As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2015
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 F
Form 20-F
(Mark One)
OR
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014
For the transition period from to
Date of event requiring this shell company report
Commission File Number: 001-13372
KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
55 Jeollyeok-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, 520-350, Korea
(Address of principal executive offices)
Cecilia (Hyangjoo) Oh, +82 61 345 4261, cecilia@kepco.co.kr, +82 61 345 4299
(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
one-half of share of common stock
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:
Twenty Year 7.40% Amortizing Debentures, due April 1, 2016
One Hundred Year 7.95% Zero-to-Full Debentures, due April 1, 2096
6% Debentures due December 1, 2026
7% Debentures due February 1, 2027
6 3/4% Debentures due August 1, 2027
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the last full fiscal year
covered by the annual report:
641,964,077 shares of common stock, par value of Won 5,000 per share
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ No ¨
If this annual 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 þ
Note—Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
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 þ 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 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 þ 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 ¨ International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board þ 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 þ
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes ¨ No ¨
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
ITEM 1.
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
ITEM 2.
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
ITEM 3.
KEY INFORMATION
Item 3A.
Selected Financial Data
Item 3B.
Capitalization and Indebtedness
Item 3C.
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Item 3D.
Risk Factors
ITEM 4.
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
Item 4A.
History and Development of the Company
Item 4B.
Business Overview
Item 4C.
Organizational Structure
Item 4D.
Property, Plant and Equipment
ITEM 4A.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 5.
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
Item 5A.
Operating Results
Item 5B.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Item 5C.
Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
Item 5D.
Trend Information
Item 5E.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Item 5F.
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
ITEM 6.
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
Item 6A.
Directors and Senior Management
Item 6B.
Compensation
Item 6C.
Board Practices
Item 6D.
Employees
Item 6E.
Share Ownership
ITEM 7.
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Item 7A.
Major Shareholders
Item 7B.
Related Party Transactions
Item 7C.
Interests of Experts and Counsel
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 8A.
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
Item 8B.
Significant Changes
ITEM 9.
THE OFFER AND LISTING
Item 9A.
Offer and Listing Details
Item 9B.
Plan of Distribution
Item 9C.
Markets
Item 9D.
Selling Shareholders
Item 9E.
Dilution
Item 9F.
Expenses of the Issue
ITEM 10.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Item 10A.
Share Capital
Item 10B.
Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation
Item 10C.
Material Contracts
Item 10D.
Exchange Controls
Item 10E.
Taxation
Item 10F.
Dividends and Paying Agents
Item 10G.
Statements by Experts
Item 10H.
Documents on Display
Item 10I.
Subsidiary Information
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ITEM 11.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 12.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Item 12A.
Debt Securities
Item 12B.
Warrants and Rights
Item 12C.
Other Securities
Item 12D.
American Depositary Shares
PART II
ITEM 13.
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
ITEM 14.
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
ITEM 15.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 16.
[RESERVED]
ITEM 16A.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
ITEM 16B.
CODE OF ETHICS
ITEM 16C.
PRINCIPAL AUDITOR FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 16D.
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEE
ITEM 16E.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
ITEM 16F.
CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 16G.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 16H.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
PART III
ITEM 17.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ITEM 18.
ITEM 19.
EXHIBITS
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CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS AND CONVENTIONS
All references to “Korea” or the “Republic” in this annual report on Form 20-F, or this annual report, are references to the Republic of Korea. All references to the “Government” in this annual report are references to the government of the Republic. All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “ours,” the “Company” or “KEPCO” in this annual report are references to Korea Electric Power Corporation and, as the context may require, its subsidiaries, and the possessive thereof, as applicable. All references to “the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy” and “the Ministry of Strategy and Finance” include the respective predecessors thereof. All references to “tons” are to metric tons, equal to 1,000 kilograms, or 2,204.6 pounds. Any discrepancies in any table between totals and the sums of the amounts listed are due to rounding. All references to “IFRS” in this annual report are references to the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board. Unless otherwise stated, all of our financial information presented in this annual report has been prepared on a consolidated basis and in accordance with IFRS.
In addition, in this annual report, all references to:
“KHNP” are to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.,
“EWP” are to Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.,
“KOMIPO” are to Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.,
“KOSEP” are to Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.,
“KOSPO” are to Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd., and
“KOWEPO” are to Korea Western Power Co., Ltd.,
each of which is our wholly-owned generation subsidiary.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report includes “forward-looking statements” (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), including statements regarding our expectations and projections for future operating performance and business prospects. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project” and similar words used in connection with any discussion of our future operation or financial performance identify forward-looking statements. In addition, all statements other than statements of historical facts included in this annual report are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We caution you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this annual report.
This annual report discloses, under the caption Item 3D. “Risk Factors” and elsewhere, important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations (“Cautionary Statements”). All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements.
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Not applicable.
Item 3A. Selected Financial Data
The selected consolidated financial data set forth below as of and for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS.
You should read the following data with the more detailed information contained in Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and our consolidated financial statements included in Item 18. “Financial Statements.” Historical results do not necessarily predict future results.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Data
Sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling and administrative expenses
Other gains (losses)
Operating profit (loss)
Finance income (expense), net
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income tax (expense) benefit
Profit (loss) for the period
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
Profit (loss) attributable to:
Owners of the Company
Non-controlling interests
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to:
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic(2)
Earnings (loss) per ADS
Dividends per share
2
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position Data
Net working capital deficit(3)
Property, plant and equipment, net
Total assets
Total shareholders’ equity
Equity attributable to owners of the Company
Share capital
Number of common shares as adjusted to reflect any changes in capital stock
Long-term debt (excluding current portion)
Other long term liabilities
Notes:
Currency Translations and Exchange Rates
In this annual report, unless otherwise indicated, all references to “Won” or “￦” are to the currency of Korea, and all references to “U.S. dollars,” “Dollars,” “$” or “US$” are to the currency of the United States of America, all references to “Euro” or “€” are references to the currency of the European Union, and all references to “Yen” or “¥” are references to the currency of Japan. Unless otherwise indicated, all translations from Won to U.S. dollars were made at Won 1,090.9 to US$1.00, which was the noon buying rate of the Federal Reserve Board (the “Noon Buying Rate”) in effect as of December 31, 2014, which rates are available on the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. On April 10, 2015, the Noon Buying Rate was Won 1,093.1 to US$1.00. The exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Korean Won may be highly volatile from time to time and the U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this annual report should not be relied upon as an accurate reflection of our results of operations. No representation is made that the Won or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this annual report could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Won, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.
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The following table sets forth, for the periods and dates indicated, certain information concerning the Noon Buying Rate in Won per US$1.00.
Year Ended December 31,
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
October
November
December
2015 (through April 10)
January
February
March
April (through April 10)
Source: Federal Reserve Board
Note:
Item 3B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not Applicable
Item 3C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Item 3D. Risk Factors
Our business and operations are subject to various risks, many of which are beyond our control. If any of the risks described below actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be seriously harmed.
Risks Relating to KEPCO
Increases in fuel prices will adversely affect our results of operations and profitability as we may not be able to pass on the increased cost to consumers at a sufficient level or on a timely basis.
Fuel costs constituted 36.1% and 41.4% of our sales and cost of sales, respectively, in 2014. Our generation subsidiaries purchase substantially all of the fuel that they use (except for anthracite coal) from suppliers outside Korea at prices determined in part by prevailing market prices in currencies other than Won. For example, most of the bituminous coal requirements (which accounted for approximately 44.1% of our entire fuel requirements in 2014 in terms of electricity output) are imported principally from Indonesia and Australia and, to a lesser extent, Russia, the United States and others, which accounted for approximately 41.6%, 40.2%, 10.4%, 6.8% and 0.9%, respectively, of the annual bituminous coal requirements of our generation subsidiaries in 2014. Approximately 84.5% of the bituminous coal requirements of our generation subsidiaries in 2014 were purchased under long-term contracts and the remaining 15.5% from the spot market. Pursuant to the terms of our long-term
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supply contracts, prices are adjusted periodically based on prevailing market conditions. In addition, our generation subsidiaries purchase a significant portion of their fuel requirements under contracts with limited duration. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Fuel.”
If fuel prices increase sharply within a short span of time, our generation subsidiaries may be unable to secure requisite fuel supplies at prices commercially acceptable to them. In addition, any significant interruption or delay in the supply of fuel, bituminous coal in particular, from any of their suppliers may cause our generation subsidiaries to purchase fuel on the spot market at prices higher than the prices available under existing supply contracts, which would result in an increase in fuel costs. In recent years, however, the prices of our main fuel types, namely, bituminous coal, oil and liquefied natural gas, or LNG have generally declined in tandem with their international market prices. For example, the average “free on board” Newcastle coal 6300 GAR spot price index published by Platts declined from US$85.1 per ton in 2013 to US$70.7 per ton in 2014 and US$56.4 per ton as of April 10, 2015. The prices of oil and LNG are substantially dependent on the price of crude oil, and according to Bloomberg (Bloomberg Ticker: PGCRDUBA), the average daily spot price of Dubai crude oil declined from US$105.4 per barrel in 2013 to US$96.6 per barrel in 2014 and to US$54.8 per barrel as of April 10, 2015. However, we cannot assure you that the fuel prices will remain at similarly low levels or will not significantly increase in the remainder of 2015 or thereafter.
Because the Government regulates the rates we charge for the electricity we sell to our customers (see Item 4B. “Business Overview—Sales and Customers—Electricity Rates”), our ability to pass on fuel and other cost increases to our customers is limited. If fuel prices increase rapidly and substantially and the Government, out of concern for inflation or for other reasons, maintains the current level of electricity tariff or does not increase it to a level to sufficiently offset the impact of high fuel prices, the fuel price increases will negatively affect our profit margins or even cause us to suffer operating and/or net losses and our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would suffer. In addition, partly because the Government may have to undergo a lengthy deliberative process to approve an increase in electricity tariff, which represents a key component of the consumer price index, the electricity tariff may not be adjusted to a level sufficient to ensure a fair rate of return to us in a timely manner or at all. Similarly, we cannot assure that any future tariff increase by the Government will be sufficient to fully offset the adverse impact on our results of operations from the current or potential rises in fuel costs.
The Government may adopt policy measures to substantially restructure the Korean electric power industry or our operational structure, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and profitability.
From time to time, the Government considers various policy initiatives to foster efficiency in the Korean electric power industry, and at times have adopted policy measures that have substantially altered our business and operations. For example, in January 1999, with the aim of introducing greater competition in the Korean electric power industry and thereby improving its efficiency, the Government announced a restructuring plan for the Korean electric power industry, or the Restructuring Plan. For a detailed description of the Restructuring Plan, see Item 4B. “Business Overview—Restructuring of the Electric Power Industry in Korea.” As part of this initiative, in April 2001 the Government established the Korea Power Exchange to enable the sale and purchase of electricity through a competitive bidding process, established the Korea Electricity Commission to ensure fair competition in the Korean electric power industry, and, in order to promote competition in electricity generation, split off our electricity generation business to form one nuclear generation company and five thermal generation companies, in each case, to be wholly owned by us. In 2002, the Government introduced a plan to privatize one of our five thermal generation subsidiaries, but this plan was suspended indefinitely in 2003 due to prevailing market conditions and other policy considerations.
In 2003, the Government established a Tripartite Commission consisting of representatives of the Government, leading businesses and labor unions in Korea to deliberate on ways to introduce competition in electricity distribution, such as by forming and privatizing new distribution subsidiaries. In 2004, the Tripartite
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Commission recommended not pursuing such privatization initiatives but instead creating independent business divisions within us to improve operational efficiency through internal competition. Following the adoption of such recommendation by the Government in 2004 and further studies by Korea Development Institute, in 2006 we created nine “strategic business units” (which, together with our other business units, were subsequently restructured into 14 such units in February 2012) that have a greater degree of autonomy with respect to management, financial accounting and performance evaluation while having a common focus on increasing profitability.
