-resident beneficial owner. An overseas investment vehicle means an organization established outside of Korea that manages funds collected

 

100


Table of Contents

through investment solicitation by way of acquiring, disposing, or otherwise investing in investment targets and then distributes the outcome of such management to investors. An application for tax exemption or reduced tax rates submitted by the non-resident remains effective for three years from submission, and if any material changes occur with respect to information provided in the application, an application reflecting such change must be newly submitted.

At present, Korea has not entered into any tax treaty relating to inheritance or gift tax.

United States Taxation

This summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences for a U.S. holder (as defined below) of owning our shares of common stock or ADSs. This summary applies to you only if you hold shares of common stock or ADSs as capital assets for tax purposes. This summary does not apply to you if you are a member of a class of holders subject to special rules, such as:

 

   

a dealer in securities or currencies;

 

   

a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities holdings;

 

   

a bank;

 

   

a life insurance company;

 

   

a tax-exempt organization;

 

   

a person that holds shares of common stock or ADSs that are a hedge or that are hedged against interest rate or currency risks;

 

   

a person that holds shares of common stock or ADSs as part of a straddle or conversion transaction for tax purposes;

 

   

a person whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the Dollar;

 

   

a person that owns or is deemed to own 10% or more of any class of our stock or 10% or more of the combined voting power or value of all of our classes of stock; or

 

   

an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes that holds shares of common stock or ADSs, or an investor therein.

This summary is based on laws, treaties and regulatory interpretations in effect on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.

Please consult your own tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and other foreign tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of shares of common stock or ADSs in your particular circumstances.

For purposes of this summary, you are a “U.S. holder” if you are a beneficial owner of a share of common stock or ADS that is:

 

   

a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a U.S. domestic corporation; or

 

   

otherwise subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis with respect to income from the shares of common stock or ADS.

 

101


Table of Contents

Shares of Common Stock and ADSs

In general, if you are the beneficial owner of ADSs, you will be treated as the beneficial owner of the shares of common stock represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no gain or loss will be recognized if you exchange an ADS for the shares of common stock represented by that ADS.

 

Dividends

The gross amount of cash dividends that you receive (prior to deduction of Korean taxes) generally will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as foreign source dividend income. Dividends paid in Won will be included in your income in a Dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date of your (or, in the case of ADSs, the depositary’s) receipt of the dividend, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into Dollars. If such a dividend is converted into Dollars on the date of receipt, you generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the treatment of any foreign currency gain or loss on any Won received by U.S. holders that are converted into Dollars on a date subsequent to receipt.

Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, the Dollar amount of dividends received by an individual U.S. holder with respect to the ADSs and common stock will be subject to taxation at a preferential rate applicable to long-term capital gains if the dividends are “qualified dividends.” Dividends paid on the ADSs and common stock will be treated as qualified dividends if (i) we are eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that the Internal Revenue Service has approved for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules and (ii) we were not, in the year prior to the year in which the dividend is paid, and are not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”). The income tax treaty between Korea and the United States (“Treaty”) has been approved for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules, and we believe we are eligible for benefits under the Treaty. Based on our audited financial statements and relevant market and shareholder data, we believe that we were not treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to our 2018 or 2019 taxable year. In addition, based on our current expectations regarding the value and nature of our assets, the sources and nature of our income, and relevant market and shareholder data, we do not anticipate becoming a PFIC for our 2020 taxable year. You should consult your own tax advisers regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate in the light of your own particular circumstances.

Distributions of additional shares in respect of shares of common stock or ADSs that are made as part of a pro-rata distribution to all of our shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

Sales and Other Dispositions

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common stock or ADSs equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and your adjusted tax basis in the common stock or ADSs. Any gain realized by a U.S. holder on the sale or other disposition of common stock or ADSs generally will be treated as U.S. source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. This gain or loss will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss to the extent that the shares of common stock or ADSs sold or disposed of were held for more than one year. Your ability to offset capital losses against ordinary income is limited. Long-term capital gain recognized by an individual U.S. holder generally is subject to taxation at a reduced rate.

 

102


Table of Contents

Foreign Tax Credit Considerations

You should consult your own tax advisers to determine whether you are subject to any special rules that limit your ability to make effective use of foreign tax credits, including the possible adverse impact of failing to take advantage of benefits under the income tax treaty between the United States and Korea. If no such rules apply, you generally may claim a credit, up to any applicable reduced rates provided under the Treaty, against your U.S. federal income tax liability for Korean taxes withheld from dividends on shares of common stock or ADSs, so long as you have owned the shares of common stock or ADSs (and not entered into specified kinds of hedging transactions) for at least a 16-day period that includes the ex-dividend date. Instead of claiming a credit, you may, at your election, deduct such Korean taxes in computing your taxable income, provided that you do not elect to claim a foreign tax credit for any foreign income taxes paid or accrued for the relevant tax year and subject to generally applicable limitations under U.S. tax law. Foreign tax credits will not be allowed for withholding taxes imposed in respect of certain short-term or hedged positions in securities and may not be allowed in respect of arrangements in which your expected economic profit is insubstantial. You may not be able to use the foreign tax credit associated with any Korean withholding tax imposed on a distribution of additional shares that is not subject to U.S. federal income tax unless you can use the credit against U.S. federal income tax due on other foreign-source income.

Any Korean securities transaction tax or agriculture and fishery special tax that you pay will not be creditable for foreign tax credit purposes.

The calculation of foreign tax credits and, in the case of a U.S. holder that elects to deduct foreign taxes, the availability of deductions, involves the application of complex rules that depend on a U.S. holder’s particular circumstances. You should consult your own tax advisers regarding the creditability or deductibility of such taxes.

Specified Foreign Financial Assets

Certain U.S. holders that own “specified foreign financial assets” with an aggregate value in excess of US$50,000 on the last day of the taxable year or US$75,000 at any time during the taxable year are generally required to file an information statement along with their tax returns, currently on 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 common stock or ADSs) 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. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the common stock or ADSs, including the application of the rules to their particular circumstances.

U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Rules

Payments in respect of shares of common stock or ADSs that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries are subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding unless the holder (1) is a corporation or other exempt recipient and demonstrates this when required or (2) provides a taxpayer identification number and certifies that no loss of exemption from backup withholding has occurred. Holders that are not U.S. persons generally are not subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, such a holder may be required to provide a certification of its non-U.S. status in connection with payments received within the United States or through a U.S.-related financial intermediary.

 

103


Table of Contents

Item 10.F. Dividends and Paying Agents

See “Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Dividends” above for information concerning our dividend policies and our payment of dividends. See “Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association — Dividends” for a discussion of the process by which dividends are paid on shares of our common stock. The paying agent for payment of our dividends on ADSs in the United States is the Citibank, N.A.

Item 10.G. Statements by Experts

Not applicable

Item 10.H. Documents on Display

We file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC that apply to foreign private issuers. You may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the Public Reference Rooms in Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Any filings we make electronically will be available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Item 10.I. Subsidiary Information

Not applicable

Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to foreign exchange rate and interest rate risk primarily associated with underlying liabilities, and to changes in the commodity prices of principal raw materials. Following evaluation of these positions, we selectively enter into derivative financial instruments to manage the related risk exposures, primarily with respect to foreign exchange rate and interest rate risks, which are entered into with major financial institutions in order to minimize the risk of credit loss. Our market risk management policy determines the market risk tolerance level, measuring period, controlling responsibilities, management procedures, hedging period and hedging ratio very specifically. We also prohibit all speculative hedging transactions and evaluate and manage foreign exchange exposures to receivables and payables.

None of our loss exposures related to derivative contracts are unlimited, and we do not believe that our net derivative positions could result in a material loss to our profit before income tax or total equity due to significant fluctuations of major currencies against the Korean Won. Due to the nature of our derivative contracts primarily as hedging instruments that manage foreign exchange risks, net gain or net loss on derivatives transactions and valuation of derivatives are typically offset by net loss or net gain on foreign currency transaction and translation. We recorded net loss on valuation of derivatives of Won 162 billion and net loss on derivatives transactions of Won 26 billion in 2017, net gain on valuation of derivatives of Won 56 billion and net gain on derivatives transactions of Won 39 billion in 2018 and net gain on valuation of derivatives of Won 116 billion and net loss on derivatives transactions of Won 32 billion in 2019.

Exchange Rate Risk

Korea is our most important market and, therefore, a substantial portion of our cash flow is denominated in Won. Most of our exports are denominated in Dollars. Japan is also an important market for us, and we derive significant cash flow denominated in Yen. We are exposed to foreign

 

104


Table of Contents

exchange risk related to foreign currency denominated liabilities and anticipated foreign exchange payments. Anticipated foreign exchange payments, which represent a substantial sum and are mostly denominated in Dollars, relate primarily to imported raw material costs and freight costs. Foreign currency denominated liabilities relate primarily to foreign currency denominated debt.

We strive to naturally offset our foreign exchange risk by matching foreign currency receivables with our foreign currency payables and our overseas subsidiaries have sought to further mitigate the adverse impact of exchange rate fluctuations by conducting business transactions in the local currency of the respective market in which the transactions occur. In particular, POSCO International’s exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates, including the Won/Dollar exchange rate, is limited because trading transactions typically involve matched purchase and sale contracts, which result in limited settlement exposure, and because POSCO International’s contracts with domestic suppliers of products for export and with domestic purchasers of imported products are generally denominated in Dollars. Although the impact of exchange rate fluctuations is partially mitigated by such strategies, we and our subsidiaries, particularly POSCO International and POSCO E&C, also periodically enter into derivative contracts, primarily foreign currency swaps and forward exchange contracts, to further hedge some of our foreign exchange risks.

Our foreign currency exposure and changes in gain or loss resulting from a 10% foreign exchange rate change against the Korean Won are as follows:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
     2017     2018     2019  
     Increase     Decrease     Increase     Decrease     Increase     Decrease  
     (In billions of Won)  

US Dollars

       (173   173         (204       204         (174       174  

Japanese Yen

     (54     54       (29     29       (17     17  

Euro

     10       (10     15       (15     41       (41

Interest Rate Risk

We are also subject to market risk exposure arising from changing interest rates. In particular, we are exposed to interest rate risk on our existing floating rate borrowings and on additional debt financings that we may periodically undertake for various reasons, including capital expenditures and refinancing of our existing borrowings. A rise in interest rates will increase the cost of our existing variable rate borrowings. If interest rates on borrowings with floating rates had been 1% higher or lower with all other variables held constant, the impact on the gain or loss of the applicable period would be as follows:

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
             2017                      2018                      2019          
     (In billions of Won)  

Increase or decrease in annual profit and net equity

   100      85      79  

A reduction of interest rates also increases the fair value of our debt portfolio, which is primarily of a fixed interest nature. From time to time, we use, to a limited extent, interest rate swaps to reduce interest rate volatility on some of our debt and manage our interest expense by achieving a balanced mixture of floating and fixed rate debt.

 

105


Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the carrying amounts, fair values, principal cash flows by maturity date and weighted average interest rates of our short-term and long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2019 which are sensitive to exchange rates and/or interest rates. The information is presented in Won, which is our reporting currency.

 

    Maturities  
                                        December 31,
2019
    December 31,
2018
 
    2020     2021     2022     2023     2024     Thereafter     Total     Fair
Value
    Total     Fair
Value
 
    (In billions of Won except rates)  
Local currency:                                                            

Fixed rate

    1,105       882       1,008       150       449       2,968       6,562       6,475       5,707       5,620  

Average weighted rate (1)

    2.41     3.35     2.18     2.79     2.01     0.33     1.55       2.92  

Variable rate

    252       78       30       3       0       7       370       369       512       511  

Average weighted rate (1)

    2.71     3.86     2.84     0.49     0.00     1.60     2.93       2.80  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total

    1,357       960       1,038       153       449       2,975       6,932       6,844       6,219       6,131  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign currency, principally Dollars and Yen:

                   

Fixed rate

    2,666       1,230       658       612       573       331       6,070       5,990       6,026       5,944  

Average weighted rate (1)

    3.71     3.89     2.16     4.06     2.78     0.55     3.41       3.33  

Variable rate

    3,832       900       317       215       38       2,139       7,441       7,439       7,964       7,966  

Average weighted rate (1)

    2.90     3.32     2.67     2.78     5.15     6.67     4.03       4.80  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total

    6,498       2,130       975       827       611       2,470       13,511       13,429       13,909       13,910  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    7,855       3,090       2,013       980       1,060       5,445       20,443       20,273       20,209       20,041  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Weighted average rates of the portfolio at the period end.

Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

Not applicable

Item 12.A. Debt Securities

Not applicable

Item 12.B. Warrants and Rights

Not applicable

Item 12.C. Other Securities

Not applicable

 

106


Table of Contents

Item 12.D. American Depositary Shares

Fees and Charges

We switched our depositary from The Bank of New York Mellon to Citibank, N.A. in July 2013. Holders of our ADSs are required to pay the following service fees to the depositary:

 

Services

  

Fees

Issuance of ADSs upon deposit of shares

   Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs issued

Delivery of deposited shares against surrender of ADSs

   Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs surrendered

Distributions of cash dividends or other cash distributions

   Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs held

Distribution of ADSs pursuant to (i) stock dividends or other free stock distributions, or (ii) exercise of rights to purchase additional ADSs

   Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs held

Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs

   Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs held

General depositary services

   Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs held

Holders of our ADSs are also responsible for paying certain fees and expenses incurred by the depositary such as:

 

   

fees for the transfer and registration of shares charged by the registrar and transfer agent for the shares in Korea (i.e., upon deposit and withdrawal of shares);

 

   

expenses incurred for converting foreign currency into Dollars;

 

   

expenses for cable, telex and fax transmissions and for delivery of securities;

 

   

taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;

 

   

fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements; and

 

   

fees and expenses incurred in connection with the delivery or servicing of shares on deposit.

Depositary fees payable upon the issuance and surrender of ADSs are typically paid to the depositary by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) receiving the newly issued ADSs from the depositary and by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) delivering the ADSs to the depositary for surrender. The brokers in turn charge these fees to their clients. Depositary fees payable in connection with distributions of cash or securities to ADS holders and the depositary services fee are charged by the depositary to the holders of record of ADSs as of the applicable ADS record date.

The depositary fees payable for cash distributions are generally deducted from the cash being distributed. In the case of distributions other than cash (i.e., stock dividend, rights), the depositary charges the applicable fee to the ADS record date holders concurrent with the distribution. In the case of ADSs registered in the name of the investor (whether certificated or uncertificated in direct registration), the depositary sends invoices to the applicable record date ADS holders. In the case of ADSs held in brokerage and custodian accounts (via the Korea Securities Depositary, or KSD), the depositary generally collects its fees through the systems provided by KSD (whose nominee is the registered holder of the ADSs held in KSD) from the brokers and custodians holding ADSs in their KSD accounts. The brokers and custodians who hold their clients’ ADSs in KSD accounts in turn charge their clients’ accounts the amount of the fees paid to the depositary.

In the event of refusal to pay the depositary fees, the depositary may, under the terms of the deposit agreement, refuse the requested service until payment is received or may set off the amount of the depositary fees from any distribution to be made to such holder of ADSs.

 

107


Table of Contents

The fees and charges that holders of our ADSs may be required to pay may vary over time and may be changed by us and by the depositary. Holders of our ADSs will receive prior notice of such changes.

Fees and Payments from the Depositary to Us

In 2019, we received approximately $1.5 million from the depositary for reimbursement of various costs, including preparation of SEC filing and submission, listing fees, proxy process expenses (printing, postage and distribution), legal fees and contributions for our investor relations activities.

In addition, as part of its service to us, the depositary waives its fees for the standard costs associated with the administration of the ADS facility, associated operating expenses, investor relations advice and access to an internet-based tool used in our investor relations activities.

PART II

Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

Not applicable

Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable

Item 15. Controls and Procedures

a.    Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management has evaluated, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of December 31, 2019. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon our evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

b.    Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, and under the supervision of, our principal executive, principal operating and principal financial officers, and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

108


Table of Contents

Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of our financial statements would be prevented or detected. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management has completed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 based on criteria in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2019.

c.    Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The report of our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp. (“KPMG”), on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 is included in Item 18 of this Form 20-F.

d.    Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Our adoption of Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission did not have, and is not reasonably likely to have, any material effect on our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 16. [Reserved]

Item 16.A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

The board of directors has determined that Chung, Moon-Ki is an audit committee financial expert and is independent within the meaning of applicable SEC rules.

Item 16.B. Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics, as defined in Item 16B. of Form 20-F under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our code of business conduct and ethics, called Code of Ethics, applies to our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as well as to our directors, other officers and employees. Our Code of Ethics is available on our website at http://www.posco.com. If we amend the provisions of our Code of Ethics that apply to our chief executive officer or chief financial officer and persons performing similar functions, or if we grant any waiver of such provisions, we will disclose such amendment or waiver on our website at the same address.

 

109


Table of Contents

Item 16.C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

The following table sets forth the fees billed to us by our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG, in 2018 and 2019:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2018      2019  
     (In millions of Won)  

Audit fees

   6,019      7,448  

Audit-related fees

     167        422  

Tax fees

     841        1,002  

Other fees

     989        971  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fees

       8,016          9,843  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Audit fees in 2018 and 2019 as set forth in the above table are the aggregate fees billed by KPMG in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and the annual financial statements of other related companies and review of interim financial statements.

Audit-related fees in 2018 and 2019 as set forth in the above table are fees billed by KPMG for issuing comfort letters in connection with our securities offering.

Tax fees in 2018 and 2019 as set forth in the above table are fees billed by KPMG for our tax compliance and tax planning, as well as compliance related to transfer pricing.

Other fees in 2018 and 2019 as set forth in the above table are fees billed by KPMG in connection with statutory audits unrelated to the audit of our annual financial statements.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

Under our Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures, all audit and non-audit services to be provided to us by an independent registered public accounting firm must be pre-approved by our Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee does not pre-approve any audit and non-audit services that are prohibited from being provided to us by an independent registered public accounting firm under the rules of SEC and applicable law.

Item 16.D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

Not applicable

 

110


Table of Contents

Item 16.E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

The following table sets forth the repurchases of common shares by us or any affiliated purchasers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019:

 

Period

   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
     Average Price Paid
Per Share (In Won)
     Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
     Maximum
Number of
Shares
that May
Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans
 

January 1 to January 31

                           

February 1 to February 29

                           

March 1 to March 31

                           

April 1 to April 30

                           

May 1 to May 31

                           

June 1 to June 30

                           

July 1 to July 31

                           

August 1 to August 31

                           

September 1 to September 30

                           

October 1 to October 31

                           

November 1 to November 30

                           

December 1 to December 31

                           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

                           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Item 16.F. Change in Registrants Certifying Accountant

Not applicable

Item 16.G. Corporate Governance

Pursuant to the rules of the New York Stock Exchange applicable to foreign private issuers like us that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, we are required to disclose significant differences between the New York Stock Exchange’s corporate governance standards and those that we follow under Korean law and in accordance with our own internal procedures. The following is a summary of such significant differences.

 

NYSE Corporate Governance Standards

  

POSCO’s Corporate Governance Practice

Director Independence   
Listed companies must have a majority of independent directors   

Our articles of incorporation provide that our board of directors must comprise no less than a majority of Outside Directors. Our Outside Directors must meet the criteria for outside directorship set forth under the Korean Securities and Exchange Act.

 

The majority of our board of directors is independent (as defined in accordance with the New York Stock Exchange’s standards), and seven out of 12 directors are Outside Directors. Under our articles of incorporation, we may have up to five Inside Directors and eight Outside Directors.

Nomination/Corporate Governance Committee   
A nomination/corporate governance committee of independent directors is required. The committee must have a charter that addresses the purpose, responsibilities (including development of corporate governance guidelines) and annual performance evaluation of the committee.    We have not established a separate nomination corporate governance committee. However, we maintain a Director Candidate Recommendation and Management Committee composed of three Outside Directors and one Inside Director.

 

111


Table of Contents

NYSE Corporate Governance Standards

  

POSCO’s Corporate Governance Practice

Compensation Committee   

A compensation committee of independent directors is required. The committee must have a charter that addresses the purpose, responsibilities and annual performance evaluation of the committee. The charter must be made available on the company’s website. In addition, in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules adopted pursuant to Section 952 of the Dodd-Frank Act, the New York Stock Exchange listing standards were amended to expand the factors relevant in determining whether a committee member has a relationship with the company that will materially affect that member’s duties to the compensation committee.

 

Additionally, the committee may obtain or retain the advice of a compensation adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to determining that adviser’s independence from management.

   We maintain an Evaluation and Compensation Committee composed of four Outside Directors.

Executive Session

  
Non-management directors must meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. Independent directors should meet alone in an executive session at least once a year.    Our Outside Directors hold meetings solely attended by Outside Directors in accordance with operation guidelines of our board of directors.

Audit Committee

  
Listed companies must have an audit committee that satisfies the independence and other requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. All members must be independent. The committee must have a charter addressing the committee’s purpose, an annual performance evaluation of the committee, and the duties and responsibilities of the committee. The charter must be made available on the company’s website.    We maintain an Audit Committee comprised of three Outside Directors who meet the applicable independence criteria set forth under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

Audit Committee Additional Requirements

  
Listed companies must have an audit committee that is composed of at least three directors.    Our Audit Committee has three members, as described above.

Shareholder Approval of Equity Compensation Plan

  
Listed companies must allow their shareholders to exercise their voting rights with respect to any material revision to the company’s equity compensation plan.    We currently have an Employee Stock Ownership Program. Matters related to the Employee Stock Ownership Program are not subject to shareholders’ approval under Korean law.

Shareholder Approval of Equity Offerings

  
Listed companies must allow its shareholders to exercise their voting rights with respect to equity offerings that do not qualify as public offerings for cash, and offerings of equity of related parties.    Our board of directors is generally authorized to issue new shares, subject to certain limitations as provided by our articles of incorporation.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

  
Listed companies must adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines.    We have adopted a Corporate Governance Charter setting forth our practices with respect to relevant corporate governance matters. Our Corporate Governance Charter is in compliance with Korean law but does not meet all requirements established by the New York Stock Exchange for U.S. companies listed on the exchange. A copy of our Corporate Governance Charter is available on our website at http://www.posco.com.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

  
Listed companies must adopt and disclose a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers.    We have adopted a Code of Ethics for all directors, officers and employees. A copy of our Code of Ethics is available on our website at http://www.posco.com.

 

112


Table of Contents

Item 16.H. Mine Safety Disclosure

Not applicable

PART III

Item 17. Financial Statements

Not applicable

Item 18. Financial Statements

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp., on Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-2  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp., on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

     F-5  

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2018 and 2019

     F-7  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019

     F-9  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019

     F-10  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019

     F-13  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-15  

Item 19. Exhibits

 

  1.1             Articles of Incorporation of POSCO (English translation)
  2.1             Form of Common Stock Certificate (including English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement No. 33-81554)* (P)
  2.2             Form of Deposit Agreement (including Form of American Depositary Receipts) (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-189473) on Form F-6)*
  2.3             Description of common stock (see Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association)
  2.4             Description of American Depositary Shares
  8.1             List of consolidated subsidiaries
  12.1             Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  12.2             Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  13.1             Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  101             Interactive Data Files (XBRL-related Documents)

 

 

*

Filed previously

(P) Paper filing

 

113


Table of Contents


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors

POSCO:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of POSCO and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated April 29, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2019, the Company has changed its methods of accounting for leases due to the adoption of IFRS No.16, Leases.

As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2018, the Company has changed its method of accounting for revenue recognition due to adoption of IFRS No. 15, Revenue from contracts with customers.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

 

F-2


Table of Contents
(a)

Assessment of goodwill impairment in the POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation cash generating unit

As discussed in Notes 3 and 15 to the consolidated financial statements, goodwill amounted to 1,097,809 million as of December 31, 2019, of which 951,434 million related to the cash generating unit (“CGU”) of POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation. The Company performs goodwill impairment testing on an annual basis irrespective of whether there is any indication of impairment and whenever there is an indication that the CGU may be impaired. Recoverable amount of POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation was determined based on value-in-use.

We identified the assessment of goodwill impairment in the POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation CGU as a critical audit matter. Goodwill impairment has been recognized in 2018, indicating a higher risk that the goodwill may continue to be impaired in 2019 and therefore involved a high degree of challenging, subjective and complex auditor judgment. Specifically, estimated sales, discount rate and terminal growth rate were challenging to test as minor changes in those assumptions would have had a significant effect on the Company’s assessment of the carrying value of the goodwill.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following. We tested certain internal controls over the Company’s goodwill impairment assessment process, including controls related to the determination of value-in-use of the CGU and the development of the estimated sales, discount rate and terminal growth rate assumptions. We evaluated the estimated sales by comparing the growth assumptions to the latest financial budgets approved by the board of directors, historical performance and industry reports. We compared the estimated sales prepared in prior year with the current year’s actual results to assess the Company’s ability to accurately forecast. We performed sensitivity analysis over the estimated sales, discount rate and terminal growth rate to assess their impact on the conclusion reached in the Company’s goodwill impairment assessment. We involved valuation professionals with specialized skill and knowledge, who assisted us in evaluating the discount rate used in the valuation by comparing it against a discount rate that was independently developed using observable information for comparable entities.

 

(b)

Evaluation of estimated total contract costs at completion for construction contract revenue recognition

As discussed in Notes 3, 28 and 29 to the consolidated financial statements, revenue from construction contracts amounted to 7,339,399 for the year ended December 31, 2019. When contract revenue and contract cost can be reliably estimated, the Company recognizes contract revenue over time based on the percentage of completion. The percentage of completion is determined based on the proportion of contract costs incurred to date, excluding contract costs incurred that do not reflect the stage of completion, bear to the estimated total contract costs at completion.

We identified evaluation of estimated total contract costs at completion for construction contract revenue recognition as a critical audit matter. It requires subjective and complex auditor judgments in evaluating the underlying assumptions, including estimated material costs, labor costs and outsourcing costs, for construction contracts over a long term duration. Changes in these assumptions may have a significant impact on the amount of estimated total contract costs at completion, which has a significant impact on the amount of revenue recognized during a specific period.

 

F-3


Table of Contents

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following. We tested certain internal controls over the determination of estimated total contract costs at completion for construction contracts, including controls over the assumptions used to develop the estimated total contract costs at completion. We evaluated the estimated total contract costs at completion by:

 

inspecting the documentation prepared by the person in charge of construction field regarding rationale and reliability of the estimated total contract costs at completion including estimated material costs, labor costs and outsourcing costs to complete the construction for major projects;

 

questioning the person in charge of construction field, and inspecting source documentation to test each of the three assumptions of the estimated total contract costs at completion for new major projects commenced in 2019;

 

questioning the Company’s finance manager and the person in charge of construction field, and inspecting documents as to the cause of the changes in estimated total contract costs at completion made during 2019 for selected projects; and

 

assessing the Company’s ability to accurately forecast estimated total contract costs at completion, comparing the actual total contract costs for construction contracts completed during 2019 against the estimated total contract costs at completion in prior year’s estimate.

/s/ KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2008.

Seoul, Korea

April 29, 2020

 

F-4


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors

POSCO:

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited POSCO and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the PCAOB), the consolidated statements of financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated April 29, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp.

Seoul, Korea

April 29, 2020

 

F-6


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(in millions of Won)    Notes      December 31,
2018
     December 31,
2019
 

Assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

     4,5,23      2,643,865        3,514,872  

Trade accounts and notes receivable, net

     6,17,23,29,37        9,130,204        9,070,031  

Other receivables, net

     7,23,37        1,385,629        1,581,517  

Other short-term financial assets

     8,23        8,081,096        8,996,049  

Inventories

     9        12,153,303        11,230,759  

Current income tax assets

     35        51,557        45,930  

Assets held for sale

     10        21,854        74,158  

Other current assets

     16        684,464        631,177  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

        34,151,972        35,144,493  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term trade accounts and notes receivable, net

     6,23        427,125        198,785  

Other receivables, net

     7,23,37        863,240        1,140,879  

Other long-term financial assets

     8,23        1,647,898        1,669,389  

Investments in associates and joint ventures

     11        3,650,003        3,927,755  

Investment property, net

     13        928,615        878,227  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     14        30,018,273        29,925,973  

Intangible assets, net

     15        5,170,825        4,908,473  

Defined benefit assets, net

     21        1,489        4,280  

Deferred tax assets

     35        1,408,787        1,247,313  

Other non-current assets

     16        508,764        325,241  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

        44,625,019        44,226,315  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

      78,776,991        79,370,808  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-7

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(in millions of Won)    Notes      December 31,
2018
    December 31,
2019
 

Liabilities

       

Trade accounts and notes payable

     23,37      4,006,135       3,422,922  

Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term borrowings

     4,17,23        10,289,619       8,548,212  

Other payables

     18,23        1,720,097       1,879,508  

Other short-term financial liabilities

     19,23,37        77,800       77,827  

Current income tax liabilities

     35        948,166       396,616  

Liabilities directly associated with the assets held for sale

     10        —         8  

Provisions

     20        298,453       360,337  

Other current liabilities

     22,29        2,090,307       1,865,638  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

        19,430,577       16,551,068  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term trade accounts and notes payable

     23,37        29,825       20,067  

Long-term borrowings, excluding current installments

     4,17,23        9,919,651       11,893,401  

Other payables

     18,23        148,868       585,129  

Other long-term financial liabilities

     19,23        64,162       31,494  

Defined benefit liabilities, net

     21        140,933       181,011  

Deferred tax liabilities

     35        1,688,893       1,691,498  

Long-term provisions

     20        431,036       458,154  

Other non-current liabilities

     22        250,432       195,688  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

        12,673,800       15,056,442  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

        32,104,377       31,607,510  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity

       

Share capital

     24        482,403       482,403  

Capital surplus

     24        1,420,007       1,385,707  

Hybrid bonds

     25        199,384       199,384  

Reserves

     26        (1,404,368     (1,157,980

Treasury shares

     27        (1,532,728     (1,508,303

Retained earnings

        44,160,660       45,054,077  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity attributable to owners of the controlling company

        43,325,358       44,455,288  

Non-controlling interests

     25        3,347,256       3,308,010  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

        46,672,614       47,763,298  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

      78,776,991       79,370,808  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-8

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(in millions of Won, except per share information)   Notes     2017     2018     2019  

Revenue

    28,29,37     60,186,867       65,154,636       64,785,709  

Cost of sales

    29,31,34,37       (51,915,597     (57,129,060     (58,462,100
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

      8,271,270       8,025,576       6,323,609  

Selling and administrative expenses

    30,34        

Reversal of (Impairment loss) on trade accounts and notes receivable

      (173,694     (74,781     28,105  

Other administrative expenses

    31       (2,003,106     (1,985,755     (2,041,286

Selling expenses

      (1,557,277     (369,245     (368,318

Other operating income and expenses

    32,37        

Impairment loss on other receivables

      (98,177     (63,092     (80,323

Other operating income

      448,481       523,586       450,891  

Other operating expenses

    34       (691,376     (2,014,462     (1,089,965
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

      4,196,121       4,041,827       3,222,713  

Share of profit of equity-accounted investees, net

    11       10,540       112,635       273,741  

Finance income and costs

    23,33        

Finance income

      2,372,667       1,705,970       1,872,143  

Finance costs

      (2,484,277     (2,244,416     (2,242,063
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before income taxes

      4,095,051       3,616,016       3,126,534  

Income tax expense

    35       (1,185,740     (1,683,630     (1,088,369
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit

      2,909,311       1,932,386       2,038,165  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

       

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss :

       

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans

    21       (47,543     (173,489     (117,152

Net changes in fair value of equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income

      —         (149,188     (10,541

Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss :

       

Capital adjustment arising from investments in equity-accounted investees

      (217,388     (62,732     66,134  

Net changes in unrealized fair value of available-for-sale investments

    23       (31,389     —         —    

Foreign currency translation differences

      (264,695     (42,908     208,117  

Losses on valuation of derivatives

    23       (143     (212     (90
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

      (561,158     (428,529     146,468  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

    2,348,153       1,503,857       2,184,633  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit attributable to :

       

Owners of the controlling company

    2,756,230       1,711,902       1,864,405  

Non-controlling interests

      153,081       220,484       173,760  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit

    2,909,311       1,932,386       2,038,165  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income attributable to :

       

Owners of the controlling company

    2,184,402       1,292,785       2,027,049  

Non-controlling interests

      163,751       211,072       157,584  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

    2,348,153       1,503,857       2,184,633  
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share (in Won)

    36       34,040       21,177       23,189  

 

F-9

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

     Attributable to owners of the controlling company     Non-
controlling
interests
    Total  

(in millions of Won)

   Share
capital
     Capital
surplus
    Hybrid
bonds
     Reserves     Treasury
shares
    Retained
earnings
    Subtotal  

Balance as of January 1, 2017

   482,403        1,407,247       996,919        (143,985     (1,533,468     41,125,712       42,334,828       3,430,441       45,765,269  

Comprehensive income:

                    

Profit

     —          —         —          —         —         2,756,230       2,756,230       153,081       2,909,311  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

                    

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans, net of tax

     —          —         —          —         —         (38,043     (38,043     (9,500     (47,543

Capital adjustment arising from investments in equity-accounted investees, net of tax

     —          —         —          (214,794     —         —         (214,794     (2,594     (217,388

Net changes in the unrealized fair value of available-for-sale investments, net of tax

     —          —         —          (45,953     —         —         (45,953     14,564       (31,389

Foreign currency translation differences, net of tax

     —          —         —          (272,902     —         —         (272,902     8,207       (264,695

Gain or losses on valuation of derivatives, net of tax

     —          —         —          (136     —         —         (136     (7     (143
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     —          —         —          (533,785     —         2,718,187       2,184,402       163,751       2,348,153  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transactions with owners of the controlling company, recognized directly in equity:

                    

Year-end dividends

     —          —         —          —         —         (459,987     (459,987     (42,909     (502,896

Interim dividends

     —          —         —          —         —         (359,993     (359,993     —         (359,993

Changes in subsidiaries

     —          —         —          —         —         —         —         (7,151     (7,151

Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries

     —          16,287       —          —         —         —         16,287       147,420       163,707  

Interest of hybrid bonds

     —          —         —          —         —         (43,600     (43,600     (24,187     (67,787

Disposal of treasury shares

     —          126       —          —         414       —         540       —         540  

Others

     —          (1,639     —          (4,786     —         (5,661     (12,086     (1,031     (13,117
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total transactions with owners of the controlling company

     —          14,774       —          (4,786     414       (869,241     (858,839     72,142       (786,697
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2017

   482,403        1,422,021       996,919        (682,556     (1,533,054     42,974,658       43,660,391       3,666,334       47,326,725  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, Continued

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

     Attributable to owners of the controlling company     Non-     Total  
(in millions of Won)    Share
capital
     Capital
surplus
    Hybrid
bonds
    Reserves     Treasury
shares
    Retained
earnings
    Subtotal     controlling
interests
 

Balance as of January 1, 2018

   482,403        1,422,021       996,919       (682,556     (1,533,054     42,974,658       43,660,391       3,666,334       47,326,725  

Adjustment on initial application of IFRS No. 15, net of tax

     —          —         —         —         —         (70,907     (70,907     (58,976     (129,883

Adjustment on initial application of IFRS No. 9, net of tax

     —          —         —         (498,517     —         447,067       (51,450     (34,754     (86,204
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted balance as of January 1, 2018

     482,403        1,422,021       996,919       (1,181,073     (1,533,054     43,350,818       43,538,034       3,572,604       47,110,638  

Comprehensive income:

                   

Profit

     —          —         —         —         —         1,711,902       1,711,902       220,484       1,932,386  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

                   

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans, net of tax

     —          —         —         —         —         (145,488     (145,488     (28,001     (173,489

Capital adjustment arising from investments
in equity-accounted investees, net of tax Capital adjustment arising from investments
in equity-accounted investees, net of tax

     —          —         —         (76,587     —         —         (76,587     13,855       (62,732

Net changes in fair value of equity investments
at fair value through other comprehensive income, net of tax

     —          —         —         (104,293     —         (46,883     (151,176     1,988       (149,188

Foreign currency translation differences, net of tax

     —          —         —         (45,650     —         —         (45,650     2,742       (42,908

Gain or losses on valuation of derivatives, net of tax

     —          —         —         (216     —         —         (216     4       (212
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     —          —         —         (226,746     —         1,519,531       1,292,785       211,072       1,503,857  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transactions with owners of the controlling company, recognized directly in equity:

