0001193125-15-155604.txt : 20150429 0001193125-15-155604.hdr.sgml : 20150429 20150429125915 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-15-155604 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 20-F PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 12 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20141231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20150429 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20150429 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: KT CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000892450 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIO TELEPHONE) [4813] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 20-F SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-14926 FILM NUMBER: 15811264 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 206 JUNG TA DONG BUNN DONG GU CITY: SUNGNAM CITY KOREA STATE: M5 ZIP: 463711 BUSINESS PHONE: 82317270932 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 206 JUNG JA DONG BUNN DONG GU CITY: SUNGNAM CITY KOREA STATE: M5 ZIP: 463711 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: KOREA TELECOM CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19971006 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: KOREA TELECOM DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19950130 20-F 1 d910678d20f.htm FORM 20-F Form 20-F
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2015

 

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 20-F

 

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

OR

 

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

        For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

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 1-14926

KT Corporation

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

KT Corporation   The Republic of Korea
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)   (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

KT Gwanghwamun Building East

33, Jong-ro 3-Gil, Jongno-gu

463-711 Seoul, Korea

(Address of principal executive offices)

Kwang Suk Shin

KT Gwanghwamun Building East

33, Jong-ro 3-Gil, Jongno-gu

463-711 Seoul, Korea

Telephone: +82-31-727-0114; E-mail: ks.shin@kt.com

(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

  

Name of each exchange on which registered

American Depositary Shares, each representing    New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
one-half of one share of common stock   
Common Stock, par value 5,000 per share*    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, 2014, there were 261,111,808 shares of common stock, par value 5,000 per share, outstanding

(not including 16,249,100 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  x    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   x

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  x    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No   ¨

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

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

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  x    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  x

 

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

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

              Page  

PART I

     1   

ITEM 1.

 

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGERS AND ADVISERS

     1   
 

Item 1.A.

  

Directors and Senior Management

     1   
 

Item 1.B.

  

Advisers

     1   
 

Item 1.C.

  

Auditors

     1   

ITEM 2.

 

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

     1   
 

Item 2.A.

  

Offer Statistics

     1   
 

Item 2.B.

  

Method and Expected Timetable

     1   

ITEM 3.

 

KEY INFORMATION

     1   
 

Item 3.A.

  

Selected Financial Data

     1   
 

Item 3.B.

  

Capitalization and Indebtedness

     6   
 

Item 3.C.

  

Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

     6   
 

Item 3.D.

  

Risk Factors

     6   

ITEM 4.

 

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

     21   
 

Item 4.A.

  

History and Development of the Company

     21   
 

Item 4.B.

  

Business Overview

     22   
 

Item 4.C.

  

Organizational Structure

     52   
 

Item 4.D.

  

Property, Plants and Equipment

     52   

ITEM 4A.

 

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

     55   

ITEM 5.

 

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

     56   
 

Item 5.A.

  

Operating Results

     56   
 

Item 5.B.

  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     81   
 

Item 5.C.

  

Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.

     84   
 

Item 5.D.

  

Trend Information

     85   
 

Item 5.E.

  

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

     85   
 

Item 5.F.

  

Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

     86   
 

Item 5.G.

  

Safe Harbor

     86   

ITEM 6.

 

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

     86   
 

Item 6.A.

  

Directors and Senior Management

     86   
 

Item 6.B.

  

Compensation

     93   
 

Item 6.C.

  

Board Practices

     94   
 

Item 6.D.

  

Employees

     96   
 

Item 6.E.

  

Share Ownership

     98   

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

              Page  

ITEM 7.

 

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     98   
 

Item 7.A.

  

Major Shareholders

     98   
 

Item 7.B.

  

Related Party Transactions

     98   
 

Item 7.C.

  

Interests of Experts and Counsel

     98   

ITEM 8.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     99   
 

Item 8.A.

  

Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

     99   
 

Item 8.B.

  

Significant Changes

     101   

ITEM 9.

 

THE OFFER AND LISTING

     101   
 

Item 9.A.

  

Offer and Listing Details

     101   
 

Item 9.B.

  

Plan of Distribution

     102   
 

Item 9.C.

  

Markets

     103   
 

Item 9.D.

  

Selling Shareholders

     107   
 

Item 9.E.

  

Dilution

     107   
 

Item 9.F.

  

Expenses of the Issuer

     107   

ITEM 10.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     107   
 

Item 10.A.

  

Share Capital

     107   
 

Item 10.B.

  

Memorandum and Articles of Association

     107   
 

Item 10.C.

  

Material Contracts

     113   
 

Item 10.D.

  

Exchange Controls

     113   
 

Item 10.E.

  

Taxation

     117   
 

Item 10.F.

  

Dividends and Paying Agents

     122   
 

Item 10.G.

  

Statements by Experts

     123   
 

Item 10.H.

  

Documents on Display

     123   
 

Item 10.I.

  

Subsidiary Information

     123   

ITEM 11.

 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     123   

ITEM 12.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

     126   
 

Item 12.A.

  

Debt Securities

     126   
 

Item 12.B.

  

Warrants and Rights

     126   
 

Item 12.C.

  

Other Securities

     126   
 

Item 12.D.

  

American Depositary Shares

     126   

PART II

     127   

ITEM 13.

 

DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

     127   

 

ii


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

               Page  

ITEM 14.

   MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS      127   

ITEM 15.

   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES      127   

ITEM 16.

   [RESERVED]      129   

ITEM 16A.

   AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT      129   

ITEM 16B.

   CODE OF ETHICS      129   

ITEM 16C.

   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES      129   

ITEM 16D.

   EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES      130   

ITEM 16E.

   PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS      130   

ITEM 16F.

   CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT      130   

ITEM 16G.

   CORPORATE GOVERNANCE      131   

ITEM 16H.

   MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE      132   

PART III

     133   

ITEM 17.

   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      133   

ITEM 18.

   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      133   

ITEM 19.

   EXHIBITS      133   

 

iii


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PRESENTATION

All references to “Korea” or the “Republic” contained in this annual report mean the Republic of Korea. All references to the “Government” are to the government of the Republic of Korea. All references to “we,” “us” or the “Company” are to KT Corporation and, as the context may require, its subsidiaries.

All references to “Won” or “” in this annual report are to the currency of the Republic and all references to “Dollars,” “$,” “US$” or “U.S. dollars” are to the currency of the United States of America. Our monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are translated into Won at the market average exchange rate announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd. (the “Market Average Exchange Rate”) on the balance sheet dates, which were, for U.S. dollars, 1,071.1 to US$1.00, 1,055.3 to US$1.00 and 1,099.2 to US$1.00 at December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Our consolidated financial statements are expressed in Won and, solely for the convenience of the reader, the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 have been translated into United States dollars at the rate of 1,099.2 to US$1.00, the Market Average Exchange Rate in effect on December 31, 2014.

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

All market share data contained in this annual report, unless otherwise specified, are based on the number of subscribers announced by the Korea Communications Commission (the “KCC”) or the Korea Telecommunications Operators Association.

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.  Auditors

Not applicable.

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

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

You should read the selected consolidated financial data below in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and for each of the years

 

1


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in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm on these statements included herein. These audited financial statements and the related notes have been prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). The selected consolidated financial data for the three years ended December 31, 2014 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements.

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 IFRS as adopted by the Republic of Korea (“K-IFRS”), which we are required to file with the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea (“FSCMA”). English translations of such financial statements are furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission under Form 6-K. During the three years ended December 31, 2014, we are required to adopt certain amendments and interpretations to K-IFRS, relating to 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 real estate is recognized when an individual unit of residential real estate is delivered to the buyer. Furthermore, in connection with the exercise of early redemption rights for certain commercial paper guaranteed by KT ENGCORE Co., Ltd. (formerly known as KT ENS Corporation until April 2015) (“KT ENS”), our previously consolidated subsidiary, we recognized financial losses relating to the resulting estimation of guarantee liabilities in our consolidated statements of operations prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB for the year ended December 31, 2013 (which were issued on April 28, 2014), which were not reflected in our financial statements prepared in accordance with K-IFRS for the year ended December 31, 2013 (which were issued on March 13, 2014) as it was not possible to make a reasonable estimate of the liabilities at the time of issuing the K-IFRS financial statements. We subsequently reflected such losses in our K-IFRS financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. As a result, the presentation of operating results in our consolidated statements of operations prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB included in this annual report differs from the presentation of operating results in our consolidated statements of operations prepared in accordance with K-IFRS. See “Item 5.A. Operating Results—Explanatory Note Regarding Presentation of Certain Financial Information under K-IFRS” for additional information. In accordance with rule amendments adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission which became effective on March 4, 2008, we are not required to provide a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP.

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.

 

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Consolidated statement of operations data

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
         2010(1)              2011(1)              2012(1)              2013             2014             2014(2)       
     (In billions of Won and millions of Dollars, except per share data)  

Continuing Operations:

            

Operating revenue

   20,310      22,088      24,644      24,058      23,727      US$ 21,586   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue

     19,993        21,311        23,856        23,729        23,469        21,351   

Others

     317        777        787        329        258        235   

Operating expenses

     18,303        20,101        22,964        23,734        24,390        22,189   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     2,007        1,987        1,680        323        (662     (603

Finance income

     238        270        499        279        255        232   

Finance costs

     (596     (642     (782     (648     (818     (745

Income from jointly controlled entities and associates

     33        (6     18        7        18        17   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit (loss) from continuing operations before income tax

     1,681        1,609        1,415        (38     (1,208     (1,099
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (396     318        278        50        (266     (242

Profit (loss) for the year from the continuing operations

     1,285        1,291        1,137        (88     (941     (856
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Discontinued operations:

            

Profit (loss) from discontinued operations

     29        165        (32                     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit (loss) for the year

   1,314      1,455      1,105      (88   (941   US$ (865
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit (loss) for the year attributable to:

            

Equity holders of the parent company

   1,296      1,446      1,046      (190   (1,030   US$ (937

Profit (loss) from continuing operations

     1,273        1,280        1,076        (190     (1,030     (937

Profit (loss) from discontinued operations

     23        166        (30                     

Non-controlling interest

   19      10      59      102      89      US$ 81   

Profit from continuing operations

     13        11        61        102        89        81   

Profit (loss) from discontinued operations

     6        (1     (2                     

Earnings per share attributable to the equity holders of the Parent Company during the period (in won):

            

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   5,326      5,943      4,296      (779   (4,215   US$ (4.00

From continuing operations

     5,293        5,262        4,417        (779     (4,215     (4.00

From discontinued operations

     33        681        (121                     

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   5,326      5,942      4,296      (782   (4,215   US$ (4.00

From continuing operations

     5,293        5,261        4,417        (782     (4,215     (4.00

From discontinued operations

     33        681        (121                     

 

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Table of Contents

Consolidated statement of financial position data

 

     As of December 31,  
Selected Statement of Financial Position Data        2010(1)              2011(1)              2012(1)              2013             2014      
     (In billions of Won)  

Assets:

          

Current assets:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   1,162      1,462      2,058      2,071      1,889   

Trade and other receivables, net

     4,193        6,191        5,908        5,240        4,811   

Short-term loans, net

     725        698        668        839        710   

Current finance lease receivables, net

     195        249        340        294        259   

Other financial assets

     270        259        246        480        333   

Current income tax assets

            1        1        35        4   

Inventories, net

     711        676        935        674        419   

Other current assets

     264        311        362        340        350   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     7,519        9,847        10,517        9,972        8,774   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current assets:

          

Trade and other receivables, net

     1,125        1,725        1,073        813        849   

Long-term loans, net

     408        491        513        510        585   

Non-current finance lease receivables, net

     403        488        522        416        325   

Other financial assets

     269        622        672        673        705   

Property and equipment, net

     13,398        14,090        15,806        16,387        16,468   

Investment property, net

     1,146        1,159        1,155        1,105        1,060   

Intangible assets, net

     1,419        2,645        3,214        3,827        3,544   

Investments in jointly controlled entities and associates

     638        500        379        364        339   

Deferred income tax assets

     565        530        611        707        1,079   

Other non-current assets

     50        86        95        76        72   

Total non-current assets

     19,422        22,336        24,040        24,878        25,025   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   26,942      32,183      34,558      34,850      33,799   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity:

          

Current liabilities:

          

Trade and other payables

   4,424      5,902      7,221      7,414      6,408   

Current finance lease liabilities, net

     33        46        14        19        20   

Borrowings

     2,722        2,125        3,197        3,021        2,956   

Other financial liabilities

     1        8        72        64        24   

Current income tax liabilities

     284        187        144        100        46   

Provisions

     58        123        206        115        111   

Deferred income

     177        168        171        144        144   

Other current liabilities

     185        220        242        348        279   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     7,885        8,780        11,267        11,224        9,987   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

          

Trade and other payables

     382        652        701        1,059        909   

Non-current finance lease liabilities, net

     61        90        28        49        35   

Borrowings

     6,660        8,897        8,239        8,463        9,860   

Other financial liabilities

     38        288        70        179        191   

Retirement benefit liabilities

     264        426        549        586        594   

Provisions

     110        143        150        134        106   

Deferred income

     157        161        157        148        147   

Deferred income tax liabilities

     4        126        137        169        144   

Other non-current liabilities

     27        32        41        2        39   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

     7,703        10,815        10,073        10,789        12,025   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   15,588      19,595      21,340      22,013      22,012   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity attributable to owners of the Parent Company

          

Paid-in capital

          

Capital stock

   1,564      1,564      1,564      1,564      1,564   

Share premium

     1,440        1,440        1,440        1,440        1,440   

Retained earnings

     9,466        10,219        10,646        10,019        8,568   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (expense)

     (79     (23     1        25        26   

Other components of equity

     (1,258     (1,497     (1,343     (1,321     (1,261
     11,133        11,704        12,309        11,728        10,338   

Non-controlling interest

     221        884        909        1,110        1,449   

Total equity

     11,354        12,588        13,218        12,837        11,788   

Total liabilities and equity

   26,942      32,183      34,558      34,850      33,799   

 

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Consolidated statement of cash flow data

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010(1)     2011(1)     2012(1)     2013     2014     2014(2)  
     (In billions of Won and millions of Dollars)  

Net cash generated from operating activities

   2,973      2,164      5,725      4,111      1,916      US$ 1,743   

Net cash (used in) investing activities

     (2,949     (2,666     (3,851     (3,783     (3,171     (2,885

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (398     772        (1,278     (312     1,072        975   

Operating Data

 

     As of December 31,  
     2010      2011      2012      2013      2014  

Lines installed (thousands) (3)

     25,524         23,925         25,242         24,264         23,930   

Lines in service (thousands) (3)

     16,620         15,900         15,121         14,032         13,713   

Lines in service per 100 inhabitants (3)

     34.0         30.8         30.2         27.4         26.7   

Mobile subscribers (thousands)

     16,041         16,563         16,502         16,454         17,328   

Broadband Internet subscribers (thousands)

     7,424         7,823         8,037         8,067         8,129   

 

 

(1) As a result of adoption of IFRS 10 in 2013, the comparative 2011 and 2012 consolidated financial data were retrospectively restated, but 2010 consolidated financial data was not restated as IFRS 10 does not require restatement of the earlier periods presented beyond the immediately preceding period. Also, the amendment to IAS 19 were applied retrospectively and the comparative 2010, 2011 and 2012 consolidated statement of operations data were restated by reflecting the adjustments resulted from this retrospective application.

 

(2) For convenience, the Won amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars at the rate of 1,099.2 to US$1.00, the Market Average Exchange Rate in effect on December 31, 2014. This translation should not be construed as a representation that the Won amounts represent, have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at that rate or any other rate.

 

(3) Including public telephones.

Exchange Rate Information

The following table sets out information concerning the Market Average Exchange Rate for the periods and dates indicated:

 

Period

   At End
of Period
     Average
Rate  (1)
     High      Low  
     (Won per US$1.00)  

2009

     1,167.6         1,276.4         1,573.6         1,152.8   

2010

     1,138.9         1,156.3         1,261.5         1,104.0   

2011

     1,153.3         1,108.1         1,199.5         1,049.5   

2012

     1,071.1         1,126.9         1,181.8         1,071.1   

2013

     1,055.3         1,095.0         1,159.1         1,051.5   

2014

     1,099.2         1,053.2         1,118.3         1,008.9   

November

     1,101.1         1,095.1         1,113.1         1,058.8   

December

     1,099.2         1,104.3         1,118.3         1,088.1   

2015 (through April 29)

     1,070.9         1,097.5         1,133.9         1,070.9   

January

     1,090.8         1,088.9         1,108.7         1,077.3   

February

     1,099.2         1,098.4         1,109.8         1,088.3   

March

     1,105.0         1,112.6         1,133.9         1,096.5   

April (through April 29)

     1,070.9         1,089.6         1,109.4         1,070.9   

 

Source: Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd.

 

(1) Represents the average of the Market Average Exchange Rates on each business day during the relevant period (or portion thereof).

Our monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are translated into Won at the Market Average Exchange Rate on the balance sheet dates, which were, for U.S. dollars,

 

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1,071.1 to US$1.00, 1,055.3 to US$1.00 and 1,099.2 to US$1.00 at December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Our consolidated financial statements are expressed in Won and, solely for the convenience of the reader, the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 have been translated into United States dollars at the rate of 1,099.2 to US$1.00, the Market Average Exchange Rate in effect on December 31, 2014.

We make no representation that the Won or Dollar amounts contained in this annual report could have been or could be converted into Dollar or Won, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

Item 3.B.  Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

Item 3.D.  Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the following factors.

Risks Relating to Our Business

Competition in the Korean telecommunications industry is intense.

Competition in the telecommunications sector in Korea is intense. In recent years, business combinations in the telecommunications industry have significantly changed the competitive landscape of the Korean telecommunications industry. In particular, SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (or SK Telecom) acquired a controlling stake in Hanarotelecom Incorporated in 2008, which was renamed SK Broadband Co., Ltd. (or SK Broadband). The acquisition enabled SK Telecom to provide fixed-line telecommunications, broadband Internet access and Internet Protocol Television (“IPTV”) services together with its mobile telecommunications services. In January 2010, LG Dacom Corporation (or LG Dacom) and LG Powercom Co., Ltd. (or LG Powercom) merged into LG Telecom Co., Ltd., which subsequently changed its name to LG U+. The merger enabled LG U+ to provide a similar range of services as SK Telecom and us. Our inability to adapt to such changes in the competitive landscape could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition to our competition with integrated telecommunications service providers, we face increasing competition from specific service providers, such as Internet phone service providers, Internet text message service providers, voice resellers and call-back service providers. In recent years, the increasing popularity of Internet phone and free text message services, such as Skype and Kakao Talk, have had a negative impact on demand for our telecommunications and text message services while creating additional data transmission usage by our Internet and mobile subscribers. Our inability to adapt to such changes in the competitive landscape could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Mobile Service. We provide mobile services based on Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (or W-CDMA) technology and Long-Term Evolution (or LTE) technology. Competitors in the mobile telecommunications service industry are SK Telecom and LG U+. We had a market share of

 

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30.3% as of December 31, 2014, making us the second largest mobile telecommunications service provider in Korea. SK Telecom had a market share of 50.0% as of December 31, 2014.

Mobile subscribers are allowed to switch their service provider while retaining the same mobile phone number. Mobile service providers also grant subsidies to subscribers who purchase new handsets and agree to a minimum subscription period. Mobile number portability and handset subsidies have intensified competition among the mobile service providers and increased their marketing expenses. If the mobile service providers adopt a strategy of expanding market share through price competition, it could lead to a decrease in our net profit margins.

Since 2011, SK Telecom, LG U+ and we have launched fourth-generation mobile telecommunications services based on LTE technology, which we believe has further intensified competition among the three companies and resulted in an increase in marketing expenses and capital expenditures related to implementing and providing 4G LTE services. SK Telecom and LG U+ began providing 4G LTE services in July 2011, and we commenced providing commercial 4G LTE services in January 2012 utilizing our bandwidths in the 1.8 GHz spectrum that became available upon termination of our 2G services based on Code Division Multiple Access (or CDMA) technology. In September 2013, we commenced providing wideband LTE services, which utilizes our adjoining 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum to provide transmission speed of up to 150 Mbps, twice faster than those offered under standard LTE services. SK Telecom also began providing its wideband LTE services in September 2013 and LG U+ commenced providing its wideband LTE services in January 2014. In March 2014, our wideband LTE services covered five metropolitan cities in Korea, and we expanded our wideband LTE services to all of Korea in July 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the number of our LTE subscribers exceeded 10.5 million. Furthermore, in March 2014, we commercialized advanced wideband LTE (“Wideband LTE-A”) services, which interconnects our 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum used to offer wideband LTE services with the 10 MHz of bandwidth in the 900 MHz spectrum used to offer standard LTE services by utilizing inter-band carrier aggregation technology to support transmission speed of up to 225 Mbps, and began additionally interconnecting 10 MHz of bandwidth in the 2.1 GHz spectrum in January 2015 to support transmission speed of up to 300 Mbps under the “Wideband LTE-A X4” service, which offers transmission speed four times faster than those offered under standard LTE services.

In April 2014, LG U+, SK Telecom and we began offering various unlimited mobile service packages, offering mobile subscribers with unlimited voice calls, text messaging, and LTE data. Although we expect that SK Telecom and LG U+ will face similar challenges to those that we expect to face in offering LTE services and in implementing improvements to LTE technology, such as increased fees and expenses and unforeseeable market responses to the new technology, we cannot assure you that we will continue to be able to successfully compete in fourth-generation mobile telecommunications services. Furthermore, we believe that the continuing intense competition among major telecommunications operators in Korea and the resulting pressure on our fees, including from offerings of unlimited usage plans, may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.

Fixed-line Telephone Services. Before December 1991, we were the sole provider of local, domestic long-distance and international long-distance telephone services in Korea. Since then, various competitors have entered the local, domestic long-distance and international long-distance telephone service markets in Korea, which have eroded our market shares. LG U+ and SK Broadband currently provide local, domestic long-distance and international long-distance telephone services. In addition, Onse Telecom Corporation and SK Telink, Inc. currently provide domestic long-distance and international long-distance telephone services. We also compete with specific service providers, such as Internet phone service providers, voice resellers and call-back service providers, that offer international long-distance service in Korea. While we offer our own Internet phone service, the entry of these and other potential competitors into the local, domestic long-distance and international long-

 

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distance telephone service markets has had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on our revenues and profitability from these businesses. As of December 31, 2014, we had a market share in local telephone service of 81.0% and a market share in domestic long distance service of 78.9%. Further increase in competition may decrease our market shares in such businesses. As part of our efforts to improve our operational efficiencies, we transferred all operations relating to fixed-line sales activities (including on-site sales, line activation, after service, and customer center operations) to our subsidiaries in 2014.

Internet Services. The Korean broadband Internet access service market has experienced significant growth in the past decade. SK Broadband (formerly Hanarotelecom) entered the broadband market in 1999 offering both Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (or HFC) and Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (or ADSL) services. We also began offering broadband Internet access service in 1999, followed by Dreamline, Onse and LG U+. In recent years, numerous cable television operators have also begun to offer HFC-based services at rates lower than ours. We had a market share of 42.3% as of December 31, 2014. As a result of having to compete with a number of competitors and the maturing of the Internet access service market, we currently encounter, and we expect to encounter, pressure to increase marketing expenses in the future.

The market for other Internet-related services in Korea, including IPTV and Internet phone services, is also very competitive. We anticipate that competition will continue to intensify as the usage and popularity of the Internet grows and as new domestic and international competitors enter the Internet industry in Korea. The substantial growth of the Internet industry in Korea has attracted many competitors and as a result may lead to increasing price competition to provide Internet-related services. Increased competition in the Internet industry could have a material adverse effect on the number of subscribers of our Internet-related service and on our results of operations.

Failure to renew existing bandwidth spectrum, acquire adequate additional bandwidth spectrum or use our bandwidth efficiently may adversely affect our mobile telecommunications business and results of operations.

One of the principal limitations on a wireless network’s subscriber capacity is the amount of bandwidth spectrum allocated to the service provider. We have a license to use 40 MHz of bandwidth in the 2.1 GHz spectrum that we use to provide IMT-2000 services based on W-CDMA wireless network standards. Such license expires in December 2016, and we are required to pay approximately 1.3 trillion during the license period of 15 years. In April 2010, the KCC announced its decision to allocate 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 900 MHz spectrum to us, which became effective in July 2011, for which we are required to pay a portion of the actual sales generated from using the bandwidth in the 900 MHz spectrum during the license period of 10 years as a usage fee for the bandwidth, as well as a portion of expected sales that was determined by the KCC at the time of allocation. In June 2011, our right to use 40 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum expired, and the KCC allocated back to us the right to use 20 MHz of such bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum upon expiration pursuant to our application, for which we are required to pay a portion of the actual sales generated from using the bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum during the license period of 10 years as a usage fee for the bandwidth, as well as a portion of expected sales that was determined by the KCC at the time of allocation.

In August 2011, the KCC auctioned the right to use the remaining 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum that we relinquished, 10 MHz of additional bandwidth in the 800 MHz spectrum and 20 MHz of additional bandwidth in the 2.1 GHz spectrum. We acquired the right to use the 10 MHz of bandwidth in the 800 MHz spectrum, for which we are required to pay a total usage fee of 261 billion during the license period of 10 years, SK Telecom acquired the right to use the 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum and LG U+ acquired the right to use the 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 2.1 GHz

 

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spectrum. We began using the 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum, which became available upon termination of our 2G services, to provide our 4G LTE services starting in January 2012, and also began using the 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 900 MHz spectrum to provide our 4G LTE services starting in September 2013.

In August 2013, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning further auctioned 50 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum, which had been used by governmental entities such as the military, and 80 MHz of bandwidth in the 2.6 GHz spectrum, which had been used for digital multimedia broadcasting services. We acquired the right to use 15 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum, for which we are required to pay a total usage fee of approximately 900 billion during a license period of eight years. SK Telecom acquired the right to use 35 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum and LG U+ acquired the right to use 40 MHz of bandwidth in the 2.6 GHz spectrum. Acquiring the right to use additional bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum has enabled us to provide Wideband LTE services beginning in September 2013, as 15 MHz of the newly acquired bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum was adjacent to our existing 20 Mhz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum.

The growth of our mobile telecommunications business and the increase in usage of wireless data transmission services have been significant factors in the increased utilization of our bandwidth, since wireless data applications are generally more bandwidth-intensive than voice services. The current trend of increasing data transmission use and the increasing sophistication of multimedia contents are likely to put additional strain on the bandwidth capacity of mobile service providers. In the event we are unable to maintain sufficient bandwidth capacity by renewing existing bandwidth spectrum, receiving additional bandwidth allocation, or cost-effectively implementing technologies that enhance bandwidth usage efficiency, our subscribers may perceive a general decrease in quality of mobile telecommunications services. No assurance can be given that bandwidth constraints will not adversely affect the growth of our mobile telecommunications business.

Introduction of new services, including our 4G LTE services, poses challenges and risks to us.

The telecommunications industry is characterized by continual advances and improvements in telecommunications technology, and we have been continually researching and implementing technology upgrades and additional telecommunication services to maintain our competitiveness. For example, in March 2005, we acquired a license to provide wireless broadband Internet access (or WiBro) service for 126 billion, and commercially launched our service in June 2006. We completed the upgrade of our 4G WiBro network and expanded our WiBro service coverage to 84 cities nationwide and major highways in March 2011, which we believe allows us to provide WiBro services at speeds that are approximately three times faster than our previous 3G network at a lower cost, and had approximately 753,000 subscribers as of December 31, 2014. The number of our WiBro subscribers decreased in 2014 compared to 2013, as more WiBro subscribers chose to access the internet using our 4G LTE network rather than WiBro following the introduction and proliferation of 4G LTE services during 2013 and 2014. Furthermore, we focused our subscriber retention efforts during 2014 on our mobile subscribers rather than our WiBro subscribers. We are also continually upgrading our broadband network to enable better FTTH connection, which enhances data transmission speed and connection quality. FTTH is a telecommunication architecture in which a communication path is provided over optical fiber cables extending from the telecommunications operator’s switching equipment to the boundary of home or office. FTTH uses fiber optic cable, which is able to carry a high-bandwidth signal for longer distances without degradation. FTTH also enables us to deliver digital media content, such as IPTV, with higher stability.

In addition, we have been building more advanced mobile telecommunications networks based on LTE technology, which is generally referred to as 4G technology, and commenced providing

 

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commercial 4G LTE services in the Seoul metropolitan area in January 2012. We completed the expansion of our 4G LTE service coverage nationwide in October 2012. Several wireless carriers in the United States, Europe and Asia commenced LTE services in recent years and LTE technology is currently widely accepted as the standard 4G technology. LTE technology enables data to be transmitted faster than W-CDMA, up to 300 Mbps for downloading. We believe that the faster data transmission speed of the LTE network allows us to offer significantly improved wireless data transmission services with faster wireless access to multimedia content. No assurance can be given that our new services will gain broad market acceptance such that we will be able to derive revenues from such services to justify the license fee, capital expenditures and other investments required to provide such services.

We may not be able to successfully pursue our strategy to acquire businesses and enter into joint ventures that complement or diversify our current business, and we may need to incur additional debt to finance such expansion activities.

One key aspect of our overall business strategy calls for acquisitions of businesses and entering into joint ventures that complement or diversify our current business. In October 2011, we, through our subsidiary KT Capital Co., Ltd., acquired 1,622,520 common shares of BC Card Co., Ltd. to further diversify our business and to create synergies through utilization of our mobile telecommunications network in financial services. We acquired an additional 1,349,920 common shares of BC Card Co., Ltd. in January 2012 for approximately 287 billion, and owned a 69.54% interest in BC Card Co., Ltd. as of December 31, 2014. In January 2011, we acquired 5,600,000 shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock with voting rights and convertible bonds that were convertible into 5,600,000 shares of common stock of KT Skylife Co., Ltd., a provider of satellite TV service which may also be packaged with our IPTV services, from Dutch Savings Holdings B.V. for approximately 246 billion. We exercised the conversion rights on the redeemable convertible preferred stock and the convertible bonds in March 2011, and owned a 50.1% interest in KT Skylife Co., Ltd. as of December 31, 2014.

While we plan to continue our search for other suitable acquisition and joint venture opportunities, we cannot provide assurance that we will be able to identify additional attractive opportunities or that we will successfully complete the transactions, without encountering administrative, technical, political, financial or other difficulties, or at all. Even if we were to successfully complete the transactions, success of an acquisition or a joint venture depends largely on our ability to achieve the anticipated synergies, cost savings and growth opportunities from integrating the business of the acquired company or the joint venture with our business. There can be no assurance that we will achieve the anticipated benefits of the transaction, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Pursuing acquisitions or joint venture transactions also requires significant capital, and as we pursue further growth opportunities for the future, we may need to raise additional capital through incurring loans or through issuances of bonds or other securities in the international capital markets.

Disputes with our labor union may disrupt our business operations.

In the past, we have experienced opposition from our labor union for our strategy of restructuring to improve our efficiency and profitability by disposing of non-core businesses and reducing our employee base. Although we have not experienced any significant labor disputes or unrests in recent years, there can be no assurance that we will not experience labor disputes or unrests in the future, including expanded protests and strikes, which could disrupt our business operations and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We also negotiate collective bargaining agreements every two years with our labor union and annually negotiate a wage agreement. Our current collective bargaining agreement expires on May 23,

 

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2015. Although we have been able to reach collective bargaining agreements and wage agreements with our labor union in recent years, there can be no assurance that we will not experience labor disputes and unrests resulting from disagreements with the labor union in the future.

The Korean telecommunications and Internet protocol broadcasting industries are subject to extensive Government regulations, and changes in Government policy relating to these industries could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.

The Government, primarily through the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (the “MSIP”) (ICT standing for Information & Communication Technology) and the KCC, has authority to regulate the telecommunications industry. Until March 2013, regulation of the telecommunications industry had mainly been the responsibility of the KCC. With the establishment of the newly created MSIP on March 23, 2013, however, such regulatory responsibility has mostly been transferred to the MSIP. The MSIP’s policy is to promote competition in the Korean telecommunications markets through measures designed to prevent the dominant service provider in any such market from exercising its market power in such a way as to prevent the emergence and development of viable competitors.

Under current Government regulations, if a network service provider has the largest market share for a specified type of service and its revenue from that service for the previous year exceeds a specific revenue amount set by the MSIP, it must obtain prior approval from the MSIP for the rates and the general terms for that service. Each year the MSIP designates service providers the rates and the general terms of which must be approved by the MSIP. In recent years, the MSIP had so designated us for local telephone service and SK Telecom for mobile service, and the MSIP, in consultation with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, currently approves rates charged by us and SK Telecom for such services.

The MSIP currently does not regulate our domestic long-distance, international long-distance, broadband internet access and mobile service rates, but the inability to freely set our local telephone service rates may hurt profits from such business and impede our ability to compete effectively against our competitors. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Item 4.B. Business Overview—Regulation—Rates.” The form of our standard agreement for providing local network service and each agreement for interconnection with other service providers are also subject to approval by the MSIP. In addition, the MSIP may periodically announce public policy guidelines or suggestions that we take into consideration in setting our tariff for non-regulated services. In June 2011, upon recommendation of the KCC, SK Telecom announced tariff reduction measures, including a reduction of the monthly fee by 1,000 for every subscriber, an exemption of usage charges for short text message service, or SMS, up to 50 messages per month and the introduction of flexible service plans for smartphone users. In August 2011, after discussions with the KCC, we adopted various tariff reduction measures, including a reduction of the monthly fee by 1,000 for every mobile subscriber, an exemption of usage charges for SMS, of up to 50 messages per month and the introduction of customized flat rate plans for smartphone users. The MSIP, which took over the KCC’s tariff regulation function in March 2013, is planning to gradually reduce and abolish activation fees by the end of 2015. As a result of discussions with the MSIP, in August 2013, we, LG U+ and SK Telecom reduced activation fees by approximately 40%. We reduced our activation fee from 24,000 to 14,400, SK Telecom reduced its activation fee from 39,600 to 23,760 and LG U+ reduced its activation fee from 30,000 to 18,000. In January 2014, the MSIP announced its plans to further reduce activation fees in the second half of 2014 so that such fees would be reduced to 50% of levels then-existing. In August 2014, we, SK Telecom and LG U+ reduced activation fees for new subscribers by approximately 50%. Our activation fee was reduced from 14,400 to 7,200, SK Telecom’s activation fee was reduced from 23,760 to 11,880 and LG U+’s activation fee was reduced from 18,000 to 9,000. SK Telecom abolished its activation fee completely in November 2014 and we abolished our activation fee completely in March 2015. There can be no assurance that we will not adopt other tariff-reducing measures in the future to comply with the Government’s public policy guidelines or suggestions.

 

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Based on investigations conducted in December 2012 and January 2013, the KCC imposed a combined fine of approximately 12 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us in January 2013 (our fine being approximately 2.9 billion), for providing subsidies that were higher than those allowed under current regulations to new mobile phone purchasers and subscribers, and also imposed temporary suspensions from recruiting new subscribers ranging from 20 days to 24 days. In March 2013, the KCC again imposed a combined fine of approximately 5 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 1.6 billion) for continuing to offer subsidies during the suspension period. In July 2013, the KCC imposed a combined fine of approximately 67 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 20 billion) and also imposed a seven day suspension on us from recruiting new subscribers, also in connection with providing excessive handset subsidies to new subscribers. In December 2013, the KCC again imposed a combined fine of approximately 106 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 30 billion), which is the largest fine ever imposed by the KCC on local mobile operators for providing excessive subsidies to new subscribers. In March 2014, the MSIP imposed a 45-day suspension on each of us, SK Telecom and LG U+ from recruiting new subscribers as a result of continuing to offer excessive handset subsidies to new subscribers, despite the order from the KCC prohibiting such subsidies. Additionally, the MSIP announced that it plans to bring criminal charges with fines of up to 150 million and imprisonment of less than three years against any carrier and responsible personnel that fails to adhere to the suspension or continues to offer illegal subsidies after the suspension is completed. In August 2014, the KCC again imposed a combined fine of approximately 58 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 11 billion) for providing excessive handset subsidies, and also imposed temporary suspensions on recruiting new subscribers for seven days on SK Telecom and LG U+. In December 2014, the KCC further imposed a fine of approximately 8 billion on each of SK Telecom, LG U+ and us for providing excessive handset subsidies and in March 2015 the KCC again imposed a combined fine of approximately 34 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 9 billion) for violation of regulations relating to handset sales, in connection with a used handset buyback program that we and the other telecommunications operators were promoting.

President Park Geun-hye, who took office on February 25, 2013 as the 18th President of Korea, announced that the new Government will work toward reducing telecommunications service charges and promoting transparency in the decision making of telecommunications service providers. Accordingly, the new Government has set detailed policy objectives to (1) gradually reduce and abolish activation fees by 2015, (2) expand mobile virtual network operator and mobile voice over Internet protocol (“m-VoIP”) service, (3) intensify regulations on handset subsidies and (4) construct a data-based tariff system. If the new Government goes forward with its new telecommunications policy, it will increase competition among wireless service providers and our business and our profitability may be adversely affected.

On October 1, 2014, the Act on Improvement of Mobile Telecommunication Device Distribution System (the “Mobile Device Act”), which seeks to lower the cost of communication and reduce handset factory prices by establishing fair and transparent order in the distribution of mobile telecommunication devices, went into effect. The Mobile Device Act regulates, inter alia, the sale and subsidies of mobile devices such as smartphones, with one of its purposes being to induce telecommunication operators to compete in lowering the costs of communications and encourage the manufacturers to reduce handset factory prices, while improving service quality. Under the Mobile Device Act, consumers may not be discriminated in terms of subsidies based on their age, place of residence or monthly subscription plan when using their existing mobile phones, buying a new phone or switching their mobile carriers. Furthermore, everyone, regardless of their status, is entitled to receive either a handset subsidy for the purchase of mobile phone models that were launched within the last 15 months, or a tariff discount (with the current discount rate set at 20%, effective as of April 24, 2015). The maximum amount of handset subsidy that telecommunications operators and handset manufacturers may offer is determined by Korean telecommunication regulators (such limit to be determined between 250,000 and 350,000, and may be adjusted every six months, with the current limit set at 330,000, effective

 

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as of April 8, 2015). Telecommunications operators are also required to publicly announce the amount of handset subsidy that they offer, which may not be readjusted within one week after such announcement. In addition, telecommunications operators are prohibited from using misleading or exaggerated advertisements, such as advertisements that mobile phones are free without adequately explaining that it is preconditioned on signing up for high-priced monthly subscription plans.

The Government also sets the policies regarding the use of radio frequencies and allocates the spectrum of radio frequencies used for wireless telecommunications. For a discussion of the Government’s recent policies and practices on bandwidth spectrum allocation, see “Item 3. Key information—Item 3.D. Risk Factors—“Failure to renew existing bandwidth spectrum, acquire adequate additional bandwidth spectrum or use our bandwidth efficiently may adversely affect our mobile telecommunications business and results of operations.” The new allocations of bandwidth could increase competition among wireless service providers, which may have an adverse effect on our business.

We also plan to put more focus on the Internet protocol (or IP) media market, and we began offering IPTV services in November 2008. IPTV is a service which combines video-on-demand services with real-time high definition broadcasting via broadband networks. The MSIP and the KCC have the authority to regulate IPTV services. Under the Internet Multimedia Broadcasting Business Act, anyone intending to engage in the IPTV services business must first obtain a license from the MSIP. Moreover, anyone intending to provide contents focused on news or contents that generally combine news, culture entertainment, and any other similar contents with IPTV providers, must obtain approval from the KCC. Furthermore, anyone intending to provide contents relating to the introduction of consumer products and other similar marketing content with IPTV providers must obtain additional approval from the MSIP. In addition, KT Skylife Co. (formerly Korea Digital Satellite Broadcasting Co., Ltd.), which became our consolidated subsidiary starting in January 2011, offers satellite TV services, which may also be packaged with our IPTV services. KT Skylife is also subject to regulation by the MSIP and the KCC pursuant to the Korea Broadcasting Act. In March 2015, amendments to the Internet Multimedia Broadcasting Business Act were passed at a plenary session of the National Assembly, which will become effective three months after it is promulgated, unless the President of Korea vetoes the amendments. Under such amendments, which will be in effect until June 2018, a single broadcasting operator may not have more than one-third of the market share of all paid broadcasting subscribers in Korea. As these amendments and the regulations thereunder have not yet become effective, their effects are currently uncertain.

Government policies and regulations relating to the above as well as other regulations involving the Korean telecommunications and IP broadcasting industries (including as a result of the implementation of free trade agreements between Korea and other countries, including the United States and the European Union) may change, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Item 4.B. Business Overview—Regulation.”

We are subject to various regulations under the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act.

The Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act provides for various regulations and restrictions on large business groups enforced by the Korea Fair Trade Commission. The Korea Fair Trade Commission designated us as a large business group under the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act on April 1, 2002. Our business relationships and transactions with our subsidiaries, affiliates and other companies within the KT group are subject to ongoing scrutiny by the Fair Trade Commission as to, among other things, whether such relationships and transactions constitute undue financial support among companies of the same business group. We are also subject to the fair trade regulations limiting debt guarantees for other domestic member companies of the same group and cross-shareholdings among domestic member companies of the same group. Additionally, we are subject to

 

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a prohibition, in effect since July 25, 2014, against circular shareholding among any three or more entities within our business group. Any future determination by the Korea Fair Trade Commission that we have engaged in transactions that violate the fair trade laws and regulations may result in fines or other punitive measures and may have a material adverse effect on our reputation and our business.

The reported investigations of and any adverse publicity associated with Mr. Suk-Chae Lee, our former Chief Executive Officer, and our other former executive officers or directors could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation and stock price.

On November 12, 2013, Mr. Suk-Chae Lee resigned from his position as the president and chief executive officer of KT Corporation following the investigation by prosecutors for alleged embezzlement and breach of fiduciary duty. A warrant for Mr. Lee’s arrest and detainment was submitted for approval to the Seoul Central District Court in January 2014, but was denied due to lack of ascertainable evidence for his arrest. In April 2014, the Seoul Central District prosecutor’s office charged Mr. Lee with embezzlement and breach of fiduciary duty, and also charged Mr. Il Yung Kim, our former non-independent director and former president of the KT Corporate Center, as a co-conspirator in the breach of fiduciary duty by Mr. Lee, and Mr. Yu-Yeol Seo, our former president of Home Business Group, as a co-conspirator in Mr. Lee’s embezzlement. The trials against these former employees are still ongoing, and we cannot be certain at this time what the outcome will be. However, there can be no assurance that any further developments in the trials will not adversely affect our business or cause our stock price to decline.

The reported investigation of and any adverse publicity associated with one of our subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation and stock price.

An employee of KT ENS and several companies, some of which are KT ENS’s subcontractors, allegedly worked together to forge documents, including a forged proof of accounts receivable, to incur borrowings, of which 290 billion remains unpaid, from 16 Korean banks since 2008 in over 460 transactions, which were allegedly secured by the forged accounts receivable and endorsed by KT ENS. KT ENS’s management neither had knowledge of nor approved such transactions. On February 11, 2014, police raided the offices of the subcontractors in connection with their investigation of the loans. Upon discovery of the incident, KT ENS immediately suspended the employee in question without pay, pending the results of the investigations for any further disciplinary actions. The employee and several other persons involved in the incident were sentenced to prison terms by the Seoul Central District Court in August 2014. The appeals regarding the sentences are currently ongoing.

In March 2014, KT ENS filed for court receivership with the Seoul Central District Court, based on its inability to pay approximately 49 billion in commercial paper that became due after early redemption rights were exercised. The commercial paper had been issued in connection with construction of a solar power plant by a contractor of the project and guaranteed by KT ENS. KT ENS faced difficulties in preventing such exercise of redemption rights following the above incident, and we declined to provide additional financial support to KT ENS to repay the redeemed commercial paper. In August 2014, the Seoul Central District Court approved KT ENS’s restructuring plan, and determined that KT ENS is only responsible for 15% of the borrowings which remain unpaid, or approximately 46 billion. Pursuant to the plan, KT ENS is expected to repay all of its currently outstanding obligations. The banks have appealed the decision of the Seoul Central District Court, and the trial over the appeal is currently ongoing. While KT ENS’s restructuring is unlikely to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition on a consolidated basis, as KT ENS was not a consolidated subsidiary for 2014 due to its filing for court receivership, and our interest in KT ENS was classified as available-for-sale securities, any future legal proceedings against KT ENS and/or us may lead to significant losses. Such losses, as well as any adverse publicity associated with the incident, could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation and stock price.

 

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The data breach incidents involving us in recent years have resulted in government investigations and private litigation, and if our efforts to protect the personal information of our subscribers are unsuccessful, future issues may result in further government enforcement actions and private litigation and may significantly impact our results of operation and reputation.

The nature of our business involves the receipt and storage of personal information of our subscribers. The uninterrupted operation of our information systems and confidentiality of the customer information that resides in such systems are critical to our successful operations. As such, we have a program in place to detect and respond to data security incidents. However, even though we may take all steps we believe are necessary to protect personal information, hardware, software or applications we develop or procure from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise information security. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to circumvent our security measures to gain access to our systems or facilities through fraud, trickery or other forms of deceiving our employees, contractors and temporary staff. In addition, because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or sabotage systems change frequently and may be difficult to detect for long periods of time, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate preventive measures.

For example, in July 2012, the police arrested two individuals in connection with the alleged theft of personal information relating to approximately 8.7 million of our mobile phone subscribers. The individuals in question stole personal information through a series of hackings starting from February 2012 into our New Service and Technology Evolution Program (“N-STEP”), our mobile customer information system. Since the incident, approximately 29,800 of our mobile phone subscribers filed a total of 15 lawsuits against us in connection with the N-STEP hackings, alleging that we failed to protect their personal information, and are seeking total damages of approximately 15 billion. From August 2014 to January 2015, various district courts have awarded damages of 100,000 per plaintiff for 11 of the cases involving a total of approximately 29,000 of the subscribers, resulting in damages of approximately 3 billion to us, while the remaining trials are currently ongoing at various district courts. We have appealed the district courts’ decisions and the appeals are currently ongoing at the Seoul High Court.

Furthermore, in March 2014, the police arrested three individuals in connection with their alleged theft of personal information relating to approximately 9.8 million of our subscribers. The individuals in question stole the personal information of our subscribers through a series of hackings into our main homepage starting from February 2014. Since the incident, approximately 13,450 subscribers filed 18 lawsuits against us in connection with the information theft, seeking total damages of approximately 7 billion. The trials are currently ongoing at various district courts. In June 2014, we were fined 85 million by the KCC and were ordered to take corrective measures in connection with the most recent hacking incident. We filed an administrative appeal in August 2014 in connection with the KCC fine, and the appeal is currently ongoing at the Seoul Administrative Court.

We are unable to predict with any degree of certainty the outcome of these incidents at this time, including the scope of investigations or the maximum potential exposure. However, if we experience additional significant data security breaches or fail to detect and appropriately respond to significant data security breaches, we could be subject to additional government enforcement actions, regulatory sanctions and litigation in the future. In addition, our mobile phone subscribers could lose confidence in our ability to protect their information, which could cause them to discontinue using our services altogether. Furthermore, adverse final determinations, decisions or resolutions in such matters could encourage other parties to bring related claims and actions against us. Accordingly, the outcome of these incidents may materially and adversely impact our business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Concerns that radio frequency emissions may be linked to various health concerns could adversely affect our business and we could be subject to litigation relating to these health concerns.

In the past, allegations that serious health risks may result from the use of wireless telecommunications devices or other transmission equipment have adversely affected share prices of some wireless telecommunications companies in the United States. In May 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (“IARC”) announced that it has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields associated with wireless phone use as possibly carcinogenic to humans, based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer. The IARC is part of the World Health Organization that conducts research on the causes of human cancer and the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and aims to develop scientific strategies for cancer control. We cannot assure you that such health concerns will not adversely affect our business. Several class action and personal injury lawsuits have been filed in the United States against several wireless phone manufacturers and carriers, asserting product liability, breach of warranty and other claims relating to radio transmissions to and from wireless phones. Certain of these lawsuits have been dismissed. We could be subject to liability or incur significant costs defending lawsuits brought by our subscribers or other parties who claim to have been harmed by or as a result of our services. In addition, the actual or perceived risk of wireless telecommunications devices could have an adverse effect on us by reducing our number of subscribers or our usage per subscriber.

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 prices of our securities.

Substantially all of our revenues are denominated in Won. 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 by us to make interest and principal payments on our foreign-currency-denominated debt, the costs of telecommunications equipment that we purchase from overseas sources, net settlement payments to foreign carriers and certain payments related to our derivative instruments entered into for foreign exchange risk hedging purposes. Of the 12,815 billion total principal amount of borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2014, 2,859 billion was denominated in foreign currencies with a weighted average interest rate of 3.49%. The interest rates of such debt denominated in foreign currencies ranged from 0.59% (Japanese Yen 5 billion bond issued in 2013) to 6.50% (for US$100 million fixed rate notes due 2034 issued under our medium-term note program). Upon identification and evaluation of our currency risk exposures, we, having considered various circumstances, enter into derivative financial instruments to try to manage some of such risks. Although the impact of exchange rate fluctuations has in the past been partially mitigated by such strategies, 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. See “Item 3. Key Information—Item 3.A. Select Financial Data—Exchange Rate Information”, “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Interest Rate Risk.”

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.

 

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Risks Relating to Korea

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.

Substantially all of our operations, customers and assets are located in Korea. Accordingly, the performance and successful fulfillment of our operational strategies are necessarily dependent on the overall Korean economy and the resulting impact on the demand for telecommunications services. The economic indicators in Korea in recent years have shown mixed signs of growth and uncertainty, 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 U.S. and 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 in general and the U.S. dollar in particular has also fluctuated widely. See “Item 3.A. Selected Financial Data—Exchange Rates.” A depreciation of the Won increases the cost of imported goods and services and the Won revenue needed by Korean companies to service foreign currency denominated debt. An appreciation of the Won, on the other hand, causes export products of Korean companies to be less competitive by raising their prices in terms of the relevant foreign currency and reduces the Won value of such export sales. Furthermore, as a result of adverse global and Korean economic conditions, there has been an overall decline and continuing volatility in the stock prices of Korean companies. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or KOSPI, declined from 1,897.1 on December 31, 2007 to 938.8 on October 24, 2008. While the KOSPI has recovered since 2008, closing at 2,142.6 on April 29, 2015, there is no guarantee that the stock prices of Korean companies will not decline again in the future. Future declines in the KOSPI and large amounts of sales of Korean securities by foreign investors and subsequent repatriation of the proceeds of such sales may continue to 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 in the future include:

 

   

difficulties in the financial sectors in Europe and elsewhere and increased sovereign default risks in selected countries and the resulting adverse effects on the global financial markets;

 

   

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

 

   

increasing levels of household debt;

 

   

continuing adverse conditions in the economies of countries that are important export markets for Korea, such as the United States, Japan and China, or in emerging market economies in Asia or elsewhere;

 

   

further decreases in the market prices of Korean real estate;

 

   

increasing delinquencies and credit defaults by consumer and small- and medium-sized enterprise borrowers;

 

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declines in consumer confidence and a slowdown in consumer spending;

 

   

the continued emergence of the Chinese economy, to the extent its benefits (such as increased exports to China) are outweighed by its costs (such as competition in export markets or for foreign investment and the relocation of the manufacturing base from Korea to China);

 

   

social and labor unrest;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

loss of investor confidence arising from corporate accounting irregularities or corporate governance issues at certain Korean companies;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

the occurrence of severe health epidemics in Korea or other parts of the world, including the recent Ebola outbreak;

 

   

deterioration in economic or diplomatic relations between Korea and its trading partners or allies, including deterioration resulting from territorial or trade disputes or disagreements in foreign policy;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

hostilities or political or social tensions involving countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Iraq, Syria and Yemen, as well as in Ukraine and Russia, and any material disruption in the supply of oil or significant decrease or increase in the price of oil; and

 

   

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

Escalations in tensions with North Korea could have an adverse effect on us.

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 future events. In particular, since the death of Kim Jong-il in December 2011, there has been increased uncertainty with respect to the future of North Korea’s political leadership and concern regarding its implications for political and economic stability in the region. Although Kim Jong-il’s third

 

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son, Kim Jong-eun, has assumed power as his father’s designated successor, the long-term outcome of such leadership transition remains uncertain.

In addition, there have been heightened security concerns in recent years stemming from North Korea’s nuclear weapon and long-range missile programs as well as its hostile military actions against Korea. Some of the significant incidents in recent years include the following:

 

   

In April 2013, North Korea blocked access to the inter-Korean industrial complex in its border city of Gaeseong to South Koreans, while the U.S. deployed nuclear-capable stealth bombers and destroyers to Korean air and sea space;

 

   

In March 2013, North Korea stated that it had entered “a state of war” with Korea, declaring the 1953 armistice invalid, and put its artillery at the highest level of combat readiness to protest the Korea-United States allies’ military drills and additional sanctions imposed on North Korea for its missile and nuclear tests;

 

   

North Korea renounced its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in January 2003 and conducted three rounds of nuclear tests between October 2006 to February 2013, which increased tensions in the region and elicited strong objections worldwide. In response, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed resolutions that condemned North Korea for the nuclear tests and expanded sanctions against North Korea, most recently in March 2013;

 

   

In December 2012, North Korea launched a satellite into orbit using a long-range rocket, despite concerns in the international community that such a launch would be in violation of the agreement with the United States as well as United Nations Security Council resolutions that prohibit North Korea from conducting launches that use ballistic missile technology; and

 

   

In March 2010, a Korean naval vessel was destroyed by an underwater explosion, killing many of the crewmen on board. The Government formally accused North Korea of causing the sinking, while North Korea denied responsibility. Moreover, in November 2010, North Korea fired more than one hundred artillery shells that hit Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island near the Northern Limit Line, which acts as the de facto maritime boundary between Korea and North Korea on the west coast of the Korean peninsula, causing casualties and significant property damage. The Government condemned North Korea for the attack and vowed stern retaliation should there be further provocation.

North Korea’s economy also faces severe challenges, which may further aggravate social and political pressure within North Korea. There can be no assurance that the level of tension affecting the Korean peninsula will not escalate in the future. Any further increase in tensions, which may occur, for example, if North Korea experiences a leadership crisis, high level contacts between Korea and North Korea break down or military hostilities occur, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Relating to the Securities

If an investor surrenders his ADSs to withdraw the underlying shares, he may not be allowed to deposit the shares again to obtain ADSs.

Korean law currently limits foreign ownership of the ADSs and our shares. In addition, under our deposit agreement, the depositary bank cannot accept deposits of shares and deliver ADSs

 

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representing those shares unless (1) we have consented to such deposit or (2) Korean counsel has advised the depositary bank that the consent required under (1) is no longer required under Korean laws and regulations. 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 or with our consent 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. The depositary bank has informed us that, at a time it considers to be appropriate, the depositary bank plans to start accepting deposits of shares without our consent and to deliver ADSs representing those shares up to the amount allowed under current Korean laws and regulations. Until such time, however, the depositary bank will continue to obtain our consent for such deposits of shares and delivery of ADSs, which we may not provide. Consequently, if an investor surrenders his ADSs to withdraw the underlying shares, he may not be allowed to deposit the shares again to obtain ADSs. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Item 10.D. Exchange Controls.”

A foreign investor may not be able to exercise voting rights with respect to common shares exceeding the number of common shares held by our largest domestic shareholder.

Under the Telecommunications Business Act, a foreign shareholder who holds 5.0% or more of our total shares is prohibited from becoming our largest shareholder. However, any foreign shareholder who held 5.0% or more of our total shares and was our largest shareholder on or prior to May 9, 2004 is exempt from the regulations, provided that such foreign shareholder may not acquire any more of our shares. Under the Telecommunications Business Act, the MSIP may, if it deems it necessary to preserve substantial public interests, prohibit a foreign shareholder from being our largest shareholder. In addition, the Foreign Investment Promotion Act prohibits any foreign shareholder from being our largest shareholder if such shareholder owns 5.0% or more of our shares with voting rights. In the event that any foreigner or foreign government acquires our shares in violation of the above provisions, such foreign shareholder may not be able to exercise voting rights with respect to common shares exceeding such threshold. The MSIP may also order us or the foreign shareholder to take corrective measures in respect of the excess shares within a specified period of six months or less. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association.”

Holders of ADSs will not be able to exercise appraisal rights unless they have withdrawn the underlying common stock and become our direct 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 under Korean law. A holder of ADSs will not be able to exercise appraisal rights unless he has withdrawn the underlying common stock and become our direct shareholder. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association.”

An investor may not be able to exercise preemptive rights for additional shares and may suffer dilution of his equity interest in us.

The Commercial Code of Korea 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 offer any rights to subscribe for additional shares of our common stock or any rights of any other nature, the depositary bank, after consultation with us, may make the rights available to an ADS holder or use reasonable efforts to dispose of the rights on behalf of the ADS holder and make the net proceeds available to the ADS

 

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holder. The depositary bank, however, is not required to make available to an ADS holder 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 of 1933, as amended, 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.

We are under no obligation to file any registration statement. If a registration statement is required for an ADS holder to exercise preemptive rights but is not filed by us, the ADS holder will not be able to exercise his preemptive rights for additional shares. As a result, the ADS holder may suffer dilution of his equity interest in us.

Forward-looking statements may prove to be inaccurate.

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. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “project,” “should,” and similar expressions. 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

In 1981, the Government established us under the Korea Telecom Act to operate the telecommunications services business that it previously directly operated. Under the Korea Telecom Act and the Government-Invested Enterprises Management Basic Act, the Government exercised substantial control over our business and affairs. Effective October 1, 1997, the Korea Telecom Act was repealed and the Government-Invested Enterprises Management Basic Act became inapplicable to us. As a result, we became a corporation under the Commercial Code, and our corporate organization and shareholders’ rights were governed by the Privatization Law and the Commercial Code. Among other things, we began to exercise greater autonomy in setting our annual budget and making investments in the telecommunications industry, and our shareholders began electing our directors, who had previously been appointed by the Government under the Korea Telecom Act.

Prior to 1993, the Government owned all of the issued shares of our common stock. From 1993 through May 2002, the Government disposed of all of its equity interest in us, and the Privatization Law ceased to apply to us in August 2002. We amended our legal name from Korea Telecom Corp. to KT Corporation in March 2002.

 

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Before December 1991, we were the sole provider of local, domestic long-distance and international long-distance telephone services in Korea. The Government began to introduce competition in the telecommunications services market in the early 1990’s. As a result, including ourselves, there are currently three local telephone service providers, five domestic long-distance carriers and numerous international long-distance carriers (including voice resellers) in Korea. In addition, the Government awarded licenses to several service providers to promote competition in other telecommunications business areas such as mobile telephone services and data network services. In June 2009, KTF, a subsidiary providing mobile telephone services, merged into KT Corporation, with KT Corporation surviving the merger, with the objective of maximizing management efficiencies of our fixed-line and mobile telecommunications operations as well as more effectively responding to the convergence trends in the telecommunications industry. See “Item 4.B. Business Overview—Competition.”

Our legal and commercial name is KT Corporation. Our principal executive offices are located at KT Gwanghwamun Building East, 33, Jong-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, 110-130, Seoul, Korea and our telephone number is (8231)  727-0114.

Item 4.B.  Business Overview

We are the leading telecommunications service provider in Korea and one of the largest and most advanced in Asia. As an integrated telecommunications service provider, our principal services include:

 

   

mobile voice and data telecommunications services based on 3G W-CDMA technology and 4G LTE technology;

 

   

fixed-line services, which include:

 

  Ø  

telephone services, including local, domestic long-distance and international long-distance fixed-line and VoIP telephone services and interconnection services to other telecommunications companies;

 

  Ø  

broadband Internet access service and other Internet-related services, including IPTV services; and

 

  Ø  

data communication service, including leased line service and dedicated broadband internet connection service to institutional customers;

 

   

credit card processing and other financial services through KT Capital Co., Ltd. and BC Card Co., Ltd.; and

 

   

various other services, including satellite service and information technology, real estate business, satellite TV service, media contents business and network services such as cloud computing services.

We also offered automobile rental services through KT Rental Co., Ltd. An agreement to sell KT Rental to the Lotte Group for approximately 1.02 trillion (with estimated proceeds to KT Corporation being approximately 772 billion) was entered into in March 2015, and the sale is expected to be completed in May 2015.

Leveraging on our dominant position in the fixed-line telephone services market and our established customer base in Korea, we have successfully pursued new growth opportunities during the past decade and obtained strong market positions in each of our principal lines of business. In particular:

 

   

in the mobile services market in Korea, we achieved a market share of 30.3% with approximately 17.3 million subscribers as of December 31, 2014;

 

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in the fixed-line telephone services market in Korea, we continue to be the dominant provider with approximately 23.9 million installed lines, of which 13.7 million lines were in service as of December 31, 2014. As of such date, our market share of the local market was 81.0% and our market share of the domestic long-distance market was 78.9%;

 

   

we are Korea’s largest broadband Internet access provider with 8.1 million subscribers as of December 31, 2014, representing a market share of 42.3%; and

 

   

we are also the leading provider of data communication services in Korea.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, our operating revenues were 23,727 billion, our loss for the period was 941 billion and our basic loss per share was 4,215. As of December 31, 2014, our total assets were 33,799 billion, total liabilities were 22,012 billion and total equity was 11,788 billion.

Business Strategy

We believe the telecommunications market in Korea is nearing saturation, despite certain areas of growth remaining due to Korea’s growing economy, consumers’ willingness to adopt new technologies, relatively high income and a relatively large middle class. To maintain our competitiveness, we believe we need to pursue growth in other areas, while maintaining our strength in existing businesses. In order to enhance the management efficiencies of our mobile and fixed-line telecommunications operations as well as more effectively respond to the convergence trends in the telecommunications industry, KTF merged into KT Corporation in June 2009, with KT Corporation surviving the merger. In 2014, we restructured our organization into five business groups, the Marketing Group, the Customer Group, the Enterprise Operations Group, the Global Business Group and the Future Convergence Business Group, so that we may achieve higher synergies, more effectively address differing needs of our customer segments, as well as strengthen our competitiveness and discover new growth opportunities. As part of our efforts to improve our operational efficiencies, we transferred all operations relating to fixed-line sales activities (including on-site sales, line activation, after service, and customer center operations) to our subsidiaries in 2014.

We also established subsidiaries to oversee our satellite and real estate operations, and expanded the number of specialized employees for each business, to further strengthen such operations and to pursue strategic alliances with other global corporates. In May 2014, we announced our “GiGAtopia” corporate vision, which seeks to converge ultra-fast broadband services to our smartphone services, and launched our olleh GiGA Internet service, which provides transmission speed of up to 1 Gbps, in October 2014 (“olleh GiGA Internet Service”). We also seek to provide other services that converge information & communication technology with other fields such as energy, security, media, healthcare and transportation, utilizing our fixed-line and wireless infrastructure based on our olleh GiGA Internet Services and LTE mobile services. By promoting our convergence services, we aim to contribute in changing the current subsidy-based Korean telecommunication market competition to one based on innovative technology, products and enhanced services. Consistent with our overall goals, we aim to pursue the following strategy for our business groups:

 

   

Marketing Group. Through our Marketing Group, we aim to expand our telecommunication and convergence operations by (i) improving our fixed-line and wireless telecommunication market shares and average revenue per user, (ii) developing business strategies and plans specifically related to telecommunications and convergence, (iii) strengthening our competitiveness over products, customer service and other related services and (iv) developing and executing efficient marketing strategies. We also focus on

 

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expanding our wireless data communication business to meet the rising demand for broadband Internet access using advanced wireless data communications devices such as smartphones. We are working closely with handset manufacturers to expand our offerings of smartphones and handsets designed to promote convergence of fixed-line and mobile telecommunications services, as well as promote development of various applications for such devices.

In line with this strategy, we began offering Apple’s iPhone for the first time in Korea in November 2009 and have expanded our offerings of smartphones from other mobile handset manufacturers. We believe that our WiBro network, which enables two-way wireless broadband Internet access to portable computers, mobile phones and other portable devices, as well as our extensive wireless LAN networks installed nationwide, enable our subscribers to maximize effective usage of their smartphones. We plan to take advantage of our industry-leading network infrastructure to attract more customers as this market further develops. In addition, we aim to further enhance our position in the mobile telecommunications market by leveraging on our strong brand, nationwide marketing network, competitive data usage rates, call centers dedicated to smartphone users, creative marketing strategies that address our potential customers’ needs and ability to bundle various mobile and fixed-line services. We also plan to further expand our contents and applications for smartphone users and mobile data users by cooperating with application developers in Korea and abroad, in order to further solidify our position as a leader in the convergence market.

In 2010, we launched a new brand “olleh” to promote our bundled products, which include broadband Internet access service, IPTV service, Internet phone service and fixed-line telephone service. We aim to differentiate ourselves from our competitors by providing broadband Internet access service using high-speed fiber-to-the-home (or FTTH) connection and offering Internet phone service with value-added features such as video communication, short message service and phone banking. We also began offering real-time broadcasting service on our IPTV service starting in November 2008.

We believe that convergence of fixed-line and mobile communications technologies provides a competitive advantage to us because we have the technological know-how and experience to design and construct a unified delivery platform for a new generation of value-added services. We plan to make such platform more readily available to others so that they may create additional contents and convenience solutions such as electronic commerce and digital transaction applications that can be utilized anywhere using various media and communications devices.

 

   

Customer Group. Through our Customer Group, we aim to improve our marketing and customer service efforts for all of our products and services by (i) planning and executing strategy for each product that we offer and our marketing efforts, (ii) contributing to expanding our market share by strengthening our marketing and customer service efforts, and (iii) maximizing customer satisfaction by providing high quality customer service.

 

   

Enterprise Operations Group. Through our Enterprise Operations Group, we aim to provide our corporate, small- and medium-sized enterprise and government agency customers with one-stop solution services, including designing data communications and information technology infrastructure and overseeing their day-to-day operations with the objective of achieving operational efficiencies and cost savings, as well as establishing and executing business plans for our global operations. Furthermore, in conjunction with our Future Convergence Business Group, we seek to expand our operations in the fields of smart energy, unified security systems and oversized data management.

 

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Global Business Group. Through our Global Business Group, we are expanding our global operations by designing, developing and optimizing mobile virtual network operation, cloud computing, internet data centers and other global network services, in conjunction with overseas network operators and other global telecommunications companies. To this end, we have established or acquired overseas branches or subsidiaries in target countries to design and construct telecommunication networks and develop information & communication technology convergence products, as well as seeking further overseas opportunities working with quality Korean small- and medium-sized enterprises.

 

   

Future Convergence Business Group. Due to the saturation within the Korean telecommunication market and limitations on growth in the traditional telecommunications services market, through our Future Convergence Strategy Group, we aim to concentrate our existing business capabilities in achieving new synergies by converging information & communication technology with other fields, such as smart energy, unified security systems, next-generation media, healthcare and intelligent traffic control. In the field of smart energy, through the KT Micro-Energy Grid system, our convergence energy optimization project, we seek to contribute in preventing energy crisis and to increase energy efficiency. In the field of unified security systems, we seek to contribute to the establishment of national response systems for natural and other disasters, as well as enhancing personal and corporate security. In the field of next-generation media, we seek to contribute to the development of next-generation media contents and new media technology, thereby supporting the expansion of Korean media contents to overseas markets. We are also seeking ways to develop personalized treatment systems to provide enhanced healthcare, as well as creating intelligent traffic control systems to reduce traffic.

The Telecommunications Industry in Korea

The Korean telecommunications industry is one of the most developed in Asia. According to the MSIP, the number of mobile subscribers in Korea was 57.2 million and the number of broadband Internet access subscribers in Korea was 19.2 million as of December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the mobile penetration rate, which is calculated by dividing the number of mobile subscribers (including multiple counting of those who subscribe to more than one mobile service) by the population of Korea, was 111.2%, and the broadband Internet penetration rate, which is calculated by dividing the number of broadband Internet access service subscribers (including multiple counting of those who subscribe to more than one broadband Internet access service) by the number of households in Korea, was 92.6%.

Mobile Telecommunications Service Market

The Korean cellular market was formally established in 1984 when SK Telecom, formerly Korea Mobile Telecom, became the first mobile telephone operator in Korea. SK Telecom remained the only cellular operator in Korea until Shinsegi Telecom began service in 1994. In order to encourage further market growth and competition, the Government awarded three 2G licenses in June 1996. KTF was awarded a license alongside LG U+ and Hansol M.com, and commercial 2G service was launched in October 1997.

Since the introduction of three new operators in 1997, the Korean mobile market has undergone consolidation and significant growth. Following SK Telecom’s purchase of a controlling stake in Shinsegi, we acquired a 47.9% interest in Hansol M.com in 2000 and renamed the company KT M.com. KT M.com merged into KTF in May 2001 and Shinsegi merged into SK Telecom in January 2002. In June 2009, KTF merged into KT Corporation, with KT Corporation surviving the merger. KT

 

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Corporation and SK Telecom offer third-generation, high-capacity HSDPA-based IMT-2000 wireless Internet and video multimedia communications services that use significantly greater bandwidth capacity. In July 2011, SK Telecom and LG U+ began offering fourth-generation communications services based on LTE technology, which enables data transmission at a speed faster than W-CDMA or WiBro networks, and we began our 4G LTE services in January 2012. Additionally, in September 2013, we commenced providing wideband LTE services, which utilizes our adjoining 20 MHz of bandwidths in the 1.8 GHz spectrum to provide transmission speed of up to 150 Mbps, twice faster than those offered under standard LTE services. SK Telecom also began providing its wideband LTE services in September 2013 and LG U+ commenced providing its wideband LTE services in January 2014. We expanded our wideband LTE services to all of Korea in July 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the number of our LTE subscribers exceeded 10.5 million. Furthermore, in March 2014, we commercialized Wideband LTE-A services, which interconnects our 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum used to offer wideband LTE services with the 10 MHz of bandwidth in the 900 MHz spectrum used to offer standard LTE services by utilizing inter-band carrier aggregation technology to support transmission speed of up to 225 Mbps, and began additionally interconnecting 10 MHz of bandwidth in the 2.1 GHz spectrum in January 2015 to support transmission speed of up to 300 Mbps under the “Wideband LTE-A X4” service.

In April 2014, LG U+, SK Telecom and we began offering various unlimited mobile service packages, offering mobile subscribers with unlimited voice calls, text messaging, and LTE data. We believe that the continuing intense competition among major telecommunications operators in Korea and the resulting pressure on our fees, including from offerings of unlimited usage plans, may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.

The table below gives the subscription and penetration information of the mobile telecommunications industry for the periods indicated:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2010     2011     2012     2013     2014  

Total Korean Population (1)

     50,516        50,734        50,948        51,141        51,409   

Mobile Subscribers (2)

     50,767        52,507        53,624        54,681        57,208   

Mobile Subscriber Growth Rate

     5.9     3.4     2.1     2.0     4.6

Mobile Penetration (3)

     100.5     103.5     105.3     106.9     111.2

 

 

(1) In thousands, based on the number of registered residents as published by the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs of Korea.

 

(2) In thousands, based on information announced by the KCC.

 

(3) Penetration is determined by dividing mobile subscribers by total Korean population.

Broadband Internet Access Market

With the advancement of broadband technology, the Korean broadband Internet access market has experienced significant growth. The principal technologies used in providing high speed Internet access services are xDSL, HFC and fiber optic LAN. xDSL refers to various types of digital subscriber lines, including ADSL and VDSL. xDSL offers an access solution over existing telephone lines using a specialized modem while HFC service involves the use of two-way cable networks. Fiber optic LAN is a technology that combines fiber optic cables and Unshielded Twisted Pair (or UTP) cables. Fiber optic cables are connected to residential and commercial buildings with UTP cable-based LAN capabilities. While xDSL and HFC are more widely used technologies because of their relative reliability, ease of provisioning and cost effectiveness, fiber optic LAN usage in Korea has been steadily increasing in recent years.

Since the subscribers of two-way cable networks share a limited bandwidth, the downstream speed tends to slow down as the number of subscribers increases, thereby decreasing the quality of

 

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HFC-based service. While xDSL technology was commercially introduced after HFC technology, it has surpassed HFC to become the prevalent broadband access platform in Korea. VDSL, ADSL-based technology with enhanced downstream speed, became commercialized in 2002. Some of the service providers have upgraded their broadband network to provide fiber optic LAN-based service to their subscribers, which further enhances data transmission speed up to 1 Gbps as well as improves connection quality, and enables such service providers to offer video-on-demand services with real-time high definition broadcasting.

In recent years, broadband Internet access service providers and mobile telecommunications service providers have focused their attention on providing wireless Internet connection capabilities. They have introduced wireless LAN service with speed of up to 1.3 Gbps, which is designed to integrate fixed-line and wireless services by offering high speed wireless Internet access to laptops, PDAs and smartphones in hot-spot zones and at home. Some service providers have also developed wireless Internet networks to provide WiBro service, which enables two-way wireless broadband Internet access to portable computers, mobile phones and other portable devices at a speed averaging 6 Mbps.

Our Services

Mobile Service

We provide mobile services based on W-CDMA technology and LTE technology. Prior to the merger of KTF into KT Corporation, we provided such services through KTF, which was formerly a consolidated subsidiary. KTF obtained one of the three licenses to provide nationwide 2G service in June 1996 and began offering 2G service in October 1997. In June 2009, KTF merged into KT Corporation, with KT Corporation surviving the merger, with the objective of maximizing management efficiencies of our fixed-line and mobile telecommunications operations as well as more effectively responding to the convergence trends in the telecommunications industry. We currently offer HSDPA-based IMT-2000 services, which are third-generation, high-capacity wireless Internet and video multimedia communications services based on W-CDMA wireless network standards. In January 2012, we also began offering 4G LTE services following the termination of our 2G services. We completed the expansion of our 4G LTE service coverage nationwide in October 2012 and commenced providing wideband LTE services in September 2013, and commercialized Wideband LTE-A services in March 2014, and began offering “Wideband LTE-A X4” services in January 2015 as discussed above.

Revenues related to mobile service accounted for 29.9% of our operating revenues in 2014. In addition, our goods sold, which are primarily from mobile handset sales, accounted for 14.7% of our operating revenues in 2014. The following table shows selected information concerning the usage of our network during the periods indicated and the number of our subscribers as of the end of such periods:

 

     As of or for the Year Ended December 31,  
             2012                      2013                      2014          

Outgoing Minutes (in millions)

     34,520         34,164         36,922   

Average Monthly Outgoing Minutes per Subscriber (1)

     174         182         196   

Average Monthly Revenue per Subscriber (2)

   33,519       35,236       37,260   

Number of Subscribers (in thousands)

     16,502         16,454         17,328   

 

 

(1) The average monthly outgoing minutes per subscriber is computed by dividing the total minutes of usage for the period by the weighted average number of subscribers for the period and dividing the quotient by the number of months in the period. The weighted average number of subscribers is the sum of the total number of subscribers at the end of each month divided by the number of months in the period.

 

(2) The average monthly revenue per subscriber is computed by dividing initial activation fees, total monthly fees, usage charges, interconnection fees and value-added service fees for the period by the weighted average number of subscribers and dividing the quotient by the number of months in the period.

 

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We compete with SK Telecom, a mobile service provider that has a longer operating history than us, and LG U+ which began its service at around the same time as KTF. As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 17.3 million subscribers, or a market share of 30.3%, which was second largest among the three mobile service providers.

We market our mobile services primarily through independent exclusive dealers located throughout Korea. As of December 31, 2014, there were approximately 2,500 shops managed by our independent exclusive dealers. In addition to assisting new subscribers to activate mobile service and purchase handsets, authorized dealers are connected to our database and are able to assist customers with account information. Although most of these dealers sell exclusively our products and services, sub-dealers hired by exclusive dealers may sell products and services offered by other mobile telecommunications service providers. Authorized dealers are entitled to a commission for each new subscriber registered, as well as ongoing commissions for the first five years based primarily on the subscriber’s monthly fee, usage charges and length of subscription. The handsets sold by us to the dealers cannot be returned to us unless they are defective. If a handset is defective, it may be exchanged for a new one within 14 days from the date of purchase. On October 1, 2014, the Mobile Device Act, which regulates the sale and subsidies of mobile telecommunication devices, went into effect. See “Regulation—Rates”.

In response to the diversification of our customers’ demands and their increasing sophistication, we have also selectively engaged in opportunities to expand our internal sales channels in recent years. In 2007, we established a wholly-owned subsidiary, KT M&S Co., Ltd., that operates approximately 252 customer plazas that engage in mobile service sales activities as well as provide a one-stop shop for a wide range of other services and products that we offer. We also operate a website to promote and advertise our products and services to the general public and in particular to younger customers who are more familiar with the Internet.

We conduct the screening process for new subscribers with great caution. A potential subscriber must meet all minimum credit criteria before receiving mobile service. The procedure includes checking the history of non-payment and credit information from banks and credit agencies such as the National Information and Credit Evaluation Corporation. Applicants who do not meet the minimum criteria can only subscribe to the mobile service by using a pre-paid card.

Fixed-line Services

We provide a variety of fixed-line communication services, including various telephone services, broadband and other internet services and data communication services.

 

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Fixed-line Telephone Services

We utilize our extensive nationwide telephone network to provide fixed-line telephone services, which consist of local, domestic long-distance, international long-distance services and land-to-mobile interconnection services. These fixed-line telephone services accounted for 11.0% of our operating revenues in 2014. Our telephone network includes exchanges, long-distance transmission equipment and fiber optic and copper cables. The following table gives some basic measures of the development of our telephone system. In recent years, the proliferation of mobile phones, as well as the availability of increasingly lower wireless pricing plans, some of which include unlimited voice minutes, have led to significant decreases in our domestic long-distance call minutes and local call pulses.

 

     As of or for the Year Ended December 31,  
     2010      2011      2012      2013      2014  

Total Korean population (thousands) (1)

     50,516         50,734         50,948         51,141         51,328   

Lines installed (thousands) (2)

     25,524         23,925         25,242         24,264         23,930   

Lines in service (thousands) (2)

     16,620         15,900         15,121         14,032         13,713   

Lines in service per 100 inhabitants (3)

     32.9         31.3         29.7         27.4         26.7   

Fiber optic cable (kilometers)

     448,328         527,188         584,932         636,347         673,783   

Number of public telephones installed (thousands)

     123         111         101         94         88   

Domestic long-distance call minutes (millions) (4)

     7,318         6,574         6,067         4,842         3,512   

Local call pulses (millions) (4)

     7,973         6,697         6,071         4,895         3,969   

 

 

(1) Based on the number of registered residents as published by the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs of Korea.

 

(2) Including lines used for public telephones but excluding lines dedicated to centralized extension system services for corporate subscribers.

 

(3) Determined based on lines in service and total Korean population.

 

(4) Excluding calls placed from public telephones.

Our domestic long-distance cable network is entirely made up of fiber optic cable and can carry both voice and data transmissions. Compared to conventional materials such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable provides significantly greater transmission capacity with less signal fading, thus requiring less frequent amplification. All of our lines are connected to exchanges capable of handling digital signal technology. A principal limitation of the older analog technology is that applications other than voice communications, such as the transmission of text and computer data, require either separate networks or conversion equipment. Digital systems permit a range of voice, text and data applications to be transmitted simultaneously on the same network.

The following table shows the number of minutes of international long-distance calls recorded by us and specific service providers utilizing our international long-distance network in each specified category for each year in the five-year period ended December 31, 2014:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2010      2011      2012      2013      2014  
     (In millions of billed minutes)  

Incoming international long-distance calls

     523.5         541.6         520.3         628.4         549.4   

Outgoing international long-distance calls

     325.1         332.1         289.7         244.2         212.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     848.6         873.7         810.0         872.6         761.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Japan (26.6%), China (20.7%) and the United States (9.3%) accounted for the greatest percentage of our international long-distance call traffic measured in minutes in 2014. In recent years, the volume of our incoming calls has exceeded the volume of our outgoing calls. The agreed settlement rate is applied to the call minutes to determine the applicable net settlement payment.

 

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Interconnection. Under the Telecommunications Business Act, we are required to permit other service providers to interconnect to our fixed-line network. Currently, the principal users of this interconnection capacity include SK Broadband and LG U+ (offering local, domestic long-distance and international long-distance services), Onse and SK Telink (offering international and domestic long-distance services), and SK Telecom and LG U+ (transmitting calls to and from their mobile networks). We recognize as land-to-mobile interconnection revenue the entire amount of the usage charge collected from the landline user and recognize as an expense the amount of interconnection charge paid to the mobile service provider.

Internet phone services. The volume of calls made through Internet phone services has significantly increased since Internet phone service was first introduced in Korea in 1998. We provide Internet phone services that enable VoIP phone devices with broadband connection to make domestic and international calls. In order to differentiate our Internet phone services from our competitors’ services, we provide value-added services such as video communication, short message service, phone banking and a variety of traffic and local news information. As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 3.4 million subscribers.

Internet Services

Broadband Internet Access Service. Leveraging on our nationwide network of 673,783 kilometers of fiber optic cable network, we have achieved a leading market position in the broadband Internet access market in Korea. We believe we have a competitive advantage over other broadband Internet access service providers because, unlike our competitors, we can utilize our existing networks nationwide to provide broadband Internet access service. Our broadband Internet access service accounted for 8.2% of our operating revenues in 2014. Our principal Internet access services include:

 

   

ADSL, VDSL, Ethernet and FTTH services under the “olleh Internet” and “olleh GiGA Internet” brand name;

 

   

wireless LAN service (or WiFi) under the “ollehWiFi” brand name, which is designed to integrate fixed-line and wireless services by offering high speed wireless Internet access to laptops, PDAs and smartphones in hot-spot zones and olleh Internet service in fixed-line environments. OllehWiFi enables subscribers to access the Internet at a speed of up to 1.3 Gbps. We sponsored approximately 100,000 hot-spot zones nationwide for wireless connection as of December 31, 2014; and

 

   

olleh 4G WiBro Internet access service, which enables two-way wireless broadband Internet access to portable computers, mobile phones and other portable devices at a speed averaging 6 Mbps per user.

We had approximately 8.1 million fixed-line olleh Internet subscribers and approximately 124,000 ollehWiFi service subscribers as of December 31, 2014. We commercially launched our WiBro service in June 2006, and we had approximately 720,000 subscribers as of December 31, 2014. We launched our olleh GiGA Internet Service, which provides transmission speed of up to 1 Gbps, and had approximately 117,000 subscribers as of December 31, 2014. We also bundle our WiBro service with olleh Internet and ollehWiFi services at a discount in order to attract additional subscribers.

Our olleh Internet service utilizes ADSL technology, which is a technology that converts existing copper twisted-pair telephone lines into access paths for multimedia and high-speed data communications. ADSL transforms the existing public telephone network from one limited to voice, text and low-resolution graphics to a system capable of bringing multimedia to subscriber premises without

 

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new cabling. The asymmetric design optimizes the bandwidth by maximizing the downstream speed for downloading information from the Internet. While ADSL technology was commercially introduced after HFC-based technology, it has surpassed HFC to become the prevalent access platform in Korea. VDSL, ADSL-based technology with enhanced downstream speed, became commercialized in July 2002. We are continually upgrading our broadband network to enable better FTTH connection, which further enhances data transmission speed of up to 1 Gbps and connection quality. FTTH is a telecommunication architecture in which a communication path is provided over optical fiber cables extending from the telecommunications operator’s switching equipment to the boundary of home or office. FTTH uses fiber optic cable, which is able to carry a high-bandwidth signal for longer distances without degradation. FTTH enables us to deliver enhanced products and services that require high bandwidth, such as IPTV, and other digital media content with higher stability.

The high-speed downstream rates can reach up to 8 Mbps for ADSL, 100 Mbps for VDSL and 1 Gbps for FTTH. Downstream rates depend on a number of factors. For a constant wire gauge, the data rate decreases as the length of the copper wire increases. Generally, if the separation between the telephone office and the subscriber is greater than four kilometers, line attenuation is so severe that broadband speeds can no longer be achieved. Approximately 95% of the households subscribing to our basic local telephone service are located within a four kilometer radius of our telephone offices, making our olleh Internet service available to most of the Korean population. Fiber-optic cable used by FTTH, on the other hand, uses laser light to carry signals that travel long distances inside fiber optic cable without degradation.

Other Internet-related Services. Our other Internet-related services focus primarily on providing infrastructure and solutions for business enterprises, as well as IPTV and network portal services. Our other Internet-related services accounted for 4.9% of our operating revenues in 2014.

We operate seven Internet data centers located throughout Korea and provide a wide range of computing services to companies which need servers, storage and leased lines. Internet data centers are facilities used to house, protect and maintain network server computers that store and deliver Internet and other network content, such as web pages, applications and data. Our Internet data centers are designed to meet international standards, and are equipped with temperature control systems, regulated and reliable power supplies, fire detection and suppression equipment, security monitoring and wide-bandwidth connections to the Internet. Internet data centers allow corporations to outsource their application and server hardware management.

Our Internet data centers offer network outsourcing services, server operation services and system support services. Our network outsourcing services include co-location, which is the installation of our customers’ network equipment at our Internet data centers. Co-location is designed to increase customers’ Internet connection speed and reduce connection time and costs by directly connecting the customers’ server to the Internet backbone switch at our Internet data centers. Our server operation services include optimal server management service and technical support service we provide with respect to the leased servers that are linked directly to our Internet backbone switch. We also lease servers and network equipment for a fixed monthly fee. Our system support services include providing system resources for a wide range of Internet computing services, such as application transfer, network storage, video streaming and application download, as well as sending short text messages and messages containing multimedia objects, such as images, audio and video.

We also offer a service called Bizmeka to develop and commercialize business-to-business solutions targeting small- and medium-sized business enterprises in Korea. Bizmeka is an applied application service provider which provides industry standard and specialized business solutions, including integrated business administration solutions and intranet collaboration solutions.

 

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We also offer high definition video-on-demand and real-time broadcasting IPTV services under the brand name “olleh TV,” and began offering ultra-high-definition (“UDH”) IPTV services, which offer resolutions up to four times those offered under high-definition television services, under the brand name “olleh GiGA UHD TV” starting in September 2014. Our IPTV service offers access to an array of digital media contents, including movies, sports, news, educational programs and TV replay, for a fixed monthly fee or on a pay-per-view basis. Through a digital set-top box that we rent to our customers, our customers are able to browse the catalogue of digital media contents and view selected media streams on their television. A set-top box provides two-way communications on an IP network and decodes video streaming data. We had 5.9 million olleh TV subscribers as of December 31, 2014. In March 2015, amendments to the Internet Multimedia Broadcasting Business Act were passed at a plenary session of the National Assembly, which will become effective three months after it is promulgated unless vetoed by the President of Korea. Under such amendments, which will be in effect until June 2018, a single broadcasting operator may not have more than one-third of the market share of all paid broadcasting subscribers in Korea.

Data Communications Service

Our data communications service involves offering exclusive lines that allow point-to-point connection for voice and data traffic between two or more geographically separate points. As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, we leased 246,951 lines, 235,147 lines and 231,436 lines to domestic and international businesses. The data communication service accounted for 4.8% of our operating revenues in 2014.

We provide dedicated and secure broadband Internet connection service to institutional customers under the “Kornet” brand name. We provide high-speed connection up to 10.0 Gbps connected to our internet backbone network with capacity of 6.6 Tbps, as well as rent to our customers and install necessary routers to ensure reliable Internet connection and enhanced security. We provide discount rates to qualified customers, including small- and medium-sized enterprises, businesses engaging in Internet access services and government agencies.

Financial Services

To further diversify our business and to create synergies through utilization of our mobile telecommunications network in financial services, we, through our subsidiary KT Capital Co., Ltd., acquired 1,622,520 additional shares of common stock of BC Card Co., Ltd. from Woori Bank, Busan Bank and Shinhan Card for approximately 252 billion in October 2011. As we were deemed to have control over BC Card Co., Ltd., it became our consolidated subsidiary starting in October 2011. We acquired an additional 1,349,920 common shares of BC Card Co., Ltd. in January 2012 for approximately 287 billion, and owned a 69.54% interest in BC Card Co., Ltd. as of December 31, 2014. BC Card Co., Ltd. offers various credit card and related financial services. KT Capital had consolidated operating revenues of 186 billion and net income of 69 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014 and consolidated assets of 2,038 billion and liabilities of 1,760 billion as of December 31, 2014. In March 2014, the investment business division of KT Capital Co., Ltd., including 3,059,560 common shares of BC Card Co., Ltd. that KT Capital Co., Ltd. held, was spun off and merged into KT Corporation, to further strengthen the synergy between telecommunication and finance operations within the KT group and increase shareholder value. Financial Services accounted for 17.2% of our operating revenues in 2014. To focus on our core telecommunications business, we had actively sought to dispose of our interests in KT Capital, which we discontinued as we believed the potential offers did not adequately reflect KT Capital’s value. We will continue to evaluate various options in which we can maximize KT Capital’s strategic value, based on our overall corporate strategy and other factors.

 

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Automobile Rental Services

We also operated KT Rental, a subsidiary that provides rental cars and equipment. In March 2010, MBK Partners, a private equity firm, and we jointly acquired Kumho Rent-A-Car Co., Ltd. from Korea Express Inc. for 263 billion, with each taking a 50% stake. Kumho Rent-A-Car was subsequently merged with the car rental business unit of KT Rental in June 2010. KT Rental became a consolidated subsidiary starting in 2012, as the restriction on our controlling power over KT Rental pursuant to a shareholders’ agreement was resolved as a result of the acquisition of KT Rental’s common stock by Hana Daetoo Securities Co., Ltd. and other investors from the then-second largest shareholder in July 2012. KT Rental operated approximately 122,000 vehicles as of December 31, 2014 and had a market share of 26.6% of the domestic car rental market in 2014. Automobile rental services accounted for 3.3% of our operating revenues in 2014. An agreement to sell KT Rental to the Lotte Group for approximately 1.02 trillion (with estimated proceeds to KT Corporation being approximately 772 billion) was entered into in March 2015, and the sale is expected to be completed in May 2015.

Miscellaneous Businesses

We also engage in various business activities that extend beyond telephone services and data communications services, including satellite services, information technology and network services, real estate development, satellite TV services, with the consolidation of KT Skylife Co. starting in January 2011, and media contents business with the establishment of KT Media Hub Co., Ltd. in December 2012. As of December 31, 2014, KT Media Hub Co., Ltd. had revenues of 335 billion. We merged KT Media Hub Co., Ltd. into KT Corporation in March 2015, to enhance shareholder value by increasing management efficiency and promoting synergy among our existing businesses. Our miscellaneous businesses accounted for 6.1% of our operating revenues for 2014.

We provide transponder leasing, broadcasting, video distribution and data communications services through our satellites. We currently operate two satellites, Koreasat 5 and Koreasat 6 (also known as olleh 1), and own interests in one additional satellite, Koreasat 8. In August 2006, we launched Koreasat 5 to replace Koreasat 2 (launched in 1996 with a design life of ten years). Koreasat 5, a combined civil and governmental communications satellite, is the first Korean satellite to provide commercial satellite services to neighboring countries. The design life of Koreasat 5 is 15 years, and it currently remains in operation.

In December 2010, we launched Koreasat 6, with a design life of 15 years, to replace Koreasat 3 (originally launched in 1999, with a design life of 12 years). Koreasat 6 began its commercial operation in February 2011 and carries transponders that are mainly used for direct-to-home satellite broadcasting, video distributions and data communications services. Most of the direct-to-home satellite broadcasting transponders are utilized by KT Skylife Co. We also lease satellite capacity from other satellite operators to offer satellite services to both domestic and international customers. In August 2010, we procured from Asia Broadcast Satellite (“ABS”), a Hong Kong-based satellite operator, four transponders on ABS-1 satellite and eight additional transponders on ABS-2 satellite (which was later renamed Koreasat 8) in order to provide global satellite services. Koreasat 8 launched its operations in February 2014. In the second half of 2014, we transferred our interest in the ABS-1 transponders to the Koreasat 8 satellite. We sold to ABS the Koreasat 3 satellite in September 2011, as the satellite had reached the end of its design life. We expect to launch two additional satellites during 2016, one to offer new satellite services, and the other to replace Koreasat 5.

In December 2012, we spun-off our satellite service business by establishing KT Sat Co., Ltd., in an effort to enhance operational specialization and to foster management efficiency, enabling us to respond more promptly to the changing market environments and increasing competitiveness.

 

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In December 2013, the MSIP declared that the contract over our sale of Koreasat 3 was null and void, on the grounds that the satellite was sold without obtaining proper government approval. We are currently involved in arbitration proceedings against ABS pursuant to the Rules of the International Chamber of Commerce over the Koreasat 3 satellite ownership and contract violation claims.

We offer a broad array of integrated information technology and network services to our business customers. Our range of services include consulting, designing, building and maintaining systems and communication networks that satisfy the individual needs of our customers in the public and private sectors.

We own land and real estate in various locations nationwide. Technological developments have enhanced the coverage area of individual telecommunications facilities, which enable us to better utilize our existing land and other real estate holdings. In recent years, we have engaged in the planning and development of commercial and office buildings and condominiums on our unused sites, as well as in the leasing of buildings we own. We established KT Estate Inc. in August 2010 to oversee the planning, development and operation of our real estate assets, and established KT AMC, an asset management company, in September 2011 as a subsidiary of KT Estate Inc. to create additional synergies with our real estate assets. We made a contribution in-kind of 1,254 billion to KT Estate Inc. in December 2012 to further strengthen KT Estate’s competitiveness and to better utilize our assets.

To respond to the trend of convergence in the telecommunications and broadcasting industries, and to seek additional synergies with our existing operations, we acquired 5,600,000 shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock with voting rights and convertible bonds that were convertible into 5,600,000 shares of common stock of KT Skylife Co., Ltd. from Dutch Savings Holdings B.V. in January 2011 for approximately 246 billion. We exercised the conversion rights on the redeemable convertible preferred stock and the convertible bonds in March 2011, and owned a 50.1% interest in KT Skylife Co., Ltd. as of December 31, 2014. KT Skylife offers satellite TV services, which may also be packaged with our IPTV services as further described below, and had consolidated operating revenues of 653 billion and net income of 55 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014 and consolidated assets of 683 billion and liabilities of 246 billion as of December 31, 2014.

In December 2012, we also established KT Media Hub Co., Ltd., a subsidiary that specializes in the development of media contents, with a cash capital contribution of 80 billion. We believe that the media contents business will be a future growth opportunity for us, and this subsidiary further enhances our specialization in the media contents business. It also allows us to better adapt to the rapidly changing market environment in the field.

 

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Revenues and Rates

The table below shows the percentage of our revenues derived from each category of services for each of the years from 2012 to 2014:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2013     2014  

Mobile services

     26.7     27.9     29.9

Fixed-line services

     30.8        29.8        28.9   

Fixed-line telephone services:

      

Monthly basic charges

     3.3        3.1        2.9   

Monthly usage charges

     7.1        6.1        5.2   

Others

     3.4        3.2        2.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total

     13.7        12.4        11.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Internet services:

      

Broadband Internet access service

     8.3        8.4        8.1   

Other Internet-related services (1)

     3.5        4.1        4.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total

     11.8        12.5        13.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Data communications service (2)

     5.3        5.0        4.8   

Goods sold (3)

     18.6        16.9        14.7   

Financial services

     13.5        13.6        17.2   

Automobile rental services (4)

     1.0        2.5        3.3   

Miscellaneous businesses (5)

     9.4        9.2        6.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating revenues

     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes revenues from services provided by our Internet data centers, Bizmeka and olleh TV.

 

(2) Includes revenues from Kornet Internet connection service and satellite services.

 

(3) Includes mobile handset sales.

 

(4) KT Rental Co., Ltd. became our consolidated subsidiary starting in 2011. An agreement to sell KT Rental to the Lotte Group for approximately 1.02 trillion (with estimated proceeds to KT Corporation being approximately 772 billion) was entered into in March 2015, and the sale is expected to be completed in May 2015.

 

(5) Includes revenues from satellite services, information technology and network services and real estate development business.

Mobile Services

We derive revenues from mobile services principally from:

 

   

activation fees;

 

   

monthly fees;

 

   

usage charges for outgoing calls;

 

   

usage charges for wireless data transmission;

 

   

contents download fees;

 

   

value-added monthly service fees; and

 

   

mobile-to-mobile interconnection charges.

We offer various rate plans, including those that offer a specified number of free airtime minutes per month in return for a higher monthly fee and those that are geared toward business

 

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customers. In August 2013, we, SK Telecom, and LG U+ reduced the activation fee for new subscribers by approximately 40%. Our activation fee was reduced from 24,000 to 14,400, SK Telecom’s activation fee was reduced from 39,600 to 23,760, and LG U+’s activation fee was reduced from 30,000 to 18,000. In January 2014, the MSIP announced its plans to further reduce activation fees in the second half of 2014 so that such fees would be reduced to 50% of levels then-existing. In August 2014, we, SK Telecom and LG U+ reduced activation fees for new subscribers by approximately 50%. Our activation fee was reduced from 14,400 to 7,200, SK Telecom’s activation fee was reduced from 23,760 to 11,880 and LG U+’s activation fee was reduced from 18,000 to 9,000. SK Telecom abolished its activation fee completely in November 2014 and we abolished our activation fee completely in March 2015. We currently only offer our standard rate plan for our HSDPA-based service. Under our standard rate plan we charge a monthly fee of 11,000, voice calling usage charges of 1.8 per second and video calling usage charges of 3 per second, without any free voice or video call airtime minutes.

A subscriber may also subscribe to an individually designed calling rate plan by mixing free voice calling airtime minutes and free text messages at a set monthly fee. We also provide plans specially designed for elderly and pre-teen subscribers as well as special discounts to our subscribers with physical disabilities.

 

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We introduced rate plans specifically for smartphone users starting in September 2009. In June 2013, we introduced the Everyone olleh rate plan, which permits users to make unlimited voice calls within our wireless network, and the Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited rate plan, which permits users to make unlimited voice calls within both our fixed-line and wireless networks. Starting from November 2014, we began offering our major 3G and LTE mobile plans at discounted rates which were previously offered only to subscribers who signed on for mandatory subscription periods ranging from one to two years, thereby eliminating the need to sign on for any mandatory subscription period to benefit from our discounted plans and removing any early termination penalties. We believe such changes allow our subscribers a wider flexibility in choosing their mobile plans based on their needs. The following table summarizes the charges associated with our representative smartphone service plans:

 

    Free Airtime Minutes (1)     Free Data
Transmission (2)
    Monthly Fee     Discount (3)  
    Voice or video calls to
anyone
          Voice or video calls to
our mobile subscribers
    (in megabytes)              

i-teen

      193          34,000      13,000   

i-Slim

      150          100        34,000        13,000   

i-Lite

      200          500        44,000        16,000   

i-Talk

      250          100        44,000        16,000   

i-Value

      300          Unlimited        54,000        18,000   

i-Medium

      400          Unlimited        64,000        21,000   

i-Special

      600          Unlimited        78,000        24,000   

i-Premium

    800          Unlimited        Unlimited        94,000        30,000   

Everyone olleh 35(3G)

    130          Unlimited        750        35,000        7,000   

Everyone olleh 45(3G)

    185          Unlimited        1,536        45,000        11,000   

Everyone olleh 55(3G)

    250          Unlimited        2,560        55,000        14,000   

Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited 67(3G) (4)(5)

    Unlimited (200)        Unlimited        5,120        67,000        16,000   

Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited 77(3G) (4)(5)

    Unlimited (200)        Unlimited        9,216        77,000        18,000   

Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited 97(3G) (4)(5)

    Unlimited (200)        Unlimited        17,408        97,000        20,000   

Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited 129(3G) (4)(5)

    Unlimited (200)        Unlimited        25,600        129,000        30,000   

Net i-Slim

      150          100        21,000          

Net i-Value

      300          Unlimited        34,000          

Net Everyone olleh 28(3G)

    130          Unlimited        750        28,000          

Net Everyone olleh 34(3G)

    185          Unlimited        1,536        34,000          

Net Everyone olleh 41(3G)

    250          Unlimited        2,560        41,000          

Net Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited 51(3G) (4)(5)

    Unlimited (200)        Unlimited        5,120        51,000          

Net Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited 61(3G) (4)(5)

    Unlimited (200)        Unlimited        10,240        61,000          

Net Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited 77(3G) (4)(5)

    Unlimited (200)        Unlimited        17,408        77,000          

Net Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited 99(3G) (4)(5)

    Unlimited (200)        Unlimited        25,600        99,000          

 

 

(1) Starting in May 2012, each second of video call counts as 1.66 second of voice call.

 

(2) We do not charge for data transmission in wireless LAN zones and charge 0.01 per 0.5 kilobyte for any data transmission exceeding the free monthly quota, up to a maximum of 150,000.

 

(3) We provide various discounts to subscribers signing up for mandatory subscription periods.