In August 2010, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the Proposal for the Improvement in the Structure of the Electric Power Industry, whose key initiatives included the following: (i) maintain the current structure of having six generation subsidiaries, (ii) designate the six generation subsidiaries as “market-oriented public enterprises” under the Public Agency Management Act in order to foster competition among them and autonomous and responsible management by them, (iii) create a supervisory unit to act as a “control tower” in reducing inefficiencies created by arbitrary division of labor among the six generation subsidiaries and fostering economies of scale among them and require the presidents of the generation subsidiaries to hold regular meetings, (iv) create a nuclear power export business unit to systematically enhance our capabilities to win projects involving the construction and operation of nuclear power plants overseas, (v) further rationalize the electricity tariff by adopting a fuel-cost based tariff system in 2011 and a voltage-based tariff system in a subsequent year, and (vi) create separate accounting systems for electricity generation, transmission, distribution and sales with the aim of introducing competition in electricity sales in the intermediate future. Pursuant to this Proposal, in December 2010 the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced guidelines for a cooperative framework between us and our generation subsidiaries, and in January 2011 the five thermal generation subsidiaries formed a “joint cooperation unit” and transferred their pumped-storage hydroelectric business units to KHNP. Furthermore, in January 2011 the six generation subsidiaries were officially designated as “market-oriented public enterprises,” whereupon the President of Korea appoints the president and the statutory auditor of each such subsidiary; the selection of outside directors of each such subsidiary is subject to approval by the minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance; the president of each such subsidiary is required to enter into a management contract directly with the minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; and the Public Enterprise Management Evaluation Commission conducts performance evaluation of such subsidiaries. Previously, our president appointed the president and the statutory auditor of each such subsidiary; the selection of outside directors of each such subsidiary was subject to approval by our president; the president of each such subsidiary entered into a management contract with our president; and our evaluation committee conducted performance evaluation of such subsidiaries.
Other than as set forth above and except as described below under “—The newly adopted vesting contract system may not achieve desired benefits.”, we are not aware of any specific plans by the Government to resume the implementation of the Restructuring Plan or otherwise change the current structure of the electric power industry or the operations of us or our generation subsidiaries in the near future. However, for reasons relating to changes in policy considerations, socio-political, economic and market conditions and/or other factors, the Government may resume the implementation of the Restructuring Plan or initiate other steps that may change the structure of the Korean electric power industry or the operations of us or our generation subsidiaries. Any such measures may have a negative effect on our business, results of operation and financial conditions. In addition, the Government, which beneficially owns a majority of our shares and exercises significant control over our business and operations, may from time to time pursue policy initiatives with respect to our business and operations, and such initiatives may vary from the interest and objectives of our other shareholders.
The newly adopted vesting contract system may not achieve desired benefits.
On May 20, 2014, the Electricity Business Act was amended, with effect from November 21, 2014, to introduce a “vesting contract” system in determining the price and quantity of electricity to be sold and purchased through the Korea Power Exchange between the purchaser of electricity (namely, us) and the sellers of electricity (namely, our generation subsidiaries and independent power producers). While the vesting contract
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system will work in conjunction with the cost-based pool system, the former will also substantially revamp and rationalize the latter as currently in effect, particularly with respect to the adjusted coefficient component.
Under the vesting contract system as currently contemplated by the amended Electricity Business Act and the Enforcement Decree of the Electricity Business Act, producers of electricity to be generated from base load fuels (such as nuclear, coal, hydro and by-product gas) at a particular generation unit will be required to enter into a contract with the purchaser of electricity (namely, us), which will specify, among other things, the quantity of electricity to be generated and sold from such generation unit and the price at which such electricity will be sold and purchased. The contracted quantity will be subject to annual adjustment in consideration of past generation amounts, maintenance and overhaul periods, among others. The contracted price will be subject to monthly adjustment largely depending on the fuel price movements, provided that in the event of a drastic change in electricity tariff rates, inflation rate and the general market conditions of electricity supply and demand, the contracted price may be further adjusted on an as-needed basis. Generally, the contractual terms will be subject to prior consultation with the Korea Electricity Commission and approval by the Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in order to ensure fair and standardized application of the vesting contract system to all producers of electricity.
In addition to aiming to stabilize the electricity supply market, a key feature of the vesting contract system is to provide a settlement mechanism that is designed to incentivize producers of electricity to supply electricity at or exceeding the contracted quantity. Under this settlement mechanism, an electricity producer is required to settle, among others, the difference between the contracted price and the market price of electricity sold at a given hour through the Korea Power Exchange (namely, the system marginal price), as multiplied by the contracted quantity of electricity. For further details of this settlement mechanism, see Item 4B. “Business Overview—Purchase of Electricity—Vesting Contract System”. Under this settlement mechanism, assuming sale of electricity in the contracted quantity and further assuming the system marginal price being higher than the contracted price, the consideration to be received by the seller of electricity net of the settlement amount will effectively amount to the product of the contracted quantity multiplied by the contracted price. If the seller sells a quantity of electricity exceeding the contracted quantity at a given hour, under the settlement mechanism and assuming the system marginal price being higher than the contracted price, the seller is entitled to an extra return (effectively, an incentive) equal to the product of the excess quantity multiplied by the difference between the system marginal price and the contracted price. On the other hand, if the seller sells a quantity of electricity falling short of the contracted quantity at a given hour, under the settlement mechanism and assuming the system marginal price being higher than the contracted price, the seller is required to pay an amount (effectively, a penalty) equal to the product of the shortfall quantity multiplied by the difference between the system marginal price and the contracted price. The foregoing notions of incentive and penalty are intended to minimize the additional cost of purchasing electricity at the higher system marginal price in the event that the seller of electricity fails to deliver the contracted quantity of electricity. Details of the settlement mechanism in the event of the system marginal price being lower than the contracted price have not yet been finalized.
The vesting contract system was introduced principally in order to prevent excessive profit-taking by low-cost producers of electricity by replacing the adjusted coefficient as the basis for determining the guaranteed return to generation companies, as well as to attain the following objectives. First, this system seeks to increase transactional certainty and stability of electricity supply and purchase by requiring that a relatively long-term (generally one-year) contract be entered in relation to electricity supply, which had been previously made entirely through what was effectively a spot market. Second, in order to foster responsible management of electricity supply by generation companies, the generation companies will become subject to minimum supply requirements and will be rewarded or penalized depending on whether they meet these requirements. Third, the introduction of standard contractual prices is designed to encourage cost savings and productivity enhancements on the part of the generation companies, who will be rewarded or penalized depending on whether they can supply electricity at such standard contractual prices.
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In order to minimize undue impact on the electricity trading market in Korea, the vesting contract system will be implemented in phases, with the target date of implementation for hydro power in the second half of 2015, for coal-based electricity in 2016 and for nuclear power in 2017, although vesting contracts have been entered in February 2015 between us and two independent power producers of by-product gas-based electricity (namely, POSCO Energy and Hyundai Green Power) at a contractual price set a level at which the vesting contract system replaced the adjustment coefficient mechanism previously in effect with equal economic effect. By-product gas-based electricity accounted for 1.7% of electricity purchased by us in 2014. Since the vesting contract system is still in the early stages of implementation and many of the related details are still being finalized, it presently remains unclear in what final form the vesting contract system will actually operate, whether the vesting contract system will be able to achieve the desired results and whether there will be any adverse unintended consequences from the application of the system, and no assurance can be given that such system will not adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition in the future. See Item 4B. “Business—Purchase of Electricity—Vesting Contract System”.
Our capacity expansion plans, which are based on projections on long-term supply and demand of electricity in Korea, may prove to be inadequate.
We and our generation subsidiaries make plans for expanding or upgrading our generation capacity based on the Basic Plan Relating to the Long-Term Supply and Demand of Electricity, or the Basic Plan, which is generally revised and announced every two years by the Government. In February 2013, the Government announced the Sixth Basic Plan relating to the future supply and demand of electricity. The Sixth Basic Plan, which is effective for the period from 2013 to 2027, focuses on, among other things, (i) minimizing the need to construct new generation facilities through active consumer demand management, (ii) ensuring that we maintain adequate electricity reserve appropriate to the size of the national economy and (iii) expanding our generation capacity to promote efficient supply of electricity in consideration of the stability of the national electricity grid network and the specific needs of localities. In addition, while the Sixth Basic Plan did not contemplate the construction of additional nuclear plants in light of the heightened public concern over nuclear safety following the nuclear power plant meltdown in Japan in March 2011, there is no assurance that the Government will not implement a supplemental plan for the construction of additional nuclear plants in the future, which may increase the amount of our required capital expenditure.
In addition, on January 13, 2014, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy adopted the Second Basic National Energy Plan following consultations with representatives from civic groups, the power industry and academia. The Second Basic National Energy Plan, which is a comprehensive plan that covers the entire spectrum of energy industries in Korea, will cover the period from 2013 to 2035 (compared to 2008 to 2030 under the First Basic National Energy Plan) and focuses on the following six key tasks: (i) shifting the focus of energy policy to demand management with a goal of reducing electricity demand by 15% by 2035, (ii) establishing a geographically decentralized electricity generation system so as to reduce transmission losses with a goal of supplying at least 15% of total electricity through such system by 2035, (iii) applying latest greenhouse gas emission reduction technologies to newly constructed generation units in order to further promote safety and environmental friendliness, (iv) strengthening exploration and procurement capabilities to enhance Korea’s energy security and to ensure stable supply of energy and increasing the portion of electricity supplied from renewable sources to 11% by 2035, (v) reinforcing the system for stable supply of conventional energy, such as oil and gas, and (vi) introducing in 2015 an energy voucher system in lieu of a tariff discount system for the benefit of consumers in the low income group. In addition, the Second Basic National Energy Plan contemplates revising the target level of electricity generated by nuclear sources as a percentage of total electricity generated to 29%, compared to 41% under the First Basic National Energy Plan announced in 2008.
We cannot assure that the Sixth Basic Plan, the Second Basic National Energy Plan or the respective plans to be subsequently adopted will successfully achieve their intended goals, the foremost of which is to ensure, through carefully calibrated capacity expansion and other means, balanced overall electricity supply and demand in Korea at affordable costs to the end users while promoting efficiency and environmental friendliness in the
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consumption and production of electricity. If there is a significant variance between the projected electricity supply and demand considered in planning our capacity expansions and the actual electricity supply and demand or if these plans otherwise fail to meet their intended goals or have other unintended consequences, this may result in inefficient use of our capital, mispricing of electricity and undue financing costs on the part of us and our generation subsidiaries, among others, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
From time to time, we may experience temporary power shortages or circumstances bordering on power shortages due to factors beyond our control, such as extreme weather conditions. Such circumstances may lead to increased end-user complaints and greater public scrutiny, which may in turn result in our need to modify our capacity expansion plans, and if we were to substantially modify our capacity plans, this may result in additional capital expenditures, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
In light of these temporary power shortages, the Government has increasingly expanded its efforts to encourage conservation of electricity, including through a public relations campaign, but there is no assurance such efforts will have the desired effect of substantially reducing the demand for electricity or improving efficient use thereof.
We may require a substantial amount of additional indebtedness to refinance existing debt and for future capital expenditures.
We anticipate that a substantial amount of additional indebtedness will be required in the coming years in order to refinance existing debt, make capital expenditures for construction of generation plants and other facilities and/or make acquisitions and investments related to overseas natural resources. In 2012, 2013 and 2014, our capital expenditures for construction of generation, transmission and distribution facilities amounted to Won 12,748 billion, Won 15,831 billion and Won 16,629 billion, respectively, and our budgeted capital expenditures for 2015, 2016 and 2017 amount to Won 17,629 billion, Won 14,917 billion and Won 14,873 billion, respectively. While we currently do not expect to face any material difficulties in procuring short-term borrowing to meet our liquidity and short-term capital requirements, there is no assurance that we will be able to do so. We expect that a portion of our long-term debt will need to be paid or refinanced through foreign currency-denominated borrowings and capital raising in international capital markets. Such financing may not be available on terms commercially acceptable to us or at all, especially if the global financial markets experience significant turbulence or a substantial reduction in liquidity or due to other factors beyond our control. If we are unable to obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms on a timely basis, or at all, we may be unable to meet our funding requirements or debt repayment obligations, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Recently, in light of the general policy guideline of the Government for public institutions (including us and our generation subsidiaries) in general to reduce their respective overall debt levels, we and our generation subsidiaries have, in consultation with the Government and as approved by the Committee for Management of Public Institutions, set target debt-to-equity levels and undertaken various programs to reduce debt and improve the overall financial health, including through rationalizing various aspects of our operations (both domestic and overseas), engaging private sector investments, disposing of non-core assets, reducing costs and exploring alternative ways to generate additional revenue. For further information, see Item 4B. “Business Overview—Recent Developments—Debt Reduction Program and Related Activities.” Despite our best efforts, however, for reasons beyond our control, including macroeconomic environments, government regulations and market forces (such as international market prices for our fuels), we cannot assure whether we or our generation subsidiaries will be able to successfully reduce debt burdens or otherwise improve our financial health to a level contemplated by the Government or to a level that would be optimal for our capital structure. If we or our generation subsidiaries fail to do so or the measures taken by us or our generation subsidiaries to reduce debt levels or improve financial health have unintended adverse consequences, such developments may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.