                   

Year-end dividends

     —          —         —         —         —         (279,999     (279,999     (54,240     (334,239

Interim dividends

     —          —         —         —         —         (400,003     (400,003     —         (400,003

Changes in subsidiaries

     —          —         —         —         —         —         —         (2,092     (2,092

Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries

     —          (1,497     —         —         —         —         (1,497     (654     (2,151

Repayment of hybrid bonds

     —          (2,769     (797,535     —         —         —         (800,304     (359,018     (1,159,322

Interest of hybrid bonds

     —          —         —         —         —         (24,443     (24,443     (18,448     (42,891

Disposal of treasury shares

     —          133       —         —         326       —         459       —         459  

Others

     —          2,119       —         3,451       —         (5,244     326       (1,968     (1,642
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total transactions with owners of the controlling company

     —          (2,014     (797,535     3,451       326       (709,689     (1,505,461     (436,420     (1,941,881
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2018

   482,403        1,420,007       199,384       (1,404,368     (1,532,728     44,160,660       43,325,358       3,347,256       46,672,614  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, Continued

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

    Attributable to owners of the controlling company     Non-controlling
interests
    Total  
    Share
capital
    Capital
surplus
    Hybrid
bonds
    Reserves     Treasury
shares
    Retained
earnings
    Subtotal  
(in millions of Won)      

Balance as of January 1, 2019

  482,403       1,420,007       199,384       (1,404,368     (1,532,728     44,160,660       43,325,358       3,347,256       46,672,614  

Comprehensive income:

                 

Profit

    —         —         —         —         —         1,864,405       1,864,405       173,760       2,038,165  

Other comprehensive income (loss)

                 

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans, net of tax

    —         —         —         —         —         (100,218     (100,218     (16,934     (117,152

Capital adjustment arising from investments in equity-accounted investees, net of tax

    —         —         —         58,308       —         —         58,308       7,826       66,134  

Net changes in fair value of equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income, net of tax

    —         —         —         10,228       —         (20,769     (10,541     —         (10,541

Foreign currency translation differences, net of tax

    —         —         —         215,181       —         —         215,181       (7,064     208,117  

Gain or losses on valuation of derivatives, net of tax

    —         —         —         (86     —         —         (86     (4     (90
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

    —         —         —         283,631       —         1,743,418       2,027,049       157,584       2,184,633  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transactions with owners of the controlling company, recognized directly in equity:

                 

Year-end dividends

    —         —         —         —         —         (400,006     (400,006     (60,274     (460,280

Interim dividends

    —         —         —         —         —         (480,694     (480,694     —         (480,694

Changes in subsidiaries

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         1,281       1,281  

Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries

    —         (48,538     —         —         —         —         (48,538     (128,587     (177,125

Interest of hybrid bonds

    —         —         —         —         —         (9,200     (9,200     (7,294     (16,494

Disposal of treasury shares

    —         12,576       —         —         24,425       —         37,001       —         37,001  

Others

    —         1,662       —         (37,243     —         39,899       4,318       (1,956     2,362  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total transactions with owners of the controlling company

    —         (34,300     —         (37,243     24,425       (850,001     (897,119     (196,830     (1,093,949
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

  482,403       1,385,707       199,384       (1,157,980     (1,508,303     45,054,077       44,455,288       3,308,010       47,763,298  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(in millions of Won)    Notes      2017     2018     2019  

Cash flows from operating activities

         

Profit

      2,909,311       1,932,386       2,038,165  

Adjustments for:

         

Depreciation

        2,887,646       2,911,048       3,029,868  

Amortization

        409,774       356,581       431,247  

Finance income

        (1,376,324     (737,745     (855,382

Finance costs

        1,440,282       1,168,225       1,197,705  

Income tax expense

        1,185,740       1,683,630       1,088,369  

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

        (32,145     (53,139     (49,367

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

        151,343       117,614       120,227  

Impairment losses on property, plant and equipment

        117,231       1,004,704       442,700  

Gain on disposal of intangible assets

        (22,391     (117,139     (1,896

Gain on disposal of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

        (81,794     (45,241     (27,836

Loss on disposal of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

        19,985       5,226       6,539  

Share of profit of equity-accounted investees

        (10,540     (112,635     (273,741

Expenses related to post-employment benefits

        199,926       216,489       240,425  

Increase to provisions

        215,383       240,146       76,538  

Impairment loss on trade and other receivables

        271,871       137,873       52,218  

Loss on valuation of inventories

        78,560       141,799       96,201  

Impairment losses on goodwill and intangible assets

        167,995       337,519       191,021  

Gain on disposal of assets held for sale

        (1,180     (27,171     (37,461

Impairment losses on assets held for sale

        —         50,829       38,328  

Others, net

        (10,093     77,945       894  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        5,611,269       7,356,558       5,766,597  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

     39        (1,841,633     (2,105,726     (114,045

Interest received

        244,980       352,337       320,336  

Interest paid

        (735,735     (750,410     (760,175

Dividends received

        225,514       224,410       266,774  

Income taxes paid

        (806,396     (1,139,830     (1,512,997
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

      5,607,310       5,869,725       6,004,655  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-13

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Continued

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(in millions of Won)    Notes      2017     2018     2019  

Cash flows from investing activities

         

Acquisitions of short-term financial instruments

      (20,843,530)       (32,173,134     (36,063,406

Proceeds from disposal of short-term financial instruments

        19,146,634       31,105,544       35,415,822  

Increase in loans

        (1,055,895     (627,783     (450,638

Collection of loans

        667,045       941,962       398,838  

Acquisitions of securities

        —         (321,916     (296,827

Proceeds from disposal of securities

        —         221,646       62,492  

Acquisitions of available-for-sale investments

        (66,278     —         —    

Proceeds from disposal of available-for-sale investments

        1,006,856       —         —    

Acquisitions of investments in associates and joint ventures

        (60,277     (47,355     (160,404

Proceeds from disposal of investments in associates and joint ventures

        74,881       88,852       16,458  

Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment

        (2,287,580     (2,135,550     (2,519,219

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

        39,183       90,412       51,800  

Acquisitions of investment property

        (69,169     (44,106     (19,344

Proceeds from disposal of investment property

        5,771       70,817       12,057  

Acquisitions of intangible assets

        (343,423     (447,616     (299,587

Proceeds from disposal of intangible assets

        28,502       77,654       24,161  

Proceeds from disposal of assets held for sale

        203,958       93,338       67,246  

Increase in cash from (payment for) acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

        (174,165     —         (37,345

Cash received (decrease in cash) from disposal of business, net of cash transferred

        (75,540     447,917       45,360  

Collection of lease receivables

        —         —         56,889  

Others, net

        (14,847     11,348       12,788  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

        (3,817,874     (2,647,970     (3,682,859
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

         

Proceeds from borrowings

        1,725,983       2,762,446       5,646,977  

Repayment of borrowings

        (3,136,016     (3,136,308     (3,746,845

Proceeds from (repayment of) short-term borrowings, net

        558,083       (854,554     (2,194,727

Payment of cash dividends

        (863,450     (723,934     (946,218

Repayment of hybrid bonds

        —         (1,160,000     —    

Payment of interest of hybrid bonds

        (67,783     (46,166     (16,494

Capital contribution from non-controlling interests and proceeds from disposal of subsidiary while maintaining control

        266,219       5,808       29,475  

Capital deduction from non-controlling interests and additional acquisition of interests in subsidiaries

        (26,288     (3,823     (123,304

Repayment of lease liabilities

        (10,536     (30,481     (167,427

Others, net

        (11,740     (8,036     6,384  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     39        (1,565,528     (3,195,048     (1,512,179
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash held

        (58,997     4,628       61,764  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

        164,911       31,335       871,381  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

     5        2,447,619       2,612,530       2,643,865  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

     5,10      2,612,530       2,643,865       3,515,246  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

1.

General Information

General information about POSCO, its 32 domestic subsidiaries including POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD., 131 foreign subsidiaries including POSCO America Corporation (collectively “the Company”) and its 131 associates and joint ventures are as follows:

 

(a)

The controlling company

POSCO, the controlling company, was incorporated on April 1, 1968, under the Commercial Code of the Republic of Korea to manufacture and sell steel rolled products and plates in the domestic and foreign markets.

The shares of POSCO have been listed on the Korea Exchange since June 10, 1988. POSCO owns and operates two steel plants (Pohang and Gwangyang) and one office in Korea and it also operates internationally through six of its overseas liaison offices.

As of December 31, 2019, POSCO’s shareholders are as follows:

 

Shareholder’s name

   Number of shares      Ownership (%)  

National Pension Service

     10,291,670        11.80  

BlackRock Fund Advisors(*1,2,3)

     5,429,071        6.23  

Nippon Steel Corporation(*1)

     2,894,712        3.32  

Samsung Group and subsidiaries(*2)

     2,401,789        2.75  

GIC Private Limited

     1,777,316        2.04  

Others

     64,392,277        73.86  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     87,186,835        100.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Includes American Depository Receipts (ADRs) of POSCO, each of which represents 0.25 share of POSCO’s common share which has par value of 5,000 per share.

(*2)

Includes shares held by subsidiaries and others.

(*3)

The number of shares held by the shareholder based on the information in the status report of large-scale shareholders filed with Korea Exchange on April 16, 2019.

As of December 31, 2019, the shares of POSCO are listed on the Korea Exchange while its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

F-15


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(b)

Consolidated subsidiaries

Details of consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

   

Principal operations

  Ownership (%)      
    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2019  
    POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region
[Domestic]                                            

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION., CO., LTD.

  Engineering and construction     52.80       —         52.80       52.80       —         52.80     Pohang

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

  Coated steel manufacturing     56.87       —         56.87       56.87       —         56.87     Pohang

POSCO ICT

  Computer hardware and software distribution     65.38       —         65.38       65.38       —         65.38     Pohang

POSCO Research Institute

  Economic research and consulting     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Seoul

POSCO O&M CO.,Ltd.
(formerly, POSMATE)

  Business facility maintenance     59.80       40.20       100.00       47.17       52.83       100.00     Seoul

POSCO A&C

  Architecture and consulting     100.00       —         100.00       45.66       54.34       100.00     Seoul

POSCO Venture Capital Co., Ltd.

  Investment in venture companies     95.00       —         95.00       95.00       —         95.00     Pohang

eNtoB Corporation

  Electronic commerce     7.50       53.63       61.13       7.50       53.63       61.13     Seoul

POSCO CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (formerly, POSCO CHEMTECH)

  Refractories manufacturing and sales     60.00       —         60.00       61.26       —         61.26     Pohang

POSCO-Terminal Co., Ltd.

  Transporting and warehousing     51.00       —         51.00       51.00       —         51.00     Gwangyang

POSCO M-TECH

  Packing materials manufacturing and sales     48.85       —         48.85       48.85       —         48.85     Pohang

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

  Generation of electricity     89.02       —         89.02       100.00       —         100.00     Seoul

PNR

  Steel byproduct manufacturing and sales     70.00       —         70.00       70.00       —         70.00     Pohang

Future Creation Fund Postech Early Stage account

  Investment in venture companies     —         40.00       40.00       —         40.00       40.00     Seoul

POSCO WOMAN’S FUND

  Investment in venture companies     —         40.00       40.00       —         40.00       40.00     Seoul

SPH Co, LTD.

  House manufacturing and management     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Incheon

Posco Group University

  Education service and real estate business     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Incheon

Growth Ladder POSCO K-Growth Global Fund

  Investment in venture companies     —         50.00       50.00       —         50.00       50.00     Pohang

2015 POSCO New technology II Fund

  Investment in venture companies     —         25.00       25.00       —         25.00       25.00     Pohang

POSCO Research & Technology

  Intellectual Property Services and consulting     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Seoul

TANCHEON E&E
(formerly, POSCO E&E)

  Refuse derived fuel and power generation     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Seoul

POSCO Humans

  Construction     90.30       —         90.30       75.49       24.51       100.00     Pohang

Mapo Hibroad Parking Co., Ltd.

  Construction     —         71.00       71.00       —         71.00       71.00     Seoul

 

F-16


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

   

Principal operations

  Ownership (%)      
    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2019  
    POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region
[Domestic]                                            

Busan E&E Co., Ltd.

  Refuse derived fuel and power generation     70.00       —         70.00       70.00       —         70.00     Busan

POSCO Family Strategy Fund

  Investment in venture companies     69.91       30.09       100.00       69.91       30.09       100.00     Pohang

POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation (formerly, POSCO DAEWOO Corporation)

  Trading, energy & resource development and others     62.90       0.04       62.94       62.91       0.03       62.94     Seoul

Pohang Scrap Recycling Distribution Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel processing and sales     —         51.00       51.00       —         51.00       51.00     Pohang

PSC Energy Global Co., Ltd.

  Investment in energy industry     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Pohang

Suncheon Eco Trans Co. LTD

  Train manufacturing and management     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Suncheon

Songdo Development PMC (Project Management Company) LLC.

  Housing business agency     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Incheon

Korea Fuel Cell

  Fuel cell     —         —         —         —         100.00       100.00     Pohang

POSCO GEM 1th Fund

  Investment in venture companies     —         —         —         98.81       1.19       100.00     Pohang

POSCO Processing&Service

  Steel sales and trading     93.95       0.45       94.40       —         —         —       Seoul

MegaAsset Co.,Ltd.

  Real estate rental and sales     —         100.00       100.00       —         —         —       Incheon

HOTEL LAONZENA

  Hotel business     —         100.00       100.00       —         —         —       Daegu

Posco e&c Songdo International Building

  Non-residental building rental     —         100.00       100.00       —         —         —       Seoul

POSCO ES MATERIALS CO., LTD.

  Secondary and storage battery manufacturing     90.00       —         90.00       —         —         —       Gumi

BLUE O&M Co.,Ltd.

  Engineering service     —         100.00       100.00       —         —         —       Pohang
[Foreign]                                            

POSCO America Corporation

  Steel trading     99.45       0.55       100.00       99.45       0.55       100.00     USA

POSCO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

  Raw material sales & mine development     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Australia

POSCO Canada Ltd.

  Coal sales     —         100.00       100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Canada

POSCAN Elkview

  Coal sales     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Canada

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

  Steel and raw material trading     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     China

POSCO-CTPC Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     61.91       38.09       100.00       100.00       —         100.00     China

POSCO E&C Vietnam Co., Ltd.

  Steel structure manufacturing and sales     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Vietnam

Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

  Stainless steel manufacturing and sales     58.60       23.88       82.48       58.60       23.88       82.48     China

POSCO (Thailand) Company Limited

  Steel manufacturing and sales     88.58       11.42       100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Thailand

POSCO-MKPC SDN BHD

  Steel manufacturing and sales     44.69       25.31       70.00       70.00       —         70.00     Malaysia

 

F-17


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

   

Principal operations

  Ownership (%)      
    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2019  
    POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region
[Foreign]                                            

Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

  Stainless steel manufacturing and sales     70.00       30.00       100.00       70.00       30.00       100.00     China

POSCO(Suzhou) Automotive
Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     90.00       10.00       100.00       90.00       10.00       100.00     China

POSCO-China Qingdao
Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     —         100.00       100.00       100.00       —         100.00     China

POS-ORE PTY LTD

  Iron ore sales and sales     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Australia

POSCO-China Holding Corp.

  Holding company     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     China

POSCO JAPAN Co., Ltd.

  Steel trading     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Japan

POS-CD PTY LTD

  Coal sales     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Australia

POS-GC PTY LTD

  Coal sales     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Australia

POSCO-India Private Limited

  Steel manufacturing and sales     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     India

POSCO-India Pune Processing Center. Pvt. Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     65.00       —         65.00       65.00       —         65.00     India

POSCO Japan PC CO., LTD

  Steel manufacturing and sales     —         86.12       86.12       —         86.12       86.12     Japan

POSCO-CFPC Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     39.60       60.40       100.00       39.60       60.40       100.00     China

POSCO E&C CHINA Co., Ltd.

  Civil engineering and construction     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     China

POSCO MPPC S.A. de C.V.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     21.02       75.29       96.31       21.02       75.29       96.31     Mexico

Zhangjigang Pohang Port Co., Ltd.

  Loading and unloading service     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     China

POSCO-VIETNAM Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Vietnam

POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

  Automotive steel sheet
manufacturing and sales
    83.28       14.88       98.16       83.28       14.88       98.16     Mexico

POSCO-Poland Wroclaw
Processing Center Sp. z o. o.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     60.00       —         60.00       60.00       —         60.00     Poland

POS-NP PTY LTD

  Coal sales     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Australia

POSCO DAEWOO WAIGAOQIAO
SHANGHAI CO., LTD

  Intermediary trade & bonded
warehouse operation
    —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     China

PT. Bio Inti Agrindo

  Forest resources development     —         85.00       85.00       —         85.00       85.00     Indonesia

POSCO ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION AUSTRALIA (POSCO E&C AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD

  Construction and engineering service     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Australia

POSCO-TISCO (JILIN)
PROCESSING CENTER Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     50.00       10.00       60.00       50.00       10.00       60.00     China

 

F-18


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

   

Principal operations

  Ownership (%)      
    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2019  
    POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region
[Foreign]                                            

POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited

  STS cold-rolled steel manufacturing and sales     84.66       —         84.66       84.39       —         84.39     Thailand

Hunchun Posco Hyundai Logistics

  Logistics     —         80.00       80.00       —         80.00       80.00     China

POSCO INTERNATIONAL VIETNAM COMPANY LIMITED

  Trading business     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Vietnam

POSCO(Chongqing) Automotive Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     90.00       10.00       100.00       90.00       10.00       100.00     China

SUZHOU POSCO-CORE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

  Component manufacturing and sales     —         100.00       100.00       84.85       15.15       100.00     China

PT.Krakatau Posco Chemtech Calcination

  Quicklime manufacturing and sales     —         80.00       80.00       —         80.00       80.00     Indonesia

POSCO AFRICA (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED

  Mine development     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     South
Africa

POSCO ICT BRASIL

  IT service and engineering     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Brazil

LA-SRDC

  Scrap manufacturing     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     USA

POSCO Center Beijing

  Real estate development, rental and management     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     China

POSCO AMERICA COMERCIALIZADORA S DE RL DE CV

  Steel sales     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Mexico

POSCO(Guangdong) Automotive Steel Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     83.64       10.00       93.64       83.64       10.00       93.64     China

POSCO-Malaysia SDN. BHD.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     81.79       13.63       95.42       81.79       13.63       95.42     Malaysia

PT KRAKATAU BLUE WATER

  Wastewater treamtment facilities operation and maintenance     —         67.00       67.00       —         67.00       67.00     Indonesia

POSCO INTERNATIONAL MYANMAR CORPORATION LIMITED

  Trading business     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Myanmar

POSCO-Italy Processing Center

  Stainless steel sheetmanufacturing and sales     80.00       10.00       90.00       88.89       11.11       100.00     Italy

Myanmar POSCO C&C Company, Limited.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     —         70.00       70.00       —         70.00       70.00     Myanmar

POSCO ICT VIETNAM

  IT service and electric control engineering     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Vietnam

Daewoo Global Development. Pte., Ltd

  Real estate development     —         81.51       81.51       —         81.51       81.51     Singapore

 

F-19


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

   

Principal operations

  Ownership (%)      
    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2019  
    POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region
[Foreign]                                            

Myanmar POSCO Engineering & Construction Company, Limited.

  Construction and engineering service     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Myanmar

POS-Minerals Corporation

  Mine development management and sales     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     USA

POSCO(Wuhu) Automotive Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     68.57       31.43       100.00       68.57       31.43       100.00     China

POSCO Engineering and Construction India Private Limited

  Civil engineering and construction     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     India

POSCO COATED STEEL (THAILAND) CO., LTD.

  Automotive steel sheetmanufacturing and sales     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Thailand
[Foreign]                                            

Daewoo Amara Company Limited

  Real estate development     —         85.00       85.00       —         85.00       85.00     Myanmar

POSMATE-CHINA CO., LTD

  Business facility maintenance     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     China

POSCO-Mexico Villagran Wire-rod Processing Center

  Steel manufacturing and sales     56.75       10.00       66.75       56.75       10.00       66.75     Mexico

POSCO ChengDu Processing Center

  Steel manufacturing and sales     33.00       10.00       43.00       33.00       10.00       43.00     China

POSCO SUZHOU PROCESSING CENTER CO., LTD.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     30.00       70.00       100.00       30.00       70.00       100.00     China

POSCO E&C SMART S DE RL DE CV

  Civil engineering and construction     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Mexico

POSCO Philippine Manila Processing Center, Inc.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     —         100.00       100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Philippines

POSCO E&C HOLDINGS CO., Ltd.

  Holding company     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Thailand

POSCO INTERNATIONAL POWER (PNGLAE) LTD.

  Electricity production     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Papua New
Guinea

PT.Krakatau Posco Social Enterprise

  Social enterprise     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Indonesia

Ventanas Philippines Construction Inc

  Construction     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Philippines

POSCO E&C Mongolia

  Construction and engineering service     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Mongolia

SANPU TRADING Co., Ltd.

  Raw material trading     —         70.04       70.04       —         70.04       70.04     China

Zhangjiagang BLZ Pohang
International Trading

  Steel Intermediate trade     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     China

POSCO RU Limited Liability Company

  Trade and business development     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Russia

 

F-20


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

   

Principal operations

  Ownership (%)      
    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2019  
    POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region
[Foreign]                                            

GOLDEN LACE POSCO
INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.

  Rice processing     —         60.00       60.00       —         60.00       60.00     Myanmar

POSCO ICT-China Co., Ltd

  IT service and DVR business     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     China

Pos-Sea Pte Ltd

  Steel Intermediate trade     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Singapore

POSCO Europe Steel Distribution Center

  Logistics & Steel sales     50.00       20.00       70.00       50.00       20.00       70.00     Slovenia

POSCO ENGINEERING (THAILAND) CO., LTD.

  Construction and engineering service     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Thailand

POSCO VST CO., LTD.

  Stainless steel sheet
manufacturing and sales
    95.65       —         95.65       95.65       —         95.65     Vietnam

POSCO INTERNATIONAL UKRAINE, LLC.

  Grain sales     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Ukraine

Zhangjiagang Pohang Refractories Co., Ltd.

  Refractory materials sales & furnace maintenance     —         51.00       51.00       —         51.00       51.00     China

POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited

  Steel manufacturing and sales     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     India

POSCO INDIA PROCESSING CENTER PRIVATE LIMITED

  Steel manufacturing and sales     93.34       1.98       95.32       93.34       1.98       95.32     India

POSCO TNPC Otomotiv Celik San. Ve Tic. A.S

  Steel manufacturing and sales     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Turkey

POSCO Vietnam Processing Center. Co., Ltd

  Steel manufacturing and sales     83.54       5.29       88.83       83.54       5.29       88.83     Vietnam

POSCO(Liaoning) Automotive Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     90.00       10.00       100.00       90.00       10.00       100.00     China

POSCO-Indonesia Jakarta Processing Center

  Steel manufacturing and sales     65.00       20.00       85.00       65.00       20.00       85.00     Indonesia

PT.MRI

  Mine development     65.00       —         65.00       65.00       —         65.00     Indonesia

POSCO TMC INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

  Steel manufacturing and sales     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     India

POSCO AMERICA ALABAMA PROCESSING CENTER CO., LTD.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     —         97.80       97.80       —         97.80       97.80     USA

POSCO(Yantai Automotive Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     90.00       10.00       100.00       90.00       10.00       100.00     China

POSCO India Steel Distribution Center Private Ltd.

  Steel logistics     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     India

POSCO China Dalian Plate Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Plate manufacturing and sales     79.52       11.70       91.22       79.52       11.70       91.22     China

 

F-21


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

   

Principal operations

  Ownership (%)      
    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2019  
    POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region
[Foreign]                                            

POSCO SS VINA JOINT STOCK COMPANY (Formerly, POSCO SS VISA CO., Ltd.)

  Steel manufacturing and sales     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Vietnam

PT.POSCO ICT INDONESIA

  IT service and electric control engineering     —         66.99       66.99       —         66.99       66.99     Indonesia

POSCO NCR Coal Ltd.

  Coal sales     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Canada

POSCO WA PTY LTD

  Iron ore sales & mine development     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Australia

POSCO AUSTRALIA GP PTY LIMITED

  Resource development     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Australia

POSCO INTERNATIONAL POWER(PNGPOM) LTD.

  Electricity production     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Papua New
Guinea

PT. KRAKATAU POSCO ENERGY

  Electricity production construction and operation     —         90.00       90.00       —         90.00       90.00     Indonesia

POSCO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA CORP.

  Trading business     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     USA

POSCO INTERNATIONAL Deutschland GMBH

  Trading business     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Germany

POSCO INTERNATIONAL JAPAN CORP.

  Trading business     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Japan

POSCO INTERNATIONAL SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.

  Trading business     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Singapore

POSCO INTERNATIONAL ITALIA S.R.L.

  Trading business     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Italy

POSCO INTERNATIONAL (CHINA) CO., LTD

  Trading business     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     China

POSCO INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE LLC.

  Textile manufacturing     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Uzbekistan

POSCO INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA HOLDINGS PTY. LTD.

  Resource development     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Australia

POSCO MAURITIUS LIMITED

  Coal development and sales     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Mauritius

PT. KRAKATAU POSCO

  Steel manufacturing and sales     70.00       —         70.00       70.00       —         70.00     Indonesia

POSCO INTERNATIONAL MEXICO S.A DE C.V.

  Trading business     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Mexico

 

F-22


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

   

Principal operations

  Ownership (%)      
    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2019  
    POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region
[Foreign]                                            

POSCO INTERNATIONAL MALAYSIA SDN BHD

  Trading business     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Malaysia

PT.POSCO INDONESIA INTI

  Mine development     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Indonesia

POSCO INTERNATIONAL SHANGHAI CO., LTD.

  Trading business     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     China

PGSF, L.P.

  Investment in bio tech Industry     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     USA

POSCO INTERNATIONAL INDIA PVT. LTD

  Trading business     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     India

POSCO(Dalian) IT Center Development Co., Ltd.

  Real estate development and investment     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     China

PT. POSCO E&C INDONESIA

  Civil engineering and construction     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Indonesia

HUME COAL PTY LTD

  Raw material manufacturing     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Australia

Brazil Sao Paulo Steel Processing Center

  Steel manufacturing and sales     —         76.00       76.00       —         76.00       76.00     Brazil

DAESAN (CAMBODIA) Co., Ltd.

  Real estate development and investment     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Cambodia

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION DO BRAZIL LTDA.

  Construction     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Brazil

POSCO ASSAN TST STEEL INDUSTRY

  Steel manufacturing and sales     60.00       10.00       70.00       60.00       10.00       70.00     Turkey

HONG KONG POSCO E&C (CHINA) INVESTMENT Co., Ltd.

  Real estate development and investment     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Hongkong

JB CLARK HILLS(*1)

  Apartment construction     —         25.00       25.00       —         70.00       70.00     Philippines

POS-LT Pty Ltd

  Lithium mining investment     —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00       100.00     Australia

ZHEJIANG POSCO-HUAYOU ESM CO., LTD

  Anode material manufacturing     100.00       —         100.00       60.00       —         60.00     China

POSCO Argentina S.A.U.

  Mineral exploration/manufacturing/sales     100.00       —         100.00       100.00       —         100.00     Argentina

GRAIN TERMINAL HOLDING PTE. LTD.

  Trade     —         —         —         —         75.00       75.00     Singapore

Mykolaiv Milling Works PJSC.

  Grain trading     —         —         —         —         100.00       100.00     Ukraine

Yuzhnaya Stevedoring Company Limited LLC.

  Cargo handling     —         —         —         —         100.00       100.00     Ukraine

Myanmar POSCO Steel Co., Ltd

  Steel manufacturing and sales     —         70.00       70.00       —         70.00       70.00     Myanmar

POSCO SINGAPORE LNG TRADING PTE. LTD.

  LNG trading     50.00       50.00       100.00       —         —         —       Singapore

 

F-23


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

   

Principal operations

  Ownership (%)      
    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2019  
    POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     POSCO     Subsidiaries     Total     Region
[Foreign]                                            

POSCO DAEWOO E&P CANADA CORPORATION

  Crude oil and natural gas mining     —         100.00       100.00       —         —         —       Canada

Daewoo Power and Infra (PTY) Limited

  Electricity     —         100.00       100.00       —         —         —       South
Africa

Daewoo Precious Resources Co., Ltd.

  Resources development     —         70.00       70.00       —         —         —       Myanmar

POSCO E&C (THAILAND) CO., Ltd.

  Construction and engineering     —         100.00       100.00       —         —         —       Thailand

POSCO Gulf SFC LLC

  Steel manufacturing and sales     —         65.72       65.72       —         —         —       United Arab
Emirates

POSCO-South Asia Company Limited

  Steel sales     100.00       —         100.00       —         —         —       Thailand

POSCO(Guangdong) Coated Steel Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     87.04       10.04       97.08       —         —         —       China

DAEWOO INTERNATIONAL GUANGZHOU CORP.

  Trading business     —         100.00       100.00       —         —         —       China

 

(*1)

Reclassified from associate to subsidiary during the year ended December 31, 2019.

The equity investment of controlling company decreased by 48,538 million (POSCO CHEMICAL CO., LTD. and others) and 1,497 million (POSCO Gulf SFC LLC and others) in 2018 and 2019, respectively, as a result of changes in the Company’s ownership interests in subsidiaries that did not result in a loss of control.

Cash dividends paid to POSCO by subsidiaries in 2017, 2018 and 2019 amounted to 70,087 million, 100,582 million and 100,862 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2019, there are no restrictions on the ability of subsidiaries to transfer funds to the controlling company, such as in the form of cash dividends, repayment of loans or payment of advances.

 

F-24


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(c)

Details of non-controlling interest as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

  1)

December 31, 2017

 

(in millions of Won)   POSCO
INTERNATIONAL
Corporation
    PT.
KRAKATAU
POSCO
    POSCO
CHEMICAL
    POSCO
ENGINEERING &
CONSTRUCTION
CO., LTD.
    POSCO
ENERGY
CO., LTD.
    Others     Total  

Current assets

  4,483,544       557,041       441,325       4,878,251       1,054,538       8,579,813       19,994,512  

Non-current assets

    4,590,394       2,771,504       316,724       2,444,616       2,859,824       6,676,559       19,659,621  

Current liabilities

    (4,221,443     (1,237,255     (145,649     (3,896,680     (785,462     (8,313,902     (18,600,391

Non-current liabilities

    (1,549,013     (1,933,247     (970     (833,403     (2,200,065     (2,048,454     (8,565,152

Equity

    3,303,482       158,043       611,430       2,592,784       928,835       4,894,016       12,488,590  

Non-controlling interests

    1,224,303       47,413       244,572       1,223,816       762,390       974,941       4,477,435  

Sales

      20,891,526       1,635,837       1,163,918       5,794,532       1,578,026       23,547,072       54,610,911  

Profit (loss) for the period

    115,321       (117,729     101,019       169,011       70,795       258,053       596,470  

Profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

    42,739       (35,318     40,408       79,775       7,770       39,605       174,979  

Cash flows from operating activities

    128,875       (27,817     20,042       (84,840     30,295       140,418       206,973  

Cash flows from investing activities

    (86,365     (5,502     (18,699     (171,924     (2,792     (63,621     (348,903

Cash flows from financing activities (before dividends to non-controlling interest)

    (19,295     31,782       8       150,801       220,317       (38,090     345,523  

Dividend to non-controlling interest

    (22,597     —         (7,088     —         (24,183     (12,777     (66,645

Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash held

    (459     (147     (6     (3,541     —         (15,532     (19,685

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    159       (1,684     (5,743     (109,504     223,637       10,398       117,263  

 

F-25


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  2)

December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)   POSCO
INTERNATIONAL
Corporation
    PT.
KRAKATAU
POSCO
    POSCO
CHEMICAL
    POSCO
ENGINEERING &
CONSTRUCTION
CO., LTD.
    POSCO
ENERGY
CO., LTD.
    Others     Total  

Current assets

  5,311,596       615,491       416,284       4,100,967       825,241       9,137,798       20,407,377  

Non-current assets

    4,363,490       2,730,865       460,905       1,911,844       2,767,203       5,493,324       17,727,631  

Current liabilities

    (4,724,056     (1,368,498     (140,268     (3,007,029     (1,197,845     (8,026,474     (18,464,170

Non-current liabilities

    (1,563,107     (1,754,797     (10,767     (608,089     (1,445,288     (1,925,084     (7,307,132

Equity

    3,387,923       223,061       726,154       2,397,693       949,311       4,679,564       12,363,706  

Non-controlling interests

    1,255,728       66,918       290,461       1,131,733       335,203       929,506       4,009,549  

Sales

    23,314,595       1,871,634       1,340,984       6,799,292       1,841,187       24,721,939       59,889,631  

Profit (loss) for the period

    113,196       54,257       142,918       290,131       (73,948     (56,151     470,403  

Profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

    41,956       16,277       57,167       136,944       (8,116     (101,156     143,072  

Cash flows from operating activities

    (61,173     89,131       29,865       207,729       16,211       14,869       296,632  

Cash flows from investing activities

    (12,780     (6,432     (15,801     272,230       35,460       (13,199     259,478  

Cash flows from financing activities (before dividends to non-controlling interest)

    99,496       (82,295     —         (400,499     (71,378     (16,094     (470,770

Dividend to non-controlling interest

    (22,862     —         (8,270     —         (19,813     (6,906     (57,851

Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash held

    807       21       (17     1,257       —         1,682       3,750  

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    3,488       425       5,777       80,717       (39,520     (19,648     31,239  

 

F-26


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  3)

December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)   POSCO
INTERNATIONAL
Corporation
    PT.
KRAKATAU
POSCO
    POSCO
CHEMICAL
    POSCO
ENGINEERING &
CONSTRUCTION
CO., LTD.
    POSCO
ICT
    Others     Total  

Current assets

  4,396,683       520,057       624,017       4,242,954       441,208       8,062,428       18,287,347  

Non-current assets

    4,186,197       2,723,254       1,050,406       1,808,919       210,037       4,740,887       14,719,700  

Current liabilities

    (3,013,269     (1,570,204     (236,968     (2,734,305     (262,265     (7,672,691     (15,489,702

Non-current liabilities

    (2,087,769     (1,590,810     (462,361     (786,191     (38,836     (2,095,797     (7,061,764

Equity

    3,481,842       82,297       975,094       2,531,377       350,144       3,034,827       10,455,581  

Non-controlling interests

    1,290,600       24,689       377,770       1,194,833       121,213       1,124,381       4,133,486  

Sales

    22,745,239       1,906,302       1,434,507       7,625,389       925,551       22,975,605       57,612,593  

Profit (loss) for the period

    199,721       (146,975     94,481       330,298       32,954       (587,146     (76,667

Profit (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests

    74,030       (44,093     36,604       155,904       11,408       (89,676     144,177  

Cash flows from operating activities

    580,372       61,398       22,794       24,636       21,571       (16,324     694,447  

Cash flows from investing activities

    (40,264     (7,173     (111,996     (6,620     (2,129     31,057       (137,125

Cash flows from financing activities (before dividends to non-controlling interest)

    (502,801     (53,890     134,609       (25,448     (336     (4,295     (452,161

Dividend to non-controlling interest

    (27,432     —         (9,451     (9,867     (2,628     (11,079     (60,457

Effect of exchange rate fluctuation on cash held

    1,736       25       (7     1,401       (47     3,931       7,039  

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    11,611       360       35,949       (15,898     16,431       3,290       51,743  

 

F-27


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(d)

Details of associates and joint ventures

 

  1)

Associates

Details of associates as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

        Ownership (%)      

Investee

 

Category of business

  2018     2019     Region
[Domestic]                    

New Songdo International City Development, LLC

  Real estate rental     29.90       29.90     Seoul

Gale International Korea, LLC

  Real estate rental     29.90       29.90     Seoul

SNNC

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     49.00       49.00     Gwangyang

KONES, Corp.

  Technical service     41.67       41.67     Gyeongju

CHUNGJU ENTERPRISE CITY DEVELOPMENT Co.,Ltd

  Real estate development     29.53       29.53     Chungju

DAEHO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.