 

(4) Includes free mobile and fixed-line voice calls and 200 minutes of free video calls.

 

(5) Provides an additional daily quota of 2GB after the free monthly quota has been exhausted and also provides unlimited use of data at transmission speed of up to 3Mbps after the daily quota of 2GB has been exhausted.

 

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In connection with the rollout of our 4G LTE services in January 2012, we also introduced new rate plans specifically for LTE phone users. We began offering various unlimited data plans in March 2014, which allows unlimited LTE data usage within certain transmission speeds after the monthly quota at the highest LTE data transmission speed has been exhausted. The following table summarizes charges for our representative LTE service plans:

 

    Free Airtime Minutes (1)     Free Data
Transmission (2)
    Monthly Fee     Discount (3)  
    Voice or video calls to
anyone
        Voice or video calls to
our mobile subscribers
    (in megabytes)              

LTE-340

      160          750      34,000      7,000   

LTE-420

      200          1,536        42,000        11,000   

LTE-520

      250          2,560        52,000        14,000   

LTE-620

      350          6,144        62,000        16,000   

LTE-720

      450          10,240        72,000        18,000   

Everyone olleh 35(LTE)

  130       Unlimited        750        35,000        7,000   

Everyone olleh 45(LTE)

  185       Unlimited        1,536        45,000        11,000   

Everyone olleh 55(LTE)

  250       Unlimited        2,560        55,000        14,000   

Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited 67(LTE) (4)(5)

  Unlimited(200)       Unlimited        5,120        67,000        16,000   

Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited 79(LTE) (4)(5)

  Unlimited(200)       Unlimited        10,240        77,000        18,000   

Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited 87(LTE) (4)(5)

  Unlimited(200)       Unlimited        12,288        77,000        20,000   

Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited 97(LTE) (4)(5)

  Unlimited(200)       Unlimited        17,408        97,000        20,000   

Fixed-Line & Wireless Unlimited 129(LTE) (4)(5)

  Unlimited(200)       Unlimited        25,600        129,000        30,000   

Wideband Safe Unlimited 67 (6)

  100         15,360        67,000        16,000   

Wideband Safe Unlimited 77 (6)

  300         15,360        77,000        18,000   

Net Everyone olleh 28 (LTE)

  130       Unlimited        750        28,000          

Net Everyone olleh 34 (LTE)

  185       Unlimited        1,536        34,000          

Net Everyone olleh 41 (LTE)

  250       Unlimited        2,560        41,000          

Net Fixed-Line&Wireless Unlimited 51(LTE) (4)(5)

  Unlimited(200)       Unlimited        5,120        51,000          

Net Fixed-Line&Wireless Unlimited 61(LTE) (4)(5)

  Unlimited(200)       Unlimited        10,240        61,000          

Net Fixed-Line&Wireless Unlimited 67(LTE) (4)(5)

  Unlimited(200)       Unlimited        12,288        67,000          

Net Fixed-Line&Wireless Unlimited 77(LTE) (4)(5)

  Unlimited(200)       Unlimited        17,408        77,000          

Net Fixed-Line&Wireless Unlimited 99(LTE) (4)(5)

  Unlimited(200)       Unlimited        25,600        99,000          

Net Wideband Safe Unlimited 51 (6)

  100       Unlimited        15,360        67,000          

 

 

(1) Starting in May 2012, each second of video call counts as 1.66 second of voice call.

 

(2) We do not charge for data transmission in wireless LAN zones. We charge 0.01 per 0.5 kilobyte for any additional data transmission exceeding the free monthly quota, up to a maximum of 150,000.

 

(3) We provide various discounts to subscribers signing up for mandatory subscription periods.

 

(4) Includes free mobile and fixed-line voice calls and 200 minutes of free video calls.

 

(5) Provides an additional daily quota of 2GB after the free monthly quota has been exhausted, and also provides unlimited use of data with speed of up to 3Mbps after the daily quota of 2GB has been exhausted.

 

(6) Provides unlimited use of data at transmission speed of up to 3Mbps after the monthly quota of 15GB has been exhausted, and also provides unlimited voice calls with one designated number within our network.

 

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We have entered into arrangements with various partners including a leading discount store, a leading online shopping mall, several leading banks, an operator of cinema complexes, a leading automobile manufacturing company and Korea Railroad Corporation, and we offer subscribers of our mobile service monthly discount coupons, membership points or movie tickets from such partners as promotional gifts.

In December 2010, we also introduced 3G data-only plans targeting tablet PC users, smartphone users and other special phone users, and currently offer subscription plans for data transmission amounts ranging from 1 GB to 4GB at monthly fees ranging from 12,500 to 24,500.

In June 2012, we introduced LTE data-only plans, in both basic and various discounted packages, which currently provides 1.6 GB to 6.4 GB of data at monthly fees ranging from 18,000 to 30,000. The following table summarizes charges for our representative data-only plans:

3G Data-only Pricing Plans

 

     Monthly Data Quota
(3G Network)
     Monthly Fee  

Net olleh Data 1G (1) (2)

     1GB       12,500   

Net olleh Data 2G (1) (2)

     2GB         16,000   

Net olleh Data 4G (1) (2)

     2GB         24,500   

 

 

(1) We charge 0.025 per 0.5 kilobyte for any additional data transmission in excess of the monthly quota.

 

(2) Unused data is not carried over to the next month. Customers may not subscribe to our m-VoIP services and data add-on services, such as Data Plus, Data Sharing, Genie Pack and OTN Pack.

LTE Data-only Pricing Plans

 

     Monthly Data Quota
(3G and LTE  Networks)
     Monthly Fee  

Net LTE Data 1.6G (1) (2)

     1.6GB       18,000   

Net LTE Data 3.2G (1) (2)

     3.2GB         22,500   

Net LTE Data 6.4G (1) (2)

     6.4GB         30,000   

 

 

(1) We charge 0.01 per 0.5 kilobyte for any additional data transmission in excess of the monthly data quota and Safe Zone data, regardless of network.

 

(2) Unused data is not carried over to the next month. Customers may not subscribe to our m-VoIP services and data add-on services, such as Data Plus, Data Sharing, Genie Pack and OTN Pack.

Mobile-to-mobile Interconnection. For a call initiated by a mobile subscriber of our competitor to our mobile subscriber, the mobile service provider collects from its subscriber its normal rate and remits to us a mobile-to-mobile interconnection charge. In addition, for a call initiated by our mobile subscriber to a mobile subscriber of our competitor, we collect from our subscriber our normal rate and remit to the mobile service provider a mobile-to-mobile interconnection charge.

The following table shows the interconnection charges we paid per minute (exclusive of value-added taxes) to mobile operators, and the charges received per minute (exclusive of value-added taxes) from mobile operators for mobile to mobile calls:

 

     Effective Starting  
     January 1, 2012      January 1, 2013      January 1, 2014  

SK Telecom

   27.1       26.3       22.2   

LG U+

     28.2         27.0         22.8   

KT

     28.0         27.0         22.7   

 

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We recognize as mobile-to-mobile interconnection revenue the entire amount of the usage charge collected from the mobile user and recognize as expense the amount of interconnection charge paid to the mobile service provider.

Fixed-line Services

Fixed-line Telephone Services

Local Telephone Service. Our revenues from local telephone service consist primarily of:

 

   

service initiation fees for new lines;

 

   

monthly basic charges; and

 

   

monthly usage charges based on the number of call pulses.

The rates we charge for local calls are currently subject to approval by the MSIP after consultation with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance. The rates are identical for residential and commercial customers. All calls are currently measured by call pulses. Each pulse is determined by the duration of the call and the time of the day at which the call is made. Our current local usage rates, which have been in effect since May 2002, are 39 per pulse for regular service and 70 per pulse for public telephones. For local calls, a pulse is triggered at the beginning of each local call and every three minutes thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and every 258 seconds thereafter on holidays and from 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. on weekdays.

We also charge a monthly basic charge ranging from 3,000 to 5,200, depending on location, and a non-refundable service initiation fee of 60,000 to new subscribers. The non-refundable service initiation fee is waived for the new subscribers who subscribe to our local service through our online application process. Until April 2001, we charged refundable service initiation deposits, which were refunded upon termination of service. As of December 31, 2014, we had 427 billion in refundable service initiation deposits outstanding and 1,949 thousand subscribers who are enrolled under the mandatory deposit plan and are eligible to switch to the no deposit plan and receive their service initiation deposit back (less the non-refundable service initial fees).

Domestic Long-distance Telephone Service. Our revenues from domestic long-distance service consist of charges for calls placed, charged for the duration, time of day and day of the week a call is placed, and the distance covered by the call. We are able to set our own rates for domestic long-distance service without approval from the MSIP.

Our current basic domestic long-distance rates, which have been in effect since November 2001, are 39 per three minutes for distances of up to 30 kilometers and 14.5 per ten seconds (equivalent to 261 per three minutes) for distances in excess of 30 kilometers. For domestic long-distance calls for distances of up to 30 kilometers, a pulse is triggered at the beginning of each call and every three minutes thereafter. For domestic long-distance calls for distances in excess of 30 kilometers, a pulse is triggered at the beginning of each call and every 10 seconds thereafter. Rates for domestic long-distance calls for distances up to 30 kilometers are currently discounted by an adjustment in the period between pulses, by approximately 11% (utilizing a pulse rate of 200 seconds) from 6:00 a.m. to midnight on holidays and from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on weekdays, and by approximately 43% (utilizing a pulse rate of 258 seconds) from midnight to 6:00 a.m. every day. Rates for domestic long-distance calls for distances in excess of 30 kilometers are currently discounted by approximately 10% (utilizing a rate of 13.1 per ten seconds) from 6:00 a.m. to midnight on holidays and from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on weekdays, and by approximately 30% (utilizing a rate of 10.2 per ten seconds) from midnight to 6:00 a.m. every day.

 

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In recent years, we have begun to offer optional flat rate plans, discount plans and bundled product plans in order to mitigate the impact from lower usage of local and domestic long-distance calls and stabilize our revenues from fixed-line telephone services. For a discussion of our bundled products, see “—Bundled Products.” Some of our flat rate and discount plans that we currently offer include the following:

 

   

a subscriber who elects to pay a monthly flat rate of 12,500 is able to make free local and domestic long-distance calls after 9 p.m. on weekdays or at any time on weekends. Each month, the subscriber also receives a free movie ticket and free 60 minutes of land-to-mobile calls. The subscriber is also eligible to receive a discount of up to 20%, subject to the length of the mandatory subscription period;

 

   

a subscriber who elects to subscribe to our fixed-line phone service for a three year mandatory subscription period is able to make local and domestic long-distance calls at a flat rate of 39 per three minutes;

 

   

a subscriber who elects to subscribe to our broadband Internet access service or HSDPA-based mobile service for a three year mandatory subscription period is able to make local, domestic long-distance and land-to-mobile calls of up to 150,000 with a flat rate payment of 50,000 or such calls up to 50,000 with a flat rate payment of 10,000. Standard rates apply to calls that exceed the capped amounts; and

 

   

a subscriber who elects to pay a monthly flat rate ranging from 7,500 to 15,000, depending on the types of calls the subscriber wishes to make, is able to use 3,000 minutes per month of local, domestic long-distance, land-to-VoIP and land-to-KT mobile calls.

International Long-distance Service. Our revenues from international long-distance service consist of:

 

   

amounts we bill to customers for outgoing calls made to foreign countries (including customers who make calls to Korea from foreign countries under our home country direct-dial service);

 

   

amounts we bill to foreign telecommunications carriers for connection to the Korean telephone network in respect of incoming calls (including calls placed in Korea by customers of the foreign carriers for home country direct-dial service); and

 

   

other revenues, including revenues from international calls placed from public telephones.

We bill outgoing calls made by customers in Korea (and calls made to Korea from foreign countries under our home country direct-dial service) in accordance with our international long-distance rate schedule for the country called. These rates vary depending on the time of day at which a call is placed. We bill outgoing international calls on the basis of one-second increments. We are able to set our own rates for international long-distance service without approval from the MSIP.

For incoming calls (including calls placed in Korea by customers of the foreign carriers for home country direct-dial service), we receive settlement payments from the relevant foreign carrier at the applicable settlement rate specified under the agreement with the foreign carrier. We have entered into numerous bilateral agreements with foreign carriers. We negotiate the settlement rates under these agreements with each foreign carrier, subject to the MSIP’s approval. It is the practice among international carriers for the carrier in the country in which the call is billed to collect payments due in respect of the use of overseas networks. Although we record the gross amounts due to and from us in our financial statements, we make settlements with most carriers monthly or quarterly on a net basis.

 

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Land-to-mobile Interconnection. We provide other telecommunications service providers, including mobile operators and other fixed-line operators, interconnection to our fixed-line network. For a call initiated by a landline user to a mobile service subscriber, we collect from the landline user the land-to-mobile usage charge and remit to the mobile service provider a land-to-mobile interconnection charge. The MSIP periodically issues orders setting the interconnection charge calculation method applicable to interconnections with mobile service providers. The MSIP determines the land to mobile interconnection charge by calculating the long run incremental cost of mobile service providers, taking into consideration technology development and future expected costs.

The following table shows the interconnection charges we paid per minute (exclusive of value-added taxes) to mobile operators for landline to mobile calls:

 

     Effective Starting  
     January 1, 2012      January 1, 2013      January 1, 2014  

SK Telecom

   27.1       26.3       22.2   

LG U+

     28.2         27.0         22.8   

Since September 2004, the usage charges per minute collected from a landline user for a call initiated by a landline user to a mobile service subscriber are 87.0 during weekdays, 82.0 during weekends and 77.2 during evenings (defined as 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. every day). We recognize as land-to-mobile interconnection revenue the entire amount of the usage charge collected from the landline user and recognize as expense the amount of interconnection charge paid to the mobile service provider.

Land-to-land and Mobile-to-land Interconnection. For a call initiated by a landline subscriber of our competitor to our fixed-line user, the landline service provider collects from its subscriber its normal rate and remits to us a land-to-land interconnection charge. In addition, for a call initiated by a mobile service subscriber to our landline user, the mobile service provider collects from its subscriber its normal rate and remits to us a mobile-to-land interconnection charge.

The following table shows such interconnection charge per minute collected for a call depending on the type of call, as determined by the KCC:

 

     Effective Starting  
     January 1, 2012      January 1, 2013      January 1, 2014  

Local access (1)

   15.5       14.6       13.3   

Single toll access (2)

     17.4         16.7         14.7   

Double toll access (3)

     20.3         19.9         17.1   

 

 

Source: The KCC.

 

(1) Interconnection between local switching center and local access line.

 

(2) Interconnection involving access to single long-distance switching center.

 

(3) Interconnection involving access to two long-distance switching centers.

 

Internet Services

Broadband Internet Access Service. We offer broadband Internet access service that primarily uses existing telephone lines to provide both voice and data transmission. We charge monthly fixed fees to customers of broadband Internet service. In addition, we charge customers a one-time installation fee per site of 30,000 and modem rental fee of up to 8,000 on a monthly basis.

 

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The following table summarizes our charges for our representative broadband Internet service plans:

 

    

Maximum Service Speed

   Monthly Fee  

olleh Internet Special (1) (8)

   100 Mbps    36,000   

olleh Internet Lite (1) (8)

   50 Mbps      30,000   

olleh GiGA Internet (8)

   1 Gbps      50,000   

olleh GiGA Internet Compact (8)

   500 Mbps      42,000   

WiBro 10G (2) (8)

   40 Mbps (for downloading) / 12 Mbps (for uploading)      10,000   

WiBro 20G (3) (8)

   40 Mbps (for downloading) / 12 Mbps (for uploading)      20,000   

WiBro 30G (4) (8)

   40 Mbps (for downloading) / 12 Mbps (for uploading)      30,000   

WiBro 50G (5) (8)

   40 Mbps (for downloading) / 12 Mbps (for uploading)      40,000   

WiBro Hybrid 10G (6) (8)

   40 Mbps (for downloading) / 12 Mbps (for uploading) / LTE Mode : 6 Mbps (downloading and uploading)      20,000   

WiBro Hybrid 20G (7) (8)

   40 Mbps (for downloading) / 12 Mbps (for uploading) / LTE Mode : 6 Mbps (downloading and uploading)      30,000   

 

 

(1) We waive the installation fee of 30,000 for mandatory subscription periods of one to three years.

 

(2) We charge a monthly fee of 10,000 for up to 10,000 megabytes of data transmission and 10 per megabyte for any additional data transmission in excess of 10,000 megabytes per month.

 

(3) We charge a monthly fee of 20,000 for up to 20,000 megabytes of data transmission and 10 per megabyte for any additional data transmission in excess of 20,000 megabytes per month.

 

(4) We charge a monthly fee of 30,000 for up to 30,000 megabytes of data transmission and 10 per megabyte for any additional data transmission in excess of 30,000 megabytes per month.

 

(5) We charge a monthly fee of 40,000 for up to 50,000 megabytes of data transmission and 10 per megabyte for any additional data transmission in excess of 50,000 megabytes per month.

 

(6) We charge a monthly fee of 20,000 for up to 10,000 megabytes of data transmission and no additional data may be used afterwards.

 

(7) We charge a monthly fee of 30,000 for up to 20,000 megabytes of data transmission and no additional data may be used afterwards.

 

(8) Various discounts and promotional rates are available depending on the time of subscription and the minimum subscription contract, which may reduce the actual monthly fee paid.

olleh TV Services. We charge our subscribers an installation fee per site of 24,000, which is waived with a three-year contract, a set-top box rental fee ranging from 2,000 to 9,000 on a monthly basis and a monthly subscription fee. The rates we charge for olleh TV services are subject to approval by the MSIP.

The following table summarizes charges for our representative olleh TV service plans:

 

     Real-time
Broadcasting Channels
     Monthly Fee (1)  

olleh TV Live Choice (2)

     94       10,000   

olleh TV Live Education (3)

     68         10,000   

olleh TV Live 10 (4)

     193         15,000   

olleh TV Live 15 (4)

     214         23,000   

olleh TV Live 25 (4)

     214         36,000   

olleh TV Live 34 (4)

     214         50,000   

olleh TV SkyLife All-right (5)

     162         14,000   

olleh TV SkyLife Economy (5)

     169         20,000   

olleh TV SkyLife Standard (5)

     176         25,000   

olleh TV SkyLife Premium (5)

     180         30,000   

olleh TV Mobile (6)

     70         5,000   

 

 

(1) We typically provide discounts of 5% to 20% for a mandatory subscription periods ranging from one to three years. For olleh TV SkyLife subscribers, we provide discounts of 20% for mandatory subscription period of three years.

 

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(2) Assuming selection of one package. Subscribers must choose at least one channel package, each of which charges a monthly fee of 2,000. The packages include media, leisure and education and multi-room.

 

(3) Assuming selection of one package. Subscribers must choose at least one Video-On-Demand package, each of which charges a monthly fee of 2,000. The packages include elementary school, middle/high school and English education.

 

(4) IPTV packages which combine 50 to 80 standard television channels with video-on-demand services, as well as other movie and streaming video channels .

 

(5) For subscription to olleh TV SkyLife service, installation fee is waived for a mandatory subscription period of three years.

 

(6) Product for N-Screen (a service which allows purchased content to be displayed on multiple devices) launched in October 2011. The service is offered free of charge if bundled with our Internet, olleh TV and mobile services.

Data Communication Service

We charge customers of domestic leased-lines on a monthly fixed-cost basis based on the distance of the leased line, the capacity of the line measured in bits per second (“bps”), the type of line provided and whether the service site is local or long-distance. In addition, we charge customers a one-time installation fee per line ranging from 56,000 to 1,940,000 depending on the capacity of the line.

Bundled Products

We utilize our extensive customer relationships and market knowledge to expand our revenue base by cross-selling our telecommunications products and services. In order to attract additional subscribers to our new services, we bundle our services, such as our broadband Internet access service with IPTV, Internet phone, fixed-line telephone service and mobile services, at a discount.

The following table summarizes our various basic bundled packages that we currently offer. The packages require subscribers to agree to a subscription period of three years:

 

     Monthly Rates
     Flat Rate     

Mobile Monthly Fee

Internet / Internet Phone / Mobile

   21,000       Discounts are between 1,500 and 10,000, depending on the mobile fee plan (up to 5 mobile numbers) (2)

Internet / Fixed-Line Phone / Mobile

     24,000      

Internet / IPTV / Mobile (1)

     30,000      

Internet / Fixed-Line Phone / IPTV / Mobile (1)

     31,000      

 

 

(1) Assuming selection of olleh Internet and olleh TV Live 10 package.

 

(2) Bundled rate plans are available only for olleh LTE subscribers.

We believe that subscribers who sign up for bundled products are less likely to cancel our services than subscribers who subscribe to individual services. Subscription fees paid for our bundled products are allocated to each service in proportion to their fair value and the allocated amount is recognized as revenue according to the revenue recognition policy for each service.

Competition

Competition in the telecommunications sector in Korea is intense. In recent years, business combinations in the telecommunications industry have significantly changed the competitive landscape of the Korean telecommunications industry. In particular, SK Telecom acquired a controlling stake in Hanarotelecom Incorporated in 2008, which was renamed SK Broadband. The acquisition enabled SK Telecom to provide fixed-line telecommunications, broadband Internet access and IPTV services together with its mobile telecommunications services. In January 2010, LG Dacom and LG Powercom merged into LG Telecom Co., Ltd., which subsequently changed its name to LG U+. The merger enabled LG U+ provide a similar range of services as SK Telecom and us.

 

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Under the Framework Act of Telecommunications and the Telecommunications Business Act, telecommunications service providers in Korea are currently classified into network service providers, value-added service providers and specific service providers. See “—Regulation.”

Network Service Providers

All network service providers in Korea are permitted to set the rates for international or domestic long-distance services on their own without the MSIP’s approval. Many of our competitors have set their rates lower than ours. Currently, we can compete freely with other providers on the basis of rates in all services except for rates we charge for local calls, which require advance approval from the MSIP. In all service areas, we compete by endeavoring to provide superior customer service and superior technical quality, taking advantage of our broad customer base and our ability to provide various telecommunication services.

We and SK Telecom have been designated as market-dominating business entities in the local telephone service and cellular service markets, respectively, under the Telecommunications Business Act. Under this Act, a market-dominating business entity may not engage in any act of abuse, such as unreasonably interfering with business activities of other business entities, hindering unfairly the entry of newcomers or substantially restricting competition to the detriment of the interests of consumers. The KCC has also issued guidelines on fair competition of the telecommunications companies. If any telecommunications service provider breaches the guidelines, the KCC may take necessary corrective measures against it after a hearing at which the service provider may defend its action.

Mobile Service. Competition in the mobile telecommunications industry in Korea is intense among SK Telecom, LG U+ and us. Such competition has intensified in recent years due to the implementation of mobile number portability, which enabled mobile subscribers to switch their service provider while retaining the same mobile phone number, as well as payments of handset subsidies to purchasers of new handsets who agree to minimum subscription periods and the recent rollout of fourth-generation mobile services based on LTE technology by SK Telecom, LG U+ and us.

The following table shows the market shares in the mobile telecommunications market as of the dates indicated:

 

     Market Share (%)  
     KT
Corporation
     SK Telecom      LG U+  

December 31, 2012

     30.8         50.3         18.9   

December 31, 2013

     30.1         50.0         19.9   

December 31, 2014

     30.3         50.0         19.7   

 

 

Source: The KCC.

We offer various rate plans, including those that offer a specified number of free airtime minutes per month in return for a higher monthly fee and those that are geared toward business customers. Our competitors also offer similar plans at competitive rates.

Local Telephone Service. We compete with SK Broadband and LG U+ in the local telephone service business. SK Broadband began providing local telephone service in 1999, followed by LG U+ in 2004. In addition, the services provided by mobile service providers have had a material adverse effect on us in terms of our revenues from fixed-line telephone services. We expect this trend to continue.

 

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The following table shows the market shares in the local telephone service market as of the dates indicated:

 

     Market Share (%)  
     KT
Corporation
     SK Broadband      LG U+  

December 31, 2012

     82.8         14.5         2.7   

December 31, 2013

     81.5         15.6         2.9   

December 31, 2014

     81.0         16.1         2.9   

 

 

Source: The KCC.

Although the local usage charge of our competitors and us is the same at 39 per pulse (generally three minutes), our competitors’ non-refundable telephone service initiation charges are lower than ours. Our customers pay a non-refundable telephone service initiation charge of 60,000 while customers of our competitors pay a non-refundable telephone service initiation charge of 30,000. Also, the basic monthly charge of our competitors is 4,500 compared to our basic charge of 5,200.

Domestic Long-distance Telephone Service. We compete with SK Broadband, LG U+, Onse and SK Telink in the domestic long-distance market. LG U+ began offering domestic long-distance service in 1996, followed by Onse in 1999 and SK Broadband and SK Telink in 2004. The following table shows the market shares in the domestic long-distance market as of the dates indicated:

 

     Market Share (%)  
     KT
Corporation
     SK Broadband      LG U+      Onse      SK Telink  

December 31, 2012

     79.2         14.0         3.0         1.1         2.8   

December 31, 2013

     78.7         14.5         3.0         1.0         2.8   

December 31, 2014

     78.9         14.9         2.7         0.9         2.7   

 

 

Source: Korea Telecommunications Operators Association.

Our competitors and we charge 39 per three minutes for domestic long-distance calls up to 30 kilometers. For domestic long-distance calls greater than 30 kilometers, our competitors typically charge between 3% to 5% less than us. The following table is a comparison of our standard long-distance usage charges per 10 seconds with the standard rates of our competitors as of December 31, 2014:

 

     KT
Corporation
     SK
Broadband
     LG U+      Onse      SK Telink  

30 kilometers or longer

   14.5       13.9       14.1       13.8       13.8   

 

 

Source: The KCC.

International Long-Distance Telephone Service. Four companies, SK Broadband, LG U+, Onse and SK Telink, directly compete with us in the international long-distance market. LG U+ began offering international long-distance service in 1991, followed by Onse in 1997 and SK Broadband in 2004. SK Telink, which only provides Internet phone service, entered the international long-distance market in 2003 and offers its services at rates lower than those for network-based international long-distance telephone services. The entry of Internet phone service providers and other telecommunications service providers, such as voice resellers, that can offer telecommunications services at rates lower than ours has increased competition in the international long-distance market and adversely affected our revenues and profitability from international long-distance services. See “—Specific Service Providers.”

 

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Our competitors generally charge less than us for international long-distance calls. The following table is a comparison of our standard long-distance usage charges per one minute with the standard rates of our competitors as of December 31, 2014:

 

     KT
Corporation
     SK
Broadband
     LG U+      Onse      SK Telink  

United States

   282       276       288       276       204   

Japan

     696         672         678         672         498   

China

     990         984         996         984         834   

Australia

     1,086         1,044         1,086         1,044         810   

Great Britain

     1,008         966         996         966         756   

Germany

     948         912         942         912         672   

 

 

Source: KT Corporation.

Broadband Internet Access Service. The Korean broadband Internet access market has experienced significant growth in the past decade. SK Broadband entered the broadband market in 1999 offering both HFC and ADSL services, and we entered the market with our ADSL services in 1999, followed by Dreamline, Onse and LG U+. In addition, the entry of cable television providers that offer HFC-based broadband Internet access services at rates lower than ours has increased competition in the broadband Internet access market. We expect industry consolidation among our competitors in the near future, and smaller competitors in the broadband market today may become larger competitors.

The following table shows the market share in the broadband Internet access market as of the dates indicated:

 

     Market Share (%)  
     KT
Corporation
     SK
Broadband
     LG U+      Others  

December 31, 2012

     44.0         24.1         15.0         16.9   

December 31, 2013

     43.1         24.4         15.6         16.9   

December 31, 2014

     42.3         25.1         15.7         16.9   

 

 

Source: The KCC.

Our competitors generally charge less than us for broadband Internet access service. The following table is a comparison of fees for our olleh Internet Lite service with three year mandatory subscription period with fees of our competitors for comparable services as of December 31, 2014:

 

     KT
Corporation
     SK
Broadband
     LG U+      Cable
Providers (1)
 

Monthly subscription fee

   25,500       25,000       25,000       20,000   

Monthly modem rental fee

     None         None         None         1,000   

Additional installation fee upon moving

     10,000         10,000         20,000         20,000   

 

 

Source: KT Corporation.

 

(1) These are typical fees charged by cable providers.

Data Communication Service. We had a monopoly in domestic data communication service until 1994, when LG U+ was authorized to provide the leased-line service. The data communications service market has become more competitive with limited growth during the past decade, and we primarily compete with SK Broadband and LG U+.

 

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Value-Added Service Providers

Value-added service providers may commence operations following filing of a report to the MSIP. The scope of business of a value-added service provider includes specific value-added telecommunications activities (other than services reserved for network service providers), such as data communications utilizing telecommunications facilities leased from network service providers.

Specific Service Providers

Specific service providers, such as Internet phone service providers and voice resellers, started operations in Korea in 1998. We began providing Internet phone service for international long-distance calls in May 1998. Our Internet phone service also competes with international long-distance services provided by voice resellers who have also seen sharp increases in demand for their services.

Regulation

With the establishment of the MSIP in March 2013, many of the regulatory responsibilities formerly handled by the KCC have been transferred to the MSIP. Under the Framework Act of Telecommunications and the Telecommunications Business Act, the MSIP now has comprehensive regulatory authority over the telecommunications industry and all network service providers.

The MSIP has assumed primary policy and regulatory responsibility for matters such as: (i) licensing of network service providers (the MSIP authorizes the licensing of IPTV service providers and, with the consent of the KCC, authorizes the licensing of satellite broadcasting companies); (ii) regulation of mergers and acquisitions, as well as license suspension and termination of network service providers; (iii) providing oversight on foreign ownership ratios in network service providers; and (iv) reviewing telecommunication matters as they relate to the public interest and approving ancillary telecommunication business activities. Additionally, the MSIP is responsible for a broad range of other policy and regulatory matters, including the administration and supervision of regulatory reporting by telecommunications companies, examination and analysis of accounting and business management practices in the industry, establishing and administering policies governing telecommunications service fees, value-added service providers and specific service providers, as well as supervising reporting requirements of standard telecommunications service/user contracts.

Under the revised supervisory framework, a network service provider must be licensed by the MSIP. Our license as a network service provider permits us to engage in a wide range of telecommunications services.

The KCC’s overall policy role is to play a key role in regulatory activities aimed at protecting service users in the broadcast and telecommunications market and it continues to be responsible for investigations and sanctions regarding violations by telecommunications companies, as well as for mediating disputes between service providers and users. The KCC is established under the direct jurisdiction of the President and is comprised of five standing commissioners. Commissioners of the KCC are appointed by the President, and the appointment of the Chairperson must be approved at a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly.

Under the Use and Protection of Credit Information Act, telecommunications service providers are also required to disclose personal credit information of their customers only for the purpose of validating and maintaining telecommunications service agreements. Korean telecommunications service providers may use their customers’ credit information only to the extent allowed by the Use and Protection of Credit Information Act, which has gained greater importance in recent years due to the occurrence of personal information leakage incidents.

 

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The MSIP also has the authority to regulate the IP media market, including IPTV services. We began offering IPTV services with real-time high definition broadcasting in November 2008. Under the Internet Multimedia Broadcasting Business Act, anyone intending to engage in the IP media broadcasting business must obtain a license from the MSIP. The ownership of the shares of an IP media broadcasting company by a newspaper, a news agency or a foreigner is limited. In March 2015, amendments to the Internet Multimedia Broadcasting Business Act were passed at a plenary session of the National Assembly, which will become effective three months after it is promulgated, unless the President of Korea vetoes the amendments. Under such amendments, which will be in effect until June 2018, a single broadcasting operator may not have more than one-third of the market share of all paid broadcasting subscribers in Korea.

Rates

Under current regulations implementing the Telecommunications Business Act, a network service provider may set its rates at its discretion, although it must report to the MSIP the rates and the general terms and conditions for each type of network service provided by it. There is, however, one exception to this general rule: if a network service provider has the largest market share for a specified type of service and its revenue from that service for the previous year exceeds a specific revenue amount set by the MSIP, it must obtain prior approval from the MSIP for the rates and the general terms for that service. Each year the MSIP designates the service providers and the types of services for which the rates and the general terms must be approved by the MSIP. In 2013, the MSIP designated us for local telephone service and SK Telecom for mobile service, which currently remains in effect. The MSIP, in consultation with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, is required to approve the rates proposed by a network service provider if (1) the proposed rates are appropriate, fair and reasonable and (2) the calculation method for the rates are appropriate and transparent.

On October 1, 2014, the Mobile Device Act, which seeks to lower the cost of communication and reduce handset factory prices by establishing fair and transparent order in the distribution of mobile telecommunication devices, went into effect. The Mobile Device Act regulates, inter alia, the sale and subsidies of mobile devices such as smartphones, with one of its purposes being to induce telecommunication operators to compete in lowering the costs of communications and encourage the manufacturers to reduce handset factory prices, while improving service quality. Under the Mobile Device Act, consumers may not be discriminated in terms of subsidies based on their age, place of residence or monthly subscription plan when using their existing mobile phones, buying a new phone or switching their mobile carriers. Furthermore, everyone, regardless of their status, is entitled to receive either a handset subsidy for the purchase of mobile phone models that were launched within the last 15 months, or a tariff discount (with the current discount rate set at 20%, effective as of April 24, 2015). The maximum amount of handset subsidy that telecommunications operators and handset manufacturers may offer is determined by Korean telecommunication regulators (such limit to be determined between 250,000 and 350,000, and may be adjusted every six months, with the current limit set at 330,000, effective as of April 8, 2015). Telecommunications operators are also required to publicly announce the amount of handset subsidy that they offer, which may not be readjusted within one week after such announcement. In addition, telecommunications operators are prohibited from using misleading or exaggerated advertisements, such as advertisements that mobile phones are free without adequately explaining that it is preconditioned on signing up for high-priced monthly subscription plans.

Other Activities

A network service provider, such as us, must obtain the permission of the MSIP in order to:

 

   

engage in certain businesses specified under the Telecommunications Business Act, such as the telecommunications equipment manufacturing business and the telecommunications network construction business;

 

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change the conditions for its licenses;

 

   

transfer, terminate, suspend or spin off all or a part of the business for which it is licensed;

 

   

acquire all or a part of the business of another network service provider; or

 

   

enter into a merger with another network service provider.

By submitting a report to the MSIP, a network service provider may enter into arrangements for services to be furnished to its customers by a different telecommunications service provider and, in connection therewith, may provide its telecommunications services to, or authorize the use of all or a portion of its telecommunications facilities by, such other telecommunications service provider. The MSIP can revoke our licenses or order the suspension of any of our businesses if we do not comply with the regulations of the MSIP under the Telecommunications Business Act.

In May 2010, the KCC issued a guideline that limits the marketing expenditure amounts of telecommunication service providers in Korea to 20% of their revenues, with the restrictions applicable to fixed-line and mobile segments to be calculated separately. However, as of October 2013, up to 100 billion of the marketing expenditures may be applied to either segment at the discretion of the service provider. The calculation of marketing expenditure amounts under the guideline excludes advertising expenses and the calculation of revenue amounts excludes revenues from handset sales. The MSIP may adjust the guideline to accommodate changes in market conditions.

The responsibilities of the MSIP include:

 

   

drafting and implementing plans for developing telecommunications technology;

 

   

fostering and providing guidance to institutions and entities that conduct research relating to telecommunications; and

 

   

recommending to network service providers that they invest in research and development or that they contribute to telecommunications research institutes in Korea.

In addition, all network service providers (other than regional paging service providers) are obligated to contribute toward the supply of “universal” telecommunications services in Korea. Telecommunications service providers designated as “universal service providers” by the MSIP are required to provide universal telecommunications services such as local services, local public telephone services, discount services for persons with disabilities and for certain low-income persons, telecommunications services for remote islands and wireless communication services for ships. We have been designated as a universal service provider. The costs and losses recognized by universal service providers in connection with providing these universal telecommunications services will be shared on an annual basis by all network service providers (other than regional paging service providers), including us, on a pro rata basis based on their respective net annual revenue calculated pursuant to a formula set by the MSIP.

A network service provider must permit other network service providers, as designated by the MSIP, to co-use wirelines connecting the switching equipment to end-users, upon the request of such other network service providers. In addition, a network service provider may permit other network service providers to co-use its wireless communication systems upon the request of any of such other network service providers. The compensation method for the co-use must be determined by the MSIP and be settled, by fair and proper methods.

 

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In addition, we are required to lease to other companies our fixed-lines that connect subscribers to our network. This system, which is called local loop unbundling, is intended to prevent excessive investment in local loops. This system requires us to lease the portion of our copper lines that represent our excess capacity to other companies upon their request at rates that are determined by the MSIP based on our cost, and taking into consideration an appropriate rate of return, to enable them to provide voice and broadband services. Revenues from local loop unbundling, if any, are recognized as revenues from miscellaneous businesses.

Foreign Investment

The Telecommunications Business Act restricts the ownership and control of network service providers by foreign shareholders. Foreigners, foreign governments and “foreign invested companies” may not own more than 49.0% of the issued shares with voting rights of a network service provider, including us, and a foreign shareholder may not become our largest shareholder if such shareholder holds 5.0% or more of our shares. For purposes of the Telecommunications Business Act, the term “foreign invested company” means a company in which foreigners and foreign governments hold 15.0% or more shares with voting rights in the aggregate and a foreigner or a foreign government is the largest shareholder, provided, however, that such company will not be counted as a foreign shareholder for the purposes of the above-referenced 49.0% limit if (1) it holds less than 1.0% of our total issued and outstanding shares with voting rights or (2) if the largest shareholder of such company is a government or foreign entity of a country that is a counterparty to a free trade agreement with Korea, as publicly announced by the MSIP, and the MSIP determines that the fact that such foreign government or entity holds a 15.0% or greater shareholding in such company does not present a risk of harm to the public interest. (However, the calculation of the above-referenced 49% ceiling will apply to: (x) any foreign entities that have entered into any major management-related agreement with a network service provider or the shareholder(s) thereof; and (y) foreign entities that have entered into any agreement pertaining to the settlement of fees relating to the handling of international electronic telecommunications services). As of December 31, 2014, 45.3% of our common shares were owned by foreign investors. In the event that a network service provider violates the shareholding restrictions, its foreign shareholders cannot exercise voting rights for their shares in excess of such limitation, and the MSIP may require corrective measures be taken to comply with the ownership restrictions. There is no restriction on foreign ownership for specific service providers and value-added service providers.

Individual Shareholding Limit

Under the Telecommunications Business Act, a foreign shareholder who holds 5.0% or more of our total shares is prohibited from becoming our largest shareholder. However, any foreign shareholder who held 5.0% or more of our total shares and was our largest shareholder on or prior to May 9, 2004 is exempt from the regulations, provided that such foreign shareholder may not acquire any more of our shares. In addition, under the Telecommunications Business Act, the MSIP may, if it deems it necessary to preserve substantial public interests, prohibit a foreign shareholder from being our largest shareholder. In the event that any foreigner or foreign government acquires our shares in violation of the above provisions, the Telecommunications Business Act restricts such foreign shareholder from exercising his or her voting rights with respect to common shares exceeding such threshold. The MSIP may also order us or the foreign shareholder to take corrective measures in respect of the excess shares within a specified period of six months or less.

Customers and Customer Billing

We typically charge residential subscribers and business subscribers similar rates for services provided. On a case-by-case basis, we also provide discount rates for some of our high-volume business subscribers. We bill all of our customers on a monthly basis. Our customers may make

 

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payment at either payment points such as local post offices, banks or our service offices, through a direct-debit service that automatically deducts the monthly payment from a subscriber’s designated bank account, or through a direct-charge service that automatically charges the monthly payment to a subscriber’s designated credit card account. Approximately 79% of our subscribers as of December 31, 2014 pay through the direct-debit service. Accounts of subscribers who fail to pay our invoice are transferred to a collection agency, which sends out a notice of payment. If such charges are not paid after notice, we cease to provide outgoing service to such subscribers after a period of time determined by the type of subscribed service. If charges are still not paid two to three months after outgoing service is cut off, we cease all services to such subscribers. After service is ceased, the overdue charges that are not collected by the collection agency are written off.

Insurance

We carry insurance against loss or damage to all significant buildings and automobiles. Except for our insurance coverage of our satellites and Internet data centers, we do not carry insurance covering losses to outside plants or to equipment because we believe the cost of such insurance is excessive and the risk of material loss or damage is insignificant. We do not have any provisions or reserves against such loss or damage. We do not carry any business interruption insurance.

We provide co-location and a variety of value-added services including server-hosting services to a number of corporations whose business largely depends on critical data operated on our servers or on their servers located at our data centers. Any disruptions, interruptions, physical or electronic data loss, delays or slowdowns in communication connections could expose us to potential liabilities for losses relating to the disrupted businesses of our customers relying on our services.

Information Technology and Operational Systems

Enhancement of our information technology and operational systems and efficient utilization of such systems are important in effectively promoting our core strategies. We are committed to continually investing in and enhancing our information technology systems, which provide support to many aspects of our businesses. In order to respond more effectively to a changing business environment, a new enterprise resource planning system (the “New ERP System”) was completed and implemented during the second half of 2012. The New ERP System has contributed to enhancing various aspects of our internal processes and control systems, and we are establishing various plans to effectively utilize the New ERP System and to stabilize our internal control processes in connection with the New ERP System.

Item 4.C.  Organizational Structure

These matters are discussed under Item 4.B. where relevant.

Item 4.D.  Property, Plants and Equipment

Our principal fixed asset is our integrated telecommunications networks. In addition, we own buildings and real estate throughout Korea.

Our fixed-line equipment vendors and mobile equipment suppliers include well-known international and local suppliers such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Cisco Systems and Apple Inc.

 

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Mobile Networks

Our mobile network architecture includes the following components:

 

   

cell sites, which are physical locations equipped with base transceiver stations consisting of transmitters, receivers and other equipment used to communicate through radio channels with subscribers’ mobile telephone handsets within the range of a cell;

 

   

base station controllers, which connect to and control, the base transceiver stations;

 

   

mobile switching centers, which in turn control the base station controllers and the routing of telephone calls; and

 

   

transmission lines, which connect the mobile switching centers, base station controllers, base transceiver stations and the public switched telephone network.

The following table lists selected information regarding our mobile networks as of December 31, 2014:

 

     W-CDMA      LTE  

Mobile switching centers

     74         45   

Base station controllers

     605           

Base transceiver stations

     11,956         21,180   

Indoor and outdoor repeaters

     273,458         249,827   

We have a license to use 40 MHz of bandwidth in the 2.1 GHz spectrum that we use to provide IMT-2000 services based on W-CDMA wireless network standards. Such license expires in December 2016, and we are required to pay approximately 1.3 trillion for use of such bandwidth during the license period of 15 years. In April 2010, the KCC announced its decision to allocate 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 900 MHz spectrum to us, which became effective in July 2011, for which we are required to pay a portion of the actual sales generated from using the bandwidth in the 900 MHz spectrum during the license period of 10 years as a usage fee for the bandwidth, as well as a portion of expected sales that was determined by the KCC at the time of allocation. In June 2011, our right to use 40 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum expired, and the KCC allocated back to us the right to use 20 MHz of such bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum upon expiration pursuant to our application, for which we are required to pay a portion of the actual sales generated from using the bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum during the license period of 10 years as a usage fee for the bandwidth, as well as a portion of expected sales that was determined by the KCC at the time of allocation.

In August 2011, the KCC auctioned the right to use the remaining 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum that we relinquished, 10 MHz of additional bandwidth in the 800 MHz spectrum and 20 MHz of additional bandwidth in the 2.1 GHz spectrum. We acquired the right to use the 10 MHz of bandwidth in the 800 MHz spectrum, for which we are required to pay a total usage fee of 261 billion during the license period of 10 years, SK Telecom acquired the right to use the 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum and LG U+ acquired the right to use the 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 2.1 GHz spectrum. We began using the 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum, which became available upon termination of our 2G services, to provide our 4G LTE services starting in January 2012, and commenced providing wideband LTE services in September 2013, commercialized Wideband LTE-A services in March 2014 and began offering “Wideband LTE-A X4” services in January 2015.

Exchanges

Exchanges include local exchanges and “toll” exchanges that connect local exchanges to long-distance transmission facilities. We had 23.9 million lines connected to local exchanges and 1.6 million lines connected to toll exchanges as of December 31, 2014.

 

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All of our exchanges are fully automatic. We completed replacement of all electromechanical analog exchanges with digital exchanges in June 2003 in order to provide higher speed and larger volume services. Starting in 2006, we also began conversion of our exchanges to be compatible to Internet protocol platform in preparation for building our next generation broadband convergence network by 2021. As of December 31, 2014, 100% of our lines connected to toll exchanges are compatible to Internet protocol platform.

Internet Backbone

Our Internet backbone network, called KORNET, has the capacity to handle aggregate traffic of our broadband Internet access subscribers, Internet data centers and Internet exchange system at any given moment of up to 6.7 Tbps as of December 31, 2014. We have set up contingent plans to prepare against various incidents that could affect reliable Internet access service. Starting in 2005, we have also begun deploying our Internet protocol premium network that enables us to more reliably support olleh TV, WiBro, Internet Phone, upgraded VoIP services and other Internet protocol services. As of December 31, 2014, our Internet protocol premium network had 1,269 lines installed to provide 3G and LTE mobile data services, 2,674 lines installed to provide IPTV services and a total capacity to handle up to 1.4 Tbps of IPTV, voice, virtual private network (“VPN”) and WiBro service traffic.

Access Lines

As of December 31, 2014, we had 17.1 million access lines installed, which allow us to reach virtually all homes and businesses in Korea. As part of our broadband deployment strategy, we have upgraded many of our access lines by equipping them with broadband capability using xDSL and FTTH technology. As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 16.2 million broadband lines with speed of at least 50 Mbps that enable us to deliver broadband Internet access and multimedia content to our customers.

Transmission Network

Our domestic fiber optic cable network consisted of 673,783 kilometers of fiber optic cables as of December 31, 2014 of which 118,425 kilometers of fiber optic cables are used to connect our backbone network and 555,358 kilometers are used to connect the backbone network to our subscribers. Our backbone network utilizes 64Tbp Long-haul Reconfigurable Optical Add Drop Multiplexer (“ROADM”) technology for connecting cities. ROADM technology improves bandwidth efficiency by enabling data to be transmitted from multiple signals across one fiber strand in a cable and carrying each signal on a separate wavelength. We enhanced our backbone network connecting six major cities in Korea by implementing an optical cross-connector (OXC) and access network by implementing multi-service provisioning platform (“MSPP”) architecture in 2008. During 2013, we completed the construction of our next generation broadband convergence network by installing carrier ethernet architecture.

Our extensive domestic long-distance network is supplemented by our fully digital domestic microwave network, which consisted of 55 relay sites as of December 31, 2014.

International Network

Our international network infrastructure consists of both submarine cables and satellite transmission systems, including two submarine cable-landing stations in Busan and Keoje and two satellite teleports in Kumsan and Boeun. Data services such as international private lease circuits, Internet protocol and very small aperture terminals are provided through submarine cables and satellite transmission. In order to guarantee high quality services to our end customers, our submarine cables

 

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and satellite transmission systems are linked to various points-of-presence in the United States, Asia and Europe. In addition, our international telecommunications networks are directly linked to approximately 210 telecommunications service providers in various international destinations and are routed through our three international switching centers in Seoul, Daejeon and Busan.

Our international Internet backbone with capacity of 688 Gbps is connected to approximately 180 Internet service providers through our two Internet gateways in Hyehwa and Guro. In addition, we operate a video backbone with capacity of 1.5 Gbps to transmit video signals from Korea to the rest of the world.

Satellites

In order to provide broadcasting, video distribution and broadband data services in select areas, we operate two satellites, Koreasat 5 and 6, launched in 2006 and 2010, respectively, and own certain transponders in one additional satellite, Koreasat 8 launched in February 2014. We expect to launch two additional satellites during 2016, one to offer new satellite services, and the other to replace Koreasat 5. Additionally, we are currently undergoing international arbitration proceedings with ABS over the Koreasat 3 satellite, which we sold to ABS in 2011. See “Item 4.B. Business Overview—Our Services—Miscellaneous Businesses” and “Item 8.A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings.”

International Submarine Cable Networks

International traffic is handled by telecommunications satellites and submarine cables. Because of the high cost of laying a submarine cable, the usual practice is for multiple carriers to jointly commission a new cable and share the costs and the capacity. We own interests in several international fiber optic submarine cable networks, including:

 

   

a 1.4% interest in the 29,000-kilometer FLAG Europe-Asia network connecting Korea, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe, activated since April 1997;

 

   

a 1.8% interest in the 39,000-kilometer Southeast Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 3 Cable Network linking 34 countries, activated since December 1999;

 

   

a 6.7% interest in the 30,444-kilometer China-U.S. Cable Network linking Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan and the United States, activated since January 2000;

 

   

a 5.1% interest in the 19,000-kilometer Asia Pacific Cable Network 2 connecting Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia, activated since December 2001;

 

   

a 20.0% interest in the 500-kilometer Korea-Japan Cable Network linking Korea and Japan, activated since March 2002; and

 

   

a 13.1% interest in the 16,500-kilometer Trans Pacific Express Cable Network linking Korea, China, Taiwan and the United States, activated since September 2008.

We have also invested in four other international fiber optic submarine cables around the world.

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.

 

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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.

Overview

We are an integrated provider of telecommunications services. Our principal services include mobile service and fixed-line services, including fixed-line telephone services, broadband Internet access service and data communication service. The principal factors affecting our revenues from these services have been our rates for, and the usage volume of, these services, as well as the number of subscribers. For information on rates we charge for our services, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Item 4.B. Business Overview—Revenues and Rates.” In addition, we derive revenues from handset sales and non-telecommunications services, including financial services. In 2014, we determined our operating segments for financial reporting purposes as (i) the Customer/Marketing Group, which engages in providing various telecommunication services to individual/home customers and the convergence business, (ii) the Enterprise Sales Group, which engages in telecommunication services for the global market and corporate customers, as well as data communication service, (iii) the Finance/Rental Business Group, which engages in providing various financial services such as credit card and lending, and also engaged in the automobile rental and leasing business (an agreement to sell KT Rental to the Lotte Group for approximately 1.02 trillion (with estimated proceeds to KT Corporation being approximately 772 billion) was entered into in March 2015, and the sale is expected to be completed in May 2015) and (iv) others, which include security services, satellite service, information technology and network services, satellite TV service and real estate development businesses. We renamed our operating segments in 2014 in line with our current organizational structure. See Note 33 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

One of the major factors contributing to our historical performance was 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 developments have had or are expected to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition and capital expenditures. These developments include:

 

   

acquisitions and disposals of interests in subsidiaries and joint ventures;

 

   

employee reductions and changes in severance and retirement benefits;

 

   

acquisition of new bandwidths and usage fees for such bandwidths;

 

   

changes in the rate structure for our services;

 

   

handset subsidies; and

 

   

researching and implementing technology upgrades and additional telecommunication services.

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

 

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Acquisitions and Disposals of Interests in Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures

One key aspect of our overall business strategy calls for acquisitions of businesses and entering into joint ventures that complement or diversify our current business, as well as disposal or termination of such businesses from time to time. The following summarizes our recent acquisitions and disposals:

 

   

in October 2011, we, through our subsidiary KT Capital Co., Ltd., acquired an additional 1,622,520 common shares of BC Card Co., Ltd. from Woori Bank, Busan Bank and Shinhan Card for approximately 252 billion, to further diversify our business and to create synergies through utilization of our mobile telecommunications network in financial services, thereby increasing our ownership interest in BC Card Co., Ltd. to 38.86%, making it our consolidated subsidiary as a result of deemed control starting in October 2011. We acquired an additional 1,349,920 common shares of BC Card Co., Ltd. in January 2012 for approximately 287 billion, and owned a 69.54% interest in BC Card Co., Ltd. as of December 31, 2014.

 

   

starting in July 2012, KT Rental Co., Ltd., our then-58.0% owned subsidiary, became our consolidated subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of KT Rental’s common stock by Hana Daetoo Securities Co., Ltd. and other investors from the then-second largest shareholder in July 2012, and the restriction on our control over KT Rental pursuant to a shareholders’ agreement being resolved as a result. An agreement to sell KT Rental to the Lotte Group for approximately 1.02 trillion (with estimated proceeds to KT Corporation being approximately 772 billion) was entered into in March 2015, and the sale is expected to be completed in May 2015.

 

   

in October 2014, we acquired 4,000,000 treasury shares of ktis Corporation, an equity-method investee which provides telephone number directory services, for approximately 36 billion, thereby increasing our ownership interest to 29.3% as of December 31, 2014 and making it our consolidated subsidiary as a result of deemed control starting from October 2014. See Note 39 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

   

in October 2014, we, through our subsidiary KT Hitel Co., Ltd., acquired 4,800,000 treasury shares of ktcs Corporation, an equity-method investee which provides telephone number directory services, for approximately 37 billion, thereby increasing our ownership interest to 30.3% as of December 31, 2014 and making it our consolidated subsidiary as a result of deemed control starting from October 2014. See Note 39 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our financial condition and results of operations may be affected as a result of such acquisitions, disposals or consolidation. Furthermore, pursuing acquisitions or joint venture transactions also requires significant capital, and as we pursue further growth opportunities for the future, we may need to raise additional capital by incurring loans or through the issuances of bonds or other securities in the international capital markets, which may lead to increased levels of debt and debt servicing costs in the future.

Employee Reductions and Changes in Severance and Retirement Benefits

We regularly sponsor voluntary early retirement plans where we provide additional financial incentives for our employees to retire early, as part of our efforts to improve operational efficiencies. In April 2014, in addition to our usual voluntary early retirement plan, we held a special voluntary early retirement program where we provided employees who had been employed by us for more than 15 years with additional financial incentives to retire early or employment for two years at certain of our

 

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subsidiaries or affiliates. The special voluntary early retirement program resulted in the early retirement of 8,304 employees. In aggregate, 8,345 employees retired in 2014 under the voluntary early retirement plan and the special voluntary early retirement program. In 2012 and 2013, 183 and 269 employees, respectively, retired under our voluntary early retirement plan. We paid approximately 1.3 trillion as post-employment benefits in connection with this special early retirement program.

Acquisition of New Bandwidth and Usage Fees for Such Bandwidths

One of the principal limitations on a wireless network’s subscriber capacity is the amount of bandwidth spectrum allocated to the service provider. The growth of our mobile telecommunications business and the increase in usage of wireless data transmission services have been significant factors in the increased utilization of our bandwidth, since wireless data applications are generally more bandwidth-intensive than voice services. The current trend of increasing data transmission use and the increasing sophistication of multimedia content is likely to put additional strain on the bandwidth capacity of mobile service providers. We have acquired various licenses in recent years to secure additional bandwidth capacity to provide our broad range of services, for which we typically pay a portion of the actual sales generated from using the bandwidth during the license period as a usage fee, as well as a portion of expected sales as determined by the KCC at the time of allocation.

In August 2013, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning further auctioned 50 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum, which had been used by governmental entities such as the military, and 80 MHz of bandwidth in the 2.6 GHz spectrum, which had been used for digital multimedia broadcasting services. We acquired the right to use 15 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum, for which we are required to pay a total usage fee of approximately 900 billion during a license period of eight years. SK Telecom acquired the right to use 35 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum and LG U+ acquired the right to use 40 MHz of bandwidth in the 2.6 GHz spectrum. In September 2013, we commenced providing wideband LTE services, which utilizes our adjoining 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum to provide transmission speed of up to 150 Mbps, twice faster than those offered under standard LTE services. SK Telecom also began providing its wideband LTE services in September 2013 and LG U+ commenced providing its wideband LTE services in January 2014. In March 2014, our wideband LTE services covered five metropolitan cities in Korea, and we expanded our wideband LTE services to all of Korea in July 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the number of our LTE subscribers exceeded 10.5 million. Furthermore, in March 2014, we commercialized Wideband LTE-A services, which interconnects our 20 MHz of bandwidth in the 1.8 GHz spectrum used to offer wideband LTE services with the 10 MHz of bandwidth in the 900 MHz spectrum used to offer standard LTE services by utilizing inter-band carrier aggregation technology to support transmission speed of up to 225 Mbps, and began additionally interconnecting 10 MHz of bandwidth in the 2.1 GHz spectrum in January 2015 to support transmission speed of up to 300 Mbps under the “Wideband LTE-A X4” service.

Changes in the Rate Structure for Our Services

Periodically, we adjust our rate structure for our services. For example, we completely abolished our mobile activation fee in March 2015 in line with government policy objectives. In order to mitigate the impact from lower usage charges of local and domestic long-distance calls, we have increased our basic monthly charges and offer various optional flat rate plans for our fixed-line subscribers. Such adjustments in the rate structure have increased the portion of fixed income and stabilized our cash flow. In addition, because the growing use of mobile telecommunications services has decreased the usage of our fixed-line telephone services, we believe we are able to maximize our revenues from fixed-line telephone services by adjusting the rate structure so as to increase our basic monthly charges. We also provide bundled packages of our various services at a discount in order to attract additional subscribers to our new services. We currently bundle our broadband Internet access service with IPTV, Internet phone, fixed-line telephone service, WiBro, and mobile services, at a discount.

 

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The MSIP, in consultation with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, currently approves rates charged by us for local telephone service. In addition, the MSIP currently does not regulate our domestic long-distance, international long-distance, broadband internet access and mobile service rates, but it periodically announces public policy guidelines or suggestions on tariffs for non-regulated services, which we have followed in the past. For a discussion of adjustments in our rate structure, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Item 4.B. Business Overview—Revenues and Rates.”

Handset Subsidies

In March 2008, the Government removed a prohibition on the provision of handset subsidies and allowed mobile service providers to subsidize the purchase of new handsets by certain qualifying customers. In order to compete more effectively, we began providing such handset subsidies, which increased, and may in the future increase, our marketing expenses. We provide handset subsidies to subscribers who agree to use our service for a predetermined service period and purchase handsets on an installment basis. Generally, handset subsidies may be provided to any subscriber that uses our service and purchases handsets either directly from us or through third parties. Since we do not recognize revenues from sales of handsets by third parties, the trends between our handset sales and our provision for handset subsidies are not necessarily correlated. The amount recognized as a provision for handset subsidies is our best estimate of the expenditure required to settle current obligations to relevant subscribers at the end of the reporting period, which is calculated as the sum of the present values of the monthly balances for handset subsidies over the relevant service periods, taking into account the customer retention rate for relevant subscribers. In May 2010, the KCC announced a guideline recommending that telecommunication service providers limit their marketing expenses to 22.0% of their annual sales, and the limit was subsequently lowered to 20.0% of their annual sales for the years 2013, 2012 and 2011. Such marketing expenses include initial commissions, monthly commissions and retention commissions paid to our authorized dealers and subscribers, including handset subsidies, but do not include advertising expenses. This guideline remains effective. While the guideline is not binding, we, as well as our competitors, nonetheless try to adhere to such guideline when feasible, which may have a material adverse effect on our businesses and results of operations. Furthermore, failure to comply with rules, regulations and corrective orders may lead to suspension of our business or imposition of monetary penalties.

For example, based on investigations conducted in December 2012 and January 2013, the KCC imposed a combined fine of approximately 12 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us in January 2013 (our fine being approximately 2.9 billion), for providing subsidies that were higher than those allowed under current regulations to new mobile phone purchasers and subscribers, and also imposed temporary suspensions from recruiting new subscribers ranging from 20 days to 24 days. In March 2013, the KCC again imposed a combined fine of approximately 5 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 1.6 billion) for continuing to offer subsidies during the suspension period. In July 2013, the KCC imposed a combined fine of approximately 67 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 20 billion) and also imposed a seven day suspension on us from recruiting new subscribers, also in connection with providing excessive handset subsidies to new subscribers. In December 2013, the KCC again imposed a combined fine of approximately 106 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 30 billion), which is the largest fine ever imposed by the KCC on local mobile operators for providing excessive subsidies to new subscribers. In March 2014, the MSIP imposed a 45-day suspension on each of us, SK Telecom and LG U+ from recruiting new subscribers as a result of continuing to offer excessive handset subsidies to new subscribers, despite the order from the KCC prohibiting such subsidies. In August 2014, the KCC again imposed a combined fine of approximately 58 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 11 billion) for providing excessive handset subsidies, and also imposed temporary suspensions on recruiting new subscribers for seven days on SK Telecom and LG U+. In December 2014, the KCC further imposed a fine of approximately 8 billion on each of SK Telecom, LG U+ and us for providing excessive handset subsidies

 

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and in March 2015 the KCC again imposed a combined fine of approximately 34 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 9 billion) for violation of regulations relating to handset sales, in connection with a used handset buyback program that we and the other telecommunications operators were promoting. Any further suspension of our business or imposition of monetary penalties by the Government could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Furthermore, on October 1, 2014, the Mobile Device Act, which seeks to lower the cost of communication and reduce handset factory prices by establishing fair and transparent order in the distribution of mobile telecommunication devices, went into effect. The Mobile Device Act regulates, inter alia, the sale and subsidies of mobile devices such as smartphones, with one of its purposes being to induce telecommunication operators to compete in lowering the costs of communications and encourage the manufacturers to reduce handset factory prices, while improving service quality. Under the Mobile Device Act, consumers may not be discriminated in terms of subsidies based on their age, place of residence or monthly subscription plan when using their existing mobile phones, buying a new phone or switching their mobile carriers. Furthermore, everyone, regardless of their status, is entitled to receive either a handset subsidy for the purchase of mobile phone models that were launched within the last 15 months, or a tariff discount (with the current discount rate set at 20%, effective as of April 24, 2015). The maximum amount of handset subsidy that telecommunications operators and handset manufacturers may offer is determined by Korean telecommunication regulators (such limit to be determined between 250,000 and 350,000, and may be adjusted every six months, with the current limit set at 330,000, effective as of April 8, 2015). Telecommunications operators are also required to publicly announce the amount of handset subsidy that they offer, which may not be readjusted within one week after such announcement. In addition, telecommunications operators are prohibited from using misleading or exaggerated advertisements, such as advertisements that mobile phones are free without adequately explaining that it is preconditioned on signing up for high-priced monthly subscription plans.

Researching and Implementing Technology Upgrades and Additional Telecommunication Services

The telecommunications industry is characterized by continual advances and improvements in telecommunications technology, and we have been continually researching and implementing technology upgrades and additional telecommunication services to maintain our competitiveness. For example, we are continually upgrading our broadband network to enable better FTTH connection, which provides speed of up to 1 Gbps and better connection quality. FTTH is a telecommunication architecture in which a communication path is provided over optical fiber cables extending from the telecommunications operator’s switching equipment to the boundary of home or office. FTTH uses fiber optic cable, which is able to carry a high-bandwidth signal for longer distances without degradation. FTTH enables us to deliver enhanced products and services that require high bandwidth, such as IPTV, and other digital media content with stronger stability.

In addition, we have been building more advanced mobile telecommunications networks based on LTE technology, which is generally referred to as 4G technology, and commenced providing commercial 4G LTE services in the Seoul metropolitan area in January 2012. We completed the expansion of our 4G LTE service coverage nationwide in October 2012. We commenced providing wideband LTE services in September 2013, which we expanded nationwide in July 2014, and commercialized Wideband LTE-A services in March 2014, and began additionally interconnecting 10 MHz of bandwidth in the 2.1 GHz spectrum in January 2015 to support transmission speed of up to 300 Mbps under the “Wideband LTE-A X4” service, as discussed above.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

We have prepared our consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. These accounting principles require our management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the years reported. We based our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates. Actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

The fundamental objective of financial reporting is to provide useful information that allows a reader to comprehend our business activities. To aid in that understanding, our management has identified “critical accounting estimates.” These estimates have the potential to have a more significant impact on our financial statements, either because of the significance of the financial statement item to which they relate, or because they require judgment and estimation due to the uncertainty involved in measuring, at a specific point in time, events which are continuous in nature.

These critical accounting estimates include:

 

   

allowances for doubtful accounts;

 

   

useful lives of property, equipment, intangible assets and investment property;

 

   

impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill;

 

   

valuation and impairment of investment securities;

 

   

income taxes;

 

   

deferred revenue relating to service installation fees and initial subscription fees;

 

   

post-employment benefit liabilities; and

 

   

provisions.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of impairment losses incurred on our existing notes and accounts receivable. We determine the allowance for doubtful notes and accounts receivable based on an aging analysis of balances, historical write-off experience, customer’s or counterparty’s credit ratings and changes in payment terms. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. Our past experience shows that the possibility of collection is remote after three years of collection effort.

 

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Changes in the allowances for doubtful accounts for our trade and other receivables in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2013     2014  
     (In millions of Won)  

Balance at beginning of year

   642,475      644,058      678,262   

Provision

     113,808        160,166        199,135   

Reversal or written-off

     (127,189     (127,206     (141,194

Changes in the scope of consolidation

     12,119        2,687        3,425   

Others

     2,845        (1,443     (1,365
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

   644,058      678,262      738,263   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in the allowances for doubtful accounts for our loans receivables in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2013     2014  
     (In millions of Won)  

Balance at beginning of year

   43,587      65,196      73,075   

Provision

     32,914        40,743        31,656   

Reversal or written-off

     (12,210     (30,448     (23,618

Others

     905        (2,416     (2,010
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

   65,196      73,075      79,103   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

If economic or specific industry trends change, we would adjust our allowances for doubtful accounts by recording additional expense or benefit.

Useful Lives of Property, Equipment, Intangible Assets and Investment Property

Property and equipment, intangible assets and investment properties (excluding land, condominium memberships, golf club memberships and broadcasting concession) are depreciated using the straight-line method over their useful lives as disclosed in Note 3.8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. An asset’s residual value and useful lives are reviewed and adjusted at the end of each financial reporting period, and are based on historical experience with similar assets as well as taking into account anticipated technological or other changes. If technological changes were to occur more rapidly than anticipated or in a different form than anticipated, the useful lives assigned to these assets may need to be shortened, resulting in the recognition of increased depreciation expense in future periods. A decrease of remaining estimated useful life by one year of our property and equipment would result in an increase of depreciation expense of approximately 294 billion in 2014.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, including Goodwill

Long-lived assets generally consist of property and equipment and intangible assets, including goodwill. We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In addition, we evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment each year as part of our annual forecasting process. An impairment loss would be recognized when the asset’s recoverable amount is less than its carrying amount. The recoverable amount of a long-lived asset is the greater of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and its value in use. For the purpose of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-generating units). The recoverable amounts of cash-generating units are based on their value in use calculated by applying the annual discount rate ranging from 5.59% to 11.42% (depending on the segment) to the estimated future cash flows based on financial budgets for the next five years. Annual growth rates ranging from 0.0% to 1.5% were applied for the cash flows expected to be incurred after five years. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated recovery value.

 

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Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price paid over the fair value assigned to the identifiable net assets of acquired businesses. The determination of the fair values of goodwill is based on management’s judgment on the expected cash flows of the cash-generating units to which the goodwill is allocated, taking market demand, competition and other economic factors into consideration. The determination of impairments of goodwill involves the use of estimates that include, but are not limited to, the cause, timing and amount of the impairment. Impairment is based on a large number of factors, such as changes in current competitive conditions, expectations of growth in the telecommunications industry, a decline in our expected future cash flows, changes in the future availability of financing, technological obsolescence, discontinuance of services, current replacement costs and prices paid in comparable transactions.

Valuation and Impairment of Financial Assets

The fair value of financial instruments, including derivative instruments, that are not traded in an active market is determined by using valuation techniques. Our management uses its judgment to select a variety of methods and makes assumptions that are mainly based on market conditions existing at the end of each reporting period.

We record rights and obligations arising from derivative instruments as assets and liabilities, which are stated at fair value. Gains and losses that result from a change in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized in current earnings. However, for derivative instruments that qualify for cash flow hedge accounting, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instruments are recorded as gain or loss on valuation of derivatives for cash flow hedge included in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, as applicable.

For financial assets, including assets carried at amortized cost and those classified as available-for-sale, we make an annual assessment at the end of each reporting date whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. For financial assets carried at amortized cost and available-for-sale debt assets, such asset is considered impaired and impairment losses are incurred only if there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events (a “loss event”) that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, which had an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset that can reliably be estimated. For equity investments classified as available-for-sale, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost, in addition to circumstances described below, may be considered as evidence that the asset is impaired.

For assets carried at amortized cost, the amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate, and the carrying amount of the asset is reduced and the amount of loss is recognized in the statement of income. Loss on such asset may also be measured based on observable market price if there is an active market for the asset. For assets classified as available-for-sale, the cumulative loss, measured as the difference between the acquisition cost and the current fair value and recognized as accumulated other comprehensive income, less any impairment loss on such financial asset previously recognized in profit or loss, is removed from equity and recognized in the statement of income.

Significant management judgment is involved in evaluating whether a loss event has occurred. The estimates and assumptions used by management to evaluate whether a loss event has occurred can be impacted by many factors, such as the financial condition, earnings capacity and near-term prospects of the company in which we have invested, breach of contract such as default or delinquency in payments, disappearance of an active market for the financial asset and other adverse changes in the payment status of borrowers in the portfolio. The evaluation of these investments is also subject to the overall condition of the economy and its impact on the capital markets.

 

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Income Taxes

We are required to estimate the amount of tax payable or refundable for the current year and the deferred income tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in our financial statements or tax returns. This process requires management to make assessments regarding the timing and probability of the tax impact. Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates due to future changes in income tax law or unpredicted results from the final determination of each year’s liability by taxing authorities.

We believe that the accounting estimate related to assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets is a “critical accounting estimate” because: (1) it requires management to make assessments about the timing of future events, including the probability of expected future taxable income and available tax planning opportunities, and (2) the impact that changes in actual performance versus these estimates could have on the realization of tax benefits as reported in our results of operations could be material. Management’s assumptions require significant judgment because actual performance has fluctuated in the past and may continue to do so.

Deferred Revenue relating to Service Installation Fees and Initial Subscription Fees

We charge service installation fees and initial subscription fees related to activation of many of our services, which are deferred and recognized as revenue over the expected terms of customer relationships. Our estimate of expected terms of customer relationship is based on the historical rate, which may differ in the future. If the management’s estimation is amended, it may cause significant differences in the timing of revenue recognition and amount recognized.

Post-employment Benefit Liabilities

Our accounting of post-employment benefits, which mainly consist of a defined benefit plan (we began offering a defined contribution plan in December 2012), involves judgments about uncertain events including discount rates, life expectancy and future pay inflation. Any changes in these assumptions will impact the carrying amount of the defined benefit liability. The discount rates used to determine the present value of estimated future cash outflows expected to be required to settle the defined benefit liability, are determined at the end of each reporting period 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. Other key assumptions for defined benefit liability are based in part on current market conditions. For defined contribution plans, we pay contributions to publicly or privately administered pension insurance plans on a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis, and we have no further payment obligations once the contributions have been paid.

Provisions

We recognize provisions at the end of the reporting period when we have a present legal or constructive obligation, such as litigation or assets requirement obligations, as a result of past events and an outflow of resources required to settle the obligation is probable and can be reliably estimated. We measure provisions at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation, which are estimated based on factors such as historical experience. We do not recognize provisions for future operating losses and recognize as interest expense any increase in the provisions due to passage of time. See Notes 2.22, 3.7 and 17 to the 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, which we are required to file with the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea.

 

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During the three years ended December 31, 2014, we are required to adopt certain amendments and interpretations to K-IFRS, relating to 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 real estate is recognized when an individual unit of residential real estate is delivered to the buyer. Furthermore, in connection with the exercise of early redemption rights for certain commercial paper guaranteed by KT ENS, our previously consolidated subsidiary, we recognized financial losses relating to the resulting estimation of guarantee liabilities in our consolidated statements of operations prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB for the year ended December 31, 2013 (which were issued on April 28, 2014), which were not reflected in our financial statements prepared in accordance with K-IFRS for the year ended December 31, 2013 (which were issued on March 13, 2014) as it was not possible to make a reasonable estimate of the liabilities at the time of issuing the K-IFRS financial statements. We subsequently reflected such losses in our K-IFRS financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. As a result, the presentation of operating results in our consolidated statements of operations prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB included in this annual report differs from the presentation of operating results in our consolidated statements of operations 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 operations prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 to our operating profit and net income or loss in our consolidated statements of operations prepared in accordance with K-IFRS, for each of the corresponding years, taking into account such differences:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
             2012                     2013                      2014          
     (In millions of Won)  

Operating profit (loss) under IFRS as issued by the IASB

   1,680,099      323,384       (662,403

Effect of changes in operating income presentation

     (470,866     493,589         389,517   

Revenue recognition of development and sale of real estate

            22,370         (18,767
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating profit (loss) under K-IFRS

   1,209,233      839,343       (291,653
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,  
             2012                      2013                     2014          
     (In millions of Won)  

Net income(loss) under IFRS as issued by the IASB

   1,136,973       (87,745   (941,413

Profit before income tax

       

Revenue recognition of development and sale of real estate

             22,370        (18,767

Guarantee liabilities and loss (KT ENS)

             10,538        (10,538

Income tax

             (5,414     4,542   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income(loss) under K-IFRS

   1,136,973       (60,251   (966,176
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements under IFRS

For a summary of new standards, amendments and interpretations issued under IFRS as issued by the IASB but not effective for 2014, and which have not been adopted early by us, see Note 2.2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Operating Revenues and Operating Expenses

Operating Revenues

Our operating revenues primarily consist of:

 

   

fees related to our mobile services, including initial subscription fees, monthly fees, usage charges for outgoing calls, usage charges for wireless data transmission, contents download fees, mobile-to-mobile interconnection revenues and value-added monthly service fees;

 

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fees from our fixed-line services, including:

 

  Ø  

fees from our fixed-line telephone services, which include:

 

  Ø  

monthly basic charges, which are one-time or monthly fixed charges primarily consisting of (i) non-refundable installation fees; and (ii) basic monthly charges from local telephone services (or fixed monthly charges for discount plans);

 

  Ø  

monthly usage charges, which are usage fees based on the amount of services used, primarily consisting of (i) monthly usage charges for local telephone and domestic long distance services; (ii) international long-distance service revenues, (primarily (a) amounts we bill to our customers for outgoing calls made to foreign countries, (b) amounts we bill to foreign telecommunications carriers for connection to the domestic telephone network in respect of incoming calls at the applicable settlement rate, and (c) other revenues, including revenues from international leased lines); (iii) land-to-mobile and land-to-land interconnection revenues; (iv) interconnection fees we charge to fixed-line and mobile service providers and voice resellers for their use of our local, domestic long-distance and international networks in providing their services; and

 

  Ø  

other revenues from (i) value-added services, including “1588” intelligent network call services, local telephone directory assistance, call waiting and caller identification services; and (ii) local, domestic long-distance and international calls placed from public telephones.

 

  Ø  

Internet service revenues which consist of:

 

  Ø  

broadband Internet access service revenues, primarily consisting of installation fees and basic monthly charges; and

 

  Ø  

other Internet-related service revenues related to our infrastructure and solution services for business enterprises, IPTV and network portal services;

 

  Ø  

data communications service revenues, primarily consisting of installation fees and basic monthly charges for our leased line services and Kornet Internet connection service and revenues from our satellite services;

 

   

revenues from goods sold that are generated primarily through sale of mobile handsets and specially designed phones for fixed-line and mobile convergence services;

 

   

financial service revenues, primarily consisting of fees from credit card services provided by BC Card Co., Ltd., which became our consolidated subsidiary starting in October 2011; and

 

   

miscellaneous revenues that are primarily derived from information technology and network services, satellite services, security services and real estate development.

We also generated revenues from automobile rental services, primarily consisting of fees generated from automobile rentals and leases by KT Rental Co., Ltd., which became our consolidated subsidiary starting in July 2012. An agreement to sell KT Rental to the Lotte Group for approximately 1.02 trillion (with estimated proceeds to KT Corporation being approximately 772 billion) was entered into in March 2015, and the sale is expected to be completed in May 2015.

 

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Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses primarily include:

 

   

purchase of inventories, primarily consisting of our sale of mobile handsets and specially designed phones for fixed-line mobile convergence services;

 

   

salaries and wages, including post-employment benefits, termination benefits and share-based payments;

 

   

depreciation expenses incurred primarily in connection with our telecommunications network facilities;

 

   

sales commissions, primarily consisting of commissions to independent dealers related to procurement of mobile subscribers and mobile handset sales;

 

   

commissions, primarily consisting of commission-based payments for third-party outsourcing services, including commissions to the call center staff;

 

   

card service costs, primarily consisting of costs in connection with credit card services provided by BC Card Co., Ltd., including fees paid to member credit card companies in our network for marketing expenses and for costs associated with the present value and default risks of installment card charges which are borne by such member companies;

 

   

service cost, primarily consisting of payments for third-party outsourcing services, including payments for software development and design, data analysis and processing, and installment and maintenance of IT and satellite equipment; and

 

   

interconnection charges, which are interconnection payments to telecommunication service providers for calls from landline users and our mobile subscribers to our competitors’ subscribers.

Operating Results—2013 Compared to 2014

The following table presents selected income statement data and changes therein for 2013 and 2014:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
    Changes  
     2013 vs. 2014  
     2013     2014     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Operating revenues

   24,058      23,727      (331     (1.4 )% 

Revenue

     23,729        23,469        (260     (1.1

Others

     329        258        (71     (21.6

Operating expenses

     23,734        24,390        656        2.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating profit (loss)

     323        (662     (985     N.A.   

Finance income

     279        255        (24     (8.6

Finance costs

     (648     (818     (170     26.2   

Income from jointly controlled entities and associates

     7        18        11        157.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Loss from continuing operations before income tax

     (38     (1,208     (1,170     3,078.9   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     50        (266     (316     N.A.   

Loss for the period from continuing operations

     (88     (941     (853     969.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Loss for the period

   (88   (941     (853     969.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

N.A. means not available.

 

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Operating Revenues

The following table presents a breakdown of our operating revenues and changes therein for 2013 and 2014:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
     Changes  
        2013 vs. 2014  
     2013      2014      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Mobile services

   6,711       7,103       392        5.8

Fixed-line services

     7,179         6,853         (326     (4.5

Fixed-line telephone services:

          

Monthly Basic Charges

     749         695         (54     (7.2

Monthly Usage Charges

     1,462         1,238         (224     (15.3

Others

     773         678         (95     (12.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Sub-total

     2,984         2,611         (373     (12.5

Internet services:

          

Broadband internet access service

     2,011         1,934         (77     (3.8

Other Internet-related services

     985         1,160         175        17.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Sub-total

     2,996         3,094         98        3.3   

Data communication services

     1,199         1,148         (51     (4.3

Sale of goods

     4,066         3,478         (588     (14.5

Financial services

     3,274         4,074         800        24.4   

Automobile rental service

     606         769         163        26.9   

Other

     2,222         1,450         (772     (34.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

   24,058       23,727       (331     (1.4 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

N.A. means not available.

Total operating revenues decreased by 1.4%, or 331 billion, from 24,058 billion in 2013 to 23,727 billion in 2014 primarily due to decreases in our other service revenues, sale of goods and fixed-line telephone service revenues, the impact of which was partially offset by increases in our financial service revenues and mobile service revenues.

Mobile Services

Our mobile service revenues increased by 5.8%, or 392 billion, from 6,711 billion in 2013 to 7,103 billion in 2014 primarily due to a 5.3% increase in our mobile subscribers from approximately 16,454,000 as of December 31, 2013 to approximately 17,328,000 as of December 31, 2014. Such increase in our mobile subscribers was further enhanced by an increase in our average revenue per user, resulting from the launching of our wideband LTE services in September 2013 and Wideband LTE-A services in March 2014, as wideband LTE and Wideband LTE-A service products generally have higher rates due to the greater amount of data included in such rates.

Fixed-line Services

Our fixed-line service revenues decreased by 4.5%, or 326 billion, from 7,179 billion in 2013 to 6,853 billion in 2014 primarily due to decreases in fixed-line telephone service revenues and data communication service revenues, the impact of which was partially offset by an increase in our internet service revenues.

 

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Fixed-line Telephone Services. Our fixed-line telephone service revenues decreased by 12.5%, or 373 billion, from 2,984 billion in 2013 to 2,611 billion in 2014 primarily due to decreases in monthly usage charges, monthly basic charges and other fixed-line telephone service revenues. Specifically:

 

   

Monthly basic charges decreased by 7.2%, or 54 billion, from 749 billion in 2013 to 695 billion in 2014 primarily due to a 2.1% decrease in the number of our telephone lines in service from 14.0 million in 2013 to 13.7 million in 2014 and an increase in the number of our fixed-line subscribers who participate in our bundled products that offer discounts when subscribing to our other services.

 

   

Monthly usage charges decreased by 15.3%, or 224 billion, from 1,462 billion in 2013 to 1,238 billion in 2014 primarily due to the continuing substitution effect from increase in usage of mobile telephone services, Internet phone services and other VoIP services such as Kakaotalk, Line and Skype, which led to a 27.1% decrease in domestic long-distance call minutes from 4.8 million in 2013 to 3.5 million in 2014 and an 18.4% decrease in local call pulses from 4.9 million in 2013 to 4.0 million in 2014.

 

   

Other fixed-line telephone service revenue decreased by 12.3%, or 95 billion, from 773 billion in 2013 to 678 billion in 2014 primarily due to the continuing substitution effect from increase in usage of mobile telephone services, Internet phone services and other VoIP services, as well as a decrease in the number of lines in service from 2013 to 2014.

Internet Services. Our Internet service revenues increased by 3.3%, or 98 billion, from 2,996 billion in 2013 to 3,094 billion in 2014 primarily due to an increase in the number of IPTV subscribers from 5.0 million as of December 31, 2013 to 5.9 million as of December 31, 2014, the impact of which was offset in part by an increase in our broadband and IPTV subscribers who participate in bundled products that offer discounts when subscribing to our other services, and an increase in discounts offered to our broadband internet subscribers during 2014.

Data Communication Services. Our data communications service revenues decreased by 4.3%, or 51 billion, from 1,199 billion in 2013 to 1,148 billion in 2014 primarily due to a decrease in revenues from our leased lines, resulting from increased competition in the telecommunications market in Korea.

Sale of Goods

Revenues from sale of goods decreased by 14.5%, or 588 billion, from 4,066 billion in 2013 to 3,478 billion in 2014 primarily due a change in the accounting treatment of handset subsidies. In connection with the Mobile Device Act, revenues from mobile handset sales are recognized net of any legal handset subsidies, whereas previously, the entire amount of the sale (without deducting the subsidy amount) was recognized, and any handset subsidies were classified as operating expenses as commissions paid to third-party vendors. Such change was further enhanced by a decrease in the total number of smartphones sold, resulting from increased competition in the mobile handset market, as well as business suspensions imposed on us by the KCC during 2014 in connection with excessive handset subsidies.

Financial Services

Financial service revenues increased by 24.4%, or 800 billion, from 3,274 billion in 2013 to 4,074 billion in 2014 primarily due to an increase in commission revenues from our financial subsidiaries, in particular BC Card Co., Ltd., resulting in part from an increase in the number of tourists in Korea using overseas credit cards through the credit card network owned and operated by BC Card Co., Ltd., for which it receives commission fees.

 

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Automobile Rental

Automobile rental revenues increased by 26.9%, or 163 billion, from 606 billion in 2013 to 769 billion in 2014 primarily due to an increase in the number of automobiles operated by KT Rental in 2014 compared to 2013.

Others

Other operating revenues decreased by 34.7%, or 772 billion, from 2,222 billion in 2013 to 1,450 billion in 2014 primarily due to decreases in revenues from sale of real estate, as well as from our information technology solution services and subsidiaries such as KTDS Co., Ltd. (which provides system integration and maintenance services).

Operating Expenses

The following table presents a breakdown of our operating expenses and changes therein for 2013 and 2014:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
     Changes  
        2013 vs. 2014  
     2013      2014      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Salaries and wages

   3,289       4,000       711        21.6

Depreciation

     3,108         3,187         79        2.5   

Commissions

     1,260         1,392         132        10.5   

Interconnection charges

     885         797         (88     (9.9

Purchase of inventories

     3,566         3,403         (163     (4.6

Changes of inventories

     321         221         (100     (31.2

Sales commission

     2,315         2,631         316        13.7   

Service cost

     1,834         1,545         (289     (15.8

Card service costs

     2,703         2,883         180        6.7   

Others (1)

     4,453         4,331         (122     (2.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

   23,734       24,390       656        2.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

(1) Including other operating expenses (which include miscellaneous expenses, loss on disposal of property and equipment, impairment loss on property and equipment, loss on disposal of intangible assets, loss on disposal of investments in associates and joint ventures, impairment loss on investments in associates and joint ventures and donations), amortization of intangible assets, rent, insurance premium, utilities, international interconnection fee, installation fee, taxes and dues, research and development expenses, provision and advertising expenses.

Total operating expenses increased by 2.8%, or 656 billion, from 23,734 billion in 2013 to 24,390 billion in 2014 primarily due to increases in salaries and wages and sales commission, the impact of which was partially offset by decreases in service cost and purchase of inventories. Specifically:

 

   

Salaries and wages increased by 21.6%, or 711 billion, from 3,289 billion in 2013 to 4,000 billion in 2014 primarily due to an increase in severance payments relating to the special retirement program described in “—Overview” above. The special voluntary early retirement program resulted in the early retirement of 8,304 additional employees.

 

   

Sales commissions, which primarily relate to commissions paid to our third-party vendors for sales of mobile handsets and mobile and fixed-line service products, increased by 13.7%, or 316 billion, from 2,315 billion in 2013 to 2,631 billion in 2014, primarily due to increases in sales of our LTE mobile service products by such third-party vendors,

 

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as a result of an increase in our total mobile subscribers during 2014, as well as an increase in fixed-line sales commission and installation outsourcing service fees due to our special voluntary early retirement program. Such increases were offset in part by a decrease in commissions paid relating to official handset subsidies as discussed above.

These factors were partially offset by the following:

 

   

Service cost decreased by 15.8%, or 289 billion, from 1,834 billion in 2013 to 1,545 billion in 2014 as a result of the corresponding decreases in revenues from sale of real estate, as well as from our information technology solution services as discussed above.

 

   

Our operating expenses related to purchase of inventories decreased by 4.6%, or 163 billion, from 3,566 billion in 2013 to 3,403 billion in 2014 primarily due to a decrease in the total number of smartphones sold, resulting from increased competition in the mobile handset market, as well as business suspensions imposed on us by the KCC during 2014 in connection with excessive handset subsidies as discussed above.

Operating Profit

Due to the factors described above, we recorded an operating profit of 323 billion in 2013, compared to an operating loss of 662 billion in 2014. Our operating margin, which is operating profit as a percentage of operating revenues, was 1.3% in 2013 and our operating loss margin, which is operating loss as a percentage of operating revenues, was 2.8% in 2014.

Finance Income (Costs)

The following table presents a breakdown of our finance income and costs and changes therein for 2013 and 2014:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
    Changes  
       2013 vs. 2014  
       2013         2014       Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Interest income

   109      81      (28     (25.7 )% 

Interest expense

     (450     (501     (51     11.3   

Net foreign currency transaction gain (loss)

     6        11        5        83.3   

Net foreign currency translation gain (loss)

     100        (91     (191     N.A.   

Net loss on settlement of derivatives

     (3     (33     (30     1,000.0   

Net gain (loss) on valuation of derivatives

     (105     68        173        N.A.   

Net other finance costs (1)

     (25     (99     (74     296.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net finance costs

   (368   (564   (196     53.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

N.A. means not available.

 

(1) Including net other finance income and expenses, loss on disposal of trade receivables and impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets.

Our net finance costs increased by 53.3%, or 196 billion, from 368 billion in 2013 to 564 billion in 2014 primarily due to our recognition of net foreign currency translation gain in 2013 compared to a net loss in 2014 and an increase in net other finance costs, the impact of which was partially offset by the net gain on valuation of derivatives in 2014 compared to a net loss in 2013. Specifically:

 

   

We recorded net foreign currency translation gain of 100 billion in 2013 compared to net foreign currency translation loss of 91 billion in 2014, as the Market Average Exchange Rate of the Won against the U.S. dollar appreciated from 1,071.1 to US$1.00 as of

 

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December 31, 2012 to 1,055.3 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2013, but depreciated to 1,099.2 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2014. The impact of such net foreign currency translation loss in 2014 was partially offset by the net gain on valuation of derivatives discussed below.

 

   

Our net other finance costs increased by 296.0%, or 74 billion, from 25 billion in 2013 to 99 billion in 2014 primarily due to a 65 billion increase in impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets from 5 billion in 2013 to 70 billion in 2014, mainly resulting from an impairment loss of 49 billion recognized on our interests in KT ENS, which was classified as available-for-sale financial securities for 2014 due to KT ENS filing for court receivership in 2014, whereas it was a consolidated subsidiary for 2013.

These factors were partially offset by the following:

 

   

We recorded net loss on valuation of derivatives of 105 billion in 2013, compared to net gain on valuation of derivatives of 68 billion in 2014, primarily due to an increase in gains from our currency swap contracts due to the depreciation of the exchange rates of the Won against the Japanese Yen and the U.S. dollar from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014.

Income (Loss) from Jointly Controlled Entities and Associates

Income from jointly controlled entities and associates increased by 157.1%, or 11 billion, from 7 billion in 2013 to 18 billion in 2014, primarily due to an increase in net income of KT-SB Venture Investment, and the corresponding increase in our share of such net income.

Income Tax Expense

We recognized an income tax expense of 50 billion in 2013, compared to an income tax benefit of 266 billion in 2014, primarily due to a significant increase in our loss from continuing operations before income tax from 38 billion in 2013 to 1,208 billion in 2014. We incurred a tax expense despite incurring a loss before income tax in 2013, as we, in preparing our consolidated financial statements, aggregate the tax results of ourselves and our subsidiaries, some of which had taxable income. See Note 29 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We had net deferred income tax assets of 537 billion as of December 31, 2013 and 935 billion as of December 31, 2014.

Loss for the Period

Due to the factors described above, our loss for the period increased by 969.3%, or 853 billion, from 88 billion in 2013 to 941 billion in 2014. Our net loss margin, which is loss for the period as a percentage of operating revenues, was 0.4% in 2013 and 4.0% in 2014.

Segment Results—Customer/Marketing Group

Our operating revenues for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, decreased by 2.5%, or 371 billion, from 14,938 billion in 2013 to 14,567 billion in 2014 primarily due to a decrease in revenues from individual fixed-line telephone subscribers.

We recorded operating income for this segment of 52 billion in 2013, compared to operating loss for this segment of 798 billion in 2014, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, as the 3.2% increase in the segment’s operating expenses outpaced the 2.5% decrease in the segment’s operating revenues primarily due to the reasons discussed above. Operating margin, which is

 

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operating income as a percentage of total operating revenues prior to adjusting for inter-company sales, was 0.3% in 2013, and operating loss margin, which is operating loss as a percentage of total operating revenues prior to adjusting for inter-company sales, was 5.5% in 2014.

Depreciation and amortization, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased by 3.6%, or 89 billion, from 2,445 billion in 2013 to 2,534 billion in 2014.

Segment Results—Enterprise Sales Group

Our operating revenues for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, remained constant at 2,917 billion in 2013 and in 2014.

Our operating income for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, decreased by 58.9%, or 139 billion, from 236 billion in 2013 to 97 billion in 2014, as the segment’s operating expenses increased by 5.2%, while the segment’s operating revenues remained constant, primarily due to the increase in salary expenses associated with the special voluntary retirement program as discussed above. Operating margin decreased from 8.1% in 2013 to 3.3% in 2014.

Depreciation and amortization, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased by 0.6%, or 3 billion, from 486 billion in 2013 to 489 billion in 2014.

Segment Results—Finance/Rental Business Group

Our operating revenues for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased by 12.3%, or 498 billion, from 4,053 billion in 2013 to 4,551 billion in 2014 primarily due to an increase in commission revenues from our financial subsidiaries, in particular BC Card Co., Ltd., in part resulting from an increase in the number of tourists in Korea using overseas credit cards through the credit card network owned and operated by BC Card Co., Ltd., for which it receives commission fees.

Our operating income for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased by 15.0%, or 42 billion, from 280 billion in 2013 to 322 billion in 2014, as the 12.3% increase in the segment’s operating revenues outpaced a 12.1% increase in operating expenses primarily due to the reasons discussed above. Operating margin increased from 6.9% in 2013 to 7.1% in 2014.

Depreciation and amortization, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased by 16.3%, or 65 billion, from 400 billion in 2013 to 465 billion in 2014 primarily due to the additional purchases of automobiles by KT Rental Co., Ltd. during 2014 as discussed above, which increased the depreciable asset base.

Segment Results—Others

Our operating revenues for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, decreased by 5.4%, or 275 billion, from 5,094 billion in 2013 to 4,819 billion in 2014 primarily due to the classification of our interest in KT ENS as available-for-sale securities starting 2014, as well as disposal of certain subsidiaries in 2014, whose revenues were recognized under this segment.

 

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We recorded an operating income for this segment of 287 billion in 2013, compared to an operating loss for this segment of 214 billion in 2014, as the 5.4% decrease in the segment’s operating revenues outpaced a 4.7% increase in operating expenses primarily due to the reasons discussed above. Operating margin was 5.6% in 2013 and operating loss margin was 4.4% in 2014.

Depreciation and amortization, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased by 17.2%, or 40 billion, from 233 billion in 2013 to 273 billion in 2014.

Operating Results—2012 Compared to 2013

The following table presents selected income statement data and changes therein for 2012 and 2013:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
    Changes  
       2012 vs. 2013  
     2012     2013     Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Operating revenues

   24,644      24,058      (586     (2.4 )% 

Revenue

     23,856        23,729        (127     (0.5

Others

     787        329        (458     (58.2

Operating expenses

     22,964        23,734        770        3.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Operating profit

     1,680        323        (1,357     (80.8

Finance income

     499        279        (220     (44.1

Finance costs

     (782     (648     134        (17.1

Income from jointly controlled entities and associates

     18        7        (11     (61.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Profit (loss) from continuing operations before income tax

     1,415        (38     (1,453     N.A.   

Income tax expense

     278        50        (228     (82.0

Profit (loss) for the period from continuing operations

     1,137        (88     (1,225     N.A.   

Loss from discontinued operations

     (32            32        N.A.   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Profit (loss) for the period

   1,105      (88     (1,193     N.A.   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

N.A. means not available.

 

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Operating Revenues

The following table presents a breakdown of our operating revenues and changes therein for 2012 and 2013:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
     Changes  
        2012 vs. 2013  
     2012      2013      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Mobile services

   6,578       6,711       133        2.0

Fixed-line services

     7,593         7,179         (414     (5.5

Fixed-line telephone services:

          

Monthly basic charges

     807         749         (58     (7.2

Monthly usage charges

     1,740         1,462         (278     (16.0

Others

     827         773         (54     (6.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Sub-total

     3,374         2,984         (390     (11.6

Internet services:

          

Broadband internet access service

     2,036         2,011         (25     (1.2

Other Internet-related services

     874         985         111        12.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Sub-total

     2,910         2,996         86        3.0   

Data communication services

     1,309         1,199         (110     (8.4

Sale of goods

     4,590         4,066         (524     (11.4

Financial services

     3,320         3,274         (46     (1.4

Automobile rental service

     253         606         353        139.5   

Other

     2,310         2,222         (88     (3.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total operating revenues

   24,644       24,058       (586     (2.4 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

N.A. means not available.

Total operating revenues decreased by 2.4%, or 586 billion, from 24,644 billion in 2012 to 24,058 billion in 2013 primarily due to decreases in our sale of goods, fixed-line telephone service revenues and data communication services revenues, the impact of which was partially offset by increases in our automobile rental service revenues and mobile service revenues.

Mobile Services

Our mobile service revenues increased by 2.0%, or 133 billion, from 6,578 billion in 2012 to 6,711 billion in 2013 primarily due to the launching of our wideband LTE services in September 2013, and the corresponding increase in our average revenue per user, as wideband LTE service products generally have higher rates due to the greater amount of data included in such rates. Such increase in average revenue per user was partially offset by a 0.3% decrease in our mobile subscribers from approximately 16,502,000 as of December 31, 2012 to approximately 16,454,000 in December 31, 2013.

Fixed-line Services

Our fixed-line service revenue decreased by 5.5%, or 414 billion, from 7,593 billion in 2012 to 7,179 billion in 2013 primarily due to decreases in fixed-line telephone service revenues and data communications service revenues, which were partially offset by an increase in internet service revenues.

 

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Fixed-line Telephone Services. Our fixed-line telephone service revenues decreased by 11.6%, or 390 billion, from 3,374 billion in 2012 to 2,984 billion in 2013 primarily due to decreases in monthly usage charges, monthly basic charges and other fixed-line telephone service revenues. Specifically:

 

   

Monthly basic charges decreased by 7.2%, or 58 billion, from 807 billion in 2012 to 749 billion in 2013 primarily due to a 9.3% decrease in the number of our telephone lines in service from 15.1 million in 2012 to 14.0 million in 2013.

 

   

Monthly usage charges decreased by 16.0%, or 278 billion, from 1,740 billion in 2012 to 1,462 billion in 2013 primarily due to the continuing substitution effect from increase in usage of mobile telephone services, Internet phone services and other VoIP services such as Kakaotalk, Line and Skype, as well as decreases in the number of lines in service and calls made from landline users to mobile subscribers in 2013 compared to 2012.

 

   

Other fixed-line telephone service revenue decreased by 6.5%, or 54 billion, from 827 billion in 2012 to 773 billion in 2013 primarily due to the continuing substitution effect from increase in usage of mobile telephone services, Internet phone services and other VoIP services, as well as a decrease in the number of lines in service from 2012 to 2013.

Internet Services. Our Internet service revenues increased by 3.0%, or 86 billion, from 2,910 billion in 2012 to 2,996 billion in 2013 primarily due to an increase in the number of IPTV subscribers from 4.0 million as of December 31, 2012 to 5.0 million as of December 31, 2013, the impact of which was offset in part by an increase in our IPTV subscribers who participate in bundled products that offer discounts when subscribing to our other services, and an increase in the number of our broadband subscribers from 8.0 million as of December 31, 2012 to 8.1 million as of December 31, 2013.

Data Communications Services. Data communications service revenues decreased by 8.4%, or 110 billion, from 1,309 billion in 2012 to 1,199 billion in 2013 primarily due to a decrease in revenues from our leased lines, resulting from increased competition in the telecommunications market in Korea.

Sale of Goods

Revenues from sale of goods decreased by 11.4%, or 524 billion, from 4,590 billion in 2012 to 4,066 billion in 2013 primarily due to a decrease in the number of smartphones sold, resulting from increased competition in the mobile handset market, as well as business suspensions imposed on us by the KCC during 2013 in connection with excessive handset subsidies as discussed above.

Financial Services

Financial service revenues decreased by 1.4%, or 46 billion, from 3,320 billion in 2012 to 3,274 billion in 2013 primarily due to a decrease in commission revenues from our financial subsidiaries, in particular BC Card Co., Ltd., resulting from a decrease in the rate of commission BC Card. Co., Ltd. charges for purchases, which in turn resulted from increased competition in the financial services market during 2013.

Automobile Rental

Automobile rental revenues increased by 139.5%, or 353 billion, from 253 billion in 2012 to 606 billion in 2013 primarily due to the recognition of full year income from KT Rental Co., Ltd. in

 

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2013, which became our consolidated subsidiary and related revenues became a part of our consolidated revenue starting in July 2012, following the acquisition of KT Rental’s common stock by Hana Daetoo Securities Co., Ltd. and other investors from the second largest shareholder in July 2012, and the restriction on our control over KT Rental pursuant to a shareholders’ agreement being removed as a result.

Others

Other operating revenues decreased by 3.8%, or 88 billion, from 2,310 billion in 2012 to 2,222 billion in 2013 primarily due to a 19.3%, 57 billion, or decrease in operating revenues from KT Telecop Co., Ltd., our subsidiary specializing in security services.

Operating Expenses

The following table presents a breakdown of our operating expenses and changes therein for 2012 and 2013:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
     Changes  
      2012 vs. 2013  
     2012     2013      Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Salaries and wages

   3,097      3,289       192        6.2

Depreciation

     2,894        3,108         214        7.4   

Commissions

     1,426        1,260         (166     (11.6

Interconnection charges

     901        885         (16     (1.8

Purchase of inventories

     4,851        3,566         (1,285     (26.5

Changes of inventories

     (259     321         580        N.A.   

Sales commission

     2,230        2,315         85        3.8   

Service cost

     1,264        1,834         570        45.1   

Card service costs

     2,771        2,703         (68     (2.5

Others (1)

     3,789        4,453         664        17.5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total operating expenses

   22,964      23,734       770        3.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

N.A. means not available.