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The movement of Won against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may have a material adverse effect on us.
The Won has fluctuated significantly against major currencies in recent years. See Item 3A. “Selected Financial Data—Currency Translations and Exchange Rates.” Depreciation of Won against U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies typically results in a material increase in the cost of fuel and equipment purchased by us from overseas since the prices for substantially all of the fuel materials and a significant portion of the equipment we purchase are denominated in currencies other than Won, generally in U.S. dollars. Changes in foreign exchange rates may also impact the cost of servicing our foreign currency-denominated debt. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 20.5% of our long-term debt (including the current portion but excluding issue discounts and premium) before accounting for swap transactions, was denominated in foreign currencies, principally U.S. dollars. In addition, even if we make payments in Won for certain fuel materials and equipment, some of these fuel materials may originate from other countries and their prices may be affected accordingly by the exchange rates between the Won and foreign currencies, especially the U.S. dollar. Since the substantial majority of our revenues are denominated in Won, we must generally obtain foreign currencies through foreign currency-denominated financings or from foreign currency exchange markets to make such purchases or service such debt. As a result, any significant depreciation of Won against the U.S. dollar or other major foreign currencies will have a material adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations.
We may not be successful in implementing new business strategies.
As part of our overall business strategy, we plan to (i) strengthen reliability of our domestic operations by enhancing efficiency of our generation, transmission and distribution networks, (ii) expand overseas business by selectively exploring renewable energy, smart transmission and distribution facilities and fuel procurement projects in the overseas markets along with our traditional businesses in the generation sector, (iii) create a platform for new business growth opportunities by gaining “first mover” advantages in new businesses through technological development, and (iv) fulfill social responsibilities as an electricity provider by seeking a balance between our public policy mandate and profitability.
Due to their inherent uncertainties, such new and expanded strategic initiatives expose us to a number of risks and challenges, including the following:
new and expanded business activities may require unanticipated capital expenditures and involve additional compliance requirements;
new and expanded business activities may result in less growth or profit than we currently anticipate, and there can be no assurance that such business activities will become profitable at the level we desire or at all;
certain of our new and expanded businesses, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, require substantial government subsidies to become profitable, and such subsidies may be substantially reduced or entirely discontinued;
we may fail to identify and enter into new business opportunities in a timely fashion, putting us at a disadvantage vis-à-vis competitors, particularly in overseas markets; and
we may need to hire or retrain personnel to supervise and conduct the relevant business activities.
As part of our business strategy, we may also seek, evaluate or engage in potential acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, strategic alliances, restructurings, combinations, rationalizations, divestments or other similar opportunities. The prospects of these initiatives are uncertain, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully implement or grow new ventures, and these ventures may prove more difficult or costly than what we originally anticipated. In addition, we regularly review the profitability and growth potential of our existing and new businesses. As a result of such review, we may decide to exit from or to reduce the resources that we allocate to new or existing ventures in the future. There is a risk that these ventures may not achieve profitability or operational efficiencies to the extent originally anticipated, and we may fail to recover investments or
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expenditures that we have already made. Any of the foregoing may have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We plan to pursue international expansion opportunities that may subject us to different or greater risks than those associated with our domestic operations.
While our operations have, to-date, been primarily based in Korea, we may expand, on a selective basis, our overseas operations in the future. In particular, we may further diversify the geographic focus of our operations from Asia to the rest of the world, including the resource-rich Middle East, Australia and Africa as well as expand our project portfolio (which has to-date involved primarily construction and operation of conventional thermal generation units) to include construction and operation of nuclear power plants as well as mining and development of fuel sources in order to increase the level of self-sufficiency in the procurement of fuels.
Overseas operations generally carry risks that are different from those we face in our domestic operations. These risks include:
challenges of complying with multiple foreign laws and regulatory requirements, including tax laws and laws regulating our operations and investments;
volatility of overseas economic conditions, including fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
difficulties in enforcing creditors’ rights in foreign jurisdictions;
risk of expropriation and exercise of sovereign immunity where the counterparty is a foreign government;
difficulties in establishing, staffing and managing foreign operations;
differing labor regulations;
political and economic instability, natural calamities, war and terrorism;
lack of familiarity with local markets and competitive conditions;
changes in applicable laws and regulations in Korea that affect foreign operations; and
obstacles to the repatriation of earnings and cash.
Any failure by us to recognize or respond to these differences may adversely affect the success of our operations in those markets, which in turn could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Furthermore, while we seek to enter into business opportunities in a prudent and selective manner, some of our new international business ventures, such as mining and resource exploration, carry inherent risks that are different from our traditional business of electricity power generation, transmission and distribution. While these new businesses in the aggregate currently do not comprise a material portion of our overall business, as we are relatively inexperienced in these types of businesses, the actual revenues and profitability from, and investments and expenditures into, these business ventures may be substantially different from what we planned or anticipated and have a material adverse impact on our overall business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
An increase in electricity generated by and/or sourced from private power producers may erode our market position and hurt our business, growth prospects, revenues and profitability.
As of December 31, 2014, we and our generation subsidiaries owned approximately 77.6% of the total electricity generation capacity in Korea (excluding plants generating electricity for private or emergency use). New entrants to the electricity business will erode our market share and create significant competition, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial conditions and results of operation.
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In particular, we compete with independent power producers with respect to electricity generation. The independent power generators accounted for 15.1% of total power generation in 2014 and 22.4% of total generation capacity as of December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, there were 10 independent power generators in Korea, excluding renewable energy producers. Prior to December 2010, private enterprises had not been permitted to own and operate coal-fired power plants in Korea. However, the Fifth Basic Plan announced in December 2010 included for the first time a plan for independent power producers to own and operate coal-fired power plants, namely four generation units with aggregate capacity of 2,290 megawatts for completion in 2016. In addition, in connection with the Sixth Basic Plan announced in February 2013, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy accepted additional applications from independent power producers for construction of coal-fired power plants. 15 independent power producers applied for construction of a total of 40 additional coal-fired generation units with aggregate generation capacity of 37,100 megawatts, of which the Government approved applications for the construction of six generation units with aggregate generation capacity of 6,000 megawatts. The Government also approved applications from independent power producers for construction of two additional generation units with aggregate generation capacity of 2,000 megawatts to prepare for the contingency of failed or delayed construction of the foregoing generation units. Construction for the six generation units is scheduled to be completed between 2018 and 2021. While it remains to be seen whether construction of these generation units will be completed as scheduled, if it were to be completed as scheduled or independent power producers are permitted to build additional generation capacity (whether coal-fired or not), our market share in Korea may decrease, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, under the Community Energy System adopted by the Government in 2004, a minimal amount of electricity is supplied directly to consumers on a localized basis by independent power producers without having to undergo the cost-based pool system used by our generation subsidiaries and most independent power producers to distribute electricity nationwide. A supplier of electricity under the Community Energy System must be authorized by Korea Electricity Commission and be approved by the minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in accordance with the Electricity Business Act. The purpose of this system is to geographically decentralize electricity supply and thereby reduce transmission losses and improve the efficiency of energy use. These entities do not supply electricity on a national level but are licensed to supply electricity to limited geographic areas. As of March 31, 2015, the aggregate generation capacity of suppliers participating in the Community Energy System represented less than 1% of that of our generation subsidiaries in the aggregate. Accordingly, we currently do not expect the Community Energy System to be widely adopted, especially in light of the significant level of capital expenditure required for such direct supply. However, if the Community Energy System is widely adopted, it may erode our currently dominant market position in the generation and distribution of electricity in Korea, and may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Labor unrest may adversely affect our operations.
We and each of our generation subsidiaries have separate labor unions. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 70.3% of our and our generation subsidiaries’ employees in the aggregate were members of these labor unions. Since a six-week labor strike in 2002 by union members of our generation subsidiaries in response to a proposed privatization of one of our generation subsidiaries, there has been no material labor dispute. However, we cannot assure you that there will not be a major labor strike or other material disruptions of operations by the labor unions of us and our generation subsidiaries if the Government resumes privatization or other restructuring initiatives or for other reasons, which may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Relocation of our headquarters and those of our generation subsidiaries may reduce our operational efficiency.
Pursuant to a Government plan announced in 2005, which mandated relocation of the headquarters of select government-invested enterprises, including us and our six generation and certain other subsidiaries, from the
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Seoul metropolitan area to other provinces in Korea as part of an initiative to foster balanced economic growth in the provinces, we and certain of our generation and other subsidiaries recently relocated our respective headquarters to the designated locations. Following relocation in November 2014, our headquarters are currently located in Naju in Jeollanam-do Province, which is approximately 300 kilometers south of Seoul. The designated locations for the headquarters of our six generation subsidiaries and other subsidiaries are various cities outside of Seoul across Korea. There is no assurance yet that, following such relocation, we have been or will be able to maintain the prior level of operational efficiency due to geographic dispersion of our business units.
Operation of nuclear power generation facilities inherently involves numerous hazards and risks, any of which could result in a material loss of revenues or increased expenses.
Through KHNP, we currently operate 23 nuclear-fuel generation units. Operation of nuclear power plants is subject to certain hazards, including environmental hazards such as leaks, ruptures and discharge of toxic and radioactive substances and materials. These hazards can cause personal injuries or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and natural resources, pollution or other environmental damage, clean-up responsibilities, regulatory investigation and penalties and suspension of operations. Nuclear power has a stable and relatively inexpensive cost structure (which is least costly among the fuel types used by our generation subsidiaries) and is the second largest source of Korea’s electricity supply, accounting for 30% of electricity generated in Korea in 2014. Due to significantly lower unit fuel costs compared to those for thermal power plants, our nuclear power plants are generally operated at full capacity with only routine shutdowns for fuel replacement and maintenance, with limited exceptions.
From time to time, our nuclear generation units may experience unexpected shutdowns. Any prolonged or substantial breakdown, failure or suspension of operation of a nuclear unit could result in a material loss of revenues, an increase in fuel costs related to the use of alternative power sources, additional repair and maintenance costs, greater risk of litigation and increased social political hostility to the use of nuclear power, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our financial conditions and results of operations.
In response to the damage to the nuclear facilities (including nuclear meltdowns) in Japan as a result of the tsunami and earthquake in March 2011, the Government took steps to further enhance the safety and security of nuclear power facilities, including by establishing the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (“NSSC”) in July 2011 for neutral and independent safety appraisals, subjecting nuclear power plants to additional safety inspections by governmental authorities and civic groups and requiring KHNP to prepare a comprehensive safety improvement plan. As a result of the foregoing, as well as a generally higher level of public and regulatory scrutiny of nuclear power following the recent nuclear incident in Japan, KHNP plans to implement a significant number of measures to improve the safety and efficiency of its generation facilities for target completion by the end of 2015. We expect to incur additional compliance costs and capital expenditures in relation to our improvement measures, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial conditions and results of operation.
In addition, in December 2014, KHNP became subject to a cyber terror incident. According to the preliminary findings of the Prosecutor’s Office announced in March 2015, hackers suspected to be affiliated with North Korean authorities stole and distributed a mock blueprint for a hypothetical nuclear unit that had been devised for educational purposes, hacked into the computer network of the KHNP employees and threatened to shut down certain of KHNP’s nuclear plants. The hacking incident did not jeopardize our nuclear operation in any material respect and none of the stolen information was material to our nuclear operation or the national nuclear policy. In response to such incident, we and our subsidiaries have further bolstered anti-hacking and other preventive and remedial measures in relation to potential cyber terror. However, there is no assurance that a similar or more serious hacking or other forms of cyber terror will not happen with respect to us and our nuclear and non-nuclear generation subsidiaries, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial conditions and results of operation.
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Recent findings of falsified testing results and bribery and the subsequent prolonged shutdowns of certain of our nuclear generation units may adversely hurt our reputation, business, results of operations and financial condition.