  Investment advisory service     35.82       35.82     Pohang

Mokpo Deayang Industrial Corporation

  Real estate development and rental     27.40       27.40     Mokpo

Gunggi Green Energy(*1)

  Electricity generation     19.00       19.00     Hwaseong

Pohang Special Welding Co.,Ltd.

  Welding material and tools manufacturing and sales     50.00       50.00     Pohang

KoFC POSCO HANWHA KB Shared Growth NO. 2. Private Equity Fund(*1)

  Investment in new technologies     12.50       12.50     Seoul

EQP POSCO Global NO1 Natural Resources Private Equity Fund

  Investment in new technologies     31.27       33.41     Seoul

KC Chemicals CORP.(*1)

  Machinery manufacturing     19.00       19.00     Hwaseong

Garolim Tidal Power Plant Co.,Ltd

  Tidal power plant construction and management     32.13       32.13     Seosan

POSTECH Social Enterprise Fund(*1)

  Investment in new technologies     9.17       9.17     Seoul

QSONE Co.,Ltd.

  Real estate rental and facility management     50.00       50.00     Seoul

Chun-cheon Energy Co., Ltd

  Electricity generation     45.67       49.10     Chuncheon

Keystone NO. 1 Private Equity Fund(*6)

  Private equity financial     40.45       52.58     Seoul

Noeul Green Energy(*1)

  Electricity generation     10.00       10.00     Seoul

Posco-IDV Growth Ladder IP Fund(*1)

  Investment in new technologies     17.86       17.86     Seoul

Daesung Steel(*1)

  Steel sales     17.54       17.54     Busan

Pohang E&E Co., LTD

  Investment in waste energy     30.00       30.00     Pohang

POSCO Energy Valley Fund

  Investment in new technologies     20.00       20.00     Pohang

Hyundai Invest Guggenheim CLO Qualified Private Special Asset Trust No.2

  Investment in new technologies     38.47       35.44     Seoul

PoscoPlutus Bio Fund(*1)

  Investment in new technologies     11.97       11.97     Seoul

PoscoPlutus Project Fund(*1)

  Investment in new technologies     11.91       11.91     Seoul

Posco Agri-Food Export Fund

  Investment in new technologies     30.00       30.00     Seoul

PoscoPlutus Project 2nd Project Fund(*1)

  Investment in new technologies     0.61       0.61     Seoul

Posco Culture Contents Fund

  Investment in new technologies     31.67       31.67     Seoul

PCC_Centroid 1st Fund

  Investment in new technologies     24.10       24.10     Seoul

PCC Amberstone Private Equity Fund 1(*1)

  Investment in new technologies     8.80       8.80     Seoul

UITrans LRT Co., Ltd.

  Transporting     38.19       38.19     Seoul

POSCO Advanced Technical Staff Fund(*1)

  Investment in new technologies     15.87       15.87     Seoul

POSCO 4th Industrial Revolution Fund(*1)

  Investment in new technologies     19.05       19.05     Seoul

Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co., Ltd.(*1)

  Construction     18.26       18.26     Anyang

Pureun Tongyeong Enviro Co., Ltd.

  Sewerage treatment     20.40       20.40     Tongyeong

Pure Gimpo Co., Ltd.

  Construction     28.79       28.79     Seoul

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.(*2,6)

  Construction of industrial plant     73.94       73.94     Ulsan

Posgreen Co., Ltd.(*1)

  Lime and plaster manufacturing     19.00       19.00     Gwangyang

Clean Iksan Co., Ltd.

  Construction     23.50       23.50     Iksan

Innovalley Co., Ltd.

  Real estate development     28.77       28.77     Yongin

Pohang Techno Valley PFV Corporation(*6)

  Real estate development, supply and rental     57.39       57.39     Pohang

 

F-28


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

        Ownership (%)      

Investee

 

Category of business

  2018     2019     Region
[Domestic]                    

BLUE OCEAN Private Equity Fund

  Private equity financial     27.52       27.52     Seoul

Western Inland highway CO.,LTD.

  Construction     27.50       30.00     Incheon

Metropolitan Outer Ring Expressway co., ltd.

  Investment in Expressway     47.58       21.27     Incheon

IT ENGINEERING CO., LTD.(*1)

  Vehicle engineering     10.84       4.99     Seoul

PCC Bio 1ST Fund(*1)

  Investment in new technologies     13.46       13.46     Seoul

INNOPOLIS Job Creation Fund II(*1)

  Investment in new technologies     6.43       6.21     Seoul

POSPower Co., Ltd.

  Generation of electricity     34.00       34.00     Samcheok

INKOTECH, INC.(*1)

  Electricity generation and sales     10.00       10.00     Seoul

PCC Social Enterprise Fund II(*1)

  Investment in venture companies     16.67       16.67     Seoul

PCC Amberstone Private Equity Fund II(*1)

  Private equity trust     19.70       19.91     Seoul

Synapse Fund(*1)

  Investment in new technologies     16.26       16.26     Seoul

NEXTRAIN Co.,Ltd

  Service maintenance and management     32.00       32.00     Incheon

TK CHEMICAL CORPORATION(*1)

  Chemical     8.80       5.01     Daegu

Hanil-Daewoo Cement Co., Ltd.(*1)

  Cement     15.00       15.00     Incheon

PCC S/W 2nd Fund(*1,3)

  Investment in new technologies business     —         12.81     Pohang

PCC-Conar No.1 Fund l(*1,3)

  Investment in venture     —         13.64     Pohang

Hyochun Co., Ltd(*1,3)

  Screen door operation and other     —         18.00     Seoul

RPSD Project Co., Ltd(*3)

  Real estate development     —         29.00     Incheon

PCC EV Fund(*1,3)

  Investment in new technologies business     —         18.18     Pohang

IBKC-PCC 1st Fund(*1,3)

  Investment in new technologies business     —         18.18     Pohang

2019 PCC Materials and Parts Fund(*1,3)

  Investment in new technologies business     —         8.70     Pohang

Shinahn wind Power generation(*1,3)

  Electric, gas, steam     —         19.00     Suwon

2019 PCC New technology Fund(*1,3)

  Investment in new technologies business     —         4.76     Pohang

PCC-Woori LP secondary Fund(*1,3)

  Investment in new technologies business     —         18.85     Pohang

2016 Posco Plutus New technology Fund(*4)

  New technology business investment     25.17       —       Seoul

Clean Gimpo Co., Ltd(*5)

  Waste treatment and others     29.58       —       Gimpo

Postech Early Stage Fund(*4)

  investment in New technology     10.00       —       Pohang

Appliedscience Co., Ltd(*4)

  Machine manufacturing for semiconductor manufacturing     22.89       —       Paju
[Foreign]                    

VSC POSCO Steel Corporation

  Steel processing and sales     50.00       50.00     Vietnam

JB CLARK HILLS(*7)

  Apartment Construction     25.00     70.00     Philippines

POSCHROME (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     50.00       50.00     South Africa

CAML RESOURCES PTY LTD

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     33.34       33.34     Australia

Nickel Mining Company SAS

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     49.00       49.00     New Caledonia

PT. Wampu Electric Power

  Construction and civil engineering     20.00       20.00     Indonesia

POSK(Pinghu) Steel Processing Center Co., Ltd.

  Steel processing and sales     20.00       20.00     China

PT.INDONESIA POS CHEMTECH CHOSUN Ref

  Refractory manufacturing and sales     30.19       30.19     Indonesia

NS-Thainox Auto Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     49.00       49.00     Vietnam

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

  Tinplate manufacturing and sales     34.00       34.00     China

PT. Tanggamus Electric Power(*1)

  Construction and civil engineering     17.50       17.50     Indonesia

LLP POSUK Titanium

  Titanium manufacturing and sales     36.83       35.30     Kazakhstan

LI3 ENERGY INC

  Resource development     26.06       26.06     Peru

IMFA ALLOYS FINLEASE LTD

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     24.00       24.00     India

KRAKATAU POS-CHEM DONG-SUH CHEMICAL(*1)

  Chemical by-product manufacturing and sales     19.00       19.00     Indonesia

 

F-29


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

        Ownership (%)      

Investee

 

Category of business

  2018     2019     Region
[Foreign]                    

7623704 Canada Inc.(*1)

  Investments management     10.40       10.40     Canada

Hamparan Mulya

  Resource development     45.00       45.00     Indonesia

POS-SEAHSTEELWIRE(TIANJIN)CO.,Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     25.00       25.00     China

Eureka Moly LLC

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     20.00       20.00     USA

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

  Raw material manufacturing and sales     22.00       22.00     Indonesia

KIRIN VIETNAM CO., LTD(*1)

  Panel manufacturing     19.00       19.00     Vietnam

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

  Steel processing and sales     25.00       25.00     China

POS-SeAH Steel Wire (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

  Steel manufacturing and sales     25.00       25.00     Thailand

Jupiter Mines Limited(*1)

  Resource development     6.93       6.93     Australia

SAMHWAN VINA CO., LTD(*1)

  Steel manufacturing and sales     19.00       19.00     Vietnam

Saudi-Korean Company for Maintenance Properties Management LLC(*1)

  Building management     19.00       19.00     Saudi
Arabia

NCR LLC

  Coal sales     29.41       29.40     Canada

AMCI (WA) PTY LTD

  Iron ore sales & mine development     49.00       49.00     Australia

SHANGHAI LANSHENG DAEWOO CORP.

  Trading     49.00       49.00     China

SHANGHAI WAIGAOQIAO FREE TRADE ZONE LANSHENG DAEWOO IN’L TRADING CO., LTD.

  Trading     49.00       49.00     China

General Medicines Company Ltd.

  Medicine manufacturing and sales     33.00       33.00     Sudan

KOREA LNG LTD.

  Gas production and sales     20.00       20.00     England

AES-VCM Mong Duong Power Company Limited

  Electricity generation     30.00       30.00     Vietnam

KG Power(M) SDN. BHD

  Resource development     20.00       20.00     Malaysia

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

  Pipeline construction and management     25.04       25.04     Myanmar

GLOBAL KOMSCO Daewoo LLC

  Cotton celluloid manufacturing and sales     35.00       35.00     Uzbekistan

POSCO-Poggenamp Electrical Steel Pvt. Ltd.

  Steel processing and sales     26.00       26.00     India

Qingdao Pohang DGENX Stainless SteelPipeCo., Ltd

  Exhaust meter manufacturing     40.00       40.00     China

SHINPOONG DAEWOO PHARMA VIETNAM CO.,LTD(*1)

  Medicine production     3.42       3.42     Vietnam

ZHEJIANG HUAYOU-POSCO ESM(*3)

  Produce     —         40.00     China

Sebang Steel(*4)

  Scrap sale     49.00       —       Japan

ERAE Automotive Systems Mexico, S. DE R.L. DE C.V(*4)

  Automobile parts manufacturing     7.65       —       Mexico

 

(*1)

Considering the composition of board of directors, the Company is able to exercise significant influence even though the Company’s percentage of ownership is below 20%.

(*2)

On September 30, 2015, in order to improve its financial standing and normalize operation, the associates reached a workout agreement with its Creditor Financial Institutions Committee. As a result, the Company lost its control and classified its shares as investment in associate.

(*3)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the entity was newly classified to associates.

(*4)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the entity was excluded from associates due to liquidation.

(*5)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the entity was excluded from associates due to sale of interest.

(*6)

Considering the composition of board of directors, the Company has no control even though the Company’s percentage of ownership if above 50%.

(*7)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company reclassified to subsidiaries from associates.

 

F-30


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  2)

Joint ventures

Details of joint ventures as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

        Ownership (%)        

Investee

 

Category of business

  2018     2019     Region  

[Domestic]

       

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

  Steel processing and sales     60.00       60.00       Gwangyang  

POSCO-SGI Falcon Pharmaceutic Bio Secondary Fund 1

  Investment in new technologies     24.55       24.55       Seoul  

POSCO-KB Shipbuilding Restructuring Fund

  Investment in new technologies     18.75       18.75       Seoul  

POSCO-NSC Venture Fund

  Investment in new technologies     16.67       16.67       Seoul  

PoscoPlutus Project 3rd Project fund

  Investment in new technologies     5.96       5.96       Seoul  

PCC Bio 2nd Fund

  Investment in new technologies     19.72       19.72       Seoul  

PCC Material 3rd Fund

  Investment in new technologies     2.38       2.38       Seoul  

Union PCC Portfolio Fund(*1)

  Investment in venture     —         14.12       Seoul  

PCC S/W FUND(*1)

  Investment in new technologies     —         0.46       Seoul  

[Foreign]

       

KOBRASCO

  Steel materials manufacturing and sales     50.00       50.00       Brazil  

USS-POSCO Industries

  Cold-rolled steel manufacturing and sales     50.00       50.00       USA  

PT. POSMI Steel Indonesia

  Steel processing and sales     36.69       36.69       Indonesia  

United Spiral Pipe, LLC

  Material manufacturing and sales     35.00       35.00       USA  

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

  Steel manufacturing and sales     20.00       20.00       Brazil  

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

  Steel processing and sales     25.00       25.00       China  

POSCO-SAMSUNG-Slovakia Processing Center

  Steel processing and sales     30.00       30.00       Slovakia  

YULCHON MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

  Tube for automobile manufacturing     19.00       19.00       Mexico  

Hyunson Engineering & Construction HYENCO

  Construction     4.89       4.89       Algeria  

POSCO E&C Saudi Arabia

  Civil engineering and construction     40.00       40.00      
Saudi
Arabia
 
 

Pos-Austem Suzhou Automotive Co., Ltd

  Automotive parts manufacturing     19.90       19.90       China  

POS-InfraAuto (Suzhou) Co., Ltd

  Automotive parts manufacturing     16.20       16.20       China  

POS-AUSTEM YANTAI AUTOMOTIVE CO.,LTD

  Automotive parts manufacturing     11.10       11.10       China  

POS-AUSTEM WUHAN AUTOMOTIVE CO.,LTD

  Automotive parts manufacturing     13.00       13.00       China  

Kwanika Copper Corporation

  Energy & resource development     35.00       35.00       Canada  

DMSA/AMSA

  Energy & resource development     4.00       4.00       Madagascar  

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd

  Energy & resource development     12.50       12.50       Australia  

POSCO-NPS Niobium LLC

  Mine development     50.00       50.00       USA  

VNS-DAEWOO Co., Ltd.(*2)

  Fabricate and sell iron scraps     50.00       —         Vietnam  

 

(*1)

These joint ventures were newly established in 2019.

(*2)

Excluded from joint ventures due to liquidation during the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

F-31


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(e)

Newly included subsidiaries

Consolidated subsidiaries acquired or newly established during the year ended December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

Company

   Date of addition    Ownership (%)      Reason

GRAIN TERMINAL HOLDING PTE. LTD.

   June 2019      75.00      Acquisition of control

Mykolaiv Milling Works PJSC.

   June 2019      100.00      Acquisition of control

Yuzhnaya Stevedoring Company Limited LLC.

   June 2019      100.00      Acquisition of control

Chargev Co., Ltd

   September 2019      100.00      New establishment

Korea Fuel Cell

   November 2019      100.00      New establishment

JB CLARK HILLS

   December 2019      70.00      Reclassified to subsidiary from associate

POSCO GEM 1th Fund

   December 2019      100.00      New establishment

 

(f)

Excluded subsidiaries

Subsidiaries that were excluded from consolidation during the year ended December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

Company

  

    Date of exclusion    

  

Reason

POSCO Processing & Service Co., Ltd.

   January 2019    Merged into POSCO Co.,Ltd

Daewoo Precious Resources Co., Ltd.

   January 2019    Liquidation

BLUE O&M Co.,Ltd.

   February 2019    Merged into POSCO O&M CO.,Ltd.

Mega asset Co.,Ltd.

   February 2019    Merged into POSCO O&M CO.,Ltd.

POSCO ESM Co.,Ltd.

   April 2019    Merged into POSCO Chemical CO.,Ltd.

Daewoo International Guangzhou Corp.

   April 2019    Merged into POSCO INTERNATIONAL(CHINA) CO.,Ltd.

POSCO(Guangdong) Coated Steel Co., Ltd.

   June 2019    Disposal

POSCO E&C (THAILAND) CO.,Ltd.

   June 2019    Liquidation

POSCO Gulf SFC LLC

   June 2019    Liquidation

Hotel laonzena

   July 2019    Disposal

Daewoo Power and Infra (PTY) Limited

   July 2019    Liquidation

POSCO SINGAPORE LNG TRADING PTE. LTD.

   September 2019    Liquidation

POSCO-South Asia Co., Ltd.

   September 2019    Liquidation

PSIB CO.,Ltd.

   October 2019    Liquidation

Chargev Co., Ltd

   December 2019    Disposal

POSCO DAEWOO E&P CANADA CORPORATION

   December 2019    Liquidation

 

2.

Statement of Compliance

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

The consolidated financial statements were authorized for issue by the authorized directors on March 20, 2020.

In 2019, the Company adopted IFRS No.16 “Leases” for the first time. Changes to significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 “Changes in Accounting Policies”.

 

F-32


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

Basis of measurement

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for the following material items in the statement of financial position, as described in the accounting policy below.

 

(a)

Derivatives instruments measured at fair value

 

(b)

Financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss

 

(c)

Financial instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

(d)

Defined benefit liabilities measured at the present value of the defined benefit obligation less the fair value of the plan assets

Functional and presentation currency

The financial statements of POSCO and subsidiaries are prepared in functional currency of each operation. These consolidated financial statements are presented in Korean Won, the POSCO’s functional currency, which is the currency of the primary economic environment in which POSCO operates.

Use of estimates and judgments

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized prospectively.

 

(a)

Judgments

Information about critical judgments in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements is included in the following notes:

 

   

Note 1 - Subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

 

   

Note 2 - Changes in accounting policies (leases)

 

   

Note 3 - Summary of significant accounting policies (leases)

 

   

Note 11 - Investments in associates and joint ventures

 

   

Note 12 - Joint operations

 

   

Note 25 - Hybrid bonds

 

F-33


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(b)

Assumptions and estimation uncertainties

Information about assumptions and estimation uncertainties that have a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment within the next fiscal year is included in the following notes:

 

   

Note 9 - Inventory

 

   

Note 11 - Investments in associates and joint ventures

 

   

Note 14 - Property, plant and equipment, net

 

   

Note 15 - Goodwill and other intangible assets, net

 

   

Note 20 - Provisions

 

   

Note 21 - Employee benefits

 

   

Note 23 – Financial instruments

 

   

Note 29 – Revenue – contract balances

 

   

Note 35 - Income taxes

 

   

Note 38 - Commitments and contingencies

 

(c)

Measurement of fair value

The Company’s accounting policies and disclosures require the measurement of fair values, for both financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. The Company has an established control framework with respect to the measurement of fair values. This includes a valuation team that has overall responsibility for overseeing all significant fair value measurements, including Level 3 fair values, and reports directly to the financial officer.

The valuation team regularly reviews significant unobservable inputs and valuation adjustments. If third party information, such as broker quotes or pricing services, is used to measure fair values, then the valuation team assesses the evidence obtained from the third parties to support the conclusion that such valuations meet the requirements of IFRS including the level in the fair value hierarchy in which such valuation techniques should be classified.

Significant valuation issues are reported to the Company’s Audit Committee.

When measuring the fair value of an asset or a liability, the Company uses market observable data as far as possible. Fair values are categorized into different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques as follows.

 

   

Level 1 - unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly.

 

   

Level 3 - inputs for the assets or liability that are not based on observable market data.

If the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or a liability might be categorized in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, then the fair value measurement is categorized in its entirety in the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level input that is significant to the entire measurement. The Company recognizes transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period during which the change has occurred.

 

F-34


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

Information about the assumptions made in measuring fair values is included in the following note:

 

   

Note 23 - Financial instruments

Changes in Accounting Policies

The Company has initially adopted IFRS No.16 “Leases” from January 1, 2019. The other accounting standards adopted from January 1, 2019 had no significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

IFRS No.16 “Leases” introduced a single accounting model for lessees. As a result, the Company, as a lessee, recognized right-of-use assets representing its rights to use the underlying assets and lease liabilities representing its obligation to make lease payments. Lessor accounting remains similar to previous accounting policies.

The Company applied IFRS No.16 “Leases” using the modified retrospective approach by recognizing the cumulative effect of initial application as of January 1, 2019, the date of initial application. Accordingly, the comparative information presented for 2017 and 2018, has not been restated.

 

(a)

Definition of a lease

Previously, the Company determined at contract inception whether an arrangement was or contained a lease under IFRIC No.4 “Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease”. The Company now assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease based on the new definition of a lease. Under IFRS No.16 “Leases”, a contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys a right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.

On transition to IFRS No.16 “Leases”, the Company elected to apply the practical expedient to grandfather the assessment of which transactions are leases. The Company applied IFRS No.16 only to contracts that were previously identified as leases. Contracts that were not identified as leases under IAS No.17 “Leases” and IFRIC No.4 “Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease” were not reassessed. Therefore, the definition of a lease under IFRS No.16 has been applied only to contracts entered into or changed on or after January 1, 2019.

At inception or reassessment of a contract that contains a lease component, the Company allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease and non-lease component on the basis of their relative stand-alone prices.

 

(b)

As a lessee

The Company leases many assets, including land, warehouses, handling equipment and IT equipment. As a lessee, the Company previously classified leases as operating or finance leases based on its assessment of whether the lease transferred substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership. Under IFRS No.16 “Leases”, the Company recognizes right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for most leases in the statement of financial position.

However, the Company has elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for some leases of low-value assets (e.g. desktops, IT supplies, etc.). The Company recognizes lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

F-35


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

The Company measured lease liabilities and right-of-use assets related to leases classified as operating leases under IAS No.17 “Leases” previously, on transition. Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted at the Company’s incremental borrowing rate as of January 1, 2019 and right-of-use assets are measured at the lease liabilities adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments.

The Company used a number of practical expedients when applying IFRS No.16, to leases previously classified as operating leases under IAS No.17. In particular, the Company:

 

   

did not recognize right-of-use assets and liabilities for leases for which the lease term ends within 12 months from the date of initial application;

 

   

excluded initial direct costs from the measurement of the right-of-use asset at the date of initial application; and

 

   

used hindsight when determining the lease term

For finance leases under IAS No.17, the carrying amounts of the right-of-use assets and the lease liabilities as of January 1, 2019 were determined at the carrying amounts of the finance lease assets and lease liabilities under IAS No.17 immediately before that date.

 

(c)

As a lessor

The Company leases out its investment properties. The Company classified these leases as operating leases, and the accounting policies applicable to the Company as a lessor are not different from those under IAS No.17 “Leases”. However, when the Company is an intermediate lessor the sub-leases are classified with reference to the right-of-use asset arising from the head lease, not with reference to the underlying asset.

The Company provides sub-leases for leases of vessels classified as operating leases under IAS No.17 “Leases” as an intermediate lessor, and classified the sub-leases as finance leases as of January 1, 2019, the date of initial application of IFRS No.16 “Leases”. Accordingly, the Company recognized finance lease receivables amounting to 264,809 million.

In addition, the Company did not make any adjustments to leases for which the Company is a lessor, except for sub-leases described above as of January 1, 2019, the date of initial application IFRS No.16.

 

(d)

Impact on financial statements

The Company recognized right-of-use assets and lease liabilities related to leases previously classified as operating leases as of January 1, 2019, the date of initial application. The effect on the consolidated financial statements as of January 1, 2019, the date of initial application is as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    The date of initial
application

(January 1, 2019)
 

Consolidated statement of financial position

  

Right-of-use assets presented as property, plant and equipment(*1)

   704,458  

Lease receivable

     264,809  

Lease liabilities

     677,370  

 

F-36


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(*1)

The prepaid lease payments of 271,825 million were reclassified from other assets to property, plant and equipment for leases previously classified as operating leases as of December 31, 2018.

When measuring lease liabilities for leases previously classified as operating leases, the Company discounted lease payments using its incremental borrowing rates as of January 1, 2019, the date of initial application, and the weighted-average rates applied are 1.8 ~ 18.5%. The carrying amount of lease liabilities as of January 1, 2019, the date of initial application, is as follow:

 

(in millions of Won)    The date of initial
application

(January 1, 2019)
 

Operating lease commitments as of December 31, 2018

   913,630  

Operating lease commitments not recognized as lease liabilities

  

- Leases of low-value assets

     (50,364

- Leases with less than 12 months of lease term at transition

     (17,635
  

 

 

 

Operating lease commitments recognized as lease liabilities

     845,631  

Amount discounted using the incremental borrowing rate as of January 1, 2019, the date of initial application

     677,370  

Finance lease liabilities recognized as of December 31, 2018

     94,754  
  

 

 

 

Lease liabilities as of January 1, 2019, the date of initial application

   772,124  
  

 

 

 

 

3.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies applied by the Company in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements are included below. The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements, except for the changes in accounting policies disclosed in Note 2.

Basis of consolidation

 

(a)

Business combinations

The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method when control is transferred to the Company.

The consideration transferred in the acquisition is generally measured at fair value, as are the identifiable net assets acquired. Any goodwill that arises is tested annually for impairment. Any gain on bargain purchase is recognized in profit or loss immediately. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred, except if related to the issue of debt or equity securities. The consideration transferred does not include amounts related to the settlement of pre-existing relationships. Such amounts are generally recognized in profit or loss.

 

F-37


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

Any contingent consideration payable is measured at fair value at the acquisition date. If the contingent consideration is classified as equity, then it is not remeasured and settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized in profit or loss.

If share-based payment awards (replacement awards) are required to be exchanged for awards held by the acquiree’s employees (acquiree’s awards), then all or a portion of the amount of the acquirer’s replacement awards is included in measuring the consideration transferred in the business combination. This determination is based on the market-based measure of the replacement awards compared with the market-based measure of the acquiree’s awards and the extent to which the replacement awards relate to pre-combination service.

 

(b)

Non-controlling interests

Non-controlling interests are measured at their proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets at the acquisition date. Changes in the Company’s interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions.

 

(c)

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. The Company controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date on which control commences until the date on which control ceases.

 

(d)

Loss of control

When the Company loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognizes the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary, and any related non-controlling interests and other components of equity. Any resulting gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss. Any interest retained in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value when control is lost.

 

(e)

Interests in equity-accounted investees

The Company’s interests in equity-accounted investees comprise interests in associates and joint ventures. Associates are those entities in which the Company has significant influence, but not control or joint control, over the financial and operating policies. A joint venture is an arrangement in which the Company has joint control, whereby the Company has rights to the net assets of the arrangement, rather than rights to its assets and obligations for its liabilities.

Interests in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method. They are recognized initially at cost, which includes transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, the consolidated financial statements include the Company’s share of the profit or loss and other comprehensive income of equity-accounted investees, until the date on which significant influence or joint control ceases.

 

F-38


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(f)

Transactions eliminated on consolidation

Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealized income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated. Unrealized gains arising from transactions with equity-accounted investees are eliminated against the investment to the extent of the Company’s interest in the investee. Unrealized losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealized gains, but only to the extent that there is no evidence of impairment.

Foreign currency transactions and translation

 

(a)

Foreign currency transactions

Foreign currency transactions are initially recorded using the spot exchange rate between the functional currency and the foreign currency at the date of the transaction. At the end of each reporting period, foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate. Non-monetary items that are measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date fair value was determined.

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 period end are recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they arise. When gains or losses on non-monetary items are recognized in other comprehensive income, exchange components of those gains or losses are recognized in other comprehensive income. Conversely, when gains or losses on non-monetary items are recognized in profit or loss, exchange components of those gains or losses are recognized in profit or loss.

 

(b)

Foreign operations

If the presentation currency of the Company is different from a foreign operation’s functional currency, the financial statements of the foreign operation are translated into the presentation currency using the following methods:

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, whose functional currency is not the currency of a hyperinflationary economy, are translated to presentation currency using exchange rates at the reporting date. The income and expenses of foreign operations are translated to functional currency at exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Foreign currency differences are recognized in other comprehensive income.

Any goodwill arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation and any fair value adjustments to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities arising on 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 translated to the presentation currency at the closing rate.

When a foreign operation is disposed of, the relevant amount in the translation recognized in other comprehensive income is transferred to profit or loss as part of the profit or loss on disposal. On the partial disposal of a subsidiary that includes a foreign operation, the relevant proportion of such cumulative amount is reattributed to non-controlling interest. In any other partial disposal of a foreign operation, the relevant proportion is reclassified to profit or loss.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, demand deposits, and short-term investments in highly liquid securities that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with maturities of three

 

F-39


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

months or less from the acquisition date and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Equity investments are excluded from cash and cash equivalents.

Non-derivative financial assets

Trade receivables and debt securities issued are initially recognized when they are originated. All other financial assets are initially recognized when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instruments.

A financial asset (unless it is a trade receivable without a significant financing component) is initially measured at fair value plus, for an item not at financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to its acquisition or issue. A trade receivable without a significant financing component is initially measured at the transaction price.

On initial recognition, a financial asset is classified as measured at amortized cost, debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income or financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss.

Financial assets are not reclassified subsequent to their initial recognition unless the Company changes its business model for managing financial assets, in which case all affected financial assets are reclassified on the first day of the reporting period following the change in the business model.

 

  (a)

Financial assets measured at amortized cost

A financial asset is measured at amortized cost if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at fair value through profit or loss.

 

   

it is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets to collect contractual cash flows, and

 

   

its contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

Financial assets measured at amortized cost are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The amortized cost is reduced by impairment losses. Interest income, gains and losses on foreign currency translation and impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss. Any gain or loss on derecognition is recognized in profit or loss.

 

  (b)

Debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

A debt instrument is measured at fair value through other comprehensive income if it meets both of the following conditions and is not designated as at fair value through profit or loss.

 

   

it is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collection contractual cash flows and selling financial assets, and

 

   

its contractual terms give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

Debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income are subsequently measured at fair value. Interest income which is calculated using the effective

 

F-40


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

interest method, gains and losses from foreign currency translation and impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss and other net profit or loss is recognized in other comprehensive income. At the time of elimination, other accumulated comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss.

 

  (c)

Equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

On initial recognition of an equity investment that is not held for trading, the Company may irrevocably elect to present subsequent changes in the investment’s fair value in other comprehensive income. This election is made on an investment-by-investment basis.

Equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income are subsequently measured at fair value. Dividends are recognized as income in profit or loss unless the dividend clearly represents a recovery of part of the cost of the investment. Other net gains and losses are recognized in other comprehensive income and never reclassified to profit or loss.

 

  (d)

Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss

All financial assets not classified as measured at amortized cost or fair value through other comprehensive income as described above are measured at fair value through profit or loss. This includes all derivative financial assets. On initial recognition, the Company may irrevocably designate a financial asset that otherwise meets the requirements to be measured at amortized cost or fair value through other comprehensive income as at fair value through profit or loss if doing so eliminates or significantly reduces an accounting mismatch that would otherwise arise.

Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss are subsequently measured at fair value. Net gains and losses, including any interest or dividend income, are recognized in profit or loss.

 

  (e)

Offsetting a financial asset and a financial liability

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is presented in the consolidated statement of financial position only when the Company currently has a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts, and there is the intention to settle on a net basis or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Inventories

Inventory costs, except materials-in-transit in which costs are determined by using specific identification method, are determined by using the moving-weighted average method. The cost of inventories comprise all costs of purchase, conversion and other incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. The allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of finished goods or work in progress are based on the normal capacity of the production facilities.

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The amount of any write-down of inventories to net realizable value and all losses of inventories are recognized as an expense in the period the write-down or loss occurs. The amount of any reversal of any write-down of inventories arising from an increase in net realizable value is recognized as a reduction in the amount of inventories recognized as cost of goods sold in the period in which the reversal occurs.

 

F-41


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

The carrying amount of those inventories sold is recognized as cost of goods sold in the period in which the related revenue is recognized.

Non-current assets held for sale

Non-current assets or disposal groups comprising assets and liabilities that are expected to be recovered primarily through sale rather than through continuing use are classified as held for sale. In order to be classified as held for sale, the assets or disposal groups must be available for immediate sale in their present condition and their sale must be highly probable. The assets or disposal groups that are classified as non-current assets held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less cost to sell.

The Company recognizes an impairment loss for any initial or subsequent write-down of an asset or disposal group to fair value less costs to sell, and a gain for any subsequent increase in fair value less costs to sell, up to the cumulative impairment loss previously recognized.

A non-current asset that is classified as held for sale or part of a disposal group classified as held for sale is not depreciated (or amortized).

Investment property

Property held to earn rentals or for capital appreciation or both is classified as investment property. Investment property is measured initially at its cost. Transaction costs are included in the initial measurement. Subsequently, investment property is carried at depreciated cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

Subsequent costs are recognized in the carrying amount of investment property at cost or, if appropriate, as separate items if it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. The costs of the day-to-day servicing are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at the end of each reporting date and adjusted, if appropriate. The change is accounted for as a change in an accounting estimate.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are initially measured at cost and after initial recognition, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. The cost of property, plant and equipment includes expenditures arising directly from the construction or acquisition of the asset, 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, when the Company has an obligation to remove the asset or restore the site, an estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located.

The cost of replacing a part of an item is recognized in the carrying amount of the item of property, plant and equipment, if the following recognition criteria are met:

 

(a)

it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company, and

 

(b)

the cost can be measured reliably.

 

F-42


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized at the time the replacement part is recognized. The costs of the day-to-day servicing of the item are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Items of property, plant and equipment are depreciated from the date they are available for use or, in respect of self-constructed assets, from the date that the asset is completed and ready for use. Other than land, the costs of an asset less its estimated residual value are depreciated. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is recognized in profit or loss on a straight-line basis, which most closely reflects the expected pattern of consumption of the future economic benefits embodied in the asset, over the estimated useful lives of each component of an item of property, plant and equipment. Land is not depreciated.

Each part of an item of property, plant and equipment with a cost that is significant in relation to the total cost of the item is depreciated separately.

The gain or loss arising from the derecognition of an item of property, plant and equipment is included in profit or loss when the item is derecognized.

The estimated useful lives for the current and comparative periods are as follows:

 

Buildings

     5-50 years  

Structures

     4-50 years  

Machinery and equipment

     4-25 years  

Vehicles

     3-20 years  

Tools

     3-10 years  

Furniture and fixtures

     3-20 years  

Lease assets

     2-30 years  

Bearer plants

     20 years  

The estimated residual value, useful lives and the depreciation method are reviewed at least at the end of each reporting period and, if expectations differ from previous estimates, the changes are accounted for as changes in accounting estimates.

Borrowing costs

The Company capitalizes borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset as part of the cost of that asset. Other borrowing costs are recognized in expense as incurred. A qualifying asset is an asset that requires a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale. Financial assets and inventories that are manufactured or otherwise produced over a short period of time are not qualifying assets. Assets that are ready for their intended use or sale when acquired are not qualifying assets.

To the extent that the Company borrows funds specifically for the purpose of obtaining a qualifying asset, the Company determines the amount of borrowing costs eligible for capitalization as the actual borrowing costs incurred on that borrowing during the period less any investment income on the temporary investment of those borrowings. The Company immediately recognizes other borrowing costs as an expense. To the extent that the Company borrows funds generally and uses them for the purpose of obtaining a qualifying asset, the Company determines the amount of borrowing costs

 

F-43


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

eligible for capitalization by applying a capitalization rate to the expenditures on that asset. The capitalization rate is the weighted average of the borrowing costs applicable to the borrowings of the Company that are outstanding during the period, other than borrowings made specifically for the purpose of obtaining a qualifying asset. The amount of borrowing costs that the Company capitalizes during a period does not exceed the amount of borrowing costs incurred during that period.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets are measured initially at cost and, subsequently, are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.

Amortization of intangible assets except for goodwill is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets from the date that they are available for use. The residual value of intangible assets is zero. However, as there are no foreseeable limits to the periods over which club memberships are expected to be available for use, this intangible asset is determined as having an indefinite useful life and not amortized.

 

Intellectual property rights

     4-25 years  

Development expense

     3-5 years  

Port facilities usage rights

     4-75 years  

Other intangible assets

     2-15 years  

Amortization periods and the amortization methods for intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed at the end of each reporting period. The useful lives of intangible assets that are not being amortized are reviewed at the end of each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support indefinite useful life assessments for those assets. Changes are accounted for as changes in accounting estimates.