 

(1) Including other operating expenses (which include miscellaneous expenses, loss on disposal of property and equipment, impairment loss on property and equipment, loss on disposal of intangible assets, loss on disposal of investments in associates and joint ventures, impairment loss on investments in associates and joint ventures and donations), amortization of intangible assets, rent, insurance premium, utilities, international interconnection fee, installation fee, taxes and dues, research and development expenses, provision and advertising expenses.

Total operating expenses increased by 3.4%, or 770 billion, from 22,964 billion in 2012 to 23,734 billion in 2013 primarily due to increases in other operating expenses, change of inventories, service costs, depreciation and salaries and wages, the impact of which was partially offset by a decrease in purchase of inventories. Specifically:

 

   

Other operating expenses increased by 17.5%, or 664 billion, from 3,789 billion in 2012 to 4,453 billion in 2013, primarily due to loss on disposal of approximately 277 billion in 2013 in connection with the expenses incurred for our business support system project, as well as loss on disposal of approximately 220 billion in 2013 on our obsolete tangible and intangible assets.

 

   

We recorded an increase in inventories of 259 billion in 2012, compared to a decrease of 321 billion in 2013, primarily due to temporary year-end accounting treatment of inventories for a shipment of smartphones which were in transit at the end of 2012, as well as an increase in impairment loss by 66 billion on our merchandise inventories incurred in 2013 compared to 2012.

 

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Service cost increased by 45.1%, or 570 billion, from 1,264 billion in 2012 to 1,834 billion in 2013 as a result of increases in expenses relating to our systems/network integration business and expenses relating to purchase of multimedia contents from third-party developers.

 

   

Depreciation expenses increased by 7.4%, or 214 billion, from 2,894 billion in 2012 to 3,108 billion in 2013 primarily due to an increase in depreciation expenses of 271 billion from a full-year recognition of depreciation expenses of KT Rental’s operating assets, which became our consolidated subsidiary starting in July 2012 as described above.

 

   

Salaries and wages increased by 6.2%, or 192 billion, from 3,097 billion in 2012 to 3,289 billion in 2013 primarily due to an increase in the number of our employees resulting from our newly consolidated subsidiaries in 2013, as well as an increase in salaries and severance benefits in 2013.

These factors were partially offset by the following:

 

   

Our operating expenses related to purchase of inventories decreased by 26.5%, or 1,285 billion, from 4,851 billion in 2012 to 3,566 billion in 2013 primarily due to a decrease in the number of smartphones sold as discussed above.

Operating Profit

Due to the factors described above, our operating profit decreased by 80.8%, or 1,357 billion, from 1,680 billion in 2012 to 323 billion in 2013. Our operating margin, which is operating profit as a percentage of operating revenues, decreased from 6.8% in 2012 to 1.3% in 2013.

Finance Income (Costs)

The following table presents a breakdown of our finance income and costs and changes therein for 2012 and 2013:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,
    Changes  
       2012 vs. 2013  
       2012             2013         Amount     %  
     (In billions of Won)  

Interest income

   203      109      (94     (46.3 )% 

Interest expense

     (472     (450     22        (4.7

Net foreign currency transaction gain (loss)

     2        6        4        200.0   

Net foreign currency translation gain (loss)

     259        100        (159     (61.4

Net loss on settlement of derivatives

     (5     (3     2        (40.0

Net gain (loss) on valuation of derivatives

     (241     (105     136        (56.4

Net other finance costs(1)

     (29     (25     4        (13.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net finance costs

   (283   (368   (85     30.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

N.A. means not available.

 

(1) Including net other finance income and expenses, loss on disposal of trade receivables and impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets.

 

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Our net finance costs increased by 30.0%, or 85 billion, from 283 billion in 2012 to 368 billion in 2013 primarily due to decreases in net foreign currency translation gain and interest income, the impact of which was partially offset by a decrease in net loss on valuation of derivatives. Specifically:

 

   

Our net foreign currency translation gain decreased by 61.4%, or 159 billion, from 259 billion in 2012 to 100 billion in 2013, as the Market Average Exchange Rate of the Won against the U.S. dollar appreciated from 1,153.3 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2011 to 1,071.1 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2012, and further appreciated at a lesser pace to 1,055.3 to US$1.00 as of December 31, 2013. The impact of such decrease in net foreign currency translation gain was partially offset by a decrease in net loss on valuation of derivatives discussed below.

 

   

Our interest income decreased by 46.3%, or 94 billion, from 203 billion in 2012 to 109 billion in 2013 primarily due to a decrease in our average balance of interest-earning assets from 2012 to 2013, resulting from a reduction in our accounts receivables from our handset sales in 2013 due to the reasons discussed above, as well as a decrease in general interest rates from 2012 to 2013.

These factors were partially offset by the following:

 

   

Net loss on valuation of derivatives decreased by 56.4%, or 136 billion, from 241 billion in 2012 to 105 billion in 2013, primarily due to a decrease in losses from our currency swap contracts due to the lower rate of appreciation of the exchange rates of the Won against the Japanese Yen and the U.S. dollar from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2013.

Income (Loss) from Jointly Controlled Entities and Associates

Income from jointly controlled entities and associates decreased by 61.1%, or 11 billion, from 18 billion in 2012 to 7 billion in 2013, primarily due to the loss of income recognized under this line item from KT Rental in 2013, as it became our consolidated subsidiary in July 2012, and we recorded an income of 9 billion from KT Rental in 2012, as any associated gains from KT Rental until July 2012 were recognized under this line item.

Income Tax Expense

Our income tax expense decreased by 82.0%, or 228 billion, from 278 billion in 2012 to 50 billion in 2013 primarily due to our recognition of a loss from continuing operations before income tax of 38 billion in 2013 compared to a profit from continuing operation of 1,415 billion in 2012. We incurred a tax expense despite incurring a loss before income tax in 2013, as we, in preparing our consolidated financial statements, aggregate the tax results of ourselves and our subsidiaries, which had taxable income. See Note 29 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We had an effective tax rate of 19.6% in 2012. We had net deferred income tax assets of 473 billion as of December 31, 2012 and 537 billion as of December 31, 2013.

Profit from Discontinued Operations

We recognized a loss from discontinued operations of 32 billion in 2012, compared to none in 2013, primarily due to the loss recognized from our sale of our 93.8% interest in KT Tech, Inc. in August 2012, as well as our share of net loss of KT Tech, Inc. until the completion of sale, which we recorded under this category in 2012, whereas there were no discontinued operations in 2013 which required recognition of income or loss under this category.

 

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Profit for the Period

Due to the factors described above, we recorded a profit for the period of 1,105 billion in 2012, compared to a loss of 88 billion in 2013. Our net income margin, which is profit for the period as a percentage of operating revenues, was 4.5% in 2012, and our net loss margin, which is loss for the period as a percentage of operating revenues, was 0.4% in 2013.

Segment Results—Customer/Marketing Group

Our operating revenues for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, decreased by 6.2%, or 994 billion, from 15,932 billion in 2012 to 14,938 billion in 2013, primarily due to a decrease in revenues from individual fixed-line telephone subscribers.

Our operating income for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, decreased by 92.9%, or 681 billion, from 733 billion in 2012 to 52 billion in 2013, as the 6.2% decrease in the segment’s operating revenues outpaced a 2.1% decrease in operating expenses, primarily due to the reasons discussed above. Operating margin, which is operating income as a percentage of total operating revenues prior to adjusting for inter-company sales, decreased from 4.6% in 2012 to 0.3% in 2013.

Depreciation and amortization, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased slightly by 0.2%, or 5 billion, from 2,440 billion in 2012 to 2,445 billion in 2013.

Segment Results—Enterprise Sales Group

Our operating revenues for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, decreased by 0.5%, or 14 billion, from 2,931 billion in 2012 to 2,917 billion in 2013, primarily due to the spin-offs of KT Sat Co., Ltd., KT Estate Inc. and KT Media Hub Co., Ltd. during 2013 and the corresponding decrease in operating revenues from such subsidiaries which were recognized under this segment.

Our operating income for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, decreased by 27.8%, or 91 billion, from 327 billion in 2012 to 236 billion in 2013, as operating revenues decreased by 0.5% while operating expenses increased by 3.0%, primarily due to an increase in rental expenses recognized under this segment in connection with the sale and leaseback transactions of certain real estate properties which occurred during 2011 and 2012. Operating margin decreased from 11.2% in 2012 to 8.1% in 2013.

Depreciation and amortization, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased by 0.2%, or 1 billion, from 485 billion in 2012 to 486 billion in 2013.

Segment Results—Finance/Rental Business Group

Our operating revenues for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased by 9.0%, or 336 billion, from 3,717 billion in 2012 to 4,053 billion in 2013, primarily due to the consolidation of full year revenues in 2013 from KT Rental Co., Ltd. which became our consolidated subsidiary starting in July 2012.

Our operating income for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased by 51.4%, or 95 billion, from 185 billion in 2012 to 280 billion in 2013, as the 9.0% increase in the segment’s operating revenues outpaced a 6.8% increase in operating expenses, primarily due to the reasons discussed above. Operating margin increased from 5.0% in 2012 to 6.9% in 2013.

 

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Depreciation and amortization, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased by 119.8%, or 218 billion, from 182 billion in 2012 to 400 billion in 2013, primarily due to the effect of full-year consolidation of KT Rental Co., Ltd. and the related assets in 2013 as described above, as well as additional purchases of automobiles by KT Rental Co., Ltd. during 2013 which increased the depreciable asset base.

Segment Results—Others

Our operating revenues for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased by 19.8%, or 842 billion, from 4,252 billion in 2012 to 5,094 billion in 2013, primarily due to the spin-offs of KT Sat Co., Ltd., KT Estate Inc. and KT Media Hub Co., Ltd. during 2013 and the corresponding recognition of operating revenues from such subsidiaries under this segment.

Our operating income for this segment, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased by 245.8%, or 204 billion, from 83 billion in 2012 to 287 billion in 2013, as the 19.8% increase in the segment’s operating revenues outpaced a 15.3% increase in operating expenses, primarily due to the reasons discussed above. Operating margin increased from 2.0% in 2012 to 5.6% in 2013.

Depreciation and amortization, prior to adjusting for inter-segment transactions, increased by 58.5%, or 86 billion, from 147 billion in 2012 to 233 billion in 2013, primarily due to the increase in depreciable assets under this segment due to the spin-off of subsidiaries as discussed above.

Item 5.B.  Liquidity and Capital Resources

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

 

     For the Years Ended December 31,  
         2012             2013             2014      
     (In billions of Won)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   5,725      4,111      1,916   

Net cash used in investing activities

     (3,851     (3,783     (3,171

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (1,278     (312     1,072   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1,462        2,058        2,071   

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

     2,058        2,071        1,889   

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     595        13        (182

Capital Requirements

Historically, our capital requirements consisted principally of purchases of property and equipment and other assets and repayments of borrowings. In our investing activities, we used cash of 3,760 billion in 2012, 3,088 billion in 2013 and 2,853 billion in 2014 for the acquisition of property and equipment and investment property, primarily construction-in-progress. In our financing activities, we used cash of 4,591 billion in 2012, 5,956 billion in 2013 and 8,757 billion in 2014 for repayment of borrowings and bonds.

In recent years, we have also required capital for payments of retirement and severance benefits related to our early retirement programs. We recorded cash outflows from payments of severance benefits of 111 billion in 2012, 371 billion in 2013 and 1,427 billion in 2014. In 2014, our payments were particularly high due to the special voluntary early retirement program held in April 2014 described in “—Overview” above.

From time to time, we may also require capital for investments involving acquisitions, including shares of our affiliates, and strategic relationships. For example, in October 2011, we, through our

 

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subsidiary KT Capital Co., Ltd., acquired an additional 1,622,520 common shares of BC Card Co., Ltd. from Woori Bank, Busan Bank and Shinhan Card for approximately 252 billion. We acquired an additional 1,349,920 common shares of BC Card Co., Ltd. in January 2012 for approximately 287 billion, and owned a 69.54% interest in BC Card Co., Ltd. as of December 31, 2014. Any such additional investments or acquisitions may require significant capital.

Our cash dividends paid to shareholders and non-controlling interests amounted to 498 billion in 2012, 511 billion in 2013 and 223 billion in 2014.

We anticipate that capital expenditures and repayment of outstanding contractual obligations and commitments will represent the most significant use of funds for the next several years. We may also require capital for purchase of shares of our affiliates as well as investments involving acquisitions and strategic relationships. We compete in the telecommunications sector in Korea, which is rapidly evolving. In recent years, business combinations in the telecommunications industry have significantly changed the competitive landscape of the Korean telecommunications industry. We may need to incur additional capital expenditures to keep up with unexpected developments in rapidly evolving telecommunications technology. There can be no assurance that we will be able to secure funds on satisfactory terms from financial institutions or other sources that are sufficient for our unanticipated needs.

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, including repair and maintenance. We have also provided guarantees to our affiliates. See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a disclosure of the guarantees provided.

The following table sets forth selected information regarding our contractual obligations to make future payments as of December 31, 2014:

 

     Payments Due by Period  

Contractual Obligations (1)

   Total      Less than
1 Year
     1-3
Years
     4-5
Years
     After 5
Years
 
     (In billions of Won)  

Long-term debt obligations (including current portion of long-term debt)

   11,741       1,855       4,973       2,697       2,216   

Capital lease obligations (including any interests)

     60         23         27         10           

Operating lease obligations

     556         78         153         159         166   

Severance payment obligations (2)

     4,711         125         198         265         4,123   

Long-term accounts payable—others

     927         266         234         204         223   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   17,995       2,347       5,585       3,335       6,728   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Estimate of interest payment based on contractual interest rates effective as of December 31, 2013

   1,722       405       541       272       504   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Contractual obligations represent contractual liabilities as of the consolidated balance sheet date excluding refundable deposits for telephone installation and accruals for customer call bonus points, which do not have definitive payment schedules.

 

(2) Does not include any severance payments due beyond 10 years, due to the uncertainties involved in the calculation of such payments.

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 debt financing. From time to time, we have also disposed of our treasury shares to meet our capital requirements.

 

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Our major sources of cash have been net cash provided by operating activities, including profits for the period, expenses not involving cash payments such as depreciation and amortization, and proceeds from issuance of bonds and borrowings. We expect that these sources will continue to be our principal sources of cash in the future. Profit for the period was 1,105 billion in 2012, and we recorded a loss for the period of 88 billion in 2013 and 941 billion in 2014, due to the reasons discussed in Item 5.A. Operating Results. Non-cash expense adjustments in our statement of cash flows from depreciation and amortization of intangible assets was 3,314 billion in 2012, 3,621 billion in 2013 and 3,855 billion in 2014, primarily reflecting our capital investment activities during the recent years, including our purchase of bandwidths for our operations, investments in LTE-related structures and acquisition of real estate. Cash proceeds from issuance of bonds and borrowings were 4,259 billion in 2012, 6,200 billion in 2013 and 10,037 billion in 2014. As of December 31, 2014, we held 16,249,100 treasury shares.

In 2013, we spun off a portion of our trade receivables relating to handset sales to several special purpose companies, as part of our efforts to improve our cash and asset management. We also entered into asset management agreements with each of these special purpose companies, and will be receiving management fees from such companies. See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

We believe that we have sufficient working capital available to us for our current requirements and that we have a variety of alternatives available to us to satisfy our financial requirements to the extent that they are not met by funds generated by operations, including the issuance of debt securities and bank borrowings denominated in Won and various foreign currencies. For example, we successfully issued (i) US$350 million of 3.875% notes due 2017 in January 2012, (ii) three series of notes for an aggregate amount of Japanese Yen 30 billion in January 2013, (iii) three series of notes for an aggregate amount of 410 billion in April 2013, (iv) US$300 million floating rate notes due 2018 in August 2013, (v) 300 billion of commercial paper due 2019 in February 2014, (vi) US$650 million of 1.750% notes due 2017 and US$350 million of 2.625% notes due 2019 in April 2014 and (vii) three series of notes for an aggregate amount of 450 billion in January 2015. See Note 41 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 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. Other factors which could materially affect our liquidity in the future include unanticipated increase in capital expenditures and decrease in cash provided by operations resulting from a significant decrease in demand for our services. We may also need to raise additional capital sooner than we expect in order to fund unanticipated investments and acquisitions.

Our total equity was 13,218 billion as of December 31, 2012, 12,837 billion as of December 31, 2013 and 11,788 billion as of December 31, 2014.

Liquidity

We had a working capital (current assets minus current liabilities) deficit of 749 billion as of December 31, 2012, 1,252 billion as of December 31, 2013 and 1,213 billion as of December 31, 2014. The following table sets forth the summary of our significant current assets for the periods indicated:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2012      2013      2014  
     (In billions of Won)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   2,058       2,071       1,889   

Short-term loans receivables, net

     668         839         710   

Trade and other receivables, net

     5,908         5,240         4,811   

Inventories, net

     935         674         419   

 

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Our cash, cash equivalents and net short-term loans receivable maturing within one year totaled 2,726 billion as of December 31, 2012, 2,910 billion as of December 31, 2013 and 2,599 billion as of December 31, 2014. Under IFRS as issued by IASB, bank deposits held at call and all other highly liquid temporary cash instruments within maturities of three months are considered as cash equivalents. Short-term loans receivables primarily consist of loans and other non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market with maturities of twelve months or less.

The following table sets forth the summary of our significant current liabilities for the periods indicated:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2012      2013      2014  
     (In billions of Won)  

Trade and other payables

   7,221       7,414       6,408   

Borrowings

     3,197         3,021         2,956   

As of December 31, 2014, we entered into various commitments with financial institutions totaling 4,555 billion and US$12 million. See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. As of December 31, 2014, 1,556 billion was used under these facilities. 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.

Capital Expenditures

We used cash of 3,760 billion in 2012, 3,088 billion in 2013 and 2,853 billion in 2014 for the acquisition of property and equipment and investment property, primarily construction-in-progress.

Our current capital expenditure plan, on a non-consolidated basis, calls for the expenditure of approximately 2,700 billion in 2015, which may be adjusted depending on market conditions and our results of operations. The principal components of our capital investment plans are:

 

   

approximately 843 billion in general expansion and modernization of our wireless network infrastructure (including approximately 798 billion in capital investments for LTE service);

 

   

approximately 1,376 billion for general expansion and modernization of our fixed-line network infrastructure; and

 

   

approximately 481 billion in capital investments for our other services, including overhead costs.

Inflation

We do not consider that inflation in Korea has had a material impact on our results of operations in recent years. According to data published by The Bank of Korea, annual inflation in Korea was 2.2% in 2012, 1.3% in 2013 and 1.3% in 2014. 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.”

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

In order to maintain our leadership in the converging telecommunications business environment and develop additional platforms, services and applications, we operate:

 

   

a new business development and incubation center;

 

   

an infrastructure R&D laboratory;

 

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a service R&D laboratory; and

 

   

a convergence R&D laboratory.

As of December 31, 2014, KT Corporation had 5,045 registered patents domestically and 867 registered patents internationally.

The MSIP has the authority to recommend to network service providers that they provide funds for national research and development of telecommunications technology and related projects. The required annual contribution is 0.5% (0.75% for market dominant service providers like us) of revenues attributable to key communications services (excluding revenues from telecommunications service using an allotted frequency if the consideration for such allotted frequency has been paid) from wireless subscribers for the previous year, and is applicable only to those network service providers who have at least 30 billion in total sales for the previous year and have recorded no net loss in the current period. Under the policy, the maximum amount of the annual contribution to be made cannot exceed 70.0% of the net profit for the corresponding period of each company. Including such contributions, total expenditures (which include capitalized expenses) on research and development were 476 billion in 2012, 309 billion in 2013 and 479 billion in 2014.

In recent years, we have focused our research and development efforts in the following areas:

 

   

simplifying complex core networks and reducing costs;

 

   

integration of in-building management solutions for fixed-line and wireless networks;

 

   

aggregating heterogeneous wireless access for double network throughput;

 

   

a broadband internet solution that is 10 times faster using legacy copper and fiber lines;

 

   

a telecommunication cloud solution which combines network resource virtualization with cloud computing resource;

 

   

finding solutions for ultra-definition television set top box and additional solutions for smart IPTV;

 

   

smart home networking solutions for multiple devices, such as smartphones, tablets, computers and IPTV, as well as electric home appliances;

 

   

environment-friendly energy technologies including a smart-grid platform;

 

   

core technologies for convergence services such as Internet of Things (“IoT”), big data, security, networked automobiles, healthcare and bio-informatics; and

 

   

creating a new convergence business model based on Information Communication Technology (ICT) and incubating new businesses.

Item 5.D. Trend Information

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

Item 5.E. Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

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

 

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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—Forward-looking statements may prove to be inaccurate.”

Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees

Item 6.A. Directors and Senior Management

Directors

Our board of directors has the ultimate responsibility for the administration of our affairs. Our articles of incorporation provide for a board of directors consisting of:

 

   

up to three non-independent directors, including the Chief Executive Officer; and

 

   

up to eight outside directors.

All of our directors are elected at the general shareholders’ meeting. If the total assets of a company listed on the KRX KOSPI Market as of the end of the preceding year exceeds 2,000 billion, which is the case with us, the Commercial Code of Korea requires such company to have more than three outside directors with more than half of its total directors being outside directors. The term of office for a director is up to three years, but the term is extended to the close of the annual shareholders’ meeting convened with respect to the last full fiscal year of a director’s term of office. If the term of office for a director is not completed and ends before the close of the annual general meeting of shareholders convened with respect to the last full fiscal year of such director’s term of office and a new director is appointed in his or her place, the term of office for such replacement director will coincide with the uncompleted remaining term of office of his or her predecessor.

Under the Commercial Code of Korea, we must establish a committee to nominate candidates for outside directors within the board of directors, and outside directors must make up more than half of the total members of the outside director candidate nominating committee. According to our articles of incorporation, such committee must consist of one non-independent director and all of our outside directors, other than for election of an outside director resulting from the expiration of the term of the office, in which case such outside director whose term is expiring may not be a member of the committee. Our Outside Director Candidate Nominating Committee nominates outside director candidates for appointment at the general shareholders’ meeting.

Upon the request of any director (to the extent that the board of directors does not separately authorize only a particular director to make such request), a meeting of the board of directors will be assembled. The chairperson of the board of directors is elected from among the outside directors by a resolution of the board of directors. The term of office of the chairperson is for one year.

 

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Our current directors are as follows:

 

Name

  

Position

  Director
Since
  Date of Birth    Expiration
of

Term of
Office
 

Non-Independent Directors (1)

         

Chang-Gyu Hwang

  

Chief Executive Officer

  January 2014 (2)   January 23, 1953      2017   

Heon Moon Lim

  

Senior Executive Vice President

  March 2014   November 15, 1960      2016   

Jeong-Tae Park

  

Senior Executive Vice President

  March 2015   December 10, 1959      2016   

Outside Directors (1)

         

Do Kyun Song

  

Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Advisor, Bae, Kim & Lee LLC

  March 2013   September 20, 1943      2016   

Sang Kyun Cha

  

Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University

  March 2012   February 19, 1958      2016   

Jong-Goo Kim

  

Corporate lawyer, New Dimension Law Group

  March 2014   July 7, 1941      2017   

Chu-Hwan Yim

  

Director, Korea Information & Communication Industry Institute

  March 2014   February 9, 1949      2016   

Suk-Gwon Chang

  

Professor, Department of Business, Hanyang University

  March 2014   February 21, 1956      2018   

Dae-Keun Park

  

Professor, Department of Economics and Finance, Hanyang University

  March 2014   March 15, 1958      2017   

Dong-Wook Chung

  

Senior Counsel, Kim, Choi & Lim

  March 2015   August 22, 1949      2018   

Daiwon Hyun

  

Professor, Department of Mass Communication, Sogang University

  March 2015   August 1, 1964      2018   

 

 

(1) All of our non-independent and outside directors beneficially own less than one percent of the issued shares of KT Corporation in the aggregate.

 

(2) On November 12, 2013, Mr. Suk-Chae Lee resigned from his position as the President and Chief Executive Officer of KT Corporation. Mr. Chang-Gyu Hwang’s appointment as the new Chief Executive Officer was approved at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on January 27, 2014.

Chang-Gyu Hwang is a non-independent director and has served as our chief executive officer since January 2014. Prior to joining us, he served as a Distinguished Chair Professor at Sungkyunkwan University, president and National Chief Technology Officer of the Office of Strategic Research and Development Planning at the former Ministry of Knowledge and Economy, president and chief technology officer of the Corporate Technology Office at Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. and as president and chief executive officer of the Semiconductor Business at Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Mr. Hwang holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in electric engineering from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in electronic and computer engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Heon Moon Lim is a non-independent director and has served as senior executive vice president of KT’s Customer Business Group since February 2014. He has previously served as a professor of economics and management at Chungnam National University and an executive vice president of KT’s Telecom & Convergence Business Group and Home Business Group. Mr. Lim holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Yonsei University and a Ph.D. in business administration from Seoul National University.

 

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Jeong-Tae Park is a non-independent director and has served as a senior executive vice president of KT’s Legal & Ethics Office since February 2014. He has previously served as an executive vice president of KT’s Group Shared Service Group, Strategy & Planning Office at KT’s Corporate Center and Procurement Strategy Office. Mr. Park holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Seoul National University and a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

Do Kyun Song has served as our outside director since March 2013. He is currently an advisor to the law firm of Bae, Kim & Lee LLC. He was formerly a standing member of the KCC and the chief executive officer of Seoul Broadcasting System Co., Ltd. Mr. Song holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish literature from Hanguk University of Foreign Studies.

Sang Kyun Cha has served as our outside director since March 2012. He is currently a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Seoul National University. Previously, he founded Transact In Memory, Inc. in the United States, which was acquired by SAP AG in 2005, and was subsequently transformed into SAP Labs Korea, Inc. He continues to serve as a director of SAP Labs Korea, Inc. Mr. Cha holds a Ph.D. in database systems from Stanford University.

Jong-Goo Kim has served as our outside director since March 2014. He is currently a corporate lawyer at the New Dimension Law Group. Previously, he served as the minister of the Ministry of Justice and as the head of the Seoul Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. Mr. Kim holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in law from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in law from Dongguk University.

Chu-Hwan Yim has served as our outside director since March 2014. He is currently the director of the Korea Information & Communication Industry Institute. Mr. Yim was formerly an outside director of Korea Electric Power Corporation, the president of Korea Digital Cable Laboratories, the president of Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, and the secretary general of the Telecommunications Technology Association. Mr. Yim holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in industrial education from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in telecommunication systems from Technical University of Braunshweig.

Suk-Gwon Chang has served as our outside director since March 2014. He is currently a professor of business administration at Hanyang University and the president of the Korea Operations Research and Management Science Society. Mr. Chang was formerly the dean of Hanyang Cyber University Graduate School and the president of the Korea Association for Telecommunication Policy and Korea Media Management Association. Mr. Chang holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Seoul National University, a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and a Ph.D. in management science from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

Dae-Keun Park has served as our outside director since March 2014. He is currently a professor of economics and finance at Hanyang University, the chairperson of the Financial Development Review Committee at the Financial Services Commission and the director of Hanyang Economic Research Institute. Mr. Park was formerly a vice president of the Korea Finance and Money Association and a member of the Steering Committee at the Korea Finance Corporation. Mr. Park holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Seoul National University, a master’s degree in management science from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University.

Dong-Wook Chung has served as our outside director since March 2015. He is currently a Senior Counsel to the law firm of Kim, Choi & Lim. Mr. Chung was formerly a prosecutor at the Seoul High Prosecutor’s Office and the chief prosecutor at the Bucheon Branch of the Incheon District Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. Chung holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in law from Seoul National University.

 

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Daiwon Hyun has served as our outside director since March 2015. He is currently a professor of mass communication at Sogang University and the chairperson of the Korea Digital Content Industry Forum. Mr. Hyun was formerly the chairperson of the Internet-based Broadcasting Service Promotion Forum and the ‘Beautiful Internet World’ Forum. Mr. Hyun holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in journalism and broadcasting from Sogang University and a Ph.D. in telecommunications and mass media from Temple University.

For the purposes of the Korean Commercial Code, our Chief Executive Officer is deemed to be the “representative director” who is authorized to perform all judicial and extra-judicial acts relating to our business. Our shareholders elect the Chief Executive Officer in accordance with the provisions of the Commercial Code and our articles of incorporation. A candidate for Chief Executive Officer is nominated by a committee formed for that purpose. The Chief Executive Officer Candidate Nominating Committee consists of:

 

   

all of our outside directors; and

 

   

one non-independent director who is not a candidate.

Under our articles of incorporation, the Chief Executive Officer Candidate Nominating Committee must submit a draft management contract between the company and the candidate covering the management objectives of the company to the shareholders’ meeting at the time of nomination of the candidate to the meeting. When the draft management contract has been approved at the shareholders’ meeting, the company enters into such management contract with the Chief Executive Officer. In such case, the chairperson of the Chief Executive Officer Candidate Nominating Committee, on behalf of the company, signs the management contract.

The board of directors may conduct performance review discussions to determine if the new Chief Executive Officer performed his or her duties under the management contract, or hire a professional evaluation agency for such purpose. If the board of directors determines, based on the results of the performance review, that the new Chief Executive Officer has failed to achieve the management goals, it may propose to dismiss the Chief Executive Officer at a shareholders’ meeting.

Senior Management

Our executive officers consist of Senior Executive Vice President, Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents. The executive officers other than the non-independent directors are appointed by the Chief Executive Officer and may serve up to three years.

 

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The current executive officers are as follows:

 

Name (1)

  

Title and Responsibilities

   Current
Position Held
Since
   Years
with the
Company  (2)
     Date of Birth

Kyu-Shik Shin

   Senior Executive Vice President, Enterprise Sales Business Group    December 2014      4       June 7, 1957

Seong-Mook Oh

   Senior Executive Vice President, Network Group    January 2014      29       August 20, 1960

Kyu-Taek Nam

   Senior Executive Vice President, Marketing Group    January 2014      29       February 6, 1961

Ki-Chul Kim

   Senior Executive Vice President, IT Planning Group    December 2014      10       January 1, 1955

In-Sung Jun

   Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Relationship Group    January 2014      33       October 9, 1958

Hyeon-Mo Ku

   Senior Executive Vice President, CEO Office    December 2014      28       January 13, 1964

Myung-Beom Pyun

   Executive Vice President, Customer Group, Busan Sales Headquarter    December 2014      18       June 19, 1960

Jong-Jin Chae

   Executive Vice President, Enterprise Sales Business Group, Enterprise Business Consulting Unit    December 2014      28       June 25, 1961

Cha-Hyun Yoon

   Executive Vice President, Network Group, Gangbuk Network Operation Business Unit    December 2014      30       December 2, 1961

Kook-Hyun Kang

   Executive Vice President, Marketing Group, Marketing Strategy Business Unit    December 2014      26       September 8, 1963

Hae-Jung Park

   Executive Vice President, Marketing Group, IMC Center    December 2014      8       May 23, 1963

Dong-Myun Lee

   Executive Vice President, Institute of Convergence Technology    January 2014      24       October 15, 1962

Mun-Whan Lee

   Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning Group    December 2014      26       October 1, 1963

Kwang Suk Shin

   Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning Group, Financial Office    December 2014      26       January 5, 1960

Soo-Jung shin

   Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning Group, Data & Information Security Unit    August 2014      1       August 10, 1965

Dong-Su Yi

   Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning Group, Brand Management Center    February 2015      0       August 26, 1961

Dae-San Lee

   Executive Vice President, Management Support Group    December 2014      28       January 10, 1961

Heon-Yong Park

   Executive Vice President, Corporate Relationship Group, Corporate Relationship & Cooperation Office    December 2014      21       August 15, 1961

Yeong-Ik Choi

   Executive Vice President, Corporate Relationship Group, Corporate Relationship & Support Office    September 2014      20       January 5, 1961

Kyoung-Lim Yun

   Executive Vice President, Future Convergence Business Office    December 2014      5       June 14, 1963

Yoon-Young Park

   Executive Vice President, Future Convergence Business Office, Future Business Development Unit    December 2014      19       April 18, 1962

Cheol-Soo Kim

   Executive Vice President, Customer Value Management Office    September 2014      1       February 7, 1963

Sang-Bong Nam

   Executive Vice President, Legal & Ethics Office, Legal Affairs Center    January 2014      2       October 19, 1963

In-Hoe Kim

   Executive Vice President, CEO Office, Department 2    December 2014      1       June 25, 1964

Jin-Chul Kim

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Customer Planning Business Unit    December 2014      26       May 25, 1962

Hyon-Seog Lee

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Sales Operation Business Unit    December 2014      23       March 10, 1962

 

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Name (1)

  

Title and Responsibilities

   Current
Position Held
Since
   Years
with the
Company  (2)
     Date of Birth

Young-Ho Kim

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Sales Operation Business Unit, Mobile Sales Department    December 2014      18       September 3, 1966

Hong-Jae Lee

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Biz Customer Business Department    December 2014      30       August 29, 1962

Kyeong-Weon Park

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Fieldwork Support Unit    December 2014      26       June 25, 1963

Sang-Keun Ahn

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Northern Seoul Sales Headquarter    December 2014      16       September 10, 1962

Jae-Hyeon Kim

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Southern Seoul Sales Headquarter    December 2014      18       September 26, 1962

Hee-Youp Chang

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Western Seoul Sales Headquarter    December 2014      29       October 1, 1959

Kyoung-Il Kim

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Daegu Sales Headquarter    March 2015      18       May 25, 1967

Yang-Hwan Ryoo

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Jeonnam Sales Headquarter    December 2014      37       October 12, 1958

Man-Soo Oh

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Jeonbuk Sales Headquarter    December 2014      27       February 9, 1961

Hyeong-Chul Park

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Chungnam Sales Headquarter    December 2014      29       February 2, 1962

Jong-Jin Barg

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Chungbuk Sales Headquarter    December 2014      23       August 14, 1963

Dae-Gi Gong

   Senior Vice President, Customer Group, Gangwon Sales Headquarter    December 2014      28       March 13, 1960

Sang-Yong Lee

   Senior Vice President, Enterprise Sales Business Group, Enterprise Business Consulting Unit, ICT Convergence Business Consulting Department    December 2014      4       December 23, 1967

Ki-Jong Moon

   Senior Vice President, Enterprise Sales Business Group, Enterprise Business Performing Unit    December 2014      38       September 30, 1957

Yoon-Sik Jeong

   Senior Vice President, Enterprise Sales Business Group, Enterprise Business Consulting Unit    December 2014      6       September 30, 1964

Hee-Kyoung Song

   Senior Vice President, Enterprise Sales Business Group, Public Customer Business Unit    December 2014      2       July 24, 1964

Hyung-Joon Kim

   Senior Vice President, Enterprise Sales Business Group, Pyung-Chang Winter Olympic Games Business Unit    December 2014      19       November 2, 1963

Chang-Seok Seo

   Senior Vice President, Network Group, Network Strategy Unit    December 2014      21       July 5, 1967

Hyun-Meen Jung

   Senior Vice President, Network Group, Network Strategy Unit, Access Network Building Department    December 2014      29       November 5, 1960

Cheol-Gyu Lee

   Senior Vice President, Network Group, Network Operation & Maintenance Unit    January 2014      29       August 24, 1960

Jae-Yoon Park

   Senior Vice President, Network Group, Network Technology Support Unit    December 2014      29       December 18, 1960

Mi-Na Oh

   Senior Vice President, Network Technology Support Unit, Core Net Support Department    December 2014      21       April 11, 1969

Young-Sik Kim

   Senior Vice President, Network Group, Gangnam Network Operation & Maintenance Headquarter    April 2014      25       March 15, 1961

Ho-Won Moon

   Senior Vice President, Network Group, Busan Network Operation & Maintenance Headquarter    April 2014      29       January 7, 1959

Hee-Kwan Ryu

   Senior Vice President, Marketing Group, GiGA Business Unit    April 2015      22       July 2, 1962

 

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Name (1)

  

Title and Responsibilities

   Current
Position Held
Since
   Years
with the
Company  (2)
     Date of Birth

Pill-Jai Lee

   Senior Vice President, Marketing Group, Media Business Unit    April 2015      27       October 3, 1961

Sun-Woo Lee

   Senior Vice President, Marketing Group, Enterprise Solution Business Unit    December 2014      24       January 17, 1966

Hyeon-Seuk Lee

   Senior Vice President, Marketing Group, Device Business Unit    December 2014      18       November 12, 1966

Hye-Jeong Yun

   Senior Vice President, Marketing Group, Service Development Business Unit    December 2014      24       June 12, 1966

Young-Myoung Kim

   Senior Vice President, Institute of Convergence Technology, Research Support Department, ICT Cooperation Team    January 2014      26       November 13, 1961

Hong-Beom Jeon

   Senior Vice President, Institute of Convergence Technology, Infra Laboratory    January 2014      24       October 3, 1962

Sook-Kyung Sung

   Senior Vice President, Institute of Convergence Technology Infra Laboratory, Intellectual Property Right Department    January 2014      15       November 18, 1964

Seong-Choon Lee

   Senior Vice President, Institute of Convergence Technology, Service Laboratory    January 2014      30       March 28, 1960

Gyung-Pyo Hong

   Senior Vice President, Institute of Convergence Technology, Convergence Laboratory    December 2014      28       June 10, 1962

Jae-Ho Jang

   Senior Vice President, IT Planning Group, IT Strategy & Planning Department    December 2014      2       July 12, 1962

June-Keun Kim

   Senior Vice President, IT Planning Group, Business Infrastructure Department    December 2014      5       November 12, 1966

Jeong-Min Woo

   Senior Vice President, IT Planning Group, Next Generation System Development Unit    December 2014      20       February 25, 1964

Jong-Ook Park

   Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning Group, Strategy & Planning Office    December 2014      22       January 24, 1962

Dong-Seope Park

   Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning Group, Strategy & Planning Office, Strategy & Planning Department    January 2014      30       November 5, 1961

Sang-Wook Seo

   Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning Group, Strategy Investment Department    June 2014      3       January 26, 1972

Jung-Yong Moon

   Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning Group, Strategy & Planning Office, Affiliate Management Department 1    December 2014      21       August 24, 1962

Won-Sic Hahn

   Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning Group, Procurement Cooperation Office    December 2014      30       October 26, 1960

Kyung-Joon Lee

   Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning Group, Procurement Cooperation Office, Procurement Strategy Department    December 2014      24       June 2, 1963

Kong-Hwan Lee

   Senior Vice President, Management Support Group, Human Resources Office    December 2014      20       September 20, 1966

Hyun-Yok Sheen

   Senior Vice President, Management Support Group, Management Support Office    January 2014      22       August 25, 1968

Sung-Q Lee

   Senior Vice President, Management Support Group, Management Support Office, Labor Relations Department 1    December 2014      25       December 24, 1965

Jun-Su Jeong

   Senior Vice President, Management Support Group, Corporate Culture Office    May 2014      23       November 2, 1962

Young-Min Choi

   Senior Vice President, Management Support Group, KT Group HR Development Academy    January 2015      0       September 8, 1961

Young-Suk Jeon

   Senior Vice President, Management Support Group, KT Group HR Development Academy Educational Dispatch    February 2015      23       December 14, 1963

Han-Sup Lee

   Senior Vice President, Management Support Group, KT Group HR Development Academy Educational Dispatch    February 2015      19       March 6, 1966

 

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Name (1)

  

Title and Responsibilities

   Current
Position Held
Since
   Years
with the
Company  (2)
     Date of Birth

Sung-Kyu Yang

   Senior Vice President, Management Support Group, KT Group HR Development Academy Educational Dispatch    February 2015      27       March 14, 1962

Dae-Su Park

   Senior Vice President, Corporate Relation Group, Economics & Management Research Institute    December 2014      26       October 28, 1963

Hee-Su Kim

   Senior Vice President, Corporate Relation Group, Economics & Management Research Institute    December 2014      4       October 15, 1962

Seung-Yong Lee

   Senior Vice President, Corporate Relation Group, Creative Economic Initiative Center    December 2014      22       May 18, 1964

Young-Ho Oh

   Senior Vice President, Public Relations Office    March 2014      17       September 16, 1962

Jae-Ho Song

   Senior Vice President, Future Convergence Business Office, Future Business Strategy Department    December 2014      22       March 26, 1966

Seong-Hoon Kim

   Senior Vice President, Future Convergence Business Office, Smart Energy Business Unit    December 2014      2       September 29, 1964

Yi-Shik Kim

   Senior Vice President, Future Convergence Business Office, Big Data Center    December 2014      2       October 16, 1968

Tae-Sung Lim

   Senior Vice President, Global Business Unit    December 2014      24       March 4, 1963

Hwa Jung

   Senior Vice President, Customer Value Management Office, In-House Consulting Unit    December 2014      26       August 10, 1964

Weon-Kyung Kim

   Senior Vice President, Legal & Ethics Office, Corporate Audit Center    December 2014      24       June 15, 1963

Keum-Seok Shin

   Senior Vice President, Legal & Ethics Office, Corporate Audit Center, Corporate Audit Department 2    December 2014      25       February 18, 1965

Byung-Sam Park

   Senior Vice President, Legal & Ethics Office, Legal Affairs Center, Legal Department 1    April 2014      2       October 13, 1966

Sang-Kwi Chang

   Senior Vice President, Legal & Ethics Office, Legal Affairs Center, Legal Department 2    May 2014      1       July 12, 1968

Hyoung-Wook Kim

   Senior Vice President, CEO Office Department 1    December 2014      18       April 24, 1963

Kyung-Keun Yoon

   Senior Vice President, CEO Office Department 2    December 2014      19       January 14, 1963

Jong-Jin Yoon

   Senior Vice President, CEO Office Department 3    February 2015      0       February 9, 1964

 

 

(1) All of our executive officers beneficially own less than one percent of the issued shares of KT Corporation in the aggregate.

 

(2) Does not include period of employment by KT Corporation’s affiliates.

Item 6.B. Compensation

Compensation of Directors

In 2014, the total amount of salaries, bonuses (including long-term performance-based incentives for directors) and allowances paid to all directors of KT Corporation for services in all capacities was approximately 3.0 billion, which were paid on a cash basis.

Until February 2010, we had no incentive based compensation program for outside directors. Instead, compensation was paid to outside directors in fixed amounts as an allowance for any expenses they incurred in executing their duties. The board of directors introduced a new compensation program for outside directors in March 2010, which consists of cash and stock grants and requires a one year lock-up period, at a ratio of 3 to 1. The total cash basis remuneration for outside directors for 2014 was recorded at 617 million.

 

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The compensation of our directors and executive officers who received total annual compensation exceeding 500 million in 2014 were as follows:

 

Name

  

Position

   Total Compensation
in 2014
  

Composition of Total
Compensation

          (In millions of Won)

Hwang, Chang-Gyu

   Representative Director    507    429 million (salary); 75 million (bonus); 3 million (benefits)

Pyo, Hyeon Myeong

   Former President    641    71 million (salary); 92 million (bonus); 10 million (benefits); 468 million (severance)

The chairperson of the Chief Executive Officer Candidate Nominating Committee enters into an employment agreement on our behalf with our Chief Executive Officer. The employment agreement sets certain management targets to be achieved by the Chief Executive Officer, including a target for the amount of “EBITDA” to be achieved in each year. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. Failure to achieve certain thresholds below the targets will allow the board of directors to take actions with respect to the Chief Executive Officer’s employment, including proposing to the shareholders’ meeting an early termination of his employment. In addition, the head of each of our functional departments, the president of each of our subsidiaries and the heads of each regional head office have entered into employment agreements with the Chief Executive Officer that provide for similar management targets to be achieved by each of our departments, subsidiaries and regional head offices.

Item 6.C. Board Practices

As of December 31, 2014, none of our non-independent or outside directors maintained directors’ service contracts with us or with any of our subsidiaries providing for benefits upon termination of employment.

Corporate Governance Committee

The Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of four outside directors and one non-independent director, Suk-Gwon Chang, Do Kyun Song, Sang Kyun Cha, Dae-Keun Park and Jeong-Tae Park. The chairperson is Suk-Gwon Chang. The committee is responsible for the review of matters with respect to our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our performance under such guidelines to monitor effectiveness of our corporate governance.

Outside Director Candidate Nominating Committee

The Outside Director Candidate Nominating Committee consists of one non-independent director and all of our outside directors, other than for election of an outside director resulting from the expiration of the term of the office, in which case such outside director whose term is expiring may not be a member of the committee. The committee’s duties include reviewing the qualifications of potential candidates and proposing nominees to serve as outside directors on our board of directors to the shareholders at the general meeting of shareholders. The committee members’ terms expire immediately after the adjournment of the shareholders’ meeting where the outside directors are elected.

 

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Evaluation and Compensation Committee

The Evaluation and Compensation Committee is currently comprised of four outside directors, Chu-Hwan Yim, Do Kyun Song, Suk-Gwon Chang and Daiwon Hyun. The chairperson is Chu-Hwan Yim. The committee’s duties include prior review of the Chief Executive Officer’s management goals, terms and conditions proposed for inclusion in the management contract of the Chief Executive Officer, including, but not limited to, determining whether the Chief Executive Officer has achieved the management goals, and the determination of compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the non-independent directors. The committee members are elected by the board after the closing of the annual meeting, and the term of the committee members is for one year.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is currently comprised of all of the non-independent directors. The chairperson is Chang-Gyu Hwang. The committee’s duties include the establishment and management of branch offices, the acquisition and disposal of real estate having market value between 15 billion to 30 billion, making investments and providing guarantees between 15 billion to 30 billion, the disposal and sale of stocks of our subsidiaries, which stocks have a market value of between 15 billion and 30 billion, provided that no change of control with respect to such subsidiary occurs as a result of such disposal or sale for stocks with market value of 10 billion or more, the authorization of charitable contributions between 100 million to 1 billion and the issuance of certain debt securities.

Related-Party Transactions Committee

The Related-Party Transactions Committee is currently comprised of four outside directors, Dong-Wook Chung, Jong-Goo Kim, Chu-Hwan Yim and Daiwon Hyun. The chairperson is Dong-Wook Chung. This committee reviews transactions between KT Corporation and its subsidiaries and ensures compliance with applicable antitrust laws. The committee members are elected by the board after the annual meeting, and the term of the committee members is for one year.

Audit Committee

Under the Commercial Code of Korea and our articles of incorporation, we are required to establish an audit committee comprised of three or more outside directors comprised of at least two-thirds of the audit committee members. Audit Committee members must also meet the applicable independence criteria set forth under the rules and regulations of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The committee is currently comprised of Jong-Goo Kim, Sang Kyun Cha, Dae-Keun Park and Dong-Wook Chung. The chairperson is Jong-Goo Kim and the financial expert is Dae-Keun Park. Members of the committee are elected by our shareholders at the shareholders’ meeting. Our internal and external auditors report directly to the committee.

The duties of the committee include:

 

   

appointing independent auditors;

 

   

approving the appointment and recommending the dismissal of the internal auditor;

 

   

evaluating performance of independent auditors;

 

   

approving services to be provided by the independent auditors;

 

   

reviewing annual financial statements;

 

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reviewing audit results and reports;

 

   

reviewing and evaluating our system of internal controls and policies; and

 

   

examining improprieties or suspected improprieties.

In addition, in connection with the shareholders’ meeting, the committee examines the agenda for, and financial statement and other reports to be submitted by the board of directors, at each shareholders’ meeting.

Item 6.D. Employees

On a non-consolidated basis, we had 23,371 employees as of December 31, 2014, compared to 32,451 employees as of December 31, 2013 and 32,186 employees as of December 31, 2012.

Voluntary Early Retirement Plans

We regularly sponsor voluntary early retirement plans where we provide additional financial incentives for our employees to retire early, as part of our efforts to improve operational efficiencies. In 2012, 2013 and 2014, 183, 269 and 8,345 employees, respectively, retired under this program.

In April 2014, we announced the commencement of a special early retirement program for employees who have been employed by us for more than 15 years. This special early retirement program provides our employees with incentives to retire early as part of our efforts to improve operational efficiencies. Our employees will be offered the option of either receiving additional severance payment or employment for two years at certain of our subsidiaries or affiliates as part of the special retirement scheme. The special voluntary early retirement program resulted in the early retirement of 8,304 employees. In aggregate, 8,345 employees retired in 2014 under the regular voluntary early retirement plan and the special voluntary early retirement program. We paid 1.3 trillion as severance benefits in connection with our early retirement programs during 2014, which was financed through cash on hand and bond issuances.

Labor Relations

We consider our current relations with our work force to be good. However, in the past, we have experienced opposition from our labor union for our strategy of restructuring to improve our efficiency and profitability by disposing of non-core businesses and reducing our employee base.

As of December 31, 2014, about 75.8% of the employees of KT Corporation were members of the KT Trade Union. On behalf of its members, the Union negotiates with us a collective bargaining agreement every two years, and our current collective bargaining agreement expires on May 23, 2015. The current collective bargaining agreement provides that even in the event of a strike, the minimum number of employees necessary to operate the telecommunications business must continue to work.

The Union also negotiates with us an annual agreement on wages on behalf of its members. Under the Act of the Promotion of Worker’s Participation and Cooperation, our Employee-Employer Cooperation Committees, which are composed of representatives of management and labor for each business unit and regional office, meet quarterly to discuss employee grievances, working conditions and potential employee-initiated improvements in service or management.

 

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Recent amendments to the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act (“Labor Act”), which became effective on July 1, 2011, allow multiple labor unions to be formed within one company. Therefore, additional labor unions may be formed by our employees. Pursuant to such amendments, our employees formed a new labor union called “KT New Union” in August 2011. The amended Labor Act also requires such multiple unions to consolidate themselves into a single channel when negotiating with the company on behalf of their members and to enter into a single collective bargaining agreement with the company. As a result of the recent consolidation of labor unions, KT Trade Union was selected as the bargaining representative of the labor unions. Its term as the bargaining representative will last for two years from January 1, 2014, and will expire on December 31, 2015.

Employee Stock Ownership and Benefits

We have an employee stock ownership association, which may purchase on behalf of its members up to 20.0% of any of our shares offered publicly in Korea. The employee stock ownership association owned 0.64% of our issued shares as of December 31, 2014.

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 monthly contributions to the pension accounts of the employees, and upon retirement, such employees are paid the pension amount due from their pension accounts. Prior to April 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 April 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 a defined benefit plan, and also introduced a defined contribution plan in December 2012, with a total combined unfunded portion of approximately 503 billion as of December 31, 2014. 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, cultural and athletic facilities, physical education grants, meal allowances, medical examinations and training and resort centers. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Item. 5.A. Operating Results—Salaries and Related Costs.”

Employee Training

The objective of our training program is to develop information and technology specialists who are able to create value for our customers. In order to develop skills of our employees, we require 60 hours of training per year from most of our employees, using individually-tailored curriculums based on individual assessments. We also operate Cyber Academy to provide online classes to our employees, as well as offer various foreign language classes to our employees. In addition, we provide tuition and living expense reimbursements to our high potential individuals who pursue graduate programs in Korea and abroad, as well as provide financial assistance to those who pursue work-related professional licenses or participate in after-work study programs.

 

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Item 6.E. Share Ownership

Common Stock

The persons who are currently our directors held, as a group, 10,919 common shares as of March 31, 2015, the most recent date for which this information is available. The table below shows the ownership of our common shares by directors:

 

Shareholders

   Number of Common
Shares Owned
 

Chang-Gyu Hwang

       

Heon Moon Lim

     907   

Jeong-Tae Park

     6,542   

Do Kyun Song

     337   

Sang Kyun Cha

     3,133   

Jong-Goo Kim

       

Chu-Hwan Yim

       

Suk-Gwon Chang

       

Dae-Keun Park

       

Dong-Wook Chung

       

Daiwon Hyun

       

Stock Options

We have not granted any stock options to our current directors and executive officers.

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 as of December 31, 2014:

 

Shareholders

   Number of
Shares
     Percent of
Total
Shares Issued
 

National Pension Corporation

     22,082,607         8.46

NTTDoCoMo, Inc.

     14,257,813         5.46

Silchester International Investors LLP

     13,809,192         5.29

Employee stock ownership association

     1,663,392         0.64

Directors as a group

     10,919         0.01

Public

     193,038,785         73.93

KT Corporation (held in the form of treasury stock)

     16,249,100         6.22
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total issued shares

     261,111,808         100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Item 7.B. Related Party Transactions

We have engaged in various transactions with our subsidiaries and affiliated companies. See Note 34 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We have not issued any guarantees in favor of our consolidated subsidiaries.

Item 7.C. Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not applicable.

 

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Item 8. Financial Information

Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

See “Item 18—Financial Statements” and pages F-1 through F-106.

Legal Proceedings

In July 2012, the Fair Trade Commission issued to us an administrative fine of approximately 5 billion as well as certain corrective orders, after investigating certain pricing and subsidy practices of mobile service carriers and handset manufacturers. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., LG Electronics Co., Ltd., Pantech Curitel Co., Ltd., SK Telecom and LG U+ were also issued administrative fines as a result of the investigation. We filed for a stay of execution of the Fair Trade Commission’s decision, and in September 2012, the Seoul High Court granted a stay of execution with respect to the corrective order, and denied the stay of execution with respect to the administrative fine. We paid the entire fine in September 2012. In September 2012, we filed a lawsuit with the Seoul High Court against the Fair Trade Commission to appeal the administrative fine and the corrective order, and on February 6, 2014, the Seoul High Court ruled against us on our appeal. In February 2014, we filed another appeal with respect to the administrative fine with the Supreme Court of Korea and filed for a stay of execution with respect to the corrective order in March 2014, which was accepted and became effective in April 2014. The appeal is currently ongoing. The outcome of this case will not result in any fine in addition to the fine we already paid in September 2012.

Based on investigations conducted in December 2012 and January 2013, the KCC imposed a combined fine of approximately 12 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us in January 2013 (our fine being approximately 2.9 billion), for providing subsidies that were higher than those allowed under current regulations to new mobile phone purchasers and subscribers, and also imposed temporary suspensions from recruiting new subscribers ranging from 20 days to 24 days. In March 2013, the KCC again imposed a combined fine of approximately 5 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 1.6 billion) for continuing to offer subsidies during the suspension period. In July 2013, the KCC imposed a combined fine of approximately 67 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 20 billion) and also imposed a seven day suspension on us from recruiting new subscribers, also in connection with providing excessive handset subsidies to new subscribers. In December 2013, the KCC again imposed a combined fine of approximately 106 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 30 billion), which is the largest fine ever imposed by the KCC on local mobile operators for providing excessive subsidies to new subscribers. On March 7, 2014, the MSIP imposed a temporary suspension on us for 45 days (from March 13, 2014 to April 26, 2014), SK Telecom for 45 days (from April 5, 2014 to May 19, 2014), and LG U+ for 45 days (from March 13, 2014 to April 4, 2014 and again from April 27, 2014 to May 18, 2014) from recruiting new subscribers as a result of continuing to offer excessive handset subsidies to new subscribers, despite the order from the KCC prohibiting such subsidies. Additionally, the MSIP announced that it plans to bring criminal charges with fines of up to 150 million and imprisonment of less than three years against any carrier and responsible personnel that fails to adhere to the suspension or continues to offer illegal subsidies after the suspension is completed. In August 2014, the KCC imposed a fine of approximately 58 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 11 billion) for continuing to provide excessive subsidies to new subscribers. In December 2014, the KCC further imposed a fine of approximately 8 billion on each of SK Telecom, LG U+ and us for providing excessive handset subsidies and in March 2015 the KCC again imposed a combined fine of approximately 34 billion on SK Telecom, LG U+ and us (our fine being approximately 9 billion) for violation of regulations relating to handset sales, in connection with a used handset buyback program that we and the other telecommunications operators were promoting. We have paid all of such fines as of the date hereof.

 

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In July 2012, the police arrested two individuals in connection with the alleged theft of personal information relating to approximately 8.7 million of our mobile phone subscribers. The individuals in question stole personal information through a series of hackings starting from February 2012 into our N-STEP. Since the incident, approximately 29,800 of our mobile phone subscribers filed a total of 15 lawsuits against us in connection with the N-STEP hackings, alleging that we failed to protect their personal information, and are seeking total damages of approximately 15 billion. From August 2014 to January 2015, various district courts have awarded damages of 100,000 per plaintiff for 11 of the cases involving a total of approximately 29,000 of the subscribers, resulting in damages of approximately 3 billion to us, while the remaining trials are currently ongoing at various district courts. We have appealed the district courts’ decisions and the appeals are currently ongoing at the Seoul High Court.

Furthermore, in March 2014, the police arrested three individuals in connection with their alleged theft of personal information relating to approximately 9.8 million of our subscribers. The individuals in question stole the personal information of our subscribers through a series of hackings into our main homepage starting from February 2014. Since the incident, approximately 13,450 subscribers filed 18 lawsuits against us in connection with the information theft, seeking total damages of approximately 7 billion. The trials are currently ongoing at various district courts. In June 2014, we were fined 85 million by the KCC and were ordered to take corrective measures in connection with the most recent hacking incident. We filed an administrative appeal in August 2014 in connection with the KCC fine, and the appeal is currently ongoing at the Seoul Administrative Court.

In December 2013, the MSIP declared that the contract over our sale of Koreasat 3 was null and void, on the grounds that the satellite was sold without obtaining proper government approval. We are currently involved in an arbitration proceeding against ABS pursuant to the Rules of the International Chamber of Commerce over the Koreasat 3 satellite ownership and contract violation claims.

We are a defendant in various other court proceedings involving claims for civil damages arising in the ordinary course of our business. As of December 31, 2014, we have established provisions relating to litigations of 20 billion, of which 4 billion related to the litigations involving the hacking incidents. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. While we are unable to predict the ultimate disposition of these claims, in the opinion of our management, the ultimate disposition of these claims will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Dividends

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 declared on the outstanding common stock to shareholders of record on June 30 of the years indicated:

 

Year

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

2010

     2,410                 2,410   

2011

     2,000                 2,000   

2012

     2,000                 2,000   

2013

     800                 800   

2014

                       

If sufficient profits are available, the Board of Directors may propose annual dividends on the outstanding common stock, which our shareholders must approve by a resolution at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders. This meeting is generally held in March of the following year and if

 

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our shareholders at such ordinary general meeting of shareholders approve the annual dividend, we must pay such dividend within one month following the date of such resolution. Typically, we pay such dividends shortly after the meeting. The declaration of annual dividends is subject to the vote of our shareholders, and consequently, there can be no assurance as to the amount of dividends per common stock or that any such dividends will be declared. Interim dividends paid in cash can be declared by a resolution of the board of directors. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association—Dividends” and “Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities—Description of American Depositary Shares—Dividends and Distributions.”

The Commercial Code provides that shares of a company of the same class must receive equal treatment. However, major shareholders may consent to receive dividend distributions at a lesser rate than minor shareholders. Previously, the Government consented to receiving a smaller dividend compared to other shareholders. The Government no longer holds any interest in us.

Any cash dividends relating to the shares held in the form of ADSs will be paid to the depositary bank in Won. The deposit agreement provides that, except in certain circumstances, cash dividends received by the depositary bank will be converted by the depositary bank into Dollars and distributed to the holders of the ADRs, less withholding tax, other governmental charges and the depositary bank’s fees and expenses. See “Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities—Description of the American Depositary Shares—Dividends and Distributions.”

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 audited consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.

Item 9. The Offer and Listing

Item 9.A. Offer and Listing Details

Market Price Information

Common Stock

Our shares were listed on the KRX KOSPI Market on December 23, 1998. The price of the shares on the KRX KOSPI Market as of the close of trading on April 29, 2015 was 30,900 per share. The table below shows the high and low closing prices and the average daily volume of trading activity on the KRX KOSPI Market for the shares since January 2009:

 

     Price      Average Daily
Trading Volume
 
     High      Low     
     (In Won)      (Number of shares)  

2009

     42,000         33,100         1,371,110   

2010

     50,600         39,150         1,343,486   

2011

     45,500         34,200         1,063,506   

2012

     39,750         27,700         1,067,315   

2013

     40,850         29,950         1,149,143   

First quarter

     38,750         34,600         1,037,037   

Second quarter

     40,850         34,000         1,112,465   

Third quarter

     37,300         33,900         1,018,216   

Fourth quarter

     36,900         29,850         1,427,046   

2014

     36,800         28,300         1,051,396   

First quarter

     31,900         28,300         981,580   

Second quarter

     32,800         28,700         1,240,382   

Third quarter

     36,800         29,650         1,121,896   

Fourth quarter

     35,250         30,700         866,696   

 

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     Price      Average Daily
Trading Volume
 
     High      Low     
     (In Won)      (Number of shares)  

2015 (through April 29)

     31,900         28,500         1,066,783   

First quarter

     31,900         28,500         1,032,769   

January

     31,900         29,800         1,002,611   

February

     30,600         28,500         1,251,760   

March

     30,700         29,000         892,335   

Second quarter (through April 29)

     30,900         28,800         1,167,822   

April (through April 29)

     30,900         28,800         1,167,822   

 

 

Source: KRX KOSPI Market.

ADSs

The outstanding ADSs, each of which represents one-half of one share of our common stock, have been traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange since May 25, 1999.

The price of the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange as of the close of trading on April 28, 2015 was $14.18 per ADS. The table below shows the high and low trading prices and the average daily volume of trading activity on the New York Stock Exchange for our ADSs since January 2009:

 

     Price      Average Daily
Trading Volume
 
     High      Low     
     (In US$)      (Number of ADSs)  

2009

     17.64         11.42         639,566   

2010

     22.62         17.12         784,905   

2011

     20.86         14.49         1,124,692   

2012

     18.23         11.65         1,004,064   

2013

     18.16         14.33         528,291   

First quarter

     18.07         15.65         766,282   

Second quarter

     18.16         14.92         518,995   

Third quarter

     17.25         15.00         368,603   

Fourth quarter

     17.24         14.33         474,159   

2014

     17.46         13.24         440,020   

First quarter

     14,75         13.24         515,373   

Second quarter

     16.07         13.45         410,942   

Third quarter

     17.46         14.31         380,780   

Fourth quarter

     16.31         14.05         456,065   

2015 (through April 29)

     14.17         12.87         361,119   

First quarter

     14.17         12.87         378,430   

January

     14.17         13.44         377,870   

February

     14.01         12.99         400,405   

March

     13.98         12.87         359,959   

Second quarter (through April 29)

     14.18         13.22         305,542   

April (through April 29)

     14.18         13.22         305,542   

 

 

Source: New York Stock Exchange.

Item 9.B. Plan of Distribution

Not applicable.

 

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Item 9.C. Markets

The KRX KOSPI Market

On January 27, 2005, the Korea Exchange was established pursuant to the Korea Securities and Futures Exchange Act through the consolidation of the Korea Stock Exchange, the Korea Futures Exchange, the KOSDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (the “KOSDAQ”) and the KOSDAQ Committee within the Korea Securities Dealers Association, which was in charge of the management of the KOSDAQ. There are four different markets operated by the Korea Exchange: the KRX KOSPI Market, the KRX KOSDAQ Market, the KRX KONEX Market and the KRX Derivatives Market. The Korea Exchange has three trading floors located in Seoul, one for the KRX KOSPI Market, one for the KRX KOSDAQ Market, one for the KRX KONEX Market, and one trading floor in Busan for the KRX Derivatives Market. The Korea Exchange is a limited liability company, the shares of which are held by (i) securities companies and futures companies that were formerly members of the Korea Stock Exchange or the Korea Futures Exchange, (ii) the Small & Medium Business Corporation, (iii) the Korea Securities Finance Corporation and (iv) the Korea Financial Investment Association. Currently, the Korea Exchange is the only stock exchange in Korea and is operated by membership, having as its members most of the Korean securities companies and some Korean branches of foreign securities companies.

The KRX KOSPI Market has the power in some circumstances to suspend trading in the shares of a given company or to de-list a security. The KRX KOSPI Market also restricts share price movements. All listed companies are required to file accounting reports annually and quarterly and to release immediately all information that may affect trading in a security.

The KRX KOSPI Market publishes the Korea Composite Stock Price Index every ten seconds, which is an index of all equity securities listed on the KRX KOSPI Market. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index is calculated using the aggregate value method, in which the market capitalizations of all listed companies are aggregated, subject to certain adjustments, and this aggregate is expressed as a percentage of the aggregate market capitalization of all listed companies as of the base date, January 4, 1980.

Movements in Korea Composite Stock Price Index are set out in the following table together with the associated dividend yields and price earnings ratios:

 

                                 Period Average  

Year

   Opening      High      Low      Closing      Dividend
Yield (1) (2)
(Percent)
     Price
Earnings
Ratio (2) (3)
 

1985

     139.53         163.37         131.40         163.37         5.3         5.2   

1986

     161.40         279.67         153.85         272.61         4.3         7.6   

1987

     264.82         525.11         264.82         525.11         2.6         10.9   

1988

     532.04         922.56         527.89         907.20         2.4         11.2   

1989

     919.61         1,007.77         844.75         909.72         2.0         13.9   

1990

     908.59         928.82         566.27         696.11         2.2         12.8   

1991

     679.75         763.10         586.51         610.92         2.6         11.2   

1992

     624.23         691.48         459.07         678.44         2.2         10.9   

1993

     697.41         874.10         605.93         866.18         1.6         12.7   

1994

     879.32         1,138.75         855.37         1,027.37         1.2         16.2   

1995

     1,027.45         1,016.77         847.09         882.94         1.2         16.4   

1996

     882.29         986.84         651.22         651.22         1.3         17.8   

1997

     647.67         792.29         350.68         376.31         1.5         17.0   

1998

     374.41         579.86         280.00         562.46         1.9         10.8   

1999

     565.10         1,028.07         498.42         1,028.07         1.1         13.5   

2000

     1,028.33         1,059.04         500.60         504.62         2.1         12.9   

2001

     503.31         704.50         468.76         693.70         1.7         16.4   

2002

     698.00         937.61         584.04         627.55         1.6         15.2   

 

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                                 Period Average  

Year

   Opening      High      Low      Closing      Dividend
Yield (1) (2)
(Percent)
     Price
Earnings
Ratio (2) (3)
 

2003

     633.03         822.16         515.24         810.71         2.0         11.8   

2004

     821.26         936.06         719.59         895.92         2.0         13.8   

2005

     896.00         1,379.37         870.84         1,379.37         1.8         10.6   

2006

     1,383.32         1,464.70         1,203.86         1,434.46         1.6         11.1   

2007

     1,438.89         2,064.85         1,355.79         1,897.13         1.4         15.8   

2008

     1,891.45         1,888.88         938.75         1,124.47         2.6         8.9   

2009

     1,132.87         1,718.88         1,018.81         1,682.77         1.6         22.9   

2010

     1,696.14         2,051.00         1,552.79         2,051.00         1.1         17.8   

2011

     2,078.08         2,228.96         1,652.71         1,825.74         1.5         10.5   

2012

     1,826.37         2,049.28         1,769.31         1,997.05         1.3         12.3   

2013

     2,031.10         2,059.58         1,780.63         2,011.34         1.2         13.5   

2014

     1,967.19         2,082.61         1,886.85         1,915.59         1.1         15.3   

2015 (through April 29)

     1,926.44         1,882.45         2,173.41         2,142.63         1.1         16.7   

 

 

Source: The KRX KOSPI Market

 

(1) Dividend yields are based on daily figures. Dividend yields after January 3, 1984 include cash dividends only.

 

(2) Starting in April 2000, dividend yield and price earnings ratio are calculated based on KOSPI 200, an index of 200 equity securities listed on the KRX KOSPI Market. Starting in April 2000, KOSPI 200 excludes classified companies, companies which did not submit annual reports to the KRX KOSPI Market, and companies which received qualified opinion from external auditors.

 

(3) The price earnings ratio is based on figures for companies that record a profit in the preceding year.

Shares are quoted “ex-dividend” on the first trading day of the relevant company’s accounting period; since the calendar year is the accounting period for the majority of listed companies, this may account for the drop in the Korea Composite Stock Price Index between its closing level at the end of one calendar year and its opening level at the beginning of the following calendar year.

With certain exceptions, principally to take account of a share being quoted “ex-dividend” and “ex-rights,” permitted upward and downward movements in share prices of any category of shares on any day are limited under the rules of the KRX KOSPI Market to 15% of the previous day’s closing price of the shares, rounded down as set out below:

 

Previous Days’ Closing Price

   Rounded
Down To
 

Less than 5,000

   5   

5,000 to less than 10,000

   10   

10,000 to less than 50,000

   50   

50,000 to less than 100,000

   100   

100,000 to less than 500,000

   500   

500,000 or more

   1,000   

As a consequence, if a particular closing price is the same as the price set by the fluctuation limit, the closing price may not reflect the price at which persons would have been prepared, or would be prepared to continue, if so permitted, to buy and sell shares. Orders are executed on an auction system with priority rules to deal with competing bids and offers.

Due to a deregulation of restrictions on brokerage commission rates, the brokerage commission rate on equity securities transactions may be determined by the parties, subject to commission schedules being filed with the KRX KOSPI Market by the securities companies. In addition, a securities transaction tax will generally be imposed on the transfer of shares or certain securities representing rights to subscribe for shares at the rate of 0.15% if such transfer is made through the KRX KOSPI Market. A special agricultural and fishery tax of 0.15% of the sales prices will also be imposed on transfer of these shares and securities on the KRX KOSPI Market. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Item 10.A. Taxation—Korean Taxation.”

 

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The number of companies listed on the KRX KOSPI Market, the corresponding total market capitalization at the end of the periods indicated and the average daily trading volume for those periods are set forth in the following table:

 

      Market Capitalization
on the Last Day of Each Period
     Average Daily Trading Volume, Value  

Year

   Number of
Listed
Companies
     (Billions
of Won)
     (Millions of
Dollars)  (1)
     Thousands
of Shares
     (Millions
of Won)
     (Thousands of
Dollars) (1)
 

1985

     342         6,570         7,381         18,925         12,315         13,834   

1986

     355         11,994         13,924         31,755         32,870         38,159   

1987

     389         26,172         33,033         20,353         70,185         88,583   

1988

     502         64,544         94,348         10,367         198,364         289,963   

1989

     626         95,477         140,490         11,757         280,967         414,430   

1990

     669         79,020         110,301         10,866         183,692         256,411   

1991

     686         73,118         96,107         14,022         214,263         281,629   

1992

     688         84,712         107,448         24,028         308,246         390,977   

1993

     693         112,665         139,420         35,130         574,048         710,367   

1994

     699         151,217         191,730         36,862         776,257         984,223   

1995

     721         141,151         182,201         26,130         487,762         629,613   

1996

     760         117,370         139,031         26,571         486,834         575,680   

1997

     776         70,989         50,162         41,525         555,759         392,707   

1998

     748         137,799         114,091         97,716         660,429         546,803   

1999

     725         349,504         305,137         278,551         3,481,620         3,039,655   

2000

     704         188,042         149,275         306,163         2,602,211         2,065,739   

2001

     689         253,843         191,421         473,241         1,997,420         1,506,237   

2002

     683         258,681         215,496         857,245         3,041,598         2,533,815   

2003

     684         355,363         296,679         542,010         2,216,636         1,850,589   

2004

     683         412,588         395,275         372,895         2,232,109         2,138,445   

2005

     702         655,075         646,668         467,629         3,157,662         3,117,139   

2006

     731         704,588         757,948         279,096         3,435,180         3,695,332   

2007

     746         951,887         1,014,589         363,732         5,539,588         5,904,485   

2008

     765         576,888         458,757         355,205         5,189,644         4,126,953   

2009

     770         887,316         759,949         483,902         5,783,552         4,953,367   

2010

     777         1,141,885         1,002,621         380,859         5,619,768         4,934,382   

2011

     791         1,041,999         903,493         353,760         6,863,146         5,950,877   

2012

     784         1,154,294         1,077,672         486,480         4,823,643         4,503,448   

2013

     777         1,185,974         1,123,826         328,325         3,993,422         3,784,158   

2014

     773         1,192,253         1,084,655         278,802         3,983,580         3,624,345   

2015 (through April 29)

     762         1,339,024         1,250,373         398,583         5,159,864         4,818,250   

 

 

Source: The KRX KOSPI Market

 

(1) Converted at the Concentration Base Rate of The Bank of Korea or the Market Average Exchange Rate as announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services Limited, as the case may be, at the end of the periods indicated.

The Korean securities markets are principally regulated by the Financial Services Commission of Korea and the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act. The Securities and Exchange Act which regulated the securities markets in the past was replaced with the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act on February 4, 2009. The new law, as did the Securities and Exchange Act, imposes restrictions on insider trading and price manipulation, requires specified information to be made available by listed companies to investors and establishes rules regarding margin trading, proxy solicitation, takeover bids, acquisition of treasury shares and reporting requirements for shareholders holding substantial interests.

Further Opening of the Korean Securities Market

A stock index futures market was opened on May 3, 1996 and a stock index option market was opened on July 7, 1997, in each case at the KRX KOSPI Market. Remittance and repatriation of funds in connection with investment in stock index futures and options are subject to regulations similar to those that govern remittance and repatriation in the context of foreign investment in Korean stocks.

 

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Foreign investors are permitted to invest in warrants representing the right to subscribe for shares of a company listed on the KRX KOSPI Market or registered on the KRX KOSDAQ Market, subject to certain investment limitations. A foreign investor may not acquire such warrants with respect to shares of a class of a company for which the ceiling on aggregate investment by foreigners has been reached or exceeded.

Foreign investors are permitted to invest in all types of corporate bonds, bonds issued by national or local governments and bonds issued in accordance with certain special laws without being subject to any aggregate or individual investment ceiling. The Financial Services Commission sets forth procedural requirements for such investments. Foreigners are permitted to invest in certificates of deposit and repurchase agreements.

Currently, foreigners are permitted to invest in securities including shares of all Korean companies which are not listed on the KRX KOSPI Market nor registered on the KRX KOSDAQ Market and in bonds which are not listed.

Protection of Customer’s Interest in Case of Insolvency of Securities Companies

Under Korean law, the relationship between a customer and a securities company in connection with a securities sell or buy order is deemed to be consignment and the securities acquired by a consignment agent (i.e., the securities company) through such sell or buy order are regarded as belonging to the customer in so far as the customer and the consignment agent’s creditors are concerned. Therefore, in the event of a bankruptcy or reorganization procedure involving a securities company, the customer of the securities company is entitled to the proceeds of the securities sold by the securities company.

When a customer places a sell order with a securities company which is not a member of the KRX KOSPI Market and this securities company places a sell order with another securities company which is a member of the KRX KOSPI Market, the customer is still entitled to the proceeds of the securities sold received by the non-member company from the member company regardless of the bankruptcy or reorganization of the non-member company.

Under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, the KRX KOSPI Market is obliged to indemnify any loss or damage incurred by a counterparty as a result of a breach by its members. If a securities company which is a member of the KRX KOSPI Market breaches its obligation in connection with a buy order, the KRX KOSPI Market is obliged to pay the purchase price on behalf of the breaching member. Therefore, the customer can acquire the securities that have been ordered to be purchased by the breaching member.

When a customer places a buy order with a non-member company and the non-member company places a buy order with a member company, the customer has the legal right to the securities received by the non-member company from the member company because the purchased securities are regarded as belonging to the customer in so far as the customer and the non-member company’s creditors are concerned.

As the cash deposited with a securities company is regarded as belonging to the securities company, which is liable to return the same at the request of its customer, the customer cannot take back deposited cash from the securities company if a bankruptcy or reorganization procedure is instituted against the securities company and, therefore, can suffer from loss or damage as a result. However, the Depositor Protection Act provides that Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation will, upon the request of the investors, pay investors up to 50 million in case of the securities company’s bankruptcy, liquidation, cancellation of securities business license or other insolvency events. Pursuant to the Financial

 

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Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, securities companies are required to deposit the cash received from its customers to the extent the amount not covered by the insurance with the Korea Securities Finance Corporation, a special entity established pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act.

Set-off or attachment of cash deposits by securities companies is prohibited. The premiums related to this insurance are paid by securities companies.

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 1,000,000,000 shares, which consists of shares of common stock, par value 5,000 per share (“Common Shares”) and shares of non-voting preferred stock, par value 5,000 per share (“Non-Voting Shares”). Common Shares and Non-Voting Shares together are referred to as “Shares.” Under our articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue Non-Voting Shares up to one-fourth of our total issued capital stock. As of December 31, 2014, 261,111,808 Common Shares were issued, of which 16,249,100 shares were held by the treasury stock fund or us as treasury shares. We have never issued any Non-Voting Shares. All of the issued 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

This section provides information relating to our capital stock, including brief summaries of material provisions of our articles of incorporation, the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, the Commercial Code and related laws of Korea, 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 Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act and the Commercial Code. We have filed a copy of our articles of incorporation as an exhibit to registration statements under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act previously filed by us.

Dividends

We distribute dividends to our shareholders in proportion to the number of shares owned by each shareholder. No dividends are distributed with respect to shares held by us or our treasury stock fund. The Common Shares represented by the ADSs have the same dividend rights as other outstanding Common Shares.

Holders of Non-Voting Shares are entitled to receive dividends in priority to the holders of Common Shares in an amount of not less than 9% of the par value of the Non-Voting Shares as determined by the board of directors at the time of their issuance, provided that if the dividends on the Common Shares exceed those on the Non-Voting Shares, the Non-Voting Shares will also participate

 

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in the distribution of such excess dividend amount in the same proportion as the Common Shares. If the amount available for dividends is less than the aggregate amount of such minimum dividend, the holders of Non-Voting Shares will be entitled to receive such accumulated unpaid dividend in priority to the holders of Common Shares from the dividends payable in respect of the next fiscal year.

We 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. We may distribute the annual dividend in cash or in Shares. However, a dividend of Shares must be distributed at par value. If the market price of the Shares is less than their par value, dividends in Shares may not exceed one-half of the annual dividend. We may pay interim dividends in cash once a year to shareholders or registered pledgees who are registered in the registry of shareholders as of June 30 of each fiscal year by a resolution of the board of directors. We have no obligation to pay any annual dividend unclaimed for five years from the payment date.

Under the Commercial Code, we may pay our dividend only out of the excess of our net assets, on a non-consolidated basis, over the sum of (1) our stated capital and (2) the total amount of our capital surplus reserve and earned surplus reserve (the “Legal Reserve”) accumulated up to the end of the relevant dividend period. In addition, we may not pay any dividend unless we have set aside as earned surplus reserve an amount equal to at least 10% of the cash portion of the dividend or unless we have accumulated an earned surplus reserve of not less than one-half of our stated capital. We may not use the Legal Reserve to pay cash dividends but may transfer amounts from the Legal Reserve to capital stock or use the 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 the 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, on terms our board of directors may determine. Subject to the limitation described in “Limitation on Shareholdings” below, 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 notice to all persons who are entitled to exercise 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.

Under the Commercial Code, it is required that the new Shares, convertible bonds or bonds with warrants be issued to persons other than the existing shareholders solely for the purpose of achieving managerial objectives. 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:

 

   

publicly offered pursuant to Articles 4 and 119 of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act;

 

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issued to members of our employee stock ownership association;

 

   

represented by depositary receipts;

 

   

issued upon exercise of stock options granted to our officers and employees;

 

   

issued through an offering to public investors pursuant to Article 165-6 of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, the amount of which is no more than 10% of the issued Shares;

 

   

issued in order to satisfy specific needs such as strategic alliance, inducement of foreign funds or new technology, improvement of financial structure or other capital raising requirement; 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 2,000 billion, to persons other than existing shareholders in the situations described above.

Members of our employee stock ownership association, whether or not they are our shareholders, generally have a preemptive right to subscribe for up to 20.0% of the Shares publicly offered pursuant to the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act. 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 then exceed 20.0% of the total number of Shares then issued (including in such total both: (i) all issued and outstanding Shares at the time the preemptive rights are exercised; and (ii) all Shares to be newly issued in the applicable share issuance transaction in connection with which such preemptive rights are exercised). As of December 31, 2014, 0.64% of the issued Shares were held by members of our employee stock ownership association.

Limitation on Shareholdings

The Telecommunications Business Act permits maximum aggregate foreign shareholding in us to be 49.0% of our total issued and outstanding Shares with voting rights (including equivalent securities with voting rights, e.g., depositary certificates and certain other equity interests). For the purposes of the foregoing, a shareholder is a “foreign shareholder” if such shareholder is: (1) a foreign person; (2) a foreign government; or (3) a company whose largest shareholder is a foreign person (including any “specially related persons” as determined under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act) or a foreign government, in circumstances where (i) such foreign person or foreign government holds, in aggregate, 15.0% or more of such company’s total voting shares, and (ii) such company holds at least 1.0% of our total issued and outstanding Shares with voting rights. For the avoidance of doubt, both of conditions (i) and (ii) in the foregoing item (3) must exist for such a company to be counted as a “foreign shareholder” for the purposes of calculating whether the 49.0% foreign shareholding threshold is reached under the Telecommunications Business Act. In addition, the Telecommunications Business Act prohibits a foreign shareholder from being our largest shareholder if such shareholder owns 5.0% or more of our Shares with voting rights. For the purposes of this restriction, any two or more foreign persons or foreign governments who enter into an agreement to act in concert in the exercise of their voting rights will be counted together and prohibited from becoming our largest shareholder in the event that they collectively hold 5.0% or more of our Shares. For the purposes of this restriction under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act, a “foreign shareholder” is defined in the same manner as described above with respect to the foreign shareholding restriction under the Telecommunications Business Act, provided, however, that no exception is made under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act regulations for companies that own less than 1.0% of our Shares

 

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(see item (3)(ii) above in this paragraph). A foreigner who has acquired the Shares in excess of such ceiling described above may not exercise its voting rights for shares in excess of such limitation, and the MSIP may require corrective measures to comply with the ownership restrictions.

General Meeting of Shareholders

We hold the annual general meeting of shareholders within three months after the end of each fiscal year. Subject to a board resolution or court approval, we may hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders:

 

   

as necessary;

 

   

at the request of shareholders of an aggregate of 3.0% or more of our issued Common Shares;

 

   

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

 

   

at the request of our audit committee.

We must give shareholders written notice setting out the date, place and agenda of the meeting at least two weeks before the date of the general meeting of shareholders. However, for holders of less than 1.0% of the total number of issued and outstanding Common Shares, we may give notice by placing at least two public notices in at least two daily newspapers at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. Currently, we use Seoul Shinmun, Maeil Business Newspaper and The Korea Economic Daily published in Seoul 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 Shares are not entitled to receive notice of general meetings of shareholders, but may attend such meetings.

Our general meetings of shareholders are held at our head office, in Seognam, or if necessary, may be held anywhere near our head office or in 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 more than 10.0% owned by us either directly or indirectly, may not be exercised. The Commercial Code permits cumulative voting, under which voting method each shareholder has 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 articles of incorporation permit cumulative voting at our shareholders’ meeting. Under the Commercial Code of Korea, any shareholder holding shares equivalent to not less than 1/100 of the total number of shares issued may apply to us for selecting and appointing such directors by cumulative voting.

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 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 outstanding:

 

   

amending our articles of incorporation;

 

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removing a director;

 

   

reduction of our capital stock;

 

   

effecting any dissolution, merger or consolidation of us;

 

   

transferring the whole or any significant part of our business;

 

   

effecting our acquisition of all of the business of any other company or our acquisition of a part of the business of any other company which will significantly affect our business; or

 

   

issuing any new Shares at a price lower than their par value.

In general, holders of Non-Voting 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, any merger or consolidation of us, or in some other cases that affect the rights or interests of the Non-Voting Shares, approval of the holders of Non-Voting Shares is required. We may obtain such approval by a resolution of holders of at least two-thirds of the Non-Voting Shares present or represented at a class meeting of the holders of Non-Voting Shares, where the affirmative votes also represent at least one-third of our total outstanding Non-Voting Shares.

Shareholders may exercise their voting rights by proxy. The proxy must present a document evidencing an appropriate power of attorney prior to the start of the general meeting of shareholders. Additionally, shareholders may exercise their voting rights in absentia by submission of signed write-in voting forms. To make it possible for our shareholders to proceed with voting on a write-in basis, we are required to attach the appropriate write-in voting form and related informational material to the notices distributed to shareholders for convening the relevant general meeting of shareholders. Any of our shareholders who desires to vote on such write-in basis must submit their completed and signed write-in voting forms to us no later than one day prior to the date that the relevant general meeting of shareholders is convened.

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. See “Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities—Description of American Depositary Shares—Voting Rights.”

Appraisal 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. To exercise this right, shareholders 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 KRX KOSPI Market 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 KRX KOSPI Market for the one month period before the date of the adoption of the relevant board resolution and (3) the weighted average of the daily Share price on the KRX KOSPI Market for the one week period before the date of the adoption of the

 

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relevant board resolution. However, if we or any of the dissenting shareholders do not accept the purchase price calculated using the above method, the rejecting party may request the court to determine the purchase price. Holders of ADSs will not be able to exercise appraisal rights unless they have withdrawn the underlying common stock and become our direct shareholders.

Register of Shareholders and Record Dates

Our transfer agent, Kookmin Bank, maintains the register of our shareholders at its office in Seoul, Korea. It registers transfers of Shares on the register of shareholders on presentation of the Share certificates.

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 the day after the record date to January 31 of the following 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 and the delivery of share certificates may continue while the register of shareholders is closed.

Annual Reports

At least one week before the annual general meeting of shareholders, we must make our annual report and audited consolidated financial statements available for inspection at our principal office and at all of our branch offices. In addition, copies of annual reports, the audited consolidated financial statements and any resolutions adopted at the general meeting of shareholders will be available to our shareholders.

Under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, we must file with the Financial Services Commission and the KRX KOSPI Market (1) an annual report within 90 days after the end of our fiscal year and (2) interim reports with respect to the three month period, six month period and nine month period from the beginning of each fiscal year within 45 calendar days following the end of each period. Copies of these reports are or will be available for public inspection at the Financial Services Commission and the KRX KOSPI Market.

Transfer of Shares

Under the Commercial Code, the transfer of Shares is effected by delivery of share certificates. 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, Korean securities companies and banks, including licensed branches of non-Korean securities companies and banks, investment management companies, futures trading companies, internationally recognized foreign custodians and the Korea Securities Depository 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 24, Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Korea.

 

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Acquisition of Shares by Us

Under the Commercial Code, we may acquire our own Shares by (i) purchasing on the KRX KOSPI Market, or (ii) purchasing from shareholders on a pro rata basis in accordance with the number of shares held by each shareholder. The aggregate purchase price for the Shares may not exceed the total amount available for distribution of dividends at the end of the preceding fiscal year. Moreover, we must acquire our own Shares from dissenting shareholders who exercise their appraisal rights.

Under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, we may acquire Shares only by (i) purchasing on the KRX KOSPI Market, (ii) purchasing from shareholders on a pro rata basis in accordance with the number of shares held by each shareholder, or (iii) receiving Shares returned to us upon the cancellation or termination of a trust agreement with a trustee who acquired the Shares by either of the methods indicated above. The aggregate purchase price for the Shares may not exceed the total amount available for distribution of dividends at the end of the preceding fiscal year.

In general, corporate entities in which we own a 50.0% or more equity interest may not acquire our Shares.

As of December 31, 2014, there were 16,249,100 treasury shares including shares held by our treasury stock fund.

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 Shares have no preference in liquidation.

Item 10.C.  Material Contracts

We have not entered into any material contracts since January 1, 2010, other than in the ordinary course of our business. For information regarding our agreements and transactions with certain related parties, see “Item 7.B. Related Party Transactions” and Note 36 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. For a description of certain agreements entered into during the past two years related to our capital commitments and obligations, see “Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Item 10.D.  Exchange Controls

General

The Foreign Exchange Transaction Act and the Presidential Decree and regulations under that Act and Decree (collectively the “Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws”) 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 only in compliance with the provisions of, and to the extent specifically allowed by, these laws or otherwise permitted by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance. The Financial Services Commission has also adopted, pursuant to its authority under the Korean Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, regulations that control investment by foreigners in Korean securities and regulate the issuance of securities outside Korea by Korean companies.

Under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws, if the Government deems that certain emergency circumstances, including, but not limited to, the outbreak of natural calamities, wars or grave and sudden changes in domestic or foreign economies, are likely to occur, the Ministry of

 

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Strategy and Finance may temporarily suspend the transactions where Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws are applicable, or impose an obligation to deposit or sell capital to certain Korean governmental agencies or financial institutions. In addition, if the Government deems that it is confronted or is likely to be confronted with serious difficulty in movement of capital between Korea and abroad which will bring serious obstacles in carrying out its currency policies, exchange rate policies and other macroeconomic policies, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance may take measures to require any person who performs transactions to deposit such capital to certain Korean governmental agencies or financial institutions.

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 the Ministry of Strategy and Finance if our securities and borrowings denominated in foreign currencies issued during the one-year period preceding such filing date exceed US$30 million in aggregate. 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 or with the consent of 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. Therefore, a holder of ADRs who surrenders ADRs and withdraws shares may not be permitted subsequently to deposit those shares and obtain ADRs.

Reporting Requirements for Holders of Substantial Interests

Any person whose direct or beneficial ownership of shares, 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, the “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 5.0% or more of the total issued Equity Securities is required to report the status of the holdings to the Financial Services Commission and the KRX KOSPI Market within five business days after reaching the 5.0% ownership interest. In addition, any change in the ownership interest subsequent to the report which equals or exceeds 1.0% of the total issued Equity Securities is required to be reported to the Financial Services Commission and the KRX KOSPI Market within five business days from the date of the change. The required information to be included in the 5.0% report may be different if the acquisition of such shareholding interest is for the purpose of exercising influence over the management, as opposed to an acquisition for investment purposes. Any person reporting the holding of 5.0% or more of the total issued Equity Securities and any person reporting the change in the ownership interest which equals or exceeds 1.0% of the total issued Equity Securities pursuant to the requirements described above must also deliver a copy of such reports to us.

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 unreported ownership of Equity Securities exceeding 5.0%. Furthermore, the Financial Services Commission may issue an order to dispose of non-reported Equity Securities.

Restrictions Applicable to ADSs

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inside Korea of shares in connection with the withdrawal, provided that a foreigner who intends to acquire the shares must obtain an investment registration certificate from the Financial Supervisory Service as described below. In general, the acquisition of the shares by a foreigner must be reported by the foreigner or his standing proxy in Korea immediately to the Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service; provided, however, that in cases where a foreigner acquires shares through the exercise of rights as a holder of ADSs (or other depositary certificates), the foreigner must cause such report to the Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service to be filed by the Korea Securities Depository.

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.

Restrictions Applicable to Shares

As a result of amendments to the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws and Financial Services Commission regulations adopted in connection with the stock market opening from January 1992, which we refer to collectively as 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:

 

   

odd-lot trading of shares;

 

   

acquisition of shares (“Converted Shares”) by exercise of warrant, conversion right under convertible 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 a class of shares for which the ceiling on aggregate acquisition by foreigners, as explained below, has been reached or exceeded;

 

   

shares acquired by foreign direct investment as defined in the Foreign Investment Promotion Act;

 

   

disposal of shares pursuant to the exercise of appraisal rights of dissenting shareholders;

 

   

disposal of shares in connection with a tender offer;

 

   

acquisition of 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;

 

   

acquisition and disposal of shares through alternative trading systems (ATS);

 

   

arm’s length transactions between foreigners, if all of such foreigners belong to an investment group managed by the same person.

 

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For over-the-counter transactions of shares between foreigners outside the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market for shares with respect to 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 a licensed investment trader in Korea as the other party. Foreign investors are prohibited from engaging in margin transactions through borrowing shares from a securities company with respect to shares which are subject to a foreign ownership limit.

The Investment Rules require a foreign investor who wishes to invest in shares on the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market (including Converted Shares) to register its identity with the Financial Supervisory Service prior to making any such investment; however, the registration requirement does not apply to foreign investors who acquire Converted Shares with the 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 a foreign direct investment as defined in the Foreign Investment Promotion Act. Upon registration, the Financial Supervisory Service will issue to the foreign investor an investment registration certificate that must be presented each time the foreign investor opens a brokerage account with a financial investment business entity. Foreigners eligible to obtain an investment registration certificate include foreign nationals who are individuals residing abroad for more than six months, foreign governments, foreign municipal authorities, foreign public institutions, corporations incorporated under foreign laws, international organizations, funds and associations as defined under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act. All Korean offices of a foreign corporation as a group are treated as a separate entity from the offices of the corporation outside Korea. However, a foreign corporation or depositary bank issuing depositary receipts may obtain one or more investment registration certificates in its name in certain circumstances as described in the relevant regulations.

Upon a foreign investor’s purchase of shares through the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market, no separate report by the investor is required because the investment registration certificate 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 KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market (as discussed above) must be reported by the foreign investor or his standing proxy to the Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service at the time of each such acquisition or sale; provided, however, that in cases where a foreigner acquires shares through the exercise of rights as a holder of ADSs (or other depositary certificates), the foreigner must cause such report to the Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service to be filed by the Korea Securities Depository; and further provided that a foreign investor must ensure that any acquisition or sale by it of shares outside the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market in the case of trades in connection with a tender offer, odd-lot trading of shares or trades of a class of shares for which the aggregate foreign ownership limit has been reached or exceeded, is reported to the Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service by the investment trader, the investment broker, the Korea Securities Depository or the financial securities company engaged to facilitate such transaction. A foreign investor may appoint one or more standing proxies from among the Korea Securities Depository, foreign exchange banks, including domestic branches of foreign banks, investment traders, investment brokers, the Korea Securities Depository, financial securities companies and internationally recognized custodians that satisfies all relevant requirements under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act.

Certificates evidencing shares of Korean companies must be kept in custody with an eligible custodian in Korea. Only the Korea Securities Depository, foreign exchange banks including domestic branches of foreign banks, investment traders, investment brokers, collective investment business entities and internationally recognized custodians satisfying the relevant requirements under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act are eligible to act as a custodian of shares for a

 

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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 of the Financial Supervisory Service 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 corporations are subject to a 40.0% ceiling on the acquisition of shares by foreigners in the aggregate and a ceiling on the acquisition of shares by a single foreign investor pursuant to the articles of incorporation of such corporation. Currently, Korea Electric Power Corporation is the only designated public corporation which has set such a ceiling. Furthermore, an investment by a foreign investor of not less than 10.0% of the issued shares with voting rights of a Korean company is defined as a direct foreign investment under the Foreign Investment Promotion Act, which is, in general, subject to the 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 event that the restrictions are prescribed in each specific law which regulates the business of the Korean company. A foreigner who has acquired shares of our common stock in excess of this ceiling may not exercise his voting rights with respect to the shares of our common stock exceeding the limit.

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 at an investment broker or an investment trader. 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 investment broker or investment trader 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.

Investment brokers and investment traders are allowed to open foreign currency accounts with foreign exchange banks exclusively for accommodating foreign investors’ stock investments in Korea. Through these accounts, these investment brokers and investment traders may enter into foreign exchange transactions on a limited basis, such as conversion of foreign currency funds and Won funds, either as a 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 the Republic of 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 national, state or local tax laws.

 

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Korean Taxation

The following summary of Korean tax considerations applies to you as long as you are not:

 

   

a resident of Korea;

 

   

a corporation organized under Korean law; or

 

   

engaged in a trade or business in Korea through a permanent establishment or a fixed base.

Shares or ADSs

Dividends on Shares of Common Stock or ADSs

Unless an applicable tax treaty provides otherwise, we will deduct Korean withholding tax from dividends paid to you either in cash or shares at a rate of 22.0% (including local income tax). If you are a resident of a country that has entered into a tax treaty with Korea, you may qualify for a reduced rate of Korean withholding tax under such a treaty. For example, if you are a qualified resident of the United States for purposes of the US-Korea Tax Treaty (the “Treaty”) and you are the beneficial owner of a dividend, a reduced withholding tax rate of 16.5% (including local income tax) generally will apply. You will not be entitled to claim treaty benefits if you are not the beneficial owner of a dividend.

In order to obtain the benefits of a reduced withholding tax rate under a tax treaty, you must submit to us, prior to the dividend payment date, an application for entitlement to a reduced tax rate. If you hold ADSs and receive the dividends through a depositary, you are not required to submit the application for entitlement to a reduced tax rate. If you are an overseas investment vehicle (an “OIV”), which is defined as an organization established in a non-Korean jurisdiction that manages funds collected through investment solicitation by way of acquiring, disposing, or otherwise investing in any such assets and distributes the yield therefrom to investors), you must submit to us a report of the OIV and a schedule of beneficial owners together with their applications for entitlement to a reduced tax rate, which you should collect from each beneficial owner. Excess taxes withheld may be recoverable if you subsequently produce satisfactory evidence that you were entitled to have tax withheld at a lower rate.

If we distribute to you free shares representing a transfer of certain capital reserves or asset revaluation reserves into paid-in capital, that distribution may be a deemed dividend subject to Korean tax.

Capital Gains

Capital gains from a sale of shares of common stock will generally be exempt from Korean taxation if you have owned, together with certain related parties, less than 25.0% of our total issued shares during the year of sale and the five calendar years before the year of sale, and the sale is made through the KRX KOSPI Market, and you have no permanent establishment in Korea. Capital gains earned by a non-Korean holder from a sale of ADSs outside of Korea are exempt from Korean taxation by virtue of the Special Tax Treatment Control Law of Korea (the “STTCL”), provided that the issuance of the ADSs is deemed to be an overseas issuance under the STTCL.

If you are subject to Korean taxation on capital gains from a sale of ADSs, or shares of common stock that you acquired as a result of a withdrawal, your gain will be calculated based on your cost of acquiring the ADSs representing the shares of common stock, although there are no specific

 

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Korean tax provisions or rulings on this issue. In the absence of the application of a tax treaty that exempts tax on capital gains, the amount of Korean tax imposed on such capital gains will be the lesser of 11.0% (including local income tax) of the gross realization proceeds or, subject to the production of satisfactory evidence of the acquisition cost and the transaction costs of the ADSs, 22.0% (including local income tax) of the net capital gain.

If you are subject to Korean taxation on capital gains from a sale of ADSs, or shares of common stock that you acquire as a result of a withdrawal, and you sell your shares of common stock or ADSs, the purchaser or, in the case of a sale of shares of common stock on the KRX KOSPI Market or through a licensed securities company in Korea, the licensed securities company, is required to withhold Korean tax from the sales price in an amount equal to 11% (including local income tax) of the gross realization proceeds and to make payment thereof to the Korean tax authorities, unless you establish your entitlement to an exemption from taxation under an applicable tax treaty or produce satisfactory evidence of your acquisition cost and the transaction costs for the shares of common stock or ADSs. In order to obtain the benefit of an exemption from tax pursuant to a tax treaty, you must submit to the purchaser or the securities company (or through the depositary), as the case may be, prior to the first payment, an exemption application, together with a certificate of your tax residence issued by a competent authority of your residence country. If you are an OIV, you must submit to us a report of the OIV and a schedule of beneficial owners together with their applications for exception, which you should collect from each beneficial owner. This requirement will not apply to exemptions under Korean tax law. Excess taxes withheld may be recoverable if you subsequently produce satisfactory evidence that you were entitled to have taxes withheld at a lower rate.

Most tax treaties that Korea has entered into provide exemptions for capital gains tax for capital gains from sale of shares of common stock. However, Korea’s tax treaties with Japan, Austria, Spain and a few other countries do not provide an exemption from such capital gains tax. For example, Article 13 of Korea’s tax treaty with Japan provides that if a taxpayer holding 25% or more (including those shares held by any related party of the taxpayer) of total issued shares of a company in a taxable year sells 5% or more (including those sold by any related party of the taxpayer) of total issued shares of the same company in the same taxable year, the country where the company is a resident may impose tax on such taxpayer.

Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax

Korean inheritance tax is imposed upon (a) all assets (wherever located) of the deceased if at the time of his death he was domiciled in Korea or had resided in Korea for a continuous period of one year or more immediately prior to his death and (b) 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. Taxes are currently imposed at the rate of 10% to 50% if the value of the relevant property is above a certain limit and vary according to the identity of the parties involved.

Under Korean Inheritance and Gift Tax Law, shares issued by a Korean corporation are deemed located in Korea irrespective of where they are physically located or by whom they are owned. It remains unclear whether, for Korean inheritance and gift tax purposes, a non-resident holder of ADSs will be treated as the owner of the shares underlying the ADSs. If such non-resident is treated as the owner of the shares, the heir or donee of such non-resident (or in certain circumstances, the non-resident as the donor) will be subject to Korean inheritance or gift tax at the same rate as described above.

Securities Transaction Tax

If you transfer shares of common stock on the KRX KOSPI Market, you will be subject to the securities transaction tax at a rate of 0.15% and an agriculture and fishery special tax at a rate of 0.15%,

 

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calculated based on the sales price of the shares. If you transfer shares of common stock and your transfer is not made on the KRX KOSPI Market you will generally be subject to the securities transaction tax at a rate of 0.5% and will generally not be subject to the agriculture and fishery special tax.