In May 2013, the NSSC announced that it discovered certain control cables used in three of our then-operating nuclear generation units, Shin-Kori #1 and #2, Shin-Wolsong #1, and three units under construction, Shin-Kori #3 and #4 and Shin-Wolsong #2, had been supplied based on forged testing results. These parts were custom-made and have critical functions in the case of emergency for activating certain safety signals. The forgery was made by a testing facility in charge of performance evaluation of the parts before delivery.
Upon such discovery, KHNP immediately began internal investigation of related certification documents and reported to the Prosecutor’s Office all testing facilities and suppliers suspected of forgery for further investigation. Currently, the NSSC, with the full cooperation of KHNP, is conducting a full scale investigation into the appropriateness of all testing results at all of our nuclear generation units. In addition, the Prosecutor’s Office has been conducting extensive investigation on all parties suspected of having been involved in the forgery and has brought several criminal and civil charges, including against several of KHNP’s former and current officers and employees. In addition, one of KHNP’s former CEOs and several former and current officers and employees of KHNP were arrested on separate bribery charges brought by the Prosecutor’s Office as part of a wider investigation into the nuclear power industry in general, and in June 2013, KHNP’s then CEO was dismissed by the Government for failure of oversight. KHNP has been fully cooperating with the authorities on these investigations and have promptly taken all appropriate disciplinary actions against KHNP’s employees allegedly involved in such incidents. KHNP has also immediately suspended all existing relationships with all of the entities alleged to have participated in any related illegal or improper activities. KHNP as an entity has not been subject to any criminal charges or sanctions.
Immediately following the discovery of the forgery incident, Shin-Kori #1 and #2 and Shin-Wolsong #1 were shut down in May 2013 for further safety inspections. Shin-Kori #3 and #4 and Shin-Wolsong #2, where such parts were also used, currently remain under construction. Shin-Kori #1 and #2 and Shin-Wolsong #1 resumed operations in January 2014 following parts replacement and the NSSC approval. While we expect that the construction of the other units will proceed as originally planned, we cannot assure you that any or all of these units will complete construction as currently scheduled. As a result of the shutdown, we incurred additional operating expenses, including as a result of having had to purchase electricity generated from more expensive fuel sources while the aforementioned nuclear plants were suspended from operation.
The foregoing incidents follow a discovery in November 2012 that certain machinery parts, such as fuses and switches, used in KHNP’s nuclear-fuel generation units Hanbit #5 and Hanbit #6 had been supplied using forged quality certification documents. These parts were generic parts that were not essential to the function or safety of our nuclear generation, and the forgery was made by the suppliers of these parts. Following such discovery, relationships with these suppliers were immediately terminated and these units were shut down in November 2012 pending a Government investigation into the extent of the forgeries and the replacement of the affected parts, and the NSSC performed inspections on all generic supply parts at all of KHNP’s nuclear-fuel generation units. Upon completion of such investigation and inspections, Hanbit #5 and Hanbit #6 resumed operation in December 2012 and January 2013, respectively.
These incidents have had a material adverse effect, and may have a further material adverse effect, on our reputation, business, results of operation, financial condition as well as the general acceptance of nuclear power, especially if, as a result of these incidents or otherwise, there are findings of other criminal or other illegal or improper activities or if there are additional shutdowns that lead to greater social and political concerns over nuclear safety to the effect of impeding with our normal operation of nuclear generation units.
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The construction and operation of our generation, transmission and distribution facilities involve difficulties, such as opposition from civic groups, which may have an adverse effect on us.
From time to time, we encounter social and political opposition against construction and operation of our generation facilities (particularly nuclear units) and, to a lesser extent, our transmission and distribution facilities. For example, we recently faced intense opposition from local residents and civic groups to the construction of transmission lines in the Milyang area, which we resolved through various compensatory and other support programs. Such opposition delayed the schedule for completion of this project. Although we and the Government have undertaken various community programs to address concerns of residents in areas near our facilities, civic and community opposition could result in delayed construction or relocation of our planned facilities, which could have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operation.
We are subject to environmental regulations, including in relation to climate change, and our operations could expose us to substantial liabilities.
We are subject to national, local and overseas environmental laws and regulations, including increasing pressure to reduce emission of carbon dioxide relating to our electricity generation activities as well as our natural resource development endeavors overseas. Our operations could expose us to the risk of substantial liability relating to environmental or health and safety issues, such as those resulting from discharge of pollutants and carbon dioxide into the environment and the handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials. We may be responsible for the investigation and remediation of environmental conditions at current or former operational sites. We may also be subject to related liabilities (including liabilities for environmental damage, third party property damage or personal injury) resulting from lawsuits brought by governments or private litigants. In the course of our operations, hazardous wastes may be generated, disposed of or treated at third party-owned or -operated sites. If those sites become contaminated, we could also be held responsible for the cost of investigation and remediation of such sites for any related liabilities, as well as for civil or criminal fines or penalties.
We currently operate extensive programs to comply with various environmental regulations, including the Renewable Portfolio Standard program, under which each generation subsidiary is required to generate a specified percentage of total electricity to be generated by such generation subsidiary in a given year in the form of renewable energy, with the target percentage being 2.5% in 2013 and 3.0% in 2014 and incrementally increasing to 10.0% by 2024. Fines are to be levied on any subsidiary that fails to do so in the prescribed timeline. In 2013, while one of our generation subsidiaries met 100% of its target, five others were unsuccessful to do so. Our six generation subsidiaries met, on average, 91.8% of the target for 2013 and accordingly were fined an aggregate amount of Won 44 billion. Compliance by our generation subsidiaries of the 2014 target is currently under evaluation, and if we are found to have failed to meet the target for 2014 or for subsequent years, our generation subsidiaries may become subject to additional fines or other penalties. There is no assurance that such fine or other penalty will not be substantial, and if substantial, such fine or other penalty may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. The budgeted amount of capital expenditure for implementation of the Renewable Portfolio Standard program as currently planned for the period from 2014 to 2024 is approximately Won 14.8 trillion. We expect that such additional capital expenditure to be covered by a corresponding increase in electricity tariff. However, there is no assurance that the Government will in fact raise the electricity tariff to a level sufficient to fully cover such additional capital expenditures or at all. See also Item 4B. “Business Overview—Environmental Programs.”
Our environmental measures, including the use of environmentally friendly but more expensive parts and equipment and budgeting capital expenditures for the installation of such facilities, may result in increased operating costs and liquidity requirement. The actual cost of installation and operation of such equipment and related liquidity requirement will depend on a variety of factors which may be beyond our control. There is no assurance that we will continue to be in material compliance with legal or social standards or requirements in the future in relation to the environment, including in respect of climate change.
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See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Environmental Programs.”
Newly adopted coal consumption tax may have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and profitability.
Effective July 1, 2014, consumption tax has applied to bituminous coal, which previously was not subject to consumption tax unlike other fuel types such as LNG or bunker oil. The base tax rate (which is subject to certain adjustments) is Won 24 per kilogram for bituminous coal; however, due to concerns on the potential adverse effect on industrial activities, the applicable tax rate is Won 19 per kilogram for bituminous coal with net heat generation of 5,000 kilo calories or more per kilogram, and Won 17 per kilogram for bituminous coal with net heat generation of less than 5,000 kilo calories per kilogram. In contrast, the applicable tax rate for LNG was reduced from Won 60 per kilogram to Won 42 per kilogram. Since bituminous coal currently represents the largest fuel type for electricity generation, accounting for approximately 44.1% of our entire fuel requirements in 2014 in terms of electricity output, the newly adopted consumption tax thereon may result in an increase of our overall fuel costs, notwithstanding the decrease in the consumption tax rate for LNG, which accounted for approximately 15.5% of our entire fuel requirements in 2014 in terms of electricity output. While we expect that such additional fuel costs will be covered by a corresponding increase in electricity tariff, there is no assurance that the Government will in fact raise electricity tariff to a level sufficient to fully cover such additional costs in a timely manner or at all, and if the Government does not do so, the increase in our overall fuel costs arising from the newly adopted coal consumption tax will adversely affect our results of operation and financial condition.
Our risk management procedures may not prevent losses in debt and foreign currency positions.
We manage interest rate exposure for our debt instruments by limiting our variable rate debt exposure as a percentage of our total debt and closely monitoring the movements in market interest rates. We also actively manage currency exchange rate exposure for our foreign currency-denominated liabilities by measuring the potential loss therefrom using risk analysis software and entering into derivative contracts to hedge such exposure when the possible loss reaches a certain risk limit. To the extent we have unhedged positions or our hedging and other risk management procedures do not work as planned, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
The amount and scope of coverage of our insurance are limited.
Substantial liability may result from the operations of our nuclear generation units, the use and handling of nuclear fuel and possible radioactive emissions associated with such nuclear fuel. KHNP carries insurance for its generation units and nuclear fuel transportation, and we believe that the level of insurance is generally adequate and is in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. In addition, KHNP is the beneficiary of Government indemnity which covers a portion of liability in excess of the insurance. However, such insurance is limited in terms of amount and scope of coverage and does not cover all types or amounts of losses which could arise in connection with the ownership and operation of nuclear plants. Accordingly, material adverse financial consequences could result from a serious accident or a natural disaster to the extent it is neither insured nor covered by the government indemnity.
In addition, our thermal generation subsidiaries carry insurance covering certain risks, including fire, in respect of their key assets, including buildings and equipment located at their respective power plants, construction-in-progress and imported fuel and procurement in transit. Such insurance and indemnity, however, cover only a portion of the assets that the thermal generation subsidiaries own and operate and do not cover all types or amounts of loss that could arise in connection with the ownership and operation of these power plants. In addition, unlike us, our generation subsidiaries are not permitted to self-insure, and accordingly have not self-insured, against risks of their uninsured assets or business. Accordingly, material adverse financial consequences could result from a serious accident to the extent it is uninsured.
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In addition, because neither we nor our generation subsidiaries, other than KHNP, carry any insurance against terrorist attacks, an act of terrorism would result in significant financial losses. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Insurance.”
We may not be able to raise equity capital in the future without the participation of the Government.
Under applicable laws, the Government is required to directly or indirectly own at least 51% of our issued capital stock. As of December 31, 2014 the last day on which our shareholder registry was closed, the Government, directly and through Korea Development Bank (a statutory banking institution wholly owned by the Government), owned 51.1% of our issued capital stock. Accordingly, without changes in the existing Korean law, it may be difficult or impossible for us to undertake, without the participation of the Government, any equity financing in the future.
Following from the recent decision of the Supreme Court of Korea, we may be exposed to potential claims made by current or previous employees for unpaid wages for the past three years under the expanded scope of ordinary wages and become subject to additional labor costs arising from the broader interpretation of ordinary wages under such decision.
Under the Labor Standards Act, an employee is legally entitled to “ordinary wages.” Under the guidelines previously issued by the Ministry of Labor, ordinary wages include base salary and certain fixed monthly allowances for work performed overtime during night shifts and holidays. Prior to the Supreme Court decision described below, many companies in Korea had typically interpreted these guidelines as excluding from the scope of ordinary wages fixed bonuses that are paid other than on a monthly basis, namely on a bi-monthly, quarterly or biannually basis, although such interpretation had been a subject of controversy and had been overruled in a few court cases.
In December 2013, the Supreme Court of Korea ruled that regular bonuses fall under the category of ordinary wages on the condition that those bonuses are paid regularly and uniformly, and that any agreement which excludes such regular bonuses from ordinary wage is invalid. The Supreme Court further ruled that in spite of invalidity of such agreements, employees shall not retroactively claim additional wages incurred due to such court decision, in case that such claims bring to employees unexpected benefits which substantially exceeds the wage level agreed by employers and employees and cause an unpredicted increase in expenditures for their company, which would lead the company to material managerial difficulty or would threat to the existence of the company. In that case, the claim is not acceptable since it is unjust and is in breach of the principle of good faith. Prior to such Supreme Court ruling, we determined wages in accordance with budget instructions from the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, which excluded bonuses from ordinary wages and which was determined with the consent of the relevant labor unions.