Expenditures on research activities, undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding, are recognized in profit or loss as incurred. Development expenditures are capitalized only if development costs can be measured reliably, the product or process is technically and commercially feasible, future economic benefits are probable, and the Company intends to and has sufficient resources to complete development and to use or sell the asset. Other development expenditures are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Subsequent expenditures are capitalized only when they increase the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which they relate. All other expenditures, including expenditures on internally generated goodwill and brands, are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

 

F-44


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

Exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources

POSCO is engaged in exploration projects for mineral resources through subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures or other contractual arrangements. Expenditures related to the development of mineral resources are recognized as exploration or development intangible assets. The nature of these intangible assets are as follows:

 

(a)

Exploration and evaluation assets

Exploration and evaluation assets consist of expenditures for topographical studies, geophysical studies and trenching. These assets are reclassified as development assets when it is proved that the exploration has identified commercially viable mineral deposit.

 

(b)

Development assets

When proved reserves are determined and development is sanctioned, development expenditures incurred are capitalized. These expenditures include evaluation of oil fields, construction of oil/gas wells, drilling for viability and others. On completion of development and inception of extraction for commercial production of developed proved reserves, the development assets are reclassified as either property, plant and equipment or as intellectual property rights (mining rights) under intangible assets based on the nature of the capitalized expenditures.

The respective property, plant and equipment and intellectual property (mining rights) are each depreciated and amortized based on proved reserves on a unit of production basis.

Government grants

Government grants are not recognized unless there is reasonable assurance that the Company will comply with the grant’s conditions and that the grant will be received.

 

(a)

Grants related to assets

Government grants whose primary condition is that the Company purchase, construct or otherwise acquire long-term assets are deducted from the carrying amount of the assets and recognized in profit or loss on a systematic and rational basis over the life of the depreciable assets.

 

(b)

Grants related to income

Government grants which are intended to compensate the Company for expenses incurred are deducted from the related expenses.

Leases

The Company applied IFRS No.16 “Leases” using the modified retrospective approach by recognizing the cumulative effect of initial application as of January 1, 2019, the date of initial application. Therefore, the comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under IAS No.17 “Lease” and IFRIC No.4 “Determining Whether an Arrangement Contains a Lease”.

 

F-45


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  1)

As a lessee: policy applicable from January 1, 2019

The Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred and an estimate of costs to dismantle and remove the underlying asset or to restore the underlying asset or the site on which it is located.

The right-of-use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the end of the lease term, unless the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the Company by the end of the lease term or the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Company will exercise a purchase option. In that case the right-of-use asset will be depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset, which is determined on the same basis as that of property, plant and equipment. In addition, the right-of-use asset is periodically reduced by impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate.

In determining the lease term and assessing the length of the non-cancellable period of a lease, The Company determines the period for which the contract is enforceable. When the Company determining the enforceable period of the lease period, it considers (a) if either party has an economic incentive not to terminate the lease such that it would incur a penalty on termination that is more than insignificant, the contract is enforceable beyond the date on which the contract can be terminated; and (b) whether each of the parties has the right to terminate the lease without permission from the other party with no more than an insignificant penalty. In addition, a lease is no longer enforceable only when both parties have such a right.

The Company determines its incremental borrowing rate by obtaining interest rates from various external sources and makes certain adjustments to reflect the terms of the lease and type of the asset leased.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the followings:

 

   

fixed payments

 

   

variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate

 

   

amounts expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee; and

 

   

the exercise price under a purchase option that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, lease payments in an optional renewal period if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise an extension option, and penalties for early termination of a lease unless the Company is reasonably certain not to terminate early.

The lease liability is measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. When the lease liability is remeasured, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset, or is recorded in profit of loss if the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset has been reduced to zero. The lease liability is remeasured when there is:

 

   

a revised in-substance fixed lease payment,

 

   

a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate,

 

F-46


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

   

a change in the Company’s estimate of the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee, or

 

   

a change in the Company’s assessment of whether it will exercise a purchase, extension or termination option

The Company presents right-of-use assets in the same line item as it presents underlying assets of the same nature that it owns, and lease liabilities are included in other payables on the consolidated statement of financial position.

The Company has elected not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases of low-value assets and short-term leases, including IT equipment. The Company recognizes the lease payments associated with these leases as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

  2)

As a lessee: policy applicable before January 1, 2019

The Company classifies and accounts for leases as either a finance or operating lease, depending on the terms. Leases where the Company assumes substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

In the case of finance leases, the Company recognizes as finance assets and finance liabilities the lower amount of the fair value of the leased property and the present value of the minimum lease payments, each determined at the inception of the lease at the commencement of the lease term. Any initial direct costs are added to the amount recognized as an asset.

The minimum lease payment is recognized by dividing the financial cost and the repayment amount of the lease liabilities. The financial cost is allocated to the remaining balance for each reporting period so that a fixed interest rate is calculated. Contingent rents are charged as expenses in the period in which they are incurred.

The depreciable amount of a leased asset is allocated to each accounting period during the period of expected use on a systematic basis consistent with the depreciation policy the Company adopts for similar depreciable assets that are owned. If there is no reasonable certainty that the Company will obtain ownership by the end of the lease term, the asset is fully depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and its useful life.

In the case of an operating lease, the Company recognizes the lease payment as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Contingent rents are charged as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.

 

  3)

As a lessor

When the Company acts as a lessor, it determines at lease inception whether each lease is a finance lease or an operating lease. To the Company classifies the lease that transfers substantially all of the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the underlying asset as a finance lease, and all other leases as operating leases. As part of this assessment, the Company considers certain indicators such as whether the lease is for the major part of the economic life of the asset.

The Company leases out its investment properties. The Company classified these leases as operating leases, and the accounting policies applicable to the Company as a lessor are not

 

F-47


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

different from those under IAS No.17 “Leases”. However, when the Company is an intermediate lessor, the sub-leases are classified with reference to the right-of-use asset arising from the head lease, not with reference to the underlying asset.

The Company provides sub-leases leased vessels classified as operating leases under IAS No.17 “Leases” as an intermediate lessor, and classified the sub-leases as finance leases as of January 1, 2019, the date of initial application of IFRS No.16 “Leases”. Accordingly, the Company recognized finance lease receivables amounting to 264,809 million. In addition, the Company did not make any adjustment to leases for which the Company is a lessor, other than the above sub-leases, as of January 1, 2019, the date of initial application.

Impairment for financial assets

The Company recognizes loss allowances for expected credit losses on:

 

 

financial assets measured at amortized cost;

 

 

debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income; and

 

 

lease receivables, contractual assets, loan commitments, and financial guarantee contracts

If credit risk has increased significantly since the initial recognition, a loss allowance for lifetime expected credit loss is measured at the end of every reporting period. If credit risk has not increased significantly since the initial recognition, a loss allowance is measured based on 12-month expected credit loss.

If the financial instrument has low credit risk at the end of the reporting period, the Company may assume that the credit risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition. However, a loss allowance for lifetime expected credit losses is measured for contract assets or trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component.

 

(a)

Judgments on credit risk

When determining whether the credit risk of a financial asset has increased significantly since initial recognition and when estimating expected credit losses, the Company considers reasonable and supportable information that is relevant and available without undue cost or effort. This includes both quantitative and qualitative information and analysis, based on the Company’s historical experience and informed credit assessment including forward-looking information.

The Company assumes that the credit risk on a financial asset has increased significantly if it is more than 30 days past due. The Company considers a financial asset to be in default when the borrower is unlikely to pay its credit obligations to the Company in full, without recourse by the Company to actions such as realizing security (if any is held). The Company considers a debt security to have low credit risk when its credit risk rating is equivalent to the globally understood definition of investment grade.

 

(b)

Measurement of expected credit losses

Lifetime expected credit losses are the expected credit losses that result from all possible default events over the expected life of a financial instrument. 12-month expected credit losses are the

 

F-48


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

portion of lifetime expected credit losses that result from default that are possible within the 12 months after the reporting date. The maximum period considered when estimating expected credit losses is the maximum contractual period over which the Company is exposed to credit risk.

Expected credit losses are a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses. Credit losses are measured as the present value of all cash shortfalls such as the difference between the cash flows due to the entity in accordance with the contract and the cash flows that the Company expects to receive.

Expected credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost are recognized in profit or loss. Loss allowances for financial assets measured at amortized cost are deducted from carrying amount of the assets. For debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, the loss allowance is charged to profit or loss and is recognized in other comprehensive income.

 

(c)

Credit-impaired financial assets

At each reporting date, the Company assesses whether financial assets measured at amortized cost and debt instrument measured at fair value through other comprehensive income are credit-impaired. A financial asset is ‘credit-impaired’ when one or more events that have a detrimental impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset have occurred.

Objective evidence that a financial asset or group of financial assets are impaired includes:

 

   

significant financial difficulty of the issuer or borrower

 

   

a breach of contract, such as a default or delinquency in interest or principal payments

 

   

the lender, for economic or legal reasons relating to the borrower’s financial difficulty, granting to the borrower a concession that the lender would not otherwise consider

 

   

becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or other financial reorganization

 

   

the disappearance of an active market for that financial asset because of financial difficulties

 

(d)

Write-off

The gross carrying amount of a financial asset is written off when the Company has no reasonable expectations of recovering a financial asset in entirety or a portion. The Company individually makes an assessment with respect to the timing and amount of write-off based on whether there is a reasonable expectation of recovery based on continuous payments and extinct prescriptions. The Company expects no significant recovery from the amount written off. However, financial assets that are written off could still be subject to enforcement activities in order to comply with the Company’s procedures for recovery of amounts due.

Impairment for non-financial assets

The carrying amounts of the Company’s non-financial assets, other than assets arising from contract assets recognized in accordance with revenue from contracts with customers, employee benefits, inventories, deferred tax assets and non-current assets held for sale, are reviewed at the end of the reporting period to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. Goodwill and intangible assets that have

 

F-49


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

indefinite useful lives or that are not yet available for use, irrespective of whether there is any indication of impairment, are tested for impairment annually by comparing their recoverable amount to their carrying amount.

Management estimates the recoverable amount of an individual asset. If it is impossible to measure the individual recoverable amount of an asset, then management estimates the recoverable amount of cash-generating unit (“CGU”). A CGU is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. The Company determined that individual operating entities are CGUs.

The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value-in-use and its fair value less costs to sell. The value-in-use is estimated by applying a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU for which estimated future cash flows have not been adjusted, to the estimated future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or CGU.

An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or a CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss.

Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to each CGU that is expected to benefit from the synergies arising from the goodwill acquired. Any impairment identified at the CGU level will first reduce the carrying amount of goodwill and then be used to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the CGU on a pro rata basis. Except for impairment losses in respect of goodwill which are never reversed, an impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized.

Derivative financial instruments, including hedge accounting

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value, and changes therein are recognized as describe below.

 

(a)

Hedge accounting

The Company holds forward exchange contracts, currency swaps and commodity future contracts to manage foreign exchange risk and commodity fair value risk. The Company designated derivatives as hedging 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 Company formally documents the relationship between the hedging instruments and hedged items, 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

 

F-50


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

a derivative hedging instrument and the gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in profit or loss in the same line item of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

The Company 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 for hedge accounting. Any adjustment arising from gain or loss 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.

 

(b)

Other derivatives

Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is not designated as a hedging instrument are recognized immediately in profit or loss.

Non-derivative financial liabilities

The Company classifies non-derivative financial liabilities into financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss or financial liabilities measured at amortized cost in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement and the definitions of financial liabilities. The Company recognizes financial liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial liability.

 

(a)

Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss

A financial liability is classified as at fair value through profit or loss if it is classified as held-for-trading, it is a derivative or it is designated as such on initial recognition. Subsequent to initial recognition, financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value, and changes therein are recognized in profit or loss. Upon initial recognition, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

 

(b)

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

Non-derivative financial liabilities other than financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss are classified as financial liabilities measured at amortized cost. At the date of initial

 

F-51


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

recognition, financial liabilities measured at amortized cost are measured at fair value after deducting transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition. Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method subsequently to initial recognition.

 

(c)

Derecognition of financial liabilities

The Company derecognizes a financial liability when its contractual obligations are discharged or cancelled, or expire. The Company also derecognizes a financial liability when its terms are modified and the cash flows of the modified liability are substantially different, in which case a new financial liability based on the modified terms is recognized at fair value. On derecognition of a financial liability, the difference between the carrying amount extinguished and the consideration paid (including any non-cash assets transferred or liabilities assumed) is recognized in profit or loss.

Construction work in progress

The gross amount due from customers for contract work is presented for all contracts in which profits multiply cumulative percentage-of-completion exceed progress billings. If progress billings exceed profits multiply cumulative percentage-of-completion, then the gross amount due to customers for contract work is presented. Cost includes all expenditures related directly to specific projects and an allocation of fixed and variable overheads incurred in the Company’s contract activities based on normal operating capacity.

The Company accounts for the remaining rights and performance obligation on the contract with each customer on a net basis. Due from customers for contract work and due to customers for contract work for a contract are offset and presented on a net basis.

Employee benefits

 

(a)

Short-term employee benefits

Short-term employee benefits are employee benefits that are due to be settled within twelve months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service. When an employee has rendered service to the Company during an accounting period, the Company recognizes the undiscounted amount of short-term employee benefits expected to be paid in exchange for that service as profit or loss. If the Company has a legal or constructive obligation which can be reliably measured, the Company recognizes the amount of expected payment for profit-sharing and bonuses payable as liabilities.

 

(b)

Other long-term employee benefits

Other long-term employee benefits include employee benefits that are settled beyond twelve months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service, and are calculated at the present value of the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods, less the fair value of any related assets. Any actuarial gains and losses are recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they arise.

 

F-52


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(c)

Retirement benefits: Defined contribution plans

For defined contribution plans, when an employee has rendered service to the Company during a period, the Company recognizes the contribution payable to a defined contribution plan in exchange for that service as an accrued expense, after deducting any contributions already paid. If the contributions already paid exceed the contribution due for service before the end of the reporting period, the Company recognizes that excess as an asset (prepaid expense) to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.

 

(d)

Retirement benefits: Defined benefit plans

A defined benefit plan is a post-employment benefit plan other than a defined contribution plan. The Company’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit plans is calculated by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods; that benefit is discounted to determine its present value. The fair value of plan assets is deducted. The calculation is performed annually by an independent actuary using the projected unit credit method.

The discount rate is the yield at the reporting date on corporate bonds that have maturity dates approximating the terms of the Company’s obligations and that are denominated in the same currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid. The Company recognizes all actuarial gains and losses arising from actuarial assumption changes and experiential adjustments in other comprehensive income when incurred.

When the fair value of plan assets exceeds the present value of the defined benefit obligation, the Company recognizes an asset, to the extent of the present value of the total of cumulative any economic benefits available in the form of refunds from the plan or reduction in the future contributions to the plan.

Remeasurements of net defined benefit liabilities, 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 other comprehensive income. The Company 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 in curtailment is recognized immediately in profit or loss. The Company recognizes gains and losses on the settlement of a defined benefit plan when the settlement occurs.

Provisions

Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, 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.

 

F-53


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

The risks and uncertainties that inevitably surround events and circumstances are taken into account in reaching the best estimate of a provision. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are determined at the present value of the expected future cash flows.

Where some or all of the expenditures required to settle a provision are expected to be reimbursed by another party, the reimbursement is recognized when, and only when, it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received if the entity settles the obligation. The reimbursement is treated as a separate asset.

Provisions are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted to reflect the current best estimates. If it is no longer probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, the provision is reversed.

A provision for warranties is recognized when the underlying products are sold. The provision is based on historical warranty.

Regarding provision for construction warranties, warranty period starts from the completion of construction in accordance with construction contracts. If the Company has an obligation for warranties, provision for warranties which are estimated based on historical warranty data are recorded as cost of construction during the construction period.

If the estimated total contract cost of the construction contract exceeds the total contract revenue, the estimated contract cost exceeding the contract revenue is recognized as a provision for construction losses for incomplete construction projects.

A provision for restoration regarding contamination of land is recognized in accordance with the Company’s announced Environment Policy and legal requirement as needed.

A provision is used only for expenditures for which the provision was originally recognized.

Emission Rights

The Company accounts for greenhouse gases emission right and the relevant liability as follows pursuant to the Act on Allocation and Trading of Greenhouse Gas Emission which became effective in Korea in 2015.

 

(a)

Greenhouse Gases Emission Right

Greenhouse Gases Emission Right consists of emission allowances which are allocated from the government free of charge and those purchased from the market. The cost includes any directly attributable costs incurred during the normal course of business.

Emission rights held for the purpose of performing the obligation are classified as intangible asset and initially measured at cost and subsequently carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Emission rights held for short-swing profits are classified as current asset and are measured at fair value with any changes in fair value recognized as profit or loss in the respective reporting period.

 

F-54


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

The Company derecognizes an emission right asset when the emission allowance is unusable, disposed or submitted to government and when the future economic benefits are no longer expected to be probable.

 

(b)

Emission liability

Emission liability is a present obligation of submitting emission rights to the government with regard to emission of greenhouse gas. Emission liability is recognized when there is a high possibility of outflows of resources in performing the obligation and the costs required to perform the obligation are reliably estimable. Emission liability is an amount of estimated obligations for emission rights to be submitted to the government for the performing period. The emission liability is measured based on the expected quantity of emission for the performing period in excess of emission allowance in possession and the unit price for such emission rights in the market at the end of the reporting period.

Equity instruments

 

(a)

Share capital

Common stock is classified as equity and the incremental costs directly attributable to the issuance of common stock less their tax effects are deducted from equity.

If the Company reacquires its own equity instruments, the amount of those instruments (“treasury shares”) are presented as a contra-equity account. No gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss on the purchase, sale, issuance or cancellation of its own equity instruments. When treasury shares are sold or reissued subsequently, the amount received is recognized as an increase to equity, and the resulting surplus or deficit on the transaction is recorded in capital surplus.

 

(b)

Hybrid Bonds

Debt and equity instruments issued by the Company are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangements and the definitions of financial liability and equity. When the Company has an unconditional right to avoid delivering cash or other financial asset to settle a contractual obligation, the instruments are classified as equity instruments.

Revenue from contracts with customers

The Company has initially applied IFRS No. 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” from January 1, 2018. The Company applied the modified retrospective approach by recognizing the cumulative impact of initially applying the revenue standard as of January 1, 2018, the date of initial application of IFRS No. 15, and the Company also decided to apply the practical expedients as allowed by IFRS No. 15 by applying the new standard only to those contracts that are not considered as completed contracts at the date of initial application.

Revenue is measured based on the consideration promised in a contract with a customer. The Company recognizes revenue when the control over a good or service is transferred to the customer. The following are the revenue recognition policies for performance obligations in the contracts with customers.

 

F-55


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(a)

Sale of good

The goods sold by the Company consist mainly of steel products from the steel segment and products such as steel, chemicals, auto parts and machinery in the trade segment.

For domestic sales, the control of the product is usually transferred to the customer when the product is delivered to the customer, at which point revenue is recognized. Invoices are generally payable within 10 to 90 days. When a customer makes payment prior to the due date, they are offered a discount at certain percentage of the invoice amount.

For export sales, revenue is recognized at the time when control of the product is transferred to the customer based on the “International Incoterms for Interpretation of Trade Terms” prescribed in the respective contracts, which is generally when the products are loaded to the transportation vessels. Invoices are usually issued at the date of bill of lading and payments are settled by the terms of Letter of Credit (L / C), Document against Acceptance (D / A), Document against Payment (D / P), Telegraphic Transfer (T / T) and others.

The Company provides certain discount when the customer prepays according to the payment terms. The Company recognized revenue only to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when discount period expires.

 

(b)

Transportation service

For the performance obligation for transportation services included in the Company’s product sales contracts, revenue is recognized over the period when the services are provided and the revenue is measured by reference to examining the degree to which the service has been completed. The billing date and payment terms for the service charge are the same as the billing date and payment terms for sale of goods.

 

(c)

Construction contracts

In the case of construction contracts where the Company renders construction services for plants, etc., the customer controls the assets as they are being constructed. Under those contracts, the Company performs construction or design services to meet the customer’s specifications, and if a contract is terminated by the customer, the Company is entitled to reimbursement of all costs incurred to date, including a reasonable margin. When the contract can be reliably estimated, the company recognizes the contract revenue and contract cost as revenue and costs based on the progress of the contract activity as of the end of the reporting period. The percentage of completion is determined based on the proportion that contract costs incurred for work performed, excluding contract cost incurred that do not reflect the progress of construction, to the estimated total contract costs.

If the outcome of the contract cannot be reliably estimated, the revenue is recognized only to the extent of the contract costs that are probable to be recovered. If the total contract cost is likely to exceed the total contract revenue, expected losses are immediately recognized as a cost.

The Company issues an invoice when the customer has completed a progress confirmation and generally the payment is made within 45 days from the invoice date.

 

F-56


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(d)

Certain construction contracts for condominiums

For certain construction service contracts for condominiums where the criterion of an enforceable right to payment for performance is met under IFRS No.15, even if the legal ownership or physical occupancy of the incomplete construction is not transferred to the customer during the construction period, revenue is recognized based on percentage of completion by considering the terms and conditions described in the relevant law and contracts such as the guarantee for sale policy, government approval on business plan, payment and termination terms. For certain construction contracts for condominiums and shopping centers where the criterion of an enforceable right to payment for performance is not met during the construction period, the Company recognizes revenue upon completion of construction when the control of the condominiums and shopping centers are transferred to customers.

The timing of the billing and the payment terms of the sales contracts are different according to the terms of the contracts.

Finance income and finance costs

The Company’s finance income and finance costs include:

 

 

interest income;

 

 

interest expense;

 

 

dividend income;

 

 

foreign currency gain or loss on financial assets and financial liabilities;

 

 

net gain or loss on financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss;

 

 

hedge ineffectiveness recognized in profit or loss; and

 

 

net gain or loss on disposal of investments in debt securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income.

Interest income or expense is recognized using the effective interest method. Dividend income is recognized in profit or loss on the date on which the Company’s right to receive payment is established. The ‘effective interest rate’ is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments or receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument to:

 

 

the gross carrying amount of the financial asset; or

 

 

the amortized cost of the financial liability.

In calculating interest income and expense, the effective interest rate is applied to the gross carrying amount of the asset (when the asset is not credit-impaired) or to the amortized cost of the liability. However, for financial assets that have become credit-impaired subsequent to initial recognition, interest income is calculated by applying the effective interest rate to the amortized cost of the financial asset. If the asset is no longer credit-impaired, then the calculation of interest income reverts to the gross basis.

Income taxes

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Current tax and deferred tax are recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to a business combination, or items recognized directly in equity or in other comprehensive income.

 

F-57


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to corporate tax as the income taxes in accordance with IAS No.12 “Income Taxes”, otherwise, the Company applies IAS No.37 “Provisions Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets”.

If there is an uncertainty on tax treatment such as dispute of a particular tax treatment by the taxation authority, the Company determines whether it is probable that the taxation authority will accept an uncertain tax treatment in determining taxable profit, tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits or tax rates.

If the Company concludes it is probable that the taxation authority will accept an uncertain tax treatment, the Company determines the taxable profit (tax loss), tax bases, unused tax losses, unused tax credits or tax rates consistently with the tax treatment used or planned to be used in its income tax filings. If the Company concludes it is not probable that the taxation authority will accept an uncertain tax treatment, the Company reflects the effect of uncertainty for each uncertain tax treatment by using either of the most likely amount or the expected value depending on which method the entity expects to better predict the resolution of the uncertainty.

 

(a)

Current income tax

Current income tax is the expected income tax payable or receivable on the taxable profit or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years. The taxable profit is different from the accounting profit for the period since the taxable profit is calculated excluding the temporary differences, which will be taxable or deductible in determining taxable profit of future periods, and non-taxable or non-deductible items from the accounting profit.

The Company offsets current tax assets and current tax liabilities if, and only if, the Company:

 

   

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.

 

(b)

Deferred income tax

The measurement of deferred income tax liabilities and deferred tax assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Company expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities. The Company recognizes deferred income tax liabilities for all taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures, except to the extent that the Company 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 Company recognizes deferred income tax assets for deductible temporary differences arising from investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, to the extent that it is probable that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilized. However, deferred tax is not recognized for the following temporary differences: taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill, or the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting profit or loss nor taxable income.

 

F-58


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

A deferred income tax asset is recognized for the carryforward of unused tax losses, tax credits and deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the unused tax losses, tax credits and deductible temporary differences can be utilized. The future taxable profit depends on reversing taxable temporary differences. When there are insufficient taxable temporary differences, the probability of future taxable profit (including the reversal of temporary differences) should be considered.

The carrying amount of a deferred income tax asset is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and is reduced 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 that deferred income tax asset to be utilized.

Deferred income 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. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset only if there is a legally enforceable right to offset the related current income tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority and they intend to settle current income tax liabilities and assets on a net basis.

Earnings per share

Management calculates basic earnings per share (“EPS”) data for POSCO’s ordinary shares, which is presented at the end of the statement of comprehensive income. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of POSCO by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for own shares held.

Operating segments

An operating segment is a component of the Company that: a) engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenditures, including revenues and expenses that relate to transactions with any of the Company’s other components, b) whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance and for which discrete financial information is available. Management has determined that the CODM of the Company is the CEO.

With regard to construction segment, segment profit and loss is determined in the same way that consolidated profit after tax for the period is generally determined under IFRS except that revenues and expenses from the development and sale of certain residential real estate are determined by reference to the stage of completion of the contact activity at the end of the reporting period, while in the consolidated financial statements, they are recognized when an individual unit of residential real estate is delivered to the buyer. No adjustments are made for corporate allocations to segment profit and loss. In addition, segment assets and liabilities are generally measured based on total assets and liabilities in accordance with IFRS without any adjustment for corporate allocations, except that assets and liabilities in connection with the construction and sale of residential real estate are determined by reference to the stage of completion of the contract activity at the end of each period.

For the other segments, segment profit and loss is determined the same way that consolidated net after tax profit for the period is generally determined under IFRS without any adjustment for corporate allocations. The accounting policies used by each segment are consistent with the accounting policies used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Segment assets and liabilities are

 

F-59


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

generally measured based on total assets and liabilities in accordance with IFRS without any adjustment for corporate allocations. Also, segment assets and liabilities are based on the separate financial statements of the entities instead of on consolidated basis.

In addition, there are varying levels of transactions amongst the reportable segments. These transactions include sales of property, plant and assets, and rendering of construction service and so on.

Segment results that are reported to the CEO include items directly attributable to a segment and items allocated on a reasonable basis. Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during the period to acquire property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets other than goodwill.

New standards and interpretations not yet adopted

The following new standards have been published but are not mandatory for the Company for annual period beginning on January 1, 2019, and the Company has not early adopted them.

 

(a)

IAS No.1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” and IAS No.8 “Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors”

The definition of materiality has been clarified, and IAS No.1 “Presentation of Financial Statements” and IAS No.8 “Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors” have been amended according to the clarified definition. In determining the materiality, information is material if omitting, misstating or obscuring it could reasonably be expected to influence decisions that the primary users of general purpose financial statements make on the basis of those financial statements, which provide financial information about a specific reporting entity. The Company believes that the effect of the amendments to the consolidated financial statements is not significant.

 

(b)

IFRS No.3 “Business Combinations”

The amendment clarifies the definition of business when it includes input and process together significantly contribute to ability to create output and requires a simplified assessment that result in an asset acquisition if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. The Company expects that the amendments will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

4.

Financial risk management

The Company has exposure to the following risks in relation to its of financial instruments:

 

   

credit risk

 

   

liquidity risk

 

   

market risk

 

   

capital risk

 

F-60


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

This note presents information about the Company’s exposure to each of the above risks, the Company’s objectives, policies and processes for measuring and managing risk, and the Company’s management of capital. Further quantitative disclosures are included throughout these consolidated financial statements.

 

(a)

Financial risk management

 

  1)

Risk management framework

The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Company’s risk management framework. The Company’s risk management policies are established to identify and analyze the risks faced by the Company, to set appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. Risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market conditions and the Company’s activities.

The Company, through its training and management standards and procedures, aims to develop a disciplined and constructive control environment in which all employees understand their roles and obligations.

 

  2)

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations, and arises principally from the Company’s receivables from customers and debt securities. In addition, credit risk arises from finance guarantees which are provided by the Company.

The Company implements a credit risk management policy under which the Company only transacts business with counterparties that have a certain level of credit rate evaluated based on financial condition, historical experience, and other factors. The Company’s exposure to credit risk is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each customer. The default risk of a nation or an industry in which a customer operates its business does not have a significant influence on credit risk. The Company has established a credit policy under which each new customer is analyzed individually for creditworthiness.

The Company establishes an allowance for impairment that represents its estimate of expected losses in respect of trade and other receivables. The main components of this allowance are a specific loss component that relates to individually significant exposures, and a collective loss component based on group of financial assets with similar risk characteristics in respect of losses that have been incurred.

Credit risk also arises from transactions with financial institutions, and such transactions include transactions of cash and cash equivalents, various deposits, and financial instruments including derivative contracts. The Company manages its exposure to this credit risk by only entering into transactions with banks that have high international credit ratings. The Company’s treasury department authorizes, manages, and overseas new transactions with financial institutions with whom the Company has no previous relationship.

Furthermore, the Company limits its exposure to credit risk of financial guarantee contracts by strictly evaluating their necessity based on internal decision making processes, such as the approval of the board of directors.

 

F-61


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  3)

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting the obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or other financial asset. The Company’s approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Company’s reputation.

The Company’s cash flow from operations, borrowing or financing is sufficient to meet the cash requirements for the Company’s strategic investments. Management believes that the Company is capable of raising funds by borrowing or financing if the Company is not able to generate cash flow requirements from its operations. The Company has committed borrowing facilities with various banks.

 

  4)

Market risk

Market risk means that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. The goal of market risk management is optimization of profit and controlling the exposure to market risk within acceptable limits.

 

 

Currency risk

The Company’s policy in respect of foreign currency risks is a natural hedge whereby foreign currency income is offset with foreign currency expenditures. The remaining net exposures after the natural hedge have been hedged using derivative contracts such as forward exchange contracts. In addition, the Company’s derivative transactions are limited to hedging actual foreign currency transactions and speculative transactions is not permitted. Based on this policy, the Company has manages currency risk considering characteristics of respective segments. The entities in the steel segment reduce the foreign currency exposure by repayment of foreign currency borrowings related to investment in overseas when they mature. The entities in the engineering and construction segment have hedged foreign currency risks by using forward exchange contracts. Entities in the trading segment have hedged foreign currency risks by using forward exchange contracts when the foreign currencies receivables and payables are different.

 

 

Interest rate risk

The Company manages the exposure to interest rate risk by adjusting borrowing structure between borrowings at fixed interest rates and variable interest rates. The Company monitors interest rate risks regularly in order to avoid exposure to interest rate risk on borrowings at variable interest rate.

 

 

Other market price risk

Equity price risk arises from fluctuation of market price of listed equity securities. The Company’s management measures regularly the fair value of listed equity securities and the risk of variance in future cash flows caused by market price fluctuations. All buy and sell decisions related to significant investments are managed and approved by the Company’s management.

 

F-62


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(b)

Management of capital

The fundamental goal of capital management is the maximization of shareholders’ value by means of the stable dividend policy and retirement of treasury shares. The capital structure of the Company consists of equity and net borrowings (borrowings less cash and cash equivalents). The Company applied the same capital risk management strategy that was applied in the previous period.

Net borrowing-to-equity ratio as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 is as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018     2019  

Total borrowings

     20,209,270       20,441,613  

Less: Cash and cash equivalents

     2,643,865       3,514,872  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net borrowings

     17,565,405       16,926,741  

Total equity

     46,759,551       47,794,707  

Net borrowings-to-equity ratio

     37.57     35.42

 

5.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Cash

   1,668        2,081  

Demand deposits and checking accounts

     1,471,891        1,581,428  

Time deposits

     538,130        701,865  

Other cash equivalents

     632,176        1,229,498  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    2,643,865        3,514,872  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In connection with the jointly held accounts of joint operations and others, as of December 31, 2019, cash and cash equivalents amounting to 1,699 million of POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD., a subsidiary of the Company, is restricted in use.

 

F-63


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

6.

Trade Accounts and Notes Receivable

(a) Trade accounts and notes receivable as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Current

     

Trade accounts and notes receivable

   8,648,250        8,352,968  

Finance lease receivables

     57,487        221  

Unbilled due from customers for contract work

     810,655        1,128,116  

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (386,188      (411,274
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   9,130,204        9,070,031  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current

     

Trade accounts and notes receivable

   583,797        209,310  

Finance lease receivables

     45,873        43,725  

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (202,545      (54,250
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   427,125        198,785  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Trade accounts and notes receivable sold to financial institutions, for which the derecognition conditions were not met, amounted to 468,706 million and 244,305 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. The fair value of trade accounts and notes receivable that have been transferred but not have been derecognized approximates the carrying amounts and are included in short-term borrowings from financial institutions (Note 17).

 

(b)

Finance lease receivables are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)                   

Customer

  

Contents

   2018      2019  

Officers and employees

  

Songdo apartment rental

   103,360        43,445  

ZHAOHUUI PROSPERITY INT’L LTD

  

Office rental

     —          501  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
      103,360        43,946  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

(c) As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the Company’s gross investment and net investment in the leases are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Less than 1 year

   57,820        237  

1 year - 3 years

     49,678        46,161  

Undiscounted lease payments

     107,498        46,398  

Unrealized interest income

     (4,138      (2,452
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Present value of minimum lease payment

   103,360        43,946  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-64


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

7.

Other Receivables

 

(1)

The details of other receivables as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Current

     

Loans

   236,782        367,580  

Other accounts receivable

     954,030        971,845  

Accrued income

     220,066        272,528  

Deposits

     108,640        86,519  

Lease receivables

     —          48,744  

Others

     16,201        14,510  

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (150,090      (180,209
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   1,385,629        1,581,517  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current

     

Loans

   731,344        701,529  

Other accounts receivable

     155,936        209,039  

Accrued income

     1,855        65,275  

Deposits

     152,072        238,261  

Lease receivables

     —          179,315  

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (177,967      (252,540
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   863,240        1,140,879  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2)

The details of lease receivables are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)            

Customer

  

Content of lease agreement

   2019  

HEUNG-A SHIPPING CO., LTD., MSC KOGAS, ONGC Videsh Limited,

  

6 Container Ships, 4 Tankers

   212,933  

GAIL(India) Limited,Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise

  

Helicopter, Ship, Office, Jetty

     15,126  
     

 

 

 
      228,059  
     

 

 

 

 

F-65


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(3)

As of December 31, 2019, gross investment and net investment in the leases are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)       

total lease investment and lease net investment

- Undiscounted contractual cash flows

   2019  

Less than 1 year

   56,796  

1 year - 3 years

     107,955  

3 year - 5 years

     70,742  

Over 5 years

     16,089  
  

 

 

 

Undiscounted lease payments

     251,582  

Unrealized interest income

     (23,523
  

 

 

 

Present value of minimum lease payment

   228,059  
  

 

 

 

 

8.

Other Financial Assets

Other financial assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Current

     

Derivatives assets

   47,288        47,541  

Debt securities

     2,987        342,371  

Deposit instruments(*1,2)

     1,931,518        1,744,895  

Short-term financial instruments(*2)

     6,099,303        6,861,242  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   8,081,096        8,996,049  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current

     

Derivatives assets

   1,795        64,737  

Equity securities(*3)

     1,238,630        1,204,902  

Debt securities

     34,327        22,380  

Other securities(*3)

     338,106        343,183  

Deposit instruments(*2)

     35,040        34,187  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   1,647,898        1,669,389  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, 5,715 million and 4,524 million, respectively, are restricted for the use in a government project.

(*2)

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, financial instruments amounting to 73,935 million and 73,525 million, respectively, are restricted in use in relation to financial arrangements, provision as collateral and others.

(*3)

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, 115,431 million and 109,395 million of equity and other securities, respectively, have been provided as collateral for borrowings, construction projects and others.

 

F-66


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

9.