With respect to transfers of ADSs, a tax ruling issued in 2004 by the Korean tax authority appears to hold that depositary receipts (such as the ADSs) constitute share certificates subject to the securities transaction tax. In May 2007, the Seoul Administrative Court held that depositary receipts do not constitute share certificates subject to the securities transaction tax. In 2008, the Seoul Administrative Court’s holding was upheld by the Seoul High Court and was further upheld by the Supreme Court. Subsequent to this series of rulings, however, the Securities Transaction Tax Law was amended to expressly provide that depositary receipts constituted a form of share certificates subject to the securities transaction tax. However, the sale price of ADSs from a transfer of depositary receipts listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq National Market or other qualified foreign exchanges are exempt from the securities transaction tax.

United States Federal Income Taxation

This summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to you, if you are 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;

 

   

an 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 U.S. dollar; or

 

   

a person that owns or is deemed to own 10% or more of any class of our stock.

Further, this summary does not address the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare tax on net investment income or other aspects of U.S. federal income or state and local taxation that may be relevant to a holder in light of such holder’s particular circumstances.

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 national tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of shares of common stock or ADSs in your particular circumstances.

 

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For purposes of this summary, you are a “U.S. holder” if you are a beneficial owner of shares of common stock or ADSs and are:

 

   

a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

an entity treated as 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 ADSs.

If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of common stock or ADSs, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will depend upon the status of the partnership and the activities of the partner. A partner of a partnership holding shares of common stock or ADSs should consult its own tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to the partner of the acquisition, ownership and disposition by the partnership of shares of common stock or ADSs.

Shares of Common Stock and ADSs

In general, if you hold ADSs, you will be treated as the holder 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 U.S. 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 U.S. dollars. If such a dividend is converted into U.S. 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 U.S. dollars on a date subsequent to receipt.

Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, the U.S. dollar amount of dividends received by an individual with respect to the ADSs and common stock will be subject to taxation at the reduced rates applicable to 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 was 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 (the “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 do not anticipate being classified as a PFIC. You should consult your own tax advisers regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate in 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.

 

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Sales and Other Dispositions

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, gain or loss that you realize on the sale or other disposition of shares of common stock or ADSs will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares of common stock or ADSs were held for more than one year.

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 certain kinds of hedging transactions) for at least a 16-day period that includes the ex-dividend date. Instead of claiming a credit, you may generally elect to 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. Foreign tax credits will not be allowed for withholding taxes imposed in respect of certain 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. tax unless you can use the credit against United States 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 involve 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.

U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Rules

Payments in respect of the 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 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.

Item 10.F.  Dividends and Paying Agents

See “Item 8. Financial Information—Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividends” for information concerning our dividend policies and our payment of dividends. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association—Dividends” for a discussion of the process by which dividends are paid on our common shares. See “Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities—Description of American Depositary Shares—Dividends and Distributions” for a discussion of the process by which dividends are paid on our ADSs. The paying agent for payment of our dividends on ADSs in the United States is Citibank, N.A.

 

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Item 10.G.  Statements by Experts

Not applicable.

Item 10.H.  Documents on Display

We are subject to the information requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, in accordance therewith, are required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These materials, including this annual report and the exhibits thereto, may be inspected and copied at the Commission’s public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. We are required to make filings with the Commission by electronic means, which will be available to the public over the Internet at the Commission’s web site 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 risks primarily associated with underlying liabilities, and to equity price risk as a result of our investment in equity securities. Our long-term financial policies are annually reported to our Board of Directors, and our Finance Office conducts financial risk management and assessment. Upon identification and evaluation of our risk exposures, we, having considered various circumstances, enter into derivative financial instruments to try to manage some of such risks. These contracts are entered into with major financial institutions, thereby minimizing the risk of credit loss. The activities of our finance division are subject to policies approved by our foreign exchange and interest rate risk management committee. These policies address the use of derivative financial instruments, including the approval of counterparties, setting of limits and investment of excess liquidity. Our general policy is to hold or issue derivative financial instruments largely for hedging purposes.

For our trading financial instruments, we recognized a valuation gain of 0 billion and a valuation loss of 0 billion in 2012, a valuation gain of 4 billion and a valuation loss of 10 billion in 2013 and a valuation gain of 1 billion and a valuation loss of 1 billion in 2014. For our hedging derivative contracts, we recognized a valuation gain of 0 billion, a valuation loss of 241 billion and accumulated other comprehensive loss of 171 billion in 2012, a valuation gain of 0 billion, a valuation loss of 97 billion and accumulated other comprehensive loss of 95 billion in 2013 and a valuation gain of 93 billion, a valuation loss of 25 billion and accumulated other comprehensive income of 22 billion in 2014. For further details regarding the assets, liabilities, gains and losses recorded relating to our derivative contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Exchange Rate Risk

Substantially all of our cash flow is denominated in Won. We are exposed to foreign exchange risk related to foreign currency denominated liabilities and anticipated foreign exchange payments. Anticipated foreign exchange payments, mostly in Dollars, relate primarily to payments of foreign currency denominated debt, net settlements paid to foreign telecommunication carriers and payments for equipment purchased from foreign suppliers. We have entered into several currency swap contracts, combined interest currency swap contracts and currency forward contracts to hedge our foreign currency risks.

 

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The following table shows our assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2012      2013      2014  

(in thousands of foreign currencies)

   Financial
assets
     Financial
liabilities
     Financial
assets
     Financial
liabilities
     Financial
assets
     Financial
liabilities
 

U.S. Dollar

     217,488         2,377,137         254,917         2,225,700         197,221         2,532,614   

Special Drawing Right

     494         1,130         1,105         1,211         573         1,027   

Japanese Yen

     657,947         35,102,877         190,520         30,054,316         34,168         30,051,367   

British Pound

     1         9                 134                 257   

Euro

     5,395         2,614         1,342         4,943         134         177   

Algerian Dinar

     3,770                 2,798                 929           

Chinese Yuan

     10,236         197                         3,957           

Uzbekistani Som

     7,920,825         38,727,985         1,805,565                 7,978,633           

Rwandan Franc

                     11,962                 13,593           

Indonesian Rupiah

     347,447                                           

Hong Kong Dollar

                                     158           

Bangladeshi Taka

                                     299           

Colombian Peso

                                     23,583           

Polish Zloty

                                     28,195           

Vietnamese Dong

                                     273,313         93,756   

Swiss Franc

                                             78   

As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, a 10% increase in the exchange rate between the Won and all foreign currencies, with all other variables held constant, would have decreased our income before income tax by 65 billion, 46 billion and 45 billion, respectively, and total equity by 52 billion, 48 billion and 38 billion, respectively, with a 10% decrease in the exchange rate having the opposite effect. The foregoing sensitivity analysis assumes that all variables other than foreign exchange rates are held constant, and as such, does not reflect any correlation between foreign exchange rates and other variables, nor our decision to decrease the risk. See Note 35 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest Rate Risk

We are also subject to market risk exposure arising from changing interest rates. A reduction of interest rates increases the fair value of our debt portfolio, which is primarily of a fixed interest nature. We use, to a limited extent, interest rate swap contracts and combined interest rate and currency swap contracts 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. We entered into several interest rate swap contracts in which we exchange fixed interest rate payments with variable interest rate payments for a specified period, as well as entered into the combined interest rate and currency swap contracts to hedge our interest rate risk.

 

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The following table summarizes the principal 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, 2014 which are sensitive to exchange rates and/or interest rates. The information is presented in Won, which is our reporting currency:

 

    

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

    December 31, 2014  
     2015     2016     2017     2018     Thereafter     Total     Fair Value  
     (in millions of Won, except rates)  

Local currency:

              

Fixed rate

     2,325,559        1,934,968        1,505,000        1,161,409        2,967,024        9,893,960        9,864,603   

Average weighted rate (1)

     3.61     4.16     3.47     3.86     3.64     3.73       

Variable rate

     40,000        40,000                             80,000        79,782   

Average weighted rate (1)

     2.52     2.94                 2.73       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total

     2,365,559        1,974,968        1,505,000        1,161,409        2,967,024        9,973,960        9,944,385   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign currency:

              

Fixed rate

     492,515        387,305        1,099,200        62,570        494,640        2,536,230        2,568,710   

Average weighted rate (1)

     4.49     3.64     2.50     0.86     3.49     3.21       

Variable rate

     2,198                      329,760               331,958        308,347   

Average weighted rate (1)

     2.62             1.41         1.42       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     494,713        387,305        1,099,200        392,330        494,640        2,868,188        2,877,057   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     2,860,272        2,362,273        2,604,200        1,553,739        3,461,664        12,842,148        12,821,442   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Weighted average rates of the portfolio at the period end.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2014 a 100 basis point increase in the market interest rates, with all other variables held constant, would have decreased our profit before income tax by 562 million and 5 billion, respectively and increased our profit before income tax by 10 billion, as of December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2012, a 100 basis point increase in the market interest rates, with all other variables held constant would have decreased total equity by 368 million, and increased our total equity by 13 billion and 5 billion, as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, a 100 basis point decrease in the market interest rates, with all other variables held constant, would have decreased our profit before income tax by 5 billion, 17 billion and 5 billion, respectively, and total equity by 5 billion, 19 billion and 11 billion, respectively. The foregoing sensitivity analysis assumes that all variables other than market interest rates are held constant, and as such, does not reflect any correlation between market interest rates and other variables, nor our decision to decrease the risk, but reflects the effects of derivative contracts in place at the time of conducting the analysis.

Equity Price Risk

We are also subject to market risk exposure arising from changes in the equity securities market, which affect the fair value of our equity portfolio. As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, a 10% increase in the equity indices where our marketable equity securities are listed, with all other variables held constant, would have increased our total equity by 5 billion, 6 billion and 7 billion, respectively, with a 10% decrease in the equity index having the opposite effect. The foregoing sensitivity analysis assumes that all variables other than changes in the equity index are held constant, and that our marketable equity instruments had moved according to the historical correlation to the index, and as such, does not reflect any correlation between the equity index and other variables.

 

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Item 12.  Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

Item 12.A.  Debt Securities

Not applicable.

Item 12.B.  Warrants and Rights

Not applicable.

Item 12.C.  Other Securities

Not applicable.

Item 12.D.  American Depositary Shares

Fees and Charges

Under the terms of the deposit agreement, 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 $0.05 per ADS issued

Delivery of deposited shares against surrender of ADSs

   Up to $0.05 per ADS surrendered

Distribution delivery of ADSs pursuant to sale or exercise of rights

   Up to $0.02 per ADS held

Distributions of dividends

   None

Distribution of securities other than ADSs

   Up to $0.02 per ADS held

Other corporate action involving distributions to shareholders

   Up to $0.02 per ADS held

Holders of our ADSs are also responsible for paying certain fees and expenses incurred by the depositary and certain taxes and governmental charges 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 U.S. dollars;

 

   

expenses for cable, telex and fax transmissions and for delivery of securities;

 

   

taxes and duties upon the transfer of securities (i.e., when shares are deposited or withdrawn from deposit); 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.

 

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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 Depository Trust Company, or DTC), the depositary generally collects its fees through the systems provided by DTC (whose nominee is the registered holder of the ADSs held in DTC) from the brokers and custodians holding ADSs in their DTC accounts. The brokers and custodians who hold their clients’ ADSs in DTC 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 to provide 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.

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 2014, we received the following payments, after deduction of applicable U.S. taxes, from the depositary:

 

Reimbursement of NYSE listing fees

   $ 100,030,00   

Reimbursement of SEC filing fees

   $ 49,606.15   

Reimbursement of settlement infrastructure fees (including maintenance fees)

   $ 102,436.90   

Reimbursement of proxy process expenses (printing, postage and distribution)

   $ 71,805.20   

Reimbursement of legal fees (reimbursement received in April 2015 in respect of 2014)

   $ 371,615.61   

Contributions toward our investor relations efforts (including non-deal roadshows, investor conferences and investor relations agency fees)

   $ 355,728.86   

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

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, 2014. 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.

 

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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 December 31, 2014. 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. Our disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act 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.

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.

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.

Originally issued in 1992, the “Internal Control—Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “1992 Framework”) was amended in May 2013 (as amended, the “2013 Framework”), with application of the 1992 Framework available until December 15, 2014, after which only the 2013 Framework will be available. Our management has performed an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 utilizing the criteria discussed in the 2013 Framework. Based on this assessment, we concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014.

Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers, an independent registered public accounting firm, which also audited our consolidated financial statements as of, and for the year ended December 31, 2014, as stated in their report which is included herein, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

The attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is furnished in Item 18 of this Form 20-F.

 

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We completed the implementation of the New ERP System in July 2012, and changed, established or reevaluated any related parts in our internal control over financial reporting accordingly. We also conducted evaluations prior to and after the implementation of the New ERP System, and confirmed that our internal control over financial reporting remains effective.

Item 16.  [Reserved]

Item 16A.  Audit Committee Financial Expert

In March 2015, our shareholders elected Dae-Keun Park and Dong-Wook Chung as members of the Audit Committee at our annual shareholders’ meeting. Our Audit Committee is comprised of Jong-Goo Kim, Sang Kyun Cha, Dae-Keun Park and Dong-Wook Chung. The board of directors has determined that Dae-Keun Park is the audit committee financial expert.

Item 16B. Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 16B. of Form 20-F under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our code of ethics applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and persons performing similar functions, as well as to our directors, other officers and employees. Our code of ethics is available on our web site at www.kt.com. If we amend the provisions of our code of ethics that apply to our Chief Executive Officer, 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.

Item 16C.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Audit and Non-Audit Fees

The following table sets forth the fees billed to us by Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers, our independent registered public accounting firm, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and 2014:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2013      2014  
     (In millions)  

Audit fees (1)

   2,843       3,493   

Audit-related fees

               

Tax fees (2)

     1,778         525   

Other fees

               
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fees

   4,621       4,018   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Audit fees consist of fees for the annual audit and quarterly review services engagement and the comfort letters.

 

(2) Tax fees consist of fee for tax services which are mainly the preparation or non-recurring tax compliance review of original or amended tax returns.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

Our audit committee has established pre-approval policies and procedures to pre-approve all audit services to be provided by Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers, our independent registered public accounting firm. Our audit committee’s policy regarding the pre-approval of non-audit services to be

 

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provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm is that all such services shall be pre-approved by our audit committee. Non-audit services that are prohibited to be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm under the rules of the SEC and applicable law may not be pre-approved. In addition, prior to the granting of any pre-approval, our audit committee must be satisfied that the performance of the services in question will not compromise the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm and does not include delegation of the audit committee’s responsibilities to the management under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Our audit committee did not pre-approve any non-audit services under the de minimis exception of Rule 2-01 (c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the SEC.

Item 16D.  Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

Not applicable.

Item 16E.  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, 2014:

 

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

                               
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Neither we nor any “affiliated purchaser,” as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) of the Exchange Act, purchased any of our equity securities during the period covered by this annual report.

Item 16F.  Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Not applicable.

 

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Item 16G.  Corporate Governance

The following is a summary of the significant differences between the New York Stock Exchange’s corporate governance standards and those that we follow under Korean law:

 

NYSE Corporate Governance Standards

  

KT Corporation’s Corporate Governance Practice

Director Independence

  
Independent directors must comprise a majority of the board.   

The Commercial Code of Korea requires 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 Commercial Code of Korea.

 

The majority of our board of directors is independent (as defined in accordance with the New York Stock Exchange’s standards), and 8 out of 11 directors are outside directors.

Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee

  
Listed companies must have a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors.    We have not established a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors. However, we maintain an Outside Director Candidate Nominating Committee composed of all of our outside directors and one non-independent director. We also maintain a Corporate Governance Committee comprised of four outside directors and one non-independent director. The committee is responsible for the review of matters with respect to our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our performance under such guidelines to monitor effectiveness of our corporate governance.

Compensation Committee

  
Listed companies must have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors.    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.    Our outside directors hold meetings solely attended by outside directors in accordance with the charter of our board of directors.

Audit Committee

  
Listed companies must have an audit committee that is composed of more than three directors and satisfy the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.    We maintain an Audit Committee comprised of four outside directors who meet the applicable independence criteria set forth under Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

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 two equity compensation plans: one providing for the grant of stock options to officers and non-independent directors; and an employee stock ownership association program.

 

All material matters related to the granting stock options are provided in our articles of incorporation, and any amendments to the articles of incorporation are subject to shareholders’ approval. Matters related to the employee stock ownership association program are not subject to shareholders’ approval under Korean law.

 

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NYSE Corporate Governance Standards

  

KT Corporation’s Corporate Governance Practice

Corporate Governance Guidelines

  
Listed companies must adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines.    We have adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines in March 2007 setting forth our practices with respect to corporate governance matters. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines are in compliance with Korean law but do 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 Guidelines in Korean is available on our website at www.kt.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 executive officers.    We have adopted a Code of Ethics for all directors, officers and employees. A copy of our Code of Ethics in Korean is available on our website at www.kt.com

Item 16H.  Mine Safety Disclosure

Not applicable.

 

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PART III

Item 17.  Financial Statements

Not applicable.

Item 18.  Financial Statements

AUDITED CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF KT CORPORATION

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2013 and 2014

     F-3   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

     F-5   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

     F-6   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Equity for the Years Ended December  31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

     F-7   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

     F-11   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-12   

Item 19.  Exhibits

 

  1    Articles of Incorporation of KT Corporation (English translation)
  2.1*    Deposit Agreement dated as of May 25, 1999 entered into among KT Corporation, Citibank, N.A., as depositary, and all Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares evidenced by the American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder, including the form of American depositary receipt (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(i) of the Registrant’s Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-13578) on Form F-6)
  2.2*    Form of Amendment No. 1 Deposit Agreement dated as of May 25, 1999 entered into among KT Corporation, Citibank, N.A., as depositary, and all Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares evidenced by the American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder, including the form of American depositary receipt (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(ii) of the Registrant’s Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-13578) on Form F-6)
  2.3*    Letter from Citibank, N.A., as depositary, to the Registrant relating to the pre-release of the American depositary receipts (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement (Registration No. 333-10330) on Form F-6)
  2.4*    Letter from Citibank, N.A., as depositary, to the Registrant relating to the establishment of a direct registration system for ADSs and the issuance of uncertified ADSs as part of the direct registration system. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.4 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on June 30, 2008)
  8.1    List of subsidiaries of KT Corporation
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

 

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Table of Contents
15.1    The Framework Act on Telecommunications (English translation)
15.2    Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Telecommunications (English translation)
15.3    The Telecommunications Business Act (English translation)
15.4    Enforcement Decree of the Telecommunications Business Act (English translation)

 

* Filed previously.

 

134


Table of Contents

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2013 and 2014

   F-3

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

   F-5

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

   F-6

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Equity for the years ended December  31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

   F-7

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

   F-11

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-12

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of KT Corporation

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income, of changes in shareholders’ equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of KT Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting in Item 15 of Form 20-F. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. 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 audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

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 (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) 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 (iii) 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.

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/ Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers

Seoul Korea

April 29, 2015

 

F-2


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

December 31, 2013 and 2014

 

                         (in thousands of
U.S dollars)
 

(in millions of Korean won)

   Notes    2013      2014      2014  
                        (Unaudited) (Note 2)  

Assets

           

Current assets

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   4, 5    2,070,869       1,888,663       $ 1,718,216   

Trade and other receivables, net

   4, 6      5,239,569         4,811,050         4,376,865   

Short-term loans, net

   4, 7      838,724         710,368         646,259   

Current finance lease receivables, net

   4, 21      294,208         258,982         235,610   

Other financial assets

   4, 8      480,062         332,708         302,682   

Current income tax assets

        35,273         3,566         3,244   

Inventories, net

   9      673,618         418,883         381,080   

Other current assets

   10      339,596         349,615         318,064   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

        9,971,919         8,773,835         7,982,020   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current assets

           

Trade and other receivables, net

   4, 6      813,471         848,863         772,255   

Long-term loans, net

   4, 7      509,873         584,914         532,127   

Non-current finance lease receivables, net

   4, 21      415,729         325,431         296,062   

Other financial assets

   4, 8      672,645         704,760         641,157   

Property and equipment, net

   11      16,386,964         16,468,196         14,981,983   

Investment property, net

   12      1,105,495         1,059,630         964,001   

Intangible assets, net

   13      3,827,393         3,544,033         3,224,193   

Investments in jointly controlled entities and associates

   14      363,903         338,780         308,206   

Deferred income tax assets

   29      706,977         1,078,792         981,434   

Other non-current assets

   10      75,748         72,041         65,541   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

        24,878,198         25,025,440         22,766,959   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

      34,850,117       33,799,275       $ 30,748,979   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-3


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (continued)

December 31, 2013 and 2014

 

                     (in thousands of
U.S dollars)
 

(in millions of Korean won)

  Notes   2013     2014     2014  
                    (Unaudited) (Note 2)  

Liabilities and Equity

       

Current liabilities

       

Trade and other payables

  4, 15   7,413,823      6,408,111      $ 5,829,795   

Current finance lease liabilities, net

  4     19,487        20,155        18,336   

Borrowings

  4, 16     3,020,706        2,955,644        2,688,905   

Other financial liabilities

  4, 8     63,820        23,717        21,577   

Current income tax liabilities

      99,848        45,799        41,666   

Provisions

  17     114,755        111,439        101,382   

Deferred revenue

      143,601        143,530        130,577   

Other current liabilities

  10     348,076        278,752        253,595   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

      11,224,116        9,987,147        9,085,833   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

       

Trade and other payables

  4, 15     1,058,884        909,192        827,140   

Non-current finance lease liabilities, net

  4     48,723        34,852        31,707   

Borrowings

  4, 16     8,463,187        9,859,741        8,969,924   

Other financial liabilities

  4, 8     178,812        190,525        173,331   

Defined benefit liabilities, net

  18     586,083        593,838        540,246   

Provisions

  17     133,561        106,430        96,825   

Deferred revenue

      147,837        147,439        134,133   

Deferred income tax liabilities

  29     169,498        143,964        130,972   

Other non-current liabilities

  10     2,000        38,590        35,107   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

      10,788,585        12,024,571        10,939,385   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

      22,012,701        22,011,718        20,025,218   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity attributable to owners of the Parent Company

       

Capital stock

  22     1,564,499        1,564,499        1,423,307   

Share premium

      1,440,258        1,440,258        1,310,278   

Retained earnings

  23     10,019,389        8,568,399        7,795,123   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

  24     24,538        25,790        23,463   

Other components of equity

  24     (1,320,943     (1,260,709     (1,146,933
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      11,727,741        10,338,237        9,405,238   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest

      1,109,675        1,449,320        1,318,523   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

      12,837,416        11,787,557        10,723,761   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

    34,850,117      33,799,275      $ 30,748,979   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

(in millions of Korean won, except

per share amounts)

                          (in thousands
of U.S dollars)
 
  Notes     2012     2013     2014     2014  
                            (Unaudited) (Note 2)  

Continuing Operations

         

Operating revenue

    26      24,643,772      24,057,881      23,727,378      $ 21,586,043   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue

      23,856,375        23,728,673        23,469,287        21,351,244   

Others

      787,397        329,208        258,091        234,799   

Operating expenses

    27        22,963,673        23,734,497        24,389,781        22,188,665   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

      1,680,099        323,384        (662,403     (602,622

Finance income

    28        498,657        279,349        254,900        231,896   

Finance costs

    28        (781,993     (647,500     (818,443     (744,581

Income from jointly controlled entities and associates

    14        18,079        6,601        18,198        16,556   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit(loss) from continuing operations before income tax

      1,414,842        (38,166     (1,207,748     (1,098,751

Income tax expense (income)

    29        277,869        49,579        (266,335     (242,299
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit(loss) for the year from the continuing operations

      1,136,973        (87,745     (941,413     (856,452
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Discontinued Operations

         

Loss from discontinued operations

    40        (31,534                     
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit(loss) for the year

    1,105,439      (87,745   (941,413   $ (856,452
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit(loss) for the year attributable to:

         

Equity holders of the Parent Company

    1,046,127      (189,931   (1,030,240   $ (937,263

Profit(loss) from continuing operations

      1,075,694        (189,931     (1,030,240     (937,263

Loss from discontinued operations

      (29,567                     

Non-controlling interest

    59,312      102,186      88,827      $ 80,811   

Profit from continuing operations

      61,279        102,186        88,827        80,811   

Loss from discontinued operations

      (1,967                     

Earnings(loss) per share attributable to the equity holders of the Parent Company during the year (in won):

         

Basic earnings(loss) per share

    30      4,296      (779   (4,215   $ (4

From continuing operations

      4,417        (779     (4,215     (4

From discontinued operations

      (121                     

Diluted earnings(loss) per share

    30      4,296      (782   (4,215   $ (4

From continuing operations

      4,417        (782     (4,215     (4

From discontinued operations

      (121                     

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

(in millions of Korean won)

                          (in thousands
of U.S dollars)
 
   Notes    2012     2013     2014     2014  
                            (Unaudited) (Note 2)  

Profit(loss) for the year

      1,105,439      (87,745   (941,413   $ (856,452

Other comprehensive income

           

Items not reclassifiable subsequently to profit or loss:

           

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability

   18      (130,492     56,583        (236,637     (215,281

Shares of remeasurement loss from jointly controlled entities and associates

        (1,131     (455     (394     (358

Items reclassifiable subsequently to profit or loss:

           

Changes in value of available-for-sale financial assets

   4, 8      23,952        49,778        39,336        35,786   

Other comprehensive income(loss) from available-for sale financial assets reclassified to income(loss)

        (4,865     6,554        (17,173     (15,623

Net gains(losses) on cashflow hedges

   4, 8      (129,290     (72,303     16,990        15,457   

Other comprehensive income(loss) from cashflow hedges reclassified to income(loss)

        154,867        67,607        (44,795     (40,753

Shares of other comprehensive income from jointly controlled entities and associates

        (8,730     2,896        3,902        3,550   

Currency translation differences

        (6,645     (2,053     3,526        3,208   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income after income tax for the year

        (102,334     108,607        (235,245     (214,014
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the year

      1,003,105      20,862      (1,176,658   $ (1,070,466
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income for the year attributable to:

           

Equity holders of the Parent Company

        937,542        (109,539     (1,252,456     (1,139,424

Non-controlling interest

        65,563        130,401        75,798        68,958   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Equity

Years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

        Attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company              

(in millions of Korean won)

  Notes   Capital
stock
    Share
premium
    Retained
earnings
    Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
income (loss)
    Other
Components
of equity
    Total     Non-controlling
interest
    Total
equity
 

Balance at January 1, 2012

    1,564,499      1,440,258      10,219,633      (22,865   (1,497,289   11,704,236      883,524      12,587,760   

Comprehensive income

                 

Profit for the year

                    1,046,127                      1,046,127        59,312        1,105,439   

Changes in value of available-for-sale financial assets

  4                          12,019               12,019        7,068        19,087   

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability

  18                   (131,644                   (131,644     1,152        (130,492

Valuation gains(losses) on cashflow hedge

  4                          25,628               25,628        (51     25,577   

Shares of other comprehensive income of jointly controlled entities and associates

                           (8,440            (8,440     (290     (8,730

Shares of remeasurement loss from jointly controlled entities and associates

                    (1,131                   (1,131            (1,131

Currency translation differences

                           (5,017            (5,017     (1,628     (6,645

Transactions with equity holders

                 

Dividends

                    (486,602                   (486,602     (11,455     (498,057

Disposal of treasury stock

                                  13,353        13,353               13,353   

Changes in consolidation scope

                                                133,767        133,767   

Change in ownership interest in subsidiaries

                                  141,303        141,303        (163,404     (22,101

Others

                                  (653     (653     801        148   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

    1,564,499      1,440,258      10,646,383      1,325      (1,343,286   12,309,179      908,796      13,217,975   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-7


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Equity (Continued)

Years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

        Attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company              

(in millions of Korean won)

  Notes   Capital
stock
    Share
premium
    Retained
earnings
    Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
income (loss)
    Other
Components
of equity
    Total     Non-controlling
interest
    Total
equity
 

Balance at January 1, 2013

    1,564,499      1,440,258      10,646,383      1,325      (1,343,286   12,309,179      908,796      13,217,975   

Comprehensive income

                 

Profit(loss) for the year

                    (189,931                   (189,931     102,186        (87,745

Changes in value of available-for-sale financial assets

  4, 8                          32,098               32,098        24,234        56,332   

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability

  18                   57,641                      57,641        (1,058     56,583   

Valuation gains(losses) on cashflow hedge

  4, 8                          (4,711            (4,711     15        (4,696

Shares of other comprehensive income of jointly controlled entities and associates

                           2,570               2,570        326        2,896   

Shares of remeasurement gain(loss) from jointly controlled entities and associates

                    (463                   (463     7        (456

Currency translation differences

                           (6,744            (6,744     4,691        (2,053

Transactions with equity holders

                 

Dividends

                    (487,445                   (487,445     (23,830     (511,275

Appropriations of loss on disposal of treasury stock

                    (6,796            6,796                        

Changes in consolidation scope

                                                9,452        9,452   

Change in ownership interest in subsidiaries

                                  14,150        14,150        85,971        100,121   

Others

                                  1,397        1,397        (1,115     282   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

    1,564,499      1,440,258      10,019,389      24,538      (1,320,943   11,727,741      1,109,675      12,837,416   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-8


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Equity (Continued)

Years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

        Attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company              

(in millions of Korean won)

  Notes   Capital
stock
    Share
premium
    Retained
earnings
    Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
income (loss)
    Other
Components
of equity
    Total     Non-controlling
interest
    Total
equity
 

Balance at January 1, 2014

    1,564,499      1,440,258      10,019,389      24,538      (1,320,943   11,727,741      1,109,675      12,837,416   

Comprehensive income

                 

Profit(loss) for the year

                    (1,030,240                   (1,030,240     88,827        (941,413

Changes in value of available-for-sale financial assets

  4, 8                          20,889               20,889        1,274        22,163   

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability

  18                   (223,157                   (223,157     (13,480     (236,637

Valuation gains(losses) on cashflow hedge

  4, 8                          (27,821            (27,821     16        (27,805

Shares of other comprehensive income of jointly controlled entities and associates

                           3,726               3,726        176        3,902   

Shares of remeasurement loss from jointly controlled entities and associates

                    (311                   (311     (83     (394

Currency translation differences

                           4,458               4,458        (932     3,526   

Transactions with equity holders

                 

Dividends

                    (195,112                   (195,112     (27,683     (222,795

Appropriations of loss on disposal of treasury stock

                    (2,170            2,170                        

Changes in consolidation scope

                                                198,260        198,260   

Change in ownership interest in subsidiaries

                                  26,601        26,601        (6,372     20,229   

Disposal of treasury stock

                                  34,148        34,148               34,148   

Rights issue

                                                99,033        99,033   

Others

                                  (2,685     (2,685     609        (2,076
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

    1,564,499      1,440,258      8,568,399      25,790      (1,260,709   10,338,237      1,449,320      11,787,557   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-9


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder’s Equity (Continued)

Years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

        Attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company              

(in thousands of U.S dollars)
(Unaudited), (Note 2)

  Notes   Capital
stock
    Share
premium
    Retained
earnings
    Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
income (loss)
    Other
Components
of equity
    Total     Non-controlling
interest
    Total
equity
 

Balance at January 1, 2014

    $ 1,423,307      $ 1,310,278      $ 9,115,165      $ 22,324      $ (1,201,731   $ 10,669,343      $ 1,009,530      $ 11,678,873   

Comprehensive income

                 

Profit(loss) for the year

                    (937,263                   (937,263     80,811        (856,452

Changes in value of available-for-sale financial assets

  4, 8                          19,004               19,004        1,159        20,163   

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability

  18                   (203,018                   (203,018     (12,263     (215,281

Valuation gains(losses) on cashflow hedge

  4, 8                          (25,311            (25,311     15        (25,296

Shares of other comprehensive income of jointly controlled entities and associates

                           3,390               3,390        160        3,550   

Shares of remeasurement loss from jointly controlled entities and associates

                    (282                   (282     (76     (358

Currency translation differences

                           4,056               4,056        (848     3,208   

Transactions with equity holders

                 

Dividends

                    (177,504                   (177,504     (25,185     (202,689

Appropriations of loss on disposal of treasury stock

                    (1,975            1,975                        

Changes in consolidation scope

                                                180,368        180,368   

Change in ownership interest in subsidiaries

                                  24,200        24,200        (5,797     18,403   

Disposal of treasury stock

                                  31,066        31,066               31,066   

Rights issue

                                                90,096        90,096   

Others

                                  (2,443     (2,443     553        (1,890
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

    $ 1,423,307      $ 1,310,278      $ 7,795,123      $ 23,463      $ (1,146,933   $ 9,405,238      $ 1,318,523      $ 10,723,761   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

                          (in thousands of
U.S dollars)
 

(in millions of Korean won)

  Notes   2012     2013     2014     2014  
                          (Unaudited)
(Note 2)
 

Cash flows from operating activities

         

Cash generated from operations

  32   6,439,692      4,677,260      2,379,311      $ 2,164,584   

Interest paid

      (561,378     (546,802     (604,012     (549,501

Interest received

      208,640        194,065        192,563        175,185   

Dividends received

      17,742        24,641        32,106        29,209   

Income tax paid

      (379,211     (238,091     (83,555     (76,014
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash generated from operating activities

      5,725,485        4,111,073        1,916,413        1,743,463   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

         

Collection of loans

      106,896        70,451        37,589        34,197   

Origination of loans

      (130,425     (31,279     (82,258     (74,834

Disposal of available-for-sale financial assets

      113,068        78,811        77,365        70,383   

Acquisition of available-for-sale financial assets

      (86,622     (127,052     (78,095     (71,047

Disposal of investments in jointly controlled entities and associates

      21,818        22,455        22,251        20,243   

Acquisition of investments in jointly controlled entities and associates

      (59,464     (16,338     (18,396     (16,736

Disposal of current and non-current financial instruments

      362,481        319,465        630,216        573,341   

Acquisition of current and non-current financial instruments

      (511,914     (588,893     (427,585     (388,997

Disposal of property, equipment and investment property

      618,786        100,469        77,644        70,637   

Acquisition of property and equipment and investment property

      (3,760,255     (3,088,185     (2,852,869     (2,595,405

Disposal of intangible assets

      7,061        18,336        9,438        8,586   

Acquisition of intangible assets

      (526,878     (549,967     (578,377     (526,180

Increase in cash due to exclusion from consolidation scope

      25,857        7,498        6,228        5,666   

Cash inflow(outflow) from changes in scope of consolidation

      (31,588     1,646        5,891        5,359   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

      (3,851,179     (3,782,583     (3,170,958     (2,884,787
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

         

Proceeds from borrowings and bonds

      4,258,995        6,199,601        10,037,067        9,131,247   

Repayments of borrowings and bonds

      (4,590,608     (5,956,340     (8,757,284     (7,966,961

Settlement of derivative assets and liabilities, net

      39,001        (67,413     (66,484     (60,486

Disposal of treasury stock

      11,369               34,053        30,980   

Cash inflow from consolidated capital transaction

      7,232        34,581        99,211        90,257   

Cash outflow from consolidated capital transaction

      (315,356     (4,107              

Dividends paid to shareholders

      (498,057     (511,275     (222,773     (202,668

Decrease in finance leases liabilities

      (190,380     (6,841     (52,099     (47,397
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by(used in) financing activities

      (1,277,804     (311,794     1,071,691        974,972   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents

      (1,038     (3,440     648        590   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

      595,464        13,256        (182,206     (165,762

Cash and cash equivalents

         

Beginning of the year

  5     1,462,149        2,057,613        2,070,869        1,883,978   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of the year

  5   2,057,613      2,070,869      1,888,663      $ 1,718,216   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

1.    General Information

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of KT Corporation, which is the controlling company as defined under IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements, and its 65 controlled subsidiaries as described in Note 1.2 (collectively referred to as the “Company”).

The Controlling Company

KT Corporation (the “Controlling Company”) commenced operations on January 1, 1982, when it spun off from the Korea Communications Commission (formerly the Korean Ministry of Information and Communications) to provide telephone services and to engage in the development of advanced communications services under the Act of Telecommunications of Korea. The headquarters are located in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea, and the address of its registered head office is 90, Buljeong-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province.

On October 1, 1997, upon the announcement of the Government-Investment Enterprises Management Basic Act and the Privatization Law, the Controlling Company became a government-funded institution under the Commercial Code of Korea.

On December 23, 1998, the Controlling Company’s shares were listed on the Korea Exchange.

On May 29, 1999, the Controlling Company issued 24,282,195 additional shares and issued American Depository Shares (ADS), representing new shares and government-owned shares, at the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. On July 2, 2001, the additional ADS representing 55,502,161 government-owned shares were issued at the New York Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange.

In 2002, the Controlling Company acquired the entire government-owned shares in accordance with the Korean government’s privatization plan. As of the end of the reporting period, the Korean government does not own any share in the Controlling Company.

Consolidated Subsidiaries

The consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

          Controlling
percentage
ownership 1 (%)
    Financial
year end

Subsidiary

 

Type of Business

  Location   2013     2014    

KT Powertel Co., Ltd. 2

  Trunk radio system business   Domestic     44.8        44.8      December 31

KT Linkus Co., Ltd.

  Public telephone maintenance   Domestic     93.8        93.8      December 31

KT Submarine Co., Ltd. 2

  Submarine cable construction and maintenance   Domestic     36.9        36.9      December 31

KT Telecop Co., Ltd.

  Security service   Domestic     86.8        86.8      December 31

KT Hitel Co., Ltd.

  Data communication   Domestic     63.7        63.7      December 31

KT Commerce Inc.

  B2C, B2B service   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

KT Capital Co., Ltd.

  Financing service   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

KT New Business Fund No.1

  Investment fund   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

Gyeonggi-KT Green Growth Fund

  Venture investment of Green Growth Business   Domestic     56.5        56.5      December 31

 

F-12


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

(in millions of Korean won)

          Controlling
percentage
ownership 1 (%)
    Financial
year end

Subsidiary

 

Type of Business

  Location   2013     2014    

KTC Media Contents Fund 2

  New technology investment fund   Domestic     85.7        85.7      December 31

KT Strategic Investment Fund No.1

  Investment fund   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

KT Strategic Investment Fund No.2

  Investment fund   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

BC Card Co., Ltd.

  Credit card business   Domestic     69.5        69.5      December 31

VP Inc.

  Payment security service for credit card and etc.   Domestic     50.9        50.9      December 31

H&C Network

  Call centre for financial sectors   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

BC Card China Co., Ltd.

  Research and development of calculation system and software   China     100.0        100.0      December 31

INITECH Co., Ltd.

  Internet banking ASP and security solutions   Domestic     57.0        57.0      December 31

Smartro Co., Ltd.

  VAN (Value Added Network) business   Domestic     81.1        81.1      December 31

Sofnics, Inc.

  Software development and sales   Domestic     80.6        80.6      December 31

KTDS Co., Ltd.

  System integration and maintenance   Domestic     95.3        95.3      December 31

KT M Hows Co., Ltd.

  Mobile marketing   Domestic     51.0        51.0      December 31

KT M&S Co., Ltd.

  PCS distribution   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

KT Music Corporation 4

  Online music production and distribution   Domestic     57.8        49.9      December 31

KT Skylife Co., Ltd. 2

  Satellite broadcasting business   Domestic     50.1        49.9      December 31

SkylifeTV co., Ltd. (formerly Korea HD Broadcasting Corp.)

  TV contents provider   Domestic     92.6        92.6      December 31

KT Estate Inc.

  Residential building development and supply   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

KT AMC Co., Ltd.

  Asset management and consulting services   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

KT NEXR CO., LTD. (formerly NEXR Co., Ltd.)

  Cloud system implementation   Domestic     99.8        99.8      December 31

KTSB Data service

  Data centre development and related service   Domestic     51.0        51.0      December 31

CENTIOS Co., Ltd.

  U-City solution business   Domestic     82.8        82.8      December 31

Centios Philippines, Inc.

  Smart space business   Philippines     100.0        100.0      December 31

Enswers Inc. 3

  Video-clip searching service   Domestic     45.2        45.2      December 31

Ustream Korea Inc.

  Live video-streaming service business   Domestic     51.0        51.0      December 31

Incheonucity Co., Ltd.

  U-City development and operation agent   Domestic     51.4        51.4      December 31

KT Innoedu Co., Ltd. 3

  E-learning business   Domestic     48.4        48.4      December 31

KT Rental

  Car rental and general rental business   Domestic     58.0        58.0      December 31

KT Auto Lease Corporation

  Car rental business   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

Kumho Rent-a-car Co., Ltd.

  Car rental business   Vietnam     100.0        100.0      December 31

KT Rental Auto Care Corporation

  Car rental business   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

KT Sat Co., Ltd.

  Satellite communication business   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

KT Media Hub Co. Ltd.

  Media contents development and distribution   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

Best Partners Co., Ltd.

  Outsourcing service for HR, administration, and accounting service   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

Nasmedia, Inc. 3

  Online advertisement   Domestic     45.4        45.4      December 31

T-ON Telecom

  Trunk radio system business and data communication   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

KT Sports

  Management of sports group   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

KT Music Contents Fund No.1

  Music contents investment business   Domestic     80.0        80.0      December 31

Consus-Changwon Private REIT

  Investment in real estate   Domestic     93.6        93.6      December 31

KT-Michigan Global Content Fund

  Content investment business   Domestic     81.3        81.3      December 31

Autopion Co., Ltd.

  Service for information and communication   Domestic     100.0        100.0      December 31

 

F-13


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

(in millions of Korean won)

          Controlling
percentage
ownership 1 (%)
    Financial
year end

Subsidiary

 

Type of Business

  Location   2013     2014    

GREEN CAR (formerly GREEN POINT)

  Car sharing business   Domestic     52.3        52.3      December 31

K-REALTY CR-REIT 7

  Investment in real estate   Domestic            100.0      December 31

ktcs Corporation 2

  Database and online information provider   Domestic            30.3      December 31

ktis Corporation 2

  Database and online information provider   Domestic            29.3      December 31

olleh Rwanda Networks Ltd.

  Network installation and management   Rwanda     51.0        51.0      December 31

Africa Olleh Services Ltd.

  System integration and maintenance   Rwanda            51.0      December 31

KT Belgium

  Foreign investment business   Belgium     100.0        100.0      December 31

KT ORS Belgium

  Foreign investment business   Belgium     100.0        100.0      December 31

Korea Telecom Japan Co., Ltd.

  Foreign telecommunication business   Japan     100.0        100.0      December 31

KBTO sp.zo.o.,

  Electronic communication business   Poland            60.0      December 31

Korea Telecom China Co., Ltd.

  Foreign telecommunication business   China     100.0        100.0      December 31

KT Dutch B.V

  Super iMax and East Telecom management   Netherlands     100.0        100.0      December 31

Super iMax LLC

  Wireless high speed internet business   Uzbekistan     100.0        100.0      December 31

East Telecom LLC

  Fixed line telecommunication business   Uzbekistan     91.0        91.0      December 31

Korea Telecom America, Inc.

  Foreign telecommunication business   USA     100.0        100.0      December 31

PT. KT Indonesia

  Foreign telecommunication business   Indonesia     99.0        99.0      December 31

 

 

1 Sum of the ownership interests owned by the Controlling Company and subsidiaries.

 

2 Even though the Company has less than 50% ownership in these subsidiaries, these entities are consolidated as the Company can exercise the majority voting rights in its decision-making process at all times considering historical voting pattern at the shareholders’ meetings.

 

3 Even though the Company has less than 50% ownership in these subsidiaries, these entities are consolidated as the Company holds the majority of voting right based on an agreement with other investors.

 

4 Even though the Company has less than 50% ownership in this subsidiary, this entity is consolidated as the Company holds the potential voting rights by a stock purchase agreement with other investors.

Changes in scope of consolidation in 2014 are as follows:

 

Changes

  

Location

  

Subsidiaries

 

Reason

Included

   Domestic    ktcs Corporation   Acquisition of ownership interest
      ktis Corporation   Acquisition of ownership interest
      K-REALTY CR-REIT 6   Newly incorporated
      K-REALTY CR-REIT 7   Newly incorporated
   Rwanda    Africa Olleh Services Ltd.   Newly incorporated
   Poland    KBTO sp.zo.o.,   Acquisition of ownership interest

Excluded

   Domestic   

KT ENGCORE Co., Ltd.

(formerly KT ENS corporation)

  Under receivership
      K-REALTY CR-REIT 6   Decrease in percentage of ownership due to unequal stock issuance
      Sidus FNH Corporation   Disposal of ownership interest
      KT OIC Korea Co., Ltd.   Disposal of ownership interest
      KT Cloudware Corporation   Merged
      InitechSmartro Holdings Co., Ltd.   Merged
      K-REALTY CR-REIT 4   Liquidated
      K-REALTY CR-REIT 5   Liquidated
   USA    Soompi USA. LLC   Liquidated

 

F-14


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

A summary of financial data of the major consolidated subsidiaries as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2012  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Total assets      Total liabilities      Operating
revenue
     Net
income (loss)
 

KT Powertel Co., Ltd.

   175,862       55,613       124,936       12,527   

KT ENGCORE Co., Ltd. (formerly kt ens Corporation)

     258,430         201,076         500,555         4,644   

KT Linkus Co., Ltd.

     68,260         62,686         81,564         2,302   

KT Submarine Co., Ltd.

     109,787         25,037         68,900         7,953   

KT Telecop Co., Ltd.

     180,870         130,719         296,180         2,642   

KT Hitel Co., Ltd. 1

     249,231         79,511         443,431         (8,902

KT Tech, Inc.

     13,190         42,562         175,861         2,731   

KT Capital Co., Ltd. 1

     5,058,883         4,519,485         3,348,952         98,353   

H&C Network 1

     244,031         119,086         199,143         8,713   

Sidus FNH Corporation

     9,534         1,921         2,066         209   

Nasmedia, Inc.

     90,675         47,053         23,463         6,445   

Sofnics, Inc.

     1,564         207         782         (279

KTDS Co., Ltd.

     171,546         115,994         570,703         17,155   

KT M Hows Co., Ltd.

     26,498         16,511         28,874         1,933   

KT M&S Co., Ltd.

     257,809         224,430         1,009,331         (78,241

KT Music Corporation 1

     73,050         33,086         31,393         (2,124

KT Innotz Inc.

     3,012         344         2,609         (1,411

KT Skylife Co., Ltd. 1

     641,564         292,649         574,829         55,546   

KT Estate Inc. 1

     1,460,511         145,885         24,861         3,124   

NEXR Co., Ltd.

     2,305         1,964         2,651         (1,787

KTSB Dataservice

     32,733         265         439         (4,383

KT Cloudware Corporation

     21,345         2,321         3,878         (5,397

Centios Co., Ltd 1

     32,848         9,259         171         (3,163

Enswers Inc. 1

     13,966         18,330         4,896         (3,010

KT OIC Korea Co., Ltd.

     3,968         406         325         (1,569

Ustream Korea Inc.

     3,171         858         321         (2,683

KT Innoedu Co., Ltd. 2

     10,561         5,218         10,522         308   

KT Rental 1,2

     1,694,021         1,426,484         368,228         11,072   

KT Media Hub Co., Ltd. 2

     95,703         13,679         14,381         2,237   

KT Sat Co., Ltd. 2

     417,886         16,269         10,310         1,739   

Best Partners Co., Ltd. 2

     1,526         79         15         (57

Korea Telecom Japan Co., Ltd.

     8,284         3,955         14,458         (324

Korea Telecom China Co., Ltd.

     1,895         38         1,863         (675

KT Dutch B.V. 1

     47,277         14,748         12,086         (9,837

Korea Telecom America, Inc.

     5,850         1,904         13,392         (31

PT. KT Indonesia

     38                         (6

 

F-15


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

     2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Total assets      Total liabilities      Operating
revenue
     Net
income (loss)
 

KT Powertel Co., Ltd.

   167,131       44,012       112,905       5,453   

KT ENGCORE Co., Ltd. (formerly KT ENS corporation)

     291,636         225,285         587,438         11,133   

KT Linkus Co., Ltd.

     70,562         62,993         103,003         1,920   

KT Submarine Co., Ltd.

     115,781         27,449         83,006         6,146   

KT Telecop Co., Ltd.

     192,126         138,357         239,166         3,840   

KT Hitel Co., Ltd. 1

     293,665         102,644         582,925         3,551   

KT Capital Co., Ltd. 1

     5,462,028         4,759,100         3,317,337         129,354   

H&C Network 1

     257,390         110,126         225,402         18,870   

Sidus FNH Corporation

     9,481         2,549         5,729         (387

Nasmedia, Inc.

     97,140         40,943         24,769         5,615   

Sofnics, Inc.

     1,431         267         881         (178

KTDS Co., Ltd.

     189,983         125,172         574,792         18,245   

KT M Hows Co., Ltd.

     25,845         14,341         48,047         1,739   

KT M&S Co., Ltd.

     281,011         223,089         884,125         22,614   

KT Music Corporation 1

     82,997         48,289         51,350         (5,088

KT Skylife Co., Ltd. 1

     684,651         283,068         630,469         72,724   

KT Estate Inc. 1

     1,434,685         109,634         253,367         22,692   

NEXR Co., Ltd.

     2,814         4,451         4,540         (1,965

KTSB Dataservice

     28,001         321         1,447         (4,802

KT Cloudware Corporation

     15,995         1,128         4,682         (2,913

Centios Co., Ltd 1

     27,873         9,793         1,060         (5,097

Enswers Inc. 1

     8,722         20,148         5,922         (4,990

KT OIC Korea Co., Ltd.

     3,626         512         2,039         (448

Ustream Korea Inc.

     2,677         1,050         2,831         (2,363

KT Innoedu Co., Ltd.

     12,618         8,450         21,578         (1,020

KT Rental 1

     2,188,271         1,896,259         886,959         32,400   

KT Media Hub Co., Ltd.

     184,702         81,578         304,713         21,146   

KT Sat Co., Ltd.

     492,965         35,237         169,463         56,859   

Best Partners Co., Ltd.

     882         116         265         (681

T-ON Telecom 2

     3,347         2,298         1,152         (2,358

KT Sports 2

     15,672         6,750         21,794         (970

KT Music Contents Fund No.1 2

     10,529         185         72         (157

KT-Michigan Global Content Fund 2

     6,227                 26         (173

Autopion co., ltd. 2

     5,314         3,314                   

Korea Telecom Japan Co., Ltd.

     17,752         14,204         22,154         30   

Korea Telecom China Co., Ltd.

     1,178         367         1,338         (1,108

KT Dutch B.V. 1

     46,347         14,684         22,077         (4,131

Korea Telecom America, Inc.

     5,773         1,825         13,881         32   

PT. KT Indonesia

     30                         1   

olleh Rwanda Networks Ltd. 2

     226,776         217,132                 (943

KT Belgium 2

     38,033                         (11

KT ORS Belgium 2

     95                           

 

F-16


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

     2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Total assets      Total liabilities      Operating
revenue
     Net
income (loss)
 

KT Powertel Co., Ltd.

   157,330       29,996       105,250       5,368   

KT Linkus Co., Ltd.

     70,718         64,043         106,642         1,076   

KT Submarine Co., Ltd.

     111,877         16,188         77,292         9,018   

KT Telecop Co., Ltd.

     305,988         161,188         258,692         (6,576

KT Hitel Co., Ltd. 1

     226,994         31,429         494,455         12,205   

KT Capital Co., Ltd. 1

     2,038,263         1,759,641         186,114         69,491   

BC Card Co., Ltd. 1

     2,700,388         1,794,923         3,297,308         134,450   

H&C Network 1

     223,896         69,537         217,256         8,506   

Nasmedia, Inc.

     97,502         34,933         29,865         7,956   

Sofnics, Inc.

     213         48         349         (1,029

KTDS Co., Ltd 1.

     92,676         58,486         354,094         (11,394

KT M Hows Co., Ltd.

     22,846         17,446         23,683         (5,626

KT M&S Co., Ltd.

     281,787         221,227         885,456         6,391   

KT Music Corporation

     83,386         27,069         86,449         3,240   

KT Skylife Co., Ltd. 1

     683,009         246,326         656,430         55,162   

KT Estate Inc. 1

     1,496,815         169,788         247,256         11,212   

KTSB Dataservice

     25,094         1,384         2,457         (3,960

Centios Co., Ltd 1

     40,503         26,464         21,954         (4,012

Enswers Inc.

     7,260         23,244         4,644         (4,533

Ustream Korea Inc.

     635         246         1,818         (1,313

KT Innoedu Co., Ltd.

     8,761         11,913         21,010         (7,291

KT Rental 1

     2,656,385         2,317,650         1,074,569         51,388   

KT Media Hub Co., Ltd.

     172,621         76,995         335,451         14,054   

KT Sat Co., Ltd.

     480,689         45,540         139,865         30,016   

Best Partners Co., Ltd.

     113         100         346         (753

T-ON Telecom

     2,543         1,903         469         (1,802

KT Sports

     15,753         8,220         42,320         (1,305

KT Music Contents Fund No.1

     10,573         304         230         (74

KT-Michigan Global Content Fund

     5,610                 29         (617

Autopion Co., Ltd.

     5,791         3,194         9,892         662   

ktcs Corporation 1,2

     303,574         155,603         234,852         4,704   

ktis Corporation 2

     215,741         68,046         83,850         (539

Korea Telecom Japan Co., Ltd.

     16,551         21,279         34,717         (22,769

Korea Telecom China Co., Ltd.

     1,011         213         1,532         (25

KT Dutch B.V. 1

     42,951         10,332         26,148         30   

Korea Telecom America, Inc.

     5,627         1,295         6,318         211   

PT. KT Indonesia

     32                         1   

olleh Rwanda Networks Ltd.

     201,130         105,095         3,809         (18,984

KT Belgium

     72,405         14                 (192

KT ORS Belgium

     1,932         6                 (82

KBTO sp.zo.o., 2

     3         33                 (32

Africa Olleh Services Ltd. 2

     9,870         255         4,773         (1,772

 

1 These companies are the intermediate parent companies of other subsidiaries and the above financial information is from their consolidated financial statements.

 

2 These entities were newly consolidated for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Only operating revenues and net income subsequent to the inclusion of consolidation scope are disclosed above.

2.    Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Company in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies have been consistently applied to all the periods presented, unless otherwise stated.

 

F-17


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

2.1    Basis of Preparation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements are disclosed in Note 3.

2.2    Changes in Accounting Policy and Disclosures

(1) New standards and amendments adopted by the Company

The Company newly applied the following enacted and amended standards for the annual period beginning on January 1, 2014.

—Amendment to IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Presentation

Amendment to IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Presentation, provides that the right to offset must not be contingent on a future event and must be legally enforceable in all of circumstances; and if an entity can settle amounts in a manner such that outcome is, in effect, equivalent to net settlement, the entity will meet the net settlement criterion. The adoption of this amendment does not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

—Amendment to IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement

Amendment to IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, allows the continuation of hedge accounting for a derivative that has been designated as a hedging instrument in a circumstance in which that derivative is novated to a central counterparty (CCP) as a consequence of laws or regulations. The adoption of this amendment does not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

—Enactment of IFRIC interpretations 2121, Levies

IFRIC interpretations 2121, Levies, are applied to a liability to pay a levy imposed by a government in accordance with the legislation. The interpretation requires that the liability to pay a levy is recognized when the activity that triggers the payment of the levy occurs, as identified by the legislation. The adoption of this enactment does not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

—Amendment to IFRS 2, Share-based payment

IFRS 2, Share-based payment, clarifies the definition of ‘vesting conditions’ such as ‘performance condition’, ‘service condition’ and others. This amendment is applied to share-based payment transactions for which the grant date is on or after July 1, 2014. The application of this amendment does not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

F-18


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

—Amendment to IAS 36, Impairment of Assets

Amendment to IAS 36, Impairment of Assets, removed certain disclosures of the recoverable amount of cash-generating units which had been included in this amendment by the issuance of IFRS 13.

Other standards, amendments and interpretations which are effective for the annual period beginning on January 1, 2014, do not have a material impact on the separate financial statements of the Company.

(2) New standards, amendments and interpretations not yet adopted

—Enactment of IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers

IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ requires that an entity recognizes revenue by sequentially judging the steps of ‘Identify the contract(s) with a customer’, ‘Identify the performance obligations in the contract’, ‘Determine the transaction price’, ‘Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract’, ‘Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation’. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is assessing the impact of application of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

The Company is assessing the impact of application of new standards, amendments and interpretations issued but not effective for the financial year beginning January 1, 2014, and not early adopted by the Company.

2.3    Consolidation

The Company has prepared the consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements.

(1) Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are all entities (including special purpose entities) over which the Company has control. The Company controls the corresponding investee when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins from the date the Company obtains control of a subsidiary and ceases when the Company loses control of the subsidiary.

The Company applies the acquisition method to account for business combinations. The consideration transferred is measured at the fair values of the assets transferred, and identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are initially measured at their fair values at the acquisition date. The Company recognizes any non-controlling interest in the acquiree on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis in the event of liquidation, either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the recognized amounts of acquiree’s identifiable net assets. All other non-controlling interests are measured at their acquisition-date fair values, unless another measurement basis is required by IFRSs. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

 

F-19


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Goodwill is recognized as the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree, and the acquisition-date fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree over the identifiable net assets acquired. If this consideration is lower than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired, the difference is recognized in profit or loss.

Balances of receivables and payables, income and expenses and unrealized gains on transactions between the Company’s subsidiaries are eliminated. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Company.

(2) Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries without change of control

In transactions with non-controlling interests, which do not result in loss of control, the Company recognizes directly in equity any difference between the amount by which the non-controlling interests are adjusted and the fair value of the consideration paid or received, and attribute it to the owners of the parent.

(3) Disposal of subsidiaries

If the Company loses control of a subsidiary, any investment continuously retained in the subsidiary is re-measured at its fair value at the date when control is lost and any resulting differences are recognized in profit or loss.

(4) Associates

Associates are all entities over which the Company has significant influence, and investments in associates are initially recognized at acquisition cost using the equity method. Unrealized gains on transactions between the Company and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Company’s interest in the associates. If there is any objective evidence that the investment in the associate is impaired, the Company recognizes the difference between the recoverable amount of the associate and its book value as impairment loss.

(5) Joint arrangement

A joint arrangement of which two or more parties have joint control is classified as either a joint operation or a joint venture. A joint operator has rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the joint operation and recognizes the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses relating to its interest in a joint operation. A joint venturer has rights to the net assets relating to the joint venture and accounts for that investment using the equity method.

2.4    Segment Reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker (Note 33). The chief operating decision-maker is responsible for making strategic decisions on resource allocation and performance assessment of the operating segments.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

2.5    Foreign Currency Translation

(1) Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Company’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the each entity operates (the “functional currency’). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Korean won, which is the Controlling Company’s functional and presentation currency.

(2) Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions or valuation where items are re-measured. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in profit or loss.

Exchange differences arising on non-monetary financial assets and liabilities such as equity instruments at fair value through profit or loss and available-for-sale equity instruments are recognized in profit or loss and included in other comprehensive income, respectively, as part of the fair value gain or loss.

(3) Translation into presentation currency

Different functional currencies are translated into presentation currency using the following procedures.

 

   

Assets and liabilities at the closing rate at the date of that statement of financial position

 

   

Income and expenses at average rate for the period

 

   

Equity at historical rate

 

   

All resulting exchange differences are recognized in other comprehensive income

2.6    Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits held at call with banks, and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than three months.

2.7    Financial Assets

(1) Classification and measurement

The Company classifies its financial assets in the following categories: financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, available-for-sale financial assets, loans and receivables, and held-to-maturity financial assets. Regular purchases and sales of financial assets are recognized on trade date.

 

F-21


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

A regular way purchase of financial assets shall be recognized as applicable, using trade date accounting. At initial recognition, financial assets are measured at fair value plus, in the case of financial assets not carried at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs. Transaction costs of financial assets carried at fair value through profit or loss are expensed in the statement of income. After the initial recognition, available-for-sale financial assets and financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are subsequently carried at fair value. Loans and receivables, and held-to-maturity investments are subsequently carried at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method.

Changes in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are recognized in profit or loss and changes in fair value of available-for-sale financial assets are recognized in other comprehensive income. When the available-for-sale financial assets are sold or impaired, the fair value adjustments recorded in equity are reclassified into profit or loss.

(2) Impairment

The Company assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired. A financial asset or a group of financial assets is impaired and impairment losses are incurred only if there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the asset (a ‘loss event’) and that loss event (or events) has an impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset or a group of financial assets that can be reliably estimated.

Impairment of loans and receivables is presented as a deduction in an allowance account. Impairment of other financial assets is directly deducted from their carrying amount. The Company writes off financial assets when the assets are determined to be no longer recoverable.

The criteria that the Company uses to determine that there is objective evidence of an impairment loss include:

 

   

Significant financial difficulty of the issuer or obligor;

 

   

A breach of contract, such as a default or delinquency in interest or principal payments;

 

   

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;

 

   

It becomes 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; or

 

   

Observable data indicating that there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flows from a portfolio of financial assets since the initial recognition of those assets, although the decrease cannot yet be identified with the individual financial assets in the portfolio.

 

F-22


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

(3) Derecognition

If the Company transfers a financial asset and the transfer does not result in derecognition because the Company has retained substantially of all risks and rewards of ownership of the transferred asset due to a recourse in the event the debtor defaults, the Company continues to recognize the transferred asset in its entirety and recognizes a financial liability for the consideration received. The related financial liability is classified as ‘borrowings’ in the statement of financial position.

(4) Offsetting of financial instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the statements of financial position where there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or realize the assets and settle the liability simultaneously. The legally enforceable right must not be contingent on future events and must be enforceable in the normal course of business and in the event of default, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company or the counterparty.

2.8    Derivative Instruments

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value on the date when a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives that are not qualified for hedge accounting are recognized in the statement of income within ‘operating income (expenses)’ and ‘finance income (expenses)’ according to the nature of transactions.

If the Company uses a valuation technique that incorporates data not obtained from observable markets for the fair value at initial recognition of the financial instrument, there may be a difference between the transaction price and the amount determined using that valuation technique (Day 1 profit and loss). In these circumstances, the fair value of the financial instrument is recognized as the transaction price and the difference is amortized by using the straight-line method over the life of the financial instrument. If the fair value of the financial instrument is subsequently determined using observable market inputs, the remaining deferred amount is recognized in profit or loss in the statement of income.

The Company applies cash flow hedge accounting to hedge the risks of foreign exchange and interest rates of the variable rate foreign currency bonds. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognized in other comprehensive income. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized immediately as finance income (expenses) in the statement of income. Amounts of changes in fair value of effective hedging instruments accumulated in other comprehensive income are recognized as ‘finance income (expenses)’ for the periods when the corresponding transactions affect profit or loss. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that is reported in other comprehensive income is recognized as ‘finance income (expenses)’.

If the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the adjustment to the carrying amount of a hedged item for which the effective interest method is used is amortized to profit or loss over the period to maturity.

 

F-23


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

2.9    Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the weighted-average method, except for inventories in-transit which is determined using the specific identification method.

2.10    Non-current Assets (or Disposal Group) Held-for-sale

Non-current assets (or disposal group) are classified as assets held-for-sale when their carrying amount is to be recovered principally through a sale transaction and a sale is considered highly probable. The assets are measured at the lower amount between their carrying amount and the fair value less costs to sell.

2.11    Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at its cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditures that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items.

Land is not depreciated. Depreciation on other assets is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the difference between their cost and their residual values over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

 

    

Estimated Useful Lives

Buildings

   5 – 40 years

Structures

   5 – 40 years

Machinery and equipment

   3 – 40 years

(Telecommunications equipment and others)

  

Others

  

Vehicles

   4 – 6 years

Tools

   4 – 6 years

Office equipment

   4 – 6 years

The depreciation method, residual values and useful lives of property and equipment are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and, if appropriate, accounted for as changes in accounting estimates.

2.12    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. After recognition as an asset, investment property is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Investment property, except for land, is depreciated using the straight-line method over their useful lives from 10 to 40 years.

2.13    Intangible Assets

(1) Goodwill

Goodwill is measured as explained in Note 2.3 (1) and goodwill arising from acquisition of subsidiaries and business are included in intangible assets. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Impairment losses on goodwill are not reversed. The calculation of the gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity sold.

 

F-24


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to each of the acquirer’s cash-generating units, or groups of cash-generating units (“CGU”), that is expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. Goodwill is monitored at the operating segment level.

Goodwill impairment reviews are undertaken annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate a potential impairment. The carrying value of goodwill is compared to the recoverable amount, which is the higher of value in use and the fair value less costs to sell. Any impairment is recognized immediately as an expense and is not subsequently reversed.

(2) Intangible assets except goodwill

Separately acquired Intangible assets except for goodwill are shown at historical cost. These assets have definite useful lives and are carried at historical cost less accumulated amortization. Assets with definite useful lives are amortized using the straight-line method according to the estimated useful lives presented below. However, facility usage rights (condominium membership and golf membership) and broadcast license are regarded as intangible assets with indefinite useful life and not amortized, because there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which the asset is expected to generate net cash inflows.

The estimated useful life used for amortizing intangible assets is as follows:

 

    

Estimated Useful Lives

Development costs

   5 – 6 years

Goodwill

   Unlimited useful life

Software

   6 years

Industrial property rights

   5 – 10 years

Frequency usage rights

   5.75 – 15 years

Others 1

   2 – 50 years

 

1 Facility usage rights (condominium membership and golf membership) and broadcast license included in others are classified as intangible assets with indefinite useful life.

(3) Research and development costs

Expenditure on research is recognized as an expense as incurred. If the expense as incurred that is identifiable and when the probable future economic benefits are expected, the cost for the new merchandises and technology is recognized as intangible assets when all the following criteria are met:

 

   

It is technically feasible to complete the intangible asset so that it will be available for use;

 

   

Management intends to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it;

 

   

There is the ability to use or sell the intangible asset;

 

   

It can be demonstrated how the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits;

 

   

Adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the intangible asset are available; and

 

   

The expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development can be reliably measured

 

F-25


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Other development expenditures that do not meet these criteria are recognized as expenses as incurred. Development costs previously recognized as an expense are not recognized as an asset in a subsequent period. Capitalized development costs, which are stated as intangible assets, are amortized using the straight-line method when the assets are available for use and are tested for impairment.

2.14    Borrowing Costs

Borrowing costs incurred in the acquisition or construction of a qualifying asset are capitalized in the period when it is prepared for its intended use, and investment income earned on the temporary investment of borrowings made specifically for the purpose obtaining a qualifying asset is deducted from the borrowing costs eligible for capitalization during the period. Other borrowing costs are recognized as expenses for the period in which they are incurred.

2.15    Government Grants

Government grants related to assets are recognized in profit or loss on a systematic and rational basis over the useful life of the asset by setting up the grant as deferred income, and government grants related to income are deferred and recognized in the statement of income as part of ‘other non-operating income’ for the period in which the related expenses for the purpose of the government grants are incurred.

2.16    Impairment of Non-Financial Assets

Goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested annually for impairment. Depreciable assets are tested for impairment when there is any indication an asset may be impaired. Assets that are subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. Non-financial assets, other than goodwill, that suffered impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.

2.17    Financial Liabilities

(1) Classification and measurement

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are financial instruments held for trading. Financial liabilities are classified in this category if incurred principally for the purpose of repurchasing them in the near term. Derivatives that are not designated as hedges or bifurcated from financial instruments containing embedded derivatives are also categorized as held-for-trading.

The Company classifies non-derivative financial liabilities, except for financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, financial guarantee contracts and financial liabilities that arise when a transfer of financial assets does not qualify for derecognition, as financial liabilities carried at amortized cost and presented as ‘trade payables’, ‘borrowings’, and ‘other financial liabilities’ in the statement of financial position.

 

F-26


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Preferred shares that provide for a mandatory redemption at a particular date are classified as liabilities. Interest expenses on these preferred shares calculated using the effective interest method are recognized in the statement of income as ‘finance costs’, together with interest expenses recognized on other financial liabilities.

The Company’s financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are financial instruments held for trading and designated as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss. Financial liabilities held for trading are financial liabilities that are incurred principally for the purpose of repurchasing them in the near term and derivatives that are not designated as hedges or bifurcated from financial instruments containing embedded derivatives. Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are structured financial liabilities containing embedded derivatives issued by the Company.

As it was unable to measure the embedded derivatives separately from its host contract, the Company designated the entire hybrid contact as at fair value through profit or loss. The financial liability that the Company designated as at fair value through profit or loss is a foreign convertible bond.

(2) Derecognition

Financial liabilities are removed from the statement of financial position when it is extinguished, for example, when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expired or when the terms of an existing financial liability are substantially modified.

2.18    Financial Guarantee Contracts

Financial guarantees contracts provided by the Company are initially measured at fair value on the date the guarantee was given. Subsequent to initial recognition, the Company’s liabilities under such guarantees are measured at the higher of the amounts below and recognized as ‘other financial liabilities’:

 

   

The amount determined in accordance with IAS 37, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets; or

 

   

The initial amount, less accumulated amortization recognized in accordance with IAS 18, Revenue.

2.19    Compound Financial Instruments

Compound financial instruments are convertible bonds that can be converted into equity instruments at the option of the holder. The liability component of a compound financial instrument is recognized initially at the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an equity conversion option. The equity component is recognized initially on the difference between the fair value of the compound financial instrument as a whole and the fair value of the liability component. Any directly attributable transaction costs are allocated to the liability and equity components in proportion to their initial carrying amounts.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

2.20    Employee Benefits

(1) Post-employment benefits

The Company has both defined benefit and defined contribution plans.

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. The contributions are recognized as employee benefit expenses when an employee has rendered service.

A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that is not a defined contribution plan. Typically defined benefit plans define an amount of pension benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and compensation. The liability recognized in the statement of financial position in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the end of the reporting period less the fair value of plan assets. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds and that have terms to maturity approximating to the terms of the related pension obligation. The remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability are recognized in other comprehensive income.

If any plan amendments, curtailments, or settlements occur, past service costs or any gains or losses on settlement are recognized as profit or loss for the year.

(2) Termination benefits

Termination benefits are payable when employment is terminated by the Company before the normal retirement date, or whenever an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits. The Company recognizes termination benefits at the earlier of the following dates: when the entity can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits or when the entity recognizes costs for a restructuring.

2.21     Share-based payments

Equity-settled share-based payments granted to employees are estimated at the grant date fair value of equity instruments and recognized as employee benefit expenses over the vesting period. The number of equity instruments expected to vest is remeasured with consideration to non-market vesting conditions at the end of the reporting period, with any changes from the original measurement recognized in the profit for the year and equity.

2.22    Provisions

Provisions are measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation and the increase in the provision due to passage of time is recognized as interest expense.

 

F-28


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

2.23    Leases

(1) Lessee

A lease is an agreement, whereby the lessor conveys to the lessee, in return for a payment or series of payments, the right to use an asset for an agreed period of time. Leases where all the risks and rewards of ownership are not transferred to the Company are classified as operating leases. Lease payments under operating leases are recognized as expenses on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Leases where the Company has substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases and recognized as lease assets and liabilities at the lower of the fair value of the leased property and the present value of the minimum lease payments on the opening date of the lease period.

(2) Lessor

A lease is classified as a finance lease if it transfers substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership at the inception of the lease. A lease other than a finance lease is classified as an operating lease. Lease income from operating leases is recognized in income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Initial direct costs incurred by the lessor in negotiating and arranging an operating lease is added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognized as an expense over the lease term on the same basis as the lease income.

2.24    Capital Stock

Common stocks are classified as equity.

Where the Controlling Company purchases its own equity share capital, the consideration paid, including any directly attributable incremental costs, is deducted from equity attributable to the Controlling Company’s equity holders until the stocks are cancelled or reissued. Where such shares are subsequently reissued, any consideration received is included in equity attributable to the Controlling Company’s equity holders.

2.25    Revenue Recognition

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods or rendering of services arising from the normal activities of the Company. It is stated as net of value added taxes, returns, rebates and discounts, after elimination of intra-company transactions.

The Company recognizes revenue when the amount of revenue can be reliably measured; when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity; and when specific criteria have been met for each of the Company’s activities, as described below. The Company bases its estimate on historical results, taking into consideration the type of customer, the type of transaction and the specifics of each arrangement.

(1) Sales of Services

When providing interconnection or telecommunications service to a customer based on service plans, the related revenue is recognized at the time service is provided. If the customer uses the telecommunications equipment according to the service plans, the related revenue is recognized on straight-line basis over the contract period. Revenue related to the other telecommunications services is recognized when the service is provided to the customer.

 

F-29


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

For other services, when the outcome of a transaction involving the rendering of services can be estimated reliably, revenue associated with such a transaction is recognized by reference to the stage of performance of the services. When the outcome of the transaction involving the rendering of services cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognized only to the extent of the expenses recognized that are recoverable.

Total consideration for combined services is allocated to each service in proportion to its fair value and the allocated amount is recognized as revenue according to revenue recognition policy for the service.

(2) Sales of goods

The Company sells a range of handsets. Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized when products are delivered to the purchaser.

(3) Interest income

Interest income is recognized using the effective interest method according to the time passed. When a loan and receivable is impaired, the Company reduces the carrying amount to its recoverable amount and continues unwinding the discount as interest income. Interest income on impaired loans and receivables is recognized using the original effective interest rate.

(4) Commission fees

Commission fees related to credit card business recognized when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity and these benefits can be reliably measured. Revenues from acquiree fee, agent fee, optional service fees, member service fees and credit card service charge are measured at the fair value of the consideration received and recognized on a accrual basis.

(5) Royalty income

Royalty income is recognized on an accrual basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreements.

(6) Dividend income

Dividend income is recognized when the right to receive payment is established.

(7) Customer loyalty program

The Company operates a customer loyalty program where customers accumulate points for purchases made which entitle them to discounts on future purchases. The reward points are recognized as a separately identifiable component of the initial sale transaction. The fair value of the consideration received or receivable in respect of the initial sale is allocated between the reward points and the other components of the sale. The fair value of the reward points is measured by taking into account the proportion of the reward points that are not expected to be redeemed by customers. Revenue from the reward points is recognized when the points are redeemed and the reward points expire 12 months after the initial sale.

 

F-30


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

2.26    Current and Deferred Income Tax

The tax expense for the period consists of current and deferred tax. Tax is recognized on the profit for the period in the statement of income, except to the extent that it relates to items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively. The tax expense is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period.

Management periodically evaluates tax policies that are applied in tax returns in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation. The Company recognizes current income tax on the basis of the amount expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

Deferred tax is recognized for temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts as expected tax consequences at the recovery or settlement of the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities. However, deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognized if they arise from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss.

Deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences can be utilized.

Deferred tax liability is recognized for taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates, and interests in 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. In addition, deferred tax asset is recognized for deductible temporary differences arising from such investments to the extent that it is probable the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilized.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred income taxes assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

2.27    Deferred Loan Fees and Costs

Loan origination fees in relation to loan origination process such as upfront fee, are deferred and amortized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to the yield of the loan using the effective interest rate method. Loan origination costs, which relates to loan origination activities such as commissions to brokers, are deferred and amortized over the life of the loan as an adjustment to the yield of the loan, using the effective interest rate method, if the future economic benefit related costs incurred can be matched with each loan.

In addition, the amortizations of the deferred loan origination fees on costs are offset and the net amounts are presented in the consolidated statement of financial position.

 

F-31


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

2.28    Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations

When a component of the Group representing a separate major line of business or geographical area of operation has been disposed of, or is subject to a sale plan involving loss of control of a subsidiary, the Group discloses in the statement of income the post-tax profit or loss of discontinued operations and the post-tax gain or loss recognized on the measurement to fair value less costs to sell or on the disposal of the assets or group to be sold constituting the discontinued operation. The net cash flows attributable to the operating, investing and financing activities of discontinued operations are presented in the notes to the financial statements (Note 40).

2.29    Dividend

Dividend distribution to the Company’s shareholders is recognized as a liability in the financial statements in the period in which the dividends are approved by the Company’s shareholders.

2.30    Approval of Issuance of the Financial Statements

The issuance of the December 31, 2014 financial statements of the Company was approved by the directors on April 23, 2015.

2.31    US Dollar Convention Translation

The December 31, 2014 consolidated financial statements are expressed in Korean Won and have been translated in U.S. dollars at the rate of 1,099.2 to US$1, the market average exchange rate announced by Seoul Money Brokerage Services, Ltd. and in effect on December 31, 2014, solely for the convenience of the reader. These translations should not be construed as a representation that any or all of the amounts shown could be converted into U.S. dollars at this or any other rate.

3.    Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions

The Company makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The estimates and assumptions are continuously evaluated with consideration to factors such as events reasonably predictable in the foreseeable future within the present circumstance according to historical experience. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are addressed below.

3.1    Impairment of Goodwill

The Company tests annually whether goodwill has suffered any impairment. The recoverable amounts of cash-generating units have been determined based on value-in-use calculations (Note 13).

3.2    Income Taxes

The Company is operating in numerous countries and the income generated from these operations is subject to income taxes based on tax laws and interpretations of tax authorities in numerous jurisdictions. There are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain.

 

F-32


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

3.3    Fair Value of Derivatives and Financial Instruments

The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market is determined by using valuation techniques. The Company uses its judgment to select a variety of methods and make assumptions that are mainly based on market conditions existing at the end of each reporting period (Note 36).

3.4    Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company recognizes provisions for accounting of estimated loss in customers’ insolvency. When the allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated, it is based on the aging analysis of trade receivables balances, incurred loss experience, customers’ credit rates and changes of payment terms. If the customer’s financial position becomes worse, the actual loss amount will be increased more than the estimated.

3.5    Net defined benefit liability

The present value of net defined benefit liability depends on a number of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis using a number of assumptions including the discount rate (Note 18).

3.6    Deferred Revenue

Service installation fees and initial subscription fees related to activation of service are deferred and recognized as revenue over the expected terms of customer relationships. The estimate of expected terms of customer relationship is based on the historical rate. If management’s estimation is amended, it may cause significant differences in the timing of revenue recognition and amount recognized.

3.7    Provisions

As described in Note 17, the Company records provisions for litigation and assets retirement obligations as of the end of the reporting period. The provisions are estimated based on the factors such as the historical experiences.

3.8    Useful lives of Property and Equipment, Intangible Assets and Investment Property

Depreciation on the property and equipment, intangible assets and investment property excluding land, condominium memberships, golf club memberships, and broadcasting concession is calculated using the straight-line method over their useful lives. The estimated useful lives are determined based on expected usage of the assets and the estimates can be materially affected by technical changes and other factors. The Company will increase depreciation if the useful lives are considered shorter than the previously estimated useful lives.

 

F-33


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

4.    Financial Instruments by category

Financial instruments by category as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2013  

Financial assets

   Loans
and
receivables
     Assets at fair
value through
the profit and loss
     Derivatives
used for
hedge
     Available-
for-sale
     Held-to-
Maturity
     Total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   2,070,869                               2,070,869   

Trade and other receivables

     6,053,040                                         6,053,040   

Loans receivable

     1,348,597                                         1,348,597   

Finance lease receivables

     709,937                                         709,937   

Other financial assets

     582,693         15,643         3,496         547,627         3,248         1,152,707   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   10,765,136       15,643       3,496       547,627       3,248       11,335,150   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2013  

Financial liabilities

   Liabilities at
fair value through
the  profit and loss
     Derivatives
used for
hedge
     Financial
liabilities at
amortized
cost
     Other
liabilities
     Total  

Trade and other payables

               8,472,707             8,472,707   

Finance lease liabilities

                     68,210                 68,210   

Borrowings

                     11,483,893                 11,483,893   

Other financial liabilities

     2,956         150,612         73,080         15,984         242,632   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   2,956       150,612       20,097,890       15,984       20,267,442   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2014  

Financial assets

   Loans
and
receivables
     Assets at fair
value through
the profit and loss
     Derivatives
used for
hedge
     Available-
for-sale
     Held-to-
Maturity
     Total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   1,888,663                               1,888,663   

Trade and other receivables

     5,659,913                                         5,659,913   

Loans receivable

     1,295,282                                         1,295,282   

Finance lease receivables

     584,413                                         584,413   

Other financial assets

     455,622         6,983         41,540         525,556         7,767         1,037,468   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   9,883,893       6,983       41,540       525,556       7,767       10,465,739   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2014  

Financial liabilities

   Liabilities at
fair value through
the  profit and loss
     Derivatives
used for
hedge
     Financial
liabilities at
amortized
cost
     Other
liabilities
     Total  

Trade and other payables

               7,317,303             7,317,303   

Finance lease liabilities

                     55,007                 55,007   

Borrowings

                     12,815,385                 12,815,385   

Other financial liabilities

     3,980         122,012         82,816         5,434         214,242   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   3,980       122,012       20,270,511       5,434       20,401,937   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-34


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Income or expense (gain or loss) by financial instruments category for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2012     2013     2014  

Loans and receivables

      

Interest income 1

   387,254      279,047      237,771   

gain(loss) on foreign currency transaction

     (1,198     23,509        (1,181

gain(loss) on foreign currency translation

     (3,208     (5,245     7,917   

Loss on disposal

     (15,809     (7,534     (16,464

Bad debts expense

     (150,389     (189,665     (231,934

Assets at fair value through the profit and loss

      

Gain(loss) on disposal

     10        375        (587

Loss on valuation

     (80     (5,427     (794

Derivatives used for hedging

      

Gain(loss) on transaction

     (4,023     1,134        (34,653

Gain on valuation

     (49,729     127        64,700   

Other comprehensive income(loss) 2

     (9,407     (1,936     28,928   

Reclassified to profit or loss from other comprehensive income(loss) 2,3

     24,764        1,408        (49,524

Available -for-sale

      

Interest income 1

     142        345        45   

Dividend income

     6,370        20,841        15,007   

Gain(loss) on disposal

     7,991        2,339        (13,495

Impairment loss

     (3,401     (5,053     (70,022

Other comprehensive income 2

     23,952        49,778        39,336   

Reclassified to profit or loss from other comprehensive income 2

     (4,865     6,554        (17,173

Held-to-Maturity

      

Interest income 1

                   159   

Liabilities at fair value through the profit and loss

      

Gain on foreign currency transaction

     199        42        (134

Gain(loss) on disposal

     (78     (676     13   

Gain on valuation

     331        156        32   

Derivatives used for hedging

      

Gain(loss) on disposal

     2,352        (3,339     2,121   

Gain(loss) on valuation

     (191,627     (97,289     3,179   

Other comprehensive loss 2

     (119,883     (70,367     (11,938

Reclassified to profit or loss from other comprehensive income 2,3

     130,103        66,199        4,729   

Financial liabilities at amortized cost

      

Interest expense 1,4

     (589,727     (548,129     (578,210

Gain(loss) foreign currency transaction

     3,383        (330     12,443   

Gain(loss) foreign currency translation

     262,383        104,820        (99,145

Other liabilities

      

Financial guarantee reversal(expense)

     (11,216     (9,034     15,736   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   (305,406   (387,349   (693,138
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 KT Capital Co., Ltd. and KT Rental, a subsidiary of the Company, recognizes interest income and expense as operating revenue and expense. Interest income recognized as operating revenue is 157,135 million (2012: 184,182 million, 2013: 170,598 million) and interest expense recognized as operating expense is 77,158 million(2012: 116,810 million, 2013: 97,827 million) for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

2 The amounts directly reflected in equity before adjustments of deferred income tax.

 

3 During the year, the certain derivatives of the Company were settled and the related gain or loss on valuation of cash flow hedge in other comprehensive income was reclassified to profit or loss for the year.

 

4 The amounts reflected as interest expense arising from derivatives.

 

F-35


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

5.    Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2013      2014  

Cash on hand

   5,712       3,918   

Cash in banks

     885,620         805,145   

Money market trust

     817,466         699,879   

Other financial instruments

     362,071         379,721   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   2,070,869       1,888,663   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of financial position equal cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows.

Restricted cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   Type      2013      2014     

Description

Cash and cash equivalents

     Restricted deposit       1,998       3,318       Deposit restricted for governmental project and others

6.    Trade and Other Receivables

Trade and other receivables as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Total
amounts
     Allowance for
doubtful
accounts
    Present
value discount
    Carrying
value
 

Current assets

         

Trade receivables

   3,791,089       (523,098   (28,248   3,239,743   

Other receivables

     2,143,203         (142,821     (556     1,999,826   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   5,934,292       (665,919   (28,804   5,239,569   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current assets

         

Trade receivables

   404,372       (2,568   (33,539   368,265   

Other receivables

     500,028         (9,775     (45,047     445,206   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   904,400       (12,343   (78,586   813,471   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Total
amounts
     Allowance for
doubtful
accounts
    Present
value discount
    Carrying
value
 

Current assets

         

Trade receivables

   3,657,814       (524,865   (9,589   3,123,360   

Other receivables

     1,872,095         (183,987     (418     1,687,690   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   5,529,909       (708,852   (10,007   4,811,050   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current assets

         

Trade receivables

   393,354       (2,752   (25,217   365,385   

Other receivables

     552,190         (26,659     (42,053     483,478   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   945,544       (29,411   (67,270   848,863   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-36


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

The fair values of trade and other receivables with original maturities less than one year equal their carrying values because the discounting effect is immaterial. The fair value of trade and other receivables with original maturities longer than one year, which are mainly from sales of goods, is determined discounting the expected future cash flow at the weighted average borrowing rate.

Details of changes in allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013     2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Trade
receivables
    Other
receivables
    Trade
receivables
    Other
receivables
 

Beginning balance

   468,118      175,940      525,666      152,596   

Provision

     151,240        8,926        127,881        71,254   

Reversal or written-off

     (92,979     (34,227     (124,993     (16,201

Changes in the scope of consolidation

     338        2,349        (334     3,759   

Others

     (1,051     (392     (603     (762
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   525,666      152,596      527,617      210,646   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provisions for doubtful trade and other receivables are recognized as operating expenses or finance costs.

Details of aging analysis of trade receivables as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Neither past due nor impaired

   2,959,284      2,893,083   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Past due and impaired

    

Up to six months

     725,681        707,140   

Six months to twelve months

     105,607        101,297   

Over twelve months

     343,102        314,842   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,174,390        1,123,279   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (525,666     (527,617
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   3,608,008      3,488,745   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The detail of other receivables as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Loans

   89,134      81,963   

Receivables 1

     2,096,086        1,834,813   

Accrued income

     22,603        26,032   

Refundable deposits

     389,199        434,846   

Others

     606        4,160   

Allowance

     (152,596     (210,646
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   2,445,032      2,171,168   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current

     1,999,826        1,687,690   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-Current

     445,206        483,478   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 The settlement receivables of BC Card Co., Ltd. of 1,123,744 million (2013: 1,553,823 million) included.

 

F-37


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Details of aging analysis of other receivables as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Neither past due nor impaired

   2,312,757      2,046,235   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Past due and impaired

    

Up to six months

     105,712        87,852   

Six months to twelve months

     16,641        77,773   

Over twelve months

     162,518        169,954   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     284,871        335,579   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (152,596     (210,646
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   2,445,032      2,171,168   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The maximum exposure of trade and other receivables to credit risk is the carrying value of each class of receivables mentioned above as of December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, the Company is provided with guarantees of 674,768 million by Seoul Guarantee Insurance related to the collection of certain accounts receivable arising from the handset sales.

7.    Loans Receivable

Loans receivable as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

Current

 

     2013     2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Original
amount
    Allowance
for doubtful
accounts
    Carrying
Value
    Original
amount
    Allowance
for doubtful
accounts
    Carrying
Value
 

Factoring receivables

   82,994      (1,245   81,749      64,231      (2,916   61,315   

Loans

     752,165        (32,722     719,443        645,955        (28,331     617,624   

Loans for installment credit

     38,799        (1,205     37,594        32,875        (1,231     31,644   

Deferred loan origination profit and loss

     (62            (62     (215            (215
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   873,896      (35,172   838,724      742,846      (32,478   710,368   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-Current

 

     2013      2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Original
amount
     Allowance
for doubtful
accounts
    Carrying
Value
     Original
amount
     Allowance
for doubtful
accounts
    Carrying
Value
 

Factoring receivables

   1,073       (103   970       6,721       (173   6,548   

Loans

     426,218         (15,929     410,289         497,153         (18,349     478,804   

Loans for installment credit

     46,849         (5,007     41,842         54,580         (2,336     52,244   

Deferred loan origination profit and loss

     3,432                3,432         4,209                4,209   

New technology financial investment assets

     6,629         (803     5,826         8,884         (1,707     7,177   

New technology financial loans

     63,575         (16,061     47,514         59,992         (24,060     35,932   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   547,776       (37,903   509,873       631,539       (46,625   584,914   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-38


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

The fair values of loans receivable with maturities less than one year equal their carrying values because the discounting effect is immaterial. The fair value of loans receivables with original maturities longer than one year is determined discounting the future cash flow at the weighted average borrowing rate.

Details of changes in allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Beginning

   65,196      73,075   

Provision

     40,743        31,656   

Reversal or written-off

     (30,448     (23,618

Others

     (2,416     (2,010
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending

   73,075      79,103   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provisions for doubtful loans receivable are recognized as operating expenses.

Details of aging analysis of loans receivable as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Neither past due nor impaired

   1,322,206      1,236,387   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Past due and impaired

    

Up to six months

     54,263        101,071   

Six months to twelve months

     27,312        3,718   

Over twelve months

     7,891        33,209   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     89,466        137,998   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (73,075     (79,103
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   1,348,597      1,295,282   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The maximum exposure of loans receivables to credit risk is carrying value as of December 31, 2014.

 

F-39


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

8. Other Financial Assets and Liabilities

Other financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Other financial assets

    

Assets at fair value through the profit and loss

   15,643      6,983   

Derivatives used for hedge

     3,496        41,540   

Financial instruments 1

     582,693        455,622   

Available-for-sale financial assets

     547,627        525,556   

Held-to-maturity investments

     3,248        7,767   

Less: Non-current

     (672,645     (704,760
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current

   480,062      332,708   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other financial liabilities

    

Liabilities at fair value through the profit and loss

   2,956      3,980   

Derivatives used for hedge

     150,612        122,012   

Financial guarantee liabilities 2

     15,984        5,434   

Other financial liabilities

     73,080        82,816   

Less: Non-current

     (178,812     (190,525
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current

   63,820      23,717   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 Financial assets amounting to 26,023 million (2013: 23,870 million) and 61 million (2013: 70 million) are collaterals pledged against the investee’s debt and checking account deposit, which are subject to withdrawal restrictions.

 

2 As of December 31, 2014, the Company has funding obligation to Smart Channel Co., Ltd. The related financial guarantee liabilities of 5,393 million are recognized.

Financial instruments at fair value through the profit and loss as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013      2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Assets      Liabilities      Assets      Liabilities  

Financial instruments held for trading

           

Interest rate swap

   1                     

Currency swap

     7,238                           

Currency forward

     499         6                   

Other derivatives

     7,905         148         6,983         646   

Financial instruments at fair value through the profit and loss

             2,802                 3,334   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   15,643       2,956       6,983       3,980   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The valuation gains and losses on financial instruments held for trading for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

     2012      2013      2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Valuation
gain
     Valuation
loss
     Valuation
gain
     Valuation
loss
     Valuation
gain
     Valuation
loss
 

Interest rate swap

         2                         1   

Currency swap

                             8,395                   

Currency forward

     118                 499         6                   

Other derivatives

                     3,789         1,467         643         1,006   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   118       2       4,288       9,868       643       1,007   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-40


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

The valuation gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value through the profit and loss for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2012      2013      2014  

Foreign currency translation gain(loss)

   199       42       (134

Gain on transactions

     547                   

Gain(loss) on valuations

     135         309         (398
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   881       351       (532
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The maximum exposure of debt securities of financial instruments at fair value through the profit and loss to credit risk is carrying value as of December 31, 2014.

Derivatives used for hedge as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013      2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Assets      Liabilities      Assets      Liabilities  

Interest rate swap 1

         934             601   

Currency swap 2

     3,496         149,678         41,540         121,411   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     3,496         150,612         41,540         122,012   

Less: non-current

     (3,496      (105,679      (34,198      (107,667
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current

         44,933       7,342       14,345   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1 The interest rate swap contract is to hedge the risk of variability in future fair value of the bond.

 

2 The currency swap contract is to hedge the risk of variability in cash flow from the bond. In applying the cash flow hedge accounting, the Company hedges its exposures to cash flow fluctuation until September 7, 2034.

The full value of a hedging derivative is classified as a non-current asset or liability if the remaining maturity of the hedged item is more than 12 months and, as a current asset or liability, if the maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months.

The valuation gains and losses on the derivatives contracts for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean
won)

  2012     2013     2014  

Type of Transaction

  Valuation
gain
    Valuation
loss
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income 1
    Valuation
gain
    Valuation
loss
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income 1
    Valuation
gain
    Valuation
loss
    Accumulated
other

comprehensive
income 1
 

Interest rate swap

            (1,206             405                334   

Currency swap

           241,356        (169,361     127        97,289        (95,792     93,235        25,356        22,080   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

       241,356      (170,567   127      97,289      (95,387   93,235      25,356      22,414   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 The amounts before adjustments of deferred income tax directly reflected in equity and allocation to the non-controlling interest.

The ineffective portion recognized in profit or loss on the cash flow hedge is valuation income of 1,178 million for the current period (2012: valuation loss of 29,183 million, 2013: valuation loss of 1,241 million).

 

F-41


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Details of available-for-sale financial assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Marketable equity securities

   55,347       55,631   

Non-marketable equity securities

     466,302        442,055   

Marketable debt securities

     25,211        10,301   

Non-marketable debt securities

     767        17,569   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     547,627        525,556   

Less: non-current

     (544,968     (509,253
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current

   2,659      16,303   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes of available-for-sale financial assets for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Beginning

    429,875      547,627   

Acquisition

     127,052        78,095   

Disposal

     (66,917     (138,394

Reclassification 1

     (3,000     48,684   

Impairment 2

     (5,053     (70,022

Valuation 3

     65,670        51,894   

Changes in scope of consolidation

            7,672   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending

   547,627      525,556   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 During the year ended December 31, 2014, KT ENGCORE Co., Ltd. (formerly KT ENS corporation) was reclassified to available-for-sale financial securities from investment in subsidiaries due to the commencement of rehabilitation procedures (Note 1.2).

 

2 Includes impairment losses of 48,684 million on KT ENGCORE Co., Ltd. (formerly KT ENS corporation) recognized in 2014.

 

3 The amount before adjustment of deferred income tax directly reflected in equity and allocation to the non-controlling interest.

The maximum exposure of debt securities of available-for-sale financial assets to credit risk is carrying value as of December 31, 2014.

Available-for-sale financial assets are measured at fair value. However, non-marketable equity securities that do not have quoted market prices in an active market and the fair value of which cannot be reliably measured are recognized at cost and the impairment loss is recognized if any.

None of the available-for-sale financial assets are past due and the impaired assets amount to 12,942 million as of December 31, 2014.

Investment in Korea Software Financial Cooperative amounting to 1,000 million is provided as collateral as consideration for payment guarantees provided by Korea Software Financial Cooperative (Note 20).

 

F-42


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

9.    Inventories

Inventories as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013      2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Acquisition
cost
     Valuation
allowance
    Book
Value
     Acquisition
cost
     Valuation
allowance
    Book
Value
 

Merchandise

   719,164       (122,919   596,245       445,644       (62,902   382,742   

Goods in transit

     611                611                          

Others

     77,051         (289     76,762         36,474         (333     36,141   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   796,826       (123,208   673,618       482,118       (63,235   418,883   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cost of inventories recognized as expenses for year ended December 31, 2014, amounts to 3,683,293 million (2012: 4,568,286 million, 2013: 3,797,973 million) and reversal of valuation allowance on inventory recognized amounts to 59,973 million for year ended December 31, 2014 (2012: valuation loss of 23,931 million, 2013: 88,946 million).

10.    Other Assets and Liabilities

Other assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Other assets

    

Advance payments

   134,758      126,674   

Prepaid expenses

     258,387        284,887   

Others

     22,199        10,095   

Less: Non-current

     (75,748     (72,041
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current

   339,596   349,615
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other liabilities

    

Advances received

   191,767      193,900   

Withholdings

     129,484        100,345   

Unearned revenue

     27,313        22,208   

Others

     1,512        889   

Less: Non-current

     (2,000     (38,590
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current

   348,076   278,752
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-43


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

11.    Property, Plant and Equipment

The changes in property, plant and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

    2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

  Land     Buildings
and

structures
    Machinery
and
equipment
    Others     Construction-
in-progress
    Total  

Acquisition cost

  1,243,388      3,264,020      32,184,133      3,632,642      867,842      41,192,025   

Accumulated depreciation (including accumulated impairment loss and others)

    (132     (1,078,090     (22,331,175     (1,961,444     (14,818     (25,385,659
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 2013.1.1

    1,243,256        2,185,930        9,852,958        1,671,198        853,024        15,806,366   

Acquisition

    2,718        14,178        417,218        1,051,278        2,843,801        4,329,193   

Disposal/Abandonment

    (3,297     (21,448     (173,102     (157,278     (283,677     (638,802

Depreciation

           (112,046     (2,428,859     (553,709            (3,099,738

Transfer in (out)

    9,671        12,544        2,188,686        104,024        (2,314,925       

Inclusion in scope of consolidation

    42        39        293        9               383   

Exclusion from scope of consolidation

           (379     (87     (348            (814

Others

    1,090        (18,848     36,618        (13,792     (19,816     (14,748
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 2013.12.31

  1,253,480      2,059,970      9,893,725      2,101,382      1,078,407      16,386,964   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Acquisition cost

  1,253,612      3,270,339      32,103,084      4,232,627      1,092,155      41,951,817   

Accumulated depreciation (including accumulated impairment loss and others)

    (132     (1,210,369     (22,209,359     (2,131,245     (13,748     (25,564,853

 

    2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

  Land     Buildings
and
structures
    Machinery
and
equipment
    Others     Construction-
in-progress
    Total  

Acquisition cost

  1,253,612      3,270,339      32,103,084      4,232,627      1,092,155      41,951,817   

Accumulated depreciation (including accumulated impairment loss and others)

    (132     (1,210,369     (22,209,359     (2,131,245     (13,748     (25,564,853
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 2014.1.1

    1,253,480        2,059,970        9,893,725        2,101,382        1,078,407        16,386,964   

Acquisition

           4,293        255,419        1,129,330        2,268,594        3,657,636   

Disposal/Abandonment

    (8,781     (16,972     (171,691     (182,466     (16,759     (396,669

Depreciation

           (105,402     (2,450,216     (635,282            (3,190,900

Transfer in (out)

    24,072        75,422        2,295,290        83,380        (2,478,164       

Inclusion in scope of consolidation

    8,657        4,189        2,921        3,024               18,791   

Exclusion from scope of consolidation

    (4,234     (5,064     (3,462     (2,493            (15,253

Others

    14,495        (7,186     11,683        (1,245     (10,120     7,627   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 2014.12.31

  1,287,689      2,009,250      9,833,669      2,495,630      841,958      16,468,196   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Acquisition cost

  1,287,821      3,345,587      33,390,640      4,806,849      845,662      43,676,559   

Accumulated depreciation (including accumulated impairment loss and others)

    (132     (1,336,337     (23,556,971     (2,3211,219     (3,704     (27,208,363

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Details of property, plant and equipment provided as collateral as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

     2013

(in millions of Korean won)

   Carrying
amount
     Secured
amount
     Related
line item
     Related
amount
     Secured
party

Buildings

   11,356       7,800         Borrowings       6,000       Shin-Han Bank

Machinery and equipment

     37,248         2,786         Borrowings         2,322       Korea Exchange Bank

 

     2014

(in millions of Korean won)

   Carrying
amount
     Secured
amount
     Related
line item
     Related
amount
     Secured
party

Land/Buildings

   12,839       12,000         Borrowings       10,000       SC Bank

Buildings

     10,875         7,800         Borrowings         6,000       Hana Bank

The borrowing costs capitalized for qualifying assets amount to 14,493 million (2013: 20,144 million) in 2014. The interest rate applied to calculate the capitalized borrowing costs in 2014 is 3.56% to 4.05%. (2013: 3.95% to 4.44%).

12.    Investment Property

The changes in investment property for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

     2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Land     Buildings     Construction-
in-progress
     Total  

Acquisition cost

   335,447      1,022,454            1,357,901   

Accumulated depreciation

            (202,688             (202,688
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Beginning

   335,447      819,766            1,155,213   

Acquisition

     3,053        11,352        3,778         18,183   

Disposal/Abandonment

     (420     (7,657             (8,077

Depreciation

            (47,232             (47,232

Transfer

     (9,116     (3,476             (12,592
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending

   328,964      772,753      3,778       1,105,495   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Acquisition cost

   328,964      1,015,079      3,778       1,347,821   

Accumulated depreciation

            (242,326             (242,326

 

     2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Land     Buildings     Construction-
in-progress
     Total  

Acquisition cost

    328,964       1,015,079      3,778        1,347,821   

Accumulated depreciation

            (242,326             (242,326
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Beginning

   328,964      772,753      3,778       1,105,495   

Acquisition

            4,443        15,600         20,043   

Disposal/Abandonment

     (1,487     (5,740             (7,227

Depreciation

            (51,446             (51,446

Transfer

     (11,683     4,448                (7,235
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending

   315,794      724,458      19,378       1,059,630   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Acquisition cost

   315,794      1,003,031      19,378       1,338,203   

Accumulated depreciation

            (278,573             (278,573

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

The fair value of investment property is 2,277,234 million as of December 31, 2014 (2013: 2,051,183 million). The fair value of investment property is estimated based on the expected cash flow.