In tandem with the above-mentioned proceeding at the Supreme Court of Korea, as of December 31, 2014 our six generation subsidiaries and another subsidiary, KPS, were subject to several lawsuits filed by various industry-wide and company-specific labor unions based on claims that ordinary wage had been paid without including certain items that should have been included as ordinary wage. In one of such lawsuits, in January 2015, the Seoul District Court found largely in favor of a company-specific labor union whose members consist of employees of KOSPO, and in February 2015, KOSPO filed an appeal with the Seoul High Court. In light of the District Court ruling and the wage structure of us and our subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2014 we have set aside a reserve on a consolidated basis in the aggregate amount of Won 174 billion to cover the likely future payments of additional ordinary wage in relation to the related lawsuits. We cannot presently assure you that there will not be further lawsuits in relation to ordinary wage or that the foregoing reserve amount will be sufficient to cover additional ordinary wage payments or other compensation and damages arising from the present or future litigation. If there are further litigation or if the actual compensation or other damages we become liable on a consolidated basis to pay in relation to these or other similar lawsuits were to be higher than our reserve amounts, it would adversely affect our results of operation.
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Risks Relating to Korea and the Global Economy
Unfavorable financial and economic conditions in Korea and globally may have a material adverse impact on us.
We are incorporated in Korea, where most of our assets are located and most of our income is generated. As a result, we are subject to political, economic, legal and regulatory risks specific to Korea, and our business, results of operation and financial condition are substantially dependent on the Korean consumers’ demand for electricity, which are in turn largely dependent on developments relating to the Korean economy.
The Korean economy is closely integrated with, and is significantly affected by, developments in the global economy. In light of the ongoing general economic weakness and political turbulence in Europe, signs of cooling economy for China and the continuing political instability in the Middle East and the former republics of the Soviet Union, including Russia, among others, significant uncertainty remains as to the global economic prospects in general and has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, the Korean economy. In addition, as the Korean economy matures, it is increasing exposed to the risk of a “scissor effect”, namely being pursued by competitors in less advanced economies while not having fully caught up with competitors in advanced economies, which risk is amplified by the fact that the Korean economy is heavily dependent on exports. The Korean economy also continues to face other difficulties, including sluggishness in domestic consumption and investment, weakness in the real estate market, rising household debt, potential declines in productivity due to aging demographics and a rise in youth unemployment. Any future deterioration of the global and Korean economies could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. As the Korean economy is highly dependent on the health and direction of the global economy, the prices of our securities may be adversely affected by investors’ reactions to developments in other countries. In addition, the value of the Won relative to the U.S. dollar has also fluctuated significantly in recent years, which in turn also may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation.
Factors that determine economic and business cycles of the Korean or global economy are for the most part beyond our control and inherently uncertain. In light of the high level of interdependence of the global economy, any of the foregoing developments could have a material adverse effect on the Korean economy and financial markets, and in turn on our business and profitability.
More specifically, factors that could hurt the Korean economy in the future include, among others:
fiscal difficulties, political turbulence and increased sovereign default risks in select countries in Europe and the resulting adverse effects on the global financial markets;
adverse change or increased volatility in macroeconomic indicators, including interest rates, inflation level, foreign currency reserve levels, commodity prices (including oil prices), exchange rates (including fluctuation of U.S. Dollar, Euro or Japanese Yen or revaluation of the Renminbi), stock market indices and inflows and outflows of foreign capital;
adverse developments in the economies of countries and regions that are Korea’s important export markets (such as the United States, China and Japan) and deterioration in economic or diplomatic relations between Korea and its major trading partners or allies, including as a result of trading or territorial disputes or disagreements in foreign policy;
continued sluggishness in the Korean real estate market;
a continuing rise in the level of household debt and an increase in delinquency and credit default by retail or small- and medium-sized enterprise borrowers;
a rise in unemployment or stagnation of real wages;
an increase in social expenditures to support an aging population or decreases in productivity due to shifting demographics;
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social and labor unrest;
a decline in consumer confidence and a slowdown in consumer spending and corporate investments;
a widening fiscal deficit from a decrease in tax revenues and a substantial increase in the Government’s expenditures for fiscal stimulus, unemployment compensation and other economic and social programs;
political gridlock within the government or in the legislature, which prevents or disrupts timely and effective policy making;
laws, regulations or other government actions (financial, economic or otherwise) that fail to achieve desired policy objectives, produce adverse unintended consequences or otherwise constrain or distort sound economic activities;
loss of investor confidence arising from corporate accounting irregularities and corporate governance issues, including in respect of certainchaebols; and
any other developments that has a material adverse effect on the global or Korean economy, such geopolitical tensions (such as in the Crimea peninsula, certain former republics of the Soviet Union, the Middle East and the Korean peninsula), an act of war, a terrorist act, a breakout of an epidemic or natural or man-made disasters (such as the sinking of the Sewol ferry in April 2014, which significantly dampened consumer sentiment in Korea for months).
Any future deterioration of the Korean economy could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Tensions with North Korea could have an adverse effect on us and the market value of our shares.
Relations between Korea and North Korea have been tense throughout Korea’s modern history. The level of tension between the two Koreas has fluctuated and may increase abruptly as a result of current and future events. In particular, there continues to be uncertainty regarding the long-term stability of North Korea’s political leadership since the succession of Kim Jong-un to power following the death of his father in December 2011, which has raised concerns with respect to the political and economic future of the region.
In addition, there continues to be heightened security tension in the region stemming from North Korea’s hostile military and diplomatic actions, including in respect of its nuclear weapons and long-range missile programs. Some examples from recent years include the following:
In December 2014, North Korea allegedly hacked into Sony’s network to prevent the airing of the movie “The Interview” which unfavorably portrays the North Korean leader, which has prompted the United States to consider implementing additional economic sanctions against North Korea.
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.
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North Korea’s economy also faces severe challenges, including severe inflation and food shortages, which may further aggravate social and political tensions within North Korea. In addition, reunification of Korea and North Korea may suddenly occur in the future, which would entail significant economic commitment and expenditure by Korea that may outweigh any resulting economic benefits of reunification. Any further increase in tension or uncertainty relating to the military, political or economic stability in the Korean peninsula, including a breakdown of diplomatic negotiations over the North Korean nuclear program, occurrence of military hostilities, heightened concerns about the stability of North Korea’s political leadership or its actual collapse, a leadership crisis, a breakdown of high-level contacts or accelerated reunification could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as the price of our common shares and our American depositary shares.
We are generally subject to Korean corporate governance and disclosure standards, which differ in significant respects from those in other countries.
Companies in Korea, including us, are subject to corporate governance standards applicable to Korean public companies which differ in many respects from standards applicable in other countries, including the United States. As a reporting company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and listed on the New York Stock Exchange, we are, and will continue to be, subject to certain corporate governance standards as mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended. However, foreign private issuers, including us, are exempt from certain corporate governance standards required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. For a description of significant differences in corporate governance standards, see Item 16G. “Corporate Governance.” There may also be less publicly available information about Korean companies, such as us, than is regularly made available by public or non-public companies in other countries. Such differences in corporate governance standards and less public information could result in less than satisfactory corporate governance practices or disclosure to investors in certain countries.
You may not be able to enforce a judgment of a foreign court against us.
We are a corporation with limited liability organized under the laws of Korea. Substantially all of our directors and officers and other persons named in this annual report reside in Korea, and all or a significant portion of the assets of our directors and officers and other persons named in this annual report and substantially all of our assets are located in Korea. As a result, it may not be possible for holders of the American depository shares to affect service of process within the United States, or to enforce against them or us in the United States judgments obtained in United States courts based on the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. There is doubt as to the enforceability in Korea, either in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of United States courts, of civil liabilities predicated on the United States federal securities laws.
Risks Relating to Our American Depositary Shares
There are restrictions on withdrawal and deposit of common shares under the depositary facility.
Under the deposit agreement, holders of shares of our common stock may deposit those shares with the depositary bank’s custodian in Korea and obtain American depositary shares, and holders of American depositary shares may surrender American depositary shares to the depositary bank and receive shares of our common stock. However, under current Korean laws and regulations, the depositary bank is required to obtain our prior consent for the number of shares to be deposited in any given proposed deposit which exceeds the difference between (1) the aggregate number of shares deposited by us for the issuance of American depositary shares (including deposits in connection with the initial and all subsequent offerings of American depositary shares and stock dividends or other distributions related to these American depositary shares) and (2) the number of shares on deposit with the depositary bank at the time of such proposed deposit. We have consented to the deposit of outstanding shares of common stock as long as the number of American depositary shares outstanding at any
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time does not exceed 80,153,810 shares. As a result, if you surrender American depositary shares and withdraw shares of common stock, you may not be able to deposit the shares again to obtain American depositary shares.
Ownership of our shares is restricted under Korean law.
Under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, with certain exceptions, a foreign investor may acquire shares of a Korean company without being subject to any single or aggregate foreign investment ceiling. As one such exception, certain designated public corporations, such as us, are subject to a 40% ceiling on acquisitions of shares by foreigners in the aggregate. The Financial Services Commission may impose other restrictions as it deems necessary for the protection of investors and the stabilization of the Korean securities and derivatives market.
In addition to the aggregate foreign investment ceiling, the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act and our Articles of Incorporation set a 3% ceiling on acquisition by a single investor (whether domestic or foreign) of the shares of our common stock. Any person (with certain exceptions) who holds our issued and outstanding shares in excess of such 3% ceiling cannot exercise voting rights with respect to our shares exceeding such limit.
The ceiling on aggregate investment by foreigners applicable to us may be exceeded in certain limited circumstances, including as a result of acquisition of:
shares by a depositary issuing depositary receipts representing such shares (whether newly issued shares or outstanding shares);
shares by exercise of warrant, conversion right under convertible bonds, exchange right under exchangeable bonds or withdrawal right under depositary receipts issued outside of Korea;
shares from the exercise of shareholders’ rights; or
shares by gift, inheritance or bequest.
A foreigner who has acquired our shares in excess of any ceiling described above may not exercise his voting rights with respect to our shares exceeding such limit and the Financial Services Commission may take necessary corrective action against him.
Holders of our ADSs will not have preemptive rights in certain circumstances.
The Korean Commercial Code and our Articles of Incorporation require us, with some exceptions, to offer shareholders the right to subscribe for new shares in proportion to their existing ownership percentage whenever new shares are issued. If we 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 you or use reasonable efforts to dispose of the rights on your behalf and make the net proceeds available to you. The depositary bank, however, is not required to make available to you any rights to purchase any additional shares unless it deems that doing so is lawful and feasible and:
a registration statement filed by us under the U.S. 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 U.S. Securities Act.
We are under no obligation to file any registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in relation to the registration rights. If a registration statement is required for you to exercise preemptive rights but is not filed by us, you will not be able to exercise your preemptive rights for additional shares and you will suffer dilution of your equity interest in us.
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The market value of your investment in our ADSs may fluctuate due to the volatility of the Korean securities market.
Our common stock is listed on the KRX KOSPI Division of the Korea Exchange, which has a smaller market capitalization and is more volatile than the securities markets in the United States and many European countries. The market value of ADSs may fluctuate in response to the fluctuation of the trading price of shares of our common stock on the Stock Market Division of the Korea Exchange. The Stock Market Division of the Korea Exchange has experienced substantial fluctuations in the prices and volumes of sales of listed securities and the Stock Market Division of the Korea Exchange has prescribed a fixed range in which share prices are permitted to move on a daily basis. Like other securities markets, including those in developed markets, the Korean securities market has experienced problems including market manipulation, insider trading and settlement failures. The recurrence of these or similar problems could have a material adverse effect on the market price and liquidity of the securities of Korean companies, including our common stock and ADSs, in both the domestic and the international markets.
The Korean government has the ability to exert substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector business community, and in the past has exerted that influence from time to time. For example, the Korean government has promoted mergers to reduce what it considers excess capacity in a particular industry and has also encouraged private companies to publicly offer their securities. Similar actions in the future could have the effect of depressing or boosting the Korean securities market, whether or not intended to do so. Accordingly, actual or perceived actions or inactions by the government may cause sudden movements in the market prices of the securities of Korean companies in the future, which may affect the market price and liquidity of our common stock and ADSs.
Your dividend payments and the amount you may realize in connection with a sale of your ADSs will be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Won.