Inventories

 

(a)

Inventories as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Finished goods

   1,886,040        1,655,228  

Merchandise

     1,131,416        1,058,874  

Semi-finished goods

     1,945,567        2,097,289  

Raw materials

     2,821,972        2,656,341  

Fuel and materials

     888,941        1,026,133  

Construction inventories

     1,372,259        1,045,088  

Materials-in-transit

     2,245,740        1,824,044  

Others

     68,150        83,905  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     12,360,085        11,446,902  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less: Allowance for inventories valuation

     (206,782      (216,143
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   12,153,303        11,230,759  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(b)

The changes in allowance for inventories valuation for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Beginning

   203,164        135,631        206,782  

Loss on valuation of inventories

     78,560        141,799        96,201  

Realization on disposal of inventories

     (138,967      (69,426      (79,419

Others

     (7,126      (1,222      (7,421
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending

   135,631        206,782        216,143  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

10.

Assets Held for Sale

Details of assets held for sale as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  
     Subsidiaries(*2)      Controlling
company(*1)
     Subsidiaries      Total  

Assets

           

Cash and cash equivalents(*3)

   —          —          374        374  

Other financial assets

     778        —          185        185  

Property, plant and equipment

     21,076        36,321        32,972        69,293  

Others

     —          —          4,306        4,306  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     21,854      36,321      37,837      74,158  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Others

   —          —          8        8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company decided to dispose individual assets for which use was suspended, such as CEM plants, and classified the assets as held for sale.

 

F-67


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized impairment loss of 659 million, which is the difference between the fair value less cost to sell and the carrying amount of the assets.
(*2)

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the subsidiary, DAESAN (CAMBODIA) Co., Ltd., decided to sell its land and classified the property, plant and equipment as held for sale. As of December 31, 2019 the sale is completed and gain on disposal of 22,683 million was recognized.

(*3)

Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows include cash and cash equivalents that are classified as assets held for sale.

 

11.

Investments in Associates and Joint ventures

 

(a)

Investments in associates and joint ventures as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Investments in associates

   1,738,692        1,864,509  

Investments in joint ventures

     1,911,311        2,063,246  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   3,650,003        3,927,755  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-68


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(b)

Details of investments in associates as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    Number
of shares
     Ownership
(%)
     Acquisition
cost
     Book value  

Company

   2018      2019  

[Domestic]

              

EQP POSCO Global NO1 Natual Resources Private Equity Fund

     178,787,468,209        33.41      178,787      174,123        175,907  

POSPower Co., Ltd(*2)

     4,507,138        34.00        179,410        161,477        161,280  

SNNC

     18,130,000        49.00        90,650        116,922        142,602  

QSONE Co.,Ltd.

     200,000        50.00        84,395        85,550        85,887  

Chun-cheon Energy Co., Ltd(*2)

     17,308,143        49.10        86,541        62,478        56,679  

Nextrain Co., Ltd.

     8,321,920        32.00        41,610        10        41,447  

Keystone NO. 1. Private Equity Fund(*5)

     22,523,123        52.58        22,523        11,183        19,438  

CHUNGJU ENTERPRISE CITY DEVELOPMENT Co.,Ltd

     2,008,000        29.53        10,040        17,382        17,824  

Daesung Steel(*4)

     108,038        17.54        14,000        15,644        15,375  

Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co., Ltd.(*2,4)

     9,032,539        18.26        45,163        13,329        7,904  

KoFC POSCO HANWHA KB Shared Growth NO. 2. Private Equity Fund(*4)

     6,485        12.50        6,485        5,739        6,177  

KONES, Corp.

     3,250,000        41.67        6,893        2,849        2,473  

Others (53 companies)(*2)

              123,724        112,621  
           

 

 

    

 

 

 
              790,410        845,614  
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

[Foreign]

              

AES-VCM Mong Duong Power Company Limited(*3)

     —          30.00        164,303        209,936        178,892  

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     135,219,000        25.04        135,899        179,459        225,933  

7623704 Canada Inc.(*4)

     114,452,000        10.40        124,341        126,885        131,529  

Eureka Moly LLC

     —          20.00        240,123        82,447        85,349  

AMCI (WA) PTY LTD

     49        49.00        209,664        71,086        72,937  

Nickel Mining Company SAS

     3,234,698        49.00        157,585        41,712        37,940  

KOREA LNG LTD.

     2,400        20.00        135,205        43,554        46,557  

NCR LLC

     —          29.40        49,744        37,602        46,391  

ZHEJIANG HUAYOU-POSCO ESM CO., LTD(*1)

     134,400,000        40.00        22,423        —          22,356  

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

     128,285        22.00        21,824        20,479        14,717  

PT. Wampu Electric Power(*2)

     8,708,400        20.00        10,054        14,120        13,363  

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     10,200,000        34.00        9,517        14,796        15,128  

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     50        25.00        4,723        6,478        6,755  

Others (26 companies)(*2)

              99,728        121,048  
           

 

 

    

 

 

 
              948,282        1,018,895  
           

 

 

    

 

 

 
            1,738,692        1,864,509  
           

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, ZHEJIANG HUAYOU-POSCO ESM CO., LTD was established and classified as investment in an associate.

(*2)

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, investments in associates amounting to 285,066 million and 258,754 million, respectively, are provided as collateral in relation to the associates’ borrowings.

(*3)

As of December 31, 2018, shares of PSC Energy Global Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, are provided as collateral in relation to the associate’s borrowings.

 

F-69


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(*4)

As of December 31, 2019, it was classified as an associate even though the Company’s ownership percentage is less than 20% of ownership percentage since the Company has significant influence over the investee when considering its structure of the associate’s Board of Directors and others.

(*5)

Although the Company’s shareholding exceeds 50%, the entity is classified as an associate because the Company does not have control when considering the structure of the Board of Directors.

 

(c)

Details of investments in joint ventures as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)   Number
of shares
    Ownership
(%)
    Acquisition
cost
    Book value  

Company

  2018     2019  

[Domestic]

         

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

    11,568,000       60.00     115,680     180,192       182,648  

Others (8 companies)

          9,124       10,305  
       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          189,316       192,953  
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

[Foreign]

         

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd(*1)

    13,117,972       12.50       1,528,672       1,041,600       1,235,682  

POSCO-NPS Niobium LLC

    325,050,000       50.00       364,609       363,506       376,410  

KOBRASCO

    2,010,719,185       50.00       32,950       133,449       115,641  

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

    —         25.00       61,961       88,391       88,935  

DMSA/AMSA(*1)

    —         4.00       346,278       26,709       12,189  

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

    1,221,586,532       20.00       594,173       24,832       —    

Others (12 companies)

          43,508       41,436  
       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          1,721,995       1,870,293  
       

 

 

   

 

 

 
        1,911,311       2,063,246  
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the investments in joint ventures are provided as collateral in relation to the joint ventures’ borrowings.

 

F-70


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(d)

The changes in investments in associates and joint ventures for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

  1)

For the year ended December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)                                    

Company

  December 31,
2017

Book value
    Acquisition     Dividends     Share
of

profits
(losses)
    Other
increase

(decrease)(*1)
    December 31,
2018

Book value
 

[Domestic]

           

EQP POSCO Global NO1 Natural Resources Private Equity Fund

  175,553       —         —         (1,430     —         174,123  

POSPower Co., Ltd

    —         176,731       —         (3,198     (12,056     161,477  

SNNC

    110,424       —         —         6,624       (126     116,922  

QSONE Co.,Ltd.

    85,049       —         (550     1,051       —         85,550  

Chun-cheon Energy Co., Ltd

    74,378       —         —         (11,900     —         62,478  

CHUNGJU ENTERPRISE CITY DEVELOPMENT Co.,Ltd

    17,252       —         —         130       —         17,382  

BLUE OCEAN Private Equity Fund

    19,620       —         —         (17,930     (1,690     —    

Daesung Steel

    15,500       —         —         144       —         15,644  

Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co., Ltd.

    31,660       —         —         (18,331     —         13,329  

Keystone NO. 1. Private Equity Fund

    12,379       —         —         (1,295     99       11,183  

UITrans LRT Co., Ltd.

    15,841       —         —         (15,841     —         —    

KoFC POSCO HANWHA KB Shared Growth NO. 2. Private Equity Fund

    6,828       —         —         (1,089     —         5,739  

KONES, Corp.

    2,827       —         —         29       (7     2,849  

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

    110,760       —         —         69,594       (162     180,192  

Others (52 companies)

    73,419       44,629       (784     18,942       (3,348     132,858  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    751,490       221,360       (1,334     25,500       (17,290     979,726  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

[Foreign]

           

AES-VCM Mong Duong Power Company Limited

    142,348       —         (26,108     30,096       63,600       209,936  

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

    197,069       —         (29,301     17,709       (6,018     179,459  

7623704 Canada Inc.

    121,702       —         (4,509     4,373       5,319       126,885  

Eureka Moly LLC

    79,398       —         —         (406     3,455       82,447  

AMCI (WA) PTY LTD

    63,378       —         —         (3,412     11,120       71,086  

Nickel Mining Company SAS

    45,905       —         —         (4,268     75       41,712  

KOREA LNG LTD.

    33,422       —         (10,544     10,542       10,134       43,554  

NCR LLC

    33,738       2,505       —         (5,909     7,268       37,602  

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

    21,823       —         —         (1,817     473       20,479  

PT. Wampu Electric Power

    13,391       —         —         177       552       14,120  

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

    15,617       —         —         (735     (86     14,796  

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

    6,517       —         —         23       (62     6,478  

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd

    1,125,133       —         —         59,095       (142,628     1,041,600  

POSCO-NPS Niobium LLC

    348,836       —         (22,254     21,536       15,388       363,506  

KOBRASCO

    108,485       —         (37,710     75,170       (12,496     133,449  

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

    88,305       —         —         540       (454     88,391  

DMSA/AMSA

    56,735       17,973       —         (48,802     803       26,709  

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

    146,427       —         —         (109,714     (11,881     24,832  

Others (42 companies)

    158,213       2,771       (22,588     42,937       (38,097     143,236  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    2,806,442       23,249       (153,014     87,135       (93,535     2,670,277  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  3,557,932       244,609       (154,348     112,635       (110,825     3,650,003  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Other increase or decrease represents the changes in investments in associates and joint ventures due to disposals, change in capital adjustments from translations of financial statements of foreign investees and others.

 

F-71


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  2)

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)                                    

Company

  December 31,
2018

Book value
    Acquisition     Dividends     Share of
profits
(losses)
    Other
increase
(decrease)(*1)
    December 31,
2019

Book value
 

[Domestic]

           

EQP POSCO Global NO1 Natural Resources Private Equity Fund

  174,123       —         —         (976     2,760       175,907  

POSPower Co., Ltd

    161,477       —         —         (4,744     4,547       161,280  

SNNC

    116,922       —         (1,450     27,655       (525     142,602  

QSONE Co.,Ltd.

    85,550       —         (950     1,287       —         85,887  

Chun-cheon Energy Co., Ltd

    62,478       6,050       —         (11,849     —         56,679  

Nextrain Co., Ltd.

    10       41,600       —         (163     —         41,447  

Keystone NO. 1. Private Equity Fund

    11,183       8,723       —         (342     (126     19,438  

CHUNGJU ENTERPRISE CITY DEVELOPMENT Co.,Ltd

    17,382       —         —         442       —         17,824  

Daesung Steel

    15,644       —         —         (269     —         15,375  

Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co., Ltd.

    13,329       —         —         (5,425     —         7,904  

KoFC POSCO HANWHA KB Shared Growth NO. 2. Private Equity Fund

    5,739       —         —         438       —         6,177  

KONES, Corp.

    2,849       —         —         (403     27       2,473  

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

    180,192       —         (16,369     19,377       (552     182,648  

Others (61 companies)

    132,848       30,973       (1,392     (18,146     (21,357     122,926  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    979,726       87,346       (20,161     6,882       (15,226     1,038,567  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

[Foreign]

           

AES-VCM Mong Duong Power Company Limited

    209,936       —         (18,099     24,126       (37,071     178,892  

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

    179,459       —         (24,267     63,749       6,992       225,933  

7623704 Canada Inc.

    126,885       —         (9,902     9,912       4,634       131,529  

Eureka Moly LLC

    82,447       —         —         (25     2,927       85,349  

AMCI (WA) PTY LTD

    71,086       —         —         (4,377     6,228       72,937  

Nickel Mining Company SAS

    41,712       —         —         (4,250     478       37,940  

KOREA LNG LTD.

    43,554       —         (13,404     13,501       2,906       46,557  

NCR LLC

    37,602       9,605       —         (822     6       46,391  

ZHEJIANG HUAYOU-POSCO ESM CO., LTD

    —         22,423       —         61       (128     22,356  

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

    20,479       —         —         (6,209     447       14,717  

PT. Wampu Electric Power

    14,120       —         —         (1,247     490       13,363  

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

    14,796       —         —         10       322       15,128  

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

    6,478       —         —         80       197       6,755  

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd

    1,041,600       —         —         158,562       35,520       1,235,682  

POSCO-NPS Niobium LLC

    363,506       —         (24,933     24,543       13,294       376,410  

KOBRASCO

    133,449       —         (74,716     56,474       434       115,641  

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

    88,391       —         (1,574     665       1,453       88,935  

DMSA/AMSA

    26,709       23,682       —         (40,415     2,213       12,189  

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

    24,832       35,352       —         (57,647     (2,537     —    

Others (38 companies)

    143,236       552       (19,430     30,168       7,958       162,484  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    2,670,277       91,614       (186,325     266,859       46,763       2,889,188  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  3,650,003       178,960       (206,486     273,741       31,537       3,927,755  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Other increase or decrease represents the changes in investments in associates and joint ventures due to disposals, change in capital adjustments effect from translations of financial statements of foreign investees and others.

 

F-72


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(e)

Summarized financial information of associates and joint ventures as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

  1)

December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)                                  

Company

   Assets      Liabilities      Equity     Sales      Net income
(loss)
 

[Domestic]

             

EQP POSCO Global NO1 Natural Resources Private Equity Fund

   552,760        783        551,977       —          10,249  

POSPower Co., Ltd

     425,632        35,761        389,871       —          (4,536

SNNC

     645,013        384,586        260,427       656,320        14,229  

QSONE Co., Ltd.

     249,384        78,285        171,099       16,597        2,101  

Chun-cheon Energy Co., Ltd

     667,454        525,308        142,146       320,950        (18,796

Nextrain Co., Ltd.

     30        —          30       —          —    

CHUNGJU ENTERPRISE CITY DEVELOPMENT Co., Ltd

     63,554        35,003        28,551       16,237        439  

BLUE OCEAN Private Equity Fund

     305,876        174,640        131,236       459,491        (5,294

Daesung Steel

     169,305        111,502        57,803       75,474        824  

Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co., Ltd.

     1,049,629        931,937        117,692       45,566        (92,202

Keystone NO. 1. Private Equity Fund

     177,024        144,186        32,838       15,507        (3,962

UITrans LRT Co., Ltd.

     430,227        435,699        (5,472     12,929        (85,344

KoFC POSCO HANWHA KB Shared Growth NO. 2. Private Equity Fund

     59,464        1,061        58,403       2,401        (12,313

KONES, Corp.

     2,618        1,414        1,204       5,167        70  

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

     537,138        237,563        299,575       300,986        116,049  

[Foreign]

             

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     1,726,410        1,009,731        716,679       343,471        70,717  

7623704 Canada Inc.

     1,232,208        1        1,232,207       —          44,320  

Nickel Mining Company SAS

     465,463        329,084        136,379       207,956        (4,569

KOREA LNG LTD.

     217,883        110        217,773       54,357        52,720  

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

     332,305        274,580        57,725       128,609        (8,451

PT. Wampu Electric Power

     223,009        155,407        67,602       13,461        887  

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     73,515        24,264        49,251       121,104        (2,231

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire (Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     61,782        34,740        27,042       85,619        78  

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd

     9,666,619        6,043,492        3,623,127       3,259,256        497,469  

POSCO-NPS Niobium LLC

     726,810        —          726,810       —          41,812  

KOBRASCO

     317,842        50,945        266,897       229,340        150,550  

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

     710,518        384,572        325,946       1,341,849        2,159  

DMSA/AMSA

     5,562,877        4,171,896        1,390,981       731,127        (529,844

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

     4,194,242        4,192,867        1,375       1,860,198        (542,865

 

F-73


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  2)

December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)                                  

Company

   Assets      Liabilities      Equity
(deficit)
    Sales      Net income
(loss)
 

[Domestic]

             

EQP POSCO Global NO1 Natural Resources Private Equity Fund

   516,659        786        515,873       —          7,479  

POSPower Co., Ltd

     707,051        199,846        507,205       —          (5,294

SNNC

     677,508        357,843        319,665       738,977        63,269  

QSONE Co., Ltd.

     250,364        78,589        171,775       17,591        2,576  

Chun-cheon Energy Co., Ltd

     610,089        492,620        117,469       313,438        (24,677

Nextrain Co., Ltd.

     136,203        7,322        128,881       —          (509

Keystone NO. 1. Private Equity Fund

     187,156        138,219        48,937       18,342        (887

CHUNGJU ENTERPRISE CITY DEVELOPMENT Co., Ltd

     53,019        22,971        30,048       17,824        1,497  

Daesung Steel

     164,708        108,441        56,267       85,537        (1,536

Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co., Ltd.

     1,014,410        951,321        63,089       50,575        (36,449

KoFC POSCO HANWHA KB Shared Growth NO. 2. Private Equity Fund

     50,479        1,062        49,417       2,841        3,502  

KONES, Corp.

     1,950        1,648        302       4,416        (966

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

     474,387        170,678        303,709       216,648        32,334  

[Foreign]

             

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     1,808,529        906,254        902,275       555,075        254,582  

7623704 Canada Inc.

     1,276,857        1        1,276,856       —          95,306  

Nickel Mining Company SAS

     471,377        331,194        140,183       245,509        2,432  

ZHEJIANG HUAYOU-POSCO ESM CO., LTD

     73,604        17,765        55,839       641        153  

KOREA LNG LTD.

     232,935        147        232,788       69,577        67,507  

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

     423,608        392,226        31,382       112,568        (28,360

PT. Wampu Electric Power

     222,266        158,451        63,815       18,163        (6,233

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     65,413        15,232        50,181       101,101        28  

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire (Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     61,847        33,989        27,858       77,371        327  

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd

     11,143,705        5,718,152        5,425,553       5,037,471        1,660,577  

POSCO-NPS Niobium LLC

     752,617        —          752,617       —          47,521  

KOBRASCO

     268,139        36,857        231,282       167,022        112,949  

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

     969,280        637,478        331,802       1,145,794        1,704  

DMSA/AMSA

     5,703,501        4,202,704        1,500,797       638,797        (504,077

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

     3,959,365        4,249,083        (289,718     1,623,843        (465,853

 

F-74


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

12.

Joint Operations

Details of significant joint operations that the Company is participating in as a party to a joint arrangement as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

Joint operations

  

Operation

   Ownership (%)      Location

Myanmar A-1/A-3 mine

   Mine development and gas production      51.00      Myanmar

Offshore midstream

   Gas transportation facility      51.00      Myanmar

Greenhills mine

   Mine development      20.00      Canada

Arctos Anthracite coal project

   Mine development      50.00      Canada

Mt. Thorley J/V

   Mine development      20.00      Australia

POSMAC J/V

   Mine development      20.00      Australia

RUM J/V

   Mine development      10.00      Australia

Hanam-Gamil package public housing project

   Construction      7.70      Korea

Hanam-Gamil district B6, C2, C3 Block public housing lot development project

   Construction      27.00      Korea

Yangsan-Sasong district public housing project (private-participation)

   Construction      13.08      Korea

Yangsan-Sasong district public housing project

   Construction      49.00      Korea

Sejong 2-1 P3 Block public housing project

   Construction      37.00      Korea

Yongin-Giheung Station area city development project

   Construction      61.00      Korea

Korean Wave World Complex land multi-purpose building development project

   Construction      33.30      Korea

Sejong 4-1 P3 Block public housing project

   Construction      60.00      Korea

 

13.

Investment Property, Net

 

(a)

Investment property as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)   2018     2019  
    Acquisition cost     Accumulated
depreciation
and

impairment
loss
    Book value     Acquisition cost     Accumulated
depreciation
and

impairment
loss
    Book value  

Land

  295,328       (16,743     278,585       295,183       (16,718     278,465  

Buildings

    681,518       (110,183     571,335       778,816       (180,657     598,159  

Structures

    3,327       (1,919     1,408       3,455       (2,277     1,178  

Right of use assets

    —         —         —         434       (9     425  

Construction-in-progress

    101,665       (24,378     77,287       —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  1,081,838       (153,223     928,615       1,077,888       (199,661     878,227  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of investment property is 1,545,310 million.

 

F-75


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(b)

Changes in the carrying amount of investment property for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

  1)

For the year ended December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)    Beginning      Acquisitions      Disposals     Depreciation(*1)     Others(*2)     Ending  

Land

   360,402        1,327        (26,826     (16,743     (39,575     278,585  

Buildings

     634,040        727        (32,807     (28,358     (2,267     571,335  

Structures

     6,281        —          —         (603     (4,270     1,408  

Construction-in-progress

     64,191        42,052        —         (24,948     (4,008     77,287  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1,064,914        44,106        (59,633     (70,652     (50,120     928,615  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Includes impairment loss on investment property recognized by each of the consolidated subsidiaries, including the office lease of POSCO (Dalian) IT Center Development Co., Ltd. amounting to 51,461 million.

(*2)

Includes reclassification resulting from changing the purpose of use, adjustment of foreign currency translation difference and others.

 

  2)

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)    Beginning      Acquisitions      Disposals     Depreciation(*1)     Others(*2)     Ending  

Land

   278,585        —          (5,921     —         5,801       278,465  

Buildings

     571,335        1,548        (5,343     (52,416     83,035       598,159  

Structures

     1,408        —          (50     (625     445       1,178  

Right of use assets

     —          —          —         —         425       425  

Construction-in-progress

     77,287        18,644        —         —         (95,931     —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   928,615        20,192        (11,314     (53,041     (6,225     878,227  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Includes impairment loss on investment property recognized by POSCO (Dalian) IT Center Development Co., Ltd., a subsidiary, in relation to its office lease amounting to 32,642 million.

(*2)

Includes reclassification resulting from changing the purpose of use, adjustment of foreign currency translation difference and others.

 

F-76


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

14.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

 

(a)

Property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)   2018     2019  
    Acquisition
cost
    Accumulated
depreciation
and
impairment
loss
    Government
grants
    Book value     Acquisition
cost
    Accumulated
depreciation
and
impairment
loss
    Government
grants
    Book value  

Land

  2,553,957       (5,955     —         2,548,002       2,527,972       (1,913     —         2,526,059  

Buildings

    9,146,294       (4,743,449     (393     4,402,452       9,227,064       (5,010,770     (840     4,215,454  

Structures

    5,884,277       (2,966,304     (49     2,917,924       6,066,000       (3,161,453     (41     2,904,506  

Machinery and equipment

    47,610,225       (29,091,754     (342     18,518,129       47,548,589       (30,326,324     (4,001     17,218,264  

Vehicles

    302,767       (271,381     (45     31,341       305,275       (272,977     (13     32,285  

Tools

    399,638       (333,387     (87     66,164       418,829       (348,032     (46     70,751  

Furniture and fixtures

    638,553       (502,215     (51     136,287       658,467       (528,066     (269     130,132  

Finance lease assets

    213,873       (76,309     —         137,564       970,891       (196,309     —         774,582  

Bearer plants

    88,773       (8,002     —         80,771       138,818       (14,625     —         124,193  

Construction-in-
progress

    1,964,267       (778,373     (6,255     1,179,639       2,800,412       (856,548     (14,117     1,929,747  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  68,802,624       (38,777,129     (7,222     30,018,273       70,662,317       (40,717,017     (19,327     29,925,973  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(b)

Changes in the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

  1)

For the year ended December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)   Beginning     Acquisitions     Disposals     Depreciation     Impairment
loss(*1,2)
    Others(*3)     Ending  

Land

  2,527,650       28,998       (26,157     —         6,399       11,112       2,548,002  

Buildings

    4,877,018       46,129       (21,501     (331,688     (73,523     (93,983     4,402,452  

Structures

    2,765,852       18,749       (2,834     (220,218     (6,652     363,027       2,917,924  

Machinery and equipment

    19,367,957       145,220       (62,135     (2,224,000     (143,293     1,434,380       18,518,129  

Vehicles

    32,861       8,538       (1,149     (14,835     (56     5,982       31,341  

Tools

    63,640       21,337       (1,867     (26,421     (206     9,681       66,164  

Furniture and fixtures

    145,439       32,258       (577     (51,835     (1,494     12,496       136,287  

Finance lease assets

    145,257       28,466       (420     (19,224     —         (16,515     137,564  

Bearer plants

    65,515       —         —         (3,636     —         18,892       80,771  

Construction-in-progress

    1,892,346       1,884,125       (23,814     —         (778,373     (1,794,645     1,179,639  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  31,883,535       2,213,820       (140,454     (2,891,857     (997,198     (49,573     30,018,273  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

During 2018, the Controlling Company evaluated future economic performance of its Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) facility that was still in trial run stage. Considering the continuous decline in LNG price, increase in coal prices and the need for additional capital investment in the SNG facility, the Controlling Company concluded that the profitability for the SNG facility is unlikely to be sustainable and decided to terminate the operation of SNG facility as of December 31, 2018. The property, plant and equipment in the SNG facility are primarily comprised of machinery and

 

F-77


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  equipment, among which assets with a carrying value of 167,054 million are expected to be re-used in other facilities of the Controlling Company therefore no impairment test was conducted. For the remaining assets, impairment test was performed by estimating the recoverable amount of each individual assets. For the assets which are determined to be technically obsolete and therefore sale is unlikely, recoverable amount represents expected scrap value less cost of disposal.

For the assets for which sale is probable, the recoverable amount is determined based on fair value less cost of disposal. Fair value was measured using cost approach, which is based on an estimation of the current cost to purchase or replace the asset less applicable depreciation and obsolescence. Specifically, the Controlling Company used indirect cost approach to estimate the replacement cost for a new asset by applying asset specific inflation factors to the asset’s historical cost. Then the Controlling Company estimated and deducted depreciation for physical deterioration. Depreciation factors are applied primarily based on estimated useful life of the asset and declining balance depreciation method. The fair value measurement of assets in SNG facility is considered to be level 3 because significant inputs used in the estimate, such as asset specific inflation factors and estimated useful lives, are unobservable.

As a result of the impairment test, the Company recognized an impairment loss of 809,737 million in connection with the property, plant and equipment in the SNG facility.

The Controlling Company also has recognized an impairment loss amounting to 61,787 million since recoverable amounts on Strip Casting facilities and others is less than their carrying amount for the year ended December 31, 2018.

(*2)

As of December 31, 2018, POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD., a subsidiary, performed an impairment test due to the continued operating losses of the fuel cell business, and recognized impairment losses amounting to 54,250 million.

(*3)

Represents assets transferred from construction-in-progress to intangible assets and other property, plant and equipment, reclassifications resulting from changing the purpose of use, adjustments of foreign currency translation differences and others.

 

  2)

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)   Beginning     Acquisitions     Business
Combination
    Disposals     Depreciation     Impairment
loss(*1,2)
    Others(*3)     Ending  

Land

  2,548,002       6,550       —         (2,128     —         —         (26,365     2,526,059  

Buildings

    4,402,452       39,551       22,836       (10,376     (314,107     (90,036     165,134       4,215,454  

Structures

    2,917,924       49,931       2       (3,350     (228,616     (27,217     195,832       2,904,506  

Machinery and equipment

    18,518,129       175,743       1,216       (78,236     (2,250,022     (309,604     1,161,038       17,218,264  

Vehicles

    31,341       8,027       189       (742     (15,057     (559     9,086       32,285  

Tools

    66,164       19,178       5,792       (1,340     (28,537     (2,106     11,600       70,751  

Furniture and fixtures

    136,287       34,618       252       (1,630     (36,309     (1,808     (1,278     130,132  

Lease assets(*4)

    137,564       72,640       490       (8,401     (130,905     —         703,194       774,582  

Bearer plants

    80,771       —         —         —         (5,916     —         49,338       124,193  

Construction-in-progress

    1,179,639       2,261,663       17,697       (24,840     —         (10,150     (1,494,262     1,929,747  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  30,018,273       2,667,901       48,474       (131,043     (3,009,469     (441,480     773,317       29,925,973  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Controlling Company estimated recoverable amount of individual assets in CEM and Fe-Si factories that ceased operations due to the disposal plan and others. The Company measured recoverable amounts based on appraisal value or scrap

 

F-78


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  value. The Company recognized impairment losses of 205,396 million since recoverable amounts are less than their carrying amounts.
(*2)

As of December 31, 2019, POSCO SS VINA JOINT STOCK COMPANY (formerly, POSCO SS VINA Co., Ltd.), a subsidiary, performed impairment test due to the continued operating losses and recognized impairment losses amounting to 204,546 million since recoverable amount based on value-in-use is less than its carrying amount.

(*3)

Represents assets transferred from construction-in-progress to intangible assets and other property, plant and equipment, reclassifications resulting from changing the purpose of use, adjustments of foreign currency translation differences and others.

(*4)

On the date of initial application of IFRS No.16 “Leases” (January 1, 2019), recognition of 704,458 million of right-of-use assets is included in others.

 

(c)

Borrowing costs capitalized and the capitalized interest rate for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Weighted average expenditure

   628,595        587,628  

Borrowing costs capitalized

     22,619        22,775  

Capitalization rate (%)

     2.51 ~ 3.90        3.57 ~ 5.46  

 

(d)

Property, plant and equipment and investment property pledged as collateral as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)  

Collateral right holder

  Book value  
    2018     2019  

Land

 

Korean Development Bank and others

  769,843       765,307  

Buildings and structures

 

Korean Development Bank and others

    1,522,129       1,363,709  

Machinery and equipment

 

Korean Development Bank and others

    3,419,528       2,440,777  
    5,711,500       4,569,793  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2019, assets pledged as collateral related to the Company’s borrowings and others amounting to 5,016,568 million include investment properties and other assets such as land use right.

 

F-79


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(e)

Changes in the carrying amount of right of use assets presented as property, plant and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    Beginning
(Initial
applicaion
date)
     Right of use
assets

Acquisitions
     Depreciation     Others     Ending  

Land

   340,107        22,850        (11,461     (10,154     341,342  

Buildings and structures

     209,455        23,015        (38,853     (22,505     171,112  

Machinery and equipment

     219,877        14,610        (33,751     15,092       215,828  

Vehicles

     20,555        8,735        (10,050     (5,135     14,105  

others

     52,028        3,430        (36,790     13,527       32,195  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   842,022        72,640        (130,905     (9,175     774,582  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(f)

The amount recognized in profit or loss related to leases for the year ended December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2019  

Interest on lease liabilities

   35,483  

Expenses related to short-term leases

     41,974  

Expenses related to leases of low-value assets

     14,150  
  

 

 

 
   91,607  
  

 

 

 

15. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net

(a) Goodwill and other intangible assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

    2018     2019  
(in millions of Won)   Acquisition
cost
    Accumulated
amortization
and
impairment
loss
    Government
grants
    Book value     Acquisition
cost
    Accumulated
amortization
and
impairment
loss
    Government
grants
    Book value  

Goodwill

  1,603,308       (478,159     —         1,125,149       1,631,413       (533,604     —         1,097,809  

Intellectual property rights

    3,300,638       (901,113     —         2,399,525       3,449,796       (1,170,586     —         2,279,210  

Premium in rental

    158,338       (23,545     —         134,793       170,247       (22,169     —         148,078  

Development expense

    445,752       (346,589     —         99,163       483,539       (389,200     —         94,339  

Port facilities usage rights

    724,375       (419,294     —         305,081       686,525       (405,127     —         281,398  

Exploration and evaluation assets

    285,845       (93,715     —         192,130       294,874       (217,603     —         77,271  

Customer relationships

    860,951       (439,178     —         421,773       865,821       (490,946     —         374,875  

Other intangible assets

    1,115,742       (622,417     (114     493,211       1,220,641       (665,026     (122     555,493  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  8,494,949       (3,324,010     (114     5,170,825       8,802,856       (3,894,261     (122     4,908,473  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-80


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(b)

The changes in carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

  1)

For the year ended December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)    Beginning      Acquisitions      Disposals     Amortization     Impairment
loss
    Others(*3)     Ending  

Goodwill

   1,349,838                           (223,709     (980     1,125,149  

Intellectual property rights

     2,449,193        334,667        (18,619     (198,282     (96,475     (70,959     2,399,525  

Premium in rental(*1)

     118,310        36,196        (15,675     (330     (4,218     510       134,793  

Development expense

     80,218        4,248        (32     (37,305     (411     52,445       99,163  

Port facilities usage rights

     309,373        —          —         (22,975     —         18,683       305,081  

Exploration and evaluation assets

     205,944        2,654        —         —         (3,339     (13,129     192,130  

Customer relationships

     466,945        —          —         (48,499     —         3,327       421,773  

Power generation permit(*2)

     539,405        —          —         —         —         (539,405     —    

Other intangible assets

     433,043        164,594        (1,644     (49,190     (8,844     (44,748     493,211  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   5,952,269        542,359        (35,970     (356,581     (336,996     (594,256     5,170,825  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Premium in rental includes memberships with indefinite useful lives.

(*2)

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company disposed of a portion of shares of its subsidiary, POSPower Co., Ltd, which resulted in the Company’s loss of control, and derecognition of corresponding intangible assets.

(*3)

Represents assets transferred from construction-in-progress to intangible assets and assets transferred from property, plant and equipment, adjustments of foreign currency translation difference and others.

 

F-81


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  2)

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)   Beginning     Acquisitions     Business
Combination
    Disposals     Amortization     Impairment
loss(*2)
    Others(*3)     Ending  

Goodwill

  1,125,149       —         26,256       —         —         (55,445     1,849       1,097,809  

Intellectual property rights

    2,399,525       127,479       —         (6,566     (271,694     (2     30,468       2,279,210  

Premium in rental(*1)

    134,793       15,636       —         (3,326     (181     24       1,132       148,078  

Development expense

    99,163       4,484       —         (35     (44,418     (666     35,811       94,339  

Port facilities usage rights

    305,081       —         —         (4,674     (22,923     —         3,914       281,398  

Exploration and evaluation assets

    192,130       9,642       —         —         —         (123,888     (613     77,271  

Customer relationships

    421,773       —         —         —         (51,768     —         4,870       374,875  

Other intangible assets

    493,211       141,578       74       (10,718     (40,263     (10,111     (18,278     555,493  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —    
  5,170,825       298,819       26,330       (25,319     (431,247     (190,088     59,153       4,908,473  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Premium in rental includes memberships with indefinite useful lives.

(*2)

From exploration and evaluation of natural gas in the AD-7 block in Myanmar, POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation failed to find economic natural gas. The Company recognized impairment loss of the amount of 118,140 million in excess of the Special Energy Loan.

(*3)

Represents assets transferred from construction-in-progress to intangible assets and assets transferred from property, plant and equipment, adjustments of foreign currency translation difference and others.

 

F-82


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(c)

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to individually operating entities which are determined to be CGUs. The goodwill amounts as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)

Reportable

segments

   Total number of
CGUs
                    
   2018      2019     

CGUs

   2018      2019  

Steel

     7        7      POSCO VST CO., LTD.    36,955        36,955  
         Others      12,484        13,721  

Trading

     2        3      POSCO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION(*1)      1,006,879        951,434  
         GRAIN TERMINAL HOLDING(*2)      —          26,256  
         PT. Bio Inti Agrindo      6,902        7,468  
         Others      16        —    

E&C

     2        2      POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.      24,868        24,868  
         POSCO Center Beijing      155        158  
         POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.      26,471        26,471  

Others

     5        5      Others      10,419        10,478  
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
     16        17         1,125,149        1,097,809  
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Recoverable amounts of POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation are determined based on its value in use. As of December 31, 2019, value in use is estimated by applying a 6.84% discount rate and a 1.9% terminal growth rate after 5 years, based on management’s business plan. The terminal growth rate does not exceed long-term growth rate of its industry. Impairment loss on goodwill of 55,445 million was recognized as of December 31, 2019 as the recoverable amount is less than the carrying amount of the CGU.

Value in use of the CGU was affected by the assumptions such as discount rate, terminal growth rate and estimated sales used in discounted cash flow model. When the discount rate increases by 0.25%, value in use will be decreased by 157,501 million or 4.65% and when the terminal growth rate decreases by 0.25%, value in use will be decreased by 69,413 million or 2.05%.