Rental income from investment property is 216,976 million in 2013 (2013: 197,673 million) and direct operating expenses (including repairs and maintenance) arising from investment property that generated rental income during the period are recognized as operating expenses.

Details of investment property provided as collateral as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Carrying
amount
     Secured
amount
     Collateral for    Amount of deposits
received
 

Land

   23,258       1,484       Deposits received    31,727   

Buildings

     360,489         40,713         

 

     2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Carrying
amount
     Secured
amount
     Collateral for    Amount of deposits
received
 

Land

   10,773       6,773       borrowings    5,210   

Buildings

     345,281         47,350       Deposits received    34,675   

13.    Intangible Assets

The changes in intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

     2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Goodwill     Development
costs
    Software     Frequency
usage rights
    Others     Total  

Acquisition cost

   605,776      1,393,089      614,069      1,924,869      1,013,046      5,550,849   

Accumulated amortization (including accumulated impairment loss and others)

     (7,749     (764,426     (374,043     (880,511     (310,482     (2,337,211
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 2013.1.1

     598,027        628,663        240,026        1,044,358        702,564        3,213,638   

Acquisition 1

     9,272        137,420        87,898        844,462        125,563        1,204,615   

Disposal

            (57,956     (5,645            (7,617     (71,218

Amortization

            (155,280     (61,413     (161,226     (100,983     (478,902

Impairment

     (12,954     (4,743     (1,019            (17,490     (36,206

Inclusion in scope of consolidation

                   501                      501   

Exclusion in scope of consolidation

                                          

Others

     (2,006     (30     1,968        (388     (4,579     (5,035
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 2013.12.31

   592,339      548,074      262,316      1,727,206      697,458      3,827,393   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Acquisition cost

   610,715      1,359,478      681,176      2,768,943      1,100,540      6,520,852   

Accumulated amortization (including accumulated impairment loss and others)

     (18,376     (811,404     (418,860     (1,041,737     (403,082     (2,693,459

 

1 The Company had acquired the 1.8GHz frequency amortized during its uselife using the straight-line method.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

     2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Goodwill     Development
costs
    Software     Frequency
usage rights
    Others     Total  

Acquisition cost

   610,715      1,359,478      681,176      2,768,943      1,100,540      6,520,852   

Accumulated amortization (including accumulated impairment loss and others)

     (18,376     (811,404     (418,860     (1,041,737     (403,082     (2,693,459
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 2014.1.1

     592,339        548,074        262,316        1,727,206        697,458        3,827,393   

Acquisition

            286,516        95,781               51,633        433,930   

Disposal

     (1,519     (16,713     (2,205            (6,359     (26,796

Amortization

            (171,817     (101,344     (253,588     (85,669     (612,418

Impairment 1

     (11,693            (5,210     (69,428     (944     (87,275

Inclusion in scope of consolidation

            733        1,363               13,548        15,644   

Exclusion in scope of consolidation

            (3,297     (4,960            (2,052     (10,309

Others

     621        7,191        (2,080            (1,868     3,864   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 2014.12.31

    579,748      650,687       243,661      1,404,190       665,747       3,544,033   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Acquisition cost

   609,817       1,589,994       747,343       2,768,943       1,154,915       6,871,012   

Accumulated amortization (including accumulated impairment loss and others)

     (30,069     (939,307     (503,682     (1,364,753     (489,168     (3,326,979

 

1 The Company recognized the impairment loss of 69,428 million on 800 Mhz frequency usage right considering its recoverable amount.

The carrying value of facility usage rights with indefinite useful life not subject to amortization is 149,832 million (2013: 150,654 million) as of December 31, 2014.

Goodwill is allocated to the Company’s cash-generating unit which is identified by operating segments. As of December 31, 2014, goodwill allocated to each cash-generation unit is as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

      

Customer/Marketing

  

Wireless business 1

   65,057   

Finance and Rental

  

KT Rental 2

     131,426   

BC Card Co., Ltd. 2

     41,234   

Others

  

KT Skylife Co., Ltd 2

     306,303   

KT Powertel Co., Ltd. and others

     35,728   
  

 

 

 

Total

   579,748   
  

 

 

 

 

1 The recoverable amounts of mobile business are calculated based on value-in use calculations. These calculations use pre-tax cash flow projections for the next four years based on financial budgets approved by management. Cash flow exceeds the financial budgets are estimated by the expected growth rate. This growth rate does not exceed the long-term average growth rate of the industry which the cash-generate unit belongs in. The Company estimated its revenue growth rate based on past performance and its expectation of future market changes.

 

2

The recoverable amounts of KT Rental, BC Card Co., Ltd., and KT Skylife Co., Ltd. are calculated based on value-in use calculations. These calculations use cash flow projections for the next five years based on financial budgets. Cash flow that exceeds the financial budgets is projected by expected growth rate. This growth rate does not exceed the long-term average growth rate of the industry which the cash-generate unit belongs in. The Company estimated its revenue growth rate based on past performance and its expectation of future market changes. The Company determined cash flow projections based

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

  on past performance and its estimation of market growth. Specific risk of related operating segment is reflected in its discount rate. As a result of the impairment test, there is no impairment loss on goodwill allocated to KT Rental, BC Card Co., Ltd., and KT Skylife Co., Ltd., respectively, as of December 31, 2014.

As a result of the impairment test, the Company recognized the impairment losses of 11,693 million on goodwill allocated to KT Innoedu Co., Ltd. and three other subsidiaries included in the others segment. And recognized the losses as operating expenses in the consolidated statement of the income. The Company considers that the carrying value of other cash generating units does not exceed the recoverable amount of the CGUs.

14.    Investments in Associates and Jointly Controlled Entities

Details of associates as of December 31, 2014, are as follows:

(a) Associates

 

      Percentage of
ownership (%)
    Location    Date of financial
statements

Company

   2013     2014       

ktcs Corporation 1

     17.8          Korea    December 31

ktis Corporation 1

     17.8          Korea    December 31

Korea Information & Technology Fund

     33.3     33.3   Korea    December 31

KT-SB Venture Investment 2

     50.0     50.0   Korea    December 31

Mongolian Telecommunications

     40.0     40.0   Mongolia    December 31

KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd.

     26.2     26.2   Korea    December 31

KT-CKP New Media Investment Fund

     49.7     49.7   Korea    December 31

QTT Global (Group) Company Limited

     25.0     25.0   China    December 31

How Smartmall Private Special Asset Investment Trust 3

     80.8     80.8   Korea    December 31

 

1 As of December 31, 2013, even though the Company has less than 20% ownership, the equity method of accounting has been applied as it is considered that the Company has the significant influence over the operating and financial policies of these entities. As the company obtained control over these entities in 2014, these entities was reclassified as subsidiaries.

 

2 At the end of the reporting period, even though the Company has 50% ownership, the equity method of accounting has been applied as the Company, which is a limited partner of investment fund, cannot participate in determining the operating and financial policies.

 

3 At the end of the reporting period, even though the Company has 80.8% ownership, the equity method of accounting has been applied as the Company, which is a limited partner of investment fund, cannot determine the operating and financial policies without other partner’s consent.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

The changes in investments in associates and jointly controlled entities for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Beginning      Acquisition
(Disposal)
    Share in income (loss)
of jointly controlled
entities and associates 1
    Others     Ending  

ktcs Corporation

   21,784        —       2,702      (2,306   22,180   

ktis Corporation

     21,870                2,511        (1,053     23,328   

Korea Information & Technology Fund

     121,113                2,910        (241     123,782   

KT-SB Venture Investment

     12,385         3,750        216        (421     15,930   

Mongolian Telecommunications

     9,999                172        (1,475     8,696   

Metropol Property LLC

     1,783                558        (982     1,359   

KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd.

     66,741                812               67,553   

KTF-CJ Music Contents Investment Fund

     5,052         (3,561     (1,491              

KT-CKP new media Investment Fund

             2,250        (73            2,177   

QTT Global (Group) Company Limited

     12,949                121        45        13,115   

How Smartmall Private Special Asset Investment Trust

     32,503                2,967        (7,064     28,406   

Others

     73,316         (9,188     (1,183     (5,568     57,377   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    379,495       (6,749    10,222      (19,065    363,903   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

  Beginning     Acquisition
(Disposal)
    Reclassification     Share in income (loss)
of jointly controlled
entities and associates 1
    Others     Ending  

ktcs Corporation 2

   22,180       —      (22,505    1,703      (1,378    —   

ktis Corporation 3

    23,328               (24,343     1,766        (751       

Korea Information & Technology Fund

    123,782                      (42     (773     122,967   

KT-SB Venture Investment

    15,930        (1,938            13,302        (4,737     22,557   

Mongolian Telecommunications

    8,696                      97        (1,316     7,477   

KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd.

    67,553                      938               68,491   

KT-CKP New Media Investment Fund

    2,177        2,250               (441            3,986   

QTT Global (Group) Company Limited

    13,115                      222        (361     12,976   

How Smartmall Private Special Asset Investment Trust

    28,406                      2,747        (3,523     27,630   

Others

    58,736        (12,203            4,069        22,094        72,696   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   363,903      (11,891   (46,848   24,361      9,255       338,780   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 KT Capital Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, recognizes its share in income (loss) from jointly controlled entities and associates as operating revenue and expense. These include its share in income of jointly controlled entities and associates of 6,605 million (2012: 6,591 million, 2013: 4,155 million) recognized as operating revenue and its share in loss of jointly controlled entities and associates of 442 million (2012: 362 million, 2013: 534 million) recognized as operating expense.

 

2 As the Company obtained control over the entity in 2014, the entity was reclassified as a subsidiary. As a result of the reclassification, the Company recognized differences of 2,469 million between the fair value of 22,907 million and the book value of 25,376 million (including reclassification adjustment of accumulated other comprehensive income of 2,871 million) as operating expenses.

 

3 As the Company obtained control over the entity in 2014, the entity was reclassified as a subsidiary. As a result of the reclassification, the Company recognized differences of 4,667 million between the fair value of 21,992 million and the book value of 26,659 million (including reclassification adjustment of accumulated other comprehensive income of 2,316 million) as operating expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

The summary of financial information of associates and joint ventures as of and for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, follows:

 

     2013  

(In millions of Korean won)

   Current
assets
     Non-current
assets
     Current
liabilities
     Non-current
liabilities
 

ktcs corporation

   130,585       50,403       54,115       2,061   

ktis corporation

     140,119         41,733         48,636         2,124   

Korea Information & Technology Fund

     132,143         239,203                   

KT-SB Venture Investment

     5,578         26,964         682           

Mongolian Telecommunications

     14,670         12,869         5,798           

Metropol Property LLC

     4,267                 3,340           

KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd

     159,309         103,401         5,004         45   

KT-CKP New Media Investment Fund

     1,722         2,666         4           

QTT Global(Group) Company Limited

     20,117         1,310         5,019           

K- Realty CR-REITs No.1

     11,620         484,204         3,534         294,474   

How Smartmall Private Special Asset Investment Trust

     38,374                 899           

Others

     79,606         302,427         116,967         62,038   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   738,110       1,265,180       243,998       360,742   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     2013  

(In millions of Korean won)

   Operating
revenue
     Net profit
(loss)
    Other
comprehensive
income(loss)
    Total
comprehensive
income(loss)
    Dividends
received from
associates
 

ktcs Corporation

   396,212       14,480      (4,293   10,187      813   

ktis Corporation

     387,720         13,573        (3,274     10,299        620   

Korea Information & Technology Fund

     17,345         8,730               8,730          

KT-SB Venture Investment

     370         637               637        421   

Mongolian Telecommunications

     10,877         447        (42     405        23   

Metropol Property LLC

     502         133        6        139        911   

KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd

     1,660         3,169               3,169          

KT-CKP New Media Investment Fund

     33         (146            (146       

QTT Global(Group) Company Limited

     21,024         2,105        82        2,187          

K- Realty CR-REITs No.1

     39,064         11,091               11,091        2,521   

How Smartmall Private Special Asset Investment Trust

     3,870         3,673               3,673        3,848   

Others

     371,120         (9,882     (418     (10,300     1,444   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   1,249,797       48,010      (7,939   40,071      10,601   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     2014  

(In millions of Korean won)

   Current
assets
     Non-current
assets
     Current
liabilities
     Non-current
liabilities
 

Korea Information & Technology Fund

   122,026       246,874               

KT-SB Venture Investment

     22,402         23,368         656           

Mongolian Telecommunications

     12,636         10,648         4,591           

KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd.

     205,147         61,068         4,960         40   

KT-CKP New Media Investment Fund

     4,588         3,441         4           

QTT Global(Group) Company Limited

     15,439         414                   

K- Realty CR-REITs No.1

     36,017         461,720         6,477         291,583   

How Smartmall Private Special Asset Investment Trust

     37,412                 875           

Others

     321,497         188,435         144,915         118,904   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   777,164       995,968       162,478       410,527   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

     2014  

(In millions of Korean won)

   Operating
revenue
     Net profit
(loss)
    Other
comprehensive
income (loss)
    Total
comprehensive
income (loss)
    Dividends
received from
associates
 

Korea Information & Technology Fund

   10,411       (128   (835   (963   494   

KT-SB Venture Investment

     1,056         26,603               26,603        4,238   

Mongolian Telecommunications

     8,745         242               242          

KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd.

     1,237         3,555               3,555          

KT-CKP New Media Investment Fund

     89         (888     80        (808       

QTT Global(Group) Company Limited

     9,462         887        (156     731          

K-Realty CR-REITs No.1

     39,233         17,822               17,822        2,394   

How Smartmall Private Special Asset Investment Trust

     3,580         3,401               3,401        2,767   

Others

     463,322         (13,134     (2,754     (15,888     7,738   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   537,135       38,360      (3,665   34,695      17,631   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Details of a reconciliation of the summarized financial information to the carrying amount of interests in the associates and joint ventures as of and for the years end December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

    2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

  Net assets     Percentage
of
ownership
    Share in net
assets
    Goodwill     Intercompany
transaction
and others
    Book value  

ktcs Corporation

  124,812        17.8   22,217           (37   22,180   

ktis Corporation

    131,092        17.8     23,340               (12     23,328   

Korea Information & Technology Fund

    371,346        33.3     123,782                      123,782   

KT-SB Venture Investment

    31,860        50.0     15,930                      15,930   

Mongolian Telecommunications

    21,741        40.0     8,696                      8,696   

Metropol Property LLC

    927        34.0     315        1,044               1,359   

KT-CKP New Media Investment Fund

    4,384        49.7     2,177                      2,177   

QTT Global(Group) Company Limited

    16,408        25.0     4,102        9,013               13,115   

KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd.

    257,661        26.2     67,553                      67,553   

How Smartmall Private Special Asset Investment Trust

    37,475        80.8     30,269               (1,863     28,406   

 

    2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

  Net assets     Percentage
of
ownership
    Share in net
assets
    Goodwill     Intercompany
transaction
and others
    Book value  

Korea Information & Technology Fund

  368,900        33.3   122,967                122,967   

KT-SB Venture Investment

    45,114        50.0     22,557                      22,557   

Mongolian Telecommunications

    18,693        40.0     7,477                      7,477   

KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd.

    261,215        26.2     68,491                      68,491   

KT-CKP New Media Investment Fund

    8,025        49.7     3,986                      3,986   

QTT Global (Group) Company Limited

    15,853        25.0     3,963        9,013               12,976   

How Smartmall Private Special Asset Investment Trust

    36,537        80.8     29,511               (1,881     27,630   

 

F-51


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Marketable investments in associates and joint ventures as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013  
     Number of
shares
     Book Value
(In millions of
Korean won)
     Fair Value
(In millions of
Korean won)
 

ktcs Corporation

     8,132,130       22,180       28,218   

ktis Corporation

     6,196,190         23,328         31,539   

Mongolian Telecommunications

     10,348,111         8,696         10,083   

 

     2014  
     Number of
shares
     Book Value
(In millions of
Korean won)
     Fair Value
(In millions of
Korean won)
 

Mongolian Telecommunications

     10,348,111       7,477       8,247   

The Company has not recognized loss from associates and jointly controlled entities of 11,425 million for the year (2012: 7,308 million, 2013: 17,428 million). The accumulated comprehensive loss of joint ventures and associates as of December 31, 2014, which was not recognized by the Company is 50,996 million (2012: 22,143 million, 2013: 39,571 million).

The following equity securities owned by the Company are pledged as collaterals for the investee’s borrowings.

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   Investee      Amount  

Investments in associate

     Smart Channel Co., Ltd.       6,500   

15.    Trade and other payables

The Company’s trade and other payables as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2013      2014  

Current liabilities

     

Trade payables

   1,716,686       1,200,032   

Other payables

     5,697,137         5,208,079   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   7,413,823       6,408,111   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

     

Trade payables

   10,430       6,457   

Other payables

     1,048,454         902,735   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   1,058,884       909,192   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Details of other payables as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Non-trade payables 1

   4,469,781      3,768,923   

Accrued expenses

     937,307        949,392   

Operating deposits

     863,494        886,165   

Others

     475,009        506,334   

Less: non-current

     (1,048,454     (902,735
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current

   5,697,137      5,208,079   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 Settlement payables of BC Card Co., Ltd. of 1,331,249 million related to credit card transactions included as of December 31, 2014 (2013: 1,725,396 million).

 

F-52


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

16.    Bonds Payable and Borrowings

Details of bonds payable and borrowings as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

Bonds Payable

 

(in millions of Korean won and
thousands of foreign currencies)

    2013     2014  

Type

 

Maturity

  Annual interest
rates
    Foreign
currency
    Korean won     Foreign
currency
    Korean won  

MTNP notes 1

           USD 600,000      633,180               

MTNP notes 1

  Sep 07, 2034     6.50   USD 100,000        105,530      USD 100,000        109,920   

MTNP notes 1

  Jul 15, 2015     4.88   USD 400,000        422,120      USD 400,000        439,680   

MTNP notes 1

  May 03, 2016     5.88   USD 200,000        211,060      USD 200,000        219,840   

Reg S bonds

  Jan 20, 2017     3.88   USD 350,000        369,355      USD 350,000        384,720   

FR notes 2

  Aug 28, 2018     LIBOR(3M)+1.15   USD 300,000        316,590      USD 300,000        329,760   

FR notes

  Apr 22, 2017     1.75                 USD 650,000        714,480   

FR notes

  Apr 22, 2019     2.63                 USD 350,000        384,720   

Japanese yen bonds

  Jan 29, 2015     0.59   JPY 5,000,000        50,233      JPY 5,000,000        46,007   

Japanese yen bonds

  Jan 29, 2016     0.70   JPY 18,200,000        182,848      JPY 18,200,000        167,465   

Japanese yen bonds

  Jan 29, 2018     0.86   JPY 6,800,000        68,317      JPY 6,800,000        62,570   

The 163rd Public bond

                    170,000                 

The 165-2nd Public bond

                    140,000                 

The 167-2nd Public bond

  Apr 20, 2015     4.84            100,000               100,000   

The 168-2nd Public bond

  Jun 21, 2015     4.66            90,000               90,000   

 

(in millions of Korean won and

thousands of foreign currencies)

    2013     2014  

Type

 

Maturity

  Annual interest
rates
    Foreign
currency
    Korean won     Foreign
currency
    Korean won  

The 173-2nd Public bond

  Aug 06, 2018     6.62            100,000               100,000   

The 175-2nd Public bond

                    360,000                 

The 176-2nd Public bond

                    170,000                 

The 176-3rd Public bond

  May 28, 2016     5.24            260,000               260,000   

The 177-2nd Public bond

  Feb 09, 2015     5.26            190,000               190,000   

The 177-3rd Public bond

  Feb 09, 2017     5.38            170,000               170,000   

The 178-2nd Public bond

           USD  100,000        105,530                 

The 179th Public bond

  Mar 29, 2018     4.47            260,000               260,000   

The 180-1st Public bond

  Apr 26, 2016     4.35            210,000               210,000   

The 180-2nd Public bond

  Apr 26, 2021     4.71            380,000               380,000   

The 181-1st Public bond

  Aug 26, 2016     3.94            260,000               260,000   

The 181-2nd Public bond

  Aug 26, 2018     3.99            90,000               90,000   

The 181-3rd Public bond

  Aug 26, 2021     4.09            250,000               250,000   

The 182-1st Public bond

  Oct 28, 2016     4.11            320,000               320,000   

The 182-2nd Public bond

  Oct 28, 2021     4.31            100,000               100,000   

The 183-1st Public bond

  Dec 22, 2016     3.81            50,000               50,000   

The 183-2nd Public bond

  Dec 22, 2021     4.09            90,000               90,000   

The 183-3rd Public bond

  Dec 22, 2031     4.27            160,000               160,000   

The 184-1st Public bond

  Apr 10, 2018     2.74            120,000               120,000   

The 184-2nd Public bond

  Apr 10, 2023     2.95            190,000               190,000   

The 184-3rd Public bond

  Apr 10, 2033     3.17            100,000               100,000   

The 185-1st Public bond

  Sep 16, 2018     3.46            200,000               200,000   

The 185-2nd Public bond

  Sep 16, 2020     3.65            300,000               300,000   

The 186-1st Public bond

  Jun 26, 2017     2.86                          120,000   

The 186-2nd Public bond

  Jun 26, 2019     3.08                          170,000   

The 186-3rd Public bond

  Jun 26, 2024     3.42                          110,000   

 

F-53


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

(in millions of Korean won and

thousands of foreign currencies)

    2013     2014  

Type

 

Maturity

  Annual interest
rates
    Foreign
currency
    Korean won     Foreign
currency
    Korean won  

The 186-4th Public bond

  Jun 26, 2034     3.70                          100,000   

The 187-1st Public bond

  Sep 02, 2017     2.69                          110,000   

The 187-2nd Public bond

  Sep 02, 2019     2.97                          220,000   

The 187-3rd Public bond

  Sep 02, 2024     3.31                          170,000   

The 187-4th Public bond

  Sep 02, 2034     3.55                          100,000   

The 32-3rd Public bond

  Jan 22, 2015     6.70            30,000               30,000   

Asset backed short-term bond

                    10,000                 

The 33rd Public bond

  Feb 11, 2015     6.45            50,000               50,000   

The 36-3rd Public bond

  Apr 30, 2015     5.65            20,000               20,000   

The 37-4th Public bond

                    10,000                 

The 38-3rd Public bond

                    10,000                 

The 40-3rd Public bond

  Aug 10, 2015     5.95            20,000               20,000   

The 41-3rd Public bond

                    10,000                 

The 42-2nd Public bond

                    20,000                 

The 42-3rd Public bond

  Nov 22, 2015     5.44            10,000               10,000   

The 43-1st Public bond

                    40,000                 

The 43-2nd Public bond

  Jan 28, 2015     5.32            10,000               10,000   

The 43-3rd Public bond

  Jan 28, 2016     5.75            30,000               30,000   

The 45th Private bond

                    30,000                 

The 46-2nd Public bond

                    40,000                 

The 46-3rd Public bond

  May 26, 2015     4.71            20,000               20,000   

The 46-4th Public bond

  May 26, 2016     4.90            20,000               20,000   

The 47th Public bond

                    30,000                 

The 48th Public bond

  Aug 11, 2016     4.71            10,000               10,000   

The 49th Public bond

                    20,000                 

The 50-2nd Public bond

  Sep 21, 2016     4.87            5,000               5,000   

The 51-1st Public bond

                    10,000                 

The 51-2nd Public bond

  Sep 30, 2016     4.92            20,000               20,000   

The 52-2nd Public bond

                    10,000                 

The 54th Public bond

                    10,000                 

The 55-1st Public bond

                    40,000                 

The 55-2nd Public bond

  Nov 16, 2015     4.56            20,000               20,000   

The 55-3rd Public bond

  Nov 16, 2016     4.74            5,000               5,000   

The 56th Public bond

                    35,000                 

The 57-1st Public bond

                    50,000                 

The 57-2nd Public bond

  Jan 05, 2016     4.44            20,000               20,000   

The 57-3rd Public bond

  Jan 05, 2017     4.61            30,000               30,000   

The 58-1st Public bond

                    30,000                 

The 58-2nd Public bond

  Jul 10, 2015     4.37            20,000               20,000   

The 59-1st Public bond

  May 25, 2015     3.78            20,000               20,000   

The 59-2nd Public bond

  May 25, 2016     3.87            20,000               20,000   

The 59-3rd Public bond

  May 25, 2017     4.03            40,000               40,000   

The 60th Public bond 2

  Jul 13, 2015     CD(91D)+0.39            40,000               40,000   

The 61st Public bond

  Sep 22, 2017     3.65            45,000               45,000   

The 62-1st Public bond

  Aug 27, 2015     3.19            20,000               20,000   

The 62-2nd Public bond

  Oct 11, 2017     3.43            50,000               50,000   

The 63rd Public bond

  Sep 27, 2017     3.44            40,000               40,000   

The 64-1st Public bond

  Oct 29, 2015     3.26            20,000               20,000   

The 64-2nd Public bond

  Dec 21, 2017     3.46            50,000               50,000   

The 65th Public bond

  Mar 22, 2018     3.47            55,000               55,000   

The 66th Public bond

  Apr 02, 2018     3.52            54,000               54,000   

The 67-1st Public bond

  Mar 22, 2017     3.00            30,000               30,000   

 

F-54


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

(in millions of Korean won and

thousands of foreign currencies)

    2013     2014  

Type

 

Maturity

  Annual interest
rates
    Foreign
currency
    Korean won     Foreign
currency
    Korean won  

The 67-2nd Public bond

  Mar 22, 2018     3.10            40,000               40,000   

The 67-3rd Public bond

  Mar 22, 2020     3.37            20,000               20,000   

The 68-1st Public bond

  Apr 30, 2016     2.85            40,000               40,000   

The 68-2nd Public bond

  Apr 30, 2017     2.92            10,000               10,000   

The 69-1st Public bond

                    20,000                 

The 69-2nd Public bond 2

  Jun 27, 2016     CD(91D)+0.43            20,000               20,000   

The 69-3rd Public bond

  Jun 27, 2018     3.81            20,000               20,000   

The 70-1st Public bond

  Oct 28, 2016     3.29            40,000               40,000   

The 70-2nd Public bond

  Oct 28, 2018     3.63            10,000               10,000   

The 71-1st Public bond

  Nov 29, 2016     3.46            10,000               10,000   

The 71-2nd Public bond

  Nov 29, 2020     4.14            30,000               30,000   

The 72-1st Public bond

  Dec 23, 2015     3.18            10,000               10,000   

The 72-2nd Public bond

  Dec 23, 2016     3.41            30,000               30,000   

The 73-1st Public bond

  Mar 17, 2016     2.73                          30,000   

The 73-2nd Public bond

  Sep 17, 2017     3.16                          20,000   

The 74 Public bond

  Oct 02, 2017     2.97                          50,000   

The 75-1st Public bond

  Nov 23, 2015     2.65                          50,000   

The 75-2nd Public bond

  Nov 21, 2017     2.94                          50,000   

Asset backed short-term bond

                    10,000                 

Asset backed short-term bond

                    10,000                 

Asset backed short-term bond

                    10,000                 

Asset backed short-term bond

  Feb 27, 2015     2.66                          25,000   

Asset backed short-term bond

  Jan 13, 2015     2.70                          10,000   

Unsecured private convertible bond 3

  Jan 20, 2016     2.00            15,000               15,000   

Unsecured public bond in won

  Jan 24, 2016     3.43            30,000               30,000   

The 16th unsecured bond

  Apr 23, 2015     3.80            80,000               80,000   

The 1st convertible preferred stock

                    2,000                 

The 2nd convertible preferred stock 3

  Oct 17, 2015                                 2,100   

The 2nd unsecured convertible bond 3

  Sep 30, 2018     2.00            179               179   

The 32-1st Public bond

  Nov 20, 2015     3.19            100,000               100,000   

The 32-2nd Public bond

  Nov 20, 2017     3.33            100,000               100,000   

The 33rd Public bond

  Mar 21, 2018     3.26            53,000               53,000   

The 28-1st Public bond

                    50,000                 

The 28-2nd Public bond

  Apr 05, 2016     5.25            65,000               65,000   

The 29th Public bond

  Sep 05, 2016     4.85            45,000               45,000   

The 30th Public bond

                    90,000                 

The 31-1st Public bond

  Jun 15, 2015     3.73            100,000               100,000   

The 31-2nd Public bond

  Jun 15, 2017     3.98            100,000               100,000   

The 34th Public bond

  Mar 21, 2018     3.21            54,000               54,000   

The 35th Public bond

                    50,000                 

The 36th Public bond

  Jun 21, 2018     2.92            50,000               50,000   

The 37th Public bond

  Jun 21, 2018     2.98            50,000               50,000   

The 38-1st Public bond

  Nov 20, 2015     3.13            40,000               40,000   

 

F-55


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

(in millions of Korean won and

thousands of foreign currencies)

    2013     2014  

Type

 

Maturity

  Annual interest
rates
    Foreign
currency
    Korean won     Foreign
currency
    Korean won  

The 38-2nd Public bond

  Nov 20, 2016     3.39            60,000               60,000   

The 39-1st Public bond

  Aug 28, 2017     3.05                          150,000   

The 39-2nd Public bond

  Aug 28, 2019     3.41                          50,000   

The 40-1st Public bond

  Oct 31, 2017     2.62                          50,000   

The 40-2nd Public bond

  Oct 31, 2019     2.94                          50,000   

The 8th unsecured convertible bond

                    19,052                 

The 27th Public bond

                    5,000                 
       

 

 

     

 

 

 
    10,011,994          10,532,441   

Less: Current portion

  

    (2,185,017       (1,597,732

Discount on bonds

  

    (22,350       (28,258

Conversion right adjustment

  

    3,566          1,483   

Add: Premium on bonds redemption

  

    (3,987       12   
       

 

 

     

 

 

 
  7,804,206        8,907,946   
       

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

1 

As of December 31, 2014, the Controlling Company has outstanding notes in the amount of USD 700 million with fixed interest rates under Medium Term Note Program (“MTNP”) registered in the Singapore Stock Exchange, which allowed issuance of notes of up to USD 2,000 million. However, the MTN Program has been suspended since 2007.

 

2

Libor (3M) and CD (91D) are approximately 0.255 % and 2.130 %, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.

 

3

At the end of the reporting period, the terms and conditions of the convertible bonds are as follows:

 

     Issuers  

Type

   KT Telecop Co., Ltd.     GREEN CAR Co., Ltd
(formerly GREEN  POINT)
    Enswers Inc.  

Issue date

     Jan 20, 2011        Oct 1, 2013        Apr 18, 2014   

Issue price

   15,000 million      179 million      2,100 million   

Coupon rate

     2.00     2.00       

Guaranteed margin ratio

     4.00    
 
Compound annual
5.00
  
    8.00

Conversion period

    
 
 
From one year after
the issue date to
bond maturity
  
  
  
   
 
 
From the day succeeding
the issue date till bond
maturity
  
  
  
   
 
 
From the day succeeding
the issue date till bond
maturity
  
  
  

Conversion price

   26,000      27,952       
 
 

 
 

a) If qualified financing is
obtained: 75% of stock
price

b) If qualified financing is
not obtained :

  
  
  

  
  

       1,191,200   

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Short-term borrowings

 

(in millions of Korean won and
thousands of foreign currencies)

    2013     2014  

Financial institution

 

Type

  Annual
interest rates
    Foreign
Currency
    Korean
won
    Foreign
Currency
    Korean
Won
 

Shinhan Bank

  Commercial papers     2.21%~3.05          40,000             140,000   
  Commercial papers     7.79                 VND 32,000,000        1,667   
  Commercial papers 1     LIBOR(3M)+2.36                 USD 2,000        2,198   
  General loan     3.93%~5.18            81,200               101,200   
  Credit loan     4.31%~5.50            12,000               12,383   
  Usance 1    
 
 
3.35% /Financial
bonds(6M)
+1.27
  
  
           5,000               19,000   
  Facility loans     3.24                          40,000   

Standard Chartered Bank

  Secured loans     4.34                          10,000   

Samsung Securities

  Commercial papers     2.21            15,000               50,000   

Korea Investment & Securities Co., Ltd.

  Commercial papers     2.21%~2.39                          230,000   

Woori Bank

  Commercial papers     7.79                 VND 61,756,000        3,218   
  General loans     4.88%~6.50            500               1,246   
  Usance                   9,000                 

Korea Exchange Bank

  Commercial papers     3.39%~4.59            30,000               50,000   
  Credit loans     5.23                          4,000   
  Revolving loan     3.65                          2,000   

Kookmin Bank

  General loans     3.39%~4.59            1,500               3,500   
  Facility loans     3.53                          50,000   
  Credit loans     5.18                          1,000   
  Commercial papers                   10,494               25,000   

Hanyang Securities

  Commercial papers                   50,000                 

SK Securities

  Commercial papers                   10,000                 

Citibank

  Usance 1    
 
 
 
3.35%(fixed rate)
/(91D) +
1.2%(variable
rate)
  
  
  
  
           10,000               11,000   

Korea Development Bank

  Credit loans     4.86                          10,000   
  Usance 1    
 
 
 
 
2.66%~3.41%
/Industrial
financial
debentures(1Y) +
1.28
  
  
  
  
           7,000               80,000   

IBK Bank

  Credit loans     6.15            8,000               6,000   

NH Investment & Securities

  Commercial papers     2.98            10,000               25,000   

HYUNDAI Securities

  Commercial papers     3.09            100,000               30,000   

Dongbu Securities

  Commercial papers                   95,000                 

Woori Investment & Securities

  Commercial papers     3.60            30,000               10,000   

Korea Money Brokerage Corporation

  Commercial papers                   20,000                 

Meritz Securities

  Commercial papers                   30,000                 

KTB Investment & Securities

  Commercial papers     2.21                          70,000   

Hana Daetoo Securities Co., Ltd.

  Commercial papers     4.88                          5,000   

NongHyup Bank

  Facility loans     3.49                          50,000   

Shinyoung Securities Co., Ltd.

  Commercial papers     2.70%~3.50                          55,000   

UFJ Bank

  LC     1.48                 JPY 194,236        1,943   

Others

  General loans                   60,000                 
       

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

        634,694        1,100,355   
       

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

1 Interest rates of LIBOR(3M), CD(91D), Bonds issued by Korea Development Bank(1Y) and Bond issued by banks(6M, AAA) are approximately 0.255%, 2.130%, 2.142%, and 2.131%, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Long-term borrowings

 

(in millions of Korean won and

thousands of foreign currencies)

    2013     2014  

Financial institution

  Type   Annual
interest rates
    Foreign
currency
    Korean
won
    Foreign
currency
    Korean
won
 

Kookmin Bank

  Facility loans                 60,000               

Shinhan Bank

  Informatization
promotion funds 1
    3.19            6,048               1,539   
  General loans     3.95%~5.70            20,000               21,000   
  Facility loans     2.22%~5.23            42,331               100,320   

Export-Import Bank of Korea

  Inter-Korean
Cooperation Fund 1
    2.00            6,415               5,922   

Korea Exchange Bank

  General loans            USD 2,200        2,322                 
  General loans     3.94%~4.18            25,210               25,210   

National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives

  General loans     4.63            50,000               50,000   

NH Bank

  General loans     3.99%~6.00            60,000               58,000   
  Facility loans     2.00%~4.68            135,000               183   

Korea Development Bank

  General loans     3.56%~4.91            3,750               20,000   
  Facility loans     3.13%~4.49            20,000               170,000   

Industrial Bank of Korea

  Facility loans     2.22%~2.61            833               167   

Samsung Securities

  Commercial papers     2.78%~3.08            100,000               100,000   

HYUNDAI Securities

  Commercial papers     2.81%~3.08            179,945               160,000   

IBK Securities

  Commercial papers     2.78            50,000               50,000   

Shinhan Invest corp

  Commercial papers     2.93            39,963               40,000   

NH INVESTMENT & SECURITIES CO., LTD.

  Commercial papers     3.17                          300,000   

The Jeonbuk Bank Ltd.

  General loans 2    
 
 
Financial
Bond
(12M)+1.17
  
  
                         20,000   
  Facility loans     3.55                          30,000   

Others

  Redeemable
convertible preferred
stock 3
                  53,736               56,768   
  Other     5.00            4,423               243   
       

 

 

     

 

 

 
  Total         859,976          1,209,352   

Less: Current portion

          (200,997       (257,557
       

 

 

     

 

 

 
  Net       658,979        951,795   
       

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

1 The above Informatization Promotion Funds are repayable in installments over three years after a two-year grace period, while Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund is repayable in installments over 20 years after a seven-year grace period.

 

2 Interest rate of Bond issued by banks(12M) is approximately 2.142% as of December 31, 2014.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

3 As of the end of the reporting period, the terms and conditions of the redeemable convertible preferred stocks are as follows:

 

     Issuers
     Enswers Inc.   SkylifeTV Co., Ltd.
(formerly Korea HD
Broadcasting
Corp.)
  KT Telecop Co.,
Ltd.

Type

  The A
Redeemable
convertible
preferred stock
  The B
Redeemable
convertible
preferred stock
  The C
Redeemable
convertible
preferred stock
  Redeemable
convertible
preferred stock
  Redeemable
convertible
preferred stock

Issue date

  2008.08.14   2009.11.24   2011.11.30   2010.12.21   2011.1.20

Issue price

  1,598
millions
  500
millions
  10,001
millions
  950
millions
  35,000
millions

Issue price (per share)

  272,000   408,400   893,400   500   26,000

Number of share issued

  5,875   1,225   11,194   1,900,000   1,346,154

Conversion price (per share)

  272,000   408,400   893,400   500   26,000

Exercisable date of conversion rights

 

From the issue
date to

Aug 14, 2018

 

From the issue
date to

Nov 24, 2019

 

From the issue
date to
Nov 30, 2021

 

 

From one year
after the issue date
until excercised
date

Redemption price

  Issue price + 5%
compound annual
interest
  Issue price + 5%
compound annual
interest
  Issue price + 5%
compound annual
interest
  Issue price + 1%
compound annual
interest
  Issue price of
preferred stock

not converted + 5%
compound annual
interest

less dividends
received

Exercisable date of redemption Rights

 

From three years
after the issue
date to Aug 14,
2018

 

From three years
after the issue
date to Nov 24,
2019

 

From three years
after the issue
date to Nov 30,
2021

 

From two years
after the issue
date to
excercised date

 

From five years
(Jan 20, 2016)
after the issue date
up to 3 months

Repayment schedule of the Company’s bonds payable and borrowings including the portion of current liabilities as of December 31, 2014, is as follows:

 

     Bonds      Borrowings      Total  

(in millions of
Korean won)

   In local
currency
     In foreign
currency
     Sub-total      In local
currency
     In foreign
currency
     Sub-total     

2015

   1,112,045       485,687       1,597,732       1,348,886       9,026       1,357,912       2,955,644   

2016

     1,621,950         387,305         2,009,255         354,576                 354,576         2,363,831   

2017

     1,219,900         1,099,200         2,319,100         290,493                 290,493         2,609,593   

2018

     1,156,000         392,330         1,548,330         5,723                 5,723         1,554,053   

Thereafter

     2,563,384         494,640         3,058,024         301,003                 301,003         3,359,027   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   7,673,279       2,859,162       10,532,441       2,300,681       9,026       2,309,707       12,842,148   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Book value and fair value of the Company’s bonds payable and borrowings as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013      2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

Type

   Book Value      Fair Value      Book Value      Fair Value  

Bonds payable

   9,989,223       10,066,124       10,505,678       10,537,442   

Long-term borrowings (Including current borrowings)

     859,976         798,827         1,209,352         1,183,645   

Short-term borrowings

     634,694         634,694         1,100,355         1,100,355   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   11,483,893       11,499,645       12,815,385       12,821,442   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The fair values of bonds payable and long-term borrowings are calculated by discounting the expected future cash flows at weighted average borrowing rate. The weighted average borrowing rate is approximately 3.36% ~ 4.28% as of December 31, 2014 (2013: 4.53%).

17.    Provisions

The changes in provisions for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Litigation     Asset retirement
obligation
    Other     Total  

Balance at 2013.1.1

   49,083      109,598      196,850      355,531   

Increase (Transfer)

     4,440        1,936        59,462        65,838   

Usage

     (714     (1,966     (143,911     (146,591

Reversal

     (1,897     (5,251     (20,276     (27,424

Changes in scope of consolidation

            962               962   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 2013.12.31

   50,912      105,279      92,125      248,316   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current portion

     35,507        46        79,202        114,755   

Non-current portion

     15,405        105,233        12,923        133,561   

 

     2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Litigation     Asset retirement
obligation
    Other     Total  

Balance at 2014.1.1

   50,912      105,279      92,125      248,316   

Increase (Transfer)

     4,574        5,515        61,342        71,431   

Usage

     (11,988     (4,022     (43,285     (59,295

Reversal

     (23,259     (9,549     (9,963     (42,771

Changes in scope of consolidation

            899        (711     188   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at 2014.12.31

   20,239      98,122      99,508      217,869   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current portion

     20,239        718        90,482        111,439   

Non-current portion

            97,404        9,026        106,430   

18.    Net Defined Benefit Liabilities

The amounts recognized in the statements of financial position are determined as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Present value of defined benefit obligations

   1,636,593      1,460,957   

Fair value of plan assets

     (1,050,510     (867,119
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

   586,083      593,838   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

The changes in the defined benefit obligations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Beginning

   1,724,246      1,636,593   

Current service cost

     210,466        184,870   

Interest expense

     57,891        48,863   

Benefit paid

     (97,956     (131,796

Losses on settlements of plan

     2,171        666,299   

Changes due to settlements of plan 1

     (188,512     (1,321,683

Remeasurements:

    

Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in demographic assumptions

     81,616        27,745   

Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in financial assumptions

     (144,111     204,847   

Actuarial gains and losses arising from experience adjustments

     (9,521     73,819   

Changes in scope of Consolidation

     303        71,400   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending

   1,636,593      1,460,957   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 The payment of the benefits for voluntary retirement amounts to 1,215,407 million in 2014.

Changes in the fair value of plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Beginning

   1,175,003      1,050,510   

Interest income

     42,964        30,966   

Remeasurements:

    

Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in interest income)

     2,612        (5,775

Benefits paid

     (57,866     (61,085

Changes due to settlements of plan 1

     (138,220     (381,501

Employer contributions

     26,161        182,904   

Changes in scope of consolidation

     (144     51,100   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending

   1,050,510      867,119   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 The payment from the plan assets for voluntary retirement amounts to 307,268 million in 2014.

Amounts recognized in the statement of income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2012     2013     2014  

Current service cost

   206,389      210,466      184,870   

Net Interest cost

     16,369        14,927        17,897   

Losses on settlements

     (3,630     2,171        666,299   

Transfer out

     (8,763     (10,502     (6,173
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

   210,365      217,062      862,893   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Principal actuarial assumptions used are as follows:

 

     2012.12.31      2013.12.31      2014.12.31  

Discount rate

     3.13% ~ 4.10%         3.10% ~ 4.05%         2.37% ~ 3.80%   

Future salary increase

     3.00% ~ 8.10%         2.10% ~ 8.44%         2.00% ~ 8.10%   

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

As of December 31, 2014, total amounts of the plan assets are invested in principal and interest guaranteed financial instruments.

The sensitivity of the defined benefit obligations as of December 31, 2014, to changes in the weighted principal assumptions is:

 

    Effect on defined benefit obligation  

(in percentage, in millions of Korean won)

  Changes in principal
assumption
    Increase in principal
assumption
    Decrease in principal
assumption
 

Discount rate

    0.5% point      (67,774   71,340   

Salary growth rate

    0.5% point        68,691        (65,861

A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase plan liabilities, although this will be partially offset by an increase in the value of the plans’ bond holdings.

The above sensitivity analyses are based on a change in an assumption while holding all other assumptions constant. In practice, this is unlikely to occur, and changes in some of the assumptions may be correlated. The sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to changes in principal actuarial assumptions is calculated using the projected unit credit method, the same method applied when calculating the defined benefit obligations recognized on the statement of financial position.

The Company annually reviews funding levels of plan assets and has plan asset policies that require maintaining the funding level of the Company equal to or more than the level required under the Employee Retirement Benefit Security Act. Expected contributions to post-employment benefit plans for the year ending December 31, 2015, are 274,410 million.

Expected maturity analysis of undiscounted pension benefits as of December 31, 2014, is as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   Less than
1 year
     Between
1 and 2 years
     Between
2 and 5 years
     Over 5
years
     Total  

Pension benefits

   125,308       96,948       366,005       4,122,574       4,710,835   

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligations is 8.9 years.

19.    Defined Contribution Plan

Recognized expense related to the defined contribution plan for the year ended December 31, 2014, is 25,423 million (2012: 1,703 million, 2013: 23,857 million).

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

20.    Commitments and Contingencies

As of December 31, 2014, major commitments with local financial institutions are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won and
thousands of foreign currencies)

  

Financial institution

   Currency      Limit      Used
amount
 

Bank overdraft

   Kookmin Bank and others      KRW         1,492,903         5,903   

Commercial papers Factoring

   Korea Exchange Bank and others      KRW         1,015,000         835,000   

Collateralized loan on accounts receivable-trade

   Kookmin Bank and others      KRW         746,000         112,221   

FX forward trading commitment

   Shinhan Bank      USD         11,500           

Plus electronic notes Payable

   Industrial Bank of Korea      KRW         50,000         1,995   

Loan on information and communications fund

   Shinhan Bank      KRW         1,539         1,539   

Loans for working capital

   Industrial Bank of Korea and others      KRW         674,000         219,000   

Comprehensive credit line

   Korea Exchange Bank      KRW         15,000         11,687   

Green energy factoring

   Shinhan Bank      KRW         279         279   

Facility loans

   Korea Development Bank and others      KRW         390,000         348,167   

Comprehensive credit line

   Shinhan Bank      KRW         50,000         20,000   

Credit line for call loan

   Yuanta Securities Korea Co., Ltd.      KRW         120,000           

Total

        KRW         4,554,721         1,555,791   
        USD         11,500           

As of December 31, 2014, guarantees received from financial institutions are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won and
thousands of foreign currencies)

  

Financial institution

   Currency     Limit  

Performance guarantee

   Seoul Guarantee Insurance and others      KRW        85,291   
        USD        5,393   
        DZD  1      25,863   

Guarantee for import letters of credit

   Kookmin Bank and others      USD        73,980   

Guarantee for payment in foreign currency

   Korea Exchange Bank and others      PLN  2      23,000   
        USD        43,573   

Guarantee for payment in local currency

   Woori Bank and others      KRW        12,338   

Comprehensive guarantee for payment in foreign currency

   Kookmin Bank      KRW        16,488   

Warranty guarantee

   Seoul Guarantee Insurance      KRW        948   

Guarantee for advances received

   Export-Import Bank of Korea      DZD  1      77,589   
        USD        2,925   

Guarantees for accounts receivable from the handset sales

   Seoul Guarantee Insurance      KRW        674,768   

Bid guarantee

   Korea Software Financial Cooperative      KRW        23,214   

Performance guarantee /Warranty guarantee

   Korea Software Financial Cooperative      KRW        207,681   

Prepayment and other guarantee

   Korea Software Financial Cooperative and others      KRW        55,486   

Guarantees for licensing

   Seoul Guarantee Insurance      KRW        11,666   

Guarantees for deposits

   Seoul Guarantee Insurance      KRW        4,302   
        KRW        1,092,182   
   Total      USD        125,871   
        DZD  (1)      103,452   
        PLN  (2)      23,000   

 

1 Algerian Dinar.

 

2 Polish Zloty.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Details of collaterals that KT Capital Co., Ltd., a subsidiary, is provided with by third parties as of December 31, 2014, are as follows:

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   Details      Amounts  

Credits and others

     Movables, real-estate, and other       863,176   

As of December 31, 2014, guarantees provided by the Company for a third party, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   Creditor      Limit      Used amount      Period  

Individuals with the right of ownership of Gyeryeong Rishivill II Apartment

     Shinhan Bank       50,000       23,375        
 
Jun 10, 2014
~ May 31, 2016
  
  

As of December 31, 2014, based on the investors’ agreement, the Company has an obligation to provide funding to Smart Channel Co., Ltd. if Smart Channel Co, Ltd. is unable to fulfill its obligation. The Company pledged investment securities in Smart Channel Co., Ltd. as collateral (Note 14). Furthermore, the Company provided allowance for doubtful receivables of 49,362 million against other receivables from Smart Channel Co., Ltd.

The Controlling Company is jointly and severally obligated with KT Sat Co., Ltd. to pay KT Sat Co., Ltd.’s liabilities prior to spin-off. As of December 31, 2014, the Company and KT Sat Co., Ltd. are jointly and severally liable for reimbursement of 7,801 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company made agreements with the Securitization Specialty Companies Olleh KT Thirteenth to Eighteenth Securitization Specialty Co., Ltd. (2013: Olleh KT Seventh to Twelfth Securitization Specialty Co., Ltd.), and disposed of part of its trade receivables related to handset sales(in 2014 : 2,133,546 million, in 2013 : 2,684,017 million). Loss on the disposal of trade receivables 16,373 million (2013 : 7,673 million) was recognized. The Company also made asset management agreements with each securitization specialty company and will receive the related management fees.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company is a defendant in 225 lawsuits, with an aggregate claim amount of 230,006 million (2013: 159,434 million). As of December 31, 2014, litigation provisions of 20,239 million for various pending lawsuits and unasserted claims are recorded as liabilities for potential loss in the ordinary course of business. The Company cannot yet predict the final outcomes of the cases because these matters involve significant uncertainties related to the legal theory or the nature of the claims as well as the complexity of the facts.

On March 6, 2014, the website of the Controlling Company was accessed by hackers and personal information of the customers was stolen. There are lawsuits against the Controlling Company over this breach seeking damages of approximately 6,661 million. The resolution of the lawsuit cannot yet be reasonably predicted because it involves significant uncertainties at early stages. Also, there may be more lawsuits filed against the Company in the future. However, the size and result of any potential lawsuits cannot yet be reasonably predicted because it is not sure yet whether the customers whose personal information was stolen would litigate or not.

According to the financial and other covenants included in certain bonds and borrowings, the Company is required to maintain certain financial ratios such as debt to equity ratio, use the funds for the designated purpose and report to the creditors periodically. The covenant also contains restriction on provision of additional collaterals and disposal of certain assets. As of December 31, 2014, the Company is in compliance with the related covenants.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Asia Broadcast Satellite Holdings Ltd(ABS), sued the Controlling Company and its subsidiary KT Sat at The International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce on December 31, 2014, on the ownership and compensation of damages due to the sales contract of the satellite KOREASAT. In addition, ABS sued the Controlling Company and its subsidiary KT Sat at the International Centre for Dispute Resolution of the American Arbitration Association on December 24, 2013, on the compensation of damages of the breach of entrustment contract. Currently, the mediator selection process for the Controlling Company, KT Sat and ABS is complete, and the process of arbitration is in progress. The final outcome of this arbitration cannot yet be predicted.

21.    Lease

The Company’s non-cancellable lease arrangements are as follows:

The Company as the Lessee

Finance Lease

Details of finance lease assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Acquisition costs

   99,702      94,247   

Accumulated depreciation

     (27,980     (39,032
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net balance

   71,722      55,215   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2014, the Company recognizes financial lease assets as other property and equipment. The related depreciation amounted to 19,560 million (2013: 11,483 million) for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Details of future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 under finance lease contracts are summarized below:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013      2014  

Total amount of minimum lease payments

     

Within one year

   22,498       22,516   

From one year to five years

     52,877         37,382   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

    75,375       59,898   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unrealized interest expense

     7,166         4,891   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net amount of minimum lease payments

     

Within one year

     19,486         20,155   

From one year to five years

     48,723         34,852   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   68,209       55,007   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Operating Lease

Details of future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, under operating lease contracts are summarized below:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013      2014  

Within one year

   78,245       77,727   

From one year to five years

     308,292         312,305   

Thereafter

     246,632         165,799   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   633,169       555,831   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating lease expenses incurred for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 amounted to 61,201 million, 77,657 million, and 79,359 million, respectively.

The Company as the Lessor

Finance Lease

Details of finance lease assets as of December 31, 2013, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   Minimum lease
payments
     Gross investment
in the lease
     Unaccrued
interest
    Net investment
in the lease
 

Within one year

   337,804       337,804       (38,779   299,025   

From one year to five years

     454,542         454,542         (32,922     421,620   

Thereafter

     10,395         10,395         (913     9,482   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   802,741       802,741       (72,614   730,127   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Details of finance lease assets as of December 31, 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   Minimum lease
payments
     Gross investment
in the lease
     Unaccrued
interest
    Net investment
in the lease
 

Within one year

   286,570       286,570       (20,794   265,776   

From one year to five years

     363,277         363,277         (24,116     339,161   

Thereafter

     874         874         (65     809   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   650,721       650,721       (44,975   605,746   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Details of bad debts allowance for finance lease receivables as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013      2014  

Within one year

   4,817       6,794   

From one year to five years

     15,245         14,412   

Thereafter

     128         127   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   20,190       21,333   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Operating Lease

Details of operating lease assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Acquisition costs

   2,073,592      2,698,249   

Accumulated depreciation

     (606,148     (754,531
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net balance

   1,467,444      1,943,718   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Details of future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, under operating lease contracts are summarized below:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013      2014  

Within one year

   203,014       547,194   

From one year to five years

     687,162         673,117   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   890,176       1,220,311   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

22.    Capital Stock

As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company’s number of authorized shares is one billion.

 

     2013      2014  
     Number of
outstanding
shares
     Par value
per share
(Korean won)
     Common stock
(in millions of
Korean won)
     Number of
outstanding
shares
     Par value
per share
(Korean won)
     Common stock
(in millions of
Korean won)
 

Common stock 1

     261,111,808       5,000       1,564,499         261,111,808       5,000       1,564,499   

 

1 The Company retired 51,787,959 treasury shares against retained earnings. Therefore, the common stock amount differs from the amount resulting from multiplying the number of shares issued by 5,000 par value per share of common stock.

23.    Retained Earnings

Details of retained earnings as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013      2014  

Legal reserve 1

   782,249       782,249   

Voluntary reserves 2

     4,911,362         4,911,362   

Unappropriated retained earnings

     4,325,778         2,874,788   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   10,019,389       8,568,399   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1 The Commercial Code of the Republic of Korea requires the Company to appropriate, as a legal reserve, an amount equal to a minimum of 10% of cash dividends paid until such reserve equals 50% of its issued capital stock. The reserve is not available for the payment of cash dividends, but may be transferred to capital stock with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors or used to reduce accumulated deficit, if any, with the ratification of the Company’s majority shareholders.

 

2 The provision of research and development of human is separately accumulated with tax reserve fund during earned surplus disposal by Tax Reduction and Exemption Control Act of Korea. Reversal of this provision can be paid out as dividends according to related tax law.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

24.    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and Other Components of Equity

As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the details of the Controlling Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Investments in associates and joint ventures

   (12,681   (8,955

Loss on derivatives

     (9,337     (37,158

Available-for-sale

     55,836        76,725   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (9,280     (4,822
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   24,538      25,790   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Beginning     Increase
/ decrease
    Reclassification
as gain or loss
     Ending  

Investments in associates and joint ventures

   (15,251   2,570            (12,681

Gain or loss on derivatives

     (4,626     (71,778     67,067         (9,337

Available-for-sale

     23,738        25,814        6,284         55,836   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (2,536     (6,744             (9,280
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   1,325      (50,138   73,351       24,538   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Beginning     Increase
/ decrease
     Reclassification
as gain or loss
    Ending  

Investments in associates and joint ventures

   (12,681   3,726            (8,955

Gain or loss on derivatives

     (9,337     16,974         (44,795     (37,158

Available-for-sale

     55,836        20,889                76,725   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (9,280     4,458                (4,822
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   24,538      46,047       (44,795   25,790   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the Company’s other components of equity are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Treasury stock 1

   (922,175   (866,316

Loss on disposal of treasury stock 2

     (2,170     (21,847

Share-based payments

     (9,609     3,627   

Others 3

     (386,989     (376,173
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   (1,320,943   (1,260,709
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 During the current period, the Company disposed of 1,059,060 shares (2013: 167,842 shares) of treasury stock

 

2 The amounts directly reflected in equity is 9 million (2013: 693 million) as of December 31, 2014.

 

3 Profit and loss incurred from transactions with non-controlling interest and investment difference incurred from change in proportion of subsidiaries are included.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, the details of treasury stock are as follows:

 

      2013      2014  

Number of shares

     17,308,160         16,249,100   

Amounts (In millions of Korean won)

   922,175       866,316   

Treasury stock is expected to be used for the stock compensation for the Company’s directors and employees and other purposes.

25.    Share-Based Payments

The details of share-based payments as of December 31, 2014, are as follows:

 

    

8th

Grant date

   2014.04.24

Grantee

   CEO, inside directors, outside directors, executives

Vesting conditions

  

Service condition: 1 year

Non-market performance

condition: achievement of performance

Fair value per option (in Korean won)

   32,500

Total compensation costs (in Korean won)

   3,627 million

Estimated exercise date (exercise date)

   During 2015

Valuation method

   Fair value method

The changes in the number of stock options and the weighted-average exercise price, as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013  
     Beginning      Granted      Expired      Forfeited      Exercised 1      Ending      Number of
shares
exercisable
 

6th grant

     255,110                 154,137                 100,973                   

7th grant

             288,459                 6,231                 282,228           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     255,110         288,459         154,137         6,231         100,973         282,228           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     2014  
     Beginning      Granted      Expired      Forfeited      Exercised 1      Ending      Number of
shares
exercisable
 

7th grant

     282,228                 278,175                 4,053                   

8th grant

             251,833                                 251,833           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     282,228         251,833         278,175                 4,053         251,833           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1 The weighted average price of common stock at the time of exercise during 2014 was 32,500 (2013: 40,300).

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

26.     Operating Revenues

Operating revenues for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2012      2013      2014  

Sales of services

   19,266,545       19,663,014       19,991,656   

Sale of goods

     4,589,830         4,065,659         3,477,631   

Others 1,2,3

     787,397         329,208         258,091   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating revenues

   24,643,772       24,057,881       23,727,378   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1

Disposed land and building (carrying amount: 93,250 million) for 232,000 million to AJU-KTM private funding real-estate investment trust No.1 and leased them in September 2012. The Company recognized gain on disposal of property and equipment of 138,750 million and accounted for as an operating lease.

 

2

Disposed land and building (carrying amount: 32,232 million) for 144,100 million to K-REALTY CR-REIT 2 and leased them in November 2012. The Company recognized gain on disposal of property and equipment of 111,868 million and accounted for as an operating lease.

 

3 Off-plan sales amounting to 45,010 million, which should have been recorded as a deduction of operating revenue in 2012, was recorded as a deduction of operating revenue in 2013.

27.     Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2012     2013 2      2014  

Salaries and wages

   3,096,766      3,288,942       3,999,952   

Depreciation

     2,894,400        3,107,792         3,186,775   

Amortization of intangible assets

     379,678        458,382         588,579   

Commissions 1

     3,655,057        3,575,488         4,022,427   

Interconnection charges

     901,314        885,479         797,329   

International interconnection fee

     309,955        265,467         238,404   

Purchase of inventories

     4,851,295        3,565,948         3,402,529   

Changes of inventories

     (259,078     320,971         220,791   

Service Cost

     1,264,218        1,834,425         1,544,806   

Utilities

     271,277        309,497         313,760   

Taxes and Dues

     299,567        257,931         241,696   

Rent

     371,030        432,543         429,644   

Insurance premium

     243,666        313,056         274,517   

Installation fee

     291,057        260,498         317,684   

Advertising expenses

     150,399        161,013         159,645   

Research and development expenses

     153,171        171,461         192,022   

Card service cost

     2,771,383        2,702,653         2,883,060   

Others

     1,318,518        1,822,951         1,576,161   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   22,963,673      23,734,497       24,389,781   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1 The sales commission is included in commissions

 

2 32,835 million of Operating expenses related to off-plan sales, which should have been recorded as a deduction of operating expenses in 2012, was recorded as a deduction of operating expenses in 2013.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Details of salaries and wages for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2012      2013      2014  

Short-term employee benefits

   2,885,024       3,031,435       2,703,266   

Post-employment benefits (Defined benefit plan)

     210,365         217,062         862,893   

Post-employment benefits (Defined contribution plan)

     1,703         23,857         25,423   

Post-employment benefits (Others)

     25,762         12,506         404,743   

Share-based payment

     3,912         4,082         3,627   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   3,096,766       3,288,942       3,999,952   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

28.     Financial Income and Expenses

Details of financial income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2012      2013      2014  

Interest income

   203,214       108,794       80,840   

Gain on foreign currency transactions

     20,159         37,371         37,246   

Gain on foreign currency translation

     266,623         106,135         34,871   

Gain on settlement of derivatives

     2,824         13,878         2,134   

Gain on valuation of derivatives

     118         627         93,235   

Others

     5,719         12,544         6,574   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   498,657       279,349       254,900   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Details of financial expenses for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2012      2013      2014  

Interest expenses

   472,917       450,302       501,052   

Loss on foreign currency transactions

     17,974         31,611         26,076   

Loss on foreign currency translation

     7,249         6,518         126,233   

Loss on settlement of derivatives

     7,804         16,384         35,240   

Loss on valuation of derivatives

     241,358         105,691         25,357   

Loss on disposal of trade receivables

     15,809         8,009         16,464   

Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets

     3,401         5,052         70,022   

Others

     15,481         23,933         17,999   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   781,993       647,500       818,443   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

29.    Deferred Income Tax and Income Tax Expense

The analyses of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Deferred tax assets

    

Deferred tax assets to be recovered within 12 months

   396,831      273,120   

Deferred tax assets to be recovered after more than 12 months

     979,277        1,416,347   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,376,108        1,689,467   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

    

Deferred tax liability to be recovered within 12 months

     (1,015     (1,058

Deferred tax liability to be recovered after more than 12 months

     (837,614     (753,581
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (838,629     (754,639
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets after offset

   706,977      1,078,792   

Deferred tax liabilities after offset

   169,498      143,964   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The gross movements on the deferred income tax account for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, are calculated as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Beginning

   473,475      537,479   

Charged (credited) to the income statement

     98,680        317,115   

Charged (credited) to other comprehensive income

     (34,676     75,104   

Changes in scope of consolidation

            5,130   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending

   537,479      934,828   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

The movement in deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year, without taking into consideration the offsetting of balances within the same tax jurisdiction, is as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013  
   Beginning     Income
statement
    Other
comprehensive
income
    Ending  

Deferred tax liabilities

        

Derivative financial assets

   (297   (116        (413

Available-for-sale financial assets

     (10,669     (5,198     (17,985     (33,852

Investment in joint venture and associates

     (1,652     (30,140     (780     (32,572

Depreciation

     (31,898     (38,229            (70,127

Advanced depreciation provision

     (241,265     3,035               (238,230

Deposits for severance benefits

     (297,116     29,963        (10     (267,163

Accrued income

     (1,673     65               (1,608

Prepaid expenses

     220        70               290   

Reserve for technology and human resource development

     (64,570     20,681               (43,889

Others

     (144,650     (6,415            (151,065
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (793,570   (26,284   (18,775   (838,629
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets

        

Derivatives

   21,719      9,377      1,499      32,595   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     139,276        13,538               152,814   

Inventory valuation

     302        1               303   

Contribution for construction

     27,132        (6            27,126   

Accrued expenses

     27,713        27,576               55,289   

Provisions

     62,696        (28,976            33,720   

Property and equipment

     229,253        8,710               237,963   

Retirement benefit obligations

     320,909        16,263        (18,055     319,117   

Withholding of facilities expenses

     8,861        (521            8,340   

Accrued payroll expenses

     32,185        14,536               46,721   

Deduction of installment receivables

     11,524        (4,479            7,045   

Present value discount

     14,900        (9,931            4,969   

Assets retirement obligation

     18,761        485               19,246   

Gain or loss foreign currency translation

     20,727        (10,491            10,236   

Deferred revenue

     66,828        (2,389            64,439   

Real-estate sales

     694        4,720               5,414   

Tax credit carryforwards

     150,334        14,067               164,401   

Foreign operation translation difference

     2,507               655        3,162   

Others

     110,724        72,484               183,208   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1,267,045      124,964      (15,901   1,376,108   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net balance 1

   473,475      98,680      (34,676   537,479   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2014  
   Beginning     Income
statement
    Other
comprehensive
income
    Changes in
scope of
consolidation
    Ending  

Deferred tax liabilities

          

Derivative financial assets

   (413   (118        109      (422

Available-for-sale financial assets

     (33,852     (71     (7,076     183        (40,816

Investment in joint venture and associates

     (32,572     (10,986     (1,120            (44,678

Advanced depreciation provision

     (238,230     100                      (238,130

Depreciation

     (70,127     17,889               (145     (52,383

Deposits for severance benefits

     (267,163     66,449               (4,272     (204,986

Accrued income

     (1,608     (67                   (1,675

Prepaid expenses

     290        128               9        427   

Reserve for technology and human resource development

     (43,889     21,252                      (22,637

Others

     (151,065     9,790               (8,064     (149,339
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   (838,629   104,366      (8,196   (12,180   (754,639
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets

          

Derivatives

   32,595      (23,298   8,877           18,174   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     152,814        (10,434            426        142,806   

Inventory valuation

     303        (106            (216     (19

Contribution for construction

     27,126        (5,086                   22,040   

Accrued expenses

     55,289        (7,719            3,057        50,627   

Provisions

     33,720        (5,232            (158     28,330   

Property and equipment

     237,963        1,720                      239,683   

Retirement benefit obligations

     319,117        (101,742     75,549        4,573        297,497   

Withholding of facilities expenses

     8,340        (531                   7,809   

Accrued payroll expenses

     46,721        (26,121            (824     19,776   

Deduction of installment receivables

     7,045        (2,735                   4,310   

Present value discount

     4,969        (3,196            (5     1,768   

Assets retirement obligation

     19,246        (961            77        18,362   

Gain or loss foreign currency translation

     10,236        6,850               (106     16,980   

Deferred revenue

     64,439        167               43        64,649   

Real-estate sales

     5,414        (4,542                   872   

Tax credit carryforwards

     164,401        38,877                      203,278   

Foreign operation translation difference

     3,162               (1,126            2,036   

Tax loss carryforward

            411,755                      411,755   

Others

     183,208        (54,917            10,443        138,734   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   1,376,108      212,749      83,300      17,310      1,689,467   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net balance 1

   537,479      317,115      75,104      5,130      934,828   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 Deferred tax liabilities, amounting to 2,232 million (2013: Deferred tax liabilities of 1,680 million) that are related to the tax receivable of certain subsidiaries’ undistributed profit, are not recognized as of December 31, 2014. This undistributed profit is permanently reinvested. As of December 31, 2014, temporary difference of unrecognized deferred tax liabilities is 22,241 million (2013: 143,483 million).

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

The tax impacts recognized directly to equity as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

    2012     2013     2014  

(in millions of
Korean won)

  Before
recognition
    Tax
effect
    After
recognition
    Before
recognition
    Tax
effect
    After
recognition
    Before
recognition
    Tax
effect
    After
recognition
 

Available-for-sale valuation gain (loss)

  25,181      (6,094   19,087      74,317      (17,985   56,332      29,239      (7,076   22,163   

Hedge instruments valuation gain (loss)

    33,743        (8,166     25,577        (6,195     1,499        (4,696     (36,682     8,877        (27,805

Remeasurements from net defined benefit liabilities

    (172,153     41,661        (130,492     74,648        (18,065     56,583        (312,186     75,549        (236,637

Shares of gain (loss) of joint ventures and associates

    (13,009     3,148        (9,861     3,221        (780     2,441        4,628        (1,120     3,508   

Foreign operation translation difference

    (8,766     2,121        (6,645     (2,708     655        (2,053     4,652        (1,126     3,526   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  (135,004   32,670      (102,334   143,283      (34,676   108,607      (310,349   75,104      (235,245
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Details of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are calculated as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2012     2013     2014  

Current income tax expenses

   302,278      148,259      50,780   

Impact of change in deferred taxes

     (24,409     (98,680     (317,115
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

   277,869      49,579      (266,335
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     2012     2013     2014  

Loss before income tax (benefit)

   1,414,842      (38,166   (1,207,748
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Statutory income tax (benefit)

   342,392      (9,236   (292,275

Tax effect

      

Income not taxable for taxation purposes

     (1,407     (25,130     (44,145

Non deductible expenses

     39,136        87,220        62,127   

Tax credit

     (83,311     (15,673     (39,505

Additional payment of income taxes

     59,755        (5,910     1,079   

Tax effect and adjustment on consolidation

            (4,251     3,949   

Derecognition in deferred tax income

     (55,006     10,815        (3,878

Others

     (23,690     11,744        46,313   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

   277,869      49,579      (266,335
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

30.    Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit from operations attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of common stocks outstanding during the period, excluding common stocks purchased by the Company and held as treasury stock.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Basic earnings per share from operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 is calculated as follows:

 

     2012     2013     2014  

Profit (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stock
(in millions of Korean won)

   1,075,694      (189,931   (1,030,240

Profit (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to common stock
(in millions of Korean won)

     (29,567              
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,046,127        (189,931     (1,030,240
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common stock outstanding

     243,517,103        243,737,431        244,433,771   

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   4,296      (779   (4,215

Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
(in Korean won)

     4,417        (779     (4,215

Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations

     (121              

Diluted earnings per share from operations is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of common stocks outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive potential common stocks. The Company has dilutive potential common stocks from stock options.

Diluted earnings per share from operations for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, 2014 is calculated as follows:

 

    2012     2013     2014  

Adjusted Profit (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common stock (in millions of Korean won)

  1,075,694      (190,485   (1,030,253

Adjusted Profit (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to common stock (in millions of Korean won)

    (29,567              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  1,046,127      (190,485   (1,030,253
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of dilutive potential common shares outstanding

    23,851                 

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive common shares

    243,540,954        243,737,431        244,443,771   

Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in Korean won)

    4,296        (782     (4,215

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
(in Korean won)

    4,417        (782     (4,215

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations
(in Korean won)

    (121              

31.    Dividend

The dividends paid by the Company in 2012, 2013 and 2014 were 486,602 million (2,000 per share) and 487,445 million (2,000 per share), 195,112 million (800 per share), respectively. The Company has no plan to propose dividends for the year ended December 31, 2014, and no dividends were proposed at the shareholders’ meeting on March 27, 2015.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

32.    Cash Generated from Operations

Cash flows from operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2012     2013     2014  

1. Profit (loss) for the year

   1,105,439      (87,745   (941,413

2. Adjustments to reconcile net income

      

Income tax expenses (income)

     277,869        49,579        (266,335

Interest income

     (387,396     (279,392     (237,975

Interest expense

     589,727        548,129        578,210   

Dividends income

     (6,370     (20,841     (15,007

Depreciation

     2,925,170        3,141,846        3,242,346   

Amortization of intangible assets

     388,663        478,902        612,418   

Provision for severance benefits

     219,128        227,564        869,066   

Bad debt expenses

     150,389        189,665        231,934   

Gain from jointly controlled entities and associates

     (24,308     (10,222     (24,361

Loss (gain) on disposal of jointly controlled entities and associates

     (125,754     1,254        8,036   

Impairment loss on jointly controlled entities and associates

     3,202        6,006          

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries

                   11,028   

Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment

     (407,485     393,567        133,374   

Loss (gain) on disposal of intangible assets

     (1,402     52,008        17,528   

Loss on impairment of intangible assets

     6,115        36,207        87,275   

Loss (gain) on foreign currency translation

     (259,374     (99,617     91,362   

Loss (gain) on valuation of derivatives

     242,979        105,248        (34,011

Impairment losses on available for sale financial assets

     3,401        5,052        70,022   

Loss (gain) on disposal of available for sale financial assets

     (4,830     (2,339     13,495   

Others

     (94,987     (56,620     (26,101

3. Changes in operating assets and liabilities

      

Decrease in trade receivables

     1,848,011        938,495        13,008   

Decrease (increase) in other receivables

     (533,319     (7,194     170,497   

Decrease (increase) in loans receivable

     47,990        (156,418     47,044   

Decrease in finance lease receivables

     130,987        147,735        138,208   

Decrease (increase) in other current assets

     (60,274     40,905        271,475   

Increase in other non-current assets

     (26,719     (762,032     (1,200,843

Decrease (increase) in inventories

     (286,513     169,567        301,210   

Increase (decrease) in trade payables

     177,577        (145,363     (417,944

Increase (decrease) in other payables

     948,480        (69,265     (260,421

Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities

     (48,256     222,609        19,010   

Increase (decrease) in other non-current liabilities

     (147,820     (40,999     38,030   

Increase (decrease) in provisions

     (86,715     (150,457     26,029   

Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue

     153,034        (66,519     1,359   

Decrease (increase) in plan assets

     (165,755     249,102        238,987   

Payment of severance benefits

     (111,192     (371,157     (1,427,229
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

4. Net cash provided by operating activities (1+2+3)

    6,439,692       4,677,260       2,379,311   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Significant transactions not affecting cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2012      2013     2014  

Reclassification of the current portion of bonds payable

   2,157,522       1,791,454      1,805,553   

Reclassification of construction-in-progress to property and equipment

     3,142,858         2,314,925        2,478,164   

Reclassification of accounts payable from property and equipment

     68,766         181,816        310,270   

Reclassification of accounts payable from intangible assets

             567,550        179,395   

Reclassification of payable from defined benefit liability

             (84,689     26,250   

Reclassification of payable from plan assets

             (79,177     20,695   

Exercise of convertible bonds

                    19,052   

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

33.    Segment Information

The Company’s operating segments are as follows:

 

Details

  

Business service

Customer/Marketing Group 1

   Telecommunication service to mass customers and convergence business

Enterprise Sales Group 1

   Telecommunication service to global market and enterprise customers and data service

Finance / Rental Business Group

   Credit card, loan, lease and others

Others Group

   Satellite TV, and others

 

1 The names of some operating segments have changed, from Telecommunication & Convergence/Customer Group and Global & Enterprise Group in prior period to Customer/Marketing Group and Enterprise Sales Group in current period, respectively.

Details of each segment for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

     2012  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Operating
revenues
    Operating
income (loss)
    Depreciation
and Amortization
 

Customer/Marketing Group

   15,932,278      733,461      2,440,338   

Enterprise Sales Group

     2,930,958        327,300        485,267   

Finance/Rental Group

     3,717,181        185,220        181,904   

Others Group

     4,252,074        83,039        147,238   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     26,832,491        1,329,020        3,254,747   

Elimination

     (2,188,719     351,079        19,331   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated amount

   24,643,772      1,680,099      3,274,078   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Operating
revenues
    Operating
income(loss)
    Depreciation
and Amortization
 

Customer/Marketing Group

   14,938,037      51,853      2,445,321   

Enterprise Sales Group

     2,917,116        235,728        486,258   

Finance/Rental Group

     4,053,481        279,856        400,223   

Others Group

     5,093,995        287,482        233,322   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     27,002,629        854,919        3,565,124   

Elimination

     (2,944,748     (531,535     1,050   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated amount

   24,057,881      323,384      3,566,174   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Operating
revenues
    Operating
income (loss)
    Depreciation
and Amortization
 

Customer/Marketing Group

   14,566,755      (797,804   2,534,392   

Enterprise Sales Group

     2,916,662        97,081        489,016   

Finance/Rental Group

     4,550,754        322,012        465,304   

Others Group

     4,819,391        (213,828     273,208   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     26,853,562        (592,539     3,761,920   

Elimination

     (3,126,184     (69,864     13,434   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated amount

   23,727,378      (662,403   3,775,354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

The regional segment information provided to the management for the reportable segments as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   Operating revenues      Non-current assets 1  
      2012      2013      2014      2013      2014  

Location

              

Domestic

   24,609,126       23,999,635       23,645,855       21,143,152       20,867,205   

Overseas

     34,646         58,246         81,523         176,700         204,654   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   24,643,772       24,057,881       23,727,378       21,319,852       21,071,859   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1 Non-current assets include fixed assets, intangible assets and investment property.

Assets and liabilities of each segments as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Non-finance      Finance
/Rental
     Total      Adjustment     Consolidated
amount
 

Assets

             

Current

   7,023,358       3,920,164       10,943,522       (971,603   9,971,919   

Trade and other receivables

     4,142,237         1,864,709         6,006,946         (767,377     5,239,569   

Short-term loans

             889,418         889,418         (50,694     838,724   

Inventories

     649,754         25,596         675,350         (1,732     673,618   

Other assets

     2,231,367         1,140,441         3,371,808         (151,800     3,220,008   

Non-current

     24,060,958         3,730,135         27,791,093         (2,912,895     24,878,198   

Trade and other receivables

     796,622         68,877         865,499         (52,028     813,471   

Long-term loans

             542,267         542,267         (32,394     509,873   

Property, equipment and intangible assets (including investment property)

     18,817,659         1,931,006         20,748,665         571,187        21,319,852   

Other assets

     4,446,677         1,187,985         5,634,662         (3,399,660     2,235,002   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   31,084,316       7,650,299       38,734,615       (3,884,498   34,850,117   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

             

Current

   8,452,101       3,716,585       12,168,686       (944,570   11,224,116   

Trade and other payables

     5,866,180         2,344,098         8,210,278         (796,455     7,413,823   

Borrowings

     1,785,879         1,224,852         3,010,731         9,975        3,020,706   

Other liabilities

     800,042         147,635         947,677         (158,090     789,587   

Non-current

     8,238,497         2,938,773         11,177,270         (388,685     10,788,585   

Trade and other payables

     919,486         168,630         1,088,116         (29,232     1,058,884   

Borrowings

     6,024,803         2,561,893         8,586,696         (123,509     8,463,187   

Other liabilities

     1,294,208         208,250         1,502,458         (235,944     1,266,514   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   16,690,598       6,655,358       23,345,956       (1,333,255   22,012,701   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

     2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Non-finance      Finance
/Rental
     Total      Adjustment     Consolidated
amount
 

Assets

             

Current

   6,047,980       3,431,308       9,479,288       (705,453   8,773,835   

Trade and other receivables

     3,898,572         1,479,240         5,377,812         (566,762     4,811,050   

Short-term loans

             759,684         759,684         (49,316     710,368   

Inventories

     385,984         31,972         417,956         927        418,883   

Other assets

     1,763,424         1,160,412         2,923,836         (90,302     2,833,534   

Non-current

     24,347,003         3,990,853         28,337,856         (3,312,416     25,025,440   

Trade and other receivables

     856,756         59,701         916,457         (67,594     848,863   

Long-term loans

             587,218         587,218         (2,304     584,914   

Property, equipment and intangible assets (including investment property)

     18,111,139         2,230,419         20,341,558         730,301        21,071,859   

Other assets

     5,379,108         1,113,515         6,492,623         (3,972,819     2,519,804   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   30,394,983       7,422,161       37,817,144       (4,017,869   33,799,275   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

             

Current

   7,683,942       3,079,278       10,763,220       (776,073   9,987,147   

Trade and other payables

     5,108,735         1,967,354         7,076,089         (667,978     6,408,111   

Borrowings

     1,954,166         1,001,478         2,955,644                2,955,644   

Other liabilities

     621,041         110,446         731,487         (108,095     623,392   

Non-current

     9,341,308         2,814,518         12,155,826         (131,255     12,024,571   

Trade and other payables

     703,587         229,276         932,863         (23,671     909,192   

Borrowings

     7,418,747         2,447,310         9,866,057         (6,316     9,859,741   

Other liabilities

     1,218,974         137,932         1,356,906         (101,268     1,255,638   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   17,025,250       5,893,796       22,919,046       (907,328   22,011,718   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

34.    Related Party Transactions

The list of related party of the Company as of December 31, 2014, is as follows:

 

Relationship

  

Related parties

Associates and jointly controlled entities

  

Korea Information & Technology Investment Fund, KT WiBro Infra Co., Ltd.,

K-REALTY CR REIT 1, Mongolian Telecommunications, KT-SB Venture Investment Fund, Boston Global Film & Contents Fund L.P., QTT Global (Group) Company Limited, CU Industrial Development Co., Ltd., Exdell Corporation, Information Technology Solution Bukbu Corporation, Information Technology Solution Nambu Corporation, Information Technology Solution Seobu Corporation, Information Technology Solution Busan Corporation, Information Technology Solution Jungbu Corporation, Information Technology Solution Honam Corporation, Information Technology Solution Daegu Corporation, VANGUARD Private Equity Fund, KT-LIG ACE Private Equity Fund, Smart Channel Co., Ltd., HooH Healthcare Inc., KD Living, Inc., ChungHo EZ-Cash Co., Ltd., JNK Retech Co., Ltd., Harex Info Tech Inc., MOS GS Co., Ltd., MOS Daegu Co., Ltd., MOS Chungcheong Co., Ltd., MOS Gangnam Co., Ltd., MOS GB Co., Ltd., MOS BS Co., Ltd., MOS Honam Co., Ltd., ANIMAX BROADCASTING KOREA Co., Ltd., SPERA Private Equity Fund, QCP New Technology Investment Fund No. 20, KT-IMM Investment Fund, Mirae Asset Good Company Investment Fund No.3, 2010 KIF-IMM IT Investment Fund, Saehacoms Co., Ltd., Oscar Ent. Co., Ltd., KoFC KTC-ORIX Korea-Japan Partnership Private Equity Fund II, Texno Pro Sistem, How Smartmall Private Special Asset Investment Trust, KT-CKP New Media Investment Fund, SP1 Private Equity Fund, LoginD Co., Ltd., KTC-NP-Growth Champ 2011-2 PEF, K-REALTY CR-REIT 6, ISU-kth Contents Investment Fund, U-City Technologies Philippines, Inc., Daiwon Broadcasting Co., Ltd.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

The related receivables and payables as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

    2013  
    Receivables     Payables  

(in millions of Korean won)

  Trade
receivables
    Loans     Other
receivables
    Trade
payables
    Other
payables
 

Associates and jointly controlled entities

  ktcs Corporation   2,079           606      765      14,372   
  ktis Corporation     1,388               95        137        35,416   
  Information Technology Solution Bukbu Corporation     3               610        2        4,555   
  Information Technology Solution Nambu Corporation     2               9               3,989   
  Information Technology Solution Seobu Corporation     8               577               4,095   
  Information Technology Solution Busan Corporation     1               191        20        1,810   
  Information Technology Solution Jungbu Corporation     2               375               3,697   
  Information Technology Solution Honam Corporation     2               239               3,110   
  Information Technology Solution Daegu Corporation     3               198               2,257   
  KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd.                                 172,081   
  Smart Channel Co., Ltd.     9,717        9,638        39,724        2,261        75   
  K- Realty CR-REITs No.     949               36,000                 
  MOS GS Co., Ltd.     74               1        1,763        50   
  MOS Daegu Co., Ltd.     4                      1,154        17   
  MOS Chungcheong Co., Ltd.     39               1        1,186        230   
  MOS Gangnam Co., Ltd.     2               1               180   
  MOS GB Co., Ltd.     94               5        2,442        131   
  MOS BS Co., Ltd.     3               1        1,006        53   
  MOS Honam Co., Ltd.,     1               2        1,517        183   
  Others     226        400        1,889        52        1,989   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    14,597      10,038      80,524      12,305      248,290   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

    2014  
    Receivables     Payables  

(in millions of Korean won)

  Trade
receivables
    Loans     Other
receivables
    Trade
payables
    Other
payables
 

Associates and jointly controlled entities

  Information Technology Solution Bukbu Corporation   137           11           7,427   
  Information Technology Solution Nambu Corporation     132               9               5,062   
  Information Technology Solution Seobu Corporation     18               12               4,977   
  Information Technology Solution Busan Corporation     7               15        39        2,293   
  Information Technology Solution Jungbu Corporation     5               2        1        2,305   
  Information Technology Solution Honam Corporation     203               4        1        5,159   
  Information Technology Solution Daegu Corporation     3                             2,278   
  KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd.                                 129,294   
  Smart Channel Co., Ltd.     10,234        9,638        39,724        3,095        26   
  K-Realty CR-REITs No.     948               35,850                 
  MOS GS Co., Ltd.     36               1        852          
  MOS Daegu Co., Ltd.     3               26        1,507          
  MOS Chungcheong Co., Ltd.     1               1        1,468        143   
  MOS Gangnam Co., Ltd.     1               1        802          
  MOS GB Co., Ltd.     115               5        1,142          
  MOS BS Co., Ltd.     1               1        956        20   
  MOS Honam Co., Ltd.,     1               2        2,032          
  Others     491               1,789        190        1,124   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    12,336      9,638      77,453      12,085      160,108   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Significant transactions with related parties for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2012  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Sales      Purchases  

Associates and jointly controlled entities

   KTCS Corporation    44,649       262,227   
   KTIS Corporation      38,144         273,938   
   Information Technology Solution Bukbu Corporation      4,081         26,004   
   Information Technology Solution Nambu Corporation      3,344         31,156   
   Information Technology Solution Seobu Corporation      4,589         33,548   
   Information Technology Solution Busan Corporation      2,750         18,327   
   Information Technology Solution Jungbu Corporation      4,228         26,394   
   Information Technology Solution Honam Corporation      2,845         35,666   
   Information Technology Solution Daegu Corporation      1,872         12,696   
   KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd.      6         2,083   
   Smart Channel Co., Ltd.      5,039         1,670   
   K-REALTY CR REIT1      2,038         35,290   
   MOS GS Co., Ltd.      1,033         17,620   
   MOS Daegu Co., Ltd.      429         12,318   
   MOS Chungcheong Co., Ltd      462         12,760   
   MOS Gangnam Co., Ltd.      372         14,474   
   MOS GB Co., Ltd.      1,401         22,113   
   MOS BS Co., Ltd.      575         15,716   
   MOS Honam Co., Ltd.      542         13,799   
   Others      3,002         19,895   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
      121,401       887,694   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

     2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Sales      Purchases  

Associates and jointly controlled entities

   KTCS Corporation    45,172       258,203   
   KTIS Corporation      59,537         281,219   
   Information Technology Solution Bukbu Corporation      4,784         29,626   
   Information Technology Solution Nambu Corporation      4,871         33,232   
   Information Technology Solution Seobu Corporation      5,397         34,526   
   Information Technology Solution Busan Corporation      2,920         18,967   
   Information Technology Solution Jungbu Corporation      5,318         27,483   
   Information Technology Solution Honam Corporation      3,122         36,096   
   Information Technology Solution Daegu Corporation      2,048         13,462   
   KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd.      9         1,660   
   Smart Channel Co., Ltd.      8,188           
   K-REALTY CR REIT1      2,039         36,349   
   MOS GS Co., Ltd.      1,465         17,337   
   MOS Daegu Co., Ltd.      806         12,061   
   MOS Chungcheong Co., Ltd      819         12,111   
   MOS Gangnam Co., Ltd.      749         15,078   
   MOS GB Co., Ltd.      1,981         22,858   
   MOS BS Co., Ltd.      914         15,117   
   MOS Honam Co., Ltd.      948         13,803   
   Others      2,739         15,766   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
      153,826       894,954   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2014  
   Sales      Purchases  

Associates and jointly controlled entities

   KTCS Corporation 1    59,739       245,648   
   KTIS Corporation 1      78,546         243,336   
   Information Technology Solution Bukbu Corporation      6,787         54,450   
   Information Technology Solution Nambu Corporation      7,574         45,940   
   Information Technology Solution Seobu Corporation      6,388         40,251   
   Information Technology Solution Busan Corporation      4,093         26,174   
   Information Technology Solution Jungbu Corporation      7,187         37,436   
   Information Technology Solution Honam Corporation      4,976         36,081   
   Information Technology Solution Daegu Corporation      3,460         21,006   
   KT Wibro Infra Co., Ltd.      11         1,237   
   Smart Channel Co., Ltd.      14,002         2   
   K-REALTY CR REIT1      2,067         37,413   
   MOS GS Co., Ltd.      1,593         17,063   
   MOS Daegu Co., Ltd.      894         12,092   
   MOS Chungcheong Co., Ltd      867         12,105   
   MOS Gangnam Co., Ltd.      775         16,209   
   MOS GB Co., Ltd.      2,017         21,114   
   MOS BS Co., Ltd.      858         15,762   
   MOS Honam Co., Ltd.      780         14,417   
   Others      4,401         11,903   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
      207,015       909,639   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1 The transactions for the year ended December 31, 2014, before ktcs and kits were included in consolidation scope.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Key management compensation for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 consists of:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2012      2013      2014  

Salaries and other short-term benefits

   3,166       3,203       1,817   

Provision for severance benefits

     274         335         400   

Stock-based compensation

     1,078         842         965   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   4,518       4,380       3,182   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fund transactions with related parties for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows

 

     2013  
     Loan transactions      Borrowing transactions      Equity
contributions
in cash
 

(in millions of Korean won)

   Loans      Collections      Borrowings      Repayments     

Associates and jointly controlled entities

   ktis Corporation          654                     
   KT-SB Venture Investment Fund                                      6,000   
   JNK Retech Co., Ltd                                      1,176   
   KT-CKP New Media Investment Fund                                      2,250   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            654                   9,426   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

    2014  
         Loan transactions     Borrowing transactions     Equity
contributions
in cash
 

(in millions of Korean won)

  Loans     Collections     Borrowings     Repayments    

Associate

   KT-IMM Investment Fund                       1,540   
   HooH Healthcare Inc.                          401        3,370   
   KT-CKP New Media Investment Fund                                 2,250   
   K-REALTY CR-REIT 6                                 7,000   
   ISU-kth Contents Investment Fund                                 1,100   
   KoFC KTC-ORIX Korea-Japan Partnership Private Equity Fund II                                 136   
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                    401      15,396   
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Payment guarantees and collaterals provided by the Company

As of December 31, 2014, based on the investors’ agreement, the Company has an obligation to provide funding to Smart Channel Co., Ltd., a related company, if Smart Channel Co, Ltd. is unable to fulfill its obligation to pay its payables. The Company pledged investment securities in Smart Channel Co., Ltd. as collateral (Note 20).

There are no collaterals and payment guarantees provided by the related parties.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

35.    Financial risk management

(1) Financial risk factors

The Company’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, fair value interest rate risk, cash flow interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The Company’s overall risk management program focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimize potential adverse effects on the Company’s financial performance. The Company uses derivative financial instruments to hedge certain risk exposures.

The Company’s financial policy is set up in the long-term perspective and annually reported to the Board of Directors. The financial risk management is carried out by the Value Management Office, which identifies, evaluates and hedges financial risks. The treasury department in the Value Management Office considers various finance market conditions to estimate the effect from the market changes.

1) Market risk

The Company’s market risk management focuses on controlling the extent of exposure to the risk in order to minimize revenue volatility. Market risk is a risk that decreases value or profit of the Company’s portfolio due to changes in market interest rate, foreign exchange rate and other factors.

(i) Sensitivity analysis

Sensitivity analysis is performed for each type of market risk to which the Company is exposed. Reasonably possible changes in the relevant risk variable such as prevailing market interest rates, currency rates, equity prices or commodity prices are estimated and if the rate of change in the underlying risk variable is stable, the Company does not alter the chosen reasonably possible change in the risk variable. The reasonably possible change does not include remote or ‘worst case’ scenarios or ‘stress tests’.

(ii) Foreign exchange risk

The Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from operating, investing and financing activities. Foreign exchange risk is managed within the range of the possible effect on the Company’s cash flows. Foreign exchange risk unaffecting the Company’s cash flows is not hedged but can be hedged at a particular situation.

As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 if the foreign exchange rate had strengthened/weakened by 10% with all other variables held constant, the effects on profit before income tax and shareholders’ equity would have been as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   Fluctuation of
foreign exchange  rate
    Income before tax     Shareholders’ equity  

2012.12.31

     +10   (64,746   (52,203
     -10     64,746        52,203   

2013.12.31

     +10   (46,173   (47,888
     -10     46,173        47,888   

2014.12.31

     +10   (45,430   (38,437
     -10     45,430        38,437   

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

The above analysis is a simple sensitivity analysis which assumes that all the variables other than foreign exchange rates are held constant. Therefore, the analysis does not reflect any correlation between foreign exchange rates and other variables, nor the management’s decision to decrease the risk.

Details of foreign assets and liabilities of the Company as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:

 

(in thousands of
Foreign currencies)

   2012      2013      2014  
   Financial
assets
     Financial
liabilities
     Financial
assets
     Financial
liabilities
     Financial
assets
     Financial
liabilities
 

USD

     217,488         2,377,137         254,917         2,225,700         197,221         2,532,614   

SDR

     494         1,130         1,105         1,211         573         1,027   

JPY

     657,947         35,102,877         190,520         30,054,316         34,168         30,051,367   

GBP

     1         9                 134                 257   

EUR

     5,395         2,614         1,342         4,943         134         177   

DZD

     3,770                 2,798                 929           

CNY

     10,236         197                         3,957           

UZS

     7,920,825         38,727,985         1,805,565                 7,978,633           

RWF

                     11,962                 13,593           

IDR

     347,447                                           

HKD

                                     158           

BDT

                                     299           

COP

                                     23,583           

PLN

                                     28,195           

VND

                                     273,313         93,756   

CHF

                                             78   

(iii) Price risk

As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 the Company is exposed to equity securities price risk because the securities held by the Company are traded in active markets. If the market prices had increased/decreased by 10% with all other variables held constant, the effects on profit before income tax and shareholders’ equity would have been as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   Fluctuation of price     Income before tax      Equity  

2012.12.31

     +10       —       4,916   
     -10             (4,916

2013.12.31

     +10         5,535   
     -10             (5,535

2014.12.31

     +10         6,593   
     -10             (6,593

The above analysis is based on the assumption that the equity index had increased/decreased by 10% with all other variables held constant and all the Company’s marketable equity instruments had moved according to the historical correlation with the index.

(iv) Cashflow and fair value interest rate risk

The Company’s interest rate risk arises from liabilities in foreign currency such as foreign currency bonds payable. Bonds payable in foreign currency issued at variable rates expose the Company to cash flow interest rate risk which is partially offset by swap transactions. Bonds payable and

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

borrowings issued at fixed rates expose the Company to fair value interest rate risk. The Company sets the policy and operates to minimize the uncertainty of the changes in interest rates and financial costs.

As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 if the market interest rate had increased/decreased by 100bp with other variables held constant, the effects on profit before income tax and shareholders’ equity would be as follows:

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   Fluctuation of
interest rate
     Income before tax     Shareholders’ equity  

2012.12.31

     + 100 bp       (562   (368
     - 100 bp         (5,100     (5,361

2013.12.31

     + 100 bp       10,345      12,846   
     - 100 bp         (17,201     (19,017

2014.12.31

     + 100 bp       (4,717   4,892   
     - 100 bp         (4,632     (11,064

The above analysis is a simple sensitivity analysis which assumes that all the variables other than market interest rates are held constant. Therefore, the analysis does not reflect any correlation between market interest rates and other variables, nor the management’s decision to decrease the risk.

2) Credit risk

Credit risk is managed on the Company basis with the purpose of minimizing financial loss. Credit risk arises from the normal transactions and investing activities, where clients or other party fails to discharge an obligation on contract conditions. To manage credit risk, the Company considers the counterparty’s credit based on the counterparty’s financial conditions, default history and other important factors.

Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments and deposits with banks and financial institutions, as well as outstanding receivables. To minimize such risk, only the financial institutions with strong credit ratings are accepted.

As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, maximum exposure to credit risk is as follows.

 

(In millions of Korean won)

   2013      2014  

Cash equivalents(except cash on hand)

   2,065,157       1,884,745   

Trade and other receivables 1

     6,053,040         5,659,913   

Loans receivable

     1,348,597         1,295,282   

Finance lease receivables

     709,937         584,413   

Other financial assets

     

Financial assets at fair value through the profit or loss

     15,643         6,983   

Derivative used for hedging

     3,496         41,540   

Time deposits and others

     582,693         455,622   

Available-for-sale financial assets

     25,978         27,870   

Held-to-maturity financial assets

     3,248         7,767   

Financial guarantee contracts 2

     389,814         55,393   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   11,197,603       10,019,528   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1 As of December 31, 2014, the Company is provided with a payment guarantee of 674,768 million from Seoul Guarantee Insurance related to the sale of certain accounts receivable arising from the handset sales.

 

2 Total amounts guaranteed by the Company according to the guarantee contracts.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

3) Liquidity risk

The Company manages its liquidity risk by liquidity strategy and plans. The Company considers the maturity of financial assets and financial liabilities and the estimated cash flows from operations.

The table below analyzes the Company’s liabilities into relevant maturity groups based on the remaining period at the date of the end of each reporting period to the contractual maturity date. These amounts are contractual undiscounted cash flows.

 

     2013.12.31  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Less than 1 year      1-5 years      More than
5 years
     Total  

Trade and other payables

   7,429,289       789,999       352,928       8,572,216   

Finance lease payables

     22,498         52,877                 75,375   

Borrowings (including bonds payable)

     3,147,761         5,408,176         3,468,282         12,024,219   

Other non-derivative financial liabilities

             3,166         53,704         56,870   

Financial guarantee contracts 1

     389,814                         389,814   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   10,989,362       6,254,218       3,874,914       21,118,494   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     2014.12.31  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Less than 1 year      1-5 years      More than
5 years
     Total  

Trade and other payables

   6,973,931       1,028,043       254,852       8,256,826   

Finance lease payables

     22,516         37,382                 59,898   

Borrowings (including bonds payable)

     2,986,372         6,508,681         4,162,910         13,657,963   

Other non-derivative financial liabilities

     405         3,441                 3,846   

Financial guarantee contracts 1

     55,393                         55,393   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   10,038,617       7,577,547       4,417,762       22,033,926   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1 Total amount guaranteed by the Company according to guarantee contracts. Cash flow from financial guarantee contracts is classified as the maturity group in the earliest period when the financial guarantee contracts can be executed.

Cash outflow and inflow of derivatives settled gross or net are undiscounted contractual cash flow and can differ from the amount in the financial statements.

 

     2012.12.31  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Less than 1 year      1-5 years      More than 5 years      Total  

Outflow

   1,020,494       1,507,287       41,292       2,569,073   

Inflow

     949,921         1,550,822         45,093         2,545,836   

 

     2013.12.31  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Less than 1 year      1-5 years      More than 5 years      Total  

Outflow

   971,454       1,377,071       38,795       2,387,320   

Inflow

     910,488         1,256,407         41,648         2,208,543   

 

     2014.12.31  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Less than 1 year      1-5 years      More than 5 years      Total  

Outflow

   242,051       2,282,242       38,795       2,563,088   

Inflow

     210,045         2,217,211         43,418         2,470,674   

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

(2) Disclosure of capital management

The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other shareholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

The Company’s capital structure consists of liabilities including borrowings, cash and cash equivalents, and shareholders’ equity. The treasury department monitors the Company’s capital structure and considers cost of capital and risks related each capital component.

The debt-to-equity ratios as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Total liabilities

   22,012,701      22,011,718   

Total equity

     12,837,416        11,787,557   

Debt-to-equity ratio

     171     187

The Company manages capital on the basis of the gearing ratio. This ratio is calculated as net debt divided by total capital. Net debt is calculated as total borrowings less cash and cash equivalents. Total capital is calculated as ‘equity’ in the statement of financial position plus net debt.

The gearing ratios as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won, %)

   2013     2014  

Total borrowings

   11,552,103      12,870,392   

Less: cash and cash equivalents

     (2,070,869     (1,888,663
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net debt

     9,481,234        10,981,729   

Total equity

     12,837,416        11,787,557   

Total capital

     22,318,650        22,769,286   

Gearing ratio

     42     48

(3) Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

Details of the Company’s recognized financial assets subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements are as follows:

 

     2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Gross
assets
     Gross
liabilities
offset
    Net amounts
presented in
the statement
of  financial
position
    
Amounts not offset
     Net
amount
 
           Financial
instruments
    Cash
collateral
    

Derivative assets for hedging purpose 1

   5,393            5,393       (5,393           

Trade receivables 2

     100,989         (60     100,929         (92,979             7,950   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   106,382       (60   106,322       (98,372         7,950   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

     2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Gross
assets
     Gross
liabilities
offset
    Net amounts
presented in
the statement
of financial
position
    
Amounts not offset
     Net
amount
 
           Financial
instruments
    Cash
collateral
    

Derivative assets for hedging purpose 1

   3,225            3,225       (3,225           

Trade receivables 2

     107,179         (1     107,178         (103,704             3,474   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   110,404       (1   110,403       (106,929         3,474   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1 The amount applied with master netting arrangements under the standard contract of International Swap and Derivatives Association(ISDA).