Investors who purchase the American depositary shares will be required to pay for them in U.S. dollars. Our outstanding shares are listed on the Korea Exchange and are quoted and traded in Won. Cash dividends, if any, in respect of the shares represented by the American depositary shares will be paid to the depositary bank in Won and then converted by the depositary bank into U.S. dollars, subject to certain conditions. Accordingly, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Won and the U.S. dollar will affect, among other things, the amounts a registered holder or beneficial owner of the American depositary shares will receive from the depositary bank in respect of dividends, the U.S. dollar value of the proceeds which a holder or owner would receive upon sale in Korea of the shares obtained upon surrender of American depositary shares and the secondary market price of the American depositary shares.
If the Government deems that certain emergency circumstances are likely to occur, it may restrict the depositary bank from converting and remitting dividends in U.S. dollars.
If the Government deems that certain emergency circumstances are likely to occur, it may impose restrictions such as requiring foreign investors to obtain prior Government approval for the acquisition of Korean securities or for the repatriation of interest or dividends arising from Korean securities or sales proceeds from disposition of such securities. These emergency circumstances include any or all of the following:
sudden fluctuations in interest rates or exchange rates;
extreme difficulty in stabilizing the balance of payments; and
a substantial disturbance in the Korean financial and capital markets.
The depositary bank may not be able to secure such prior approval from the Government for the payment of dividends to foreign investors when the Government deems that there are emergency circumstances in the Korean financial markets.
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Item 4A. History and Development of the Company
General Information
Our legal and corporate name is Korea Electric Power Corporation. We were established by the Government on December 31, 1981 as a statutory juridical corporation in Korea under the Korea Electric Power Corporation (“KEPCO”) Act as the successor to Korea Electric Company. Our registered office is located at 55 Jeollyeok-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, 520-350, Korea, and our telephone number is 82-61-345-4261. Our website address is www.kepco.co.kr. Our agent in the United States is Korea Electric Power Corporation, New York Office, located at 7th Floor, Parker Plaza, 400 Kelby Street, Fort Lee, NJ 07024.
The Korean electric utility industry traces its origin to the establishment of the first electric utility company in Korea in 1898. On July 1, 1961, the industry was reorganized by the merger of Korea Electric Power Company, Seoul Electric Company and South Korea Electric Company, which resulted in the formation of Korea Electric Company. From 1976 to 1981, the Government acquired the private minority shareholdings in Korea Electric Company. After the Government acquired all the remaining shares of Korea Electric Company, Korea Electric Company was dissolved, and we were incorporated in 1981 and assumed the assets and liabilities of Korea Electric Company. We ceased to be wholly owned by the Government in 1989 when the Government sold 21% of our common stock. As of December 31, 2014, the last day on which our shareholder registry was closed, the Government maintained 51.1% ownership in aggregate of our common shares by direct holdings by the Government and indirect holdings through Korea Development Bank, a statutory banking institution wholly owned by the Government.
Under relevant laws of Korea, the Government is required to own, directly or indirectly, at least 51% of our capital. Direct or indirect ownership of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock enables the Government to control the approval of certain corporate matters relating to us that require a shareholders’ resolution, including approval of dividends. The rights of the Government and Korea Development Bank as holders of our common stock are exercised by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, based on the Government’s ownership of our common stock and a proxy received from Korea Development Bank, in consultation with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance.
We operate under the general supervision of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, in consultation with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, is responsible for approving, subject to review by the Korea Electricity Commission, the electricity rates we charge our customers. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Sales and Customers—Electricity Rates.” We furnish reports to officials of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and other Government agencies and regularly consult with such officials on matters relating to our business and affairs. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Regulation.” Our non-standing directors, who comprise the majority of our board of directors, must be appointed by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance following the review and resolution of the Public Agencies Operating Committee from a pool of candidates recommended by our director nomination committee and must have ample knowledge and experience in business management, and our President must be appointed by the President of the Republic upon the motion of the minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy following the nomination by our director nomination committee, the review and resolution of the Public Agencies Operating Committee and an approval at the general meeting of shareholders. See Item 6A. “Directors and Senior Management—Board of Directors.”
Item 4B. Business Overview
Introduction
We are an integrated electric utility company engaged in the transmission and distribution of substantially all of the electricity in Korea. Through our six wholly-owned generation subsidiaries, we also generate the
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substantial majority of electricity produced in Korea. As of December 31, 2014, we and our generation subsidiaries owned approximately 77.6% of the total electricity generation capacity in Korea (excluding plants generating electricity primarily for private or emergency use). In 2014, we sold to our customers approximately 477,592 gigawatt-hours of electricity. We purchase electricity principally from our generation subsidiaries and to a lesser extent from independent power producers. Of the 490,018 gigawatt-hours of electricity we purchased in 2014, 31.6% was generated by KHNP, our wholly-owned nuclear and hydroelectric power generation subsidiary, 54.6% was generated by our wholly-owned five thermal generation subsidiaries and 13.8% was generated by independent power producers that trade electricity to us through the cost-based pool system of power trading (excluding independent power producers that supply electricity under power purchase agreements with us). Our five thermal generation subsidiaries are KOSEP, KOMIPO, KOWEPO, KOSPO and EWP, each of which is wholly owned by us and is incorporated in Korea. We derive substantially all of our revenues and profit from Korea, and substantially all of our assets are located in Korea.
In 2014, we had sales of Won 57,123 billion and net profit of Won 2,799 billion, compared to sales of Won 53,713 billion and net profit of Won 174 billion in 2013.
Our revenues are closely tied to demand for electricity in Korea. Demand for electricity in Korea increased at a compounded average growth rate of 3.9% per annum from 2010 to 2014, compared to the real gross domestic product, or GDP, which increased at a compounded average growth rate of 3.7% during the same period, according to the Bank of Korea. The GDP growth rate was 3.3% during 2014 while demand for electricity in Korea increased by 0.6% during 2014.
Strategy
As our overall strategy, we seek to become a leading global energy enterprise through enhanced global competitiveness and strengthening our contribution to the global environmental campaigns through continued development of “green” and “smart” power-related technologies. We also aim to adapt to the growing uncertainties in global economy by selectively pursuing new business opportunities and through development of innovative technologies. In addition, we are in the process of integrating a “creating shared values” platform to our business model and operating strategy so as to enhance our social contributions as well as financial profitability in the form of creating new business opportunities while promoting energy welfare for our consumers.
Strengthen reliability of our domestic operations. Our primary strategies in this connection are to enhance efficiency of our electricity generation, transmission and distribution networks and acceptability of the construction and operation of our related facilities. Toward this end, we will strategically focus on ensuring stable supply of electricity, making our electricity networks “smarter” and more intelligent, creating customer-oriented marketing solutions, hiring outside agencies to assist with site selection for our facilities and improving the compensation system in relation to our facilities. We also aim to strengthen our marketing capabilities in anticipation of increasing competition, as well as bolster programs designed to encourage efficient energy use. We believe these measures will be instrumental to reinforcing our dominance in the Korean electricity market.
Expand overseas business. Our primary strategies in this connection are to develop tailored expansion plans specific to the target region, increase the level of our control over the proposed projects and procure secure supply of fuels. In this connection, we plan to expand our thermal and nuclear power projects as well as selectively explore renewable energy, smart transmission and distribution facilities and fuel procurement projects in the overseas markets.
Create a platform for new business growth opportunities. Our primary objectives in this connection are to gain “first mover” advantages in new businesses through technological development and to create opportunities for synergy through formation of an integrated energy network connecting Northeast Asia. Towards these goals, we plan to focus on development of high value-added electricity-related technology, commercialization of our strategic projects and establishment of “super grids” in Northeast Asia.
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Fulfill social responsibilities as an electricity provider. In this connection, we will continue to seek to balance between our public policy mandate and profitability and develop sustainable products, including through leadership in low-carbon clean energy business, creating and fostering a common set of shared values with local communities, development of a sustainable energy business model and actualization of results-oriented social responsibility as a global corporate citizen.
Recent Developments
Vesting Contract System
On May 20, 2014, the Electricity Business Act was amended, with effect from November 21, 2014, to introduce a “vesting contract” system in determining the price and quantity of electricity to be sold and purchased through the Korea Power Exchange between the purchaser of electricity (namely, us) and the sellers of electricity (namely, our generation subsidiaries and independent power producers). While the vesting contract system will work in conjunction with the cost-based pool system, the former will also substantially revamp and rationalize the latter as currently in effect, particularly with respect to the adjusted coefficient component.
In addition to aiming to stabilize the electricity supply market, a key feature of the vesting contract system is to provide a settlement mechanism that is designed to incentivize producers of electricity to supply electricity at or exceeding the contracted quantity. Under this settlement mechanism, an electricity producer is required to settle, among others, the difference between the contracted price and the market price of electricity sold at a given hour through the Korea Power Exchange (namely, the system marginal price), as multiplied by the contracted quantity of electricity. For further details of this settlement mechanism, see “—Purchase of Electricity—Vesting Contract System”. Under this settlement mechanism, assuming sale of electricity in the contracted quantity and further assuming the system marginal price being higher than the contracted price, the consideration to be received by the seller of electricity net of the settlement amount will effectively amount to the product of the contracted quantity multiplied by the contracted price. If the seller sells a quantity of electricity exceeding the contracted quantity at a given hour, under the settlement mechanism and assuming the system marginal price being higher than the contracted price, the seller is entitled to an extra return (effectively, an incentive) equal to the product of the excess quantity multiplied by the difference between the system marginal price and the contracted price. On the other hand, if the seller sells a quantity of electricity falling short of the contracted quantity at a given hour, under the settlement mechanism and assuming the system marginal price being higher than the contracted price, the seller is required to pay an amount (effectively, a penalty) equal to the product of the shortfall quantity multiplied by the difference between the system marginal price and the contracted price. The foregoing notions of incentive and penalty are intended to minimize the additional cost of purchasing electricity at the higher system marginal price in the event that the seller of electricity fails to deliver the contracted quantity of electricity. Details of the settlement mechanism in the event of the system marginal price being lower than the contracted price have not yet been finalized.
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In order to minimize undue impact on the electricity trading market in Korea, the vesting contract system will be implemented in phases, with the target date of implementation for hydro power in the second half of 2015, for coal-based electricity in 2016 and for nuclear power in 2017, although vesting contracts have been entered in February 2015 between us and two independent power producers of by-product gas-based electricity (namely, POSCO Energy and Hyundai Green Power) at a contractual price set a level at which the vesting contract system replaced the adjustment coefficient mechanism previously in effect with equal economic effect. By-product gas-based electricity accounted for 1.7% of electricity purchased by us in 2014. Since the vesting contract system is still in the early stages of implementation and many of the related details are still being finalized, it presently remains unclear in what final form the vesting contract system will actually operate, whether the vesting contract system will be able to achieve the desired results and whether there will be any adverse unintended consequences from the application of the system, and no assurance can be given that such system will not adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition in the future. See “—Purchase of Electricity—Vesting Contract System”.
Relocation and Sale of Our Headquarters
Pursuant to a Government plan announced in 2005, which mandated relocation of the headquarters of select government-invested enterprises, including us and our six generation and certain other subsidiaries from the Seoul metropolitan area to other provinces in Korea as part of an initiative to foster balanced economic growth in the provinces, we and certain of our generation and other subsidiaries recently relocated our respective headquarters to the designated locations. Following relocation in November 2014, our headquarters are currently located in Naju in Jeollanam-do Province, which is approximately 300 kilometers south of Seoul. The designated locations for the headquarters of our six generation subsidiaries and other subsidiaries are various cities outside of Seoul across Korea. The estimated total cost of relocation of the headquarters of us and our generation subsidiaries is Won 1,522 billion, which has been funded with operating cash, borrowings and proceeds from the sale of existing headquarters.
Under a special act enacted for this purpose which requires that we sell our headquarters within one year after relocation, in September 2014 we entered into a definitive agreement with a consortium consisting of Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motor Company and Hyundai Mobis for the sale of the properties in our previous headquarters for a sale price of Won 10,550 billion. The sale was made following an open bidding, and the assessment value for such properties was approximately Won 3,335 billion. Under the sales agreement, the purchaser made a deposit equal to 10% of the purchase price on the date of the agreement, paid the first installment equal to 30% of the purchase price on January 15, 2015 and is obligated to pay the remaining proceeds in two equal installments on May 25 and September 25, 2015, and the title to the properties will transfer on the date the full purchase price is paid.