 

(*2)

In connection with the acquisition of Grain Terminal Holding, the Company recognized goodwill of 26,256 million.

 

F-83


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

16.

Other Assets

Other current assets and other non-current assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Current

     

Advance payment

   539,894        453,538  

Prepaid expenses

     123,770        145,834  

Firm commitment asset

     11,246        17,490  

Others

     9,553        14,315  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     684,463        631,177  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current

     

Long-term advance payment

     24,280        21,950  

Long-term prepaid expenses

     334,918        41,256  

Others(*1)

     149,566        262,036  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   508,764        325,242  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

) As of December 31, 2018 and 2019 the Company recognized tax assets amounting to 116,693 million and 213,071 million, respectively, based on the Company’s best estimate of the income tax amounts to be refunded when the result of the Company’s appeal in connection with the additional income tax payment in prior years’ tax audits and claim for rectification are finalized.

 

17.

Borrowings

(a) Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term borrowings as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)  

Bank

 

Issuance date

 

Maturity date

  Interest
rate (%)
    2018     2019  

Short-term borrowings

           

Bank overdrafts

  JP Morgan and others  

January, 2019~

December, 2019

 

January, 2020~

December, 2020

    0.5~8.9     294,364       159,075  

Short-term borrowings

  HSBC and others  

January, 2019~

December, 2019

 

January, 2020~

December, 2020

    0.2~12.7       7,193,416       5,327,258  
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
            7,487,780       5,486,333  
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term liabilities

           

Current portion of long-term borrowings

  Export-Import Bank of Korea and others  

November, 2004~

October, 2019

 

January, 2020~

December, 2020

    0.7~6.6       1,234,915       1,491,934  

Current portion of debentures

  Korea Development Bank and others  

October, 2010~

September, 2018

 

April, 2020~

October, 2020

    1.5~4.3       1,568,108       1,571,194  

Less: Current portion of discount on debentures issued

            (1,184     (1,249
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
            2,801,839       3,061,879  
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
          10,289,619       8,548,212  
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-84


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(b)

Long-term borrowings, excluding current portion as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)  

Bank

 

Issuance date

 

Maturity date

  Interest
rate (%)
    2018     2019  

Long-term borrowings

 

Export-Import Bank of

Korea and others

 

September, 2001~

December, 2019

 

February, 2021~

March, 2037

    0.2~12.5     4,499,199       3,827,152  

Less: Present value discount

            (30,526     (24,374

Bonds

  KB Securities co.,Ltd. and others  

April, 2011~

November, 2019

 

February, 2021~

October, 2029

    1.6~5.3       5,469,580       8,124,194  

Less: Discount on debentures issued

            (18,602     (33,571
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
          9,919,651       11,893,401  
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(c)

Assets pledged as collateral in regard to the borrowings as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)   

Bank

   Book value      Pledged
amount
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   Sinhan Bank and others      26,923        26,923  

Property, plant and equipment and Investment property

   Korea Development Bank and others      4,420,551        4,967,168  

Trade accounts and notes receivable

   Korea Development Bank and others      7,498        7,498  

Inventories

   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others      118,824        12,650  

Financial instruments

   KB Kookmin Bank and others      46,217        45,017  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
      4,620,013        5,059,256  
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

18.

Other Payables

Other payables as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Current

     

Accounts payable

   783,562        832,845  

Accrued expenses

     720,773        742,370  

Dividend payable

     8,673        3,106  

Lease liabilities(*1)

     10,152        149,176  

Withholdings

     196,937        152,011  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   1,720,097        1,879,508  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current

     

Accounts payable

   1,624        2,718  

Accrued expenses

     19,021        4,805  

Lease liabilities(*1)

     84,602        526,294  

Long-term withholdings

     43,621        51,312  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   148,868        585,129  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-85


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(*1)

As of December 31, 2019, the Company recognized additional lease liabilities of 590,225 million upon initial application of IFRS 16 “Leases”.

19. Other Financial Liabilities

Other financial liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Current

     

Derivatives liabilities

   27,328        28,021  

Financial guarantee liabilities

     50,472        49,806  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   77,800        77,827  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current

     

Derivatives liabilities

   46,429        17,033  

Financial guarantee liabilities

     17,733        14,461  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   64,162        31,494  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

20. Provisions

 

(a)

Provisions as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  
     Current      Non-current      Current      Non-current  

Provision for bonus payments

   46,514        26,964        76,432        47,237  

Provision for construction warranties

     11,842        130,391        7,655        162,773  

Provision for legal contingencies and claims(*1)

     16,981        94,169        6,996        77,488  

Provision for the restoration(*2)

     9,379        79,789        6,783        80,520  

Others(*3,4)

     213,737        99,723        262,471        90,136  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   298,453        431,036        360,337        458,154  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

The Company recognized probable outflow of resources amounting to 50,888 million and 54,228 million as provisions for legal contingencies and claims in relation to lawsuits against the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

(*2)

Due to contamination of lands near the Company’s magnesium smelting plant located in Gangneung province and others, the Company recognized present values of estimated costs for recovery of 22,725 million as provisions for restoration as of December 31, 2019. In order to determine the estimated costs, the Company has assumed that it would use all of technologies and materials that are currently available to recover the land. The Company has applied a discount rate of 1.74%~1.84% to measure present value of these costs.

(*3)

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD., and Korea Fuel Cell, recognized 200,407 million and 178,959 million of provisions for warranties, respectively, for the service contract on fuel cell based on its estimate of probable outflow of to fulfill the service requirements.

(*4)

The Company has recognized emission liabilities of 50,965 million for greenhouse gas emissions exceeding the quantity of free quota emission rights expected to be submitted as of December 31, 2019.

 

F-86


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(b)

The following are the key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainties at the end of the reporting period.

 

    

Key assumptions for the estimation

Provision for bonus payments

   Estimations based on financial performance and service provided

Provision for construction warranties

   Estimations based on historical warranty data

Provision for legal contingencies and claims

   Estimations based on the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a sufficient reliable estimate of the amount of loss

 

(c)

Changes in provisions for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

  1)

For the year ended December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)    Beginning      Increase      Utilization     Reversal     Others(*1)     Ending  

Provision for bonus payments

   49,171        88,879        (60,723     (3,856     7       73,478  

Provision for construction warranties

     118,036        56,560        (24,608     (7,660     (95     142,233  

Provision for legal contingencies and claims

     36,764        84,242        (6,066     (3,399     (391     111,150  

Provision for the restoration

     134,190        14,912        (9,212     (47,682     (3,040     89,168  

Others

     249,957        328,879        (118,388     (216,668     69,680       313,460  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     588,118      573,472      (218,997)     (279,265)     66,161     729,489  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Includes adjustments of foreign currency translation differences and others.

 

2)

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)    Beginning      Increase      Utilization     Reversal     Others(*1)      Ending  

Provision for bonus payments

   73,478        122,714        (86,084     (3,077     16,638        123,669  

Provision for construction warranties

     142,233        53,203        (22,858     (3,444     1,294        170,428  

Provision for legal contingencies and claims

     111,150        26,407        (37,087     (18,098     2,112        84,484  

Provision for the restoration

     89,168        23,559        (13,411     (14,379     2,366        87,303  

Others

     313,460        95,747        (38,260     (86,458     68,118        352,607  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     729,489      321,630      (197,700)     (125,456)     90,528      818,491  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Includes adjustments of foreign currency translation differences and others.

 

F-87


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

21.

Employee Benefits

 

(a)

Defined contribution plans

The expenses related to post-employment benefit plans under defined contribution plans for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Expense related to post-employment benefit plans under defined contribution plans

   35,538        42,825        46,846  

 

(b)

Defined benefit plans

 

  1)

The amounts recognized in relation to net defined benefit liabilities in the statements of financial position as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Present value of funded obligations

   2,117,829        2,416,203  

Fair value of plan assets(*1)

     (1,997,717      (2,255,149

Present value of non-funded obligations

     19,332        15,677  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net defined benefit liabilities

   139,444        176,731  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the Company recognized net defined benefit assets amounting to 1,489 million and 4,280 million, respectively, since there are consolidated entities whose fair value of plan assets exceeded the present value of defined benefit obligations.

 

  2)

Changes in present value of defined benefit obligations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Defined benefit obligations at the beginning of year

   1,843,135        2,137,161  

Current service costs

     212,323        236,735  

Interest costs

     54,950        51,900  

Remeasurements :

     212,678        152,713  

- Gain from change in financial assumptions

     173,084        103,850  

- Loss (gain) from change in demographic assumptions

     526        (492

- Others

     39,068        49,355  

Benefits paid

     (189,165      (152,275

Others

     3,240        5,646  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Defined benefit obligations at the end of year

   2,137,161        2,431,880  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-88


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  3)

Changes in fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of year

   1,714,166        1,997,717  

Interest on plan assets

     50,784        48,210  

Remeasurement of plan assets

     (19,761      (8,692

Contributions to plan assets

     408,326        342,915  

Benefits paid

     (163,112      (124,962

Others

     7,314        (39
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at the end of year

   1,997,717        2,255,149  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company expects to make an estimated contribution of 331,415million to the defined benefit plan assets in 2020.

 

  4)

The fair value of plan assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Equity instruments

   3,151        10,386  

Debt instruments

     692,825        1,013,716  

Deposits

     1,244,802        1,159,455  

Others

     56,939        71,592  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   1,997,717        2,255,149  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  5)

The amounts recognized in consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Current service costs

   209,612        212,323        236,735  

Net interest costs(*1)

     (9,686      4,166        3,690  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   199,926        216,489        240,425  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

The actual return on plan assets amounted to 30,422 million, 31,023 million and 39,518 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

The expenses by function were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Cost of sales

   131,724        150,822        169,206  

Selling and administrative expenses

     67,424        64,505        70,060  

Others

     778        1,162        1,159  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   199,926        216,489        240,425  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-89


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  6)

Accumulated actuarial gains (losses), net of tax recognized in other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Beginning

   (251,612      (299,155      (472,644

Current actuarial gains (losses)

     (47,543      (173,489      (117,152
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending

   (299,155      (472,644      (589,796
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  7)

The principal actuarial assumptions as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(%)    2018      2019  

Discount rate

     2.24~10.03        1.72 ~ 13.00  

Expected future increase in salaries(*1)

     2.54~10.00        2.00 ~ 11.00  

 

(*1)

The expected future increase in salaries is based on the average salary increase rate for the past 3 years.

All assumptions are reviewed at the end of the reporting period. Additionally, to determine the present value of defined benefit obligations, the Company uses actuarial assumptions associated with the long-term characteristics of the defined benefit plan.

 

  8)

Reasonably possible changes at the reporting date to one of the relevant actuarial assumptions, holding the other assumptions constant, would have affected the defined benefit obligation by the amounts shown below:

 

(in millions of Won)    1% Increase      1% Decrease  
     Amount      Percentage(%)      Amount      Percentage(%)  

Discount rate

   (167,767      (6.9      194,809        8.0  

Expected future increase in salaries

     195,098        8.0        (170,997      (7.0

 

  9)

As of December 31, 2019, the maturity of the expected benefit payments are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    Within
1 year
     1 year
- 5 years
     5 years
- 10 years
     10 years
- 20 years
     After
20 years
     Total  

Benefits paid

   279,554        928,288        513,133        771,500        409,976        2,902,451  

The maturity analysis of the defined benefit obligation is based on nominal amounts according to expected remaining working lives of employees.

 

F-90


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

22.

Other Liabilities

Other liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Current

     

Due to customers for contract work

   641,064        644,947  

Advances received

     1,130,910        746,169  

Unearned revenue

     49,805        61,795  

Withholdings

     233,981        388,486  

Firm commitment liability

     24,373        15,637  

Others

     10,174        8,604  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   2,090,307        1,865,638  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current

     

Advances received

     123,071        116,178  

Unearned revenue

     42,992        27,161  

Others

     84,369        52,349  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   250,432        195,688  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-91


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

23.

Financial Instruments

 

(a)

Classification and fair value of financial instruments

 

  1)

The carrying amount and the fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities by fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)           Fair value  
     Book value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Financial assets

              

Fair value through profit or loss

              

Derivative assets

   16,662        —          16,662        —          16,662  

Short-term financial instruments

     6,099,303        —          6,099,303        —          6,099,303  

Debt securities

     27,229        —          —          27,229        27,229  

Other securities

     338,106        1,224        5,205        331,677        338,106  

Other receivables

     2,000        —          —          2,000        2,000  

Derivative hedging instruments(*2)

     32,421        —          32,421        —          32,421  

Fair value through other comprehensive income

              

Equity securities

     1,238,630        891,514        —          347,116        1,238,630  

Debt securities

     1,638        —          —          1,638        1,638  

Financial assets measured at amortized cost(*1)

     —                

Cash and cash Equivalents

     2,643,865        —          —          —          —    

Trade accounts and notes receivable

     8,819,617        —          —          —          —    

Other receivables

     1,843,381        —          —          —          —    

Debt securities

     8,447        —          —          —          —    

Deposit instruments

     1,966,558        —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   23,037,857        892,738        6,153,591        709,660        7,755,989  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

              

Fair value through profit or loss

              

Derivative liabilities

   60,047        —          60,047        —          60,047  

Derivative hedging instruments(*2)

     13,710        —          13,710        —          13,710  

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost(*1)

              

Trade accounts and notes payable

     4,035,960        —          —          —          —    

Borrowings

     20,209,270        —          20,377,105        —          20,377,105  

Financial guarantee liabilities

     68,205        —          —          —          —    

Others

     1,803,353        —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   26,190,545        —          20,450,862        —          20,450,862  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured at amortized cost except borrowings approximates carrying amounts.

 

F-92


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)           Fair value  
     Book value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Financial assets

              

Fair value through profit or loss

              

Derivative assets

   106,104        —          106,104        —          106,104  

Short-term financial instruments

     6,861,242        —          6,861,242        —          6,861,242  

Debt securities

     28,087        —          —          28,087        28,087  

Other securities

     340,008        1,222        3,330        335,456        340,008  

Other receivables

     2,000        —          —          2,000        2,000  

Derivative hedging instruments(*2)

     6,174        —          6,174        —          6,174  

Fair value through other comprehensive income

              

Equity securities

     1,204,902        782,108        73        422,721        1,204,902  

Debt securities

     5,686        —          —          5,686        5,686  

Financial assets measured at amortized cost(*1)

              

Cash and cash Equivalents

     3,514,872        —          —          —          —    

Trade accounts and notes receivable

     8,214,459        —          —          —          —    

Other receivables

     2,193,700        —          —          —          —    

Debt securities

     334,153        —          —          —          —    

Deposit instruments

     1,779,082        —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   24,590,469        783,330        6,976,923        793,950        8,554,203  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

              

Fair value through profit or loss

              

Derivative liabilities

   32,193        —          32,193        —          32,193  

Derivative hedging instruments(*2)

     12,861        —          12,861        —          12,861  

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost(*1)

              

Trade accounts and notes payable

     3,442,989        —          —          —          —    

Borrowings

     20,441,613        —          20,666,476        —          20,666,476  

Financial guarantee liabilities

     64,267        —          —          —          —    

Others

     2,401,382        —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   26,395,305        —          20,711,530        —          20,711,530  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured at amortized cost except borrowings approximates carrying amounts.

(*2)

The Company applies fair value hedge for certain forward contracts utilized in hedging the risk of changes in fair value of product prices regarding firm commitments or purchase commitments. Also, the Company applies cash flow hedge for certain currency swap utilized in hedging the risk of changes in foreign currency which influences cash flow from borrowings.

 

F-93


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  2)

Financial assets and financial liabilities classified as fair value hierarchy Level 2

Fair values of derivatives are measured using valuation models such as discounted cash flow method and others. Inputs of the valuation model include forward rate, interest rate and others. It may change depending on the type of derivatives and the nature of the underlying assets.

 

  3)

Financial assets and financial liabilities classified as fair value hierarchy Level 3

 

 

Fair value measurement method and significant but not observable inputs for the financial assets classified as fair value hierarchy Level 3 as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)   Fair value    

Valuation technique

  Inputs  

Range of inputs

 

Effect on fair value
assessment

with unobservable input

Financial assets at fair value

  417,683     Discounted cash flows   Growth rate   0% ~ 0.5%   As growth rate increases, fair value increases
      Discount rate   6.0% ~ 18.4%   As discount rate increases, fair value decreases
    17,931     Proxy firm valuation method   Price multiples   0.621 ~ 2.645   As price multiples increases, fair value increases
    358,336     Asset value approach   —     —     —  

 

 

Sensitivity analysis of financial assets and financial liabilities classified as Level 3 of fair value hierarchy

If other inputs remain constant as of December 31, 2019 and one of the significant but not observable input is changed, the effect on fair value measurement is as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)   

Input variable

   Favorable
changes
     Unfavorable
changes
 

Financial assets at fair value

   Fluctuation 0.5% of growth rate    1,325        1,224  
   Fluctuation 0.5% of discount rate      24,766        21,845  

 

 

Changes in fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities classified as Level 3 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Beginning

   880,012        709,660  

Acquisition

     134,325        68,461  

Loss on valuation of financial assets

     (34,555      (9,412

Other comprehensive income

     26,771        106,586  

Disposal and others

     (296,893      (81,345
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending

   709,660        793,950  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-94


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  4)

Finance income and costs by category of financial instrument for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2017

 

    Finance income and costs     Other
comprehensive
loss
 
(in millions of Won)   Interest
income
(expense)
    Gain and
loss on
valuation
    Gain and
loss on
foreign
currency
    Gain and
loss on
disposal
    Impairment
loss
    Others     Total  

Financial assets held for trading

  —         16       —         —         —         —         16       —    

Derivatives assets

    —         (99,942     —         206,362       —         —         106,420       (143

Available-for-sale financial assets

    60       —         —         418,789       (123,214     92,961       388,596       (31,389

Held-to-maturity financial assets

    236       —         —         —         —         7       243       —    

Loans and receivables

    212,155       —         (607,837     (32,456     —         (304     (428,442     —    

Derivatives liabilities

    —         (61,809     —         (231,908     —         —         (293,717     —    

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

    (653,115     —         777,935       —         —         (9,546     115,274       —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (440,664     (161,735     170,098       360,787       (123,214     83,118       (111,610     (31,532
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-95


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018

 

    Finance income and costs     Other
comprehensive
income (loss)
 
(in millions of Won)   Interest
income
(expense)
    Gain and
loss on
valuation
    Gain and
loss on
foreign
currency
    Gain and
loss on
disposal
    Others     Total  

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

  140,116       (43,293     —         11,919       3,644       112,386       —    

Derivative assets

    —         47,720       —         233,187       —         280,907       —    

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income

    —         —         —         —         59,701       59,701       (149,188

Financial assets measured at amortized cost

    197,142       —         234,606       (39,970     (370     391,408       —    

Derivative liabilities

    —         8,592       —         (194,446     —         (185,854     (212

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

    (741,296     —         (438,708     —         (16,990     (1,196,994     —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (404,038     13,019       (204,102     10,690       45,985       (538,446     (149,400
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

    Finance income and costs     Other
comprehensive
income (loss)
 
(in millions of Won)   Interest
income
(expense)
    Gain and
loss on
valuation
    Gain and
loss on
foreign
currency
    Gain and
loss on
disposal
    Others     Total  

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

  142,873       (23,551     —         5,556       630       125,508       —    

Derivative assets

    —         123,538       —         184,861       —         308,399       —    

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income

    —         —         —         —         74,825       74,825       (10,541

Financial assets measured at amortized cost

    209,511       —         295,319       (36,935     (8,042     459,853       —    

Derivative liabilities

    —         (7,494     —         (217,072     —         (224,566     (90

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

    (755,711     —         (330,808     (2,432     (24,988     (1,113,939     —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (403,327     92,493       (35,489     (66,022     42,425       (369,920     (10,631
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-96


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(b)

Credit risk

 

  1)

Credit risk exposure

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk. The maximum exposure to credit risk as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Cash and cash equivalents

   2,643,865        3,514,872  

Derivative assets

     49,083        112,278  

Short-term financial instrument

     6,099,303        6,861,242  

Debt securities

     37,314        367,926  

Other securities

     338,106        340,008  

Other receivables

     1,845,381        2,195,700  

Trade accounts and nores receivable

     8,819,617        8,214,459  

Deposit instruments

     1,966,558        1,779,082  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   21,799,227        23,385,567  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company provided financial guarantee for the repayment of loans of associates, joint ventures and third parties. As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the maximum exposure to credit risk related to the financial guarantee amounted to 3,147,280 million and 4,959,011 million, respectively.

 

  2)

Impairment losses on financial assets

The Company assesses expected credit losses by estimating the default rate based on the credit loss experience of prior periods and current overdue conditions and considers the credit default swap (CDS) premium to reflect changes in credit risk by sector. For credit-impaired assets and significant receivables where the credit risk is significantly increased, credit losses are individually assessed.

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Trade accounts and notes receivable

   588,733        465,524  

Other accounts receivable

     160,729        210,313  

Loans

     147,980        195,339  

Other assets

     19,348        27,098  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   916,790        898,274  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-97


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

 

Impairment losses on financial assets for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Bad debt expenses

   74,781        (28,105

Other bad debt expenses(*1)

     81,353        88,787  

Less: Recovery of allowance for other bad debt accounts

     (18,261      (8,464
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   137,873        52,218  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Other bad debt expenses are mainly related to loans and other accounts receivable.

 

 

The aging and allowance for doubtful accounts of trade accounts and notes receivable as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

     2018      2019  
(in millions of Won)    Trade accounts and
notes receivable
     Impairment      Trade accounts and
notes receivable
     Impairment  

Current (not past due)

   8,021,110        70,418        7,528,607        75,324  

Over due less than 1 month

     632,082        14,434        876,753        9,395  

1 month - 3 months

     226,082        4,116        228,115        6,647  

3 months - 12 months

     118,094        11,774        134,888        7,954  

Over 12 months

     1,148,694        487,991        965,977        366,204  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   10,146,062        588,733        9,734,340        465,524  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

The aging and allowance for doubtful accounts of other receivables as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

     2018      2019  
(in millions of Won)    Loans and other
account receivable
     Impairment      Loans and other
account receivable
     Impairment  

Current (not past due)

   1,754,293        140,072        1,220,756        56,354  

Over due less than 1 month

     100,102        4,307        432,220        1,546  

1 month - 3 months

     28,351        851        91,521        239  

3 months - 12 months

     59,946        12,411        271,814        10,846  

over 12 months

     230,746        170,416        612,139        363,765  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   2,173,438        328,057        2,628,450        432,750  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-98


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

 

Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Beginning

   977,771        1,094,464        916,790  

Initial application of IFRS No.9

     —          107,454        —    

Bad debt expenses

     173,694        74,781        (28,105

Other bad debt expenses

     98,177        63,092        80,323  

Others(*1)

     (155,178      (423,001      (70,735
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending

   1,094,464        916,790        898,273  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Others for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, included decreases mainly due to write-off amounting to 119,964 million, 383,714 million and 78,505 million, respectively.

 

(c)

Liquidity risk

 

  1)

Contractual maturities of non-derivative financial liabilities are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    Book value      Contractual
cash flow
     Within
1 year
     1 year
- 5 years
     After
5 years
 

Trade accounts and notes payable

   3,442,989        3,444,596        3,422,957        21,639        —    

Borrowings

     20,441,613        22,161,306        9,262,808        11,171,927        1,726,571  

Financial guarantee liabilities(*1)

     64,267        3,406,609        3,406,609        —          —    

Lease liabilities

     675,470        858,662        166,854        502,674        189,134  

Other financial liabilities

     1,725,912        1,797,765        1,667,087        130,678        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   26,350,251        31,668,938        17,926,315        11,826,918        1,915,705  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

For issued financial guarantee contracts, the maximum amount of the guarantee is allocated to the earliest period in which the guarantee could be called.

 

  2)

Contractual maturities of derivative financial liabilities are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    Within
1 year
     1 year
- 5 years
     After
5 years
     Total  

Currency forward

   11,779        10,132        —          21,911  

Currency swap

     570        1,687        3,845        6,102  

Interest rate swap

     1,525        1,368        —          2,893  

Others

     14,148        —          —          14,148  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   28,022        13,187        3,845        45,054  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-99


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(d)

Currency risk

 

  1)

The Company has exposure to the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of the changes in foreign exchange rates. The exposure to currency risk as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 is as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  
     Assets      Liabilities      Assets      Liabilities  

USD

       4,346,481        6,389,276        4,423,107        6,166,765  

EUR

     657,690        509,437        592,381        180,816  

JPY

     97,722        389,625        79,664        253,542  

Others

     259,949        142,868        481,455        319,046  

 

  2)

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, provided that functional currency against foreign currencies other than functional currency hypothetically strengthens or weakens by 10%, the changes in gain or loss for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  
     10% increase      10% decrease      10% increase      10% decrease  

USD

       (204,280      204,280        (174,366      174,366  

EUR

     14,825        (14,825      41,156        (41,156

JPY

     (29,190      29,190        (17,388      17,388  

 

(e)

Interest rate risk

 

  1)

The carrying amount of interest-bearing financial instruments as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Fixed rate

     

Financial assets

   11,565,519        13,391,637  

Financial liabilities

     (11,781,701      (13,264,607
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (216,182      127,030  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Variable rate

     

Financial liabilities

   (8,522,323      (7,852,476

 

  2)

Sensitivity analysis on the cash flows of financial instruments with variable interest rate

The Company’s interest rate risk mainly arises from borrowings with variable interest rate. As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, provided that other factors remain the same and the interest rate of borrowings with floating rates increases or decreases by 1%, the changes in interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  
     1% increase      1% decrease      1% increase      1% decrease  

Variable rate financial instruments

       (85,223      85,223        (78,525      78,525  

 

F-100


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

24.

Share Capital and Capital Surplus

 

(a)

Share capital as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(Share, in Won)    2018      2019  

Authorized shares

     200,000,000        200,000,000  

Par value

   5,000        5,000  

Issued shares(*1)

     87,186,835        87,186,835  

Shared capital(*2)

       482,403,125,000        482,403,125,000  

 

(*1)

As of December 31, 2019, total shares of ADRs of 34,827,912 outstanding in overseas stock market are equivalent to 8,706,978 of common stock.

(*2)

As of December 31, 2019, the difference between the ending balance of common stock and the par value of issued common stock is 46,469 million due to retirement of 9,293,790 treasury stocks.

 

(b)

The changes in issued common stock for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(share)    2018      2019  
     Issued
shares
     Treasury
shares
    Number of
outstanding
shares
     Issued
shares
     Treasury
shares
    Number of
outstanding
shares
 

Beginning

     87,186,835        (7,187,231     79,999,604        87,186,835        (7,185,703     80,001,132  

Disposal of treasury shares

     —          1,528       1,528        —          114,509       114,509  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending

     87,186,835        (7,185,703     80,001,132        87,186,835        (7,071,194     80,115,641  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(c)

Capital surplus as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Share premium

   463,825        463,825  

Gain on disposal of treasury shares

     784,047        796,623  

Other capital deficit

     172,135        125,259  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
       1,420,007        1,385,707  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-101


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(d)

POSCO Energy Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, issued redeemable convertible preferred shares which are classified as non-controlling interests in the consolidated financial statements. The details of redeemable convertible preferred shares as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

(Share, in Won)   

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Shares

Issue date

   February 25, 2017

Number of shares issued

   8,643,193 shares

Price per share

   28,346

Voting rights

   No voting rights for 3 years from issue date

Dividend rights

  

Cumulative, Non-participating

· Minimum dividend rate for 1 year : 3.98%

· Dividend rate for 2~3 years : 4.48%

· Minimum dividend rate after 4 years : Comparative rate + Issuance spread + 2%

Details about Redemption

   Issuer can demand redemption of all or part of redeemable convertible preferred shares every year after the issue date, for a period of 10 years from the issue date.

Details about Conversion

  

Stockholders of redeemable convertible preferred shares can convert them to common shares from 3 years after the issue date to the end of the redemption period (10 years).

Conversion price is equal to issue price, which could be adjusted according to anti-dilution clause.

Redeemable convertible preferred shares are classified as non-controlling interests in the consolidated financial statements since the issuer has a redemption right and can control the circumstances in which the entity can settle with a variable quantity of equity instruments.

 

25.

Hybrid Bonds

 

  (a)

Hybrid bonds classified as equity as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    Date of issue      Date of
maturity
     Interest
rate (%)
     2018     2019  

Hybrid bond 1-2(*1)

     2013-06-13        2043-06-13        4.60      200,000       200,000  

Issuance cost

              (616     (616
           

 

 

   

 

 

 
                199,384       199,384  
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-102


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(*1)

Details of issuance of hybrid bonds as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

    

Hybrid bond 1-2

Maturity date

   30 years (POSCO has a right to extend the maturity date)

Interest rate

  

Issue date ~ 2023-06-12 : 4.60%

Reset every 10 years as follows;

· After 10 years : return on government bond (10 years) + 1.40%

· After 10 years : additionally +0.25% according to Step-up clauses

· After 30 years : additionally +0.75%

Interest payments condition

   Quarterly (Optional deferral of interest payment is available to POSCO)

Others

   POSCO can call the hybrid bond at year 10 and interest payment date afterwards

The hybrid bond holder’s preference in the event of liquidation is senior to the common shareholders, but subordinate to other creditors. The interest accumulated but not paid on the hybrid bonds as of December 31, 2019 amounts to 479 million.

 

(b)

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD., a subsidiary of the Company, issued hybrid bonds, which are classified as non-controlling interests in the consolidated financial statements. Hybrid bonds as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    Date of issue      Date of maturity      Interest rate (%)      2018     2019  

Hybrid bond 1-4(*1)

     2013-08-29        2043-08-29        5.21        140,000       140,000  

Issuance cost

              (429     (429
           

 

 

   

 

 

 
                139,571       139,571  
           

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Details of issuance of hybrid bonds of POSCO ENERGY Co., Ltd .as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

    

Hybrid bond 1-4

Maturity date    30 years (The Company has a right to extend the maturity date)
Interest rate   

Issue date ~ 2023-08-29 : 5.21%

Reset every 10 years as follows;

· After 10 years : return on government bond (10 years) + 1.55%

· After 10 years : additionally +0.25% according to Step-up clauses

· After 30 years : additionally +0.75%

Interest payments condition    Quarterly (Optional deferral of interest payment is available to the issuer)
Others    The issuer can call the hybrid bond at year 10 and interest payment date afterwards

The hybrid bond holders’ preference in the event of liquidation is senior to the common shareholders, but subordinate to other creditors. The interest accumulated but not paid on the hybrid bonds as of December 31, 2019 amounts to 639 million.

 

F-103


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

26.

Reserves

 

(a)

Reserves as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Accumulated comprehensive loss of investments in associates and joint ventures

   (670,435      (648,712

Changes in fair value of equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income

     (295,300      (285,073

Foreign currency translation differences

     (417,817      (202,636

Gain or losses on valuation of derivatives

     (352      (438

Others

     (20,464      (21,121
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   (1,404,368      (1,157,980
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(b)

Changes in unrealized fair value of available-for-sale investments and changes in fair value of equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Beginning balance

   230,190        (295,300

Initial application of IFRS No. 9

     (421,525      —    

Changes in unrealized fair value of equity investments

     (139,226      (9,422

Reclassification upon disposal

     45,737        21,902  

Others

     (10,476      (2,253
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   (295,300      (285,073
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

27.

Treasury Shares

Based on the Board of Directors’ resolution, POSCO holds treasury shares for business purposes including its share price stabilization. The changes in treasury shares for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(shares, in millions of Won)    2018      2019  
     Number of shares      Amount      Number of shares      Amount  

Beginning

     7,187,231      1,533,054        7,185,703      1,532,728  

Disposal of treasury shares

     (1,528      (326      (114,509      (24,425
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending

     7,185,703      1,532,728        7,071,194      1,508,303  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-104


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

28.

Revenue

 

(a)

Disaggregation of revenue

 

  1)

Details of revenue disaggregated by types of revenue and timing of revenue recognition for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2017

 

(in millions of Won)    Steel      Trading      Construction      Others      Total  

Types of revenue

              

Revenue from sales of goods

   30,064,680        20,655,267        20,368        617,394        51,357,709  

Revenue from services

     111,494        28,793        48,408        1,876,179        2,064,874  

Revenue from construction contract

     —          —          6,262,038        37,154        6,299,192  

Others

     54,194        118,147        87,559        205,192        465,092  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   30,230,368        20,802,207        6,418,373        2,735,919        60,186,867  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Timing of revenue recognition

              

Revenue recognized at a point in time

   30,118,874        20,773,414        334,345        832,369        52,059,002  

Revenue recognized over time

     111,494        28,793        6,084,028        1,903,550        8,127,865  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   30,230,368        20,802,207        6,418,373        2,735,919        60,186,867  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)    Steel      Trading      Construction      Others      Total  

Types of revenue

              

Revenue from sales of goods

   31,733,609        21,632,183        3,568        605,206        53,974,566  

Revenue from services

     583,359        611,752        63,922        2,274,606        3,533,639  

Revenue from construction contract

     —          —          6,860,995        272,778        7,133,773  

Others

     41,041        163,782        17,784        290,051        512,658  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   32,358,009        22,407,717        6,946,269        3,442,641        65,154,636  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Timing of revenue recognition

              

Revenue recognized at a point in time

   31,774,650        21,795,965        743,448        906,120        55,220,183  

Revenue recognized over time

     583,359        611,752        6,202,821        2,536,521        9,934,453  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   32,358,009        22,407,717        6,946,269        3,442,641        65,154,636  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-105


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)    Steel      Trading      Construction      Others      Total  

Types of revenue

              

Revenue from sales of goods

   31,456,714        21,629,838        —          712,196        53,798,748  

Revenue from services

     573,463        369,730        49,696        2,217,862        3,210,751  

Revenue from construction contract

     —          —          7,308,401        30,998        7,339,399  

Others

     48,276        157,564        5,393        225,578        436,811  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   32,078,453        22,157,132        7,363,490        3,186,634        64,785,709  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Timing of revenue recognition

              

Revenue recognized at a point in time

   31,504,990        21,787,402        747,917        943,037        54,983,346  

Revenue recognized over time

     573,463        369,730        6,615,573        2,243,597        9,802,363  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   32,078,453        22,157,132        7,363,490        3,186,634        64,785,709  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(b)

Details of contract assets and liabilities from contracts with customers as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, are as follows.

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Receivables

     

Account receivables

   8,819,617        8,214,459  

Contract assets

     

Due from customers for contract work

     737,712        1,054,357  

Contract liabilities

     

Advance received

     1,278,731        864,480  

Due to customers for contract work

     641,064        644,947  

Unearned revenue

     91,872        88,733  

 

29.

Revenue – Contract Balances

 

(a)

Details of in-progress contracts as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Accumulated cost

   26,153,452        27,281,031  

Accumulated contract profit

     1,848,718        2,462,008  

Accumulated contract loss

     (804,538      (1,185,200

Accumulated contract revenue

     27,197,632        28,557,839  

 

F-106


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(b)

Details of due from customers for contract work and due to customers for contract work as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Unbilled due from customers for contract work

   810,655        1,128,116  

Due to customers for contract work

     (641,064      (644,947
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   169,591        483,169  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(c)

Due to the factors causing the variation of costs for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, the estimated total contract costs have changed. Details of changes in estimated total contract costs and the impact on profit before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and future periods are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Changes in estimated total contract costs

   427,812        533,639  

Changes in profit before income taxes of construction contract :

     

- Current period

     (38,720      (166,077

- Future periods

     69,428        (43,584

The effect on the current and future profit is estimated based on the circumstances that have occurred from the commencement date of the contract to the end of period. The estimation is evaluated for the total contract costs and expected total contract revenue as of the end of the period. Also, it may change during future periods.

 

(d)

Uncertainty of estimates

 

  1)

Total contract revenues

Total contract revenues are measured based on contractual amount initially agreed. However, the contract revenues can increase due to additional contract work, claims and incentive payments, or decrease due to penalty when the completion of contract is delayed due to the Company’s fault. Therefore, the measurement of contract revenues is affected by the uncertainty of the occurrence of future events.