 

2 The amount applied with netting arrangements under the reference offer of the telecommunication facility interconnection and sharing data among telecommunications companies.

The Company’s recognized financial liabilities subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements are as follows:

 

     2013  

Korean won)

   Gross
liabilities
     Gross
assets
offset
    Net amounts
presented in
the statement
of financial
position
    
Amounts not offset
     Net
amount
 
           Financial
instruments
    Cash
collateral
    

Derivative liabilities for hedging purpose 1

   9,889            9,889       (5,393         4,496   

Trade payables 2

     95,754                95,754         (92,979             2,775   

Other payables 2

     11         (2     9                        9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   105,654       (2   105,652       (98,372         7,280   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

    2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

  Gross
liabilities
    Gross
assets
offset
    Net amounts
presented in
the statement
of financial
position
   
Amounts not offset
    Net
amount
 
        Financial
instruments
    Cash
collateral
   

Derivative liabilities for hedging purpose 1

  49,016           49,016      (3,225        45,791   

Trade payables 2

    108,669               108,669        (103,704            4,965   

Other payables 2

    2        (1     1                      1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  157,687      (1   157,686      (106,929        50,757   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 The amount applied with master netting arrangements under the standard contract of International Swap Sand Derivatives Association(ISDA).

 

2 The amount applied with netting arrangements under the reference offer of the telecommunication facility interconnection and sharing data among telecommunications companies.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

36.    Fair Value

(1) Fair Value of Financial Instruments by Category

Carrying amount and fair value of financial instruments by category as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013      2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Carrying
amount
     Fair value      Carrying
amount
     Fair value  

Financial assets

           

Cash and cash equivalents 1

   2,070,869       2,070,869       1,888,663       1,888,663   

Trade and other receivables 1

     6,053,040         6,053,040         5,659,913         5,659,913   

Other financial assets

           

Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss

     15,643         15,643         6,983         6,983   

Derivative financial instruments for hedging purpose

     3,496         3,496         41,540         41,540   

Time deposits and others 1

     582,693         582,693         455,622         455,622   

Held-to-maturity financial assets 1

     3,248         3,248         7,767         7,767   

Available-for-sale financial assets 2

     405,194         405,194         437,285         437,285   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   9,134,183       9,134,183       8,497,773       8,497,773   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

           

Trade and other liabilities 1

   8,472,707       8,472,707       7,317,303       7,317,303   

Financial lease liabilities

     68,210         68,210         55,007         55,007   

Borrowings

     11,483,893         11,499,645         12,815,385         12,821,442   

Other financial liabilities

           

Financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss

     2,956         2,956         3,980         3,980   

Derivative financial instruments for hedging purpose

     150,612         150,612         122,012         122,012   

Financial guarantee liability 1

     15,984         15,984         5,434         5,434   

Other financial liabilities 1

     73,080         73,080         82,816         82,816   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   20,267,442       20,283,194       20,401,937       20,407,994   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1 The Company did not conduct fair value estimation since the book value is a reasonable approximation of the fair value.

 

2 Equity instruments that do not have a quoted price in an active market are measured at cost because their fair value cannot be measured reliably and excluded from the fair value disclosures.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

(2) Financial Instruments Measured at Cost

Available-for-sale financial assets measured at cost as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013      2014  

SBS KT SPC

   25,000         

IBK-AUCTUS Green Growth Private Equity Fund

     14,318         14,068   

MBC KT SPC

     11,000           

Ustream Inc

     11,295           

CBC II Fund

     6,633         9,548   

TRANSLINK No.2 Fund

     8,080         9,104   

KBS KT SPC

     11,000         7,000   

WALDEN No.6 Fund

     5,956         5,749   

Storm IV Fund

     3,501         5,162   

Enterprise DB (Convertible Preferred Stock)

     3,013         3,013   

The 1st Praxis PE

     3,000           

AMOGREENTECH

     3,000         3,000   

Ars Magna Private Equity Fund

             3,000   

Kokam Co., Ltd.

     2,794         2,794   

KDBC-IMM No.1 Private Equity Fund

             2,499   

Nexenta Systems (Convertible Preferred Stock)

     2,260         2,260   

Nexenta Systems

     1,029         2,159   

BK Constant Recovery Private Equity Fund

             2,000   

HNNSC Private Equity Fund

             2,000   

KDBC-EN Agro Private Equity Fund

             2,000   

Eco 2014 Private Equity Fund

             2,000   

IMM Infra No.2

             2,000   

K- Realty CR-REITs No.6

             2,000   

Newkyunggi Resort Corp

     1,240         1,214   

Goods Flow Co., Ltd.

     1,000         1,000   

KaKao Co., Ltd

     1,000           

Kamur No.1 Private Equity Fund

     2,000           

Others

     25,314         4,701   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   142,433       88,271   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The range of cashflow estimates is significant and the probabilities of the various estimates cannot be reasonably assessed and therefore, these instruments are measured at cost.

The Company does not have any plans to dispose of the above-mentioned equities instruments in the near future. These instruments will be measured at fair value when the Company can develop a reliable estimate of the fair value.

(3) Fair Value Hierarchy

Assets measured at fair value or for which the fair value is disclosed are categorized within the fair value hierarchy, and the defined levels are as follows:

 

   

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1).

 

   

Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (Level 2).

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

   

Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs) (Level 3).

Fair value hierarchy classifications of the financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value or its fair value is disclosed as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Recurring fair value measurements

           

Other financial assets

           

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

         499       15,144       15,643   

Derivative financial assets for hedging purpose

                     3,496         3,496   

Available-for-sale financial assets

     55,347         57,533         292,314         405,194   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     55,347         58,032         310,954         424,333   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Disclosed fair value

           

Jointly controlled entities and associates

     69,840                         69,840   

Investment property 1

                     2,051,183         2,051,183   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     69,840                 2,051,183         2,121,023   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   125,187       58,032       2,362,137       2,545,356   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Recurring fair value measurements

           

Other financial liabilities

           

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

         6       2,950       2,956   

Derivative financial liabilities for hedging purpose

             113,980         36,632         150,612   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
             113,986         39,582         153,568   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Disclosed fair value

           

Borrowings

                     11,499,645         11,499,645   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                     11,499,645         11,499,645   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
         113,986       11,539,227       11,653,213   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

F-93


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

     2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Recurring fair value measurements

           

Other financial assets

           

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

               6,983       6,983   

Derivative financial assets for hedging purpose

             34,198         7,342         41,540   

Available-for-sale financial assets

     65,932         42,093         329,260         437,285   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     65,932         76,291         343,585         485,808   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Disclosed fair value

           

Jointly controlled entities and associates

     8,247                         8,247   

Investment property 1

                     2,277,234         2,277,234   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     8,247                 2,277,234         2,285,481   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   74,179       76,291       2,620,819       2,771,289   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Recurring fair value measurements

           

Other financial liabilities

           

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

               3,980        3,980   

Derivative financial liabilities for hedging purpose

             122,012                 122,012   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
             122,012         3,980         125,992   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Disclosed fair value

           

Borrowings

                     12,821,442         12,821,442   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                     12,821,442         12,821,442   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
         122,012       12,825,442       12,947,434   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1 The highest and best use of a non-financial asset does not differ from its current use.

(4) Transfers Between Fair Value Hierarchy Levels of Recurring Fair Value Measurements

(a) Details of transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy for the recurring fair value measurements are as follows:

There are no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy for the recurring fair value measurements.

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

(b) Details of changes in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the recurring fair value measurements are as follows:

 

    2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

  Interest rate
swap
    Other
derivative
assets
    Derivative
financial
assets for
hedging
purpose
    Available-
for-sale
    Other
derivative
liabilities
    Financial
liabilities
designated
as at fair
value
through
profit or
loss
    Derivative
financial
liabilities
for
hedging
purpose
 

Beginning balance

  1      6,287      20,511      217,201           3,153      23,540   

Reclassification

    15,633               (15,633                            

Amount recognized in profit or loss

    (8,395     2,469        127        (3,844     148        (351     9,268   

Amount recognized in other comprehensive income

                  (1,509     95,434                      3,824   

Purchases

                         3,009                        

Sales

           (851            (29,851                     

Transfer into Level 3 (From Cost method)

                         10,365                        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  7,239      7,905      3,496      292,314      148      2,802      36,632   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

  Interest rate
swap
    Other
derivative
assets
    Derivative
financial
assets for
hedging
purpose
    Available-
for-sale
    Other
derivative
liabilities
    Financial
liabilities
designated
as at fair
value
through
profit or
loss
    Derivative
financial
liabilities
for
hedging
purpose
 

Beginning balance

  7,239      7,905      3,496      292,314      148      2,802      36,632   

Reclassification

                         (5,836                     

Amount recognized in profit or loss

    (1     (395     5,315        (3,483     32        532          

Amount recognized in other comprehensive income

                  (1,469     21,006                        

Purchases

                         34,322        466                 

Sales

           (527            (26,512                     

Settlement

    (7,238                                        (36,632

Transfer into Level 3 (From Cost method)

                         17,449                        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

       6,983      7,342      329,260      646      3,334        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

(5) Valuation Technique and the Inputs

Valuation techniques and inputs used in the recurring, non-recurring fair value measurements and disclosed fair values categorized within Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

     2013

(in millions of Korean won)

   Fair value      Level     

Valuation

techniques

Recurring fair value measurements

        

Other financial assets

        

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

        

Held for trading financial assets

        

Interest rate and currency swap

   7,239         3       Hull-White model

Currency forward

     499         2       Discounted cash flow model

Other derivative assets

     7,905         3       Monte-Carlo Simulation
Option model (binomial trees)

Derivative financial assets for hedging purpose

     3,496         3       Discounted cash flow model

Available-for-sale financial assets

     349,847         2,3       Discounted cash flow model

Disclosed fair value

        

Investment property

     2,051,183         3       Discounted cash flow model

Recurring fair value measurements

        

Other financial liabilities

        

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

        

Held for trading financial assets

        

Currency forward

     6         2       Discounted cash flow model

Other derivatives

     148         3       Option model (binomial trees)

Financial liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss

     2,802         3       Option model (binomial trees)

Derivative financial liabilities for hedging purpose

     113,980         2       Discounted cash flow model
     36,632         3       Hull-White model

Disclosed fair value

        

Borrowings

     11,499,645         3       Discounted cash flow model

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

     2014

(in millions of Korean won)

   Fair value      Level     

Valuation

techniques

Recurring fair value measurements

        

Other financial assets

        

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

        

Held for trading financial assets

        

Other derivative assets

   6,983         3      

Monte-Carlo Simulation

Option model (binomial trees)

Derivative financial assets for hedging purpose

     34,198         2       Discounted cash flow model
     7,342         3       Hull-White model

Available-for-sale financial assets

     371,353         2,3       Discounted cash flow model

Disclosed fair value

        

Investment property

     2,277,234         3       Discounted cash flow model

Recurring fair value measurements

        

Other financial liabilities

        

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

        

Held for trading financial assets

        

Other derivatives

     646         3       Option model (binomial trees)

Financial liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss

     3,334         3       Option model (binomial trees)

Derivative financial liabilities for hedging purpose

     122,012         2       Discounted cash flow model

Disclosed fair value
Borrowings

     12,821,442         3       Discounted cash flow model

(6) Valuation Processes for Fair Value Measurements Categorized Within Level 3

The Company uses external experts that perform the fair value measurements required for financial reporting purposes. External experts report directly to the company’s financial officer of the financial & accounting department, and discusses valuation processes and results with the financial officer in line with the Company’s reporting dates.

(7) Gains and losses on valuation at the transaction date

In the case that the Company values derivative financial instruments using inputs not based on observable market data, and the fair value calculated by the said valuation technique differs from the transaction price, then the fair value of the financial instruments is recognized as the transaction price. The difference between the fair value at initial recognition and the transaction price is deferred and amortized using a straight-line method by maturity of the financial instrument. However, in the case that inputs of the valuation techniques become observable in markets, the remaining deferred difference is immediately recognized in full in profit for the year.

In relation to this, details and changes of the total deferred difference for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2013     2014  

Beginning balance

   54,152      43,322   

New transactions

              

Amortization

     (10,830     (10,830
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   43,322      32,492   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

37.    Business Combination

(1) ktcs Corporation

KT Hitel Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Company, acquired 4,800,000 treasury shares (11.3%) of ktcs Corporation, an associate, from ktcs Corporation on October 31, 2014.

ktcs Corporation was reclassified as a subsidiary from an associate as a result of this transaction accounted for in accordance with IFRS 3, Business Combinations.

As a result of applying acquisition method, the Company recognized gain on bargain purchase of 5,719 million. The gain on bargain purchase resulting from the decrease in value of goodwill and membership, which was previously recognized in the subsidiary’s financial statements, is wholly recognized as profit for the year.

Details of the consideration transferred, fair value of the acquired identifiable assets and liabilities and goodwill at the acquisition date are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

      

Consideration transferred (a)

   37,119   
  

 

 

 

Recognized amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed 1

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   31,750   

Trade and other receivables

     66,051   

Other financial assets

     34,033   

Inventories

     12,945   

Tangible assets

     15,757   

Intangible assets

     6,181   

Investment property

     9,837   

Other assets

     39,675   

Trade and other payables

     (56,785

Borrowings

     (203

Current income tax liabilities

     (2,554

Provisions

     (559

Net defined benefit liabilities

     (6,554

Other liabilities

     (8,194
  

 

 

 

The net of total amounts of identifiable assets and liabilities measured at fair value (b)

   141,380   

Non-controlling interests 2 (c)

     98,542   
  

 

 

 

Gain on bargain purchase (a-b+c)

   (5,719
  

 

 

 

 

1 The assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured at fair value in accordance with IFRS 3, Business Combination.

 

2 At the date of acquisition, the Company measures any non-controlling interest in ktcs Corporation at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets.

As described in Note 14, the previously held interest in ktcs Corporation was measured at fair value, and the Company recognized operating expense of 2,469 million arising from the value measurement on acquisition.

After the acquisition date, the operating revenue and net income of ktcs Corporation. before the elimination of intercompany transactions, which are included in consolidated statement of income, are 78,828 million and 2,788 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014. If ktcs

 

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KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Corporation was consolidated on January 1, 2014, the operating revenue and net income included in consolidated statement of income would have been 439,077 million and 11,203 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014.,

The fair value of trade accounts receivable and others acquired from ktcs Corporation is 66,051 million, and all are deemed collectible.

(2) ktis Corporation

The Controlling Company disposed of 4,954,704 shares (11.6%) of ktcs Corporation, an associate, to ktis Corporation, another associate, and acquired 4,000,000 treasury shares (11.5%) of ktis Corporation from ktis Corporation on October 30, 2014.

ktis Corporation was reclassified as a consolidated subsidiary from an associate as a result of this transaction accounted for in accordance with IFRS 3, Business Combinations.

As a result of applying acquisition method, the Company recognized gain on bargain purchase of 6,952 million. The gain on bargain purchase resulting from the decrease in value of goodwill and membership, which was previously recognized in the subsidiary’s financial statements, is wholly recognized as profit for the year.

Details of the consideration transferred, fair value of the acquired identifiable assets and liabilities and goodwill at the acquisition date are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

      

Consideration transferred (a)

   36,250   
  

 

 

 

Recognized amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed 1

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   15,152   

Trade and other receivables

     39,851   

Other financial assets

     60,993   

Inventories

     22,285   

Tangible assets

     3,034   

Intangible assets

     9,463   

Other assets

     55,424   

Trade and other payables

     (2,031

Other financial liabilities

     (27,317

Current income tax liabilities

     (1,414

Provisions

     (15,338

Other liabilities

     (12,654

The net of total amounts of identifiable assets and liabilities measured at fair value (b)

     147,448   

Non-controlling interests 2 (c)

     104,246   
  

 

 

 

Gain on bargain purchase (a-b+c)

   (6,952
  

 

 

 

 

1 The assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured at fair value in accordance with IFRS 3, Business Combination.

 

2 At the date of acquisition, the Company measures any non-controlling interest in ktis corporation at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets.

 

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KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

As described in Note 14, the previously held interest in ktis Corporation was measured at fair value, and the Company recognized operating expense of 4,667 million arising from the value measurement on acquisition.

After the acquisition date, the operating revenue and net income of ktis Corporation before the elimination of intercompany transactions, which are included in consolidated statement of income, are 83,850 million and 4,704 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014. If ktis Corporation was consolidated on January 1, 2014, the operating revenue and net income included in consolidated statement of income would have been 454,080 million and 13,323 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The fair value of trade accounts receivable and others acquired from ktis Corporation is 39,851 million, but the full contract value is 40,029 million. The uncollectible amounts from these receivables are expected to be 178 million.

38.    Interests in Unconsolidated Structured Entities

Details of information about its interests in unconsolidated structured entities, which the Company does not have control over, including the nature, purpose and activities of the structured entity and how the structured entity is financed, are as follows:

 

Remarks

  

Nature, purpose, activities and others

Real estate finance

   A structured entity incorporated for the purpose of real estate development is provided with funds by investors’ investments in equity and borrowings from financial institutions (including long-term and short-term loans and issuance of ABCP due in three months), and based on these, the structured entity implements activities such as real estate acquisition, development and mortgage loans. The structured entity repays loan principals with funds incurred from installment house sales after the completion of real estate development or with collection of the principal of mortgage loan. The remaining shares are distributed to investors. As of December 31, 2014, this entity is engaged in real estate finance structured entity, and generates revenues by receiving dividends from direct investments in or receiving interests on loans to the structured entity. Financial institutions, including the Entity, are provided with guarantees including joint guarantees or real estate collateral from investors and others. Consequently, the entity is a priority over other parties in the preservation of claim. However, when the credit rating of investors and others decreases or when the value of real estate decreases, the entity may be obliged to cover losses.

PEF and investment funds

   Minority investors including managing members contribute to PEF and investment funds incorporated for the purpose of providing funds to the small, medium, or venture entities, and the managing member implements activities such as investments in equity or loans based on the contributions. As of December 31, 2014, the entity is engaged in PEF and investment funds structured entity, and after contributing to PEF and investment funds, the entity receives dividends for operating revenues from these contributions. The entity is provided with underlying assets of PEF and investment funds as collateral. However, when the value of the underlying assets decreases, the entity may be obliged to cover losses.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Remarks

  

Nature, purpose, activities and others

M&A finance

   A structured entity incorporated for the purpose of supporting a certain company’s financial structure improvement or acquiring equity or convertible bonds is provided with funds by investors’ investments in equity and long-term or short-term borrowings from financial institutions, and based on these, the structured entity acquires shares held by the entity, which has plans to improve its financial structure, or to dispose convertible bonds and others. The structured entity repays loan principals with funds incurred from disposals of holding shares after a certain period. The remaining shares are distributed to investors. As of December 31, 2014, the entity is engaged in M&A finance structured entity, and receives interests. Financial institutions are provided with guarantees including joint guarantees or shares subject to M&A from investors and others. Consequently, the entity is a priority over other parties in the preservation of claim. However, when the credit rating of investors and others decreases or when the value of shares provided as collateral decreases, the Company may be obliged to cover losses.

Asset securitization

   A transferor other than this entity transfers the assets, which are subject to securitization, to a structured entity incorporated by the transferor or other financial institutions other than the entity, and based on this as underlying assets, the structured entity is provided with funds by asset-backed borrowings and pays acquisition costs of the acquired underlying assets. As of December 31, 2014, the entity is engaged in the structured entity, and generates revenues by receiving interest income as the entity provides asset-backed loans directly to the structured entity. When the structured entity has difficulty repaying loan principal, the transferor has obligation to cover the lack of funds. Consequently, the financial institutions including the entity are a priority over other parties in the preservation of claim. However, when the credit rating of transferor decreases, the said entity may be obliged to cover losses.

Other

   There are other structured entity types, which the entity is engaged in, such as shipping finance, SPAC and others. Interest income is realized from the entity’s loans to the relevant structured entity. When the credit rating of the shipping company decreases, or the value of vessels decreases, the entity may be obliged to cover losses. When SPAC is listed or merged after the entity invests in shares or convertible bonds issued by the relevant structured entity, revenues are realized from disposal of the shares of the convertible bonds. However, the entity may be obliged to cover losses when SPAC is liquidated if the SPAC is not listed or merged.

Details of scale of unconsolidated structured entities and nature of the risks associated with an entity’s interests in unconsolidated structured entities as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

    2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

  Real Estate
Finance
    PEF &
Investment
Fund
    Acquisition
Finance
    Asset-backed
Securitization
    Others     Total  

Total amount of Unconsolidated Structured Entities Assets

  4,970,665      2,787,075      2,175,476      5,981,382      163,702      16,078,300   

Assets recognized in statement of financial position

       

Loans

  277,663      360      101,969      228,413      12,043      620,448   

Other financial assets

    32,244        131,399        981               8,690        173,314   

Jointly investment entities and associates

           183,200                      28,406        211,606   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  309,907      314,959      102,950      228,413      49,139      1,005,368   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Maximum loss exposure 1

       

Investment Assets

  309,907      314,959      102,950      228,413      49,139      1,005,368   

Credit grants

    103,500                                    103,500   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  413,407      314,959      102,950      228,413      49,139      1,108,868   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 Maximum exposure to loss includes the investments recognized in the Company’s financial statements and the amounts which are probable to be determined when certain conditions are met by agreements including purchase agreements, credit granting and others.

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

    2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

  Real Estate
Finance
    PEF &
Investment
Fund
    Acquisition
Finance
    Asset-backed
Securitization
    Others     Total  

Total amount of Unconsolidated Structured Entities Assets

  4,584,026      3,894,693      2,086,841      4,828,936      127,228      15,521,724   

Assets recognized in statement of financial position

           

Loans

  254,305      360      66,073      170,826      1,979      493,543   

Other financial assets

    24,340        112,116                      8,369        144,825   

Jointly investment entities and associates

    7,081        155,000                      27,630        189,711   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  285,726      267,476      66,073      170,826      37,978      828,079   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Maximum loss exposure 1

           

Investment Assets

  285,726      267,476      66,073      170,826      37,978      828,079   

Credit grants

    88,000                                    88,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  373,726      267,476      66,073      170,826      37,978      916,079   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 Maximum exposure to loss includes the investments recognized in the Company’s financial statements and the amounts which are probable to be determined when certain conditions are met by agreements including purchase agreements, credit granting and others.

39.    Information About Non-controlling Interests

Changes in Accumulated Non-controlling Interests

The profit or loss allocated to non-controlling interests and accumulated non-controlling interests of subsidiaries that are material to the Company for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, is as follows:

 

    2012  

(in millions of
Korean won)

  Non-controlling
Interests
rate(%)
    Accumulated
non-controlling
interests at the
beginning of
the year
    Profit or loss
allocated to
non-controlling
interests
    Dividends
paid to
non-controlling
interests
    Others     Accumulated
non-controlling
interests at the
end of the year
 

KT Skylife Co., Ltd.

    49.85   288,051      1,792,439      277,729      93,876      71,258   

BC Card Co., Ltd

    34.35     338,954        702,707        1,395,463        81,986        119,261   

KT Rental

    42.00     193,367        1,696,058        531,221        39,029        28,718   

KT Powertel Co., Ltd.

    55.15     86,129        190,875        887,872        16,584        2,924   

KT Hitel Co., Ltd

    34.06     347,509        608,213        254,099        120,249        158,877   

 

    2013  

(in millions of
Korean won)

  Non-controlling
Interests
rate(%)
    Accumulated
non-controlling
interests at the
beginning of
the year
    Profit or loss
allocated to
non-controlling
interests
    Dividends
paid to
non-controlling
interests
    Others     Accumulated
non-controlling
interests at the
end of the year
 

KT Skylife Co., Ltd.

    49.89   264,765      29,081      (8,662   (1,203   283,981   

BC Card Co., Ltd

    34.49     208,923        35,949        (10,890     27,734        261,716   

KT Rental

    42.00     119,029        8,682        (2,986     (1,057     123,668   

KT Powertel Co., Ltd.

    55.15     66,323        3,007        (669     (755     67,906   

KT Hitel Co., Ltd

    36.30     45,507        (670            11,183        56,020   

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

    2014  

(in millions of
Korean won)

  Non-controlling
Interests
rate(%)
    Accumulated
non-controlling
interests at the
beginning of
the year
    Profit or loss
allocated to
non-controlling
interests
    Dividends
paid to
non-controlling
interests
    Others     Accumulated
non-controlling
interests at the
end of the year
 

KT Skylife Co., Ltd.

    50.01   283,981      26,828      (10,538   (2,971   297,300   

BC Card Co., Ltd

    30.46     261,716        31,414        (7,299     7,100        292,931   

KT Rental

    42.00     123,668        15,538        (1,903     (121     137,182   

KT Powertel Co., Ltd.

    55.15     67,906        2,961        (631     (5     70,231   

KT Hitel Co., Ltd

    36.30     56,020        2,195               (7,079     51,136   

Summarized Financial Information on Subsidiaries

The summarized financial information for each subsidiary with non-controlling interests that are material to the Company before inter-company eliminations as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, are as follows:

 

    2012  

(in millions of Korean won)

  KT Skylife
Co., Ltd.
    BC Card
Co., Ltd.
    KT Rental     KT Powertel
Co., Ltd.
    KT Hitel
Co., Ltd.
 

Non-controlling Interests

    49.85     34.35     42.00     55.15     34.06

Current assets

  303,069      1,792,439      305,651      93,877      132,892   

Non-current assets

    338,495        735,663        1,388,370        81,985        116,339   

Current liabilities

    197,972        1,696,058        537,424        39,029        75,727   

Non-current liabilities

    94,677        211,820        889,060        16,584        3,784   

Equity

    348,915        620,224        267,537        120,249        169,719   

Accumulated non-controlling interests

    173,932        213,049        112,369        66,323        57,803   

Operating revenue

    574,829        3,128,882        368,228        124,936        443,431   

Profit or loss for the year

    55,546        103,797        11,072        12,527        (8,902

Total comprehensive income

    52,152        127,976        10,107        12,229        (10,659

The profit or loss allocated to non-controlling interests

    27,689        35,655        4,650        6,909        (3,032

Cash flows from operating activities

    170,815        18,310        105,771        8,734        (14,954

Cash flows from investing activities

    (76,320     (35,116     (265,429     (6,997     5,263   

Cash flows from financing activities before dividends paid to non-controlling interests

    (18,642     8,070        169,963                 

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

           (5,290                     

Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents

                                (10

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

    75,853        (14,026     10,305        1,737        (9,701

 

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

    2013  

(in millions of Korean won)

  KT Skylife
Co., Ltd.
    BC Card
Co., Ltd.
    KT Rental     KT Powertel
Co., Ltd.
    KT Hitel
Co., Ltd.
 

Non-controlling Interests

    49.89     34.49     42.00     55.15     36.30

Current assets

  287,142      2,292,323      362,040      87,932      178,659   

Non-current assets

    397,509        672,427        1,826,231        79,199        115,006   

Current liabilities

    191,181        1,958,506        532,634        30,433        99,348   

Non-current liabilities

    91,887        216,505        1,363,625        13,579        3,296   

Equity

    401,583        789,738        292,013        123,119        191,021   

Accumulated non-controlling interests

    200,360        273,328        122,650        67,906        69,343   

Operating revenue

    630,469        3,102,968        886,959        112,905        582,925   

Profit or loss for the year

    72,724        128,475        32,400        5,453        3,551   

Total comprehensive income

    73,943        198,778        31,041        5,661        8,109   

The profit or loss allocated to non-controlling interests

    36,284        44,465        13,608        3,008        1,289   

Cash flows from operating activities

    141,282        273,904        (346,309     16,010        11,108   

Cash flows from investing activities

    (218,797     (17,335     (39,246     (15,794     (18,199

Cash flows from financing activities before dividends paid to non-controlling interests

    (14,346     10,216        392,098        (6,252     13,192   

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

    (8,344     (10,051     (2,075     (1,538       

Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents

                  (287            (49

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (100,205     256,734        4,181        (7,574     6,052   

 

    2014  

(in millions of Korean won)

  KT Skylife
Co., Ltd.
    BC Card
Co., Ltd.
    KT Rental     KT Powertel
Co., Ltd.
    KT Hitel
Co., Ltd.
 

Non-controlling Interests

    50.01     30.46     42.00     55.15     36.30

Current assets

  260,391      2,023,465      377,916      83,846      119,957   

Non-current assets

    422,618        676,923        2,278,469        73,484        107,037   

Current liabilities

    226,878        1,723,966        718,852        21,787        29,748   

Non-current liabilities

    19,448        70,957        1,598,798        8,209        1,681   

Equity

    436,683        905,465        338,735        127,334        195,565   

Accumulated non-controlling interests

    297,300        292,931        143,457        70,231        51,136   

Operating revenue

    656,430        3,298,144        1,074,569        105,250        494,455   

Profit or loss for the year

    55,162        134,450        51,388        5,368        12,205   

Total comprehensive income

    53,990        331,599        52,437        5,368        9,873   

The profit or loss allocated to non-controlling interests

    26,828        31,414        19,543        2,961        2,195   

Cash flows from operating activities

    140,057        176,019        (346,743     10,190        65,096   

Cash flows from investing activities

    (20,889     (21,699     (35,632     (647     (44,712

Cash flows from financing activities before dividends paid to non-controlling interests

    (26,411     (31,497     359,510        (1,137       

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

    (10,538     (7,299     (1,903     (631       

Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents

                                (12

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

    82,219        115,524        (24,768     7,775        20,372   

Transactions with Non-controlling Interests

The effect of changes in the ownership interest on the equity attributable to owners of the Company during the year is summarized as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2012     2013     2014  

Carrying amount of non-controlling interests acquired 1

   178,763      14,353      16,136   

Consideration paid to non-controlling interests 2

     (15,359     (16,202     (9,764
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Excess of consideration paid recognized in parent’s equity

   163,404      (1,849     6,372   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-104


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

 

1 In 2012, the Company acquired 30.68% of the issued shares of BC Card Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of Vogo-BCC Investment Holdings Co., Ltd. and KGF-BCC LIMITED, for a purchase consideration of 288,828 million. The Company now holds 69.54% equity interest in BC Card Co., Ltd. The carrying amount of the non-controlling interests in BC Card Co., Ltd. at the date of acquisition was 272,273 million. As a result, the Company derecognized non-controlling interests of 172,376 million and recorded an increase in equity attributable to owners of the parent of 116,452 million.

 

  In 2013, the Company acquired the remaining 40% of the issued shares of KT Dutch B.V., a subsidiary, for a purchase consideration of 3,980 million. The Company now holds 100% equity interest in KT Dutch B.V. The carrying amount of the non-controlling interests in KT Dutch B.V. at the date of acquisition was 14,353 million. As a result, the Company derecognized non-controlling interests of 14,353 million and recorded an increase in equity attributable to owners of the parent of 10,373 million.

 

  In 2014, the Company acquired the shares of BC Card Co., Ltd., which had been held by KT Capital Co., Ltd. as a result of spin-off and merger of certain division of KT Capital Co., Ltd. The company’s effective percentage of ownership of BC Card Co., Ltd. increased from 65.51% to 69.54%. As a result, the carrying amount of controlling interest increased by 16,136 million.

 

2 In 2012, the Company’s non-controlling interest increased by 13.85% through inequality capital increase of KT Cloudware Corporation on March 26, June 13 and November 30, 2012. This resulted in an increase in the carrying amount of non-controlling interest of 4,060 million. Also, on November 21, 2012, the Company’s non-controlling interest increased by 9.09% through inequality capital increase of KT music Corporation. As a result, the carrying amount of non-controlling interest increased by 5,360 million.

 

  In 2013, the Company’s non-controlling interest increased by 2.24% through inequality capital increase of KT Hitel Co., Ltd. This resulted in an increase in the carrying amount of non-controlling interest of 8,439 million. Also, on July 11, 2013, the Company’s non-controlling interest increased by 6.04% through inequality capital increase of Nasmedia, Inc. As a result, the carrying amount of non-controlling interest increased by 7,239 million.

 

  In 2014, the convertible bonds issued by KT Music Corporation has been converted into common stocks, and as a result, common shares and share premium of the Company increased by 20,349 million. The Company’s ownership decreased from 57.78% to 49.99%, and accordingly, the carrying amount of non-controlling interest increased by 9,764 million.

40.    Discontinued Operations

As approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on August 9, 2012, the Company decided to sell KT Tech, Inc., its subsidiary, and discontinued the operations related to handset development. KT-Tech’s liquidation procedure has been completed and KT Tech’s electrical operating performance was reflected in profit or loss from discontinued operations.

Income and loss from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2012, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2012  

Revenue

   431   

Expense

     (35,756

Income from discontinued operations before income taxes

   (35,325

Income tax expense for discontinued operations

     3,791   
  

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

   (31,534
  

 

 

 

 

F-105


Table of Contents

KT Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

Cash flows from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2012, are as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   2012  

Cash flows from operating activities

   40,017   

Cash flows from investing activities

     (3,609

Cash flows from financing activities

     (28,243

Changes in foreign exchange rates

     (6
  

 

 

 

Total cash flows

   8,159   
  

 

 

 

41.    Subsequent Events

The Company merged KT Media Hub Co., Ltd., a subsidiary, on March 31, 2015.

As approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Company entered into the contract with Lotte Group to dispose all of its interests in KT Rental, a subsidiary which was included in the financial/rental segment, on March 11, 2015 and the deal closing is expected to be completed in the end of May, 2015. The assets and liabilities of disposal group as of December 31, 2014 are as follows.

 

(in millions of Korean won)

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   14,781   

Trade and other receivables, net

     124,364   

Loans, net

     84,878   

Finance lease receivables, net

     110,225   

Other financial assets

     4,192   

Inventories, net

     6,564   

Property and equipment, net

     2,008,855   

Intangible assets, net

     180,275   

Other assets

     61,296   
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     2,595,430   

Trade and other payables

     263,590   

Finance lease liabilities, net

     (107,688

Borrowings

     1,910,888   

Other financial liabilities

     3,400   

Provisions

     5,566   

Deferred revenue

     10,002   

Other liabilities

     33,094   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,118,852   

Subsequent to December 31, 2014, the Company has issued the public bonds, as follows:

 

(in millions of Korean won)

   Issue date      Total par value      Coupon rate     Maturity date  

The 188-1st Public bond

     Jan. 29, 2015       160,000         2.35     Jan. 29, 2020   

The 188-2nd Public bond

     Jan. 29, 2015         240,000         2.60     Jan. 29, 2025   

The 188-3rd Public bond

     Jan. 29, 2015         50,000         2.86     Jan. 29, 2035   

Subsequent to December 31, 2014, the Company has issued the bonds in Japanese yen as follows:

 

     Issue date      Total par value      Coupon rate     Maturity date  

2015 Samurai Bond

     Feb. 24, 2015         JPY 15,000,000         0.48     Feb. 23, 2018   

 

F-106


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.

 

KT CORPORATION
(Registrant)

 

/s/ CHANG-GYU HWANG

Name: Chang-Gyu Hwang
Title: Chief Executive Officer

Date: April 29, 2015

EX-1 2 d910678dex1.htm EX-1 EX-1

Exhibit 1

THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

OF

KT Corporation

Adopted on October 1, 1997

Amended on December 8, 1997

September 18, 1998

March 19, 1999

March 24, 2000

March 21, 2001

March 22, 2002

August 20, 2002

March 14, 2003

March 12, 2004

March 11, 2005

August 19, 2005

March 10, 2006

March 16, 2007

January 14, 2009

March 27, 2009

March 12, 2010

March 11, 2011

March 16, 2012

March 15, 2013

March 27, 2015


CHAPTER I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. (Name)The name of the Corporation shall be “Chusik Hoesa KT”, which shall be written in English as “KT Corporation” (hereafter “KT”).

Article 2. (Purpose)The objective of KT is to engage in the following business activities:

 

  1. Information and communications business;

 

  2. New media business and Internet multimedia-broadcasting business;

 

  3. Development and sale of software and contents;

 

  4. Sale and distribution of information communication equipment;

 

  5. Testing and inspection of information communication equipment, device or facilities;

 

  6. Advertisement business;

 

  7. Retail business via telephone, mail order or online;

 

  8. IT facility construction business and electrical construction business;

 

  9. Real estate and housing business;

 

  9(1). Business facilities management and business support service industry

 

  10. Electronic banking and finance business;

 

  11. Education and learning service business;

 

  12. Security service business (Machinery system surveillance service, Facilities security service, etc);

 

  13. Research and technical development, education, training and promotion, overseas businesses, and export and import, manufacture and distribution related to activities mentioned in Subparagraphs 1 through 12; and

 

  14. Frequency-based telecommunications services and other telecommunications services

 

  15. Value-added telecommunications business


  16. Manufacture, provision (screening) and distribution of contents such as musical records, music videos, movies, videos and games

 

  17. Issuance and management of pre-paid electronic payment instruments, and businesses related to electronic finance such as payment gateway services

 

  18. Sales and leasing of equipment and facilities related to the activities mentioned in Subparagraphs 14 through 17

 

  19. Any overseas business or export and import business related to activities mentioned in Subparagraphs 14 through 18

 

  20. Tourism

 

  21. (Deleted)

 

  22. New and renewable energy and energy generation business

 

  23. Health Informatics business

 

  24. Manufacture of communication equipment, device or facilities for military purpose

 

  25. Energy diagnostics business, professional business relating to energy conservation, and any and all other business in the field of energy use rationalization

 

  26. Any other activities or businesses incidental to or necessary for attainment of the foregoing.

Article 3. (Location of Offices)The head office of KT (the “head office”) shall be located in Seoul or Kyunggi Province. KT may establish requisite sub-offices at site(s) pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors.

Article 4. (Method of Public Notice)Public notices by KT shall be given in The Seoul Shinmun circulated in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Provided, however, that if the public notices cannot be published in The Seoul Shinmun due to unavoidable circumstances, such public notices may be given in any daily newspaper published in Seoul, Republic of Korea.


CHAPTER II. SHARES OF STOCK

Article 5. (Amount of Authorized Capital)

The total number of shares authorized to be issued by KT shall be one billion shares.

Article 6. (Par Value and Types of Shares and Share Certificates)

(1) Par value per share issued by KT shall be 5,000 Korean Won. The type of shares shall be common shares and preferred shares, both of which shall be in registered form.

(2) Share certificates shall be in eight (8) denominations of one (1), five (5), ten (10), fifty (50), one hundred (100), five hundred (500), one thousand (1000) and ten thousand (10,000) shares.

Article 7. (Shares to be Issued at the Time of Incorporation)

The total number of shares to be issued by KT at the time of incorporation shall be 395,675,369 shares.

Article 8. (Number and Description of Preferred Shares)

(1) The total number of Preferred Shares to be issued by KT shall be up to one-fourth (1/4) of the total number of shares issued and outstanding, which shall be without voting rights.

(2) Dividends on Preferred Shares shall be an amount not less than nine (9) percent p.a. of the par value as determined by the Board of Directors at the time of issuance.

(3) If the dividends on the Common Shares exceed those on Preferred Shares, the excess dividend amount shall also be paid to the holders of Preferred Shares commensurate to the rate applicable to Common Shares.


(4) If dividends on Preferred Shares are not paid for any fiscal year, the holders of such Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive such accumulated unpaid dividend in priority to the holders of Common Shares from the dividends payable in the next fiscal year.

Article 9. (Preemptive Rights)

(1) When KT issues new shares, the shareholders of KT shall be entitled to subscribe for such new shares in proportion to their existing shareholdings.

(2) Notwithstanding Paragraph (1) above, new shares may be issued to persons other than the shareholders of KT, in the following cases:

 

  1. When the new shares are issued by public offering or subscribed by underwriters pursuant to Article 4 and Article 119 of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act (“FSCMA”);

 

  2. When the members of the Employee Stock Ownership Association of KT have preemptive rights to subscribe for such new shares pursuant to Article 165-7 of the FSCMA;

 

  3. When the new shares are represented by depositary receipt pursuant to Article 165-16 of the FSCMA

 

  4. When the new shares are issued by the exercise of stock options set forth in Article 10 of these Articles of Incorporation;

 

  5. When the new shares are issued in order to accomplish specific business purposes such as strategic alliance, inducement of foreign funds, other capital raising requirements, introduction of new technology, and improvement of financial structure.

 

  6. When the new shares are issued by a resolution of the Board of Directors through a general public offering pursuant to Article 165-6 of the FSCMA. However, in such case, the total number of the shares to be issued shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the total number of KT issued and outstanding; or

 

  7. When there exists an immediate need for the company to raise funds, new shares can be issued to domestic and foreign financial institutions


(3) The method of disposition of shares in respect of which preemptive rights have not been exercised or where fractions of shares occur shall be determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

(4) Notwithstanding Paragraph (1) above, shareholders who acquire shares in violation of any laws and regulations or these Articles of Incorporation shall not be entitled to subscribe for new shares in respect of such shares.

Article 10. (Stock Options)

(1) KT may grant stock options to its officers and employees who have contributed, or are capable of contributing, to the establishment, management or technical innovation of KT, except for officers or employees in any of the following cases, by a Special Resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders pursuant to Article 340-2 and Article 542-3 of the Commercial Code of Korea, to the extent not exceeding fifteen percent (15%) of the total number of issued shares, provided that KT may grant stock options by a resolution of the Board of Directors adopted by affirmative votes of two-thirds (2/3) of the directors in offices, to the extent not exceeding one percent (1%) of the total number of issued shares. In such case, the provision of the latter part of the Proviso of Paragraph 1 of Article 38 shall apply mutatis mutandis:

 

  1. The largest shareholder of KT and the Related Person thereto (refers to the Related Person as prescribed in Paragraph 2-5, Article 542-8 of the Commercial Code of Korea. The same shall apply in this Article);

 

  2. Major Shareholders (refers to the Major Shareholders as prescribed in Paragraph (2-6) of Article 542-8 of the Commercial Code of Korea. The same shall apply hereinafter) and the Related Person thereto; or

 

  3. Any person who shall become a Major Shareholder of KT by exercising his/her stock options.

(2) The proviso of Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the directors of KT, and the grant of stock options pursuant to the proviso of Paragraph (1) shall be approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders which is held after such grant of stock options.


(3) The shares to be issued to the officers or employees by the exercise of their stock options (in case where KT pays in cash or shares the difference between the exercise price of stock options and the market price, refers to the shares which are the basis for such calculation) shall be Common Shares in registered form.

(4) The number of officers and employees of KT who are granted with stock options shall not exceed ninety nine percent (99%) of the total number of officers and employees in office. Stock options granted to one single officer or employee shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of total number of shares issued and outstanding.

(5) The exercise price per share of the stock options shall not be less than the price as set forth in the Commercial Code of Korea.

(6) Unless otherwise provided for by the relevant laws, the exercise period of stock options shall be determined by separate agreements, to the extent that such exercise periods shall not exceed seven (7) years from the date two (2) years have elapsed after the date of the General Meeting of Shareholders or the Meeting of the Board of Directors at which a resolution to grant such stock option rights is adopted.

(7) KT may cancel the grant of stock options by a resolution of the Board of Directors in any of the following cases:

 

  1. When the relevant officer or employee of KT voluntarily retires from his/her office within two (2) years after the date of the General Meeting of Shareholders or the Meeting of the Board of Directors at which a resolution to grant such stock option rights is adopted;

 

  2. When the relevant officer or employee of KT is dismissed for substantial damages incurred to KT due to his/her willful misconduct or gross negligence; or

 

  3. When any event for the cancellation set forth in the agreement for granting such stock options occurs.


Article 11. (Base Date Regarding Dividends of the New Shares) (1)In case KT issues new shares through right issues, bonus issues and stock dividends, with respect to the distribution of dividends on the new shares, the new shares shall be deemed to have been issued at the end of the fiscal year immediately prior to the fiscal year during which the new shares are issued.

Article 12. (Transfer Agent)

(1) KT may appoint a transfer agent to make entries in the register of shareholders.

(2) The transfer agent, and the place and scope of business of the transfer agent shall be determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors, and a public notice shall be given thereof.

Article 13. (Report of Names, Addresses and Seals of Shareholders)

(1) Shareholders and registered pledges shall report their names, addresses, and seals to the transfer agent referred to in Article 12. Any changes thereto shall also be reported.

(2) Shareholders and registered pledgees who reside in foreign countries shall appoint and report the place where, and an agent to whom, notices will be given in Korea. Any changes there to shall also be reported.

Article 14. (Closing of the Register of Shareholders and the Record Date)

(1) KT shall suspend the entries of any changes into the register of shareholders regarding any rights on Shares from January 1 to January 31 of each year.

(2) KT shall let the shareholders who are entered into the register of shareholders on December 31 of each year exercise their rights thereof at the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders.

(3) KT may, for convening an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders or when necessary, by a resolution of the Board of Directors, set the record date or close the register of shareholders for a certain period not exceeding three (3) months by giving at least two (2) weeks’ prior public notice.


CHAPTER III. DEBENTURES

Article 15. (Issuance of Convertible Bonds)

(1) KT may issue convertible bonds to persons other than shareholders to the extent that the aggregate face value of the convertible bonds so issued shall not exceed 2 trillion (2,000,000,000,000) Korean Won. Provided that, the issuance of convertible bonds to persons other than shareholders may be made in cases provided for by any of the Subparagraphs of Paragraph (2) of Article 9.

(2) The Board of Directors may determine that the convertible bonds referred to in Paragraph (1) may be issued on the condition that conversion rights will be attached to only a portion of the convertible bonds.

(3) The type of shares to be issued upon conversion of convertible bonds shall be common shares. The conversion price, which shall be equivalent to or more than the par value of the shares, shall be determined by the Board of Directors at the time of issuance.

(4) The period during which conversion rights may be exercised shall commence on the date set forth in the FSCMA after the date of issuance of the relevant convertible bonds and end on the date immediately preceding the redemption date thereof. However, the Board of Directors may adjust the conversion period in accordance with relevant laws within the above period by its resolution.

(5) For the purposes of any distribution of dividends on the shares issued upon conversion or any payment of interest on the convertible bonds, the convertible bonds shall be deemed to have been converted into shares at the end of the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the relevant conversion rights are exercised.


Article 16. (Issuance of Bonds with Warrants)

(1) KT may issue bonds with warrants to persons other than shareholders to the extent that the aggregate face value of the bonds with warrants so issued shall not exceed 2 trillion (2,000,000,000,000) Korean Won. Provided that, the issuance of bonds with warrants to persons other than shareholders may be made in only in cases provided for by Subparagraphs of Paragraph(2) of Article 9.

(2) The amount of new shares which can be subscribed by the holders of the bonds with warrants shall be determined by the Board of Directors, provided that the maximum amount of such new shares shall not exceed the aggregate face value of the bonds with warrants.

(3) The type of shares to be issued upon exercise of warrants shall be common shares. The issue price, which shall be equivalent to or more than the par value of the shares, shall be determined by the Board of Directors at the time of issuance.

(4) The period during which warrants may be exercised shall commence on the date set forth in the FSCMA after the date of issuance of the relevant bonds with warrants and end on the date immediately preceding the redemption date thereof. Provided that, the Board of Directors may adjust the conversion period in accordance with the relevant laws within the above period by its resolution.

(5) For the purposes of any distribution of dividends on the shares issued upon exercise of warrants, shares shall be deemed to have been issued at the end of the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the subscription monies therefor are fully paid.

Article 17. (Applicable Provisions regarding Issuance of Bonds) The provisions of Articles 12 and 13 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the issuance of bonds.


CHAPTER IV. GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Article 18. (Convening of General Meeting)

(1) Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders shall be convened within three (3) months after the end of each fiscal year, and Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders may be convened at any time, by the President (hwejang) pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors except as otherwise provided by the relevant laws and regulations. Provided, however, that Article (29), Paragraph (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis in the event the President (hwejang) fails to perform his duties.

(2) Notice of the General Meeting of Shareholders specifying the time, place and purpose thereof shall be sent to each shareholder two (2) weeks prior to the date set for the General Meeting of Shareholders. However, such notice to the shareholders who hold less than one-hundredth (1/100) of the total number of shares with voting rights may be given in the form of a public notice of the meeting appearing twice or more in The Seoul Shinmun, The Maeil Business Newspaper and The Korean Economic Daily instead.

(3) General Meeting of Shareholders shall be held at the location of the head office, Seoul or its neighboring place.

Article 19. (Chairman) The President (hwejang) shall preside at the General Meeting of Shareholders; provided, however, that Paragraph (2) of Article 29 shall apply mutatis mutandis in the event that the President (hwejang) fails to perform his duties.

Article 20. (Chairman’s Right to Maintain Order)

(1) The Chairman shall suspend or cancel the proposal of any person who intentionally disrupts, by speech or behavior, the proceedings of the General Meeting of Shareholders or shall order such person to leave the General Meeting of Shareholders.

(2) If the Chairman deems it necessary for the smooth proceeding of the General Meeting of Shareholders, the Chairman may restrict the time and frequency of a shareholder’s proposal.


Article 21. (Voting by Proxy)

(1) A shareholder may exercise its voting rights by proxy.

(2) The proxy described in Paragraph (1) must file with KT a power of attorney before the opening of the General Meeting.

Article 22. (Method of Adoption of Resolutions) Resolutions of the General Meetings of Shareholders, except as otherwise provided by the relevant laws and regulations, shall be adopted if the approval of a majority vote of the shareholders present at such meeting is obtained and such majority also represents at least one-fourth (1/4) of the total number of shares issued and outstanding.

Article 22-2 (Exercise of Voting Rights by Writing)

(1) The Shareholders may exercise their voting rights by writing without attending the General Meetings of Shareholders in person.

(2) In case of Paragraph (1) above, KT shall send the notice of convening the General Meeting of Shareholders, together with written documents and reference materials necessary for the Shareholders to exercise their voting rights.

(3) The Shareholders desiring to exercise their voting rights by writing shall enter necessary matters in the written documents under paragraph (2) and submit them to KT by the date immediately preceding the date set for the Meeting.

Article 23. (Minutes of the General Meeting)

With respect to the proceedings of the General Meeting of Shareholders, the details of the proceedings and its resolutions shall be recorded in the minutes which shall bear the names and seals or signatures of the Chairman and the Directors present, and shall be preserved at the head office and branches.


CHAPTER V. DIRECTORS

Article 24. (Number of Directors) KT shall have not more than eleven (11) directors. The number of inside directors, including the hwejang as Representative Director (the “President (hwejang)”), shall not exceed three (3), and the number of outside directors shall not exceed eight (8).

Article 25. (Election of Representative Director and Directors)

(1) The President (hwejang) shall be elected by a resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders among those who are recommended by the CEO Recommendation Committee pursuant to Article (32) of these Articles of Incorporation, and the inside director recommended by the President (hwejang) may be elected the Representative Director by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

(2) The dismissal of the President (hwejang) requires a resolution by the General Meeting of Shareholders adopted by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting rights of the shareholders in attendance at the Meeting; provided, however, that such votes shall represent at least one-third (1/3) of the total number of issued shares of KT. Dismissal of the Representative Director other than the President (hwejang) shall be in accordance with the resolution under Article 38 of these Articles of Incorporation.

(3) Inside directors other than the President (hwejang) shall be elected at the General Meeting of Shareholders among the executive officers under the provision of Article 35 of these Articles of Incorporation who are recommended by the President (hwejang) with the consent of the Board of Directors. the President (hwejang) may propose to the General Meeting of Shareholders with the consent of the Board of Directors the dismissal of any inside director even during his/her term of office, when any of the following event occurs. In this case, the inside directors other than the President (hwejang) shall not participate in the resolution of the Board of Directors:


  1. Inability to perform his/her duties for a period not less than one (1) year due to his/her physical and/or mental disorders; or

 

  2. Remarkably poor results of his/her business management due to deficient management abilities.

(4) Notwithstanding Paragraph 3 above, if the CEO Recommendation Committee has recommended a candidate for the President (hwejang), the candidate for the President (hwejang) shall recommend candidates for the inside directors with the consent of the Board of Directors. Provided, however, that the candidate for the President (hwejang) is not elected as the President (hwejang) at the General Meeting of Shareholders, his recommendation of the candidacy for the inside directorship shall become null and void.

(5) Any person who falls under any of the following categories shall not become a director of KT, and upon any elected director of KT falling under any of the following categories, such director shall be dismissed:

 

  1. Person who retired from his/her office within the last three (3) years due to his/her own faults or business responsibilities;

 

  2. Person who is sentenced to imprisonment or more severe punishment, and three (3) years have not elapsed after the expiration of the execution of such imprisonment or determination not to execute such imprisonment;

 

  3. Person who is currently under the suspension of pronouncement or who is sentenced to probation, and two (2) years have not elapsed after the expiration of the probation period;

(6) Any person who falls under any of the following disqualification criteria shall not become an outside director of KT, and any elected outside director shall be dismissed if he or she falls under any of the following disqualification criteria:

 

  1. The same person and his or her related party as defined in the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act (“MRFTA”) who controls a company in competition with KT’s major business areas (however, with respect to the definition of competitor of KT used herein, if the company engages in the same business as KT and belongs to the same enterprise group of KT, such company is not deemed to be in competition with KT. This shall have the same meaning hereafter);


  2. (Deleted)

 

  3. (Deleted)

 

  4. Any person who falls under the disqualification criteria under the Commercial Code of Korea and other relevant laws and regulations

Article 26. (Staggered Term of Office of Outside Director) One-third of the total number of the outside directors shall be elected every year.

Article 27. (Term of Office of Directors)

(1) The term of office of directors shall be not more than three (3) years; where the term of office expires before the closing date of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders in the last fiscal year of such term, the term of office shall be extended to the closing date of such General Meeting.

(2) The term of office of an outside director shall not exceed ten (10) years.

Article 28. (By-election of Directors)

(1) In case of any vacancy in the office of a director, a director shall be elected to fill such vacancy at the General Meeting of Shareholders, provided that election thereof may not be made unless such vacancy results in lack of the requisite number of the directors or a difficulty in the administration of business.

(2) The term of office of an outside director elected to fill a vacancy shall be the remainder of the term of office of his/her predecessor.

Article 29. (Duties of the President (hwejang) and Directors)

(1) The Representative Directors (including the President (hwejang)) shall respectively represent KT, the President (hwejang)shall execute businesses resolved by the Board of Directors and supervise all businesses of KT. Duties of the Representative Director elected through recommendation of the President (hwejang) shall be determined by the Board of Directors.


(2) Inside directors shall assist the President (hwejang) and shall perform their duties. In the event the President (hwejang) fails to perform his duties, an inside director shall perform his/her duties in accordance with the order as provided in the Office Regulation. However, in the event both the President (hwejang) and inside directors fail to perform their duties, a director shall perform his/her duties in accordance with the order as provided in the Office Regulation.

(3) If a director becomes aware of any event which may cause a material damage to KT, such director should immediately report to the Auditors’ Committee thereof.

Article 30. (Duties of Directors)

(1) Directors shall perform their duties faithfully for the good of KT in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations and the provisions of these Articles of Incorporation.

(2) The directors shall not disclose any business secret of KT that they obtained in the course of performance of their duties, during and after their terms of offices.

Article 31. (Remuneration and Severance Allowance for Directors)

(1) The Remuneration for the directors shall be determined by a resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders, and such remuneration may be paid either in cash or in combination of cash and stock.

(2) The criteria for remuneration for the President (hwejang) and the inside directors, and the method of payment thereof shall be determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors, which shall be reported to the General Meeting of Shareholders.

(3) The President (hwejang) and the inside directors shall not participate in the resolution of the Board of Directors as set forth in Paragraph (2) above.

(4) Severance allowances for directors shall be paid in accordance with KT’s regulations for payment of officers’ severance allowance adopted at the General Meeting of Shareholders.


(5) The Outside directors may be reimbursed for expenses necessary for the performance of their duties.

Article 32. (CEO Recommendation Committee)

(1) KT may organize a CEO Recommendation Committee in order to recommend a President (hwejang) candidate. The CEO Recommendation Committee shall consist of all of the outside directors and one (1) inside director (provided, however, that any person who is elected as a member of the CEO Recommendation Committee shall not be a candidate for the President (hwejang), and the CEO means the President (hwejang)).

(2) The CEO Recommendation Committee shall be organized by not later than two (2) months prior to the date of expiration of the term of office of the President (hwejang) (or within two (2) weeks from the date of retirement of the President (hwejang)) when such retirement is due to reasons other than the expiration of the term of office thereof), and shall be dissolved after the execution of management agreement between the President (hwejang) so elected and the chairman of the CEO Recommendation Committee.

(3) The chairman of the CEO Recommendation Committee shall be elected by the Board of Directors from among its members who hold the position of outside directors of KT. In this case, the President (hwejang) and the inside directors shall not participate in the resolution of the Board of Directors.

(4) A resolution of the CEO Recommendation Committee shall be adopted by the affirmative votes of a majority of the members in office other than the chairman thereof. In this case, the chairman shall not have any voting rights.

(5) The CEO Recommendation Committee shall examine all the President (hwejang) candidates in compliance with the criteria for the examination of a candidate for the President (hwejang) prescribed by the Board of Directors, in consideration of the following requirements:

 

  1. Experiences and scholastic achievements under which his/her knowledge with respect to the field of business management and economics can be evaluated in objective point of view;


  2. Past business results and the management period of being in office under which his/her business experience can be evaluated in objective point of view;

 

  3. Any requirements to evaluate qualification and ability as a chief executive officer; and

 

  4. Any requirements to evaluate professional knowledge and experience with respect to the telecommunications and related fields.

Article 33. (Election of President (hwejang))

(1) President (hwejang) shall be elected from among CEO-qualified candidates who have a knowledge of management and economics or who have much managerial work experience.

(2) The CEO Recommendation Committee may conduct a search for such candidates or hire a third party agency to perform searches.

(3) The CEO Recommendation Committee shall examine the candidates for the President (hwejang) who are searched pursuant to the provision of Paragraph 2 above, in accordance with the candidates evaluation criteria determined by the Board of Directors.

(4) The CEO Recommendation Committee shall, in selecting the candidates for the President (hwejang), consult with such candidates regarding the terms of employment contract including the management goal established by the Board of Directors. In such case, if deemed necessary, the CEO Recommendation Committee may change the terms of employment contract.

(5) The CEO Recommendation Committee shall recommend a candidate for the President (hwejang) to the General Shareholders’ Meeting, based on the evaluation under Paragraph 3 and the consultation under Paragraph 4 above, concurrently submitting a draft employment contract.

(6) The President (hwejang) and inside directors shall not attend the Board of Directors’ Meeting for the resolution of the agenda prescribed in Paragraphs 3 through 4.


Article 34. (Execution of Employment Contract with the Candidate for President (hwejang))

(1) When the draft employment contract submitted pursuant to Paragraph 5 of Article 33 above is approved at the General Shareholders’ Meeting, KT shall enter into such management contract with the candidate for President (hwejang). In such case, the Chairman of the CEO Recommendation Committee shall, in the capacity of the representative of KT, sign the management contract.

(2) The Board of Directors may conduct a performance review to determine if the new President (hwejang) has performed his/her duties under the management contract as provided in Paragraph 1 or hire a professional evaluation agency for such purpose.

(3) When the Board of Directors determines, based on the result of performance review under the provision of Paragraph 2 above, that the new President (hwejang) has failed to achieve the management goal, it may propose to dismiss the President (hwejang) at the General Shareholders’ Meeting.

(4) The management goal shall include revenue increase, profitability improvement, investment plan and other related business objectives and shall be determined, on a yearly basis, at the Board of Directors’ Meeting in order to achieve the mid to long-term plans approved by the Board of Directors. Such management goal may be established on a numerical basis, if possible.

(5) The performance review prescribed in Paragraph 2 above, shall be conducted by the Board of Directors at the closing of each fiscal year or may be delegated by the Board of Directors to a professional evaluation agency; provided, however, that if the Board of Directors deems necessary, it may conduct the performance review during any fiscal year.

(6) The Board of Directors shall report the result of the performance review prescribed in Paragraph 2 above to the General Meeting of Shareholders.

(7) The President (hwejang) and the inside directors may not attend the Board of Directors’ Meeting for the resolution of the agenda prescribed in Paragraphs 2 through 4.


Article 35. (Managerial Officers)

(1) For the efficient operation, KT shall have managerial officers including inside directors.

(2) The managerial officers shall consist of positions determined by the Board of Directors.

(3) The number and remuneration of the managerial officers who do not hold the position of inside directors of KT shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The severance allowance for the said managerial officers shall be paid in accordance with KT’s regulations for payment of officers’ severance allowance adopted at a General Meeting of Shareholders.

(4) Managerial officers who do not hold the position of inside directors of KT shall be elected by the President (hwejang) of KT, whose term of office shall not exceed three (3) years.

(5) All matters concerning the respective duties of managerial officers shall be determined by the President (hwejang).

Article 36. (Advisor, etc.) The President (hwejang) may employ an Advisor or appoint an Advisory Council in order to receive advice and suggestions regarding important matters concerning the operation of KT’s businesses.

CHAPTER VI. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Article 37. (Organization and Operation)

(1) The Board of Directors shall consist of the directors, and shall resolve important matters related to the execution of business of KT as prescribed in the laws and regulations and these Articles of Incorporation, which were submitted by a director as an agenda.


(2) The Board of Directors’ Meeting shall be convened by each director. However, this shall not apply in the event that a director to convene the Board of Directors’ Meeting is determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors’ Meeting.

(3) The rest of directors may request the director designated under Paragraph 2 above to convene the Board of Directors’ Meeting. However, if the designated director refuses to convene the Board of Directors’ Meeting without any justifiable reason therefor, other directors may convene the Board of Directors’ Meeting.

(4) In convening a meeting of Board of Directors, the notice thereof shall be given at least three (3) days prior to the date set for such meeting to each director; provided, however, that the above procedure may be omitted with the consent of all of the directors.

(5) Matters necessary for the operation of the Board of Directors shall be set forth in the Regulations of the Board of Directors.

(6) For the efficient management of the Board of Directors, a self evaluation regarding the activities of the Board of Directors may be conducted, and detailed matters therefor, including the evaluation method, etc. shall be determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

Article 38. (Resolution and Delegation)

(1) A resolution at a meeting of Board of Directors shall be adopted by the presence of a majority of all directors in offices and by the affirmative votes of a majority of the directors present. However, the resolution on the sale of equity in any subsidiary of KT accompanying transfer of management rights, which is for more than 10 billion (10,000,000,000) Korean Won of the subsidiary’s equity, shall be adopted by affirmative votes of two-thirds (2/3) of the directors in office, and the resolution on the dismissal of the President shall be adopted by the affirmative votes of two-thirds (2/3) of the outside directors in offices.

(2) The Board of Directors may delegate part of its authorities to the President (hwejang).


Article 39. (Chairman)

(1) The chairman of the Board of Directors shall be elected from among the outside directors by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

(2) The term of office of the chairman shall be one (1) year.

Article 40. (Minutes of the Board of Directors) The proceeding and the result of meeting of the Board of Directors shall be recorded in the minutes, which shall bear the names, seals or signatures of the Chairman and the directors present at the meeting, and shall be kept at the head office.

Article 41. (Committees within the Board of Directors)

(1) The Board of Directors may have expert committees under its control by its resolution, in order to deliberate or decide with respect to the specific matters submitted to the Board of Directors.

 

  1. CEO Recommendation Committee;

 

  2. CG (Corporate Governance) Committee (the “CG Committee”);

 

  3. Outside Director Candidates Recommendation Committee;

 

  4. Audit Committee; and

 

  5. Other Committees which the Board of Directors deems necessary.

(2) Any necessary matters, including those regarding the composition, authority or operation, of a committee under the Board of Directors described in Paragraph 1 above shall be determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

Article 41-2. (CG Committee)

 

(1) The CG Committee shall be composed of four (4) outside directors and one (1) inside director.

 

(2) The CG Committee shall deliberate and decide overall matters relating to the corporate governance of the Company.


(3) Specific issues, such as the operation of the CG Committee, shall be determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

Article 42. (Outside Director Candidates Recommendation Committee)

(1) The Outside Director Candidates Recommendation Committee shall consist of one (1) inside director and all of the outside directors; provided that in case of election of an outside director due to the expiration of the term of office of an outside director, the relevant outside director the expiration of whose term has caused the need for such election may not be a member of the Committee.

(2) The Outside Director Candidates Recommendation Committee shall recommend outside director candidates to the General Shareholders’ Meeting.

(3) Any other detailed matters regarding organization and operation of the Outside Director Candidates Recommendation Committee shall be determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

Article 43. (Audit Committee)

(1) The Audit Committee shall consist of not less than three (3) outside directors.

(2) The Audit Committee shall perform an audit of KT’s accounting books and records, and of other aspects of its business operations.

(3) Any other detailed matters regarding organization and operation of the Audit Committee shall be determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

Article 44. (Managerial Officers’ Meeting)

(1) KT may convene managerial officers’ meeting in order to consider and resolve matters delegated by the Board of Directors.

(2) Matters necessary for the organization and operation of the managerial officers’ meeting set forth in Paragraph 1 above shall be determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors.


CHAPTER VII. ACCOUNTING

Article 45. (Fiscal Year) The fiscal year of KT shall be from January 1 to December 31 of each year.

Article 46. (Preparation, Submission and Maintenance of the Financial Statements)

(1) The President (hwejang) of KT shall prepare the following documents and supplementary documents thereto and the business report for each fiscal year, and submit such documents, after approved by the Board of Directors, to the Audit Committee, six (6) weeks prior to the date of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders:

 

  1. A balance sheet;

 

  2. A statement of profit and loss; and

 

  3. Other documents determined by the Enforcement Decree of the Commercial Act which indicates the company’s statement of financial position and business performance

 

  4. Consolidated financial statements

(2) The Audit Committee shall submit an auditor’s report to the President (hwejang) at least one (1) week before the General Shareholders’ Meeting.

(3) The President (hwejang) shall keep each document listed in Paragraph (1) together with the business report and the auditor’s report at the head office for a period of five (5) years, commencing from one week prior to the date of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Certified copies of these documents shall be kept in each respective branch office for a period of three (3) years.

(4) The President (hwejang) shall submit each document listed in Paragraph (1) to the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders and request approval therefor. With respect to the business report, he/she shall report the contents thereof to the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders.


(5) When the approval of the General Meeting of Shareholders is obtained for the documents listed in Paragraph (1), the President (hwejang) shall, without delay, give a public notice of the balance sheet and the audit opinion thereon of an independent auditor.

Article 47. (Disposition of Profits) The unappropriated retained earnings for each fiscal year of KT shall be disposed of as following order:

 

  1. Legal Reserves;

 

  2. Other statutory reserves;

 

  3. Amortization by way of the appropriation of the retained earnings;

 

  4. Dividends; and

 

  5. Voluntary reserve.

Article 48 (Retirement of Shares)

Pursuant to Article (165-3) of the FSCMA, KT may, by a resolution of the Board of Directors, retire the shares within the scope of profits attributable to the shareholders.

Article 49. (Payment of Dividends)

(1) Dividends may be paid either in cash or in shares.

(2) In case of stock dividends, if KT has issued several types of shares, different types of shares may be allotted by a resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

(3) Pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, KT may pay interim dividends in cash once during a fiscal year with June 30 as a base date (referred to as the fixed interim dividend date).

(4) The dividends referred to in Paragraphs (1) and (3) shall be paid to the shareholders or registered pledgees who are registered in the registry of shareholders as of the end of each fiscal year or as of the fixed interim dividend date.


(5) The rights to dividends shall be extinguished if it is not exercised within five (5) years from the date when the relevant dividend was declared, and such unclaimed dividends shall belong to KT.

CHAPTER VIII. SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

Article 50. (Guarantee of Personnel Status)

(1) Any employee of KT shall not receive a dismissal, suspension, reduction in compensation, reprimand and other disadvantageous orders, without any justifiable reasons therefor.

(2) The retirement age of the employee of KT shall be prescribed in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Article (6)of Addenda of the Laws Repealing the Korea Telecom Act.

Article 51. (Publication of Management Information)

KT shall make public any and all matters deemed to be necessary for the promotion of transparency in management.

ADDENDUM

Article 1. (Enforcement Date) These Articles of Incorporation shall be effective from October 1, 1997.

Article 2. (Term of Office of the First President and Standing Directors) Notwithstanding Paragraph (1), Article (29) hereof, the term of office of the first President and the standing directors to be elected at the General Meeting of Shareholders convened after the execution of these Articles of Incorporation shall be extended until the end of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders convened after the expiration of the said term of office.


Article 3. (Term of Office of First Non-Standing Director) (1) Pursuant to Article (3) of the Addenda of the Special Act, candidates for non-standing directors who are recommended by the Temporary Non-standing Directors Recommendation Committee shall be classified into three groups, i.e., first, second and third groups, which shall consist of one, two and three persons, respectively.

(2) Notwithstanding Article (29), Paragraph (1) hereof, the term of office of a non-standing director in the first group shall expire at the close of the first Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders convened after one (1) year has elapsed. The term of office of non-standing directors in the second and third group shall expire at the close of the first Ordinary General Meetings of Shareholders convened after two (2) and three (3) years have elapsed, respectively.

Article 4. (Special Provisions for Term of Office of Standing Directors succeed to the Term of Office of an Executive Officer) In the event that a former executive officer who has been elected prior to the date of enforcement of these Articles of Incorporation is elected as a first standing director of KT after the enforcement of these Articles, his/her term of office may be shortened to the remainder of the term of office of a executive officer prior to the date of enforcement of these Articles of Incorporation.

ADDENDUM (December 8, 1997)

These articles of Incorporation shall be effective from the date of resolution of the general meeting of shareholders thereon.


ADDENDUM (September 18, 1998)

Article 1. (Enforcement Date)These Articles of Incorporation shall be effective from the date of resolution thereon of the general meetings of shareholders.

Article 2. (Interim Measures for the Acquisition of Shares of KT by Foreigners) Those provisions of Paragraph (3), Article (10) hereof shall not be applicable where Foreigners have acquired any shares of KT prior to the date of enforcement of these Articles of Incorporation pursuant to the relevant laws and regulations. In this regard, the number of shares so acquired shall be included in the maximum aggregate shareholdings ceiling prescribed in Item 1, Paragraph (2), Article (10) above.

ADDENDUM (March 19, 1999)

Article 1. (Enforcement Date) These Articles of Incorporation shall be effective from the date of resolution thereon of the general meetings of shareholders.

Article 2. (Interim Measure) The cumulative voting system provided for in Article (382-2) of the Commercial Code shall not apply until each of the requirements set forth in Paragraph (1), Article (21) of the Special Act has been satisfied.

ADDENDUM (March 24, 2000)

These Articles of Incorporation shall be effective from the date of resolution thereon of the general meeting of shareholders.


ADDENDUM (March 21, 2001)

These Articles of Incorporation shall be effective from the date of resolution thereon of the general meeting of shareholders.

ADDENDUM (March 22, 2002)

These Articles of Incorporation shall be effective as of the date of resolution of the general meeting of Shareholders.

ADDENDUM (August 20, 2002)

Article1. (Enforcement Date) These Articles of Incorporation shall become effective from the date on which a resolution on the foregoing amendments is adopted at the General Meeting of Shareholders. Provided, however, that the amended provision of Article 41-3 shall become effective from the date following the day on which the first General Meeting of Shareholders is convened after enforcement of these amended Articles of Incorporation.

Article 2. (Interim Measures regarding Auditor) (1) The amended provisions regarding auditor of Articles 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 37 and 40 shall remain invalid, concurrently upon establishment of the Audit Committee.


(2) The term, “auditor” referred in Paragraph 3 of Article 31 and Article 44, shall be interpreted to be “Audit Committee”, respectively, concurrently upon establishment of the Audit Committee.

Article3. (Interim Measures on Increase in Number of Outside Directors) Notwithstanding the amended provision of Article 26, a candidate for outside director recommended by the Shareholders’ Committee established in accordance with the previous AOI, shall be deemed to have been recommended by the Outside Director Recommendation Committee, and the term of office of such additionally appointed outside director in the above shall be until the date on which the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders is held in the year of 2005.

ADDENDUM (March 14, 2003)

These Articles of Incorporation shall be effective from the date of resolution thereon of the general meeting of shareholders.

ADDENDUM (March 12, 2004)

These Articles of Incorporation shall become effective as of the date of resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders.


ADDENDUM (March 11, 2005)

These Articles of Incorporation shall become effective as of the date when the General Meeting of Shareholders resolved adoption hereof.

Addendum (August 19, 2005)

These Articles of Incorporation shall take effect upon approval by the General Meeting of Shareholders.

ADDENDUM (March 10, 2006)

These Articles of Incorporation shall become effective as of the date of resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

ADDENDUM (March 16, 2007)

These Articles of Incorporation shall become effective as of the date of resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

ADDENDUM (January 14, 2009)

These Articles of Incorporation shall become effective as of the date of resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders.


ADDENDUM (March 27, 2009)

Article 1. (Enforcement Date) These Articles of Incorporation shall become effective upon resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders approving the amendment hereof.

Article 2. (Interim Measure) The person who is “President (sajang)” as of the amendment date of these Articles of Incorporation will become the “President (hwejang)”, and in applying Article 32(1)-2 “ex-Presidents (sajang)” prior to the amendment date will be interpreted as “ex-Presidents (hwejang)”.

ADDENDUM (March 12, 2010)

These Articles of Incorporation shall become effective as of the date of resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

ADDENDUM (March 11, 2011)

These Articles of Incorporation shall become effective as of the date of resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

ADDENDUM (March 16, 2012)

These Articles of Incorporation shall become effective as of the date of resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders. However, the modified regulation in Article 46(1) of the Articles of Incorporation shall become effective as of April 15, 2012.


ADDENDUM (March 15, 2013)

These Articles of Incorporation shall become effective as of the date of resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

ADDENDUM (March 27, 2015)

These Articles of Incorporation shall become effective as of the date of resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

EX-8.1 3 d910678dex81.htm EX-8.1 EX-8.1

Exhibit 8.1

List of Subsidiaries of KT Corporation

(As of December 31, 2014)

 

Name

  

Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

KT Powertel Co., Ltd.    Korea
KT Linkus Co., Ltd.    Korea
KT Submarine Co., Ltd.    Korea
KT Telecop Co., Ltd.    Korea
KT Hitel Co., Ltd.    Korea
KT Commerce Inc.    Korea
KT Capital Co., Ltd.    Korea
KT New Business Fund No.1    Korea
Gyeonggi-KT Green Growth Fund    Korea
KTC Media Contents Fund 2    Korea
KT Strategic Investment Fund No.1    Korea
KT Strategic Investment Fund No.2    Korea
BC Card Co., Ltd.    Korea
VP Inc.    Korea
H&C Network    Korea
INITECH Co., Ltd.    Korea
Smartro Co., Ltd.    Korea
Sofnics, Inc.    Korea
KTDS Co., Ltd.    Korea
KT M Hows Co., Ltd.    Korea
KT M&S Co., Ltd.    Korea
KT Music Corporation    Korea
KT Skylife Co., Ltd.2    Korea
SkylifeTV co., Ltd. (formerly Korea HD Broadcasting Corp.)    Korea
KT Estate Inc.    Korea
KT AMC Co., Ltd.    Korea
KT NEXR CO., LTD. (formerly NEXR Co., Ltd.)    Korea
KTSB Data service    Korea
CENTIOS Co., Ltd.    Korea
Enswers Inc.    Korea
Ustream Inc.    Korea
Incheonucity Co., Ltd.    Korea
KT Innoedu Co., Ltd.    Korea
KT Rental    Korea
KT Auto Lease Corporation    Korea
KT Rental Auto Care Corporation    Korea
KT Sat Co., Ltd.    Korea
KT Media Hub Co. Ltd.    Korea
Best Partners Co., Ltd.    Korea
Nasmedia, Inc.    Korea
T-ON Telecom    Korea
KT Sports    Korea
KT Music Contents Fund No.1    Korea
Consus-Changwon Private REIT    Korea
KT-Michigan Global Content Fund    Korea
Autopion Co., Ltd.    Korea
GREEN CAR (formerly GREEN POINT)    Korea


K-REALTY CR-REIT 7    Korea
ktcs Corporation    Korea
ktis Corporation    Korea
BC Card China Co., Ltd.    China
Centios Philippines, Inc.    Philippines
Kumho Rent a car (Vietnam) Co., Ltd    Vietnam
olleh Rwanda Networks Ltd.    Rwanda
Africa Olleh Services Ltd.    Rwanda
KT Belgium    Belgium
KT ORS Belgium    Belgium
Korea Telecom Japan Co., Ltd.    Japan
KBTO sp.zo.o.,    Poland
Korea Telecom China Co., Ltd.    China
KT Dutch B.V    Netherlands
Super iMax LLC    Uzbekistan
East Telecom LLC    Uzbekistan
Korea Telecom America, Inc.    U.S.A.
PT. KT Indonesia    Indonesia

 

2

EX-12.1 4 d910678dex121.htm EX-12.1 EX-12.1

Exhibit 12.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Chang-Gyu Hwang, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of KT Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 29, 2015

 

/s/ Chang-Gyu Hwang

Chang-Gyu Hwang

Chief Executive Officer

EX-12.2 5 d910678dex122.htm EX-12.2 EX-12.2

Exhibit 12.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Kwang Suk Shin, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of KT Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

 

  (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 29, 2015

 

/s/ Kwang Suk Shin

Kwang Suk Shin

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

EX-13.1 6 d910678dex131.htm EX-13.1 EX-13.1

Exhibit 13.1

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(Subsection (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code)

Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsection (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), the undersigned officer of KT Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of Korea (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

The annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the “Form 20-F”) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in the Form 20-F fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company.

 

/s/ Chang-Gyu Hwang

Chang-Gyu Hwang
Chief Executive Officer

Date: April 29, 2015

 

/s/ Kwang Suk Shin

Kwang Suk Shin
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

Date: April 29, 2015

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to KT Corporation and will be retained by KT Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-15.1 7 d910678dex151.htm EX-15.1 EX-15.1

Exhibit 15.1

FRAMEWORK ACT ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS

 

 

Amended by Act No. 11690 of March 23, 2013, effective March 23, 2013

CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1 (Purpose)

The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the enhancement of the public welfare by managing telecommunications efficiently and stimulating the development of telecommunications by providing basic matters on telecommunications.

Article 2 (Definitions)

The definitions of the terms as used in this Act shall be as follows:

1. The term “telecommunications” means transmission or reception of code, words, sound or image through wired, wireless, optic, and other electro-magnetic processes;

2. The term “telecommunications facilities and equipment” means machinery, appliances, lines for telecommunications, and other facilities necessary for telecommunications;

3. The term “telecommunications line facilities and equipment” means the facilities and equipment which constitute communications channels between sending and receiving points for telecommunications among the telecommunications facilities and equipment, and the transmission and line facilities and equipment, with the exchange facilities installed as one body of the transmission and line facilities, and all facilities attached thereto;

4. The term “telecommunications business facilities and equipment” means the telecommunications facilities and equipment to be provided for telecommunications businesses;

5. The term “private telecommunications facilities and equipment” means the telecommunications facilities and equipment other than the telecommunications business facilities and equipment, installed by an individual to be used for his own telecommunications;

6. The term “telecommunications equipments” means apparatus, machinery, parts or line equipments, etc. used by the telecommunications facilities and equipment;

7. The term “telecommunications service” means services that mediate a third party’s communication through the telecommunications facilities and equipment or to provide the telecommunications facilities and equipment for the third party’s telecommunications; and

8. The term “telecommunications business” means a business that provides telecommunications services.


Article 3 (Supervision of Telecommunications)

The matters concerning telecommunications shall be governed by Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning, except the ones stipulated specifically by this Act or other Acts. <Amended on Dec. 30, 1996, Feb. 29, 2008, March 23, 2013>

Article 4 (Government Policies)

Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning shall devise basic and comprehensive government policies concerning telecommunications to attain the purpose of this Act. <Amended on Dec. 30, 1996, Feb. 29, 2008, March 23, 2013>

Article 5 (Establishment of Basic Telecommunications Plans)

(1) Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning shall establish and publicly notify basic telecommunications plans (hereinafter referred to as the “basic plan”) for smooth development of telecommunications and the promotion of the information society. <Amended on Dec. 30, 1996, Feb. 29, 2008, March 23, 2013>

(2) The following matters shall be included in the basic plan of paragraph (1):

1. Matters concerning utilization efficiency of telecommunications;

2. Matters concerning maintenance of telecommunications order;

3. Matters concerning telecommunications business;

4. Matters concerning telecommunications facilities and equipment;

5. Matters concerning promotion of telecommunications technology (including technology about telecommunications construction; hereinafter the same shall apply); and

6. Other basic matters concerning telecommunications.

(3) Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning shall consult in advance with the heads of administrative agencies concerned, when establishing the basic plan for the matters of paragraph (2) 4 and 5 of this Article. <Amended on Dec. 30, 1996, Feb. 29, 2008, March 23, 2013>

Article 6 Deleted <May 21, 2009>


Article 7 (Classification of Telecommunications Business Operator)

The telecommunications business operator shall be classified as the key communications business operator, the special communications business operator and the value-added communications business operator pursuant to the Telecommunications Business Act. <Amended on Aug. 28, 1997>

[This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 4905, Jan. 5, 1995]

CHAPTER II Deleted <May 22, 2009> <May 22, 2009>

Article 8 Deleted <May 22, 2009>

Article 9 Deleted <May 22, 2009>

Article 10 Deleted <May 22, 2009>

Article 11 Deleted <May 22, 2009>

Article 12 Deleted <May 22, 2009>

Article 13 Deleted <May 22, 2009>

Article 14 Deleted <Dec. 30, 1996>

Article 15 Deleted <Dec. 30, 1996>

Article 15-2 Deleted <Jan. 29, 1999>

CHAPTER III Deleted <March 22, 2010> <March 22, 2010>

SECTION 1 Deleted <March 22, 2010> <March 22, 2010>

Article 16 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 17 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 18 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 19 Deleted <Dec. 30, 1996>

SECTION 2 Deleted <March 22, 2010> <March 22, 2010>

Article 20 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 21 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 22 Deleted <March 22, 2010>


Article 23 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 24 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

SECTION 3 Deleted <March 22, 2010> <March 22, 2010>

Article 15 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 16 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 17 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 18 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 19 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 20 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

SECTION 4 Deleted <March 22, 2010> <March 22, 2010>

Article 30-2 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 30-3 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 30-4 Deleted <Dec. 26, 2002>

Article 31 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 32 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

CHAPTER IV MANAGEMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENTS

Article 33 Deleted <July 23, 2010>

Article 33-2 Deleted <July 23, 2010>

Article 33-3 Deleted <July 23, 2010>

Article 34 Deleted <Jan. 28, 2000>

Article 34-2 Deleted <July 23, 2010>

Article 35 Deleted <July 23, 2010>

Article 36 Deleted <July 23, 2010>


CHAPTER V Deleted <Feb. 29, 2008> <Feb. 29, 2008>

Article 37 Deleted <Feb. 29, 2008>

Article 38 Deleted <Feb. 29, 2008>

Article 39 Deleted <Feb. 29, 2008>

Article 40 Deleted <Feb. 29, 2008>

Article 40-2 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 40-3 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 41 Deleted <Feb. 29, 2008>

Article 42 Deleted <Feb. 29, 2008>

Article 43 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 44 Deleted <Feb. 29, 2008>

Article 44-2 Deleted <March 13, 2009>

CHAPTER VI SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

Article 45 Deleted <March 22, 2010>

Article 45-2 Deleted <July 23, 2010>

Article 46 (Delegation and Entrustment of Authority)

 

  (1) Part of the authority of Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning under this Act may be delegated or commissioned to the head of the related agencies or of the Korea Post under the conditions as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree. <Amended on March 23, 2013>

 

  (2) Deleted <March 22, 2010>

CHAPTER VII PENAL PROVISIONS

Article 47 (Penal Provisions)

(1) A person who has publicly made a false communication over the telecommunications facilities and equipment for the purpose of harming the public interest shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five years or by a fine not exceeding fifty million won. <Amended by Act No. 5219, Dec. 30, 1996>


(2) A person who has publicly made a false communication over the telecommunications facilities and equipment for the purpose of benefiting himself or the third party or inflicting damages on the third party shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than three years or by a fine not exceeding thirty million won. <Amended by Act No. 5219, Dec. 30, 1996>

(3) In case where the false communication under paragraph (2) is of a telegraphic remittance, it shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five years or by a fine not exceeding fifty million won. <Amended by Act No. 5219, Dec. 30, 1996>

(4) When a person engaged in the telecommunications business commits the act under paragraph (1) or (3), he shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than ten years or by a fine not exceeding 100 million won, and in case of committing the act under paragraph (2), he shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five years or by a fine not exceeding fifty million won. <Amended by Act No. 5219, Dec. 30, 1996>

[Absolute Unconstitutionality, 2008 Hun Ba 157, Dec. 28, 2010, Article 47(1) of Framework Act on Telecommunications (Amended by Act No. 5219, Dec. 30, 1996) violates the constitution.]

Article 48 Deleted <July 23, 2010>

Article 48-2 Deleted <Jan. 16, 2001>

Article 49 Deleted <July 23, 2010>

Article 50 Deleted <Jan. 28, 2000>

Article 51 Deleted <July 23, 2010>

Article 52 Deleted <July 23, 2010>

Article 53 Deleted <July 23, 2010>

ADDENDA <Amended by Act No. 11690, March 23, 2013>

Article 1 (Enforcement Date)

This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation.

Article 2 through Article 5 Omitted

Article 6 (Amendment of Other Laws) (1) through<683> Omitted

<684> (1) The Telecommunications Business Act shall be partly amended as follows:

In Article 3, “the Korea Communications Commission” shall be replaced with “Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning”.


In Article 4 and Article 5(1) · (3), “the Korea Communications Commission” shall be replaced with “Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning”.

Article 46(1) shall be as follows:

 

  (1) Part of the authority of Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning under this Act may be delegated or commissioned to the head of the related agencies or of the Korea Post under the conditions as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree.

<685> through <710> Omitted

Article 7 Omitted

EX-15.2 8 d910678dex152.htm EX-15.2 EX-15.2

Exhibit 15.2

ENFORCEMENT DECREE OF THE FRAMEWORK ACT ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS

 

 

Amended by Enforcement Decree No. 22605 of Dec. 31, 2010, effective Jan. 24, 2011

CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1 (Purpose)

The purpose of this Enforcement Decree is to provide matters delegated under the Framework Act on Telecommunications (the “Act”) and matters necessary for its enforcement.

CHAPTER II Deleted <2009.8.18>

Article 2 Deleted <2009.8.18>

Article 3 Deleted <2009.8.18>

Article 4 Deleted <2009.8.18>

Article 5 Deleted <2009.8.18>

Article 6 Deleted <2009.8.18>

Article 7 Deleted <2009.8.18>

Article 8 Deleted <2009.8.18>

Article 9 Deleted <2009.8.18>

Article 10 Deleted <2009.8.18>

CHAPTER III TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

Article 11 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 12 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 13 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 14 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 15 Deleted <2010.12.27>


Article 16 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 17 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 18 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 19 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 20 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 21 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 22 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 23 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 24 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 25 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 26 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 27 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 28 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 29 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 30 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 31 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 32 Deleted <2010.12.31>

CHAPTER IV Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 33 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 34 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 35 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 36 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 37 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 38 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 39 Deleted <2010.12.27>


Article 40 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 41 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 42 Deleted <2010.12.27>

CHAPTER IV Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 43 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 44 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 45 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 46 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 47 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 48 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 49 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 50 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 51 Deleted <2010.12.27>

CHAPTER VI SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

Article 52 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 53 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 54 Deleted <2010.12.31>

Article 54-2 Deleted <2010.12.27>

Article 55 Deleted <2010.12.31>

ADDENDA <Amended by No. 22605, Dec. 31, 2010>

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) This Decree shall be effective as of January 24, 2011. <Proviso Omitted>

Article 2 through Article 12 Omitted

Article 13 (Amendment of Other Laws) (1) through (3) Omitted


(4) Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Telecommunication shall be partly amended as follows:

Article 32 shall be deleted

Article 54 and Article 55 shall each be deleted.

(5) through (9) Omitted

EX-15.3 9 d910678dex153.htm EX-15.3 EX-15.3

Exhibit 15.3

TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS ACT

 

 

[Enforced on April 16, 2015] [Amended by Act No. 12761, Oct. 15, 2014, Partial Amendments]

CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1 (Purpose)

The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the promotion of public welfare by encouraging sound development of telecommunications business and ensuring convenience to the users of telecommunications service through proper management of such business.

Article 2 (Definitions)

For the purpose of this Act, <Amended on May 19, 2011, Mar. 23, 2013, Aug. 13, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

1. The term “telecommunication” means sending and receiving of sign, wording, sound or image through wired, wireless, optic or other electronic means;

2. The term “telecommunication facilities” means equipment, devices, lines and other facilities necessary for telecommunication;

3. The term “telecommunication line facilities” means telecommunication line portion of the telecommunication facilities which is necessary for sending, receiving and routing telecommunication and include exchange equipment and other annexed facilities;

4. The term “commercial telecommunication facilities” means telecommunication facilities for providing telecommunication business;

5. The term “proprietary telecommunication facilities” means telecommunication facilities other than commercial telecommunication facilities that a person installs for his own telecommunication use;

 

1


6. The term “telecommunication service” means connecting of customer’s communication through the use of telecommunication facilities or providing telecommunication facilities for customer’s communication;

7. The term “telecommunication business” means the business of providing telecommunication service;

8. The term “telecommunications business operator” means a person who provides telecommunications service with holding a license or making a registration or report under this Act;

9. The term “user” means a person who has made a contract for the use of any telecommunications service with the telecommunications business operator in order to receive a provision of telecommunications service;

10. The term “universal service” means the basic telecommunications service which any user may receive at reasonable fees anytime and anywhere;

11. The term “key communication service” means the telecommunication service such as telephone and internet services which transmit or receive voice, data, image, etc. without changing their content and the telecommunication service where telecommunication line facilities is lent for transmission and receipt of voice, data, image, etc., provided, however that individual telecommunication services(individual service of telecommunication service under subparagraph 6 of Article 2) determined and announced by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning are excluded;

12. The term “value-added telecommunication services” means telecommunication services other than key communication services;

13. The term “value-added telecommunication services of a special type” means the service that falls under any of the followings:

A. The value-added telecommunication services of an online service provider of a special type under Article 104 of the Copyright Act;

B. The value-added telecommunication services that send text messages by directly or indirectly linking a text message sending system to the telecommunication facilities of a telecommunications business operator.

 

2


14. The term “telecommunication number” means identification numbers that enable to identify each of telecommunications networks, telecommunication services, regions, users, etc. by differentiating their number in order to provide or use telecommunication services.

Article 3 (Duty of Providing Services, etc.)

(1) A telecommunications business operator shall not refuse to provide any telecommunications service, without justifiable reasons.

(2) A telecommunications business operator shall guarantee the fairness, speediness and accuracy in performing his business.

(3) A fee for telecommunications service shall be reasonably fixed so as to ensure a smooth development of telecommunications business and to provide the users with convenient and diverse telecommunications services in the fair and inexpensive manner.

Article 4 (Universal Service)

(1) All telecommunications business operators shall have the obligation to provide universal service or to replenish the losses incurred by such provisions.

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1), exempt the telecommunications business operator determined by the Enforcement Decree as a telecommunications business operator for whom an imposition of obligation under Paragraph (1) is deemed inadequate in view of the peculiarity of telecommunications service, or the telecommunications business operator whose turnover of telecommunications service is less than the amount as determined by the Enforcement Decree within the limit of 1/100 of total turnover of the telecommunications services, from the relevant obligations. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

3


(3) The details of universal service shall be determined by the Enforcement Decree in consideration of the following matters:

1. Level of the development of information and communications technology;

2. Level of the dissemination of telecommunications service;

3. Public interest and safety;

4. Promotion of social welfare; and

5. Acceleration of informatization.

(4) In order to provide effective, stable universal service, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, in consideration of size and quality of universal service, level of price and the technical capability of a telecommunications business operator, designate a telecommunications business operator through the method and procedure prescribed by the Enforcement Decree. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(5) Under the method and procedure prescribed by the Enforcement Decree, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may have a telecommunications business operator bear compensation for losses incurred in the course of providing universal service based on the total sales. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

Article 4-2 (Telecommunications Relay Service for Disabled Persons)

(1) Operators who have to secure relay and provide services using telecommunications equipment and facilities (hereinafter the “telecommunications relay service”) pursuant to Article 21(4) of the Act on the Prohibition of Discrimination of Disabled Persons, Remedy Against Infringement of Their Rights, etc. may provide the telecommunications relay service directly to the disabled persons or indirectly by entrusting such service to the agency designated by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.

(2) Operators who have to secure relay and provide the telecommunications relay service shall submit the plans to provide the telecommunications relay service to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning within 1 month after the commencement of every fiscal period.

 

4


(3) Operators who have been engaging or once engaged in the telecommunications relay service shall not disclose another’s secret which has come to their knowledge in the course of the practice of the service.

(4) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may provide necessary supports including financial and technical supports to the operator who falls under one of the following:

 

  1. A key communications business operator who provides the telecommunications relay service directly to the disabled persons or indirectly by entrusting such service to the agency; or

 

  2. An agency entrusted to provide the telecommunications relay service.

(5) Details regarding the criteria, proceedings and methods of the designation of the agency under Paragraph (1) shall be set forth and publicly notified by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.

[This Article Newly Inserted on Aug. 13, 2013]

CHAPTER II TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS

SECTION 1 General Provisions

Article 5 (Classification, etc. of Telecommunications Business)

(1) The telecommunications businesses shall be classified into a key communications business, a specific communications business and a value-added communications business.

(2) The key communications business shall be the business to install telecommunication line facilities, and thereby provide key communication services.

 

5


(3) The specific communications business shall correspond to one of the following subparagraphs:

1. Business which provides a key communications service by making use of telecommunication line facilities, etc. of a person who has obtained a license for key communications business under Article 6 (hereinafter referred to as a “key communications business operator”); and

2. Business which installs the telecommunications facilities in the premises as determined by the Enforcement Decree, and provides a telecommunications service therein by making use of the said facilities.

(4) The value-added communications business shall be the business providing value-added communication services.

SECTION 2 Key Communications Business

Article 6 (License etc. of Key Communications Business Operator)

(1) A person who intends to run a key communications business shall obtain a license from the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall, in granting a license under Paragraph (1), comprehensively examine the matters falling under each of the following subparagraphs: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Financial capability necessary for implementing the key communication service plan;

2. Technical capability necessary for implementing the key communication service plan,

3. Plans for a user protection;

4. Other matters relevant to capacity for providing stable key communication services as determined under the Enforcement Decree of the Act.

(3) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may formulate every year a master plan for licenses for key communications business operators by considering the results of the evaluation of competition among key communications business operators under Article 34(2) and by considering the plan for the utilization of frequencies under Article 8(3)2 of the Radio Waves Act. <Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014>

 

6


(4) A person, who desires to newly conduct a key communications business after obtaining allocation of frequencies under Article 10 of the Radio Waves Act, shall file an application for allocation of frequencies, together with an application for license of key communications business, with The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning after a public announcement about allocation of frequencies. <Newly Inserted Oct. 15, 2014>

(5) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall set forth the detailed examination criteria by examining item under Paragraph (2), period for license and outline of application for license, and make a public announcement thereof. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

(6) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, in case where it grants a license for key communications business under Paragraph (1), attach the conditions necessary for the promotion of fair competition, protection of users, improvement of service quality and efficient employment of resources for information and communication, in this case such conditions shall be published on its official publication and official webpage. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

(7) A person subject to a license under Paragraph (1) shall be limited to a juristic person. <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

(8) Procedures for a license under Paragraph (1) and other necessary matters shall be determined by the Enforcement Decree. < Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

Article 7 (Reasons for Disqualification for License)

Persons falling under each of the following subparagraphs shall not be entitled to obtain the license for a key communications business as referred to in Article 6:

1. The State or local governments;

2. Foreign governments or foreign corporations; and

3. Corporations whose stocks are owned by foreign governments or foreigners in excess of the restrictions on stock possessions as referred to in Article 8 (1).

 

7


Article 8 (Restrictions on Stock Possessions of Foreign Governments or Foreigners)

(1) The stocks of a key communications business operator (excluding non-voting class of stocks under Article 344-3(1) of the Commercial Act, and including the stock equivalents with voting rights, such as stock depositary receipts, etc. and investment equities; hereinafter the same shall apply) shall not be owned in excess of 49/100 of the gross number of issued stocks, when adding up all of those owned by the foreign governments or foreigners. < Amended on Aug. 13, 2013>

(2) A corporation, whose largest stockholder under Article 9(1)1 of the Capital Markets and Financial Investment Business Act (hereinafter the “largest shareholder”) is a foreign government or a foreigner (including, throughout this Act, a specially-related person under Article 9(1)1 of the same Act) and whose largest shareholder owns more than 15/100 of the gross number of its issued stocks (hereinafter referred to as the “fictitious corporation of foreigners”), shall be regarded as a foreigner. < Amended on Aug. 13, 2013>

(3) A corporation that falls under one of the following subparagraphs shall not be regarded as a foreigner, even if it is equipped with the requirements as referred to in Paragraph (2). Provided that this shall not apply to the foreigners under Article-1(3) and Article 86(3): < Amended on Aug. 13, 2013>

 

  1. A corporation holding less than 1/100 of the gross number of stocks issued by the key communications business operator; or

 

  2. A corporation whose Largest Shareholder is a foreign government which is a signatory nation to a free trade agreement entered effect into between the Republic of Korea and one or more other countries and set forth and publicly notified by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning or a foreigner and whose Largest Shareholder owns more than 15/100 of the gross number of its issued stocks but decided by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning as not being harmful to public interest after the examination of public interest under Article 10.

 

8


Article 9 (Grounds for Disqualifying Officers)

(1) Any person falling under each of the following subparagraphs shall be disqualified to serve as an officer of any key communications business operator: < Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

1. A minor/incompetent person under the adult guardianship, or a quasi-incompetent person under the limited guardianship;

2. A person who has yet to be reinstated after having been declared bankrupt;

3. A person who has been sentenced to imprisonment without prison labor or a heavier punishment on charges of violating this Act, the Framework Act on Telecommunications, the Radio Waves Act or the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection (excluding matters not directly related to telecommunication business, hereinafter “this Act, etc.”), and for whom three years have yet to pass from the date on which the execution of the sentence is terminated (including a case where the execution of the sentence is deemed to be terminated) or the execution of the sentence is exempted;

4. A person who is in a stay period after having been sentenced to a stay of the execution of the imprisonment without prison labor or a heavier punishment on charges of violating this Act, etc.;

5. A person who has been sentenced to a fine on charges of violating this Act, etc. and for whom one years have yet to pass from the date of such sentence;

6. A person who has been subject to a disposition taken to revoke all or part of his permission in accordance with Article 20 (1), a disposition taken to revoke his registration in accordance with Article 27 (1) or an order given in accordance with Paragraph (2) of the same Article to discontinue his business and for whom three years have yet to pass from the date of such disposition or order. In the case of a corporation, the person refers to the person who commits the act of causing the disposition to revoke permission, the disposition to revoke registration or the order to discontinue business, and its representative.

(2) In the event that any officer is found to fall under each subparagraph of Paragraph (1) or is found to fall under each subparagraph of Paragraph (1) at the time that he is selected and appointed as an officer, he shall rightly resign from the office.

(3) Any act in which any officer has been involved prior to his resignation under Paragraph (2) shall not lose its legal efficacy.