Sale of Treasury Shares
On October 24, 2014, we sold 18,929,995 treasury shares held by us, representing 2.95% of our total issued shares for a consideration of Won 45,200 per share, or approximately Won 856 billion in the aggregate, through an after-hours block sale on the Korea Exchange to third party investors.
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Debt Reduction Program and Related Activities
In 2014, in light of the general policy guideline of the Government for public institutions (including us and our generation subsidiaries) in general to reduce their respective overall debt levels, we and our generation subsidiaries have, in consultation with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and as approved by the Committee for Management of Public Institutions in June 2014, set target debt-to-equity levels and undertaken various programs to reduce debt and improve the overall financial health, including through rationalizing and applying stricter review (from a profitability and efficiency perspective) various aspects of our operations (both domestic and overseas), inviting private sector investments, disposing of non-core assets (such as non-core or loss-generating overseas operations and real property unrelated to operations), reducing costs, exploring alternative ways to generate additional revenue and developing contingency plans for further cost savings.
The following table summarizes some of the actions that we and our generation subsidiaries have undertaken or plan to undertake as part of such debt reduction program.
Entity
Target Debt-to-Equity Level(1)
Actual Debt-to-Equity Level(1)
Other Related Activities
KEPCO
- Sale of treasury shares, remaining shares in LG Uplus and shares in select subsidiaries;
- Active rental of facilities for additional revenue
KHNP
- Stricter review of new nuclear generation construction and new headquarters construction
- Rationalization of the procurement process and other budget reduction efforts
- Development and sale of radioactive waste vitrification and other advanced technologies
EWP
- Sale of shares in GS Donghae Electric Power Co., Ltd. and six other domestic and overseas companies
KOMIPO
- Sale of shares in seven solar power facilities and closed facilities at Incheon Thermal Nos. 1 and 2
KOSEP
- Sale of shares in Korea Engineering & Power Service Co., Ltd. and shares in six renewable energy companies
KOSPO
- Sale of real properties that yield no revenues
KOWEPO
- Sale of equity interests in Dongducheon Dream Power and obtaining private sector investment in the Pyeongtaek Combined Cycle Unit No. 3
- Accelerated construction of generation units
Despite our best efforts, however, for reasons beyond our control, including macroeconomic environments, government regulations and market forces (such as international market prices for our fuels), we cannot assure whether we or our generation subsidiaries will be able to successfully reduce debt burdens or otherwise improve our financial health to a level contemplated by the Government or to a level that would be optimal for our capital
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structure. If we or our generation subsidiaries fail to do so or the measures taken by us or our generation subsidiaries to reduce debt levels or improve financial health have unintended adverse consequences, such developments may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.
Government Ownership and Our Interactions with the Government
The KEPCO Act requires that the Government own at least 51% of our capital stock. Direct or indirect ownership of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock enables the Government to control the approval of certain corporate matters which require a shareholders’ resolution, including approval of dividends. The rights of the Government and Korea Development Bank as holders of our common stock are exercised by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in consultation with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance. We are currently not aware of any plans of the Government to cease to own, directly or indirectly, at least 51% of our outstanding common stock.
We play an important role in the implementation of the Government’s national energy policy, which is established in consultation with us, among other parties. As an entity formed to serve public policy goals of the Government, we seek to maintain a fair level of profitability and strengthen our capital base in order to support the growth of our business in the long term.
The Government, through its various policy initiatives for the Korean energy industry as well as direct and indirect supervision of us and our industry, plays an important role in our business and operations. Most importantly, the electricity tariff rates we charge to our customers are regulated by the Government taking into account, among others, our needs to recover the costs of operations, make capital investments and recoup a fair return on capital invested by us, as well as the Government’s overall policy considerations, such as inflation. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Sales and Customers—Electricity Rates.”
In addition, pursuant to the Basic Plan determined by the Government, we and our generation subsidiaries have made, and plan to make, substantial expenditures for the construction of generation plants and other facilities to meet demand for electric power. See Item 5B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Requirements.”
Restructuring of the Electric Power Industry in Korea
On January 21, 1999, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy published the Restructuring Plan. The overall objectives of the Restructuring Plan consisted of: (i) introducing competition and thereby increasing efficiency in the Korean electric power industry, (ii) ensuring a long-term, inexpensive and stable electricity supply, and (iii) promoting consumer convenience through the expansion of consumer choice.
The following provides further details relating to the Restructuring Plan.
Phase I
During Phase I, which served as a preparatory stage for Phase II and lasted from the announcement of the Restructuring Plan in January 1999 until April 2001, we undertook steps to split our generation business units off into one wholly-owned nuclear generation subsidiary (namely, KHNP) and five wholly-owned thermal generation subsidiaries (namely, KOSEP, KOMIPO, KOWEPO, KOSPO and EWP), each with its own management structure, assets and liabilities. These steps were completed upon the approval of the split-off at our shareholders’ meeting in April 2001.
The Government’s principal objectives in the split-off of the generation units into separate subsidiaries were to: (i) introduce competition and thereby increase efficiency in the electricity generation industry in Korea, and (ii) ensure a stable supply of electricity in Korea.
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Following the implementation of Phase I, we have substantial monopoly with respect to the transmission and distribution of electricity in Korea.
While our ownership percentage of the thermal generation subsidiaries will depend on the further adjustments to the Restructuring Plan to be adopted by the Government, we plan to retain 100% ownership of both KHNP and our transmission and distribution business.
Phase II
At the outset of Phase II in April 2001, the Government introduced a cost-based competitive bidding pool system under which we purchase power from our generation subsidiaries and other independent power producers for transmission and distribution to customers. For a further description of this system, see “—Purchase of Electricity—Cost-based Pool System” below.
In order to support the logistics of the cost-based pool system, the Government established the Korea Power Exchange in April 2001 pursuant to the Electricity Business Law. The primary function of the Korea Power Exchange is to deal with the sale of electricity and implement regulations governing the electricity market to allow for electricity distribution through a competitive bidding process. The Government also established the Korea Electricity Commission in April 2001 to regulate the Korean electric power industry and ensure fair competition among industry participants. To facilitate this goal, the Korea Power Exchange established the Electricity Market Rules relating to the operation of the bidding pool system. To amend the Electricity Market Rules, the Korea Power Exchange must have the proposed amendment reviewed by the Korea Electricity Commission and then obtain the approval of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The Korea Electricity Commission’s main functions include implementation of standards and measures necessary for electricity market operation and review of matters relating to licensing participants in the Korean electric power industry. The Korea Electricity Commission also acts as an arbitrator in tariff-related disputes among participants in the Korean electric power industry and investigates illegal or deceptive activities of the industry participants.
Privatization of Thermal Generation Subsidiaries
In April 2002, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy released the basic privatization plan for five of our generation subsidiaries other than KHNP. Pursuant to this plan, we commenced the process of selling our equity interest in KOSEP in 2002. According to the original plan, this process was, in principle, to take the form of a sale of management control, potentially supplemented by an initial public offering as a way of broadening the investor base. In November 2003, KOSEP submitted its application to the Korea Exchange for a preliminary screening review, which was approved in December 2003. However, in June 2004, KOSEP made a request to the Korea Exchange to delay its stock listing due to unfavorable stock market conditions at that time. We may resume the stock listing process for KOSEP in due course, after taking into consideration the overall stock market conditions and other pertinent matters. The aggregate foreign ownership of our generation subsidiaries is limited to 30% of total power generation capacity in Korea. In consultation with us, the Government will determine the size of the ownership interest to be sold and the timing of such sale, with a view to encouraging competition and assuring adequate electricity supply and debt service capability.
We believe the Government currently has no specific plans to resume the public offering of KOSEP or commence the same for any of our other generation subsidiaries in the near future. However, we cannot assure that our generation subsidiaries will not become part of Government-led privatization initiatives in the future for reasons relating to a change in Government policy, economic and market conditions and/or other factors.
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Suspension of the Plan to Form and Privatize Distribution Subsidiaries
In 2003, the Government established a Tripartite Commission consisting of representatives of the Government, leading businesses and labor unions in Korea to deliberate on ways to introduce competition in electricity distribution, such as by forming and privatizing new distribution subsidiaries. In 2004, the Tripartite Commission recommended not pursuing such privatization initiatives but instead creating independent business divisions within us to improve operational efficiency through internal competition. Following the adoption of such recommendation by the Government in 2004 and further studies by Korea Development Institute, in 2006 we created nine “strategic business units” (which, together with our other business units, were subsequently restructured into 14 such units in February 2012) that have a greater degree of autonomy with respect to management, financial accounting and performance evaluation while having a common focus on increasing profitability.
Initiatives to Improve the Structure of Electricity Generation
In August 2010, based on deliberations with various interested parties, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the Proposal for the Improvement in the Structure of the Electric Power Industry, whose key initiatives include the following: (i) maintain the current structure of having six generation subsidiaries, (ii) designate the six generation subsidiaries as “market-oriented public enterprises” under the Public Agency Management Act in order to foster competition among them and autonomous and responsible management by them, (iii) create a supervisory unit to act as a “control tower” in reducing inefficiencies created by arbitrary division of labor among the six generation subsidiaries and fostering economies of scale among them and require the presidents of the generation subsidiaries to hold regular meetings, (iv) create a nuclear power export business unit to systematically enhance our capabilities to win projects involving the construction and operation of nuclear power plants overseas, (v) further rationalize the electricity tariff by adopting a fuel-cost based tariff system in 2011 and a voltage-based tariff system in a subsequent year, and (vi) create separate accounting systems for electricity generation, transmission, distribution and sales with the aim of introducing competition in electricity sales in the intermediate future.
Pursuant to this Proposal, in December 2010 the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced guidelines for a cooperative framework between us and our generation subsidiaries, and in January 2011 the five thermal generation subsidiaries formed a “joint cooperation unit” and transferred their pumped-storage hydroelectric business units to KHNP. Furthermore, in January 2011 the six generation subsidiaries were officially designated as “market-oriented public enterprises,” whereupon the President of Korea appoints the president and the statutory auditor of each such subsidiary; the selection of outside directors of each such subsidiary is subject to approval by the minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance; the president of each such subsidiary is required to enter into a management contract directly with the minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; and the Public Enterprise Management Evaluation Commission conducts performance evaluation of such subsidiaries. Previously, our president appointed the president and the statutory auditor of each such subsidiary; the selection of outside directors of each such subsidiary was subject to approval by our president; the president of each such subsidiary entered into a management contract with our president; and our evaluation committee conducted performance evaluation of such subsidiaries.
Purchase of Electricity
Cost-based Pool System
Since April 2001, the purchase and sale of electricity in Korea is required to be made through the Korea Power Exchange, which is a statutory not-for-profit organization established under the Electricity Business Act with responsibilities for setting the price of electricity, handling the trading and collecting relevant data for the electricity market in Korea. The suppliers of electricity in Korea consist of our six generation subsidiaries, which were spun off from us in April 2001, and independent power producers, which numbered 10 (excluding renewable energy producers) as of December 31, 2014. We distribute electricity purchased through the Korea Power Exchange to the end users.
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Our Relationship with the Korea Power Exchange
The key features of our relationships with the Korea Power Exchange include the following: (i) we and our six generation subsidiaries are member corporations of the Korea Power Exchange and collectively own 100% of its share capital, (ii) three of the 10 members of the board of directors of the Korea Power Exchange are currently our or our subsidiaries’ employees, and (iii) one of our employees is currently a member in three of the key committees of the Korea Power Exchange that are responsible for evaluating the costs of producing electricity, making rules for the Korea Power Exchange and gathering and disclosing information relating to the Korean electricity market.
Notwithstanding the foregoing relationships, however, we do not have control over the Korea Power Exchange or its policies since, among others, (i) the Korea Power Exchange, its personnel, policies, operations and finances are closely supervised and controlled by the Government, namely through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and are subject to a host of laws and regulations, including, among others, the Electricity Business Act and the Public Agencies Management Act, as well as the Articles of Incorporation of the Korea Power Exchange, (ii) we are entitled to elect no more than one-third of the Korea Power Exchange directors and our representatives represent only a minority of its board of directors and committees (with the other members being comprised of representatives of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, employees of the Korea Power Exchange, businesspersons and/or scholars), and (iii) the role of our representatives in the policy making process for the Korea Power Exchange is primarily advisory based on their technical expertise derived from their employment at us or our generation subsidiaries. Consistent with this view, the Finance Supervisory Service issued a ruling in 2005 that stated that we are not deemed to have significant influence or control over the decision-making process of the Korea Power Exchange relating to its business or financial affairs.