 

  2)

Total contract costs

Contract revenues are recognized based on the percentage of completion, which is measured on the basis of the gross cost amount incurred to date. Total contract costs are estimated based on estimates of future material costs, labor costs, outsourcing cost and others. There is uncertainty in estimates on future contract costs due to various internal and external factors such as fluctuation of market, the risk of business partner and the experience of project performance and others. The significant assumptions including uncertainty of the estimate of total contract costs are as follows:

 

    

Method of significant assumption

Material cost    Assumption based on recent purchasing price and quoted market price
Labor cost    Assumption based on standard monthly and daily labor cost
Outsourcing cost    Assumption based on the past experience rate of similar project and market price

 

F-107


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

Management reviews the assumptions used in estimated contract costs at each reporting period end and adjusts them, if necessary.

 

(e)

As of December 31, 2019, revenue expected to be recognized in the future in relation to performance obligations that have not been fulfilled (or partially fulfilled) is as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2020      2021      2022      After 2023      Total  

Expected Revenue

   6,387,124        4,279,557        2,105,577        1,965,478        14,737,736  

 

30.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

 

(a)

Other administrative expenses

Other administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Wages and salaries

   774,900        813,467        840,599  

Expenses related to post-employment benefits

     78,654        73,290        88,880  

Other employee benefits

     159,920        176,240        177,908  

Travel

     39,790        40,929        42,692  

Depreciation

     97,261        101,274        131,337  

Amortization

     146,314        112,418        112,171  

Communication

     11,740        10,616        11,150  

Electricity

     7,050        8,309        8,799  

Taxes and public dues

     72,826        71,973        78,932  

Rental

     69,976        69,516        39,886  

Repairs

     9,859        15,291        13,454  

Entertainment

     11,582        11,816        11,123  

Advertising

     119,724        106,875        82,574  

Research & development

     125,795        108,352        110,315  

Service fees

     193,387        165,938        193,486  

Vehicles maintenance

     8,211        8,942        7,660  

Industry association fee

     10,140        9,571        9,609  

Conference

     14,494        14,510        15,104  

Increase to provisions

     10,990        14,433        18,071  

Others

     40,493        51,995        47,536  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   2,003,106        1,985,755        2,041,286  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-108


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(b)

Selling expenses

Selling expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Freight and custody(*1)

   1,336,969        184,675        180,341  

Operating expenses for distribution center

     10,503        10,614        9,222  

Sales commissions

     115,925        79,080        73,941  

Sales advertising

     3,800        4,821        1,552  

Sales promotion

     12,414        13,792        9,989  

Sample

     1,989        2,716        2,287  

Sales insurance premium

     36,546        37,251        32,632  

Contract cost

     23,061        16,992        38,081  

Others

     16,070        19,304        20,273  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   1,557,277        369,245        368,318  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

From the year ended December 31, 2018, upon adoption of IFRS No. 15, the Company recognized the freight expenses included in selling expenses incurred for the delivery of transportation services identified as a separate performance obligations in cost of sales.

 

31.

Research and Development Expenditures Recognized as Expenses

Research and development expenditures recognized as expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Administrative expenses

   125,795        108,352        110,315  

Cost of sales

     361,093        418,250        389,460  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   486,888        526,602        499,775  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-109


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

32.

Other Operating Income and Expenses

Details of other operating income and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017     2018     2019  

Other operating income

      

Gain on disposals of assets held for sale

   1,180       27,171       37,461  

Gain on disposals of investment in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     81,794       45,241       27,836  

Gain on disposals of property, plant and equipment

     32,145       53,139       49,367  

Gain on disposals of intangible assets

     23,391       117,139       1,896  

Gain on valuation of firm commitment

     56,301       39,028       60,201  

Gain on valuation of emission rights

     —         —         25,440  

Gain on disposals of emission rights

     —         —         11,141  

Reversal of other provisions

     —         3,557       36,522  

Others(*1,3)

     253,670       238,311       201,027  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   448,481       523,586       450,891  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

      

Impairment loss on assets held for sale

   —         (50,829     (38,328

Loss on disposals of investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     (19,985     (5,226     (6,539

Loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment

     (151,343     (117,614     (120,227

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment

     (117,231     (1,004,704     (442,700

Impairment loss on investment property

     —         (51,461     (32,642

Impairment loss on intangible assets

     (167,995     (337,519     (191,021

Loss on valuation of firm commitment

     (43,164     (66,281     (37,685

Idle tangible asset expenses

     (10,490     (9,257     (34,152

Increase to provisions

     (33,964     (134,632     (23,074

Donations

     (51,424     (52,074     (51,567

Others(*2)

     (95,780     (184,865     (112,029
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (691,376     (2,014,462     (1,089,964
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized other operating income of 74,044 million as a result of request for judgment on refund of value added tax related to imported LNG.

(*2)

During the 2018, the Company recognized the other-operating expenses of 52,997 million in fines for additional value added tax related to imported LNG.

(*3)

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized other operating income of 55,306 million as a result of request for judgment and correction of tax investigation.

 

F-110


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

33.

Finance Income and Costs

Details of finance income and costs for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017     2018     2019  

Finance income

      

Interest income(*1)

   212,451       337,258       352,384  

Dividend income

     92,962       63,345       75,455  

Gain on foreign currency transactions

     785,616       716,060       824,565  

Gain on foreign currency translations

     564,016       212,443       206,019  

Gain on derivatives transactions

     210,727       247,513       195,933  

Gain on valuations of derivatives

     64,735       96,986       163,491  

Gain on disposals of financial assets at fair value through profit of loss

     —         8,742       8,525  

Gain on disposals of available-for-sale financial assets

     425,684       —         —    

Gain on valuations of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

     —         16,149       42,297  

Others

     16,476       7,474       3,474  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   2,372,667       1,705,970       1,872,143  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance costs

      

Interest expenses

   (653,115     (741,296     (755,711

Loss on foreign currency transactions

     (756,654     (810,857     (746,603

Loss on foreign currency translations

     (422,880     (321,748     (319,470

Loss on derivatives transactions

     (236,273     (208,772     (228,144

Loss on valuations of derivatives

     (226,487     (40,674     (47,447

Loss on disposals of trade accounts and notes receivable

     (32,456     (39,970     (36,935

Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets

     (123,214     —         —    

Loss on disposals of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

     —         (1,474     (2,969

Loss on valuations of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

     —         (59,442     (65,848

Others

     (33,198     (20,183     (38,936
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (2,484,277     (2,244,416     (2,242,063
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Interest income calculated using the effective interest method for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were 130,710 million, 197,142 million and 209,511 million, respectively.

 

F-111


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

34.

Expenses by Nature

Expenses that are recorded by nature as cost of sales, selling and administrative expenses, impairment loss on other receivables and other operating expenses in the statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows (excluding finance costs and income tax expense):

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Raw material used, changes in inventories and others

   35,584,184        38,884,690        39,279,866  

Employee benefits(*2)

     3,357,861        3,639,192        3,623,611  

Outsourced processing cost

     7,074,948        7,462,656        8,250,372  

Electricity

     933,045        949,435        912,832  

Depreciation(*1)

     2,887,646        2,911,048        3,029,868  

Amortization

     409,774        356,581        431,247  

Freight and custody

     1,336,969        1,414,940        1,446,628  

Sales commissions

     115,925        79,080        73,941  

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

     151,343        117,614        120,227  

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment

     117,231        1,004,704        442,700  

Impairment loss on goodwill and intangible assets

     167,995        337,519        191,021  

Donations

     51,424        52,074        51,567  

Other

     4,253,625        4,445,124        4,168,470  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   56,441,970        61,654,657        62,022,350  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Includes depreciation of investment property.

(*2)

The details of employee benefits expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Wages and salaries

   3,105,364        3,372,831        3,313,642  

Expenses related to post-employment benefits

     252,497        266,361        309,969  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   3,357,861        3,639,192        3,623,611  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

35.

Income Taxes

 

(a)

Income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 was as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Current income taxes(*1)

   864,143        1,577,581        913,286  

Deferred income tax due to temporary differences

     300,037        (38,851      164,078  

Items recorded directly in equity

     21,560        144,900        11,005  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   1,185,740        1,683,630        1,088,369  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-112


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(*1)

Refund (additional payment) of income taxes when filing a final corporation tax return credited (charged) directly to current income taxes.

 

(b)

The income taxes credited (charged) directly to equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Net changes in the unrealized fair value of available-for-sale investments

   1,271        47,423        (26,744

Gain on disposal of treasury shares

     (40      (50      —    

Others

     20,329        97,527        37,749  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   21,560        144,900        11,005  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(c)

The following table reconciles the calculated income tax expense based on POSCO’s statutory rate (27.5%) to the actual amount of taxes recorded by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

 

(in millions of Won)    2017     2018     2019  

Profit before income tax expense

   4,095,051       3,616,016       3,126,534  

Income tax expense computed at statutory rate

     990,540       982,287       847,017  

Adjustments:

      

Tax credits

     (40,757     (32,103     (39,709

Additional income tax expense for prior years (over provisions from prior years)

     (20,912     44,336       (35,389

Tax effect from tax audit

     —         130,196       14,775  

Investment in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     (12,510     114,856       317,977  

Tax effects due to permanent differences

     72,421       64,708       (5,588

Effect of tax rate change(*1)

     175,647       —         —    

Others(*2)

     21,311       379,350       (10,714
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     195,200       701,343       241,352  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

   1,185,740       1,683,630       1,088,369  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective tax rate (%)

     28.96     46.56     34.81

 

(*1)

During the year ended 31, 2017, the statutory rate changed from 24.2% to 27.5% for taxable income in excess of 300,000 million was enacted as a result of a revision to Korean tax law, which will be effective from 2018.

(*2)

Includes the effect of undeductible impairment loss related to Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) facility for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

F-113


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(d)

The movements in deferred tax assets (liabilities) for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018     2019  
     Beginning     Inc.
(Dec.)
    Ending     Beginning     Inc.
(Dec.)
    Ending  

Deferred income tax due to temporary differences

            

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   273,994       (92,851     181,143       181,143       (28,007     153,136  

Reserve for technology developments

     (37,987     37,987       —         —         —         —    

PP&E - Depreciation

     14,641       (4,804     9,837       9,837       12,374       22,211  

Share of profit or loss of equity-accounted investees

     196,042       31,552       227,594       227,594       (108,480     119,114  

Allowance for inventories valuation

     10,780       (104     10,676       10,676       (1,231     9,445  

PP&E - Revaluation

     (1,828,164     (33,548     (1,861,712     (1,861,712     43,251       (1,818,461

Prepaid expenses

     20,000       (2,741     17,259       17,259       (2,047     15,212  

PP&E - Impairment loss

     5,540       (927     4,613       4,613       (208     4,405  

Gain or loss on foreign currency translation

     (48,472     10,462       (38,010     (38,010     45,046       7,036  

Defined benefit liabilities

     (36,754     (36,835     (73,589     (73,589     (22,094     (95,683

Provision for construction losses

     441       6,964       7,405       7,405       (102     7,303  

Provision for construction warranty

     28,717       41,601       70,318       70,318       (8,517     61,801  

Accrued income

     (12,915     (179     (13,094     (13,094     (17,722     (30,816

Impairment loss on AFS

     202,795       (126,876     75,919       75,919       36,636       112,555  

Difference in acquisition costs of treasury shares

     70,547       (15     70,532       70,532       (1,124     69,408  

Others

     490,225       (65,906     424,319       424,319       (30,535     393,784  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (650,570     (236,220     (886,790     (886,790     (82,760     (969,550
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes recognized directly to equity

            

Net changes in fair value of equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income(*1)

     (49,236     206,121       156,885       156,885       (26,744     130,141  

Others

     72,161       58,111       130,272       130,272       37,749       168,021  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     22,925       264,232       287,157       287,157       11,005       298,162  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax from tax credit

            

Tax credit carry-forward and others

     118,032       (2,443     115,589       115,589       (23,750     91,839  

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

            

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     68,426       135,512       203,938       203,938       (68,574     135,364  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (441,187     161,081       (280,106     (280,106     (164,079     (444,185
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

These changes include the cumulative impact of initial application of IFRS No. 15 and IFRS No. 9 from the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

F-114


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(e)

Deferred tax assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018     2019  
     Assets      Liabilities     Net     Assets      Liabilities     Net  

Deferred income tax due to temporary differences

              

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   181,143        —         181,143       153,136        —         153,136  

Reserve for technology developments

     —          —         —         —          —         —    

PP&E - Depreciation

     55,354        (45,517     9,837       68,649        (46,438     22,211  

Share of profit or loss of equity-accounted investees

     278,466        (50,872     227,594       177,467        (58,353     119,114  

Allowance for inventories valuation

     10,676        —         10,676       9,445        —         9,445  

PP&E - Revaluation

     —          (1,861,712     (1,861,712     —          (1,818,461     (1,818,461

Prepaid expenses

     17,259        —         17,259       15,212        —         15,212  

PP&E - Impairment loss

     5,240        (627     4,613       4,405        —         4,405  

Gain or loss on foreign currency translation

     121,797        (159,807     (38,010     136,360        (129,324     7,036  

Defined benefit liabilities

     390,972        (464,561     (73,589     426,930        (522,613     (95,683

Provision for construction losses

     7,405        —         7,405       7,303        —         7,303  

Provision for construction warranty

     70,318        —         70,318       61,801        —         61,801  

Accrued income

     —          (13,094     (13,094     —          (30,816     (30,816

Impairment loss on AFS

     75,919        —         75,919       112,555        —         112,555  

Difference in acquisition costs of treasury shares

     70,532        —         70,532       69,408        —         69,408  

Others

     820,611        (396,292     424,319       471,621        (77,836     393,784  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,105,692        (2,992,482     (886,790     1,714,292        (2,683,841     (969,550
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes recognized directly to equity

              

Net changes in fair value of equity investments at fair value through other comprehensive income

     247,921        (91,036     156,885       220,276        (90,135     130,141  

Others

     153,609        (23,337     130,272       193,384        (25,363     168,021  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     401,530        (114,373     287,157       413,660        (115,498     298,162  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax from tax credit

              

Tax credit carry-forward and others

     115,589        —         115,589       91,839        —         91,839  

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

              

Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     547,662        (343,724     203,938       441,172        (305,808     135,364  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   3,170,473        (3,450,579     (280,106     2,660,963        (3,105,147     (444,185
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(f)

As of December 31, 2019, deductible temporary differences of 7,217,365 million and taxable temporary differences of 6,195,282 million (deferred tax liabilities of 1,678,379 million) related to investments in subsidiaries and associates were not recognized as deferred tax assets or liabilities, because it is not probable they will reverse in the foreseeable future.

(g)

The Company recognized current tax payable or receivable at the best of the tax amount expected to be paid or received that reflects uncertainty related to income taxes.

 

F-115


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

36.

Earnings per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in Won, except per share
information)
  2017     2018     2019  

Profit attribute to controlling interest

  2,756,230,487,872       1,711,901,875,666       1,864,405,092,477  

Interests of hybrid bonds

    (33,048,799,997     (17,720,986,299     (6,669,999,999

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding(*1)

    79,998,600       80,000,606       80,113,759  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share

  34,040       21,177       23,189  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

The weighted-average number of common shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:

 

(shares)    2017      2018      2019  

Total number of common shares issued

     87,186,835        87,186,835        87,186,835  

Weighted-average number of treasury shares

     (7,188,235      (7,186,229      (7,073,076
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of

common shares outstanding

     79,998,600        80,000,606        80,113,759  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Since there were no potential shares of common stock which had dilutive effects as of December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, diluted earnings per share is equal to basic earnings per share.

 

F-116


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

37.

Related Party Transactions

 

(a)

Significant transactions between the controlling company and related companies for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

1) For the year ended December 31, 2017

 

(in millions of Won)   Sales and others(*1)     Purchase and others (*2)  
    Sales     Others     Purchase of
material
    Purchase of
fixed assets
    Outsourced
processing
cost
    Others  

Subsidiaries(*3)

           

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO.,LTD.

  3,328       71       —         151,639       32       18,352  

POSCO Processing&Service

    298,781       1       113,628       4,595       8,309       404  

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

    417,369       3,533       —         —         8,483       106  

POSCO ICT(*4)

    1,697       5,097       —         315,748       29,773       183,226  

eNtoB Corporation

    1       30       330,921       8,215       139       26,023  

POSCO CHEMICAL CO., LTD
(Formerly, POSCO CHEMTECH)

    359,862       33,076       479,896       23,043       296,296       6,860  

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

    179,966       1,456       —         —         —         2  

POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation (Formerly, POSCO DAEWOO Corporation)

    5,214,127       35,182       550,258       221       44,108       1,948  

POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited

    218,005       9,780       10,168       —         —         —    

POSCO America Corporation

    345,225       —         90       —         —         1,776  

POSCO Canada Ltd.

    439       690       278,915       —         —         —    

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

    1,949,354       1,454       365,025       337       1,625       4,982  

Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

    161,803       —         —         —         —         176  

POSCO JAPAN Co., Ltd.

    1,436,159       20       26,256       621       —         44,829  

POSCO-VIETNAM Co., Ltd.

    212,883       —         —         —         —         7  

POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

    276,387       —         —         —         —         1,749  

POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited

    467,206       —         —         —         —         65  

POSCO(Suzhou) Automotive Processing Center Co., Ltd.

    192,467       —         —         —         —         —    

Others

    932,048       10,073       262,828       25,270       240,687       118,665  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    12,667,107       100,463       2,417,985       529,689       629,452       409,170  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Associates and joint ventures(*3)

           

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

    2,947       112       5,487       300,041       20,718       19,763  

SNNC

    6,734       712       554,151       —         —         4  

POSCO-SAMSUNG-Slovakia Processing Center

    52,779       —         —         —         —         —    

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd

    —         —         697,096       —         —         —    

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

    7,384       —         159,501       —         —         —    

Others

    14,943       52,583       79,103       —         —         3  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    84,787       53,407       1,495,338       300,041       20,718       19,770  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  12,751,894       153,870       3,913,323       829,730       650,170       428,940  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Sales and others mainly consist of sales of steel products to subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures. These are priced on an arm’s length basis.

(*2)

Purchases and others mainly consist of subsidiaries’ purchases of construction services and purchases of raw materials to manufacture steel products. These are priced on an arm`s length basis.

 

F-117


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(*3)

As of December 31, 2017, the Company provided guarantees to related parties (Note 38).

(*4)

Others (purchase) mainly consist of service fees related to maintenance and repair of ERP System.

 

  2)

For the year ended December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)   Sales and others(*1)     Purchase and others(*2)  
    Sales     Others     Purchase of
material
    Purchase of
fixed assets
    Outsourced
processing
cost
    Others  

Subsidiaries(*3)

           

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

  7,827       97       —         322,924       47       36,428  

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

    476,105       2,725       —         —         9,211       1,434  

POSCO ICT(*4)

    2,624       7,479       —         341,472       34,376       196,252  

eNtoB Corporation

    12       60       377,198       27,508       390       31,455  

POSCO CHEMICAL CO., LTD
(Formerly, POSCO CHEMTECH)

    417,957       35,762       531,452       21,730       319,868       2,802  

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

    206,638       1,445       —         —         —         —    

POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation
(Formerly, POSCO DAEWOO Corporation)

    5,835,226       42,888       690,345       —         57,624       4,318  

POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited

    299,450       5,335       10,115       —         —         71  

POSCO America Corporation

    336,366       —         —         —         —         2,486  

POSCO Canada Ltd.

    —         2,155       300,982       —         —         —    

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

    1,857,665       253       536,280       650       2,449       6,524  

Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

    188,252       7       —         —         —         34  

POSCO JAPAN Co., Ltd.

    1,353,313       6       25,773       4,204       —         5,411  

POSCO-VIETNAM Co., Ltd.

    273,573       156       —         —         —         8  

POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

    299,276       17       —         —         —         35  

POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited

    563,618       584       —         —         —         156  

POSCO(Suzhou) Automotive Processing Center Co., Ltd.

    196,095       —         2,616       —         —         5  

Others(*5)

    1,158,122       44,098       456,804       31,787       264,060       140,869  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    13,472,119       143,067       2,931,565       750,275       688,025       428,288  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Associates and joint ventures(*3)

           

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

    10,904       240       3,166       215,023       24,192       10,257  

SNNC

    5,105       4,108       558,425       —         —         80  

POSCO-SAMSUNG-Slovakia Processing Center

    61,981       —         —         —         —         —    

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd

    —         —         810,196       —         —         —    

Others

    14,199       54,747       64,335       —         —         6  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    92,189       59,095       1,436,122       215,023       24,192       10,343  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  13,564,308       202,162       4,367,687       965,298       712,217       438,631  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Sales and others mainly consist of sales of steel products to subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures.

(*2)

Purchases and others mainly consist of subsidiaries’ purchases of construction services and purchases of raw materials to manufacture steel products.

(*3)

As of December 31, 2018, the Company provided guarantees to related parties (Note 38).

(*4)

Others (purchase) mainly consist of service fees related to maintenance and repair of ERP System.

 

F-118


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(*5)

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company made loans of 2,950 million to Suncheon Eco Trans Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company. As of December 31, 2018, corresponding amounts of those loans were recorded as allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

  3)

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)   Sales and others(*1)     Purchase and others(*2)  
    Sales     Others     Purchase of
material
    Purchase of
fixed assets
    Outsourced
processing
cost
    Others  

Subsidiaries(*3)

           

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

  6,688       11,137       4,725       416,734       57       24,174  

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

    468,070       2,014       95       —         20,298       724  

POSCO ICT(*4)

    2,924       4,994       —         344,977       34,638       181,128  

eNtoB Corporation

    15       60       304,846       64,845       126       25,754  

POSCO CHEMICAL CO., LTD (Formerly, POSCO CHEMTECH)

    389,731       35,592       522,493       17,549       315,530       4,561  

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

    148,205       2,211       5,123       94       —         7,561  

POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation (Formerly, POSCO DAEWOO Corporation)

    6,025,938       46,661       541,002       —         49,506       7,149  

POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited

    265,374       13,795       10,037       —         —         3  

POSCO America Corporation

    300,598       —         —         —         —         2,994  

POSCO Canada Ltd.

    1,067       1,833       306,552       —         —         —    

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

    1,781,841       1,352       390,056       1,338       1,574       7,561  

Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

    146,468       —         —         —         —         110  

POSCO JAPAN Co., Ltd.

    1,509,631       36       38,631       6,269       —         5,835  

POSCO-VIETNAM Co., Ltd.

    265,849       368       —         —         —         66  

POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

    303,924       159       —         —         —         809  

POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited

    644,652       311       —         —         —         800  

POSCO(Suzhou) Automotive Processing Center Co., Ltd.

    121,633       27       2,189       —         —         —    

POSCO VST CO., LTD.

    299,307       —         —         —         —         114  

POSCO INTERNATIONAL SINGAPORE PTE LTD.

    —         154       694,600       —         —         —    

Others

    964,532       20,679       134,296       34,444       246,184       169,849  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    13,646,447       141,383       2,954,645       886,250       667,913       439,192  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Associates and joint ventures(*3)

           

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

    1,364       86       2,882       306,927       15,089       30,317  

SNNC

    5,527       4,100       588,276       —         —         9  

POSCO-SAMSUNG-Slovakia Processing Center

    65,688       —         —         —         —         —    

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd

    —         —         1,272,878       —         —         —    

Others

    16,084       112,390       76,427       —         —         85,167  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    88,663       116,576       1,940,463       306,927       15,089       115,493  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  13,735,110       257,959       4,895,108       1,193,177       683,002       554,685  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

Sales and others mainly consist of sales of steel products to subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures.

(*2)

Purchases and others mainly consist of subsidiaries’ purchases of construction services and purchases of raw materials to manufacture steel products.

 

F-119


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(*3)

As of December 31, 2019, the company provided guarantees to related parties (Note 38)

(*4)

Others (purchase) mainly consist of service fees related to maintenance and repair of ERP System.

 

(b)

The related account balances of receivables and payables resulting from significant transactions between the controlling company and related companies as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

  1)

December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)   Receivables     Payables  
    Trade accounts
and notes

receivable
    Others     Total     Trade accounts
and notes
payable
    Accounts
payable
    Others     Total  

Subsidiaries

             

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

  57       5,181       5,238       —         52,775       438       53,213  

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

    55,598       317       55,915       —         25       1,194       1,219  

POSCO ICT

    —         229       229       1,572       112,960       8,717       123,249  

eNtoB Corporation

    —         —         —         10,860       22,072       11       32,943  

POSCO CHEMICAL CO., LTD (Formerly, POSCO CHEMTECH)

    40,258       3,883       44,141       19,911       58,725       19,012       97,648  

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

    22,163       1,700       23,863       —         —         1,425       1,425  

POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation (Formerly, POSCO DAEWOO Corporation)

    437,554       1,056       438,610       161       1,881       5,304       7,346  

POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited

    71,189       —         71,189       467       71       —         538  

POSCO America Corporation

    14,338       —         14,338       —         221       —         221  

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

    480,205       1,047       481,252       7,839       —         —         7,839  

Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

    52,037       —         52,037       —         —         —         —    

POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

    101,179       218       101,397       —         —         —         —    

POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited

    390,413       1,428       391,841       —         —         —         —    

Others

    379,950       54,407       434,357       33,183       36,591       85,745       155,519  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    2,044,941       69,466       2,114,407       73,993       285,321       121,846       481,160  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Associates and joint ventures

             

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

    249       10       259       3,275       34,803       —         38,078  

SNNC

    541       61       602       22,188       —         —         22,188  

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd

    —         —         —         22,997       —         —         22,997  

Others

    918       910       1,828       217       76       —         293  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    1,708       981       2,689       48,677       34,879       —         83,556  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         2,046,649       70,447       2,117,096       122,670       320,200       121,846       564,716  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-120


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  2)

December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)   Receivables     Payables  
    Trade accounts
and notes
receivable
    Others     Total     Trade accounts
and notes
payable
    Accounts
payable
    Others     Total  

Subsidiaries

             

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO.,LTD.

  5,702       65       5,767       —         78,512       385       78,897  

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

    57,792       —         57,792       —         11       3,828       3,839  

POSCO ICT

    225       1       226       1,147       129,424       42,844       173,415  

eNtoB Corporation

    —         —         —         3,459       27,431       —         30,890  

POSCO CHEMICAL CO., LTD (Formerly, POSCO CHEMTECH)

    35,102       3,578       38,680       17,839       52,710       19,369       89,918  

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

    1,876       4       1,880       —         3,229       14,912       18,141  

POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation (Formerly, POSCO DAEWOO Corporation)

    633,073       —         633,073       345       2,218       3,839       6,402  

POSCO Thainox Public Company Limited

    52,826       2       52,828       916       —         —         916  

POSCO America Corporation

    8,448       —         8,448       —         —         —         —    

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

    508,962       748       509,710       12,784       171       —         12,955  

Qingdao Pohang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd.

    29,842       —         29,842       —         —         —         —    

POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.

    90,351       702       91,053       —         —         —         —    

POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited

    235,917       444       236,361       —         —         —         —    

Others(*1)

    470,734       33,851       504,585       14,397       40,233       87,652       142,282  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    2,130,850       39,395       2,170,245       50,887       333,939       172,829       557,655  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Associates and joint ventures

             

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

    84       10       94       471       49,511       —         49,982  

SNNC

    297       65       362       19,769       —         —         19,769  

Roy Hill Holdings Pty Ltd

    —         —         —         93,383       —         —         93,383  

Others

    942       706       1,648       3,447       586       —         4,033  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    1,323       781       2,104       117,070       50,097       —         167,167  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         2,132,173       40,176       2,172,349       167,957       384,036       172,829       724,822  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company made loans of 2,950 million to Suncheon Eco Trans Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company. As of December 31, 2019, corresponding amounts of those loans were recorded as allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

F-121


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(c)

Significant transactions between the Company, excluding the controlling company, and related companies for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

  1)

For the year ended December 31, 2017

 

(in millions of Won)    Sales and others      Purchase and others  
     Sales      Others      Purchase of
material
     Others  

Associates and joint ventures

           

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

   19,513        —          98        8,113  

New Songdo International City Development, LLC

     223,567        13,207        —          49  

SNNC

     26,288        —          3,578        17,985  

Chuncheon Energy Co., Ltd.

     42,147        —          —          —    

Noeul Green Energy Co., Ltd.

     11,863        —          —          2,178  

VSC POSCO Steel Corporation

     19,404        —          188        —    

USS-POSCO Industries

     26,899        107        2,222        —    

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

     241,299        —          101,018        21,154  

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     38,484        —          47,241        —    

LLP POSUK Titanium

     —          —          3,972        —    

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

     4        —          20,145        —    

POS-SEAHSTEELWIRE(TIANJIN)CO., Ltd

     20,004        —          —          —    

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

     —          —          21,024        —    

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire (Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     34,088        —          192        —    

Zhangjiagang Pohang Refractories Co., Ltd.

     —          —          87        1,632  

Sebang Steel

     441        —          23,778        —    

SHANGHAI WAIGAOQIAO FREE TRADE ZONE LANSHENG DAEWOO IN’L TRADING CO., LTD.

     43,764        —          —          —    

DMSA/AMSA

     —          99        47,092        —    

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     —          62,423        —          —    

Others

     272,107        43,126        19,520        19,483  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   1,019,872        118,962        290,155        70,594  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  2)

For the year ended December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)    Sales and others      Purchase and others  
     Sales      Others      Purchase of
material
     Others  

Associates and joint ventures

           

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

   19,394        —          83        24,103  

New Songdo International City Development, LLC

     30,997        53,316        —          97  

SNNC

     66,075        128        2,395        71,421  

Chuncheon Energy Co., Ltd.

     25,693        —          —          —    

Noeul Green Energy Co., Ltd.

     6,444        —          —          587  

VSC POSCO Steel Corporation

     12,504        —          2,314        —    

USS-POSCO Industries

     —          —          2,595        —    

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

     239,922        9,678        346,602        26,324  

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     46,538        —          62,851        —    

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

     —          —          10,572        —    

POS-SEAHSTEELWIRE(TIANJIN)CO., Ltd

     12,244        —          —          —    

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

     —          168        15,663        —    

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     30,417        —          249        —    

Sebang Steel

     —          —          13,571        —    

DMSA/AMSA

     —          —          46,293        —    

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     —          50,789        —          —    

Others

     359,124        62,375        20,136        50,918  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   849,352        176,454        523,324        173,450  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-122


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  3)

For the year ended December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)    Sales and others      Purchase and others  
     Sales      Others      Purchase of
material
     Others  

Associates and joint ventures

           

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

   15,637        —          39        14,778  

New Songdo International City Development, LLC

     33,885        44,131        —          36  

SNNC

     74,034        —          35,910        65,503  

Chuncheon Energy Co., Ltd.

     1,156        —          —          —    

Noeul Green Energy Co., Ltd.

     6,579        —          —          1,217  

USS-POSCO Industries

     4        —          1,835        —    

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

     98,330        12,718        416,541        23,398  

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     34,895        —          39,733        —    

BX STEEL POSCO Cold Rolled Sheet Co., Ltd.

     10        —          4,222        —    

POS-SEAHSTEELWIRE(TIANJIN)CO., Ltd

     11,500        —          —          —    

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

     —          772        45,841        —    

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     30,083        —          353        —    

Sebang Steel

     —          —          4,862        —    

DMSA/AMSA

     —          —          71,275        —    

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     64        42,010        —          —    

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

     88,506        16,424        4,769        2,144  

POSPower Co., Ltd.

     163,167        —          —          —    

TK CHEMICAL CORPORATION

     172,133        —          63,836        —    

Others

     252,125        53,596        31,460        28,039  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   982,108        169,651        720,676        135,115  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-123


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(d)

The related account balances of receivables and payables resulting from significant transactions between the Company, excluding the controlling company, and related companies as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

  1)

December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)   Receivables(*1)     Payables  
    Trade accounts
and notes
receivable
    Loan     Others     Total     Trade accounts
and notes
payable
    Others     Total  

Associates and joint ventures

             

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

  3,593       —         6       3,599       6,160       217       6,377  

New Songdo International City Development, LLC

    233,157       —         —         233,157       —         —         —    

Chuncheon Energy Co., Ltd

    —         —         —         —         —         1,758       1,758  

POSPower Co.,Ltd

    13,703       —         —         13,703       —         66,856       66,856  

Nickel Mining Company SAS

    —         59,664       118       59,782       —         —         —    

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

    364,190       —         9,669       373,859       62,578       —         62,578  

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

    10,836       —         —         10,836       2,101       —         2,101  

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

    —         35,100       171       35,271       —         —         —    

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

    6,274       3,354       27       9,655       66       —         66  

DMSA/AMSA

    —         64,297       —         64,297       —         —         —    

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

    —         191,107       —         191,107       —         —         —    

Others

    75,382       136,117       83,786       295,285       7,768       5,363       13,131  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  707,135       489,639       93,777       1,290,551       78,673       74,194       152,867  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

As of December 31, 2018, the Company recognizes bad debt allowance for receivables amounting to 102,694 million.

 

F-124


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  2)

December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)   Receivables(*1)     Payables  
    Trade accounts
and notes
receivable
    Loan     Others     Total     Trade accounts
and notes
payable
    Others     Total  

Associates and joint ventures

             

POSCO PLANTEC Co., Ltd.

  4,121       —         205       4,326       791       8       799  

New Songdo International City Development, LLC

    23,626       —         20,592       44,218       —         10       10  

Chuncheon Energy Co., Ltd.

    —         8,234       —         8,234       657       —         657  

POSPower Co., Ltd.

    34,945       —         —         34,945       —         67,543       67,543  

Nickel Mining Company SAS

    —         60,516       120       60,636       —         —         —    

CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem

    244,700       —         14,264       258,964       —         33       33  

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

    10,273       —         —         10,273       633       —         633  

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

    —         36,291       19,993       56,284       56       —         56  

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

    7,035       —         —         7,035       101       —         101  

DMSA/AMSA

    —         57,999       1,672       59,671       —         —         —    

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

    14       147,367       —         147,381       —         —         —    

POSCO MITSUBISHI CARBON TECHNOLOGY

    8,078       —         —         8,078       916       —         916  

TK CHEMICAL CORPORATION

    37,373       —         —         37,373       110       —         110  

Others

    94,914       138,663       97,804       331,381       7,128       13,379       20,507  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  465,079       449,070       154,650       1,068,799       10,392       80,973       91,365  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

As of December 31, 2019, the Company recognizes bad debt allowance for receivables amounting to 132,554 million.

 

F-125


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(e)

Significant financial transactions between the Company, excluding the controlling company, and related companies for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

  1)

December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)    Beginning      Lend      Collect     Others(*2)     Ending  

Associates and joint ventures

            

New Songdo International City Development, LLC

   282,775        150        (252,759     (30,166     —    

GALE International Korea, LLC

     2,000        8,500        (10,500     —         —    

UITrans LRT Co., Ltd.

     —          5,695        —         —         5,695  

DMSA/AMSA(*1)

     69,713        9,965        (342     (15,039     64,297  

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     229,880        —          (47,569     8,796       191,107  

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

     29,048        4,678        —         1,374       35,100  

PT. Tanggamus Electric Power

     3,197        —          —         1,226       4,423  

PT. Wampu Electric Power

     5,107        —          —         223       5,330  

PT. POSMI Steel Indonesia

     4,286        —          (2,200     150       2,236  

Nickel Mining Company SAS

     59,668        —          —         (4     59,664  

Zhongyue POSCO (Qinhuangdao) Tinplate Industrial Co., Ltd

     5,357        —          (5,357     —         —    

KRAKATAU POS-CHEM DONG-SUH CHEMICAL

     6,428        —          —         281       6,709  

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     5,357        4,451        (6,454     —         3,354  

POS-SeAH Steel Wire (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

     6,428        —          —         281       6,709  

AMCI (WA) PTY LTD

     92,061        3,795        —         (5,376     90,480  

POS-AUSTEM YANTAI AUTOMOTIVE CO.,LTD

     5,357        5,564        (5,357     26       5,590  

POS-AUSTEM WUHAN AUTOMOTIVE CO.,LTD

     8,571        8,902        (8,571     43       8,945  

SAMHWAN VINA CO., LTD

     1,071        —          (1,071     —         —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   816,304        51,700        (340,180     (38,185     489,639  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

During the year ended December 31, 2018, loans amounting to 17,559 million have been converted to shares of DMSA/AMSA, which is included in others.