 

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Article 10 (Examination of Public Interest Nature of Stock Acquisition, etc. by Key Communications Business Operator)

(1) The Public Interest Nature Examination Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “Committee”) shall be established in the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning in order to make an examination regarding whether or not what falls under each of the following subparagraphs impedes the public interests as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree (hereinafter referred to as the “examination of public interest nature”), such as the national safety guarantee and maintenance of public peace and order, etc.: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Aug. 13, 2013>

1. Where the principal comes to own not less than 15/100 of the gross number of stocks issued by a key communications business operator, when adding up those owned by the specially-related person as referred to in Article 9 Paragraph (1) subparagraph 1 of the Capital Market Integration Act (hereinafter referred to as the “specially-related person”);

2. Where the largest stockholder of a key communications business operator is altered;

3. Where a key communications business operator or any stockholder of a key communications business operator concludes a contract for important management matters as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree, such as the appointment and dismissal of executives and the transfer or takeover, etc. of business of the relevant key communications business operator, with a foreign government or a foreigner;

4. Other cases as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree, where there exists a change in the persons who have de facto management rights of a key communications business operator. < Amended on Aug. 13, 2013>

(2) Where a key communications business operator or any stockholder of a key communications business operator comes to fall under each of subparagraphs of Paragraph (1), he shall file a report thereon with the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning within thirty days from the time when such a fact took place. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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(3) Where a key communications business operator or any stockholder of a key communications business operator is to come to fall under each of subparagraphs of Paragraph (1), he may, prior to the said situation, request the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning to make an examination as referred to in Paragraph (1). < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) Where the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning has received a report as referred to in Paragraph (2) or a request for examination as referred to in Paragraph (3), it shall refer it to the Committee. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(5) Where the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning judges that there exists a danger of impeding the public interests by the cases falling under each of subparagraphs of Paragraph (1) in view of the result of examination as referred to in Paragraph (1), it may order the alteration of contract detail and suspension of its implementation, the suspension of exercise of voting rights, or the sale of relevant stocks. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(6) The scope of key communications business operators who have to report as referred to in Paragraph (2) or (3), or can request the examination of public interest shall be as following: < Amended on Aug. 13, 2013>

 

  1. Key communications business operators operating and managing important communications provided in Subparagraph 3 of Article 92(2);

 

  2. Key communications business operators owning man-made satellites in which space stations under Article 20-2(3) of the Radio Waves Act and Subparagraph 30 of Article 29 of the Enforcement Decree of the same Act are established

 

  3. Key communications business operators designated as the key communications business operators in Subparagraph 1 and 3 of Article 35(2), Article 39(3), Article 41(3) and Article 42(3) and publicly notified by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning;

 

  4. Key communications business operators providing telecommunication services by utilizing the frequencies allotted under the Radio Waves Act, provided that any key communications operators whose turnover of telecommunications service of the preceding year is less than the amount as determined by the Enforcement Decree in consideration of the market conditions, market share etc. shall be excluded; and

 

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  5. Key communications business operators whose turnover of telecommunications service of the preceding year is more than KRW 30,000,000,000 and at the same time, exceeds the amount publicly notified by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning in consideration of the market conditions, market share etc. < Newly Inserted on Aug. 13, 2013>

 

  (7) Proceedings and details regarding the report and the examination of public interest in Paragraph (2) or (3) shall be stipulated by the Enforcement Decree. < Newly Inserted on Aug. 13, 2013>

Article 11 (Composition and Operation, etc. of Public Interest Nature Examination Committee)

(1) The Committee shall consist of not less than five but not more than fifteen members including one Chairman. < Amended on Aug. 13, 2013>

(2) One of the Vice Ministers of Science, ICT and Future Planning nominated by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall hold office as the Chairman, and the members shall be the persons commissioned by the Chairman from among the public officials ranking Grade III or higher grade of related central administrative agencies or public officials who belong to senior executive service as specified by the Enforcement Decree of the Act, and falling under each of the following subparagraphs: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Persons having profound knowledge and experiences in the information and communications;

2. Persons recommended by the Government-contributed research institutes relating to the national safety guarantee and maintenance of public peace and order;

3. Persons recommended by the nonprofit non-governmental organizations as referred to in Article 2 of the Assistance for Nonprofit Non-Governmental Organizations Act;

4. Other persons deemed necessary by the Chairman.

 

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(3) The Committee may conduct necessary investigations for the examination of public interest nature, or request the interested parties or the reference witnesses to provide the data. In such case, the relevant interested parties or the reference witnesses shall comply with it unless they have any justifiable reasons.

(4) Where the Committee deems it necessary, it may have the interested parties or the reference witnesses attend the Committee, and hear their opinions. In such case, the relevant interested parties or the reference witnesses shall comply with it unless they have any justifiable reasons.

(5) Matters necessary for the organization or operation, etc. of the Committee shall be prescribed by the Enforcement Decree.

Article 12 (Restrictions, etc. on Stockholders of Excessive Possession)

(1) Where a foreign government or a foreigner has acquired the stocks in contravention of the provisions of Article 8 (1), no voting rights shall be exercised for the stocks under the said excessive possession.

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may order the stockholder who has acquired stocks in contravention of the provisions of Article 86 (1), a key communications business operator wherein exists the said stockholder, or the stock-holder of the fictitious corporation of foreigners, to make corrections in the relevant matters, with specifying the period within the limit of six months < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) Persons subjected to the order for corrections as referred to in Paragraph (2) shall make corrections in the relevant matters within the specified period.

(4) With regard to the stockholder in contravention of the provisions of Article 8 (1), a key communications business operator may refuse any renewals for the excessive portion in the register of stockholders or of members.

 

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Article 13 (Charge for Compelling Execution)

(1) Against the persons who were subjected to the orders as referred to in Articles 10 (5) or 12 (2) or 18 (8) (hereinafter referred to as the “corrective orders”) and has failed to comply with them within the specified period, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may levy the charge for compelling the execution. In such case, the charge for compelling the execution leviable per day shall be not more than 3/1,000 of purchase prices of relevant possessed stocks, but in the case not related with the stock possession, it shall be the amount not exceeding 100 million won. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) The period subject to a levy of the charge for compelling the execution as referred to in Paragraph (1) shall be from the day next to the date of expiration of the period set in the corrective orders to the date of implementing the corrective orders. In such case, a levy of the charge for compelling the execution shall be made within 30 days from the day next to the expiration date of the period set in the corrective orders, except for the case where there exists a special reason.

(3) Provisions of Article 53 (5) and (7) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the collection of the charge for compelling the execution. < Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

(4) Matters necessary for the levy, payment, refund, etc. of the charge for compelling the execution shall be prescribed by the Enforcement Decree.

Article 14 (Issuance of Stocks)

A key communications business operator shall, in a case of an issuance of stocks, issue the registered ones.

Article 15 (Obligation of Commencing Business)

(1) A key communications business operator shall install telecommunications facilities and commence business within the period as fixed by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, in case where the said business operator is unable to commence business within the period under Paragraph (1) due to force majeure and other unavoidable reasons, extend the relevant period only once, upon an application of the key communications business operator. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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Article 16 (Modification of License)

(1) Where a key communications business operator intends to modify the important matters prescribed by the Enforcement Decree from among the matters licensed under Article 6, he shall obtain a modified license from the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, under the conditions as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) The provisions of Article 6 (6) and Article 15 shall be applicable mutatis mutandis to a modified license for change under Paragraph (1). < Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

Article 17 (Concurrent Operation of Business)

(1) A key communications business operator shall, in case where he intends to run any of the businesses set forth in the following subparagraphs, obtain approval from the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning: Provided that, this provision shall not apply to any key communications business operator with less than 30,000,000,000 Korean Won in turnover of services. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Communications equipment manufacturing business;

2. Information and communications construction business pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Article 2 of the Information and Communications Work Business Act (excluding renovation and consolidation work for electronic telecommunications network);

3. Service business pursuant to subparagraph 6 of Article 2 of the Information and Communications Work Business Act (excluding renovation and consolidation of electronic telecommunications network).

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall grant approval under Paragraph (1), in case where deemed that a key communications business operator is not likely to cause any impediments to the operation of telecommunications service by running a business under Paragraph (1), and that it is required for the development of telecommunications. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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Article 18 (Takeover of Business and Merger of Juristic Persons etc.)

(1) Any person who belongs to any one of the categories set forth in the following Paragraphs shall obtain an authorization from the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning under the conditions as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree: Provided, notwithstanding subparagraph 3 below, that in case that person sells telecommunications circuit installations except the ones prescribed by the Enforcement Decree, he shall report it to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning under the conditions as determined by the Enforcement Decree < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Any person who takes or intends to take over the whole or part of a business of a key communications business operator;

2. Any person who intends to merge with a juristic person which is a key communications business operator;

3. Any key communications business operator intending to sell the telecommunications circuit installations necessary for provision of key communications service;

4. Any person who, along with a certain related person intends to become the [largest shareholder of a key communications business operator or own 15% of more of the issued shares of the key communications business operator;

5. Any person seeking to acquire control over a key communication business operator by acquiring shares or entering into an agreement, as specified by the Enforcement Decree of the Act;

6. Any key communication business operator seeking to establish a company to provide part of the key communication services provided under authorization through such company.

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall, in case where it intends to grant authorization or approval under Paragraph (1), comprehensively examine the matters falling under each of the following subparagraphs. Provided, however, that the Minister may omit some part of the examination in case the impact of a takeover of a key communications business, a merger with a key communications business, etc. is negligible on competition among key communications business operators. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

 

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1. Appropriateness of management of resources for information and communications, such as frequencies and telecommunications numbers, etc.;

2. Impact on the competition of key communications business;

3. Impact on the protection of users and the public interests; and

4. Impact on public interests, such as the use of telecommunications facilities and communication networks, efficiency of research and development and international competitive power of the communications industry, etc.

(3) Matters necessary for the detailed examination standards by examination items and the examination procedures, etc. under Paragraph (2) shall be fixed and publicly announced by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) Any person falling under any of the following shall succeed to the telecommunication licensee status of the key communication business operator:

1. Any person who has taken over the business of a key communications business operator by obtaining an authorization under Paragraph (1);

2. Any juristic person surviving a merger or that established by a merger, or that established by obtaining an authorization under Paragraph (2);

3. Any company incorporated to provide part of key communication services with the approval under Paragraph (1)6.

(5) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, in case where it grants authorization or authorization under Paragraph (1), attach conditions under Article 6(6). < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

(6) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall, in case where it intends to grant an authorization under Paragraph (1), go through a consultation with the Fair Trade Commission. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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(7) In regard to the criteria for rejection of authorization in Paragraph (1), Article 7 shall be applicable mutatis mutandis.

(8) In the event any person/entity subject to Article 1(4) or (5) fails to acquire the permit pursuant thereto, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may order suspension of its voting right or sale of the applicable shares, and if the conditions attached under Paragraph (5) are not carried out, may order such performance within a specific time frame. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(9) A person seeking authorization under Paragraph (1) shall not do each of the following:

1. Unify communications networks;

2. Appoint officers;

3. Execute other activities such as transferring, consolidating, entering into contract concerning disposing of facilities; or

4. Take follow-up measures regarding establishment of a company prior to obtaining such authorization or approval.

(10) Where any person falling under Paragraph (1) is subject to the examination on public benefits, he/.she may present the documents required to be submitted for the examination on public benefits, when applying for authorization under Paragraph (1).

(11) Cases in which the impact on competition among key communications business operators is negligible under the proviso of Paragraph (2), and matters necessary for the procedure of omitting some part of examination shall be determined by the Enforcement Decree. <Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014>

Article 19 (Suspension, Closedown of Business or Dissolution of Juristic Persons, etc.)

(1) A key communications business operator shall, in case where he intends to suspend or discontinue the whole or part of a key communications business run by him, as specified by the Enforcement Decree of the Act notify the users at least 60 days prior to the date of termination and obtain approval of such suspension or discontinuation from the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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(2) In the event separate measures of protection is deemed to be necessary for the protection of users upon suspension or discontinuance of the relevant key communications business, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may order such measures (including assistance for membership change, bearing expenses, termination of membership) to be taken. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall, in case where an application for approval or authorization under Paragraph (1) is made, grant the relevant approval or authorization, except for each of the following subparagraphs. <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

1. Where there is a flaw in the documents required by the Enforcement Decree, including the details of the business intended to be suspended or discontinued and the drawing of business area;

2. Where the notice to users regarding suspension or discontinuance plan is considered inappropriate;

3. Where suspension or discontinuance is expected to inflict significant damage to users due to insufficient user protection measures and insufficient implementation of the said measures;

4. Where it is recognized that it is urgently needed to maintain a relevant key communications business to respond to a war or engagement or other similar national emergencies or to prevent or recover from a serious disaster.

Article 20 (Cancellation of License, etc.)

(1) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, in case where a key communications business operator falls under any one of the following subparagraphs, cancel the relevant license or give an order to suspend the whole or part of business with fixing a period of no more than one year, provided that the license shall be cancelled entirely or partially if Paragraph 1 is applicable: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

1. Where he has obtained a license by deceit and other illegal means;

 

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2. Where he has failed to implement the conditions under Articles 6 (6) and 18 (5);

3. Where he has failed to observe the orders under Article 12 (2);

4. Where he has failed to commence business within the period under Article 15 (1) (in case of obtaining an extension of the period under Article 15 (2), the extended period);

4-2. Where he has failed to continuously provide key communications services for the period exceeding the period as determined by the Enforcement Decree without obtaining approval under Article 19(1);

5. Where he has failed to comply with the standardized use contract, that is authorized or reported under Article 28 (1) and (2); and

6. Where he fails to comply with an order for correction under Article 52 (1) or Article 92 (1) without any justifiable reasons.

(2) Criteria and procedures for the dispositions under Paragraph (1) and other necessary matters shall be determined by the Enforcement Decree.

(3) In case the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning cancels all or part of a license or orders the suspension of all or part of a business under Paragraph (1), the Minister may order user protection measures under Article 19(2). <Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014>

SECTION 3 Specific Communications Business and Value-Added Communications Business

Article 21 (Registration of Specific Communications Business Operator)

(1) A person who intends to operate a specific communications service shall register the following matters with the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (including registration through information network) under the conditions as determined by the Enforcement Decree: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Financial and technical capability;

 

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2. Plans for a user protection; and

3. Business plans, etc. and other matters as determined by the Enforcement Decree.

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, upon receipt of the registration of a specific communications business under Paragraph (1), attach the conditions necessary for the promotion of fair competition, protection of users, improvement of service quality and efficient employment of resources for information and communication.

(3) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall accept the registration under Paragraph (1) unless the person falls under one of the following subparagraphs. <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

1. Where matters provided in each subparagraph of Paragraph (1) are not satisfied;

2. Where there is a flaw in the documents required by the Enforcement Decree including the articles of incorporation of a company and the standardized use contract;

3. Where the applicant for registration is not a corporation.

(4) A person subject to the registration of specific communications business under Paragraph (1) shall be limited to a juristic person.

(5) A person who registered his specific communications business under Paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as a “specific communications business operator”) shall commence operation within 1 year from the registration date.

(6) Procedures and requirements for the registration under Paragraph (1) and other necessary matters shall be determined by the Enforcement Decree.

 

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Article 22 (Report, etc. of Value-Added Communications Business Operator)

(1) A person who intends to run a value-added communications business shall report to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (including reports via information network), according to the requirements and procedures as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

(2) Notwithstanding Paragraph (1), a person who intends to run a value-added communications business shall register under the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (including reports via information network), by fulfilling below each item: <Newly inserted on May 19, 2011, Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

1. Plan for implementation of technical measures for performance of Article 22(3)1, Articles 42, 42-2, 42-3, and 45 of the Act on Promotion of Utilization of Information System and Protection of Information, and Article 104 of the Copyright Act (This subparagraph shall apply only to the person who falls under Article 2(13)A);

1-2. Plan for implementation of technical measures to prevent caller’s telephone number from being falsely displayed via alteration, etc. thereof (This subparagraph shall apply only to the person who falls under Article 2(13)B);

2. Personnel and physical facilities necessary for work performance;

3. Financial solvency; and

4. Other matters determined by the Enforcement Decree such as business plan.

(3) When the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning has received an application for registration of value-added communications business pursuant to Paragraph (2), the Minister may add conditions necessary for the performance of a plan pursuant to subparagraph 1 or 1-2 of the same Paragraph. <Newly Inserted on May 19, 2011, Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

(4) Notwithstanding Paragraph (1), if a person falls under any of the following subparagraphs, the person shall be deemed to have reported his/her value-added communications business. <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

 

  1. A person who intends to carry on small-scale value-added communications business, whose capital, etc. fall under the criteria set by the Enforcement Decree;

 

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2. A key communications business operator who intends to carry on a value-added communications business.

(5) A person who reported value-added communications business under Paragraph (1) and a person who registered value-added communications business under Paragraph (2) shall commence operation within 1 year from the reporting or registration date. <Amended on May 19, 2011, Oct. 15, 2014>

(6) A report pursuant to Paragraph (1), registration requirements and procedures pursuant to Paragraph (2) and other necessary matters shall be determined by the Enforcement Decree. <Newly Inserted on May 19, 2011, Oct. 15, 2014>

Article 22-2 (Reasons for Disqualification from Registration)

Any person or legal entity not exceeding three years from the date of registration cancelation pursuant to Article 27(2) or a person who was the majority shareholder of such corporation (investors determined by the Enforcement Decree) at the time of such cancelation may not make a registration pursuant to Article 22(2).

[This Article Newly Inserted on May 19, 2011]

Article 22-3 (Technical Measures, etc. of Value-Added Communications Business of a Special Type)

(1) A person who has registered a value-added communications business of a special type under Article 22(2) (hereinafter refer to “value-added communications business of a special type” in this article), and who falls under Article 2(13)A, shall take technical measures determined by the Enforcement Decree to prevent circulation of unlawful information under Article 44-7(1)1 of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, Etc.

 

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(2) No person shall intentionally or negligently incapacitate—via removal or alteration, or circumvention of—the technical measures of Paragraph (1) without reasonable authority, except for any of the following cases:

1. Where it is necessary for central administrative agencies or local governments to conduct work under laws and regulations;

2. Where it is necessary for an investigative agency, or a chief information protection officer, National Internet Development Agency, etc. under the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, Etc. to respond to the occurrence of information and communications network infringements including computer hacking.

(3) A person who carries on a value-added communications business of a special type (limited to the person who falls under Article 2(13)A) shall ensure that the status of operation and management of the technical measures of Paragraph (1) is automatically recorded in a system, and shall keep the record for the period determined by the Enforcement Decree.

(4) The Korea Communications Commission may order its officials to examine the status of operation and management of the technical measures of Paragraph (1), or order a person carrying on a value-added communications business of a special type to submit necessary documents including the record of Paragraph (3). In this case, Article 51 shall apply mutatis mutandis to the examination procedure and method.

[This Article Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014]

Article 23 (Modification of Registered or Reported Matters)

Specific communications business operator a person who has made a report of a value-added communications business operator under Article 22(1) or has registered value-added communications business under Paragraph (2) of the same Act shall, when he intends to modify the matters as determined by the Enforcement Decree from among the relevant registered or reported matters, make in advance a modified registration or modified report (including modified registration or modified report through information network) to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning under the conditions as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree. <Amended on May 19, 2011, Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

 

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Article 24 (Transfer or Takeover, etc. of Business)

In case where there exists a transfer or takeover of the whole or part of a specific communications business or a value-added communications business, or a merger or succession of a juristic person which is a specific communications business operator or a value-added communications business operator (a person who has reported value-added communications services pursuant to Article 22(1), has registered value-added communications services pursuant to Paragraph (2) of the same Act, or is deemed to have made such reporting under Paragraph (4) of the same Article, hereinafter refer to the same), each of the following persons shall make the report thereon (including reports through information network) to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, according to the requirements and procedures as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree. Provided, however, the foregoing shall not apply to such person who is regarded as having reported a value-added communications business under Article 22(4) due to the transfer or takeover of the whole or part of a value-added communications business or due to the merger or succession of a juristic person who is a value-added communications business operator. <Amended on May, 19, 2011, Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014, Oct. 15, 2014>

1. A person who has taken over the relevant business,

2. The juristic person surviving the merger, the juristic person founded by the merger, or

3. The successor to the business in question

Article 25 (Succession of Business)

In case where there have existed a transfer or takeover of a specific communications business or a value-added communications business, a merger of a juristic person which is a specific communications business or a value-added communications business operator, or a succession of a value-added communications business, under Article 24, each of the following persons shall succeed to the status of a former specific communications business operator or a value-added communications business operator.

1. A person who has taken over the business;

2. A juristic person surviving a merger, or a juristic person founded by a merger; or

3. A successor of the relevant business.

 

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Article 26 (Suspension or Closedown, etc. of Business)

(1) A specific communications business operator or a value-added communications business operator shall, in case where he intends to suspend or close down the whole or part of his business, in a manner determined in the Enforcement Decree of the Act, notify the relevant contents to the users of relevant services, and report thereon to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (including reports through information network) not later than thirty days prior to the slated date of the relevant suspension or closedown In this case, the business shall not be maintained for more than 1 year. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) Where a juristic person which is a specific communications business operator or a value-added communications business operator is dissolved for reasons other than a merger, a relevant liquidator (referred to a trustee in a bankruptcy, when it is dissolved by bankruptcy) shall report thereon without delay to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (including reports through information network). < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

Article 27 (Cancellation of Registration and Order for Closedown of Business)

(1) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, when a specific communications business operator falls under any of the following subparagraphs, cancel his registration wholly or partially, or suspend his business wholly or partially by specifying the period of not more than one year: Provided, That when he falls under the subparagraph 1, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall cancel his registration: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Where he makes a registration by deceit and other illegal means;

2. Where he fails to implement the conditions under Article 21 (2);

3. Where he fails to commence business within one year from the date on which a registration was made under Article 21 (4), or in violation of the latter part of Article 26(1) continually suspends business operation for not less than one year;

4. Where he fails to comply with an order under Article 52 (1) or an order for correction Article 92 (1) without any justifiable reasons;

 

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(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, when a value added communications business operator falls under any of the following subparagraphs, issue an order to him for a closedown of the whole or part of business (in case of a special type of value-added telecommunications business operator, the cancelation of the whole or part of the registration) or for a suspension of the whole or part of business by specifying a period of not more than one year: Provided, That where he falls under any one of the following subparagraphs, the said Minister shall issue an order to him for a closedown of whole or part of business <Amended on May 19, 2011, Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>:

1. Where he makes a report or registration by deceit and other illegal means;

2. Where he fails to perform conditions under Article 22(3);

3. Where he fails to commence the business within one year from the reporting or registration date under Article 22(5), or in violation of the latter part of Article 26(1) suspend the business operation for not less than one year;

3-2. Where there is a request from the Korea Communications Commission because the business operator failed to take technical measures under Article 22(3)1.

4. Where he fails to comply with an order under Article 52 (1) or a correction order under Article 92 (1) without any justifiable reasons;

5. Where he fails to comply with an order under Article 64(4) of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc. without any justifiable reasons; and

6. Where a person who had been punished by a fine for negligence more than three times pursuant to Article 142(1) and Article 142(2)3 became subject to the disposition of fine for negligence again and where the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism requests after the deliberation of the Korea Copyright Commission pursuant to Article 112 of the same Act.

(3) Criteria and procedures for dispositions taken under Paragraph (1) or (2) and other necessary matters shall be determined by the Ordinance of the Ministry of Information and Communication.

 

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CHAPTER III TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE

Article 28 (Report, etc. of Standardized Use Contract)

(1) A key communications business operator shall set forth the fees and other terms for use by service with respect to the telecommunications service which he intends to provide (hereinafter referred to as the “standardized use contract”), and report thereon (including a modified report) to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) Notwithstanding Paragraph (1), in a case of a key communications service whose size of business and market share correspond to the standards as determined by the Enforcement Decree, it shall obtain an authorization of the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (including a modified authorization), provided that, any decrease in the service-specific charges included the approved standard terms and conditions of usage shall be reported to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) In regard to the main body of Paragraph (2), the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall authorize the standardized use contract, if it falls under the criteria of every following subparagraph: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Fees for telecommunications service shall be reasonably calculated considering but not limited to costs of supply, profits, classification of costs/ profits by labor, cost savings achieved by methods of provision of labor, and effects on fair competitive environments;

2. Matters concerning the responsibility of key communications business operators and relevant users, cost-sharing methods concerning the installation work of telecommunications facilities and other works shall not be unreasonably disadvantageous to users.

3. Forms of use of telecommunication line facilities by other telecommunications business operators or users shall not be unduly restricted;

4. Undue discriminatory treatments shall not be made to specific persons; and

 

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5. Matters on securing the important communications under Article 85 shall take into consideration matters such as achieving efficient performance of State’s function.

(4) A person intending to acquire the approval under Paragraph (!) and (2) or file a report with respect to the telecommunications services shall submit the supporting data for calculation of fee (including subscription fee, basic fee, usage fee, value-added service fee, and actual expense). In case of business change, a table comparing the old (before change) and new (after change) supporting data should be submitted to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning for comparison. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(5) Details necessary and not otherwise specified in Paragraphs (1) through (4) in regard to the scope of and procedures of reporting and authorization shall be specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act.

Article 29 (Reduction or Exemption of Fees)

A key communications business operator may reduce or exempt the fees for telecommunications service under the conditions prescribed by the Enforcement Decree, such as national security guarantee, disaster relief, social welfare and public interest.

Article 30 (Restriction on Use by Others)

No person shall intermediate other’s communications or provide for other’s communications by making use of telecommunications services provided by a telecommunications business operator: Provided, that the same shall not apply to the case falling under any of the following subparagraphs:

1. Where it is needed to ensure the prevention and rescue from disaster, traffic and communication, and the supply of electricity, and to maintain order in a national emergency situation;

2. Where telecommunications services are incidentally rendered to clients while running a business other than the telecommunications business;

3. Where it is allowed to use on a trial basis for the purpose of developing and marketing telecommunications facilities, such as terminal devices, etc. which enable to use the telecommunications services;

 

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4. Where any user permits any third party to use to the extent that the latter does not use repeatedly; and

5. Where it is necessary for the public interests or where the business run by any telecommunications business operator is not impeded, which is prescribed by the Enforcement Decree.

Article 31 (Use of Transmission or Line Equipment, etc.)

(1) The composite cable TV business operator, transmission network business operator, or relay cable broadcasting business operator under the Broadcasting Act may provide the transmission or line equipment or the cable broadcasting equipment possessed under the methods prescribed by the Enforcement Decree to the key communications business operators.

(2) The composite cable TV business operator, transmission network business operator, or relay cable broadcasting business operator under the Broadcasting Act shall, when he intends to provide value-added communications services by making use of the transmission or line equipments or cable broadcasting equipment, make a report thereon to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning pursuant to Article 22. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) The provisions of Articles 33-5 through 35 and 37 shall be applicable mutatis mutandis to the transmission or line equipment or cable broadcasting facilities under Paragraph (1).

(4) The provisions of Article 28 (2) through (7) of the Framework Act on Telecommunications shall be applicable mutatis mutandis to the offer of services under Paragraph (2).

Article 32 (Protection of Users)

(1) A telecommunications business operator shall make efforts to prevent users from damage and immediately address users’ reasonable opinions or dissatisfactions, with respect to the telecommunications service. In this case, if it is difficult to take a prompt measure, he shall notify the users of the reasons thereof and the schedule for measures. <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

 

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(2) The Korea Communications Commission may disclose the results after evaluating the user protection measures of Paragraph (1). In this case, the Korea Communications Commission may order the relevant telecommunications business operator to submit necessary documents for the evaluation. <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

(3) In case the telecommunications business operator who is determined by the Enforcement Decree in consideration of the type of telecommunication service, business size, user protection measures, etc., enters into a contract with users concerning the use of telecommunication services (including amended contract), the operator shall send the copy of the contract to users via in writing or via information and communications network as determined by the Enforcement Decree. <Newly Inserted Oct. 15, 2014>

(4) A telecommunications business operator providing key communications services shall subscribe a guarantee insurance with the person designated by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning as beneficiary in an amount determined in accordance with the criteria specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act and not exceeding the aggregate prepaid phone service charges to be received prior to providing prepaid phone services to be able to compensate losses to users arising from not being able to provide services after receiving service charges in advance, provided that the foregoing requirement may be waived in the case specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act where such telecommunications business operator’s financial capacity and services charges are taken in consideration. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

(5) The person designated as beneficiary under Paragraph (4) shall distribute insurance proceeds received under the guarantee insurance under Paragraph (4) to users who have not received services after paying service charges in advance. <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

(6) Matters necessary in regard to the target, criteria and procedure of evaluation of user protection measures, the utilization of evaluation results, the procedure of sending the copy of a contract, and the subscription, renewal and distribution of insurance proceeds under Paragraph (2) and (5) shall be specified in the Enforcement Decree. <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

 

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Article 32-2 (Notification of Excess of Maximum Fee Limit)

(1) Any operator of telecommunication business who uses frequencies allocated in accordance with the Radio Waves Act shall give notice to users in such cases where falling under any of the following subparagraphs:

1. Where the maximum fee limit by telecommunication services which the user initially agreed to is exceeded; and

2. Where any fee incurred by international telecommunication services including international call is imposed.

(2) Matters necessary for object and means of notification under Paragraph (1) shall be determined and publicly announced by the Minister of ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[This Article Newly Inserted on Jan. 17, 2012]

Article 32-3 (Limitation on Provision of Telecommunication Services)

(1) To protect users from illegal acts using telecommunication services including illegal ad for credit business, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may order a telecommunications business operator to suspend the provision of telecommunication service for relevant telecommunication number that has been used for an illegal act, in case a relevant administrative agency’s head requests so under the Act on Registration of Credit Business, etc. and Protection of Finance Users.

(2) The telecommunications business operator who receives the order from the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning under Paragraph (1) shall obey it, and in this case, the business operator shall notify its telecommunication services users of the administrative agency requesting the suspension of service, the causes of request, and the procedure of raising objection, before suspending the provision of telecommunication service.

(3) Matters necessary for method, etc. of notifying the procedure of raising objection under Paragraph (2) shall be determined by the Enforcement Decree.

[This Article Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014]

 

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Article 32-4 (Prevention, etc. of Misuse of Mobile Communications Terminal)

(1) No person shall conduct an act that falls under any of the following subparagraphs.

1. An act of using telecommunication service provided to a mobile communications terminal or using a mobile communications terminal to collect the relevant funds, after opening a mobile communications terminal (i.e., a terminal required to use a key communications service that uses the frequencies allocated under the Radio Waves Act; hereinafter, the same shall apply.) by entering into a contract concerning provision of telecommunication service in another’s name on condition that he will provide or finance funds;

2. An act of soliciting, arranging or mediating, or advertising a contract concerning the provision of telecommunication service required for the use of a mobile communications terminal on condition of providing or financing funds.

(2) If a telecommunications business operator determined by the Enforcement Decree in consideration of type of telecommunication service, business size, user protection, etc. enters into a contract concerning provision of telecommunication services (including entering to a contract via agency or entrusted agency which represents the telecommunications business operator or is entrusted with providing telecommunication services), the telecommunication business operator shall confirm the identity of the counterparty by using the system for prevention of unlawful subscription, etc. under Article 32-5(1) with the consent of the counterparty. If the counterparty is not the person himself or rejects such confirmation procedure, the telecommunication business operator may reject the conclusion of contract. The same shall apply where a user is changed due to assignment of the provision of telecommunication services, succession of user status, etc., to the new user of telecommunication services.

(3) When a telecommunications business operator checks the identity of a counterparty under Paragraph (2), the telecommunications business operator may request the counterparty to present certificates and documents including resident ID card, driver’s license, etc. that may confirm the identity.

(4) Details of the method of confirming the identity under Paragraph (2), and the type of certificates and documents used for the identity check under Paragraph (3) shall be determined by the Enforcement Decree.

[This Article Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014]

 

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Article 32-5 (Establishment of System for Prevention of Unlawful Subscription)

(1) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall establish a system required to confirm the identity of a subscriber to prevent telecommunication service contracts from being entered into by unlawful means (“system for prevention of unlawful subscription”) and shall enable telecommunications business operators under Article 32-4 (2) to use the system.

(2) To establish and operate the system for prevention of unlawful subscription, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, based on the common use of administrative information under Article 36(1) of the Electronic Government Act, request the head of a government agency or a public organization that holds the following information necessary for the identity check of a subscriber (including agent by law) to verify the authenticity of certificates, etc. submitted under Article 32-4(3). In this case, the requested head of the government agency or public organization shall accept the request unless there is no reasonable cause to reject.

1. Information about an individual’s resident registration and family members;

2. Information about a corporation’s registration and business registration;

3. Information about foreigners’ or Korean nationals’ registration/address report and entry/departure;

4. Other information about certificates and documents submitted under Article 32-4(3).

(3) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, as determined by the Enforcement Decree, entrust the task of establishment and operation of the system for prevention of unlawful subscription to the Korea Association for ICT Promotion (“Korea Association for ICT Promotion”) under Article 15 of the Framework Act on Broadcasting Communications Development.

[This Article Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014]

Article 32-6 (Provision, etc. of Identity Theft Prevention Service)

(1) A telecommunications business operator that provides key communications services shall provide a user with the service that informs the user of the fact that a telecommunication service use contract has been concluded in the name of, and with the consent of, the user (“identity theft prevention service”).

 

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(2) To support the provision of identity theft prevention service, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may designate the Korea Association for ICT Promotion as an organization in charge.

(3) Matters necessary for the contents, procedure, etc. of the identity theft prevention service shall be determined and announced by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.

[This Article Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014]

Article 32-7 (Blocking of Media Product, etc. Harmful to Juveniles)

(1) If a telecommunications business operator using the frequencies allocated under the Radio Waves Act enters into a telecommunication service use contract with a juvenile as defined in the Juvenile Protection Act, the telecommunications business operator shall provide the means to block the media product harmful to juveniles under Article 2(3) of the Juvenile Protection Act and to block information with an obscene content under Article 44-7(1)1 of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, Etc.

(2) The Korea Communications Commission may inspect the status of provision of the said means under Paragraph (1).

(3) Matters necessary for the method and procedure of providing the means to block the harmful media product, etc. under Paragraph (1) shall be determined by the Enforcement Decree.

[This Article Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014]

Article 33 (Compensation for Damages)

A telecommunications business operator shall make compensations when he inflicts any damages on the users with regard to the provision of telecommunications services or the occurrence of a cause leading to users’ comments or complaints under Article32(1) and the delay in addressing them. Provided, however, if such damages are the results of force majeure, or of intent or negligence of the users, the relevant liability for compensations shall be reduced or exempted. <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

 

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CHAPTER IV PROMOTION OF COMPETITION AMONG THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS

Article 34 (Promotion of Competition)

(1) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall exert efforts to construct an efficient competition system and to promote fair competitive environments, in the telecommunications services < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall conduct annual evaluation of competition system with respect to key communications business in order to construct an efficient competition system and to promote fair competition in the telecommunication services industry pursuant to Paragraph 1 above. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) The specific evaluation standards, procedure and method for evaluating competition system under Paragraph 2 above shall be prescribed by the Enforcement Decree.

Article 35 (Provision of Facilities, etc.)

(1) A key communications business operator or an institution constructing, operating and managing road, railroad, subway, water supply/sewage, electric poles, cables, telecommunications line facilities (“facility management institution”) may, upon receipt of a request for the provision of conduit line, common duct, electric poles, cables, operation sites and other facilities (including telecommunication facilities, hereinafter the same) or facilities (“facilities, etc.” from other key communications business operator, provide the facilities, etc. by concluding an agreement with him.

(2) A key communications business operator falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall, upon receipt of a request under Paragraph (1), provide the telecommunications facilities by concluding an agreement, notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1), provided that the foregoing is not applicable in case there is a usage plan, etc. of the facility management institution:

1. A key communications business operator who possesses the equipments which are indispensable for other telecommunications business operators in providing the telecommunications services; and

 

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2. Each of the following facility management institutions owning conduit line, common duct, electric pole, cable and other facilities, etc.

 

  A. The Korea Expressway Corporation organized under the Korea Highway Corporation Act;

 

  B. The Korea Water Resources Corporation organized under the Korea Water Resources Corporation Act;

 

  C. The Korea Electric Power Corporation organized under the Korea Electric Power Corporation Act;

 

  D. The Korea Rail Network Authority organized under the Korea Rail Network Authority Act;

 

  E. Local public enterprises under Local Public Enterprise Act;

 

  F. Municipalities under Local Autonomy Act;

 

  G. The Regional Construction Management Administration under the Road Act.

3. A key communications business operator whose business scale and market shares, etc. of key communications services are equivalent to the criteria as determined by the Enforcement Decree.

(3) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall set forth and publicly notify the scope of facilities, etc., the conditions, procedures and methods for the provision of facilities, and the standards for calculation of prices under Paragraphs (1) and (2). In this case, the scope of facilities, etc. to be provided under Paragraph (2) shall be determined in view of the demand for facilities, etc. by the key communications business operators falling under each subparagraph of the same Paragraph. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) A key communications business operator in receipt of provisions of the telecommunications facilities may install the apparatus enhancing the efficiency of the relevant facilities, within the limit necessary for the provision of the licensed telecommunications services.

 

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(5) For efficient use and management of facilities, etc., the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may conduct a site inspection of the status of provision and use of facilities, etc. In this case, Article 51 (3) through (6) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the procedure and method of site inspection. <Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014>

(6) For efficient use and management of facilities, etc., the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may request data on facilities, etc., from telecommunications business operators and facility management institutions in a manner specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act. In this case, the pertinent telecommunications business operator or facility management institution shall honor such demand unless there are reasonable grounds for not doing so. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

(7) For provision of facilities, etc. under Paragraphs (1) and (2), the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may appoint an expert institution. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

(8) Details necessary for appointment and operation guidelines for expert institutions under Paragraph (7) shall be determined and announced by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

Article 36 (Joint Utilization of Subscriber’s Lines)

(1) A key communications business operator shall, in case where other telecommunications business operators as determined and publicly noticed by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning have made a request for a joint utilization with respect to the lines installed in the section from the exchange facilities directly connected with the users to the users (hereafter in this Article, referred to as the “subscriber’s lines”), allow it. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall set forth and publicly notify the scope of joint utilization of the subscriber’s lines under Paragraph (1), its conditions, procedures and methods, and the standards for calculation of prices. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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Article 37 (Joint Utilization of Radio Communications Facilities)

(1) A key communications business operator may, upon receipt of a request for the joint utilization of radio communications facilities (hereinafter referred to as the “joint utilization”) from other key communications business operators, allow it by concluding an agreement. In this case, the prices for the joint utilization among the key communications business operators as set forth and publicly notified by Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall be computed and settled accounts by a fair and reasonable means. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) The key communications business operators as determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall, upon receipt of a request for the joint utilization from other key communications business operators as determined and publicly notified by the Korea Communications Commission, allow it by concluding an agreement, notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1), in order to enhance the efficiency of the telecommunications business and to protect the users. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall set forth and publicly notify the standard for computing the prices for joint utilization under the latter part of Paragraph (1) and its procedures and payment methods, etc., and the scope of joint utilization under Paragraph (2), its conditions, procedures and methods, and the computation of prices, etc. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

Article 38 (Wholesale Provision of Telecommunication Services)

(1) Upon request from other telecommunication business operator, a key communications business operator may enter into an agreement to allow such telecommunication business operator to resell the telecommunication services it provides to users (“resale”) by providing such services to such other telecommunication business operator or permitting part or all of the telecommunication facilities necessary for such provision of telecommunication services (“wholesale provision”).

(2) To encourage competition in the telecommunication industry, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, upon request from a telecommunication business operator, designate and announce telecommunication s services (“designated wholesale services”) of a key communications business provider which would need to enter into an agreement for wholesale provision (“designated wholesale provider”). In this case, designated wholesale services of the designated wholesale provider shall be selected from telecommunication services of key communications business providers satisfying the criteria specified in the Enforcement Decree of the Act which would take into consideration business size and market share. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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(3) After evaluating the competition status of the communications market each year, if the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning determines that the competition in the telecommunications industry has increased to the degree where the sufficient wholesale of telecommunications services have been provided or the set criteria are not met, it may withdraw its designation of designated wholesale services of the designated wholesale provider. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall determine and announce the terms and conditions of the wholesale provision when the designated wholesale provider enters into an agreement about the designated wholesale services. In this case, the consideration shall be calculated on the basis of subtracting avoidable costs (costs that the key communications business operator can avoid when not providing services directly to users) from retail prices of the designated wholesale services. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(5) Upon request for wholesale provision from other telecommunications business operator, a key communications business operator shall enter into an agreement within 90 days unless there are special reasons and shall report such agreement to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning in a manner specified in the Enforcement Decree of the Act within 30 days from the execution of such agreement. The same applies in the case of a change or abolition of the agreement. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(6) An agreement under Paragraph (5) shall satisfy the criteria announced by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning under Paragraph (4). < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Paragraph (2) through (4) shall be effective until September 22, 2013 under the Article 2 of the Addenda to the Act No. 10166 (2010.3.22)]

Article 39 (Interconnection)

(1) A telecommunications business operator may allow the interconnection by concluding an agreement, upon a request from other telecommunications business operators for an interconnection of telecommunications facilities.

 

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(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall set forth and publicly notify the scope of interconnections of telecommunications facilities, the conditions, procedures and methods, and the standards for calculation of prices under Paragraph (1). < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraphs (1) and (2), the key communication business operators falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall allow the interconnection by concluding an agreement, upon receipt of a request under Paragraph (1):

1. A key communications business operator who possesses such facilities as are indispensable for a provision of telecommunications services by other telecommunications business operators; and

2. A key communications business operator whose business size of key communications services and the ratio of market shares are compatible with the standards as determined by the Enforcement Decree.

Article 40 (Prices of Interconnection)

(1) Prices for using the interconnection shall be calculated by a fair and proper means and deducted from each other’s accounts. The detailed standards for such calculation, their procedures and methods shall be governed by the standards of Article 39 (2).

(2) A key communications business operator may deduct the prices for interconnection from each other’s accounts under the conditions as prescribed by the standards under Article 39 (2), if he suffers any disadvantages due to the causes of no liability on his part, in the method of interconnection, the quality of connected conversations, or the provision of information required for interconnection, etc.

Article 41 (Joint Use, etc. of Telecommunications Facilities)

(1) A key communications business operator may allow an access to or a joint use of the telecommunications equipment or facilities by concluding an agreement, upon receipt of a request from other telecommunications business operators for an access to or a joint use of the telecommunications equipment or facilities such as pipes, cables, poles, or stations of the relevant key communications business operator, for the establishment or operation of facilities required for interconnection of telecommunications facilities.

 

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(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall set forth, and make a public notice of, the scope, conditions, procedures and methods for an access to or a joint use of telecommunications equipment or facilities, and the standards for computation of prices under Paragraph (1). < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1), a key communications business operator falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall allow an access to or a joint use of the telecommunications equipment or facilities under Paragraph (1) by concluding an agreement, upon a receipt of request under Paragraph (1):

1. A key communications business operator who possesses such facilities as are indispensable for a provision of telecommunications services by other telecommunications business operators; and

2. A key communications business operator whose business size of key communications services and the ratio of market shares are compatible with the standards as determined by the Enforcement Decree.

Article 42 (Provision of Information)

(1) A key communications business operator may provide requested information by concluding an agreement, upon a receipt of request from other telecommunications business operators for a provision of information related to technological information or the user’s personal matters which are required for a provision of telecommunications facilities, interconnection, or joint use, etc. and imposition and collection of fees and a guide to the telecommunications number.

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall set forth, and make a public notice of, the scope, conditions, procedures and methods for a provision of information, and the standards for computation of prices under Paragraph (1). < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1), a key communications business operator falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall provide the requested information by concluding an agreement, upon a receipt of request under Paragraph (1):

1. A key communications business operator who possesses such facilities as are indispensable for a provision of telecommunications services by other telecommunications business operators; and

2. A key communications business operator whose business size of key communications services and the ratio of market shares are compatible with the standards as determined by the Enforcement Decree.

(4) A key communications business operator under Paragraph (3) shall set forth the technical standards required for a use by other telecommunications business operators or users by means of a connection of a monitor and other telecommunications equipment on the relevant telecommunications facilities, the standards for use and provision, and other standards required for a creation of fair competitive environments, and make a public notice thereof by obtaining approval from the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(5) A key communications business operator providing telecommunication services by utilizing the frequencies allotted under the Radio Waves Act shall, to the extent necessary for manufacture, import, distribution or sales of the telecommunications termination equipment (refers to the termination equipment which allows use of telecommunication services by utilizing the frequencies allotted under the Radio Waves Act) purchased by the users without going through the relevant key communications business operator, provide information regarding telecommunications services standards upon request of manufacturer, importer or distributor. < Newly Inserted on Aug. 13, 2013>

(6) Necessary matters for scope and method of the provision of information under Paragraph (5) shall be stipulated by the Enforcement Decree. < Newly Inserted on Aug. 13, 2013>

Article 43 (Prohibition of Information Diversion)

(1) A telecommunications business operator shall not divulge any information concerning an individual user which has been obtained due to a provision of his own service, a provision of facilities, etc., wholesale provision, an interconnection or joint use, etc. Provided, That the same shall not apply, when there exists the consent of the principal or the case under a lawful procedure pursuant to the provisions of the Acts.

(2) A telecommunications business operator shall use the technological information or personal data of users obtained under Article 42(1) and (3) within the context of purposes thereof, and may not use it unjustly, or provide it to the third parties.

 

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Article 44 (Report, etc. of Agreement on Interconnection, etc.)

(1) A key communications business operator and facility management institution shall conclude an agreement under Article 35 (1) and (2), the earlier part of 37 (1), 39 (1), 41 (3) or 42 (1) within ninety days unless there exist any special reasons and report it to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning in a manner specified in the Enforcement Decree of the Act within 30 days from the execution of such agreement, upon receipt of a request from other telecommunications business operators for a provision, a joint utilization, an interconnection or a joint use, etc. of telecommunications facilities, or a provision of information. The same applies in the case of a change or abolition of the agreement. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) Notwithstanding the provision of Paragraph (1), in case of an agreement in which a key communications business operator under the latter part of Article 37 (1) and (2), Articles 39 (3), 41 (3), and 42 (3) is a party concerned, shall enter into an agreement within 90 days upon receipt of the request, unless there is a special reason, and the key communications business operator receiving the request shall apply for authorization to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning in a manner specified in the Enforcement Decree of the Act within 30 days from the execution of the Agreement and reveal the contents of the agreement within 30 days from the authorization date. The same applies in the case of a change or abolition of the agreement < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) Notwithstanding Paragraph (2), in case a supplementary agreement is entered into, based on an authorized agreement, to add new services, it shall be reported to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning as determined by the Enforcement Decree within 30 days of the execution date, and the contents of the supplementary agreement shall be disclosed within 30 days of the reporting date. The foregoing shall apply to the amendment or abolishment of the supplementary agreement. <Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014>

(4) The agreement under Paragraphs (1) through (3) shall meet the standards which are publicly notified by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning under Articles 35 (3), 37 (3), 39 (2), 41 (2)or 42 (2). < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

 

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(5) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, if any application for authorization, or any report, referred to in Paragraph (2) or Paragraph (3) needs supplemented, order such application for authorization or report supplemented for a fixed period. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

(6) The agreement under Articles 41 (1) and 42 (1) may be concluded by an inclusion in the agreement under Article 39 (1). <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

(7) Notwithstanding Paragraphs (1) through (3), in case the agreement is modified for the matter of minor importance as determined and announced by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, including modification without a change in the price for uses, such modification shall not be subject to obtaining authorization or making a report. In this case, the modified contents of the agreement shall be disclosed within 30 day of the date of modification. <Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014>

Article 45 (Ruling of the Korea Communications Commission)

(1) A telecommunications business operator or user may request to the Korea Communications Commission for an arbitration if they fail to agree on are not able to agree on any of the following:

1. Indemnification under Article 33;

2. Execution of an agreement within a 90-day period regarding provision of facilities, etc. interconnection, joint use or provision of information, etc.;

3. Performance or indemnification under an agreement regarding provision of facilities, etc. interconnection, joint use or provision of information, etc.;

4. Other disputes concerning telecommunications business or matters specified as subject to the Korea Communications Commission’s ruling under other bodies of law.

(2) Upon receipt of the request under Paragraph (1), the Korea Communications commission shall notify the parties of that fact and set a timeline for providing them with a chance to make their cases, provided that the foregoing is not applicable if a relevant party does not submit to the procedures without any justifiable reason.

 

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(3) The Korea Communications Commission shall make a ruling within 90 days from the request for arbitration provided that such period may be extended by one additional 90-days upon the resolution of the Korea Communications Commission if it is not possible to make a ruling within the original 90-day period for any unavoidable reason.

(4) If any part to the arbitration files a suit during the arbitration proceeding, the Korea Communications Commission the Korea Communications Commission shall suspend the arbitration proceeding and notify the other party of that fact. The same applies if it is found out that a lawsuit was filed prior to the receipt of request for arbitration.

(5) When it has made a ruling for the request made under Paragraph (1), the Korea Communications Commission shall provide such written ruling to the parties without delay.

(6) Within 60 days from the date on which the originals of written ruling of the Korea Communications Commission were sent to the parties, if no lawsuit regarding the dispute between the parties to the arbitration has been filed or such lawsuit has been withdrawn or the parties clearly indicate their acceptance of the ruling to the Korea Communications Commission, an agreement equivalent to the contents of the ruling shall be deemed to have been made.

Article 46 (Solicitation for Outside Arbitration)

If the Korea Communications Commission, upon receiving request for arbitration under Article 45(1), deems that it is inappropriate to conduct arbitration or is necessary for other reasons, it may form a separate commission for each dispute and solicit for outside arbitration.

Article 47 (Demand for Attendance, Hearing, etc.)

(1) When necessary for proceeding with the arbitration case, the Korea Communications Commission may on its own motion or upon request from a party take any of the following actions: < Amended on Aug. 13, 2013>

1. Demand for attendance of a party or witness and hold a hearing;

 

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2. Demand for appraisal to an appraiser;

3. Demand for submission of documents or objects relevant for the dispute and provisional seizure of the documents or objects so submitted.

(2) Necessary details for proceedings of ruling and referral by the Korea Communications Commission other than matters stipulated by Paragraph (1), Article 45 and 46 shall be set forth and publicly notified by the Korea Communications Commission. < Newly Inserted on Aug. 13, 2013>

Article 48 (Management Plan for Telecommunications Number Resources)

(1) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall formulate and enforce the management plan for telecommunications number resources, which includes matters about telecommunications number system and the allocation, collection, integration, etc. of telecommunications numbers, in order to make an efficient provision of telecommunications service, promote user’s convenience, create the environments of fair competition among telecommunications business operators, and efficiently use telecommunications number resources, a limited resource of the country. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall, when he has formulated the plans under Paragraph (1), make a public notice thereof. This shall also apply to any alterations in the established plan. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) A telecommunications business operator shall observe the matters publicly noticed under Paragraph (2).

[Heading Amended on Oct. 15, 2014]

Article 49 (Accounting Adjustment)

(1) A key communications business operator shall adjust the accounting, prepare a business report for the preceding year by the end of within 3 months after the end of each fiscal year, and submit it to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, under the conditions as determined by the Enforcement Decree, and keep the related books and authoritative documents. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall, when it intends to determine the matters of accounting adjustments under Paragraph (1), go in advance through a consultation with the Minister of Strategy and Finance. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may verify contents of any business report submitted by any key communications business operator in accordance with Paragraph (1). < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, if it is necessary to conduct the verification referred to in Paragraph (3), order the relevant key communications business operator to submit related material or launch inspection necessary to ascertain the facts. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(5) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall, when it intends to launch inspection in accordance with Paragraph (4), notify the relevant key communications business operator of the plans of such inspection including inspection period, reasons, and contents of the inspection within seven (7) days prior to the scheduled date of inspection. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(6) A person verifying the contents pursuant to Paragraph (4) shall present the proof of the authorization therefor and give documents indicating his name, stay period and purpose of entrance to related party at the time of his first entrance.

Article 50 (Prohibited Act)

(1) A telecommunications business operator shall not commit any of the following acts (hereinafter referred to as “prohibited act”) which undermines or is feared to undermine fair competition or users’ interests, or have other telecommunications business operators or the third parties commit such act:

1. Act of imposing unfair or unreasonable condition or restriction in a provision, a joint utilization, a joint using, an interconnection, a joint use or a wholesale provision of facilities, etc. or a provision of information, etc.;

 

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2. Act of unfairly refusing a conclusion of agreement, or act of non-performance of the concluded agreement without any justifiable reasons in a provision, a joint utilization, a joint using, an interconnection, a joint use or a wholesale provision of facilities, etc. or a provision of information, etc.;

3. Act of unfairly diverting the information of other telecommunications business operators to his own business activities, which have been known to him in the course of a provision, a joint utilization, a joint using, an interconnection, a joint use or a wholesale provision of facilities, etc., or a provision of information, etc.;

4. Act of computing the fees, etc. for a use of telecommunications services, or the prices for a provision, a joint utilization, a joint using, an interconnection, a joint use or a wholesale provision of facilities, etc. or a provision of information, by unfairly itemizing the expenses or revenues;

5. Act of rendering the telecommunications services in a manner different from the standardized use contract (the standardized use contract refers to only those of which was reported or approved as pursuant to the Article 28 (1) and (2)) or act of rendering the telecommunications services in a manner which significantly undermines the profits of users;

6. Act of setting and maintaining the compensation for a provision, a joint utilization, a joint using, an interconnection, a joint use or a wholesale provision of facilities, etc. or a provision of information, unreasonably high compared to its supply costs

7. Act of refusing or restricting fair allocation of income in a transaction where telecommunications services using the radio waves assigned under the Radios Wave Act are to be used to provide digital contents

(2) When any person acting on behalf of any telecommunications business operator under a contract therewith in executing contracts between such telecommunications business operator and its users (including making any amendment to such contracts) commits any act falling under Paragraph (1)5, his act shall be deemed the act committed by such telecommunications business operator and only the provisions of Articles 52 and 53 shall apply to such act: Provided, That the same shall not apply to a case where the relevant telecommunications business operator has paid reasonable attention to the prevention of such act.

(3) Necessary matters concerning categories of and standards for the prohibited act referred to in Paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by the Enforcement Decree.

 

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Article 51 (Investigation of Fact)

(1) In the event the Korea Communications Commission believes that activities in violation of Article 50(1) have been committed, it may order the relevant public official belonging to the Korea Communications Commission to conduct investigation thereof.

(2) The Korea Communications Commission may order public officials belonging to the Korea Communications Commission to enter into the offices or workplaces of the telecommunications business operators or the workplaces of the persons entrusted with handling of the business of telecommunications business operators (limited, throughout this Article, to telecommunications business operators entrusted with work related to Article 50) and inspect books, documents and other data and objects.

(3) In the event any investigation is to be conducted pursuant to Paragraph (1), the Korea Communications Commission shall notify the relevant telecommunications business operator at least seven (7) days prior to the expected date of investigation with information on the duration, purpose and content of the investigation. Provided, this provision may not apply in the event of emergency or if there is risk that the evidence will be destroyed.

(4) A person who investigates by visiting the offices or workplaces of the telecommunications business operators, or the workplaces of the persons handling, under an entrustment, the business of telecommunications business operators, under Paragraph (2) shall carry a certificate indicating the authority, and present it to the persons concerned. He also should be accompanied by the person of the corresponding offices or workplaces.

(5) A public official who investigates pursuant to Paragraph (2) may order telecommunications business operators or persons entrusted with handling of the business of telecommunications business operators to submit any necessary information or object. In the event there is a possibility of abandonment, concealment, or replacement of the information or object so submitted, the public official may temporarily take them into custody.

 

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(6) The Korea Communications Commission shall immediately return the information or object under its custody if it falls under any one of the following:

1. It is deemed, after an examination of the information or object under the custody, that it has no relevance to the current investigation;

2. The purpose of investigation is fully accomplished so that keeping the information or object under its custody is no longer necessary.

Article 52 (Measures on Prohibited Acts)

(1) The Korea Communications Commission may order any telecommunication business operator to take the measures falling under each of the following subparagraphs when it is recognized that any act in violation of Paragraph 1 of Article 50 has been committed: Provided, That where it orders a measure under subparagraphs 1 through 5, 8 and 9, it shall consider the opinion of the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Separation of the supply system of telecommunications service;

2. Change of internal accounting regulations, etc. concerning telecommunications service;

3. Disclosure of information concerning telecommunications service;

4. Conclusion, performance or change of contents of the agreement between the telecommunications business operators;

5. Change of the standardized use contract and the articles of incorporation of the telecommunications business operators;

6. Suspension of prohibited acts;

7. Public announcement of a fact of receiving a correction order due to committing the prohibited acts;

8. Measures necessary for restoring the violated matters due to the prohibited acts to their original status, such as the removal of telecommunications facilities which have caused the prohibited acts;

 

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9. Improvement of business conduct procedures regarding telecommunications service;

10. Prohibition of soliciting new users (for a period not exceeding 3 months and limited to cases where the same violation has occurred for 3 times or more despite sanctions under Paragraph 1 through 9 or where such sanctions are deemed insufficient to prevent harm to users); and

11. Such other matters prescribed by the Enforcement Decree as may be necessary for the measures referred to in subparagraphs 1 through 10.

(2) The telecommunications business operators shall execute any order issued by the Korea Communications Commission under Paragraph (1) within the period specified by the Enforcement Decree: Provided, That the Korea Communications Commission may extend the relevant period only once, if it is deemed that the telecommunications business operators are unable to carry out the order within the specified period due to natural disasters and other unavoidable causes.

(3) The Korea Communications Commission shall, before ordering the measures under Paragraph (1), notify the parties concerned of the content of relevant measures, and provide them with an opportunity to make a statement within a specified period, and may hear, where deemed necessary, demand for attendance of an interest party or witness, hearing or appraiser by an appraiser.: Provided, That this shall not apply when the parties concerned fail to respond without any justifiable reasons. >

(4) In the event five (5) years have passed from the date on which any acts committed in violation of Paragraph 1 of Article 50 have been terminated, the Korea Communications Commission shall not order any measures pursuant to Paragraph 1 or impose a penalty surcharge pursuant to Article 53. Provided, this provision under this Paragraph 4 of Article 37-1 shall not apply if any measure or imposition of penalty surcharge is cancelled by court order and a new measure is to be taken pursuant to that court order.

 

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Article 53 (Imposition, etc. of Penalty Surcharge on Prohibited Acts)

(1) The Korea Communications Commission may, in case where there exists any act in violation of Paragraph 1 of Article 50, impose a penalty surcharge not exceeding 3/100 of the turnover as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree on the relevant telecommunications business operator. If the telecommunications business operator refuses to submit the data used for calculation of the amount of turnover or submits erroneous data, an estimate of the amount can be assessed based on the financial statement of those who provide similar services in the same industry (accounting documents, number of subscribers, usage fee and business operation status): Provided, That where there is no turnover or it is difficult to calculate the turnover as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree, it may impose the penalty surcharge not exceeding one billion won.

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may impose on a key communications business operator that submits a business report under Article 49 a find up to 3% of its revenue as determined in a manner specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act if it commits any of the following: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Failure to submit a business report under Article 49 or to abide by an order to submit relevant information;

2. Omission of a material item or inclusion of a false statement in a business report under Article 49;

3. Failure to adjust the accounting or keep the related books and authoritative documents in violation of Article 49(1).

(3) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the Korea Communications Commission shall, in the event of imposing a penalty surcharge under Paragraph (1) or (2), take each of the following into consideration. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Details of violation and the extent thereof;

2. Duration and frequency of violation;

3. Amount of profit obtained in connection with the violation;

4. The amount of turnover obtained as a result of the prohibited activities of the telecommunications business operator.

 

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(4) A penalty surcharge under Paragraph (1) or (2) shall be calculated taking Paragraph (3) into consideration, provided specific calculation standard and procedure shall be set forth by the Enforcement Decree.

(5) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the Korea Communications Commission shall, where a person liable to pay a penalty surcharge under Paragraph (1) or (2) fails to do so by the payment deadline, collect an additional due equivalent to 6/100 per year, with respect to the penalty surcharge in arrears, from the day following the expiry of such payment deadline. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(6) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the Korea Communications Commission shall, where a person liable to pay a penalty surcharge under Paragraph (1) or (2) fails to do so by the payment deadline, demand him to pay it with fixing a period, and if he fails to pay the penalty surcharge and an additional due under Paragraph (5) within the fixed period, collect them according to the example of a disposition taken to collect the national taxes in arrears. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(7) The period for payment of an additional due under Paragraph (5) shall not exceed 60 months. <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

(8) In the event the penalty surcharge imposed under Paragraph (1) or (2) is to be returned pursuant to the court order, an additional due equivalent to 6/100 per year with respect to the penalty surcharge in arrears (accrued from the day of payment to the day of payment) shall be paid. <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

Article 54 (Relations with Other Acts)

In case where a measure is taken under Article 52 or a penalty surcharge is imposed under Article 53 against the acts in violation of Paragraph (1) of Article 53, a corrective measure or an imposition of penalty surcharge under the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act shall not be made under the same grounds against the same acts of the relevant business operator.

 

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Article 55 (Compensation for Damages)

In case where a correction measure has been taken under Article 52 (1), a person who is damaged by the prohibited act may claim for compensation against the telecommunications business operator who conducted the prohibited act, and the relevant telecommunications business operator may not shirk liability unless he can prove that there was no malicious intention or negligence.

Article 56 (Quality Improvement of Telecommunications Services)

(1) A telecommunications business operator shall endeavor to make a quality improvement of the telecommunications services he provides.

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall devise the required policy measures, such as an evaluation of quality of the telecommunications services, in order to improve a quality of telecommunications services and to enhance the conveniences of users. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may order the telecommunications business operator to furnish data necessary for an evaluation of quality of the telecommunications services, etc. under Paragraph (2). < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

Article 57 (Prior Selection Systems)

(1) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall perform the systems in which the users may select in advance the telecommunications business operator from whom they desire to receive the telecommunications service (hereinafter referred to as the “prior selection systems”). In this case, the telecommunications service shall refer to the telecommunications service as determined by the Enforcement Decree from among the same telecommunications service provided by the plural number of telecommunications business operators. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) The telecommunications business operator shall not force the users to select in advance a specified telecommunications business operator, or commit the acts to recommend or induce by unlawful means.

 

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(3) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, for the purpose of performing the prior selection systems efficiently and neutrally, designate the specialized institutes performing the registration or alteration affairs of the prior selection (hereinafter referred to as the “prior selection registration center”). < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) The Korea Communications Commission shall determine and publicly notify the matters necessary for performing the prior selection systems and for the designation of the prior selection registration center and the method of dealing with its affairs, etc.

Article 58 (Mobility of Telecommunication Numbers)

(1) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, in order that the users are able to maintain their previous telecommunications numbers despite of the changes of the telecommunications business operators, etc., devise and perform the plans for mobility of telecommunications numbers (hereafter in this Article, referred to as the “plans for mobility of numbers”). < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) The plans for mobility of numbers shall contain the contents falling under any of the following subparagraphs:

1. Kinds of services subject to the mobility of telecommunications numbers;

2. Time for introduction by service subject to the mobility of telecommunications numbers; and

3. Matters on sharing the expenses required for the performance of mobility of telecommunications numbers by telecommunications business operator.

(3) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, in order to perform the plans for mobility of numbers, order the relevant telecommunications business operators to take the necessary measures. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may designate an institution specializing in the work of registration and alteration of the mobility of numbers (hereinafter referred to as the “mobility of numbers management institution”) to efficiently and neutrally implement the mobility of numbers of the telecommunications. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(5) The Korea Communications Commission shall prescribe and publish necessary matters concerning the implementation of the mobility of numbers of the telecommunications, the designation of any mobility of numbers management institution and its work, etc.

 

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Article 59 (Restrictions, etc. on Mutual Possession of Stocks)

(1) Where a key communications business operator falling under Article 39 (3) 1 or 2 (including the specially-related persons) possesses in excess of 5/100 of the gross number of voting stocks issued by the mutually different key communications business operators, shall not be allowed to exercise any voting rights with regard to the stocks in excess of the relevant ceiling.

(2) Provisions of Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the relation of possessions between a key communications business operator falling under Article 39 (3) 1 or 2 and the key communications business operator established by the said key communications business operator by becoming the largest stockholder.

Article 60 (Provision of Number Guidance Service)

(1) The telecommunications business operator shall provide an information service of guiding the general public to the telecommunications numbers of the users by means of voice, booklets or Internet, etc. (hereinafter referred to as the “number guidance service”) by obtaining a consent of the users: Provided, That the same shall not apply to the minor business determined and publicly announced by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning by taking account of the numbers of the users and the turnovers, etc. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) If necessary for the protection of private personal information, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may limit the provision of the number guidance service. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) Matters necessary for a provision of the number guidance service may be stipulated by the Enforcement Decree.

 

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Article 60-2 (Suspension of Use of Telecommunications Termination Equipment Reported Lost, etc.)

(1) A key communications business operator providing telecommunication services by utilizing the frequencies allotted under the Radio Wave Act shall, for the purpose of the suspension of use of telecommunications termination equipment reported lost or stolen to such communications business operator, share the international identification number of the relevant telecommunications termination equipment (hereinafter, the “identification number”) with each other.

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may designate specialized agency for efficient sharing of the identification number.

(3) If necessary, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall, for the purpose of the suspension of use of telecommunications termination equipment reported lost or stolen to communications business operators, request cooperation from the head of relevant administrative agency and public agency.

(4) Necessary matters for designation of and management of business of the specialized agency under Paragraph (2) shall be set forth by the Enforcement Decree.

[This Article Newly Inserted on Aug. 13, 2013]

Article 60-3 (Prohibition against Damage, etc. of Identification Number)

No person shall damage, counterfeit or alter the identification number of the telecommunications termination equipment, for the purpose of disturbing the suspension of use of telecommunications termination equipment reported lost or stolen to communications business operators.

[This Article Newly Inserted on Aug. 13, 2013]

 

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CHAPTER V TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES

Section 1. Commercial Telecommunication Facilities

Article 61 (Maintenance and Repair of Telecommunications Facilities)

For stable provision of its telecommunications services, a telecommunications business operator shall maintain and repair the telecommunications facilities it provides up to technical specifications specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act for stable supply of telecommunications.

Article 62 (Report and Authorization of Telecommunications Facilities Installation)

(1) When a key communications business operator seeks to install or modify a significant telecommunications facilities, it shall report it to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning in a manner specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act, provided that for the telecommunications facilities installed for the first time for new telecommunication technology, an authorization from the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall be obtained in a manner specified in the Enforcement Decree of the Act. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) The scope of significant telecommunications facilities under Paragraph (1) shall be determined and announced by the Korea Communications Commission. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

Article 63 (Joint Installation of Telecommunications Facilities)

(1) A key communications business operator may agree with another key communications business operator to jointly install and use telecommunications facilities.

(2) Key communications business operators that fall under the criteria, including business size, determined by the Enforcement Decree shall compose and operate a council to negotiate with each other about joint installation of telecommunication facilities under Paragraph (1). < Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

(3) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall determine and announce the criteria regarding the procedure of composition and operation of the council under Paragraph (2) and regarding the scope of target facilities and areas of negotiations. < Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

 

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(4) For efficient conduct of joint installation of telecommunication facilities under Paragraph (1), the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may designate an agency responsible for the relevant task. <Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014>

(5) Matters necessary for the designation of the responsible agency under Paragraph (4) and for the method of conducting the task shall be determined and announced by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014>

(6) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may recommend joint installation of telecommunications facilities under Paragraphs (1) and (2) to key communications business operators in a manner specified under the Enforcement Decree in any of the following cases: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

1. Where no agreement is reached under Paragraph (1) and request is made by one of the key communications business operators;

2. Where it is deemed necessary for the public good.

(7) If a key communications business operator fails to reach an agreement on the use of land or buildings owned by the government, public agencies under the Act on the Management of Public Agencies (“public agencies” in this Article) or another key communications business operator when such use is necessary for joint installation of telecommunications facilities, it may request for help from the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning on use of such land or building. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

(8) Upon receiving the request for help under Paragraph (7), the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may make a demand to the head of the government entities, municipalities, public agencies or the other key communications business operator for reaching an agreement with the use of relevant land or building with the key communications business operator making the request for help, in this case the head of the government entities, municipalities, public agencies or the other key communications business operator shall make such agreement unless there is a justifiable reason. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

 

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Section 2. PROPRIETARY TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES

Article 64 (Installation of Proprietary Telecommunications Facilities)

(1) A person seeking to install proprietary telecommunications facilities shall make a report to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning in a manner specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act. The same applies when an important aspect of reporting items as specified under the Enforcement Decree is sought to be modified. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) Notwithstanding Paragraph (1), in case of wireless proprietary telecommunications facilities and military telecommunications facilities and others where other bodies of law are applicable, such bodies of law shall be applicable.

(3) A person who has made a report on installation or modification of proprietary telecommunications facilities under Paragraph (1) shall receive confirmation from the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning in a manner specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act when such installation or modification construction is complete and before commencement of its use. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) Notwithstanding Paragraph (1), certain proprietary telecommunications facilities specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act may be installed without filing a report.

Article 65 (Restriction on Non-Proprietary Use)

(1) A person who has installed proprietary telecommunications facilities may not use such facilities to interconnect other’s communication or operate it outside its installation purposes, provided that the foregoing is not applicable in cases where other bodies of law have special provisions of any of the following is applicable: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Use by a person in law enforcement of disaster rescue industries for law enforcement or emergency rescue operation;

2. Use by a specially related person of the installer of proprietary telecommunications facilities as announced by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.

 

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(2) A person who has installed proprietary telecommunications facilities may provide telecommunications facilities such as conduit line to a key communications business operator in a manner specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act.

(3) Articles 35, 44 (excluding Paragraph (5) and 45 through 47 shall be applicable in case of provision of facilities under Paragraph (2). <Amended on Oct. 2014>

Article 66 (Securing Communication Lines in Case of Emergency)

(1) When a war, accident or natural disaster or other national emergency has happened or is likely to happen, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may order a person who has installed proprietary telecommunications facilities to engage in telecommunications services or other important communications services or connect the telecommunications facilities to other telecommunications facilities. In this case, Articles 28 through 32 and Article 33 through 55 shall be applicable. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Aug. 13, 2013>

(2) When the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning deems necessary for the purposes of Paragraph (1), may order a key communications business operator to handle such task. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) The costs of performing the task or interconnecting facilities under Paragraph (1) shall be borne by the government, provided that when proprietary telecommunications facilities are used for telecommunications services, the key communications business operator receiving such service shall bear its costs.

Article 67 (Order on the Person Installing Proprietary Telecommunications Facilities, Etc.)

(1) When a person who has installed proprietary telecommunications facilities fails to abide by the Act or order under this Act, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may order a corrective measure to be carried out within a specific time frame. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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(2) If a person who has installed proprietary telecommunications facilities falls under any of the following, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may order a cessation of use for a period not exceeding one year: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Failure to carry out the corrective order under Paragraph (1);

2. Use of proprietary telecommunications facilities without receiving confirmation in violation of Article 64(3);

3. Interconnection of other’s communication or use of proprietary telecommunications facilities outside its installation purposes in violation of Article 65(1).

(3) When the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning deems that proprietary telecommunications facilities are interfering with other’s telecommunications or likely to harm other’s telecommunications facilities, it may order the person who installed such facilities to stop using, modify, repair or take other corrective measures. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

Section 3. INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES, ETC.

Article 68 (Installation of Common Duct or Conduit Line, etc.)

(1) A person installing or arranging any of the following (“facility installer”) shall solicit and reflect an opinion from a key communications business operator about installing a common duct or conduit line for telecommunications facilities, provided that the forgoing obligation does not apply when there is a special reason for not being able to honor the key communications business operator’s opinion. <Amended on Jan. 7, 2014, Jan, 14, 2014>

1. Road under Article 2(1) of the Road Act;

2. Railroad under Article 2(1) of the Railroad Enterprise Act;

3. Urban railroad under Article 2(2) of the Urban Railroad Act;

4. Industrial complex under Article 2(5) of the Industrial Sites and Development Act;

 

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5. Free trade zone under Article 2(1) of the Act on Designation and Management of Free Trade Zone;

6. Airport area under Article 2(9) of the Aviation Act;

7. Port area under the Harbor Act;

8. Other facilities or land as specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act.

 

  (2) An opinion set forth by key communications business operator about installation of common duct or conduit line under Paragraph (1) shall satisfy the installation requirements for common duct specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act.

 

  (3) Articles 35, 44 (excluding Paragraph (5) and 45 through 47 shall be applicable in case of provision of facilities under Paragraph (2). shall be applicable to provision of common duct or conduit line installed under Paragraph (1). <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

 

  (4) When a facility installer is unable to reflect the opinion of key communications business operator under Paragraph (1), it shall notify the key communications business operator of the reason for such inability within 30 days from the receipt of such opinion.

 

  (5) When a facility installer does not reflect the opinion of key communications business under Paragraph (1), the key communications business operator may ask for reconciliation from the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  (6) When attempting reconciliation upon receipt of the reconciliation request under Paragraph (5), the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall consult with the head of relevant administrative organization in advance. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  (7) Details necessary for reconciliation under Paragraphs (5) and (6) shall be specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act.

 

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Article 69 (Installation of Telecommunication: Line Facilities for Internal Routing, etc.)

(1) A building under Article 2(1)2 of the Building Act shall install telecommunication line facilities for internal routing and set aside a certain area for connection with telecommunication grid facilities.

(2) Details on the scope of building, standards for installing telecommunication line facilities and the setting aside of a certain area for connection with telecommunication grid facilities shall be specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act.

Article 70 (Integrated Management of Telecommunications Facilities, Etc.)

(1) For efficient management and operation of telecommunications facilities, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may allow a key communications business operator designated in accordance with the criteria and procedures specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act (“integrated telecommunications operator”) to manage telecommunications facilities installed under this Act or other bodies of law and the relevant land, building or fixtures (“telecommunications facilities, etc.” on an integrated basis. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) When the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning seeks to allow for integrated management of telecommunications facilities, etc. under Paragraph (1), it shall establish a telecommunications facilities integrated management plan (“ integrated management plan”), consult with the head of relevant administrative agencies, have it approved by the President after passing the cabinet review. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) An integrated management plan shall have the following:

1. Subject, method and procedures of integration;

2. Management of telecommunications facilities, etc. for the post-integration period;

3. Other matters specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act.

(4) When it the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning seeks to establish an integrated management plan, it shall consult with the installers of the telecommunications facilities to be integrated in advance. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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Article 71 (Purchase of Telecommunications Facilities, Etc.)

(1) An integrated telecommunications operator may, when necessary for integrated management of telecommunications facilities, etc., request purchase of the relevant telecommunications, etc. In this case, the owners of the telecommunications facilities may not refuse such request without any justifiable reason.

(2) When purchase request is made by an integrated telecommunications operator under Paragraph (1), telecommunications facilities, etc. directly or publicly owned by the government may be sold to the integrated telecommunications operator notwithstanding Article 27 of the State Properties Act or Article 19 of the Public Property and Commodity Management Act integrated telecommunications operator. In this case, details necessary for the calculation of sales price, sales procedures, payment of sales price, etc. shall be specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act.

(3) Articles 67(1), 70, 71, 74, 75, 75-2, 76, 77 and 78(5) through (7) of the Act on the Acquisition of Land, etc. for Public works and the Compensation Therefor shall be applicable for the calculation of sales price, sales procedures, payment of sales price, etc. of the telecommunications facilities, other than those directly or publicly owned by the government. purchased by an integrated telecommunications operator.

Section 4. Installation and Preservation of Telecommunications Facilities

Article 72 (Use of Land, etc.)

(1) A key communications business operator may, when necessary for the installation of line tracks, aerial lines and the appurtenant facilities to be available for telecommunications service (hereinafter referred to as the “line tracks, etc.”), make use of others’ land, or buildings and structures appurtenant thereto, and surface and bottom of the water (hereinafter referred to as the “land, etc.”). In this case, a key communications business operator shall make a consultation with owners or possessors of the relevant land, etc. in advance.

(2) Where a consultation under Paragraph (1) is not or cannot be made, a key communications business operator may use the land, etc. owned by others, pursuant to the Act on the Acquisition of Land, etc. for Public Works and the Compensation therefor.

 

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Article 73 (Temporary Use of Land, etc.)

(1) A key communications business operator may, when necessary for the measurement of line tracks, etc. and the installation or preservation works of the telecommunications facilities, temporarily use the private, national or public telecommunications facilities, and the land, etc., within the limit of not substantially impeding a current use.

(2) No one may, without any justifiable reason, interfere with the temporary use of telecommunications facilities, and land, etc., for the purposes of the measurement of line tracks, etc. and the installation or preservation works of the telecommunications facilities under Paragraph (1).

(3) A key communications business operator shall, when intending to temporarily use the private, national or public property under Paragraph (1), notify the possessors, in advance, of the purposes and period of such use: Provided, That in case where it is difficult to make a prior notification, a prompt notification shall be made during or after its use, and in case where such notification may not be made due to an obscurity of address and whereabouts of possessors, a public notice thereof shall be made.

(4) The temporary period of use of the land, etc. under Paragraph (1) shall not exceed six months.

(5) A person who temporarily uses the private, national or public telecommunication facilities or the land, etc. under Paragraph (1) shall carry the certificate indicating the authority, and present it to the persons related.

Article 74 (Entry to Land, etc.)

(1) A key communications business operator may enter others’ land, etc., when necessary for a measurement, examination, etc., for the installation and preservation of his telecommunications facilities: Provided, That in case where the place intended for such entry is a residential building, a consent from residents shall be obtained.

 

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(2) No one may, without any justifiable reason, interfere with the temporary entry of telecommunications facilities, and land, etc., for the purposes of the measurement, examination, etc., for the installation and preservation of telecommunications facilities under Paragraph (1).

(3) Article 73(3) and (5) shall be applicable in regard to providing notice and showing an identification when a person doing measurement or examination under Paragraph (1) enters private or public land, etc.

Article 75 (Request for Elimination of Obstacles, etc.)

(1) A key communications business operator may request the owners or possessors of gas pipes, water pipes, drain pipes, electric lamp lines, electricity lines or private telecommunications facilities, which impede or are likely to impede the installation of line tracks, etc. or telecommunications facilities themselves (hereinafter referred to as the “obstacles, etc.”), for the removal, remodeling, repair and other measures with respect to the relevant obstacles, etc.

(2) A key communications business operator may request the owners or possessors to remove the plants, when they may impede or are likely to impede the installation or maintenance of line tracks, etc. or telecommunications themselves.

(3) A key communications business operator may, when the owners or possessors of the plants do not comply with the request under Paragraph (2) or there exist any other unavoidable reasons, fell or transplant the relevant plants by obtaining permission from the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. In this case, a prompt notification shall be made to the owners or possessors of the relevant plants. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) The owners or possessors of the obstacles, etc., which impede or are likely to impede the telecommunications facilities of a key communications business operator, shall make a consultation in advance with the key communications business operator, when they are in need of a new construction, enlargement, improvement, removal or alteration of the relevant obstacles, etc.

 

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Article 76 (Obligation for Restoration to Original State)

A key communications business operator shall restore the relevant land, etc. to its original state, when a use of the land, etc. under Articles 72 and 73 is finished or a need of providing the land, etc. for telecommunications service is gone, and in case where a restoration to the original state becomes impossible, make a proper compensation for damages suffered by the owners or possessors.

Article 77 (Compensation for Damages)

A key communications business operator shall, in case of incurring damages on others in case of Article 73 (1), 74 (1) or 75, make a proper compensation to the suffered person.

Article 78 (Procedures for Compensation for Damages on Land, etc.)

(1) When a key communications business operator compensates under Article 76 or 77 for any of the following reasons, it shall consult with the person has incurred losses.

1. Temporary use of land under Article 73(1);

2. Entry in land, etc. under Article 74(1);

3. Moving, modifying repairing obstacles or plans under Article 75;

4. Inability to restore to the original state under Article 76.

(2) When a consultation under Paragraph (1) is not or cannot be made, an application for adjudications shall be filed with the competent Land Expropriation Commission under the Act on the Acquisition of Land, etc. for Public Works and the Compensation therefor.

(3) Except for those as otherwise prescribed by this Act, the provisions of the Act on the Acquisition of Land, etc. for Public Works and the Compensation therefor shall be applied mutatis mutandis to the criteria, methods and procedures regarding a compensation for damages, etc. to the land, etc. under Paragraph (1), and an application for adjudications under Paragraph (2).

 

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Article 79 (Protection of Telecommunications Facilities)

(1) No person shall destruct the telecommunications facilities, and obstruct the flow of telecommunications by impeding the function of telecommunications facilities by means of having other objects contact them or by any other devices.

(2) No person shall stain the telecommunications facilities or damage the measurement marks of the telecommunications facilities by means of throwing objects to the telecommunications facilities or fastening an animal, vessel or a log raft thereto.

(3) A key communications business operator may, if necessary for the protection of submarine communications cable and their peripheral equipment (the “Submarine Cable”), file an application to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning for the designation of alert areas for the Submarine Cable. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) Upon receiving an application pursuant to Paragraph (3), the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may consider the necessity of such designation and may designate and publicly notify the alert areas for the Submarine Cable through consultation with the relevant state administrative agency. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(5) Designation applications, methods and procedures of such designation and its public notification, and methods of alert area indication shall be determined by the Enforcement Decree.

Article 80 (Moving of Facilities, etc.)

(1) The owners or possessors of the land, etc. may, in case where the telecommunications facilities of a key communications business operator have become an obstacle to a use of the land, etc. due to changes in the purpose of use or in the methods of using the land, etc. where such facilities are located, or the land adjacent to it, request a key communications business operator to move the telecommunications facilities, and take other measures necessary for removing the obstacles.

(2) A key communications business operator shall, upon receipt of a request under Paragraph (1), take necessary measures, except for the cases where such measures are difficult to be taken for a business performance or technologies.

 

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(3) Expenses necessary for taking the measures under Paragraph (2) shall be borne by the person who provided the cause for the move or taking other measures necessary for removing the obstacles after the installation of the subject telecommunication facilities: Provided, That in the event the person who bears the expenses is the owner or possessor of the land and falls under any one of the following subparagraphs, the key communication business operator may reduce or exempt the person’s expenses, considering the indemnification amount paid at the time of installation of the telecommunication facilities and the amount of time it took to build the telecommunication facilities:

1. Where the key communication business operator establishes and implements a plan to move the telecommunication facilities or remove other obstacles;

2. Where the moving the telecommunication facilities or removal of other obstacles is beneficial to other telecommunication facilities;

3. Where the state or a local autonomous entity demands such moving of telecommunication facilities or removal of other obstacles; or

4. Where the telecommunication facilities within private land are being removed because they greatly obstruct the use of such land.

Article 81 (Cooperation of Other Organizations, etc.)

A key communications business operator may ask the related public agencies for a cooperation, in case where the operation of vehicles, vessels, airplanes and other carriers for the installation and preservation of his telecommunications facilities is necessary. In this case, the public agency in receipt of a request for cooperation shall comply with it, unless there exist any justifiable reasons.

Article 82 (Inspection Report, Etc.)

(1) When necessary for establishing telecommunication policies and other cases specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may inspect the facility status, accounting books and documents of installers of telecommunications facilities or demand them to make a report on the facilities. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) When there is an installer telecommunications facilities in violation of this Act, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may order the removal of the relevant facilities or other necessary actions. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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CHAPTER VI SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

Article 83 (Protection of Communication Secrecy)

(1) No person shall infringe on or divulge the secrecy of communication dealt with by telecommunications business operator.

(2) A person who is or has been engaged in the telecommunications service shall not divulge others’ secrecy obtained with respect to communication while in office.

(3) A telecommunications business operator may comply with a request for the perusal or the provision of the data falling under each of the following subparagraphs (hereinafter referred to as the “supply of communication data”) from a court, a prosecutor, the head of an investigation agency (including the head of any military investigation agency, the commissioner of the National Tax Service and the commissioners of regional Tax Offices); hereinafter the same shall apply) and the head of an intelligence and investigation agency, who intends to collect information or intelligence for the purpose of the prevention of any threat to a trial, an investigation (including an investigation of any transgression taken place during commission of any crime falling under Article 10(1), (3) or (4) of the Punishment of Tax Evaders Act), the execution of a sentence or the guarantee of the national security:

1. Names of users;

2. Resident registration numbers of users;

3. Addresses of users;

4. Phone numbers of users;

5. IDs of users (referring to the identification codes of users that are used to identify the rightful users of computer systems or communications networks); and

 

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6. Dates on which users subscribe or terminate their subscriptions.

(4) The request for supply of communication data under Paragraph (3) shall be made in writing (hereinafter referred to as a “written request for data supply”), which states a reason for such request, relation with the relevant user and the scope of necessary data: Provided, That where an urgent reason exists that makes a request in writing impossible, such request may be made without resorting to writing, and when such reason disappears, a written request for data supply shall be promptly filed with the telecommunications business operator.

(5) A telecommunications business operator shall, where he has supplied the communication data pursuant to the procedures of Paragraphs (3) and (4), keep the ledgers as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree, which contain necessary matters such as the facts of supplies of communication data, and the related data such as the written requests for data supply, etc.

(6) A telecommunications business operator shall report, to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, twice a year the current status, etc. of supplying the communication data, by the methods prescribed by the Enforcement Decree, and the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may check whether the content of a report made by a telecommunications business operator is authentic and the management status of related data according to Paragraph (5). < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(7) A telecommunications business operator shall, by the methods prescribed by the Enforcement Decree, notify the contents entered in the ledgers according to Paragraph (5) to the head of a central administrative agency whereto a person requesting supply of communications data according to Paragraph (3) belongs: Provided, That in the event that a person who asks for providing the communications data is a court, the relevant telecommunications business operator shall notify the Minister of the Court Administration thereof.

(8) A telecommunications business operator shall establish and operate a setup in full charge of the affairs related to the users’ communication secrets; and the matters concerning the function and composition, etc. of the relevant setup shall be prescribed by the Enforcement Decree.

(9) Matters necessary for the scope of persons holding the decisive power on information request shall be prescribed by the Enforcement Decree.

 

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Article 84 (Notice of Transmitter’s Telephone Number)

(1) The telecommunications business operator may, upon request from the recipient, notify him of the transmitter’s telephone number, etc.: Provided, that this shall not apply to the case where the transmitter expresses his content to refuse the transmission of his telephone number.

(2) Notwithstanding the proviso of Paragraph (1), the telecommunications business operator may, in any of the following cases notify the recipient of the transmitter’s telephone number

1. Where the recipient requests according to the requisites and procedures set by the Enforcement Decree in order to protect the recipients from the violent language, intimidations, harassments, etc.;

2. Where it is prescribed by Enforcement Decree for national security, crime prevention, disaster relief, etc. when providing phone services with special numbers.

(3) Deleted <Oct., 15, 2014>

(4) Deleted <Oct. 15, 2014>

Article 84-2 (Prevention of False Display of Telephone Number and Protection of Users)

 

  (1) No person shall fraudulently display outgoing telephone number by altering, etc. the telephone number, when he makes a call (including text messages; hereinafter in this article, the same shall apply.) in order to take a profit in property by cheating another person or to inflict harm including violent language, intimidations, harassments, etc.

 

  (2) No person shall provide, for profit, the service that enables another person to fraudulently display—by altering, etc.—outgoing telephone number. Provided, however, this provision under Paragraph (2) shall not apply in the event any justifiable grounds for exception exist (e.g., for public interest or recipient’s convenience).

 

  (3) Telecommunications business operators shall take each of the following measures to prevent users from being damaged by fraudulently displayed telephone number. Provided, however, the foregoing shall not apply in case there exist justifiable grounds under the proviso of Paragraph (2).

 

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  1. Measure to block a caller from sending fraudulently displayed—via altering, etc.—telephone number or to correct the fraudulently displayed caller’s phone number before transmitting it to the recipient;

 

  2. Measure to inform that a call is made from a foreign country, in case the call is from overseas;

 

  3. Measure to suspend the provision of telecommunication services to the relevant line of the caller who fraudulently displayed, via altering, etc., his telephone number;

 

  4. Other matters determined to protect users by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning;

(4) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may request a telecommunications business operator to submit, or enable the Minister to read, the following materials or may conduct a necessary examination, to confirm the implementation of the measure under Paragraph (3) or to prevent the spread of damage to users.

1. Blocked telephone number, blocking time, and the name of an entity that made the call, in case the telecommunications business operator has blocked a caller’s telephone number that was fraudulently displayed, via alteration, etc.;

2. The name of the entity that made a call, in case a recipient has made a report on fraudulently displayed, via alteration, etc. telephone number;

3. Other relevant materials that may confirm the implementation of each measure under Paragraph (3).

(5) To confirm the implementation of the measures under Paragraph (3) and enforce the measures under Paragraph (4), the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may entrust the National Internet Development Agency under Article 52 of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc. with tasks as determined by the Enforcement Decree.

 

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(6) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may determine and announce the justifiable grounds under the proviso of Paragraph (2) and specific procedures and methods for implementation of the measures under each of subparagraphs of Paragraph (3) and implementation of Paragraph (4).

(7) Article 64, Article 64-2, and Article 69 of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, Etc. shall apply mutatis mutandis to the perusal or provision of the materials under Paragraph (4).

[This Article Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014]

Article 85 (Restriction and Suspension of Business)

The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may order the telecommunications business operators to restrict or suspend the whole or part of telecommunications service under the conditions as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree, when there occurs or is likely to occur a national emergency of war, incident, natural calamity, or that corresponding to them, or when other unavoidable causes exist, and when necessary for securing important communications. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

Article 86 (Approval for International Telecommunications Services)

(1) When there exist special provisions in the treaties or agreements on international telecommunications business joined by the Government, those provisions shall govern.

(2) A telecommunications business operator shall, where he intends to conclude international telecommunications business as prescribed by the contract on cross-border provision of key communications services under Article 87(1) and the Enforcement Decree, obtain approval from the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning fulfilling the requisites prescribed by the Enforcement Decree and the same shall apply to the case where he intends to alter or abolish such agreement or contract. Provided that such telecommunications business operator who has satisfied each of the following requirements may enter into a contract without approval of the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Aug. 13, 2013>

1. A person who intends to provide key communications services is a citizen of a signatory nation to a free trade agreement entered effect into between the Republic of Korea and one or more other countries and set forth and publicly notified by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning;

 

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2. Key communications services transmitting sounds, data, videos, etc. regarding television broadcast or radio broadcast between TV business operators are provided through man-made satellites; and

3. Such operator does not provide key communications service between domestic TV business operators.

(3) A telecommunications business operator providing key communications services shall, where he concludes an agreement or a contract with a foreign government or a foreigner with respect to the adjustments of fees following the handling of international telecommunications services, report such to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, provided that the foregoing is not applicable in case the size of telecommunications facilities, paid-in capital, number assignment, etc. satisfy the standards specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) Deleted. < on Aug. 13, 2013>

(5) Details on the report under Paragraph (3) shall be determined and publicly announced by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Aug. 13, 2013>

Article 87 (Cross-Border Provision of Key Communications Services)

(1) A person, who intends to provide key communications service from abroad into the homeland without establishing a domestic business place (hereinafter referred to as the “cross-border provision of key communications services”), shall conclude a contract on cross-border provision of key communications services with a domestic key communications business operator or a specific communications business operator who provides the same key communications service.

(2) The provisions of Articles 28, 32, 33, 45 through 47, 50 through 55, 83, 84, 84-2, 85, 88, and 92, and Article 44-7 of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, etc. shall apply mutatis mutandis to the provision of services as determined in a contract by a key communications business operator or a specific communications business operator who has concluded the contract under Paragraph (1). <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

 

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(3) Where a person, who intends to provide a cross-border key communications service under Paragraph (1), or a key communications business operator or a specific communications business operator, who has concluded a contract with him, violates the relevant provisions which applies mutatis mutandis under Paragraph (2), the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may cancel approval under Article 86 (2), or issue an order to suspend a cross-border provision of the whole or part of key communications services as determined in the relevant contract, with fixing a period of not more than one year. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) Criteria and procedures for dispositions under Paragraph (3) and other necessary matters shall be determined by the Enforcement Decree.

Article 87-2 (Display, etc. of Warning)

(1) Any person who manufactures or imports/sells mobile communications terminals may display, on a mobile communications terminal, a warning of the danger of using a mobile communications terminal on the move.

(2) The government may provide necessary support including the cost required under Paragraph (1).

(3) Matters necessary for the content, method, etc. of displaying a warning under Paragraph (1) shall be determined and announced by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.

[This Article Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014]

Article 88 (Report, etc. on Statistics)

(1) A telecommunications business operator shall report the statistics on a provision of telecommunications service as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree, such as a current status of facilities by telecommunications service, subscription record, current status of users, and the data related to telephone traffic required for the imposition and collection of fees, to the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning under the conditions as determined by the Enforcement Decree, and keep the related data available. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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(2) A key communications business operator and stockholders thereof, or the specific communications business operator and stockholders thereof shall submit the related data necessary for a verification of the facts of Article 8, pursuant to the provisions of the Enforcement Decree. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, in order to verify the facts under Paragraph (2), or to examine the genuineness of the data submitted, request the administrative agencies and other related agencies to examine the data submitted or to submit the related data. In this case, the agencies in receipt of such request shall accede thereto unless there exist any justifiable reasons. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

Article 89 (Hearing)

The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall, in case where he intends to make a disposition falling under any of the following subparagraphs, hold a hearing: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Cancellation, in whole or part, of license for a key communications business operator under Article 20 (1);

2. Cancellation, in whole or part, of registration of a specific communications business under Article 27 (1);

3. Closedown, in whole or part, of a value-added communications business under Article 27 (2); and

4. Cancellation of approval under Article 87 (3).

 

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Article 90 (Imposition, etc. of Penalty Surcharge)

(1) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may impose a penalty surcharge equivalent to the amount of not more than 3/100 of the sales amount that is calculated under the conditions as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree in lieu of the relevant business suspension, in case where he has to order a business suspension to a telecommunications business operator who falls under subparagraphs of Article 20 (1) or subparagraphs of Article 27 (1) and (2), or a suspension of relevant business is likely to cause substantial inconveniences to the users, etc. of relevant business or to harm other public interests. If the telecommunications business operator refuses to submit the data used for calculation of turnover or submits erroneous data, an estimate of the turnover can be assessed based on the financial statement of those who provide similar services in the same industry (accounting documents, number of subscribers, usage fee and business operation status): Provided, That in the event that the sales amount is nonexistent or difficult to calculate the sales amount, as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree, the Minister of Information and Communication may impose a penalty surcharge not exceeding 1 billion won. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) When the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning orders cessation of use in regard to proprietary telecommunications facilities under Article 67(2), it may replace such order with a fine not exceeding 1 billion won if such order causes significant inconvenience to users of telecommunication services provided with the use of the relevant proprietary telecommunications facilities or other public harm is expected. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) Specific standards for the imposition of penalty surcharge under Paragraph (1) and (2) shall be determined by the Enforcement Decree.

(4) Article 52(5) through (8) shall apply in regard to penalty surcharge, demand for payment and return surcharge. <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

Article 91 (Extension of Time Limit of Payment of Penalty Surcharge and Payment in Installments)

(1) Where a penalty surcharge to be paid by a telecommunications business operator under Articles 53 and Article 90 exceeds the amount as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree, and where deemed that a person liable for a payment of penalty surcharge finds it difficult to pay it in a lump sum due to the reasons falling under any one of the following subparagraphs, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the Korea Communications Commission may either extend the time limit of payment, or have him pay it in installments. In this case, the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the Korea Communications Commission may, if deemed necessary, have him put up a security therefor: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Where he suffers a severe loss of property due to natural disasters or fire;

 

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2. Where his business faces a serious crisis due to an aggravation of his business environments; and

3. Where it is expected that he will be in great financial difficulty if he pays the penalty surcharge in a lump sum.

(2) Matters necessary for an extension of the deadline for payment of a penalty surcharge, the payment in installments and the laying of a security shall be prescribed by the Enforcement Decree.

Article 92 (Correction Orders, etc.)

(1) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning or Korea Communications Commission shall issue correction orders in case where a telecommunications business operator falls under any of the following subparagraphs: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Aug. 13, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

1. Where it violates Articles 3, 4, 4-2, 6, 9 through 11, 14 through 22, 22-3, 23, 24, 26 through 28, 30 through 32, 32-3, 32-4, 32-6, 32-7, 33 through 44, 47 through 49, 51, 56 through 60, 60-2, 60-3, 61, 62, 64 through 67, 69, 73 through 75, 79 or 82 through 84, 84-2, 85 through 87, and 88 or any order thereunder;

2. Where the procedures for business performances of telecommunications business operator are deemed to inflict significant harms on the users’ interests; and

3. Where he fails to take swift measures necessary for removing obstructions such as repairs, etc. when impediments have occurred to the supply of telecommunications services.

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning may order a telecommunications business operator to conduct the matters of the following subparagraphs, when necessary for development of telecommunications: < Amended on Aug. 13, 2013>

1. Integrated operation and management of telecommunications facilities, etc.;

 

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2. Expansion of communications facilities for the enhancement of social welfare;

3. Construction and management of communications networks for important communications necessary to achieve efficient performance of State’s functions, determined by the Enforcement Decree; and

4. Other matters as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree.

(3) The Korea Communications Commission may order the persons falling under any of the following subparagraphs to take measures, such as the suspension of acts to provide telecommunications service or the removal of telecommunications facilities, etc.: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

1. Persons who operate a key communications business without obtaining a permit under Article 6 (1);

2. Persons who operate a specific communications business without making a registration under Article 21 (1);

3. Persons who operate a value-added communications business without making a report under Article 22 (1);

4. Persons who operate a value-added communications business of a special type without making a registration under Article 22 (2).

(4) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the Korea Communications Commission may extend the period only once in case it is acknowledged that a telecommunications business operator cannot implement the order within the period provided by the order under Paragraphs (1) through (3) due to natural disaster or other unavoidable reason. <Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014>

(5) The government may subsidize the expenses for construction and management of the important communications in order to secure the important communications in Subparagraph 3 of Paragraph (2). < Newly Inserted on Aug. 13, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

 

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Article 93 (Delegation of Authority)

The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the Korea Communications Commission may partially delegate its authority under this Act to the head of affiliated agency, as prescribed by Enforcement Decree. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

CHAPTER VII PENAL PROVISIONS

Article 94 (Penal Provisions)

A person falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than five years or by a fine not exceeding 200 million won:

1. A person who runs a key communications business without obtaining a license under Article 6 (1);

2. A person who has operated key communications services in violation of partial cancellation of license under Article 20(1);

3. A person who obstructs the flow of telecommunications by impeding a function of telecommunications facilities by means of damaging telecommunications facilities, or having the objects contacted thereon and other methods, in violation of Article 79 (1);

4. A person who divulges other’s secrets with respect to communications which have been known to him while in office, in violation of Article 83 (2);

5. A person who supplies communication data, and person who receives such supply, in violation of Article 83 (3).

 

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Article 95 (Penal Provisions)

A person falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than three years or by a fine not exceeding 150 million won: <Amended on May 19, 2011>

1. A person who refuses a provision of telecommunications service without any justifiable reasons, in violation of Article 3 (1);

2. A person who violates a disposition taken to suspend his business under Article 20 (1);

3. A person who operates a specific communications business without making a registration under Article 21 (1);

3-2. A person who operated a value-added telecommunications business without making a registration under Article 22 (2);

4. A person who has operated specific communications services in violation of partial cancellation of license under Article 27(1);

5. A person who fails to implement an order under Article 52 (2);

6. A person who obstructs the measurement of line tracks, etc. and the installation and preservation activities of telecommunications facilities under Article 73 (2);

7. A person who encroaches upon or divulges a secret of communications handled by telecommunications business operator, in violation of Article 83 (1).

Article 95-2 (Penal Provisions)

A person falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than three years or by a fine not exceeding 100 million won: <Amended on October, 15, 2014>

 

  1. A person who has disclosed another’s secret during his term of office in violation of Article 4-2(3);

 

  2. A person who, in violation of Article 32-4 (1) 1, opens a mobile communications terminal in another’s name on condition that he would provide or finance funds and uses the telecommunication service provided to the mobile communications terminal or uses the mobile communications terminal to collect the relevant funds;

 

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  3. A person who, in violation of Article 32-4 (1) 2, solicits, arranges or mediates, or advertises a contract concerning the provision of telecommunication service required for the use of a mobile communications terminal on condition that he will provide or finance funds;

 

  4. A person who, in violation of Article 84-2 (1), fraudulently displays outgoing telephone number by altering, etc. it when he makes a call (including text messages) in order to take a profit in property by cheating another person or inflict harm including violent language, intimidations, harassments, etc.

 

  5. A person who, in violation of Article 84-2 (2), provides, for profit, the service that enables another person to fraudulently display—by altering, etc.—outgoing telephone number.