(*2)

Includes adjustments of foreign currency translation differences and others.

 

F-126


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  2)

December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)    Beginning      Lend      Collect     Others(*2)     Ending  

Associates and joint ventures

            

UITrans LRT Co., Ltd.

   5,695        4,884        —         —         10,579  

DMSA/AMSA(*1)

     64,297        15,451        —         (21,749     57,999  

South-East Asia Gas Pipeline Company Ltd.

     191,107        —          (48,027     4,287       147,367  

PT. Batutua Tembaga Raya

     35,100        —          —         1,191       36,291  

PT. Tanggamus Electric Power

     4,423        —          —         157       4,580  

PT. Wampu Electric Power

     5,330        —          —         189       5,519  

PT. POSMI Steel Indonesia

     2,236        —          —         80       2,316  

Nickel Mining Company SAS

     59,664        —          —         852       60,516  

KRAKATAU POS-CHEM DONG-SUH CHEMICAL

     6,709        —          —         238       6,947  

POSCO SeAH Steel Wire(Nantong) Co., Ltd.

     3,354        —          (3,354     —         —    

POS-SeAH Steel Wire (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

     6,709        —          —         238       6,947  

AMCI (WA) PTY LTD

     90,480        4,669        —         (16,596     78,553  

POS-AUSTEM YANTAI AUTOMOTIVE CO.,LTD

     5,590        —          —         199       5,789  

POS-AUSTEM WUHAN AUTOMOTIVE CO.,LTD

     8,945        —          —         317       9,262  

Hyo-chun Co., Ltd.(*3)

     —          —          —         2,382       2,382  

Chuncheon Energy Co., Ltd.

     —          8,234        —         —         8,234  

POS-AUSTEM Suzhou Automotive Co., Ltd

     —          5,827        —         (38     5,789  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   489,639        39,065        (51,381     (28,253     449,070  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, loans amounting to 23,682 million have been converted to shares of DMSA/AMSA, which is included in others.

(*2)

Includes adjustments of foreign currency translation differences and others.

(*3)

During the year ended December 31, 2019, it was newly classified to associates.

 

(f)

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, details of compensation to key management officers were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017      2018      2019  

Short-term benefits

   112,688        115,618        119,658  

Long-term benefits

     8,632        13,400        13,562  

Retirement benefits

     20,422        21,658        21,231  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   141,742        150,676        154,451  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Key management officers include directors (including non-standing directors), executive officers and fellow officers who have significant influences and responsibilities in the Company’s business and operations.

 

F-127


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

38.

Commitments and Contingencies

 

(a)

Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities may develop in a way not initially expected. Therefore, management continuously assesses contingent liabilities to determine whether an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits has become probable. If it becomes probable that an outflow of future economic benefits will be required for an item previously dealt with as a contingent liability, a provision is recognized in the consolidated financial statements of the period in which the change in probability occurs (except in the extremely rare circumstances where no reliable estimate can be made).

Management makes estimates and assumptions that affect disclosures of commitments and contingencies. All estimates and assumptions are based on the evaluation of current circumstances and appraisals with the supports of internal specialists or external consultants.

Management regularly analyzes current information about these matters and provides for probable contingent losses including the estimate of legal expense to resolve the matters. Internal and external lawyers are used for these assessments. In making the decision regarding the need for a provision, management considers whether the Company has an obligation as a result of a past event, whether it is probable that an outflow of cash or other resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and the ability to make a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation.

 

F-128


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(b)

Details of guarantees

Contingent liabilities on outstanding guarantees and others provided by the Company as of December 31, 2019 are as follows.

 

(in millions of Won)           Guarantee limit     Guarantee amount  

Guarantor

 

Guarantee
beneficiary

 

Financial
institution

  Foreign currency     Won
equivalent
    Foreign
currency
    Won
equivalent
 

[The Company]

           

POSCO

  POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.   BOC and others   USD  100,000,000       115,780       100,000,000       115,780  
  POSCO ASSAN TST STEEL INDUSTRY   SMBC and others   USD  146,527,500       169,650       131,874,750       152,685  
  POSCO COATED STEEL (THAILAND) CO., LTD.   The Great & CO Co., Ltd.(SPC)   THB  5,501,000,000       212,669       5,501,000,000       212,669  
  POSCO Maharashtra Steel Private Limited   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others   USD 83,784,000       97,005       83,784,000       97,005  
  POSCO MEXICO S.A. DE C.V.   BOA and others   USD 120,000,000       138,936       120,000,000       138,936  
  POSCO SS VINA Co., Ltd.   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others   USD 298,000,000       345,024       298,000,000       345,024  
  POSCO-VIETNAM Co., Ltd.   SMBC and others   USD 156,000,000       180,617       156,000,000       180,617  
  PT. KRAKATAU POSCO   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others   USD 1,350,300,000       1,563,377       940,488,348       1,088,897  

POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation (Formerly, POSCO DAEWOO Corporation)

  Daewoo Global Development. Pte., Ltd   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others   USD 199,884,500       231,426       183,992,000       213,026  
  Daewoo Power PNG Ltd.   Export-Import Bank of Korea   USD 53,517,404       61,962       41,167,234       47,663  
  POSCO ASSAN TST STEEL INDUSTRY   ING and others   USD 14,652,750       16,965       14,652,750       16,965  
  Songdo Posco family Housing   SHINYOUNG SECURITIES CO., LTD.   KRW 10,000       10,000       —          —     
  PT. Bio Inti Agrindo   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others   IDR 150,000,000,000       12,465       150,000,000,000       12,465  
    KEB Hana Bank   USD 135,000,000       156,303       134,224,401       155,405  
  Golden Lace DAEWOO Company Limited   Shinhan Bank   USD 11,000,000       12,736       11,000,000       12,736  
  POSCO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA Corp.          

 

F-129


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(in millions of Won)           Guarantee limit     Guarantee amount  

Guarantor

 

Guarantee
beneficiary

 

Financial institution

  Foreign
currency
    Won
equivalent
    Foreign
currency
    Won
equivalent
 
  POSCO INTERNATIONAL SINGAPORE Pte. Ltd.          
  POSCO INTERNATIONAL MEXICO S.A. de C.V.          
  POSCO INTERNATIONAL Japan Corp.   Bank Mendes Gans   USD 50,000,000       57,890       5,602,997       6,487  
  POSCO INTERNATIONAL Malaysia SDN BHD          
  POSCO INTERNATIONAL Deutschland GmbH          
  POSCO INTERNATIONAL Italia S.R.L.          
  Mykolaiv Milling Works PJSC.   Black Sea Trade and Development Bank   EUR 23,250,000       30,165       23,250,000       30,165  

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

  POSCO E&C Vietnam Co., Ltd.   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others   USD 47,000,000       54,417       47,000,000       54,417  
  HONG KONG POSCO E&C (CHINA) INVESTMENT Co., Ltd.   Woori bank and others   USD 160,000,000       185,248       149,740,000       173,369  
  POSCO Engineering and Construction India Private Limited   KEB Hana Bank   INR 221,000,000       3,587       171,200,000       2,779  
  PT. POSCO E&C INDONESIA   POSCO Asia Co., Ltd. and others   USD 10,900,000       12,620       10,900,000       12,620  
  JB CLARK HILLS   Korea Investment & Securities Co., Ltd.   KRW 60,000       60,000       55,000       55,000  
  Daewoo Global Development. Pte., Ltd   SMBC and others   USD 163,633,000       189,454       163,633,000       189,454  
  Songdo Posco family Housing   SHINYOUNG SECURITIES CO., LTD.   KRW 10,000       10,000       —          —     

POSCO ICT

  PT.POSCO ICT INDONESIA   POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.   USD 1,500,000       1,737       1,500,000       1,737  

POSCO CHEMCAL CO., LTD (Formerly, POSCO CHEMTECH)

  PT.Krakatau Posco Chemtech Calcination   POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.   USD 15,200,000       17,599       12,000,000       13,894  

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co.,Ltd.

  Myanmar POSCO C&C Company, Limited.   POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.   USD 13,986,947       16,194       13,986,947       16,194  

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

  PT. KRAKATAU POSCO ENERGY   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others   USD 193,900,000       224,497       105,067,663       121,647  

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

  POSCO America Corporation   SMBC   USD 70,000,000       81,046       70,000,000       81,046  

 

F-130


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(in millions of Won)           Guarantee limit     Guarantee amount  

Guarantor

 

Guarantee
beneficiary

 

Financial institution

  Foreign
currency
    Won
equivalent
    Foreign
currency
    Won
equivalent
 

[Associates and joint ventures]

           

POSCO

  CSP - Compania Siderurgica do Pecem   Export-Import Bank of Korea and others   USD 420,000,000       486,276       373,565,631       432,514  
    BNDES   BRL 464,060,000       133,672       464,060,000       133,672  
  LLP POSUK Titanium   SMBC   USD 15,000,000       17,367       15,000,000       17,367  
  Nickel Mining Company SAS   SMBC   EUR 46,000,000       59,682       46,000,000       59,682  

POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation (Formerly, POSCO DAEWOO Corporation)

  GLOBAL KOMSCO Daewoo LLC   KEB Hana Bank   USD 8,225,000       9,523       8,050,000       9,320  

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

  New Songdo International City Development, LLC   Others   KRW 386,000       386,000       386,000       386,000  
  RPSD Project Co., Ltd   Others   KRW 45,000       45,000       35,000       35,000  
  Chun-cheon Energy Co., Ltd   Kookmin Bank and others   KRW 12,430       12,430       8,234       8,234  
  Pohang E&E Co., Ltd   Heungkuk Life Insurance Co., Ltd.   KRW 71,930       71,930       64,592       64,592  
  Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co, Ltd.   Kookmin Bank and others   KRW 28,940       28,940       —          —     
  PT. Wampu Electric Power   KEB Hana Bank   USD 2,365,099       2,738       2,365,099       2,738  
  PT.Tanggamus Electric Power   KEB Hana Bank   USD 1,936,699       2,242       1,936,699       2,242  
  Metropolitan Outer Ring Expressway co., ltd.   Others   KRW 276,521       276,521       14,486       14,486  
  UITrans LRT Co., Ltd.   Kookmin Bank and others   KRW 121,750       121,750       107,176       107,176  
  NEXTRAIN Co., Ltd   Others   KRW 634,752       634,752       —          —     
  Pureun Tongyeong Enviro Co., Ltd.   KDB Bank and others   KRW 22,714       22,714       16,017       16,017  
  Pure Gimpo Co., Ltd.   KDB Bank and others   KRW 44,740       44,740       32,847       32,847  
  Clean Iksan Co., Ltd.   Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd.   KRW 44,054       44,054       31,062       31,062  

POSCO ICT

  Incheon-Gimpo Expressway Co, Ltd.   KDB Bank   KRW 100,000       100,000       100,000       100,000  
  UITrans LRT Co., Ltd.   Kookmin Bank   KRW 76,000       76,000       76,000       76,000  
  Hyochun CO., LTD   KYOBO SECURITIES CO., LTD.     39,575       39,575       39,575       39,575  
  Metropolitan Outer Ring Expressway co., ltd.   Woori bank and others   KRW 193,700       193,700       7,748       7,748  

POSCO CHEMCAL CO., LTD (Formerly, POSCO CHEMTECH)

  KRAKATAU POS-CHEM DONG-SUH CHEMICAL   KEB Hana Bank   USD 1,140,000       1,320       506,667       587  

POSCO(Suzhou) Automotive Processing Center Co.,Ltd.

  POS-InfraAuto (Suzhou) Co., Ltd   KDB Bank   USD 769,500       891       769,500       891  

 

F-131


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(in millions of Won)           Guarantee limit     Guarantee amount  

Guarantor

 

Guarantee
beneficiary

 

Financial
institution

  Foreign currency     Won
equivalent
    Foreign
currency
    Won
equivalent
 

[Others]

           

POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation (Formerly, POSCO DAEWOO Corporation)

  Ambatovy Project Investments Ltd. and others   Export-Import Bank of Korea   USD 21,818,182       25,261       3,451,287       3,996  

POSCO ICT

  Soosungenc and others   KEB Hana Bank   KRW 1,198,724       1,198,724       1,198,724       1,198,724  

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

  Ecocity CO., LTD and others   Others   KRW 3,616,714       3,616,714       2,156,506       2,156,506  

POSCO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

  Department of Trade and Investment (NSW Government) and others   Woori bank and others   AUD 26,525,154       21,495       26,525,154       21,495  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      AUD 26,525,154       21,495       26,525,154       21,495  
      BRL 464,060,000       133,672       464,060,000       133,672  
      EUR 69,250,000       89,847       69,250,000       89,847  
      IDR 150,000,000,000       12,465       150,000,000,000       12,465  
      INR 221,000,000       3,587       171,200,000       2,779  
      KRW 6,993,544       6,993,544       4,329,507       4,329,507  
      THB 5,501,000,000       212,669       5,501,000,000       212,669  
      USD 3,866,040,581       4,476,101       3,200,258,973       3,705,259  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-132


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(c)

Other commitments

Details of other commitments of the Company as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

Company

  

Description

POSCO   

POSCO entered into long-term contracts to purchase iron ore, coal, nickel and others. The contracts of iron ore and coal generally have terms of more than three years and the contracts of nickel have terms of more than one year. These contracts provide for periodic price adjustments based on the market price. As of December 31, 2019, 102 million tons of iron ore and 11 million tons of coal remained to be purchased under such long-term contracts.

 

POSCO entered into an agreement with Tangguh Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Consortium in Indonesia to purchase 550 thousand tons of LNG annually for 20 years commencing in August 2005. The purchase price is subject to change, based on changes of the monthly standard oil price (JCC) and with a price ceiling.

 

POSCO has long-term service contracts for the transportation of raw materials. As of December 31, 2019, there are 39 vessels under contracts, and the average remaining contract period is about 10 years.

 

As of December 31, 2019, POSCO entered into a commitment with KOREA ENERGY AGENCY for long-term foreign currency borrowings, which are limited up to the amount of USD 4.12 million. The borrowing is related to the exploration of gas hydrates in Western Fergana-Chinabad. The repayment of the borrowings depends on the success of the projects. POSCO is not liable for the repayment in full or in part of the amount borrowed if the respective projects fail. POSCO has agreed to pay a certain portion of its profits under certain conditions, as defined by the borrowing agreements. As of December 31, 2019, the ending balance of the borrowing amounts to USD 1.02 million.

 

POSCO provides a 9.8 billion fund supplement agreement for Busan E&E Co., LTD. a subsidiary of our company, at the request of creditors, including the Korea Development Bank.

 

POSCO has provided a supplemental funding agreement, as the largest shareholder, as requested from the creditors, including Norddeutsche Landesbank, for seamless funding to POSCO ENERGY Co., LTD., a subsidiary of the Company, under construction of new power plant.

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.   

As of December 31, 2019, POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD. has foreign currency guarantee of up to USD 2,425 million and uses USD 710 million with Woori Bank and others.

 

As of December 31, 2019, The out standing balance of loans related to major liability compliance agreements is 2,613.7 billion from three projects including development of Park One in Yeouido. If the responsibility is not fulfilled, the obligation is to take over the debt and lease the liability.

 

F-133


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

Company

  

Description

POSCO ICT   

As of December 31, 2019, the company is provided with a guarantee of 85,182 million and 3,482 million and 305 million, respectively, from the Software credit union and the Seoul guarantee insurance company and Engineering credit union.

 

In connection with 15 projects, including the construction of the Bundang Center of Doosan Co.,LTD, the company is responsible for fulfilling its obligations, and as of the end of the current quarter, outstanding loans related to the liability compliance agreement are worth 882 billion. If the responsibility is not fulfilled, the principal and interest of Daeju is liable for damages.

 

(d)

Litigation in progress

 

  1)

Request for Arbitration of NSC Investment and TGC

In March 2019, NSC Investment and TGC(“Applicant”), a joint venture former partner of POSCO E&C, in connection with the Songdo International City Development Project in Incheon, have filed an arbitration (mediation price: about USD 2 billion) for violations of POSCO E&C. In addition, the Applicants filed an appeal in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in March 2019, confirming that all claims specified in the above arbitration application must be resolved by ICC arbitration. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has determined that the applicant’s claim is not legally valid, and did not recognize a provision because it believes that the present obligation does not exist.

 

F-134


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  2)

Other litigations

As of December 31, 2019, litigations in progress that POSCO and certain subsidiaries are defendants in legal actions arising from the normal course of business are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won, in thousands of
foreign currencies)
                           

Company

  Legal
actions
    Claim amount     Won
equivalent
   

Descrioption

POSCO

    23       KRW       39,500       39,500     Lawsuit on claim for employee right and others(*1)

POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation (Formerly, POSCO DAEWOO Corporation)

    1       CAD       79,000       70,038     Lawsuit on claim for damages
    5       INR       4,518,694       73,338     Lawsuit on claim for payment on guarantees and others(*1)
    8       KRW       18,786       18,786     Litigation for confirmation of deposit bond and others
    4       USD       22,813       26,413     Lawsuit on claim for damages and others
    1       PKR       124,775       931     Lawsuit on claim for damages

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.

    123       KRW       2,838,122       2,838,122     Lawsuit on claim for damages and others(*1)

POSCO ICT

    1       BRL       10,244       2,951     Lawsuit on revocation of claim for damage(*1)
    11       KRW       8,500       8,500     Lawsuit on claim for damages and others(*1)

POSCO A&C

    10       KRW       6,043       6,043     Lawsuit on claim for payment on construction and others

POSCO ENERGY CO., LTD.

    3       KRW       3,669       3,669     Lawsuit on claim for damages and others

POSCO E&C CHINA CO., LTD.

    5       CNY       66,655       11,047     Lawsuit over contract dispute and others

POSCO COATED & COLOR STEEL Co., Ltd.

    1       KRW       1,400       1,400     Lawsuit on claim for damages

POSCO ENGINEERING (THAILAND) CO., LTD.

    2       THB       160,929       6,222     Lawsuit on claim for payment on construction and others
    1       USD       1,046       1,211     Lawsuit on claim for payment on construction

PT. KRAKATAU POSCO

    1       IDR       211,407,872       17,568     Lawsuit on claim for payment on construction

POSCO E&C Vietnam Co., Ltd.

    3       USD       5,131       5,941     Lawsuit on claim for payment on construction

Pos-Sea Pte Ltd

    1       USD       12,700       14,704     Lawsuit over contract dispute

POSCO TNPC Otomotiv Celik San. Ve Tic. A.S

    7       TRY       102       20     Lawsuit over industrial accidents and others

POSCO India Steel Distribution Center Private Ltd.

    1       INR       223,795       3,632     Lawsuit on claim for tax restitution

Brazil Sao Paulo Steel Processing Center

    3       BRL       4,321       1,245     Lawsuit on claim for labor and others

 

F-135


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(in millions of Won, in thousands of foreign
currencies)
                           

Company

  Legal
actions
    Claim amount     Won
equivalent
   

Descrioption

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION DO BRAZIL LTDA.

    104       BRL       152,077       43,806     Lawsuit on claim for payment on construction and others(*1)

POSCO ASSAN TST STEEL INDUSTRY

    1       TRY       1,965       383     Lawsuit on compensation

POSCO Asia Co., Ltd.

    1       USD       950       1,099     Lawsuit on claim for receivable

ZHANGJIAGANG POHANG STAINLESS STEEL CO., LTD.

    1       CNY       807       134     Lawsuit on claim for labor

POSCO CHEMCAL CO., LTD (Formerly, POSCO CHEMTECH)

    1       KRW       15,383       15,383     Calculation of stock purchase value

POSCO M-TECH

    2       KRW       425       425     Lawsuit on claim for damages

POSCO Engineering and Construction India Private Limited

    3       INR       27,995       454     Lawsuit on claim for payment

POSCO INTERNATIONAL AMERICA Corp.

    1       USD       150       174     Lawsuit over injury

HONG KONG POSCO E&C (CHINA) INVESTMENT Co., Ltd.

    1       KRW       3,305       3,305     Lawsuit on claim for payment

 

(*1)

The Company made a reliable estimate in 105 lawsuits by considering the possibility and estimated amount of outflow of resources and recognized 54,228 million as provision for legal contingencies and claims.

For all the other lawsuits and claims, management does not believe the Company has any present obligations and the Company has not recognized any provisions.

 

(e)

Other contingent circumstances

Other major contingencies for the Company for the years ended December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

Company

  

Description

POSCO

   POSCO has provided 3 blank checks to Korea Energy Agency as collateral for long-term foreign currency borrowings.

POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation (Formerly, POSCO DAEWOO Corporation)

   As of December 31, 2019, POSCO INTERNATIONAL Corporation (Formerly, POSCO DAEWOO Corporation) has provided 33 blank promissory notes and 20 blank checks to Korea Energy Agency and others as collateral for the guarantee on performance for contracts and others.

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION Co., LTD.

   As of December 31, 2019, POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD. has provided 26 blank checks and 4 blank promissory notes as collateral for agreements and outstanding loans, and has provided joint guarantee of 9,887,559 million for guarantee that partners had issued from Korea Housing & Urban Guarantee Corporation and others.

POSCO ICT

   As of December 31, 2019, POSCO ICT has provided 2 blank promissory notes and 6 blank checks to financial institutions as collateral for the guarantee on performance for contracts and others.

 

 

F-136


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

39.

Additional Information of Cash Flow Statements

 

(a)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017     2018     2019  

Trade accounts and notes receivable

   63,075       17,806       286,121  

Other receivables

     113,740       (20,786     (163,234

Inventories

     (1,435,170     (1,451,009     1,136,819  

Other current assets

     110,688       1,118       42,337  

Other non-current assets

     12,455       5,974       (30,010

Trade accounts and notes payable

     (607,999     379,742       (732,741

Other payables

     (26,922     (111,893     2,762  

Other current liabilities

     338,273       (197,154     (173,762

Provisions

     (145,763     (119,617     (75,514

Payments of severance benefits

     (185,220     (189,165     (152,275

Plan assets

     3,815       (245,214     (217,953

Other non-current liabilities

     (82,605     (175,528     (36,595
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (1,841,633     (2,105,726     (114,045
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(b)

Changes in liabilities arising from financial activities for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

  1)

December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)    Liabilities     Derivatives
that hedge
borrowings
 
     Short-term
borrowings
    long-term
borrowings
    Dividend
payable
    Finance lease
liabilities
 

Beginning

   8,174,818       12,888,839       7,213       93,018       119,320  

Changes from financing cash flows

     (854,554     (373,862     (770,099     (14,955     (17,237

Changes arising from obtaining or losing control of subsidiaries or other business

     (342     —         —         —         —    

The effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

     167,858       200,308       (5,573     (7,766     —    

Changes in fair values

     —         —         —         —         (58,666

Other changes:

             —    

Decrease in retained earnings

     —         —         704,444       —         —    

Decrease in non-controlling interest

     —         —         72,688       —         —    

Amortization of discount on debentures issued

     —         6,205       —         —         —    

Increase in finance lease assets

     —         —         —         24,457       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending

   7,487,780       12,721,490       8,673       94,754       43,417  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-137


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  2)

December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)    Liabilities     Derivatives
that hedge
borrowings
 
     Short-term
borrowings
    Long-term
borrowings
    Dividend
payable
    Lease
liabilities
 

Beginning

   7,487,780       12,721,490       8,673       94,754       43,417  

Changes from financing cash flows

     (2,194,727     1,900,132       (962,712     (167,427     7,657  

Changes arising from obtaining or losing control of subsidiaries or other business

     (45,589     (88,966     324       —         —    

The effect of changes in foreign exchange rates

     238,869       415,028       (649     (1,867     —    

Changes in fair values

     —         —         —         —         (117,023

Other changes:

          

Decrease in retained earnings

     —         —         889,900       —         —    

Decrease in non-controlling interest

     —         —         67,569       —         —    

Amortization of discount on debentures issued

     —         7,596       —         —         —    

Initial application of IFRS No.16

     —         —         —         677,370       —    

Increase in lease assets

     —         —         —         72,640       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending

   5,486,333       14,955,280       3,105       675,470       (65,949
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

40.

Operating Segments and Geographic Information

 

(a)

The Company’s operating segments are organized based on the nature of markets and customers. The Company has four reportable operating segments—steel, construction, trading and others. The steel segment includes production of steel products and revenue of such products. The construction segment includes planning, designing and construction of industrial plants, civil engineering projects and commercial and residential buildings, both in Korea and overseas. The trading segment consists of exporting and importing a wide range of steel products and raw materials that are both obtained from and supplied to POSCO, as well as between other suppliers and purchasers in Korea and overseas. Other segments include power generation, network and system integration and logistics. The policies of classification and measurement on operating segments were the same for all periods presented.

 

F-138


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

(b)

Information about reportable segments as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were as follows:

 

  1)

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2017

 

(in millions of Won)    Steel     Trading     Construction     Others     Total  

External revenues

   30,230,368       20,802,207       6,886,606       2,735,919       60,655,100  

Internal revenues

     17,381,010       14,075,996       398,924       2,548,674       34,404,604  

Including inter segment revenue

     12,004,614       8,043,643       329,215       2,446,029       22,823,501  

Total revenues

     47,611,378       34,878,203       7,285,530       5,284,593       95,059,704  

Interest income

     128,827       32,799       100,922       17,940       280,488  

Interest expenses

     (422,357     (121,967     (112,983     (100,656     (757,963

Depreciation and amortization

     (2,856,133     (206,490     (42,123     (255,620     (3,360,366

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment and others

     (149,840     (140,839     (37,476     (8,564     (336,719

Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets

     (95,261     —         (18,637     (13,421     (127,319

Share of profit or loss of investment in associates and JVs

     8,352       —         (8,555     (1,518     (1,721

Income tax expense

     (977,853     (109,710     (109,961     (77,172     (1,274,696

Segment profit (loss)

     2,790,855       112,661       24,545       232,700       3,160,761  

Segment assets

     70,017,816       14,139,098       8,609,753       8,776,090       101,542,757  

Investment in associates

     16,116,654       1,134,798       668,392       1,193,895       19,113,739  

Acquisition of non-current assets

     2,033,184       286,185       99,190       251,665       2,670,224  

Segment liabilities

     19,057,249       10,386,294       5,744,693       4,620,902       39,809,138  

 

  2)

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)    Steel     Trading     Construction     Others     Total  

External revenues

   32,358,009       22,407,717       6,769,410       3,442,641       64,977,777  

Internal revenues

     18,063,213       15,911,138       551,324       2,755,176       37,280,851  

Including inter segment revenue

     12,496,287       8,743,666       465,057       2,639,561       24,344,571  

Total revenues

     50,421,222       38,318,855       7,320,734       6,197,817       102,258,628  

Interest income

     199,016       36,437       115,019       23,454       373,926  

Interest expenses

     (468,681     (189,165     (111,101     (94,613     (863,560

Depreciation and amortization

     (2,812,666     (210,493     (36,840     (265,416     (3,325,415

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment and others

     (1,057,474     (86,085     (82,521     (117,280     (1,343,360

Impairment loss on investment in associates and JVs

     (733,879     (160,085     (155,371     —         (1,049,335

Income tax expense

     (1,307,292     (52,914     (238,441     (65,611     (1,664,258

Segment profit (loss)

     1,268,313       49,264       234       13,608       1,331,419  

Segment assets

     70,976,493       15,550,854       7,333,221       8,017,433       101,878,001  

Investment in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures

     16,099,692       1,379,045       511,230       932,107       18,922,074  

Acquisition of non-current assets

     2,239,467       132,017       49,095       232,281       2,652,860  

Segment liabilities

     20,289,037       11,454,079       4,386,852       4,134,352       40,264,320  

 

F-139


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  3)

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)    Steel     Trading     Construction     Others     Total  

External revenues

   32,078,453       22,157,131       6,944,629       3,186,635       64,366,848  

Internal revenues

     17,729,990       15,467,687       743,376       2,796,306       36,737,359  

Including inter segment revenue

     12,184,743       8,130,503       686,881       2,638,449       23,640,576  

Total revenues

     49,808,443       37,624,818       7,688,005       5,982,941       101,104,207  

Interest income

     211,715       41,739       118,102       28,036       399,592  

Interest expenses

     (529,743     (183,129     (77,005     (81,778     (871,655

Depreciation and amortization

     (2,892,901     (276,817     (29,266     (226,693     (3,425,677

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment and others

     (497,583     (131,914     (1,490     (3,758     (634,745

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees, net

     (865,769     (76,038     (85,628     —         (1,027,435

Income tax expense

     (725,448     (119,044     (86,106     (105,171     (1,035,769

Segment profit

     585,948       165,348       27,789       544,961       1,324,046  

Segment assets

     71,153,809       14,482,538       7,653,637       9,212,225       102,502,209  

Investment in subsidiaries,

     —         —         —         —         —    

associates and joint ventures

     15,650,654       1,409,764       527,418       1,062,215       18,650,051  

Acquisition of non-current assets

     2,275,103       192,805       30,563       404,963       2,903,434  

Segment liabilities

     21,101,474       10,184,521       4,584,423       4,454,502       40,324,920  

 

(c)

Reconciliations of total segment revenues, profit or loss, assets and liabilities, and other significant items to their respective consolidated financial statement line items are as follows:

 

  1)

Revenues

 

(in millions of Won)    2017     2018     2019  

Total revenue for reportable segments

   95,059,704       102,258,628       101,104,207  

Elimination of inter-segment revenue

     (34,404,604     (37,280,851     (36,737,359

Basis difference(*2)

     (468,233     176,859       418,861  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   60,186,867       65,154,636       64,785,709  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  2)

Profit

 

(in millions of Won)    2017     2018     2019  

Total profit (loss) for reportable segments

   3,160,761       1,331,419       1,324,046  

Goodwill and corporate FV adjustments

     (84,370     (77,756     (80,218

Elimination of inter-segment profits

     (102,922     638,401       738,809  

Income tax expense

     1,206,223       1,670,757       1,070,641  

Basis difference(*2)

     (84,641     53,195       73,256  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before income tax expense

   4,095,051       3,616,016       3,126,534  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-140


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  3)

Assets

 

(in millions of Won)    2018     2019  

Total assets for reportable segments(*1)

   101,878,001       102,502,209  

Equity-accounted investees

     (15,272,243     (14,400,831

Goodwill and corporate FV adjustments

     2,722,115       2,622,409  

Elimination of inter-segment assets

     (11,079,608     (11,665,126

Basis difference(*2)

     528,726       312,147  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   78,776,991       79,370,808  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*1)

As segment assets and liabilities are determined based on separate financial statements, for subsidiaries which are in a different segment from that of its immediate parent company, their carrying amount in separate financial statements is eliminated upon consolidation. In addition, adjustments are made to adjust the amount of investment in associates and joint ventures from the amount reflected in segment assets to that determined using equity method in consolidated financial statements.

 

  4)

Liabilities

 

(in millions of Won)    2018     2019  

Total liabilities for reportable segments

   40,264,320       40,324,920  

Corporate FV adjustments

     321,320       292,124  

Elimination of inter-segment liabilities

     (9,096,926     (9,353,090

Basis difference(*2)

     615,663       343,556  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   32,104,377       31,607,510  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  5)

Other significant items

 

  a)

December 31, 2017

 

(in millions of Won)   Total segment     corporate FV
adjustments
    Elimination of
inter-segment
transactions
    Basis
difference(*2)
    Consolidated  

Interest income

  280,488       —         (68,037     —         212,451  

Interest expenses

    (757,963     1,304       103,544       —         (653,115

Depreciation and amortization

    (3,360,366     (106,195     169,141       —         (3,297,420

Share of profit or loss of investment in associates

    (1,721     —         12,261       —         10,540  

Income tax expense

    (1,274,696     21,270       47,203       20,483       (1,185,740

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment and others

    (336,719     (867     34,619       —         (302,967

Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets

    (127,319     —         4,105       —         (123,214
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (5,578,296     (84,488     302,836       20,483       (5,339,465
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-141


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

  b)

December 31, 2018

 

(in millions of Won)   Total
segment
    corporate FV
adjustments
    Elimination of
inter-segment
transactions
    Basis
difference(*2)
    Consolidated  

Interest income

  373,926       —         (36,668     —         337,258  

Interest expenses

    (863,560     1,035       121,229       —         (741,296

Depreciation and amortization

    (3,325,415     (103,932     161,718       —         (3,267,629

Share of profit or loss of investment in associates

    (1,049,335     —         1,161,970       —         112,635  

Income tax expense

    (1,664,258     25,921       (32,420     (12,873     (1,683,630

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment and others

    (1,343,360     (779     (107,258     —         (1,451,397
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (7,872,002     (77,755     1,268,571       (12,873     (6,694,059
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  c)

December 31, 2019

 

(in millions of Won)   Total segment     Goodwill and
corporate FV
adjustments
    Elimination of
inter-segment
transactions
    Basis
difference(*2)
    Consolidated  

Interest income

  399,592       —         (47,208     —         352,384  

Interest expenses

    (871,655     806       115,138       —         (755,711

Depreciation and amortization

    (3,425,677     (109,941     74,503       —         (3,461,115

Share of profit of equity-accounted investees, net

    (1,027,435     —         1,301,176       —         273,741  

Income tax expense

    (1,035,769     28,917       (63,789     (17,728     (1,088,369

Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment and others

    (634,745     —         (70,011     —         (704,756
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (6,595,689     (80,218     1,309,809       (17,728     (5,383,826
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*2)

Basis difference is related to the difference in recognizing revenue and expenses in connection with development and sale of certain residential real estate between the report reviewed by the CEO and the consolidated financial statements.

 

  (d)

Revenue by geographic area for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 was as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2017     2018      2019  

Domestic

   38,882,220       41,671,930        40,890,972  

Japan

     2,200,405       2,084,061        2,202,075  

China

     6,731,214       6,945,266        7,165,271  

Asia-other

     7,750,553       8,904,532        8,976,593  

North America

     1,725,120       1,834,534        1,711,859  

Others

     3,365,588       3,537,454        3,420,078  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     60,655,100       64,977,777        64,366,848  

Basis difference

     (468,233     176,859        418,861  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   60,186,867       65,154,636        64,785,709  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-142


Table of Contents

POSCO and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019

 

 

 

In presenting information on the basis of geography, segment revenue is based on the geographical location of customers.

 

  (e)

Non-current assets by geographic area as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Won)    2018      2019  

Domestic

   28,298,293        27,742,370  

Japan

     146,490        175,719  

China

     1,185,828        1,307,847  

Asia-other

     5,067,936        4,916,775  

North America

     173,914        221,565  

Others

     1,245,252        1,348,397  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   36,117,713        35,712,673  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current assets by geographic area include investment property, property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets.

 

  (f)

There are no customers whose revenue is 10% or more of the consolidated revenue.

 

41.

Events after the Reporting Period

 

(a)

On January 17, 2020, the Company issued non-guaranteed senior dollar bonds (issued at USD 500 million and USD 440 million) and non-guaranteed senior euro bonds (issued at EUR 500 million). The maturity of the bonds is January 17, 2023, January 17, 2025, and January 17, 2024.

 

(b)

POSCO ENERGY, a subsidiary, resolved to repay the convertible preferred stock at the Board of Directors meeting on February 17, 2020 and the Extraordinary Shareholders’ meeting on February 21, 2020. The repayment of 160,000 million was made on February 25, 2020.

 

(c)

POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD., a subsidiary, decided to refinance funds in February 2020, to raise funds for repayment of principal funds and minimize financial expenses of Chun-cheon Energy Co., Ltd, an associate. In doing so, POSCO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD. expects to enter into a guarantee arrangement to provide payment guarantees of about 149.2 billion out of approximately 534.6 billion.

 

F-143


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

  1.1         Articles of incorporation of POSCO (English translation)
  2.1           Form of Common Stock Certificate (including English translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement No. 33-81554)* (P)
  2.2           Form of Deposit Agreement (including Form of American Depositary Receipts) (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (File No. 333-189473) on Form F-6)*
  2.3           Description of common stock (see Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association)
  2.4           Description of American Depositary Shares
  8.1           List of consolidated subsidiaries
12.1           Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12.2           Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.1           Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101           Interactive Data Files (XBRL-related Documents)

 

 

*

Filed previously

(P)

Paper filing


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

POSCO

(Registrant)

/s/ Choi, Jeong-Woo

Name:

  Choi, Jeong-Woo

Title:

  Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director

Date:

  April 29, 2020