[This Article Newly Inserted on Aug. 13, 2013]

Article 96 (Penal Provisions)

A person falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than two years or by a fine not exceeding 100 million won: < Amended on Aug. 13, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

1. A person who fails to obtain a modified license under Article 16;

2. A person who fails to obtain approval under Articles 17 (1) and 42 (4);

3. A person who fails to obtain an authorization under the text of Article 18 (1) other than sub-paragraphs or approval according to Article 19 (1);

4. A person who violates Article 18 (9) by unifying communication networks, appointing officers, executing any other activities such as transferring, consolidating, enforcing a facilities sales contract or taking follow-up measures relating to establishment of a company before receiving a license;

 

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5. A person who violates user protection measures ordered under Article 19(2) or Article 20(3);

6. A person who runs the value-added communications business without making a report under Article 22(1);

6-2. A person who violates Article 22-3(2) by incapacitating—via removal or alteration, or circumvention of—the technical measures under Article 22-3 (1) without reasonable authority;

7. A person who violates a disposition taken to suspend his business under Article 27(1);

8. A person who fails to execute the order given to discontinue his business under Article 27 (2);

9. A person who fails to subscribe for a guarantee insurance in violation of Article 32(4);

10. A person who discloses, uses or provides the information, in violation of the text of Article 43 (1) or Paragraph (2) of the same Article;

10-2. A person who, for the purpose of disturbing the suspension of use of telecommunications termination equipment reported lost or stolen to communications business operators, damages, counterfeits or alters the Identification number of the telecommunications termination equipment, in violation of Article 60-3;

11. A person who fails to implement the partial restriction or cessation measure ordered pursuant to Article 85;

12. A person who fails to obtain approval, approval for alteration, or approval for abolition, under Article 86 (2).

 

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Article 97 (Penal Provisions)

A person falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year or by a fine not exceeding 50 million won: <Oct. 15, 2014>

1. A person who fails to execute the order given under Articles 10(5), 18 (8) or 12 (2) (including a case where the provisions are applied mutatis mutandis under Article 4 (4) of the Addenda of the Telecommunications Business Act amended by Act No. 5385) or Article 13(9);

2. A person who fails to make a report under provisos of Article 18 (1) other than sub-paragraphs;

3. A person who fails to make a modified registration under Article 23;

4. A person who fails to make a report under Article 24;

5. A person who violates a disposition taken to suspend his business under Article 27 (2);

6. A person who provides telecommunications service without making a report or modification report under Article 28(1) and the proviso of (2) or receiving an authorization or modification approval under Paragraph (2) of the same Article;

7. A person who intermediates other person’s communication or furnishes for use by other person, by making use of telecommunications services rendered by the telecommunications business operator, in contravention of the provisions of the text of Article 30 other than subparagraphs.

Article 98 (Penal Provisions)

A person falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year or by a fine not exceeding 10 million won:

1. A person who installs or modifies significant telecommunications facilities without making a report under the main text of Article 62(1) or has installed telecommunications facilities without obtaining approval under the proviso of the same Article;

2. A person who installs proprietary telecommunications facilities without making a report or modification report under Article 64(1);

3. A person who interconnects other’s communication through proprietary telecommunication facilities or uses it outside its purpose in violation of Article 65(1);

 

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4. A person who violates an order under Article 66(1) to handle telecommunication services or other communication services or connect the pertinent facilities to other telecommunications facilities;

5. A person violates a usage cessation order under Article 67(2) or an order under Paragraph (3) of the same article;

6. A person violates an order for removal of telecommunications facilities or other corrective measures under Article 82(2).

Article 99 (Penal Provisions)

A person who commits any of the prohibited acts under Article 50(1) (excluding providing telecommunications services not in accordance with the standard usage terms and conditions under Article 50(1)5) shall be punished by a fine not exceeding 300 million won.

Article 100 Deleted <Oct. 15, 2014>

Article 101 (Penal Provisions)

A person who stains the telecommunications facilities or damages the measurement marks of the telecommunications facilities, in violation of Article 79 (2) shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one million won.

Article 102 (Attempted Criminal)

An attempted criminal under subparagraphs 3 and 4 of Article 94 and subparagraph 7 of Article 95 shall be punished.

 

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Article 103 (Joint Penal Provisions)

When a representative of a juristic person or an agent, an employee or any other employed person of the juristic person or individual commits violation under Articles 94, 95, 95-2 and 96 through 99 in connection with the business of such juristic person or individual, then a fine under the related Article shall be imposed on the juristic person or individual, in addition to the punishment of the violator except in cases where such juristic person or individual has not been lax in exercising due care and supervision in regard to the relevant business to prevent such violation. <This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 9702, May. 21, 2009> < Amended on Aug. 13, 2013>

Article 104 (Fine for Negligence)

(1) A person who rejects or interferes with or avoids the inspection under Article 51(2) shall be punished by a fine for negligence not exceeding 50 million won. <Newly Inserted on Oct. 15, 2014>

(2) A person who falls under any one of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by a fine for negligence not exceeding 30 million won: < Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

1. A person who refuses or impedes a temporary use of private telecommunications facilities or lands under Article 73 (2), without justifiable reasons;

2. A person who refuses or impedes an entry to the land, etc. under Article 74 (2), without justifiable reasons;

3. A person who refuses the moving, alteration, repair and other measures on the obstacles, etc. under Article 75 (1), or the request for removal of the plants under Article 75 (2), without justifiable reasons;

4. A person who fails to take measures under each of the subparagraphs under Article 84-2(3).

(3) A person who falls under any one of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by a fine for negligence not exceeding 20 million won: <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

1. A person who violates Article 22(3)1 by failing to take technical measures or violates Article 22(3)3 by failing to record/manage the status of the operation/management of technical measures;

 

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2. A person who violates Article 32-3(2) by failing to not suspend the provision of telecommunication services;

3. A person who violates Article 44(2) by failing to apply for approval in regard to execution of an agreement.

(4) A person falling under any of the following shall be punished by a fine not exceeding 15 million won: <Amended on Oct. 15, 2014>

 

  1. A person who fails to report in regard to execution of an agreement in violation of Article 44(1) or Article 44(3);

 

  2. A person who fails to make a report under the main text of Article 86(3).

(5) A person who falls under any one of the following subparagraphs shall be punished by a fine for negligence not exceeding ten million won: < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Aug. 13, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

1. A person who fails to make a report as referred to in Article 10 (2) or to comply with a request for providing the data or an order to attend as referred to in Article 11 (3) or (4);

2. A person who, in violation of Article 19 (1), fails to notify the user 60 days prior to the expected date of termination;

2-2. A person who fails to respond to the Korea Communications Commission’s order to submit data under Article 22-3(4) or who submits false data;

3. A person who fails to make a report under Article 26;

4. A person who violates the obligation (excluding the effort to prevent users from being damaged) concerning the protection of users under Article 32 (1);

4-2. A person who fails to implement the order of submission of data under the latter part of Article 32(2);

 

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4-3. A person who fails to send the copy of a contract in violation of Article 32(3);

5. A person who fails to comply with an order to submit data issued by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning under Article 35 (6) or submits false data;

6. A person who fails to make a public announcement of the technical standards, and the standards for use and provision, or the standards for a creation of fair competitive environments, in violation of Article 42 (4);

6-2. A person who fails to provide information regarding telecommunications services standards in violation of Article 42(5);

7. A person who fails to observe the publicly announced matters under Article 48(2), in violation of Article 48 (3);

8. A person who refuses, avoids, or intervenes with the order to submit information or object under Article 51 (5), or the temporary custody of the information or object submitted under the same Article;

9. A person who fails to execute orders given to furnish related data under the provisions of Article 56 (3);

10. A person who has used proprietary telecommunications facilities without receiving confirmation under Article 62(1);

11. A person who refuses or interferes with inspection under Article 82(1);

12. A person who fails to report under Article 82(2) or makes a false report;

13. A person who fails to keep related data or makes false entries in such data, in contravention of the provisions of Article 54 (5);

14. A person who does not report the contents in the ledgers, including provision of telecommunications data, to the head of central administrative agency in violation Article 83(7);

15. A person who fails to respond to the perusal/submission and inspection of the data under Article 84-2(4) or submits false data;

 

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16. A person who fails to make reports or submit the data under Article 88, or falsely do such acts;

17. A person who fails to follow correction orders, etc., under Article 92(1) to (3).

(6) The fine for negligence under Paragraphs (2) through (5) shall be imposed and collected by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, under the conditions as prescribed by the Enforcement Decree: Provided that the fine for negligence under Paragraph (1), Paragraph (3)1, and subparagraphs 2-2, 4-2, and 8 of Paragraph (5) shall be imposed and collected by the Korea Communications Commission and the fine for negligence under subparagraph 17 of Paragraph (5) shall be imposed and collected by the Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the Korea Communications Commission in accordance with the business affairs under the control of each of them. < Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Oct. 15, 2014>

ADDENDUM <Act No. 12761, Oct. 15, 2014>

Article 1 (Enforcement Date)

This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation. Provided, however, the amended provisions of Article 9 and Article 32-3 shall enter into force from the date of promulgation.

Article 2 (Application of Provisions concerning Report and Disclose of Supplementary Agreement)

The amended provisions of Article 44(3) shall apply even if 30 days have not passed after a supplementary agreement was executed/amended/abolished at the time of this Act entering into force.

 

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Article 3 (Transitional Measures concerning Reasons for Disqualification including an Incompetent)

Notwithstanding the amended provision of Article 9(1)1, the previous provisions shall apply to the person who has been declared incompetent or quasi-incompetent under Article 2 of Addenda (Act No. 10429, Mar. 7, 2011) to the Civil Act and such declaration remains effective at the time of the same amended provision entering into force.

Article 4 (Transitional Measures concerning Registration of Value-Added Communications Business)

A person who operates a value-added communications business under the previous provisions at the time of this Act entering into force and who falls under the amended provision of Article 2(13)B shall make a registration under the amended provision of Article 22(2) within six months of the date of this Act entering into force.

Article 5 (Transitional Measures concerning Technical Measures, etc.)

A value-added communications business of a special type registered under Article 22(2) at the time of this Act entering into force shall take measures, etc. under the amended provisions of Article 22-3(1) and (3) within six months of the date of this Act entering into force.

Article 6 (Transitional Measures concerning Penal Provisions and Fine for Negligence)

In applying penal provisions or provisions concerning the fine for negligence against a violation committed before this Act enters into force, the former provisions shall apply.

 

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EX-15.4 10 d910678dex154.htm EX-15.4 EX-15.4

Exhibit 15.4

ENFORCEMENT DECREE OF

THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESS ACT

 

 

[Enforced on Jan. 1, 2015] [Amended by Enforcement Decree No. 25840 of Dec. 9, 2014 and by other amended Acts]

Chapter 1. General Provisions

Article 1 (Purpose)

The purpose of this Decree is to provide for matters delegated under the Telecommunications Business Act and matters necessary for its enforcement.

Article 2 (Contents of Universal Service)

(1) Pursuant to Article 4(3) of the Telecommunications Business Act (the “Act”), the contents of universal services shall be as follows.

 

  1. Wire telephone services;

 

  2. Telephone services for emergency communications; and

 

  3. Services of which fees are reduced or exempted for the disabled and the low income class.

(2) The detailed contents of universal services under paragraph (1) shall be as follows. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. Wire telephone services are telephone services within an area publicly notified by the Minister of Science, ICT (information, communication, technology) and Future Planning based on methods and conditions of use (the “Calling Area”), falling under any one of the following:

 

  (a) a local telephone service which is a telephone service (excluding, throughout this Enforcement Decree, the island communication service referred to in (c) below) enabling communication through subscription telephones;

 

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  (b) a local public telephone service which is a telephone service enabling communication through public telephones; or

 

  (c) an island communication service which is a telephone service enabling radio communication between shore and an island or between islands.

 

  2. Telephone services for emergency communications are telephone services necessary for maintaining social order and securing human life, falling under any of the following:

 

  (a) a special telephone number service, among the key communications services, publicly notified by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning; or

 

  (b) a wireless telephone service for vessels which is a telephone service, among the key communications services, enabling communication between shore and a vessel or between vessels.

 

  3. Services of which fees are reduced or exempted for the disabled and the low income class are services offered to the disabled and the low income class for the purpose of improving social welfare, falling under any of the following:

 

  (a) a local telephone service and a telephone service between the Calling Areas (the “Long Distance Telephone Service”);

 

  (b) a directory assistant service which is a service incidental to a local telephone service and the Long Distance Telephone Service;

 

  (c) a mobile telephone service, a personal communication service, IMT-2000 service or a LTE service among the key communications services; or

 

2


  (d) an Internet subscriber connection service;

 

  (e) an Internet phone service.

 

  (f) Mobile Internet Service

(3) Any of the following shall be entitled to the services of which fees are reduced or exempted pursuant to subparagraph 3 of paragraph (2); provided, however, that the services for which fees are reduced or exempt pursuant to subparagraph 8 below shall be limited to the mobile telephone service, the personal communication service, the IMT-2000 service, and the LTE service: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. the disabled under Article 32 of the Welfare of Disabled Persons Act or welfare institutions or groups for the disabled under the same Act. Provided, that a family which includes the disabled as a member of the family shall be exempted from paying service fees of the local phone service, long distance phone service, internet subscriber access service and internet phone service;

 

  2. special schools under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act;

 

  3. child welfare institutions under the Child Welfare Act;

 

  4. the recipients of assistance under the National Basic Livelihood Security Act: Provided that in the event of a local telephone service, the Long Distance Telephone Service, Internet subscriber connection service or Internet Phone Service, households composed of such persons.

 

  5. the Korean Association of Wounded Soldiers and Police Officials or the Association Commemorating the April 19 Democratic Revolution under the Act on Establishment of Organizations for Persons, etc. of Distinguished Services to the State;

 

  6. soldiers or policemen wounded in action, soldiers or policemen wounded on duty, wounded activists of the April 19 Revolution, public officials wounded on duty, wounded special contributor to national and social development or wounded anticommunist captive under the Act on Honorable Treatment and Support of Persons, etc. of Distinguished Services to the State. Provided, that a family which includes the disabled as a member of the family shall be exempted from paying service fees of the local phone service, long distance phone service, internet subscriber access service and internet phone service; or

 

3


  7. wounded activists of the May 18 Democratization Movement among the persons of distinguished services to the May 18 democratization movement under the Act on Honorable Treatment of Persons of Distinguished Services to the May 18 Democratization Movement. Provided, that a family which includes the disabled as a member of the family shall be exempted from paying service fees of the local phone service, long distance phone service, internet subscriber access service, and internet phone service.

 

  8. members of a family having at least one of its members fitting any of the descriptions below qualifying as a member of the next needy class under Article 2(11) of the National Basic Livelihood Security Act; and the number of family members eligible for fee reduction or exemption for such family shall be determined by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning:

 

  (a) a person taking part in the project required for self-support pursuant to Article 9(5) of the National Basic Livelihood Security Act;

 

  (b) a person having a rare and serious disease as described item (d) of section 3 in Table 2 and is eligible for reduction in his or her share of fees;

 

  (c) a person receiving disability allowances pursuant to Article 49 of the Welfare of the Disabled Persons Act and a person receiving allowances for raising and protecting disabled children pursuant to Article 50(1) of the same Act; and

 

  (d) a person requiring protection under Article 5 of the Single-Parent Family Assistance Act, including a person who has ratio of recognized income to minimum living expense of 130 or below to 100.

 

  (e) A person receiving disability support pension pursuant to Article 10 of the Pension Act for the Disabled.

 

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(g) A person who belongs to the working poor class in the Social Security Information System under Article 37 Paragraph 2 of the Framework Act on Social Security and is relevant to conditions, determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning.

(4) Any person of followings shall apply for the service fees exemption under the Paragraph 2 Subparagraph 3:

1. In case where the service fee is exempt under Paragraph 3 Subparagraph 1, 6, or 7, either a person exempted from paying service fees or a head of a household among members of the family;

2. In case where the service fees exemption is applied under Subparagraph 4, either a person exempted from paying service fees or a head of a household among members of the household;

3. In case where the service fees exemption is applied under situations, other than situations, prescribed in Subparagraph 1 and 2, a person exempted from paying service fees (In case of Paragraph 3 Subparagraph 8, each of members of the household)

(5) The Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning shall publicly notify the standard of service fee exemption, prescribed in Paragraph 2 Subparagraph 3, and this public notice shall be based on the consideration of the business scale, the level of service fee, etc., of the service provider.

Article 3 (Designation of Telecommunications Business Operator who Provides Universal Services)

(1) If the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning intends to designate a telecommunications business operator who provides universal services (the “Business Operator Providing Universal Services”) under Article 4 (4) of the Act, it can do so after taking into consideration such operator’s opinion. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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(2) To confirm the status of the provision of universal services, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may request a telecommunications business operator who is designated as a Business Operator Providing Universal Services under paragraph (1) shall to submit data about the results of provision of universal services, the cost relevant to the provision, etc. In this case, the Business Operator Providing Universal Services shall respond to the request without justifiable reasons. <Amended on Dec. 23, 2014>

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 4 (Compensation for Losses Incurred through Provision of Universal Services)

(1) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may have the telecommunications business operators who are not Business Operators Providing Universal Services bear part of the expenses for compensating whole or part of the losses incurred through a provision of universal services by Business Operators Providing Universal Services (the “Compensation For Losses Incurred Through Universal Services”) in proportion to their respective sales. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) A Business Operator Providing Universal Services who intends to receive the Compensation For Losses Incurred Through Universal Services shall submit a report on the actual results of a provision of universal services, including expenditures for, and incomes and losses from, the provision thereof, to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning within three months after the expiration of the relevant fiscal year. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, if deemed necessary for the verification of the report on the actual results of a provision of universal services submitted pursuant to paragraph (2), consult a professional institution to examine it. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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Article 5 (Universal Services Entitled To Compensation For Losses Incurred Through Universal Services)

(1) The scope of universal services entitled to the Compensation For Losses Incurred Through Universal Services shall be any of the following: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. among local telephone services pursuant to Article 2(2)1(a) hereof, a local telephone service offered in areas where, as a result of provision of such service, the expenditures (meaning, here as well as in subparagraph 2 and Article 6(1) hereof, the expenses calculated in accordance with the method publicly notified by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning considering such factors as the population density, number of lines and efficiency of managing communication lines) exceed the incomes (including, here as well as in subparagraph 2 and Article 6(1) hereof, any indirect advantages such as improved brand value and user preference as a result of provision of universal services);

 

  2. among local public telephone services pursuant to Article 2(2)1(b) hereof, a local public telephone service offered in areas where, as a result of provision of such service, the expenditures exceed the incomes;

 

  3. an island communication service pursuant to Article 2(2)1(c) hereof; or

 

  4. a wireless telephone service for vessels pursuant to Article 2(2)2(b) hereof.

(2) In Article 4 (2) 1 of the Act, “the telecommunications business operators prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” means value-added communications business operators or regional wireless call operators.

(3) In Article 4 (2) 2 of the Act, “the amount prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” means 30 billion won.

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

7


Article 6 (Methods for Computing the Compensation For Losses Incurred Through Universal Services)

(1) Losses incurred through provision of the universal services prescribed under each of the paragraphs in Article 5(1) hereof shall be the amount of expenses of providing the relevant service less the relevant income.

(2) The provisional Compensation For Losses Incurred Through Universal Services shall be computed by multiplying the amount obtained under paragraph (1) and the rate of compensation for losses determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning; provided that, with respect to a wireless telephone service for vessels under Article 5(1)4 hereof, the target amount for efficient management determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall be the provisional Compensation For Losses Incurred Through Universal Services. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) The Compensation For Losses Incurred Through Universal Services shall be the amount of the provisional Compensation For Losses Incurred Through Universal Services computed pursuant to paragraph (2) subtracted by each of the amounts described below: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. the amount paid by telecommunications business operators providing any of the universal services prescribed under each of the subparagraphs of Article 5(1) hereof based on their sales from telecommunications services other than the relevant universal service provided (excluding value-added communications services); and

 

  2. the amount computed by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning considering the payment capacity of telecommunications business operators paying for the Compensation For Losses Incurred Through Universal Services (the “Business Operators Paying For Losses”).

(4) The Business Operators Paying For Losses shall pay for the Compensation For Losses Incurred Through Universal Services computed pursuant to paragraph (3) in proportion to their respective sales relating to telecommunications services (excluding value-added communications services).

(5) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall determine and announce all other necessary details with respect to the rates by which telephone services fees are reduced or exempted for the disabled and the low income class and the methods for computing the Compensation For Losses Incurred Through Universal Services. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Chapter 2. Telecommunications Business

Article 7 < Deleted by Enforcement Decree No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010>

Article 8 (Scope of Premises)

The “premises determined under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Article 5(3)2 of the Act means any of the following: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. a building;

 

  2. a site (limited to that owned by one person or owned through common ownership) and any building located on such site;

 

  3. two or more buildings possessed by one person and the site on which such buildings are located, limited to those buildings the distance between which is not more than 500 meters; or

 

  4. any buildings or sites adjacent to the buildings or sites prescribed under paragraphs 1-3 and publicly notified by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning.

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 9 (Permit Application, etc.)

(1) A person who wishes to obtain a permit under Article 6(1) of the Act may make an application in the name of the representative of a corporation or the representative, such as a shareholder, etc., of a corporation to be established. <Amended by Enforcement Decree No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010>

 

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(2) The “premises determined under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Article 6(2)4 of the Act means the following <Amended by Enforcement Decree No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010, Amended on Mar. 23, 2013 >

1. matters concerning the suitability of investment plan in advancing telecommunication facilities;

2. matters concerning the stability and expertise of supply plan for key communication services; and

3. matters similar to paragraph 1 or 2 as determined and announced by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning.

Article 10 (Documents to be Attached to Permit Application)

(1) A person who wishes to obtain a permit for a key communications business under Article 6(1) of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning a key communications business permit application with each of the following documentation attached thereto: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. articles of incorporation of the corporation (including, throughout this Article 10, the corporation to be incorporated);

 

  2. shareholder register, or documentation relating to ownership of shares, etc. by shareholders, etc., of the corporation; and

 

  3. a business proposal.

(2) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning receiving a permit application pursuant to paragraph (1) shall verify the commercial registry extracts by using the public administrative information made available under Article 36(1) of the E-Government Act. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

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Article 11 <Deleted by Enforcement Decree No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010>

Article 12 (Issuance of License)

(1) When permitting a key communications business under Article 6(1) of the Act or modification of license under Article 16(1) of the Act, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall issue a key communications business operator’s license upon making recordation of each of the following in a license registry of key communications business operators: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. number and date of license;

 

  2. title or trade name of the business and name of the representative;

 

  3. the areas where the telecommunications service is offered;

 

  4. location of the principal office;

 

  5. capital or asset valuation amount;

 

  6. details of major business facilities and equipment and the locations where such facilities and equipment are installed;

 

  7. details concerning technical personnel; and

 

  8. any conditions upon which the license is issued.

(2) A key communications business operator whose license, issued pursuant to paragraph (1), is either lost or worn out to the extent it can no longer be used may apply for reissuance of the license to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning by writing the reason for such loss or damage in its application thereto. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

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Article 13 (Criteria for Examination of Public Interest Aspect)

(1) The term “public interests as prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in parts other than each subparagraph of Article 10 (1) of the Act means the maintenance of national security, public peace and social order.

(2) The term “important management matters, including the key communication provider’s appointment of officer, transfer or business, etc., prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Article 10(1)3 of the Act means the matters falling under each of the following subparagraphs:

 

  1. appointment and dismissal of the representative director of a key communications business operator, or appointment and dismissal of one third or more of the officers;

 

  2. transfer and takeover of a key communications business; and

 

  3. entrance by a key communications business operator into a new key communications business.

(3) The term “case prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Article 10(1)4 of the Act means any of the following.

 

  1. the case where a de facto change is made in the management right of a key communications business operator by an agreement of shareholders who are not the largest shareholder of such key communications business operator to jointly exercise voting rights; or

 

  2. the control of the holding company (as that term is defined under Article 2(1)2 of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act) of the key communication provider has actually changed hands.

3. In case where the control of the key telecommunications business operator is, in fact, changed since there are any changes in the largest shareholders of the business operator

 

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4. In case where the control of the key telecommunications business operator is actually changed by an agreement, related to the exercise of voting right, by and between a person who is not a shareholder of the business operator and a shareholder of the business operator (or a person who actually controls the business operator).

Article 14 <Deleted by Enforcement Decree No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010>

Article 15 (Procedures for Examination of Public Interest Aspect)

(1) A person who wishes to file a report or request a screening pursuant to Article 10(2) or 10(3) of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning documentation indicating each of the following: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. name and address of the person filing a report or requesting a screening (in the case of a corporation, the name and address of (i) such corporation and (ii) the representative of such corporation);

 

  2. purpose of, and reason for, the report or screening request; and

 

  3. details of any of the facts falling under each of the subparagraphs of Article 10(1) of the Act.

(2) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, where it deems necessary, request for the documentation already submitted to it to be supplemented within a period reasonably fixed. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) Except under special circumstances, with respect to any matter the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning referred to the public interest aspect examination committee, the public interest aspect examination committee shall notify the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning of the result of its screening within 3 months of the date of such referral. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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(4) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall notify the person filing a report or requesting a screening of the result of examination of public interest aspect under paragraph (3). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 16 (Composition etc. of Public Interest Aspect Examination Committee)

(1) The term “related central administrative agencies prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in parts other than each subparagraph of Article 11(2) of the Act means the agencies falling under each of the following: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. the Ministry of Strategy and Finance;

 

  2. the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

 

  3. the Ministry of Justice;

 

  4. the Ministry of National Defense;

 

  5. the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs;

 

  6. the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

 

  7. the Fair Trade Commission

 

  8. the National Police Agency

(2) The term of office of the members shall be two years and consecutive appointment may be permitted; provided that, the term of office of the members who are public officials shall be the period of service in their positions as public officials.

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

14


Article 17 (Operation etc. of Public Interest Aspect Examination Committee)

(1) The chairman of the Public Interest Aspect Examination Committee shall represent the Public Interest Aspect Examination Committee and exercise an overall control of its affairs.

(2) If the chairman is inevitably unable to perform his duties, a member previously appointed by the chairman shall act on her or his behalf.

(3) The chairman shall convene and preside over a meeting of the Public Interest Aspect Examination Committee.

(4) Deliberation of a meeting of the Public Interest Aspect Examination Committee shall start by the attendance of a majority of all incumbent members, and its resolution shall require the consent of a majority of those present.

(5) The Public Interest Aspect Examination Committee shall have one secretary general in order to deal with its affairs, but the secretary general shall be appointed by the chairman among the public officials belonging to the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(6) Any matters necessary for the operation of the Public Interest Aspect Examination Committee shall be determined by the chairman through a resolution of the Public Interest Aspect Examination Committee.

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 18 (Imposition and Payment etc. of Charges for Compelling Execution)

(1) When determining the amount of charges for compelling execution pursuant to Article 13 of the Act, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall take into account such factors as the reasons for failure to comply with corrective orders and the scale of benefits to be gained by such failure. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

15


(2) The date of compliance with corrective orders pursuant to Article 13(2) of the Act shall be determined by the classifications falling under each of the following:

 

  1. delivery date of shares in the case of disposal of shares;

 

  2. date of executing a contract in the case of amending details of a contract;

 

  3. date of suspending the relevant acts in the case of suspending the acts impeding public benefits; and

 

  4. date of satisfying relevant conditions in the case of conditional performance.

(3) Where the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning wishes to impose charges for compelling execution pursuant to Article 13 of the Act, it shall furnish a notification thereof in writing, indicating such matters as the amount of charges for compelling execution per day, reasons for imposition, payment term and receiving agency, methods of raising objections, and agencies to where such objections must be directed. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) Any person who has been notified under paragraph (3) shall pay the charges for compelling execution within 30 days of the date of receiving such notice; provided that, in the event such person is unable to pay the charges for compelling execution within said period due to a natural disaster or other unavoidable circumstances, such person shall pay the charges for compelling execution within 30 days of the day on which said causes have disappeared.

(5) In collecting charges for compelling execution and in the event a corrective order has not been complied with after 90 days elapsed from the date of expiration of the period set by the corrective order, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may collect charges for compelling execution based on the dates on which each 90 day period elapses from said expiration date. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(6) Article 49 hereof shall apply mutatis mutandis to any reminder of charges for compelling execution.

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

16


Article 19 (Permit to Change)

(1) A person who wishes to obtain a permit to change to a key communications business pursuant to Articles 16 (1) of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning an application for a permit to change to a key communications business with supporting documents confirming proposed changes attached thereto: <Amended on Feb. 28, 2012, Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall issue public notice with respect to details about application guidelines, submission procedures, submission method, etc. for a permit to change to a key communications business under Article 16(1) of the Act. <Amended on Feb. 28, 2012, Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) Deleted <October 1, 2010>.

(4) The “material aspects prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Article 16(1) of the Act means each of the following; <Amended on Feb. 28, 2012>

 

  1. matters concerning changes to key communication business pursuant to Article 6(1) of the Act (including the case where services cancelled under Article 20(1) of the Act are to be resumed); and

 

  2. matters concerning the permission criteria under Article 6(4) of the Act.

[Title of this Article Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 20 (Approval Application for Transfer, Merger, etc.)

(1) A person who wishes to obtain approval of the transfer of the whole or part of a key communications business pursuant to Article 18(1)1 of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning an approval application for the transfer of a key communications business with each of the following documentation attached thereto: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. a copy of the transfer agreement;

 

17


  2. articles of incorporation of the transferor and the transferee, and documentation supporting the transfer;

 

  3. shareholder register, or documentation related to ownership of shares, etc. by shareholders, etc., of the transferee;

 

  4. present status of the transferor and the transferee; and

 

  5. post-transfer business proposal.

(2) A person who wishes to obtain approval of the merger with a corporation that is a key communications business pursuant to Article 18(1)2 of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning an approval application for the merger with a key communications business with each of the following documentation attached thereto: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. a copy of the merger agreement;

 

  2. articles of incorporation of the parties to the merger agreement, and documentation supporting the merger;

 

  3. shareholder register, or documentation related to ownership of shares, etc. by shareholders, etc., of the corporation that shall continue to exist after the merger or be incorporated through the merger;

 

  4. present status of the parties to the merger agreement; and

 

  5. post-merger business proposal.

(3) A key communications business operator who wishes to obtain approval of the sale of telecommunications line facilities and equipment pursuant to Article 18(1)3 of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning an approval application for the sale of telecommunications line facilities and equipment with each of the following documentation attached thereto: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. a copy of the sale and purchase agreement concerning telecommunications line facilities and equipment, and other documentation supporting such agreement;

 

18


  2. articles of incorporation of the seller and the purchaser, and documentation supporting the sale and purchase;

 

  3. shareholder register, or documentation related to ownership by shareholders, etc., of the purchaser;

 

  4. present status of the seller and the purchaser; and

 

  5. post-sale business proposal.

(4) A person who wishes to own 15% or more of the total outstanding shares of a key communications business operator or become the largest shareholder of a key communications business operator pursuant to Article 18(1)4 of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning an approval application for the ownership of shares, or for becoming the largest shareholder, of a key communications business with each of the following documentation attached thereto: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. documentation supporting the share purchase, such as a copy of the share purchase agreement;

 

  2. articles of incorporation of the share purchaser, or the person seeking to be the largest shareholder, and the counterparty to the share purchase agreement;

 

  3. present status of the shareholders of the share purchaser, or the person seeking to be the largest shareholder, and the counterparty to the share purchase agreement;

 

  4. present status of the share purchaser, or the person seeking to be the largest shareholder, and the counterparty to the share purchase agreement;

 

  5. purpose of, reasons for and an analysis of the effect of acquisition of the shares;

 

19


  6. proposal for dual appointment of officers (only when considering dual appointment of an officer of the counterparty); and

 

  7. post-share acquisition business proposal (only when seeking to become the largest shareholder).

(5) A person who wishes to obtain approval for purchase of shares or execution of an agreement under Article 18(1)5 shall attach the following to an approval application and submit them to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. documents confirming the acquisition of managerial control such as copies of share purchase agreement or other agreement, etc.

2. articles of incorporation of the purchaser or the party to the agreement and the counterparty;

3. shareholders registers of the purchaser or the party to the agreement and the counterparty

4. descriptions of businesses of the purchaser or the party to the agreement and the counterparty

5. purposes of and impact analysis of the share purchase or execution of the agreement;

6. a plan for overlapping officers and directors (applicable when such officers or directors also act as officers or directors the counterparty); and

7. a business plan for the period following the-share acquisition or execution of the agreement.

 

20


(6) The “premises determined under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Article 18(1)5 of the Act means any of the following.

1. where one person alone or together with his specially related persons seek to acquire shares issued by the largest shareholder of a key communications business operator and effectively exercises the voting rights of such largest shareholder;

2. where persons (including specially related persons) with the common aim of controlling a key communications business operator seek to acquire more shares than the voting rights held by the largest shareholder of such key communications business operator;

3. where the control of a key communications business operator is sought by way of business lease, delegation of managerial control or other agreements with the key communications business operator or its largest shareholder; and

4. where a shareholder of a key communications business operator seeks enter into an agreement with other shareholders, except the largest shareholder to exercise jointly more voting rights than the largest shareholder.

(7) A key communications business operator that seeks to receive an approval to establish a corporation to provide part of the key communications services it has provided with the approval under Article 18(1)6 shall attach the following documents to an incorporation approval application and submit them to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. articles of incorporation of the corporation to be incorporated

2. shareholder register, or documentation relating to ownership of shares, etc. by shareholders, etc., of the corporation to be incorporated;

3. business status of the services to be provided (applicable only to the key communications business that already provides the services to be provided by the corporation to be incorporated; and

4. a business plan of the corporation to be incorporated.

 

21


(8) The approval application and attachments under paragraphs (1) through (5) and (7) may be submitted electronically.

(9) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning receiving an approval application for transfer, merger, sale, share acquisition or changing the largest shareholder pursuant to paragraphs (1)-(7) shall verify the commercial registry extracts of the party seeking to transfer, merge, sell, become the largest shareholder, acquire shares, execute an agreement or incorporate a corporation by using the public administrative information made available under Article 21(1) of the E-Government Act. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(10) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall issue a key communications business operator’s license upon approving the approval application for transfer, merger or incorporation pursuant to paragraph (1), (2) or (7). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 21 (Criteria for Major Telecommunications Line Facilities and Equipment)

The “major telecommunications line facilities and equipment prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in provisos other than each subparagraph of Article 18(1) of the Act means facilities and equipment for exchange, transmission and wire pursuant to Article 3(1)8-10 of the Regulations on Telecommunications Facilities and Equipment of which the sum of the sales prices is not less than 5 billion won. <Amended by Enforcement Decree No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010; No. 22616 Jan. 4, 2011>

Article 22 (Report on Sale of Telecommunications Line Facilities and Equipment)

A person who wishes to file a report on sale of telecommunications line facilities and equipment pursuant to provisos other than each subparagraph of Article 18(1) of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning a report on sale of telecommunications line facilities and equipment (including electronic application) with each of the following documentation (including electronic application) attached thereto: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. documentation supporting the sale, such as a copy of the sales agreement concerning telecommunications line facilities and equipment;

 

22


  2. types, details and prices of the facilities and equipment being sold; and

 

  3. plans for service provision and user protection subsequent to the sale.

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 23 <Deleted on Oct. 1, 2010>

Article 24 (Application for a Permit to Suspend Business, etc.)

A person who wishes to obtain authorization to suspend or discontinue business pursuant to Article 19(1) of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning each of the following documentation at least 60 days prior to the expected suspension or discontinuation date. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. details of the business to be suspended or discontinued, and drawings of such business’s territories;

 

  2. documentation indicating details of major telecommunications facilities and equipment relating to the business to be suspended or discontinued;

 

  3. written permission (only where the whole business is discontinued); and

 

  4. statement of reasons for such suspension or discontinuation.

 

  5. notice about the proposed suspension or discontinuation; and

 

  6. documentation stating a plan for customer protection in connection with the proposed suspension or disconsolation.

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

23


Article 25 (Criteria, Procedures, etc. for Revocation of Permits)

(1) The criteria for revocation of permits, cancellation of registration and suspension or discontinuation of business pursuant to Articles 20(2) and 27(3) of the Act are as provided in Table 1 attached hereto. <Amended on Feb. 28, 2012>

(2) <Deleted on Oct. 1, 2010>:

(3) Upon revocation of permits, cancellation of registration or suspension or discontinuation of business under paragraph (1), the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall issue public notification thereof without delay, and notify the relevant telecommunications business operator in writing. <Amended on Feb. 28, 2012, Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Title of this Article amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 26 (Application for Registration)

(1) A person who wishes to register as a specific communications business operator pursuant to Article 21(1) of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning an application (including an electronic application) to register as a specific communications business operator with each of the following documentation (including electronic documentation) attached thereto: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. a business proposal relating to a specific communications business;

 

  2. articles of incorporation of the corporation (including, throughout this Article, the corporation to be established);

 

  3. details, installment locations and a network map of major business facilities and equipment;

 

  4. terms of use containing provisions relating to user protection (including a provision for the aggregated issue amount of prepaid calling cards), and details of, and a management proposal for, an office for user protection; and

 

24


(2) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning receiving who receives a registration application pursuant to paragraph (1) shall verify the commercial registry extracts and national technical qualification certificates of the technical personnel by using the public administrative information available pursuant to Article 36(1) of the E-Government Act; provided that, in the event the applicant does not consent to such verification method, such applicant shall be required to attach the relevant documentation copies thereof to its license application. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 27 (Issuance of Certificates of Registration)

(1) Upon receipt of a registration application under Article 26(1) hereof, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall verify whether such registration application meets the registration requirements under Article 28 hereof, make recordation of each of the following in a registration registry of specific communications business operators and issue to the applicant a certificate of registration as a specific communications business operator within 30 days of the date of application: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. number and date of registration;

 

  2. title or trade name of the business and name of the representative;

 

  3. location of the principal office;

 

  4. capital;

 

  5. types of services provided;

 

  6. details of major business facilities and equipment and the locations where such facilities and equipment are installed;

 

  7. details concerning technical personnel;

 

  8. any conditions upon which the registration is authorized.

 

25


(2) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, where it deems necessary, request for a registration application already submitted to it under Article 26 hereof to be supplemented or revised by no later than 7 days thereafter; provided that, such period may be extended upon request of the applicant and may not count towards the processing time referred to in paragraph (1). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) A specific communications business operator whose certificate of registration, issued pursuant to paragraph (1), is either lost or worn out to the extent it can no longer be used may apply for reissuance of the certificate of registration to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 28 (Registration Requirements for Specific Communications Business)

The registration requirements for a specific communications business pursuant to Article 21(5) of the Act are as provided in Table 2 attached hereto.

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 29 (Reporting Procedures, etc. of Value-Added Communications Business)

(1) A person who wishes to file a report of a value-added communications business under the former part of Article 22(1) of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning a value-added communications business report (including an electronic report) and each of the following documentation (including an electronic report) : <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. a network map diagram (including an electronic diagram, but applicable only where new types of value-added communications services are reported and the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning deems such diagram to be necessary and requests for it); and

 

  2. a report about the privacy protection system (applicable only when personal data are handled).

 

26


(2) A person who wishes to register a value-added telecommunication business of a special type under the former part of Article 22(2) of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning an application form for the registration of a value-added telecommunications business of a special type (including an electronic report) and each of the following documentation (including an electronic report): <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. articles of corporation (only for the legal entity including a corporation to be incorporated); and

2. documentation supporting the registration application meets the registration requirements under each of the subparagraphs of Article 22(2) hereof.

(3) the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning receiving report under paragraph (1) or registration application under paragraph (2) shall confirm a certificate of details of corporate register through joint use of administrative information under Article 36(1) of the Electronic Government Act. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) When there is an error in a value-added telecommunications business report under paragraph (1) or an application form for the registration of a value-added telecommunication business operator of a special type pursuant under paragraph (2) or the documentation attached to such report is insufficient, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may request for such report or application to be supplemented by no later than 10 days thereafter; provided that, such period may be extended upon request by the person filing the report or applying for the registration. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(5) Upon receipt of a value-added communications business report under paragraph (1), the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall issue a report certificate to the person filing such report. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(6) Upon receipt of a registration application under paragraph (2) hereof, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall verify whether such registration application meets the registration requirements under paragraph (9) hereof, make recordation of each of the following in a registration registry of a value-added telecommunication business operators of a special type and issue to the applicant a certificate of registration as a special-type of value-added telecommunications business operator within 30 days of the date of application: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. number and date of registration;

 

27


  2. title or trade name of the business and name of the representative;

 

  3. location of the principal office;

 

  4. capital;

 

  5. types of services provided;

 

  6. details of major business facilities and equipment and the locations where such facilities and equipment are installed;

 

  7. any conditions upon which the registration is authorized.

(7) A value-added communications business operator whose report certificate, issued pursuant to paragraph (5) or certificate of registration issued pursuant to paragraph (6), is either lost or worn out to the extent it can no longer be used may apply for reissuance of the certificate of report to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(8) “Matters determined by the Presidential Decree such as business plan” under Article 22(2)4 constitutes a business plan and a user protection plan.

(9) The registration requirements for a value-added telecommunication business of a special type under Article 22(2) are shown in Table 3.

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

28


Article 30 (Exemption from Value-added Communications Business Operator Report)

(1) The “small-scale value-added communications business meeting the criteria prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in the latter part of Article 22 of the Act means value-added communications business operators who provide value-added communications services using the Internet and where the capital is 100 million won or less who satisfy each of the following criteria.

(2) In the event a value-added communications business operator who is exempted from filing a report pursuant to paragraph (1) comes to have more than 100 million won as its capital, such value-added communications business operator shall file a report, within 1 month of the date on which it ceased to satisfy such criteria, to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning in accordance with the former part of Article 22 (1) of the Act. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 30-2 (Reasons for Disqualification from Registration)

“An investor determined by the Presidential Decree” under Article 22(2) means a person falling under each of the following subparagraphs:

1. A person who holds the larger amount of shares for his own account regardless of the title thereof between a person who owns issued shares having the voting right of the corresponding legal entity or shares invested (referred to as “shares, etc.” in this Article) and a person with special relationship falling under any one of the subparagraphs of Article 8 of the Enforcement Decree of the Financial investment Service and Capital Market Act.

2. Any person who owns more than 10/100 of the corresponding legal entity’s shares for his own account regardless of the title thereof or a shareholder who exercises its power on the management of the corporation by way of appointment of executives, etc. and falling under any one of the subparagraphs of Article 9 of the Enforcement Decree of the Financial investment Service and Capital Market Act.

<Newly inserted on Nov. 14, 2011> <Enforcement Date: Nov. 20, 2011>

 

29


Article 31 (Amendment of Registration or Report)

(1) “As prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Article 23 of the Act means each of the following:

 

  1. title or trade name, and address;

 

  2. representative;

 

  3. types of services provided;

 

  4. capital (for specific communications business operators only);

 

  5. expert personnel (for specific communications business operators only);

 

  6. user agreements (only for specific communications business operators who concluded an agreement with a key communications business operator using frequency allocated pursuant to the Radio Waves Act);

 

  7. changes to specific communications business or added-value communications business under Article 21(1), former part of Article 22(1) or paragraph (2) of the same Act (includes cases where businesses which have been subject to partial cancellation of the registration or partial suspension under main bodies of Article 27(1) and (2) are sought to be resumed).

(2) In order to amend any of the information set forth in paragraph (1), an application to register amendment to the specific communications business, or a report of amendment to the value-added communications business or an application to register amendment to the value-added telecommunication business of a special type (including an electronic application or report), and documentation (including electronic documentation) supporting the relevant amendment shall be submitted to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

30


(3) Upon receipt and registration, or receipt and processing, of an application to register amendment or a report of amendment, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall issue either a registration certificate on which the relevant amendment is recorded or a report certificate. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning receiving an application to register amendment or a report of amendment pursuant to paragraph (2) shall verify the commercial registry extracts or business registration certificate by using the public administrative information available pursuant to Article 36(1) of the E-Government Act; provided that, in the event the applicant or person filing the report does not consent to such verification method, such applicant or person shall be required to attach the corporate registry or business registration certificate to its report. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 32 (Report on Transfer of Business)

(1) A person who wishes to file a report on transfer of a specific communications business or a value-added communications business pursuant to Article 24 of the Act shall within 30 days from the date on which a business transfer agreement is executed submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning a business transfer application (including an electronic application) with each of the following documentation (including electronic documentation) attached thereto: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. a copy of the business transfer agreement;

 

  2. documentation prescribed under each of the subparagraphs of Article 26(1) or Article 29(1) and (2); and

 

  3. a registration certificate or a report certificate.

(2) A person who wishes to file a report on merger of a corporation that is either a specific communications business operator or a value-added communications business operator pursuant to Article 24 of the Act shall within 30 days from the date on which a merger agreement is executed submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning a merger application (including an electronic application) with each of the following documentation (including electronic documentation) attached thereto: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. a copy of the merger agreement;

 

31


  2. documentation prescribed under each of the subparagraphs of Article 26(1) or 29(1) & (2) hereof; and

 

  3. a registration certificate or a report certificate.

(3) A person who wishes to file a report on inheritance of a value-added communications business operator pursuant to Article 24 of the Act shall within 30 days from the date on which the cause for the inheritance has occurred submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning an inheritance report (including an electronic application) with documentation (including electronic documentation) demonstrating that she or he is the heir attached thereto. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning receiving a report under paragraphs (1)-(3) shall verify, through the information sharing channel under Article 36(1) of the Electronic Government Act, the commercial registry extracts of the transferor or party to a merger agreement (meaning the existing or newly established corporation), national technical qualification certificates of the technical personnel or a certificate of the heir’s family register; provided that, in the event the person filing the report does not consent to such verification method, such person shall be required to attach the relevant documentation (copies of national technical qualification certificates or a certificate of the heir’s family register) to its report. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(5) Upon receipt of a report to register on transfer or merger of a specific communications business or a value-added communications business under paragraph (1) or (2), the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall issue either a specific communications business registration certificate, a value-added telecommunication business report certificate or the certificate of registration of a value-added telecommunication business of a special type. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

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Article 33 (Report on Suspension or Discontinuation of Business)

(1) A person who wishes to file a report on either (i) suspension or discontinuation of a specific communications business or a value-added communications business or (ii) dissolution of a corporation that is a specific communications business operator or a value-added communications business operator pursuant to Article 26(1) shall at least 15 days prior to the expected suspension or discontinuation date submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning a report on suspension or discontinuation of a specific communications business or a value-added communications business (including an electronic application) with documentation (including electronic documentation) demonstrating that users have been notified of such suspension or discontinuation attached thereto; provided that, in the event the information contained in any of such documentation can be verified through the public administrative information available pursuant to Article 36(1) of the E-Government Act, such verification may substitute for the relevant documentation. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) A person who wishes to file a report on dissolution of a corporation that is a specific communications business operator or a value-added communications business operator pursuant to Article 26(2) shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning a report on dissolution of a specific communications business or a value-added communications business (including an electronic application) without delay. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Chapter 3. Telecommunications Operation

Article 34 (Approval of Terms of Use)

(1) The services for which key communications business operators must obtain approval of terms of use pursuant to the text of Article 28(2) of the Act shall be any of the following: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. Among the key telecommunications services provided by the key communications business operator with the highest market share with respect to the aggregate national sales based on sales from each service in the preceding year, in the unit market, defined in Article 38, the service publicly notified by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning whose public notice is based on consideration of the market scale, the number of users, competition status, etc., ; or

 

33


  2. if a key communications business operator providing the service prescribed under subparagraph 1 completes business consolidation with another key communications business operator pursuant to Article 12(1)1 or 12(1)4 of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act, the service prescribed under subparagraph 1 provided by such other key communications business operator.

(2) By 31. December each year, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall designate and issue public notification of the key communications business operators and services prescribed under paragraph (1); provided that, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall designate and issue public notification of the key communications business operators and services falling under subparagraph 2 of paragraph (1) immediately after the date of report on business consolidation thereunder. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions under paragraph (1), a key communications business operator who wishes to amend minor aspects of terms of use as prescribed by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may file a report with the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 35 (Application for Approval of Terms of Use)

A person who wishes to file a report (including a report on amendment) or obtain an approval (including an approval of amendment) on terms of use with respect to telecommunications services pursuant to the proviso of Article 28(1) or (2) of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning terms of use containing each of the following with documentation demonstrating the bases for price computation pursuant to Article 28 (4) of the Act attached thereto: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. types and details of telecommunications services;

 

34


  2. areas in which telecommunications services are provided;

 

  3. prices of telecommunications services, including fees and actual expenses;

 

  4. details concerning the responsibilities of telecommunications business operators and users of telecommunications services; and

 

  5. any other information necessary the provision or use of the relevant telecommunications services.

[Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 36 (Services Entitled to Exemption of Fees)

Telecommunications services entitled to the exemption of fees pursuant to Article 29 of the Act shall be as follows.

 

  1. Telecommunications services for the communications concerning the rescue of human lives and properties in danger, and the rescue from disasters or for the communications by the victims of disasters;

 

  2. Telecommunications services for the whole or part of exclusive line communications used by such agencies, in case where the exclusive line communications of agencies which are fully responsible for military, public order and national security, and a part of self-communications network of public institutions under the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Management of Public Institutions of the State, local governments or government-invested institutions are integrated into the telecommunications net-work of a key communications business;

 

  3. Telecommunications services for the communications required for military operations in wartime;

 

35


  4. Newspapers under the Act on the Promotion of Newspapers, news communications under the Act on the Promotion of News Communications, and telecommunications services for reports by the broadcasting stations under the Broadcasting Act.

 

  5. Telecommunications services for a communication which is required for facilitating the use, and for diffusing the distribution, of information communications;

 

  6. Telecommunications services for a communication by those who are in need of the protection for the improvement of social welfare;

 

  7. Telecommunications services for a communication which is required for the promotion of interchange and cooperation between North and South Korea; and

 

  8. Telecommunications services for a communication which is specially required for the operation of postal services.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 37 (Provision of Transmission or Line Facilities and Equipment, etc.)

Pursuant to Article 31(1) of the Act, a CATV broadcasting business operator, signal transmission network business operator or CATV relay broadcasting business operator under the Broadcasting Act may provide transmission or line facilities and equipment or the CATV broadcasting facilities and equipment (the “Transmission or Line Facilities and Equipment, etc.”) to key communications business operators in a manner falling under one of the following:

 

  1. sale or lease of transmission or line facilities, etc.;

 

  2. commissioned performance of the communications or exchange operations, etc. by making use of transmission or line facilities, etc.; or

 

36


  3. manners corresponding to subparagraphs 1 and 2, which are determined by a consultation between a CATV broadcasting business operator, a signal transmission network business operator, or a CATV relay broadcasting business operator.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 37-2 (Prepaid phone services and subscription of guarantee insurance)

(1) A key communications services operator that seeks to provide telecommunications services on a prepaid basis (“prepaid phone services”) pursuant to the main body of Article 32(3) shall submit each of the following items to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning, provided that a specific communications business operator shall submit it to the head of the Central Radio Management Office. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. a copy of guarantee insurance;

2. data about the aggregate service charges for the prepaid phone services for the pertinent year (“prepaid phone service charges”);

3. guide for the use of the prepaid phone services;

4. other materials specified and announced by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning for prepaid phone services business standards and customer protection, etc.

(2) A telecommunications business operator seeking to provide the prepaid phone services under paragraph (1) shall abide by each of the following: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. the prepaid phone services shall be provided within the coverage period of the guarantee insurance;

 

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2. if additional prepaid phone services are to be provided within the coverage period of the guarantee insurance, such additional prepaid phone services shall be provided within the actually used portion of the prepaid phone service charges;

3. if the prepaid phone service charges are to be changed, the guarantee insurance shall be renewed at least 30 days prior to such change. In this case, a copy of the renewed guarantee insurance policy shall be provided to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the head of the Central Radio Management Office within 7 days of such renewal;

4. if the services are to be provided after the expiration of the guarantee insurance, the guarantee insurance shall be renewed at least 30 days prior to the expiration date. In this case, financial statements and other materials specified by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall be provided to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the head of the Central Radio Management Office within seven; and

5. measures to make paragraph (1)3 and 4 easily comprehensible to users shall be taken.

(3) The “amount calculated according to standards specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in the main body of Article 32(3) is an amount not less than 50% of the prepaid phone service charges and determined in accordance with the standards announced by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning, taking into consideration the prepaid phone service provider’s pain-in capital and the prepaid phone service charges. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) The “case specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in the proviso of Article 32(3) means each of the following case:

1. average annual revenue from telecommunication services provided by a telecommunications business operator for the recent 3-year period is 30 billion won or more;

2. aggregate prepaid phone service charges is less than 10% of the annual revenue from telecommunication services provided by a telecommunications business in the past year; and

3. provision of prepaid phone services in the past 3-year period without suspension or discontinuation.

 

38


(5) When the beneficiary receives insurance proceeds, such shall be distributed to users within 60 days from the date of receipt under Article 32(4) of the Act, provided that if the distributions payable amount exceeds the insurance proceeds, the insurance proceeds will be distributed in proportion to loss amounts.

(6) business standards and methods concerning the guarantee insurance and insurance proceeds not otherwise specified in paragraph (2 )and (5) shall be determined and announced by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Chapter 4. Promoting Competition In Telecommunications Business

Article 38 (Criteria and Procedures for, and Methods of, Evaluating Competition Status)

(1) When making determination concerning unit markets for the purpose of evaluating competition status pursuant to Article 34(2) of the Act, all of the following factors shall be considered:

 

  1. demand substitutability and supply substitutability of the services;

 

  2. geographical scope of the services provided;

 

  3. transaction stages of the services provided such as retail (meaning transactions between telecommunications business operators and ultimate users of the services provided by such telecommunications business operators) and wholesale (meaning transactions through which telecommunications facilities and equipment, etc., installed to provide wholesale services, are offered to other telecommunications business operators); and

 

  4. special characteristics of users such as differences in purchasing power and negotiating edge or uniqueness of demand.

 

39


(2) Evaluation of competition status with respect to the unit markets determined under paragraph (1) shall be implemented by comprehensively considering each of the following factors:

 

  1. market structure such as market share and entrance barrier;

 

  2. response capacity of users such as accessibility of information related to service use and ease of switching service providers;

 

  3. activities of telecommunications business operators such as those relating to price and quality competition and technology innovation; and

 

  4. market performances such as the level of price and quality and the size of excess profits made by telecommunications business operators.

(3) Where it deems necessary for evaluating competition status, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may invite opinions from relevant professionals and related parties. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 39 (Criteria applicable to Key Communications Business Operators, etc.)

 

  (1) The “key communications business operators satisfying the criteria prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Articles 35(2)3, 39(3)2, 41(3)2 and 42(3)2 of the Act means, the key communications business operators, among key telecommunications business operators with more than 50% of market share with respect to the aggregate national sales based on sales from each service in the preceding year, in the unit market, defined in Article 38, and the key communications business operator publicly notified by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning.

 

40


(2) A facility management institution under Article 35(2)3 is a facility management institution whose the aggregate size of facilities, etc. under Article 35(1) (“facilities, etc.”) owned last year or revenue from providing facilities, etc. exceeds certain thresholds announced by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3)

(4) By 31. December, each year, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall designate and issue public notification of the key communications business operators prescribed under Articles 35(2)1 and 3, 39(3), 41(3) and 42(3) of the Act and facilities management institution prescribed under Article 35(2)3 of the Act. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 39-2 (Submission of Data on Facilities, etc. and Procedures, etc.)

(1) Each telecommunications business operator and facilities management institution shall provide each of the following to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning by March 31 of each year. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. status of facilities, etc., as announced by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning, about the facilities, etc. owned by the telecommunications business operator and facilities management institution; and

2. status of facilities, etc. provided to a telecommunications business operator by a key communications business operator or a facilities management institution.

(2) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may provide financial support within its budget to expert institutions for their operation under Article 35(6). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

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Article 39-3 (Standards for Providing Obligatory Wholesale Services)

(1) The “telecommunications services of a key communications business operator applicable to the standard prescribed in the Presidential Decree” in Article 38 Paragraph 2 of the Act means services of the key communications business operator with the highest market share of the aggregate domestic revenue on the basis of revenue per service last year in the unit market, defined in Article 38 and services publicly notified by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. The public notice of the Minister is based on consideration of the market scale, the number of users, competition status, etc., of the telecommunication services

(2) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall designate and announce key communications business operators under paragraph (1) by December 31 of each year. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

Article 40 (Report on Accord, etc. concerning Interconnections, etc.)

(1) A person who wishes, under Article 38(5) or 44(1) or (2) of the Act, to file a report on, or obtain an approval of wholesale provision, provision, common use or interconnection of facilities, etc. and equipment or the execution or termination of, or an amendment to, an accord on provision of information shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning each of the following documentation to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning, provided that in case of termination, only paragraphs 1 and 6 need to be submitted and in case of nominal matters such as no change in service charges, etc. announced by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning, only paragraph 5 needs to be submitted.: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. copy of the accord;

 

  2. documentation demonstrating the amounts due from, or payable to, the parties to the accord, the computation methods with respect to such amounts and how the accord shall be implemented;

 

  3. documentation demonstrating wholesale provision, provision, common use or interconnection of, or conditions upon which information shall be provided on, facilities, etc. and equipment, and any other costs related to the accord;

 

42


  4. drawings indicating wholesale provision, provision, facilities, etc. provision, common use or interconnection of, or a summary of the information (including outlay of connection grid and connection points) to be provided on, facilities, etc. and equipment; and

 

  5. documentation comparing the new accord against the old (applicable only to filing of a report of amendment or applying for an approval of amendment).

 

  6. documentation confirming discontinuation (including electronic documentation)

(2) Upon receipt of documentation under paragraph (1), the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall examine whether such documentation comply with the criteria for provision, common use, wholesale provision or interconnection of, or provision of information on, facilities, etc. and equipment pursuant to Article 35(3), 37(3), 38(4), 39(2), 41(2) or 42(2) of the Act. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) A key communications business operator that has received approval for execution, amendment or termination of an agreement under Article 44(2) of the Act shall publish details of such on its website. <Newly Inserted by Act No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010>

(4) Pursuant to Article 65(3) of the Framework Act on Telecommunications, upon receipt of documentation under paragraph (1), the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall examine whether such documentation complies with the criteria for provision, common use or interconnection of, or provision of information on, telecommunications facilities and equipment pursuant to Article 35(3) of the Act, and whether the private telecommunications facilities and equipment provided were installed by an individual to be used for her or his own telecommunications. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

43


Article 40-2 (Request for Arbitration)

(1) A person wishing to make a request for arbitration under Article 45(1) of the Act shall attach each of the following documentation to its arbitration application and submit them to the Korea Communications Commission, provided that the item under paragraph 3 shall be submitted only in the case of the request under Article 45(1)3.

1. documents about overview of the arbitration request;

2. documents about negotiation between the parties; and

3. each of the documentation under Article 40(1).

(2) After reviewing the application documents under paragraph (1), the Korea Communications Commission may demand the applicant to submit additional information within a reasonable period of time for any of the following reasons:

1. in the case where any required document is missing

2. in the case where any entry in the application and attachments is vague.

(3) If the applicant fails to provide additional information within the time period specified under paragraph (2), the Korea Communications Commission shall return the application along with a reason for such return.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 40-3 (Arbitration Decision)

(1) An arbitration decision by the Korea Communications Commission shall be made in writing.

(2) The arbitration decision under paragraph (1) shall state the ruling, reason and date of decision, be signed by the Commissioner of the Korea Communications Commission and commission members who attended the arbitration deliberation and be sent to the parties to the dispute.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

44


Article 40-4 (Provision of standardized information of the telecommunication service)

(1) The telecommunication service, object to provision of the standardized information under the Article 42 Paragraph 5 of the Act, is as follows:

 

  1. Voice communication and video communication service (including voice communication service via LTE communication network)

 

  2. Short message and multi-media message service (including short message and multi-media message service based on the internet protocol multi-media system)

 

  3. Emergent telephone service

 

  4. The caller identification service, call restriction service, call transition service, call holding service, and call waiting service

 

  5. The telecommunication service which requires the information of the standard of the manufacture, supply, import, and distribution, in order to manufacture, supply, import, and distribute the hand terminal under the Article 42 Paragraph 5, and is publicly notified by the Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning,

(2) A request for information as to the standard of the telecommunication service under Article 42 Paragraph 5 (hereinafter the “standard information”), shall include provisions, prescribed in following subparagraphs:

 

  1. Name (in case where a company requests for the standard information, company’s name and trade name shall be included) and address of a person who requests for the standard information

 

  2. Scope, use purpose and time for provision of the standard information

 

  (3) The key telecommunications business operator who provides telecommunications services, by using frequencies, allocated under the Radio Waves Act, shall provide the requested standard information within 7 days from the receipt of the request under Paragraph 2. Provided that it is unable to provide the standard information within 7 days, the standard information may be provided within 30 days from the receipt of the request, but the reason for the delay shall be notified to the person who requests for the standard information.

 

  (4) Methods of the standard information shall be online transmission, transmission by a booklet, and other methods, agreed by parties.

 

45


Article 41 (Reporting Offenses)

(1) Any person recognizing any of the offenses prescribed under Article 50(1) of the Act may report to the Korea Communications Commission of such act and request any measures prescribed under each of the subparagraphs of Article 52(1) of the Act to be taken.

(2) A person who wishes to make a report under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Korea Communications Commission documentation indicating each of the following:

 

  1. name (if a corporation, the name of the corporation and its representative) and address of the person making the report;

 

  2. trade name, or name (if a corporation, the name of its representative), and address of the person being reported;

 

  3. details of the offense; and

 

  4. measures necessary for addressing the offense.

(3) The Korea Communications Commission may, where it deems necessary, request that the documentation submitted to it under paragraph (2) be supplemented within a reasonable period.

(4) The details of handling procedures and methods concerning application, supplementation, prohibition and violation under paragraphs (1) through (3) shall be demined and announced by the Korea Communications Commission.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

46


Article 42 (Types of and Criteria for Offenses)

(1) The types of, and criteria for, the offenses pursuant to Article 50(3) of the Act shall be as provided in Table 4 attached hereto.

(2) The Korea Communications Commission may, where it deems necessary for the purpose of applying to specific telecommunications fields or specific offenses, determine and issue public notification of the details concerning the types of, and criteria for, the offenses under paragraph (1).

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 43 <Deleted by Enforcement Decree No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010>

Article 44 (Measures Taken, etc. on Offenses)

The term “other matters prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Article 52(1)11 of the Act refers to each of the following:

 

  1. submission of a plan for implementing the provisions under Article 52(1)1-10 of the Act; and

 

  2. report on the results of the implementation of the provisions under Article 52(1)1-10 of the Act.

 

  3. Conservation of material necessary for the implementation of the provisions under Article 52(1)8 of the Act and report on damages incurred to the users.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 44-2 (Announcement of Corrective Order)

The details of contents and method of announcement about corrective order made under Article 52(1)8 shall be determined by the Korea Communications Commission.

[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010]

 

47


Article 45 (Implementation Period of Corrective Orders)

The period by the end of which telecommunications business operators shall implement the corrective order issued by the Korea Communications Commission pursuant to Article 52(2) of the Act shall be as provided in Table 4 attached hereto.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 46 (Offenses Subject to Imposition of Penalties and Amount of Such Penalties, etc.)

(1) The classifications of offenses subject to imposition of penalties, the upper limit of such penalties and the criteria for imposition of such penalties pursuant to Article 53(1) of the Act shall be as provided in Table 6 attached hereto.

(2) The types of violation subject to fine under Article 53(2) of the Act, maximum fine amount and fine calculation method are set forth in Table 7.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 47 (Computation Methods of Penalties)

(1) The term “sales as prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in the former part of text of Article 53(1) of the Act means the average annual sales for the 3 preceding fiscal years of the telecommunications services related to the offense committed by the relevant telecommunications business operator and the “sales as prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Article 53(2) of the Act means the average annual sales for the 3 preceding fiscal years of the telecommunications services related to the offense committed by the relevant telecommunications business operator; provided that, if, as of the first day of the applicable fiscal year, less than 3 years have elapsed since the commencement of the relevant business as of the first day of the relevant fiscal year, such term shall mean the sales of the period from the commencement of the relevant business until the last day of the preceding fiscal year, converted into annual average sales, or if the relevant business has been commenced in the applicable fiscal year, such term shall mean sales of the period from the commencement date of the relevant business until the date of commission of the offense, converted into annual sales.

 

48


(2) The term “the time prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in the proviso of Article 53(1) of the Act means any of the following:

 

  1. where there has been no sales result due to such reasons as non-commencement or suspension of business; or

 

  2. where it is difficult to make an objective computation of sales.

Article 48 (Imposition and Payment of Penalties)

(1) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the Korea Communications Commission shall, where it intends to impose penalties pursuant to Article 53 of the Act and subsequent to its investigation and verification of the relevant offense, notify, in writing, the person subject to such penalties of the fact of offense, the amount thereof and the method of, and the period for, raising objection thereto.

(2) A person who receives a notification under paragraph (1) shall pay the relevant penalties to a financial company designated by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the Korea Communications Commission within 20 days from the date of receiving such a notification; provided that, if the person is unable to pay the penalties within such period due to a natural disaster or other unavoidable circumstances, the person shall pay the penalties within 7 days from the date on which said reason ceases to exist.

(3) A financial company in receipt of a payment of penalties under paragraph (2) shall deliver a receipt thereof to the person who paid the penalties.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

49


Article 49 (Demand for Penalties)

(1) A demand for penalties pursuant to Article 53(6) of the Act shall be made in writing within 7 days from the date on which the payment deadline expires.

(2) Where a demand note is issued under paragraph (1), a deadline for payment of any penalties in arrear shall be within 10 days from the date on which such demand note is issued.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 50 (Services Subject To Prior Selection)

The “telecommunications services prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in the latter part of Article 57(1) of the Act means the Long Distance Telephone Service. <Amended by Enforcement Decree No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010>

[The title of this Article amended on 2010.10.1]

Article 50-2 (Provision of Directory Assistant Service)

(1) Telecommunications business operators providing a directory assistant service pursuant to Article 60(1) of the Act may furnish any of the following information:

 

  1. name or trade name of the user;

 

  2. telephone number of the user; or

 

  3. address of the user up to Eup/Myeon/Dong or Road name address, under Article 3 subparagraph 1 through subparagraph 4 of the Road Name Address Act. Provided that the user subscribes to the service with the trade name, address of Eup/Myeon/Dong (including building name, apartment and flat number) or road name address, under Article 3 subparagraph 1 through 7 may be used.

(2) Telecommunications business operators shall obtain users’ consent to a directory assistant service through a method that can be used to verify as to whether such consent has been indeed given by the user, such as the user’s handwritten or electronic signature, and to prove at a later date that such consent has been given.

 

50


(3) Users may withdraw their consent given under paragraph (2) at any time, and telecommunications business operators shall, without any delay, take the necessary measures so that a directory assistance service shall not be provided with respect to such users who withdrew their consent; provided that, where the pertinent directory assistance service is provided through a written material, a user shall have to withdraw her consent at least 30 days prior to the print date of such written material for the withdrawal to take effect.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 51 (Unique identification Number Sharing Specialized Institute)

(1) A specialized Institute, appointed to efficiently share a unique international identification number of a handy terminal (hereinafter “unique identification number”), under Article 60-2, Paragraph 2 of the Act, shall establish the Integrated Control Center of unique identification number, and perform following duties:

1. Establishment and management of the information system to share unique identification number of handy terminal which is reported for loss, theft, or etc. (hereinafter “reported handy terminal”), with telecommunications service business operators who provide telecommunications service, by using frequencies, allocated under the Radio Wave Act (hereinafter “Integrated Control System of unique identification number”).

2. Support for provision of and enquiry into information to prevent usage of reported handy terminal.

3. Support for sharing of unique identification number with foreign governments, etc.

(2) The telecommunications service business operator who provides telecommunication services with using frequencies, allocated under the Radio Wave Act, shall register the unique identification number of the reported handy terminal to the Integrated Control System of unique identification number. In case where the reporter requests for deregistration, the registered information shall be deleted.

 

51


(3) The telecommunications service business operator who provides telecommunication service with using frequencies, allocated under the Radio Wave Act shall check whether or not the reported handy terminal accesses to the network via the Integrated Control System of unique identification number and shall prevent the reported handy terminal from providing telecommunication services.

(4) The Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning may support for expense, necessary to establishment and management of the Integrated Control System of unique identification number, under Paragraph 1.

Chapter 5. Telecommunications Facilities and Equipment

<Amended by Enforcement Decree No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010>

Article 51-2 (Report and Approval of Telecommunication Facilities Installation)

(1) A key communications business operator seeking to install or change material telecommunication facilities under the main body of Article 62(1) of the Act shall submit an installation or change application (including electronic application) and each of the following documentation (including electronic documentation) as attachment to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. details of installation or change of telecommunication facilities (diagram of connection grid included); and

2. security plan for telecommunication facilities.

(2) A key communications business operator seeking to receive approval for telecommunication facilities installed under the proviso of Article 62(1) of the Act shall submit an installation approval application (including electronic application) and each of the following documentation (including electronic documentation) as attachment to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. business plan

 

52


2. security plan for telecommunication facilities

3. domestic and international specifications and technological profile of the pertinent telecommunications facilities;

4. research status of the pertinent telecommunications facilities; and

5. agreement (if installed or used jointly with other domestic or international business operator).

(3) After receiving an application under paragraph (2), the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall notify the applicant of its decision within 15 days of the submission date after reviewing the items as below: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. validity of business plan;

2. appropriateness of security plan for telecommunication facilities;

3. suitability of domestic and international technology standards; and

4. legality of agreement.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 51-3 (Investigation of Join Installation of Telecommunication Facilities)

The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may investigate the following items required for a joint installation agreement between key communications business operators under Article 63(2) of the Act: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. Each of the following items of the key communications business operators’ installation plan

 

  A. type and specifications of the telecommunication facilities to be installed;

 

  B. installation area and installation interval

 

53


  C. installation period;

 

  D. technological prerequisites, etc.

2. telecommunication area and interval available for joint installation;

3. plan for efficient joint installation of telecommunication facilities; and

4. economic impacts from the join installation of telecommunication facilities,

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 51-4 (Appointment of Expert Reviewing Institution)

(1) When the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning desires to delegate the investigation of the data required for a joint installation agreement between key communications business operators to an expert institution in the telecommunication industry, it shall appoint an expert institution that is deemed to have expertise, fairness and objectivity and make it carry out the investigation. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) When the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning appoints an expert institution for data investigation under paragraph (1), it will notify the relevant key communications business operators. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 51-5 (Recommendation of Joint Installation of Telecommunication Facilities)

(1) In the event the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning recommends joint installation of telecommunication facilities to key communications business operator under Article 63(3) of the Act, such recommendation shall include specific telecommunication facilities to be installed, installation area, installation interval, installation period. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

54


(2) A key communications business operator requesting a joint installation of telecommunication under Article 64(4)1 shall submit each of the following documentation to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. plan for the joint installation of telecommunication facilities;

2. economic impact of the joint installation of telecommunication facilities

3. matters not yet agreed with the key communications business operator participating in the joint installation of telecommunication facilities and proposed solutions

(3) A key communications business operator that has received a recommendation for joint installation of telecommunication facilities shall notify the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning on whether it is accepting the recommendation and, if it is being rejected, reason for such rejection within 21 days from the receipt of such recommendation. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 51-6 (Report of proprietary telecommunication facilities)

(1) A person desiring to install proprietary telecommunication facilities under Article 64 of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning at least 21 days prior to the start of such installation a proprietary telecommunication installation application (including electronic application) including all of the following with blueprints of the installation attached. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. Applicant

 

  2. type of business

 

  3. purpose of installation

 

  4. electronic communication method

 

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  5. installation site

 

  6. overview of telecommunication facilities

 

  7. operation or expected date of facilities

(2) The “material items specified in the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in the bottom text of the Article 64(1) of the Act means items under paragraphs (1)2 to (6).

(3) If a person who reported the installation of proprietary telecommunication facilities seeks to amend items in paragraph (2) shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning an modification application (including electronic application) with blue prints (including a comparison of pre- and post-modification) of installation proprietary telecommunication facilities at least 21 days prior to the effective date of such modification (in case of modification to any of paragraph (1)4 through (6), the start date of construction regarding such modification). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) Upon receiving an installation or installation modification application under paragraph (1) or (3), the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning review the following: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. whether it satisfies technological standards under Article 28(2) of the Base Act on Broadcasting Communication Advancement

 

  2. whether the purpose and reason for installing telecommunication facilities is for the use of proprietary telecommunication

(5) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall issue an installation/modification certificate if it concludes, after conducting a review, that all criteria under paragraph (4) are satisfied. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

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Article 51-7 (Confirmation of Installation)

(1) A person who filed an installation or modification application in regard to proprietary telecommunication facilities under Article 64(3) shall receive confirmation from the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning within seven days from the completion of installation or modification construction. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) A person desiring to receive confirmation of proprietary telecommunication facilities under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning a proprietary telecommunication facilities confirmation application (including electronic application) with each of the following documentation (including electronic documentation) as attachment. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. documentation showing that the construction was completed in satisfaction of the technological standards under Article 28(1) of the Base Act on Broadcasting Communication Advancement

2. documentation showing that the construction was completed in accordance with blue prints under Article 28(3) of the Base Act on Broadcasting Communication Advancement

3. copy of construction firm’s license

(3) After reviewing the application documents under paragraph (2), the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may demand the applicant to submit additional information within a reasonable period of time for any of the following reasons: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

1. in the case where any required document is missing; and

2. in the case where any entry in the application and attachments is vague.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

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Article 51-8 (Exemption from Proprietary Telecommunication Facilities Installation Application)

Under Article 64(4) of the Act, proprietary telecommunication facilities may be installed without filing an application in any of the following cases:.

1. proprietary telecommunication facilities consisting of main equipment and terminals within one building and its lot;

2. proprietary telecommunication facilities consisting of main equipment and terminals within two or more buildings and their lots owned by 1 person and whose shortest distance between them is shorter than 100 meters (excluding those buildings or lots separated by road or water stream); and

3. proprietary telecommunication facilities installed for police action and is used for less than 1 month.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 51-9 (Supply of Proprietary Telecommunication Facilities)

(1) A person who installed proprietary telecommunication facilities may provide excess capacity provided by the proprietary telecommunication facilities installed in the interval requested by a key communications business operator under Article 65(2) of the Act over his need to the key communications business operator.

(2) If the proprietary telecommunication facilities are provided to a key communications business operator under paragraph (1), the compensation for such supply shall not exceed the sum of the installation costs, maintenance expenses and investment return and shall be determined in accordance with the criteria announced by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 51-10 (Standards for Cessation Order)

The standards for cessation order under Article 67(2) of the Act are set forth in Table 5-3.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

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Article 51-11 (Facilities subject to Public Space Needs)

The “facilities or areas specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” under Article 68(1)8 of the Act means each of the following: <Amended on Jul. 16, 2014>

 

  1. passenger car terminal under the Passenger Transport Service Act

 

  2. logistics terminal and logistics complex under the Act on the Development and Management of Logistics Facilities

 

  3. small and medium enterprise joint complex under the Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Act

 

  4. tourist site or complex under the Tourism Promotion Act

 

  5. sewage culvert under the Sewerage Act

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 51-12 (Adjustment for Public Space Needs)

(1) When the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning drafts a corrective plan upon the request under Article 68(5) of the Act, it shall solicit opinions from the head of relevant administrative bodies and the parties involved. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) When the Korea Communication Commission has drafted a corrective plan under paragraph (1), it shall notify the parties of such plan and recommend their adoption of the plan within a period it specifies which shall not be shorter than 30 days. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) When the parties adopt the corrective plan under paragraph (2), the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall draft a corrective agreement including the following items and have it executed by the parties. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. case number

 

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  2. names and addresses of the parties, their representatives or agents

 

  3. reason for corrective adjustment

 

  4. provisions amended

 

  5. date of the agreement

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 51-13 (Integrated Management of Telecommunication Facilities)

The case necessary for efficient management and operation of telecommunication facilities under Article 70(1) of the Act shall mean the case where efficiently managing and operating telecommunication facilities eliminates redundant investment in such telecommunication facilities.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 51-14 (Designation of Integrated Telecommunication Operator)

When the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning is to designate a key telecommunication business operator who may integrate and manage telecommunication facilities under Article 70(1) of the Act, it shall make such designation out of key telecommunication business operators providing telecommunication services in the region where such telecommunication facilities are located or its nearby regions after evaluating the following: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. human resources and organization

 

  2. facilities and equipments

 

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  3. technological capacity

 

  4. capital structure

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 51-15 (Items to be Covered in Integrated Management Plan)

The “items specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Article 70(3)3 of the Act mean the following:

 

  1. pricing of integrated telecommunication facilities

 

  2. managerial personnel of integrated telecommunication facilities

[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010]

Article 51-16 (Purchase of Telecommunication Facilities)

(1) The sales price of telecommunication facilities under Article 71(2) of the Act shall be determined on the basis of a fair appraisal value provided by an appraiser under the Public Notice of Values and Appraisal of Real Estate Act, provided that such price may be determined by agreement between the parties if appraisal by an appraisal is not possible.

(2) The sales procedures of telecommunication facilities and payment mechanism under Article 71(2) of the Act shall be determined by the parties.

[This Article Newly Inserted by Act No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010]

Article 52 (Designation of Alert Areas for Submarine Cable)

(1) A key communications business operator who wishes to apply for designation of alert areas for submarine cable under Article 79(3) of the Act shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning documentation demonstrating each of the following: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. need to designate alert areas; and

 

  2. legs and width of the alert areas indicated by using coordinates of latitude and longitude.

 

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(2) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may, where necessary for designation of alert areas for submarine cable, request additional information further to the documentation prescribed under paragraph (1) from any key communications business operator who applies for such designation. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(3) Upon receipt of the documentation submitted to it under paragraphs (1) and (2), the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall send such documentation to the heads of the relevant state administrative organs prescribed under Article 79(4) of the Act for consultation. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(4) Except under ordinary circumstances, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall, within 60 days of the date of application for designation of an alert area for submarine cable, notify the key communications business operator making such application, and if such designation is approved, issue, without any delay, public notification of the newly designated alert area. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(5) Once the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning designates and issues public notification of a new alert area under paragraph (4), the key communications business operator who applied for such designation shall disclose the location of the new alert area on its website, etc., and may place buoys, etc. in the new alert area for marking purposes. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 52-2 (Inspection and Report of Telecommunication Facilities)

(1) The “cases necessary for the implementation of telecommunication policies specified under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Article 82(1) of the Act shall mean each of the following

1. in case where necessary for the implementation of telecommunication policies

 

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2. in case where necessary for verifying the suitability of installation and management of telecommunication facilities

3. in case where necessary for securing communication channels in case of national emergency and disasters

(2) When an inspection is made pursuant to Article 82(1) of the Act, an inspection plan specifying inspection period, purpose and items shall be sent to the person who installed the telecommunication facilities being inspected at least 7 days prior to such inspection, provided that, the foregoing requirement is waived if necessary for emergency or for the purpose of preventing destruction of evidence which would thwart the purpose of inspection.

(3) A public servant carrying out the inspection under paragraph (2) shall carry evidence of his authority and show it to relevant parties and provide at the time of entrance a document stating the time and purpose of the entrance to relevant parties.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Chapter 6. Supplementary Provisions

Article 53 (Protection of Communication Secrets)

(1) Telecommunications business operators shall preserve the ledger of communications data supplied, prescribed under Article 83(5) of the Act, for a period of 1 year.

(2) Reports on, and notification of, the status of communications data supplied pursuant to Articles 83(6) and 83(7) of the Act respectively, must be provided within 30 days after the expiration of each half-year.

 

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(3) An office dedicated to protection of communication secrets pursuant to Article 83(8) of the Act (the “Dedicated Office”) shall undertake to perform each of the following:

 

  1. oversee tasks related to communication secrets of users;

 

  2. regulate illegal or undue infringement of communication secrets of users by employees of telecommunications business operators or third parties;

 

  3. report on the present status of communications information supplied under Article 83(6) of the Act;

 

  4. furnish notification of the recordation in the ledger of communications data supplied under Article 83(7) of the Act;

 

  5. address complaints or opinions from users with respect to communication secrets;

 

  6. train the employees in charge of tasks connected with communication secrets; and

 

  7. any other matters necessary for protection of communication secrets of users.

(4) The Dedicated Office shall be based at the headquarters of each telecommunications business operator with the officers thereof in charge.

(5) An authorized signatory for application for communication data under Article 83(9) of the Act shall be either (i) a judge, a prosecutor or an investigatory entity (including, throughout this Enforcement Decree, a military investigatory body, the National Tax Service and regional tax services) (ii) a public official of Grade 4 or higher who belongs to an intelligence agency (including a public official of Grade 5 who is the head of an investigatory body or intelligence agency) or (iii) a public official who belongs to senior executive service; provided that, (x) with respect to the police (including those belong to the Ministry of Public Safety and Security, such authorized signatory shall be a public officer whose position is senior superintendent or higher (including a superintendent who is the head of a district policy agency) and (y) with respect to a military investigatory body, it shall be a military prosecutor or a person whose rank is lieutenant colonel or higher (including a major with respect to a military investigatory body at which a major is the commanding officer). <Amended on Nov. 19, 2014>

 

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(6) The application for communication data prescribed under Article 83(9) of the Act shall clearly indicate the authorized signatory’s name and rank; provided that, with respect to intelligence agencies prescribed under Article 2(6) of the Regulation on Planning and Coordination of Information Security, only the title of the authorized signatory shall be indicated, and with respect to courts, the title and name of the authorized signatory shall be indicated.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 54 (Caller Identification, etc.)

(1) Telecommunications business operators may not impose charges on users who choose, pursuant to the proviso of Article 84(1) of the Act, not to allow their telephone numbers to be identified when making telephone calls.

(2) A person who wishes to be informed of the telephone number of the caller pursuant to Article 84(2)1 of the Act shall make a written request therefor to the pertinent telecommunications business operator with any of the following documentation demonstrating in detail that the person has been subjected to abusive language, threats or harassment over the telephone attached thereto:

 

  1. written records of the date, time and contents of threats, etc. over the telephone;

 

  2. voice records of threats, etc. over the telephone;

 

  3. documentation supporting that a crime report has been filed with the police in connection with threats, etc. over the telephone;

 

  4. documentation supporting that advice has been sought from a clinic with respect to the damages incurred from threats, etc. over the telephone;

 

  5. any other documentation equivalent or similar to those set forth in subparagraphs 1-4.

 

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(3) “As prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Article 84(2)2 of the Act means where each of the following telephone services is used:

 

  1. to report international terror-related crime (111);

 

  2. to report crime (112);

 

  3. to report spies (113);

 

  4. to report cyber terror and seek advice in relation thereto (118);

 

  5. to report fire or seek emergency rescue (119);

 

  6. to report marine accidents or crime (122);

 

  7. to report smuggling (125); or

 

  8. to report drug offenders (127).

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 55 (Restriction on and Suspension of Service)

(1) Where the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning issues, under Article 85 of the Act, an order to restrict or suspend the whole or part of the telecommunications business of telecommunications business operators, it may allow communications for undertaking the matter falling under each of the following in the order of their priority, in proportion to the scope and severity of the relevant restriction or suspension: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. top priority

 

  (a) national security;

 

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  (b) military affairs and public security;

 

  (c) transmission of the civil defense alarm; and

 

  (d) electronic wave control;

 

  2. second priority

 

  (a) disaster relief;

 

  (b) telecommunications, navigation safety, weather, fire fighting, electricity, gas, water service, transportation and the press;

 

  (c) affairs of the State and local government, except for those mentioned in items (a) and (b); and

 

  (d) affairs of the foreign diplomatic missions and the organizations of the United Nations in Korea;

 

  3. third priority

 

  (a) affairs of the enterprises subject to resources control and the firms of defense industry; and

(b) affairs of public institutions and medical institutions under the Act on the Management of Public Institutions; and

 

  4. forth priority: matters other than those listed in subparagraphs 1 through 3.

(2) The restriction or suspension on the telecommunication services under paragraph (1) shall be the least of those required for securing the important communications.

(3) A telecommunications business operator shall, in case where he restricts or suspends the whole or part of telecommunications services under paragraph (1), report the content thereof without delay to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 56 (Approval, etc. for International Telecommunications Services)

(1) The term “international telecommunications business as prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in other provisions than as provided in subparagraphs of Article 86(2) of the Act means establishment and lease of satellite for the provision of international telecommunications service.

(2) A person who intends to obtain approval under other parts than as provided in subparagraphs of Article 86(2) of the Act shall submit the following documents to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. duplicate copy of written agreement or contract;

 

  2. comparative table between new and old agreements or contracts (limited to the cases where an application for modified approval is filed); and

 

  3. document certifying the fact that the agreements or contracts have been abrogated (limited to the cases where an application for approval of abrogation is filed).

 

  4. Business Plan (only applicable where the approval is applied for cross-border supply agreement of key telecommunications service under Article 87-1 of the Act.)

(3) In accordance of other parts than as provided in subparagraphs of Article 86 Paragraph 2, the Minister of Science, ICT, and Future Planning shall synthetically examine following provisions to approve the cross-border supply agreement of key telecommunications service, under Article 87 Paragraph 1.

1. Possibility to provide stable service

2. Effect on competition of domestic telecommunication market

3. Protection of users

 

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(4) The “criteria specified by the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in the proviso of Article 86(3) means telecommunication business operators whose capital is less than 300 million won and who do not have an international calling identification number issued by the Korea Communication Commission.

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 57 (Revocation of Approval for Agreement to Provide Transboundary Key Communications Services)

(1) The criteria for revocation of approval for agreements to provide transboundary key communications services and for suspension of provision of transboundary key communications services pursuant to Article 87(4) of the Act shall be as follows.

 

  1. first violation shall result in suspension of 6 months or less, or suspension of invitation of new users; and

 

  2. second violation shall result in revocation of approval.

(2) Upon revoking approval or ordering suspension, the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall issue public notification and notify the relevant telecommunications business operator in writing thereof. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

[Wholly amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 58 (Report on Statistics)

(1) The types of statistics telecommunications business operators must report to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning pursuant to Article 88(1) of the Act are as follows. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. present status of telecommunications facilities, including those for exchange, transmission, wire and power per service;

 

  2. use records of telecommunications, including sales and times of use per service, period, distance stage, time zone, country (including the use records per foreign telecommunications business operator) and Calling Area and between Calling Areas;

 

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  3. present status of telecommunications users, including the number of subscribers per service, city and province and Calling Area;

 

  4. information related to call volume, including (i) call volume between Calling Areas and per service, period, distance stage, time zone, city and province, country (including the call volume per foreign telecommunications business operator) and Calling Area and (ii) information on provision of facilities and equipment and on interconnection;

 

  4-2. Materials, related to the Data usage: Materials, related to the Data usage, with respect to each technique method, period, time, traffic loading to the telecommunication equipment and facilities;

 

  5. information related to accounting, including a sales report prepared for each service and business provided; and

 

  6. aggregated issue amount of prepaid calling cards and use records of the Calling Areas (applicable only to specific communications business operators).

(2) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall determine and publicly notify the preparation, format, submission method and reporting deadline of the relevant statistics under paragraph (1) and any other matters related thereto. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

Article 59 (Submission of Documentation)

(1) Pursuant to Article 88(2) of the Act, key communications business operators and their shareholders shall submit to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning each of the following: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

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  4. present status of the corporation’s outstanding shares (including, throughout this Article, equities);

 

  5. present shareholding (including, throughout this Article, equity investment ratios) status of shareholders owning the corporation’s outstanding shares (including, throughout this Article, equity investors) and their related parties;

 

  6. purpose of shareholding and reasons for the change (applicable only to shareholders of key communications business operators);

 

  7. date of acquiring the shares and details of capital used for such acquisition (applicable only to shareholders of key communications business operators);

 

  8. form of shareholding (applicable only to shareholders of key communications business operators); and

 

  9. documentation certifying any of the information set forth in subparagraphs 1-5.

(2) Business operators obliged to submit documentation under paragraph (1) shall submit such documentation to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning by each of the following dates: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. A business operator who is a key communications business operator whose share certificates are listed on a stock exchange under Article 9(15)3 of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act: within 30 days from the date its shareholder registry is closed; or

 

  2. A business operator who is a key communications business operator not falling under subparagraph 1: by January 30 of each year.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

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Article 60 (Methods for Computing Penalties)

(1) The term “sales calculated under the conditions prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in the former part of Article 90(1) of the Act means the annual average sales for 3 fiscal years immediately preceding of the telecommunications services by the relevant telecommunications business operator; provided that, where 3 years have not elapsed since the start of business as of the first day of the relevant fiscal year, it shall mean sales from the period from the start of the relevant business until the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year, converted into annual average sales; and where a business was started in the relevant fiscal year, it shall mean sales from the period from the date of starting the business until the date of an offense, converted into annual sales.

(2) The term “where it is prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in the proviso of Article 90 (1) of the Act means the case falling under any of the following: <Amended by Enforcement Decree No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010>

 

  1. where there exists no business record due to a failure of starting a business or a suspension of business, etc.;

 

  2. where a telecommunications business operator has refused to submit the data for computing sales or has submitted false data; or

 

  3. other cases where it is difficult to compute the amount of objective sales.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 61 (Offenses Subject to Imposition of Penalties and Amount of Penalties, etc.)

(1) Classifications of offenses subject to the imposition of a penalty and the amount of a penalty under Article 90(1) of the Act shall be as provided in Table 9 attached hereto.

(2) The types of violation subject to fine under Article 90(2) of the Act and fine amounts are set forth in Table 10.

 

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(3) In determining the amount of penalties under paragraph (1) or (2), the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning may increase or decrease such amount by up to 50% after taking the following items into consideration, provided that even in case of increase, the total penalty amount cannot exceed the maximum penalty amount specified under Article 90(1) or (2) of the Act. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. the peculiarities of providing telecommunications services

 

  2. the severity and frequency of each offense.

 

  3. willfulness of violation

 

  4. reason and contents of violation

 

  5. prior penalties received for violation of law

(4) The provisions under Articles 48 and 49 hereof shall apply mutatis mutandis to the imposition, payment and demand of penalties under Article 90 of the Act.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 62 (Extension of Payment Due Date, and Installment Payment, of Penalties)

(1) A person who intends to extend the payment due date of a penalty or pay it in installments under Article 91 of the Act shall make an application to the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the Korea Communications Commission along with the document certifying grounds of the extension of payment due date or the payment in installments not later than 10 days prior to the relevant due date of payment. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

(2) The term “amount as prescribed under the Enforcement Decree of the Act” in Article 91(1) of the Act means either the amount equal to the sales under Article 47 multiplied by 1%, or 300 million won.

(3) The extension of the payment due date of a penalty under Article 91 of the Act shall not exceed 1 year from the day immediately following said payment due date.

 

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(4) When making installment payments under Article 91 of the Act, each of the intervals between the respective installment payment due dates shall not exceed 4 months, and the frequency of installments shall not exceed three times. <Amended by Enforcement Decree No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010>

(5) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the Korea Communications Commission may, if a person liable for a payment of a penalty for whom the payment due date has been extended or installment payments have been permitted under Article 91 of the Act comes to fall under any of the following, revoke such extension of payment due date, or the decision to allow such installment payments, and collect it in a lump sum: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. where the person fails to pay a penalty for which the payment in installments has been decided, within the payment due date thereof;

 

  2. where the person fails to implement an order necessary for a change of security or other security integrity, which is given by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning or the Korea Communications Commission; or

 

  3. where it is deemed that the whole or remainder of a penalty is uncollectible, such as the compulsory execution, commencement of auction, adjudication of bankruptcy, dissolution of a juristic person or dispositions on national or local taxes in arrears, etc.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 63 (Classification and Appraisal, etc. of Securities)

The provisions of Articles 29 through 34 of the Framework Act on National Taxes, and of Articles 13 through 17 of its Enforcement Decree shall apply mutatis mutandis to the provision of security under Article 91 of the Act.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

 

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Article 64 (Important Communications)

(1) The term important communications in Article 92(2)3 of the Act means: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. business telecommunications related to the national security, military affairs, public peace and order, civil defense alarm transmission and radio wave control; or

 

  2. other communications publicly notified by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning in order to efficiently perform the State affairs.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 65 (Delegation of Authority)

The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall delegate the authority falling under any of the following to the Director General of the Central Radio Management Office pursuant to Article 93 of the Act: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013>

 

  1. registration and imposition of registration criteria of specific communications business under Article 21 of the Act;

 

  2. acceptance of a report on the value-added communications business under the text of Article 22(1) of the Act;

 

  3. registration and imposition of registration criteria for a value-added telecommunications business of a special type under the text of Article 22 (2) and (3) of the Act;

 

  4. a modified registration for the specific communications business and for the value-added telecommunications business of a special type, and acceptance of a modified report for value-added communications business, under Article 23 of the Act;

 

  5. acceptance of a report on the transfer or takeover of a specific communications business or a value-added communications business, and on the merger or succession of a juristic person, under Article 24 of the Act;

 

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  6. acceptance of a report on the suspension or discontinuation of a specific communications business or a value-added communications business, and on the dissolution of a juristic person under Article 26 of the Act;

 

  7. order to cancel registration of or suspend a specific communications business under Article 27(1) of the Act;

 

  8. order to closedown a value added communications business or to cancel registration of or suspend the value-added telecommunications business of a special type under Article 27(2) of the Act;

 

  9. acceptance of installation and modification applications concerning proprietary telecommunication facilities under Article 64(1) of the Act

 

  10. confirmation of installation and amendment constructions concerning proprietary telecommunication facilities under Article 64(3)

 

  11. order to handle telecommunications business or connect with other telecommunication facilities given to the persons who installed proprietary telecommunication facilities under Article 66(1) of the Act

 

  12. order to correct given to the persons who installed proprietary telecommunication facilities under Article 67(1) of the Act

 

  13. order to cease usage of, modify/repair or take other measures in regard to proprietary telecommunication facilities under Article 67(2) and (3)

 

  14. permission for a felling or transplanting of the plants under the former part of Article 75 (3) of the Act;

 

  15. inspection of and demand for reports from persons who have installed telecommunication facilities under Article 82(1) of the Act

 

  16. telecommunication facilities removal or other corrective order under Article 82(2) of the Act

 

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  17. acceptance of applications by specific communication business operators for agreements on settlement of charges for international telecommunication services under Article 86(3) of the Act

 

  18. hearing on the order to cancel registration of a specific communications business or to close down a value-added communications business under Article 89(2) and (3) of the Act;

 

  19. imposition and collection of surcharge under Article 90 of the Act and permission for extension of time limit for payment of and payment in installment of such surcharge under Article 91 of the Act, except against a key communications business operator;

 

  20. correction order under Article 92(1) of the Act, except against a key communications business operator;

 

  21. order to suspend the provision of telecommunications service or to remove telecommunications facilities under Article 92(3) of the Act, except against a key communications business operator;

 

  22. imposition and collection of surcharge under Article 104 of the Act, except against a key communications business operator.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

Article 65-2 (Processing of Unique Identifier Information)

(1) The Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning, including those who hold the authority delegated by the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning under Article 65, or the Korea Communications Commission, may process data comprising resident registration numbers or foreigner registration numbers as defined under Article 19 (1) or (4) of the LOGO Enforcement Decree of Personal Data Protection Act LOGO if processing of such is required in order to perform the following operations: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013, Aug. 6, 2014>

 

  1. those relevant to granting a license for a key communications business under Article 6 of the Act;

 

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  2. those relevant to confirming the disqualification reason of a key communications business operator’s officer under Article 9 of the Act;

 

  3. those relevant to granting a modified license for a key communications business under Article 16 of the Act;

 

  4. those relevant to approval or report of takeover or merger of a key communications business under Article 18 of the Act;

 

  5. those relevant to approval of suspension or closedown of a key communications business under Article 19 of the Act;

 

  6. those relevant to registration of a specific communications business under Article 21 of the Act;

 

  7. those relevant to report and registration of a value-added communications business under Article 22 of the Act;

 

  8. those relevant to modified registration of a specific communications business or to modified report and registration of a value-added communications business under Article 23 of the Act;

 

  9. those relevant to report of transfer or takeover of a specific communications business or a value-added communications business under Article 24 of the Act;

 

  10. those relevant to report of dissolution of a juristic person or of suspension or closedown of a specific communications business or a value-added communications business under Article 26 of the Act;

 

  11. those relevant to ruling of the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning under Article 45 of the Act;

 

  12. those relevant to investigation of fact under Article 51 of the Act;

 

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  13. those relevant to imposition/collection of penalty surcharge under Article 53 of the Act;

 

  14. those relevant to report and authorization of telecommunications facilities installation under Article 62 of the Act;

 

  15. those relevant to report or modified report of proprietary telecommunications facilities installation and to confirmation of installation or modification of such under Article 64 of the Act; and

 

  16. those relevant to extension of time limit of payment of penalty surcharge and payment in installments under Article 91 of the Act.

(2) A telecommunication business operator who provides key communications services or the Korea Association for ICT Promotion under Article 15 of the Framework Act on Broadcasting Communications Development may handle the data which contains the resident registration number or foreigner registration number under Article 19(1) or Article 19(5) of the Enforcement Decree to Personal Information Protection Act, in order to conduct each of the following affairs: <Newly Inserted on Aug. 6, 2014>

1. affairs relevant to the provision of services of which fees are reduced or exempted under Article 4 of the Act and Article 2(2)3 of the Enforcement Decree;

2. affairs relevant to the reduction/exemption of fees under Article 29 of the Act;

3. affairs relevant to the prevention of an act of entering into a use contract without confirmation of a user’s intention of subscription and an act of providing different telecommunication services from a standardized use contract (limited to the standard use contract’s provisions concerning the return of fees) among many prohibited acts under Article 50(1)5 of the Act.

(3) The head of pre-selection registration center, prescribed in Article 57 Paragraph 3 of the Act, may dispose materials, including resident registration or foreigner registration number under Article 19 Subparagraph 1 or 4 of the Enforcement Decree of the Personal Information Protection Act, if necessary to register pre-selection or to modify thereto. <Newly Inserted on Jan. 7, 2014, Aug. 6, 2014>

 

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(4) The head of number portability management institution, prescribed in Article 58 Paragraph 4 of the Act, may dispose materials, including resident registration or foreigner registration number under Article 19 Subparagraph 1 or 4 of the Enforcement Decree of the Person Information Protection Act, if necessary to register number portability and to modify thereto. <Newly Inserted on Jan. 7, 2014, Aug. 6, 2014>

[This Article Newly Inserted on January 6, 2012]

Article 65-3 (Review of Regulations)

 

  (1) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall take measures (improvements, etc.) on each of the following matters after reviewing feasibility thereof every three years (before the same day as the base date by every three years) calculated based on the base date provided in each of the following subparagraphs: <Amended on Dec. 9, 2014, Dec. 23, 2014>

 

  1. Request to a Business Operator Providing Universal Services for submission of data under Article 3(2): January 1, 2014.

 

  2. Submission of the report on actual results of the provision of universal services under Article 4: January 1, 2014.

 

  3. Matters mentioned regarding operators granted license or modification of license under Article 12: January 1, 2014.

 

  4. Attachments to the approval application for transfer, merger, etc. under Article 20: January 1, 2014.

 

  5. Registration requirements for the specific communications business under Article 28: January 1, 2014.

 

  6. Reporting documentations of a value-added communications business, matters to be stated in the registry by a value-added communications business operator of special type, and registration requirements for a value-added communications business operator of special type under Article 29: January 1, 2014.

 

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  7. Matters registered or reported regarding the value-added communications business under Article 31: January 1, 2014.

 

  8. Scope of the services subject to approval of terms of use under Article 34: January 1, 2014.

 

  9. Attachments to report and approval of telecommunication facilities installation and matters to be considered regarding telecommunication facilities under Article 51-2: January 1, 2014.

 

  10. Matters mentioned in the proprietary telecommunication application and matters to be reviewed upon receiving installation or installation modification application under Article 51-6: January 1, 2014.

 

  11. Order of priority of restriction or suspension of the telecommunications business under Article 55: January 1, 2014.

 

  12. Types of reports on statistics under Article 58: January 1, 2014.

(2) The Minister of Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning shall take measures (improvements, etc.) on each of the following matters after reviewing feasibility thereof every two years (before the same day as the base date by every two years) calculated based on the base date provided in each of the following subparagraphs: <Newly Inserted on Dec. 9, 2014>

1. Imposition, payment, etc. of charges for compelling execution under Article 18: January 1, 2015.

2. Procedure, etc. of submission of data about facilities, etc. under Article 39-2(1): January 1, 2015.

 

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3. Integrated management of telecommunication facilities, etc. under Article 51-13: January 1, 2015.

4. Designation of integrated telecommunication operator under Article 51-14: January 1, 2015.

5. Items to be covered in integrated management plan under Article 51-15: January 1, 2015.

6. Purchase of telecommunication facilities, etc. under Article 51-16: January 1, 2015

[This Article Newly Inserted on Dec. 30, 2013]

Chapter 7. PENAL PROVISIONS <Newly Inserted by Act No. 22616 Oct. 1, 2010>

Article 66 (Imposition Criteria for Fine)

The imposition criteria for fine imposed under Article 104(1) through (4) of the Act are set forth in Table 11.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Feb. 28, 2012]

ADDENDA <Enforcement Decree No. 25867, Dec. 23, 2014>

Article 1 (Enforcement Date)

This Decree shall take effect on the date of announcement.

Article 2 (Transitional Measures concerning Standards for Imposition of Penalty Surcharges)

Notwithstanding the amended provision of attached Table 9, the standards for imposition of penalty surcharges for a violation committed before the Decree enters into force shall be subject to the previous provision.

 

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