Pricing Factors
The price of electricity in the Korean electricity market is determined principally based on the cost of generating electricity using a system known as the “cost-based pool” system. Under the cost-based pool system, the price of electricity has two principal components, namely the marginal price (representing in principle the variable cost of generating electricity) and the capacity price (representing in principle the fixed cost of generating electricity).
Under the merit order system, the electricity purchase allocation, the system marginal price (as described below) and the final allocation adjustment are automatically determined based on an objective formula. The variable cost (including the adjusted coefficient as described below) and the capacity price are determined in advance of trading by the Cost Evaluation Committee. Accordingly, a supplier of electricity cannot exercise control over the merit order system or its operations to such supplier’s strategic advantage.
Marginal Price
The primary purpose of the marginal price is to compensate the generation companies for fuel costs, which represents the principal component of the variable costs of generating electricity. We currently refer such marginal price as the “system marginal price.”
The system marginal price represents, in effect, the marginal price of electricity at a given hour at which the projected demand for electricity and the projected supply of electricity for such hour intersect, as determined by the merit order system, which is a system used by the Korea Power Exchange to allocate which generation units will supply electricity for which hour and at what price. To elaborate, the projected demand for electricity for a given hour is determined by the Korea Power Exchange based on a forecast made one day prior to trading, and such forecast takes into account, among others, historical statistics relating to demand for electricity nationwide by day and by hour, seasonality and on-peak-hour versus off-peak hour demand analysis. The projected supply of electricity at a given hour is determined as the aggregate of the available capacity of all generation units that have submitted bids to supply electricity for such hour. These bids are submitted to the Korea Power Exchange one day prior to trading.
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Under the merit order system, the generation unit with the lowest variable cost of producing electricity among all the generation units that have submitted a bid for a given hour is first awarded a purchase order for electricity up to the available capacity of such unit as indicated in its bid. The generation unit with the next lowest variable cost is then awarded a purchase order up to its available capacity in its bid, and so forth, until the projected demand for electricity for such hour is met. We refer to the variable cost of the generation unit that is the last to receive the purchase order for such hour as the system marginal price, which also represents the highest price at which electricity can be supplied at a given hour based on the demand and supply for such hour. Generation units whose variable costs exceed the system marginal price for a given hour do not receive purchase orders to supply electricity for such hour. The variable cost of each generation unit is determined by the Cost Evaluation Committee (comprised of representatives from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Korea Power Exchange, generation companies, scholars and researchers as well as us) on a monthly basis and reflected in the following month based on the fuel costs two months prior to such determination. The purpose of the merit order system is to encourage generation units to reduce its electricity generation costs by making its generation process more efficient, sourcing fuels from most cost-effective sources or adopting other cost savings programs.
The final allocation of electricity supply is further adjusted on the basis of other factors, including the proximity of a generation unit to the geographical area to which power is being supplied, network and fuel constraints and the amount of power loss. This adjustment mechanism is designed to adjust for transmission losses in order to improve overall cost-efficiency in the transmission of electricity to end-users.
The price of electricity at which our generation subsidiaries sell electricity to us is determined using the following formula:
Variable cost + [System marginal price – Variable cost] * Adjusted coefficient
The adjusted coefficient is determined based on considerations of, among others, electricity tariff rates, the differential generation costs for different fuel types and the relative fair returns on investment in respect of us compared to our generation subsidiaries. The purpose of the adjusted coefficient is to prevent electricity trading from resulting in undue imbalances as to the relative financial results among generation subsidiaries as well as between us (as the purchaser of electricity) and our generation subsidiaries (as sellers of electricity). Such imbalances may arise from excessive profit taking by base load generators (on account of their inherently cheaper fuel cost structure compared to non-base load generators) as well as from fluctuations in fuel prices (it being the case that during times of rapid and substantial rises in fuel costs which are not offset by corresponding rises in electricity tariff rates charged by us to end-users, on a non-consolidated basis our profitability will decline compared to that our generation subsidiaries since our generation subsidiaries are entitled to sell electricity to us at cost plus a guaranteed margin).
The adjusted coefficient applies in principle to all generation units that use the same type of fuel, except for independent power producers that use LNG, oil, or by-product gas (for which the adjusted coefficient was replaced with the vesting contract system as further discussed below). The adjusted coefficient is currently set at the highest level for the marginal price of electricity generated using nuclear fuel, followed by coal, oil and LNG. The differentiated adjusted coefficients reflect the Government’s current energy policy objectives and have the effect of setting priorities in the fuel types to be used in electricity generation. The adjusted coefficient is determined by the Cost Evaluation Committee in principle on an annual basis, although in exceptional cases driven by external factors such as material developments in fuel costs and electricity tariff rates, the adjusted coefficient may be adjusted on a quarterly basis.
Under the “vesting contract” system which is currently being implemented in phases as to the purchase and sale of electricity between us and the suppliers of electricity (namely, our generation subsidiaries and independent power producers) pursuant to an amendment to the Electricity Business Act, effective November 21, 2014, the application of adjusted coefficient will be gradually cease in tandem with the rollout of the vesting contract system depending on various fuel types, and the adjustment mechanism for determining the price we
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currently pay to our generation subsidiaries and independent power producers for electricity sold to us will be replaced by the vesting contract system as further described below in “—Vesting Contract System”.
Capacity Price
In addition to payment in respect of the variable cost of generating electricity, generation units receive payment in the form of capacity price, the purpose of which is to compensate them for the costs of constructing generation facilities and to provide incentives for new construction. The capacity price is determined annually by the Cost Evaluation Committee based on the construction costs and maintenance costs of a standard generation unit and is paid to each generation company for the amount of available capacity indicated in the bids submitted the day before trading, subject to such capacity being actually available on the relevant day of trading. From time to time, the capacity price is adjusted in ways to soften the impact of changes in the marginal price over time based on the expected rate of return for our generational subsidiaries. Currently, the capacity price is Won 7.46/kW-h and is applied equally to all generation units, regardless of fuel types used.
Under a regionally differentiated capacity price system, we are required to maintain a standard capacity reserve margin in the range of 12.0% to 20.0% in order to prevent excessive capacity build-up as well as induce optimal capacity investment at the regional level. The capacity reserve margin is the ratio of peak demand to the total available capacity. Under this system, generation units in a region where available capacity is insufficient to meet demand for electricity as evidenced by a failure to meet the standard capacity reserve margin receive increased capacity price. Conversely, generation units in a region where available capacity exceeds demand for electricity as evidenced by exceeding the standard capacity reserve margin receive reduced capacity price. The capacity price received by generation units is subject to hourly and seasonal adjustments in order to incentivize our generation subsidiaries to operate their generation facilities at full capacity during periods of highest demand. For example, the capacity price paid differs depending on whether the relevant hour is a “on-peak” hour, a “mid-peak” hour or an “off-peak” hour (it being highest for the on-peak hours and lowest for the off-peak hours) and the capacity price paid is highest during the months of January, July and August when electricity usage is highest due to weather conditions. Other than subject to the aforementioned variations, the same capacity pricing mechanism applies to all generation units regardless of fuel types used.
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In addition to aiming to stabilize the electricity supply market, a key feature of the vesting contract system is to provide a settlement mechanism that is designed to incentivize producers of electricity to supply electricity at or exceeding the contracted quantity. Under this settlement mechanism, an electricity producer is required to settle, among others, the difference between the contracted price and the market price of electricity sold at a given hour through the Korea Power Exchange (namely, the system marginal price), as multiplied by the contracted quantity of electricity.
To elaborate, the net consideration that the seller of electricity at a particular generation unit is entitled to receive upon sale of the contracted quantity of electricity through the Korea Power Exchange at a given hour is determined using the following formula:
Net consideration = Gross consideration – Settlement amount, assuming the system marginal price is higher than the contracted price, where:
(A) Gross consideration equals the sum of:
(B) Settlement amount equals the sum of:
Accordingly, under this settlement mechanism, assuming sale of electricity in the contracted quantity and further assuming the system marginal price being higher than the contracted price, the consideration to be received by the seller of electricity net of the settlement amount will effectively amount to the product of the contracted quantity multiplied by the contracted price. If the seller sells a quantity of electricity exceeding the contracted quantity at a given hour, under the settlement mechanism and assuming the system marginal price being higher than the contracted price, the seller is entitled to an extra return (effectively, an incentive) equal to the product of the excess quantity multiplied by the difference between the system marginal price and the contracted price. On the other hand, if the seller sells a quantity of electricity falling short of the contracted quantity at a given hour, under the settlement mechanism and assuming the system marginal price being higher than the contracted price, the seller is required to pay an amount (effectively, a penalty) equal to the product of the shortfall quantity multiplied by the difference between the system marginal price and the contracted price. The foregoing notions of incentive and penalty are intended to minimize the additional cost of purchasing electricity at the higher system marginal price in the event that the seller of electricity fails to deliver the contracted quantity of electricity. Details of the settlement mechanism in the event of the system marginal price being lower than the contracted price have not yet been finalized.
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In order to minimize undue impact on the electricity trading market in Korea, the vesting contract system will be implemented in phases, with the target date of implementation for hydro power in the second half of 2015, for coal-based electricity in 2016 and for nuclear power in 2017, although vesting contracts have been entered in February 2015 between us and two independent power producers of by-product gas-based electricity (namely, POSCO Energy and Hyundai Green Power) at a contractual price set a level at which the vesting contract system replaced the adjustment coefficient mechanism previously in effect with equal economic effect. By-product gas-based electricity accounted for 1.7% of electricity purchased by us in 2014. Since the vesting contract system is still in the early stages of implementation and many of the related details are still being finalized, it presently remains unclear in what final form the vesting contract system will actually operate, whether the vesting contract system will be able to achieve the desired results and whether there will be any adverse unintended consequences from the application of the system, and no assurance can be given that such system will not adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition in the future.
Power Trading Results
The results of power trading, as effected through the Korea Power Exchange, for our generation subsidiaries and independent power producers for the year ended December 31, 2014 are as follows:
Items
Generation Companies
Others(1)
Total
Energy Sources
Bituminous coal
Anthracite coal
Oil
LNG
Combined-cycle
Hydro
Pumped-storage
Others
Load
Non-base load
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Power Purchased from Independent Power Producers Under Power Purchase Agreements
In 2014, we purchased an aggregate of 11,114 gigawatt hours of electricity generated by independent power producers under existing power purchase agreements. These independent power producers had an aggregate generation capacity of 4,243 megawatts as of December 31, 2014.
Power Generation
As of December 31, 2014, we and our generation subsidiaries had a total of 607 generation units, including nuclear, thermal, hydroelectric and internal combustion units, representing total installed generation capacity of 72,305 megawatts. Our thermal units produce electricity using steam turbine generators fired by coal, oil and LNG. Our internal combustion units use oil or diesel-fired gas turbines and our combined-cycle units are primarily LNG-fired. We also purchase power from several generation plants not owned by our generation subsidiaries.
The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 the number of units, installed capacity and the average capacity factor for each type of generating facilities owned by our generation subsidiaries.
Nuclear
Thermal:
Coal
Total thermal
Internal combustion
Wind
Solar
Fuel cell
Biogas
The expected useful life of a unit, assuming no substantial renovation, is approximately as follows: nuclear, over 40 years; thermal, over 30 years; internal combustion, over 25 years; and hydroelectric, over 55 years. Substantial renovation can extend the useful life of thermal units by up to 20 years.
We seek to achieve efficient use of fuels and diversification of generation capacity by fuel type. In the past, we relied principally upon oil-fired thermal generation units for electricity generation. Since the oil shock in 1974, however, Korea’s power development plans have emphasized the construction of nuclear generation units. While nuclear units are more expensive to construct than thermal generation units of comparable capacity, nuclear fuel is less expensive than fossil fuels in terms of electricity output per unit cost. However, efficient operation of nuclear units requires that such plants be run continuously at relatively constant energy output levels. As it is impractical to store large quantities of electrical energy, we seek to maintain nuclear power production capacity at approximately the level at which demand for electricity is continuously stable. During
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those times when actual demand exceeds the usual level of electricity supply from nuclear power, we rely on units fired by fossil fuels and hydroelectric units, which can be started and shut down more quickly and efficiently than nuclear units, to meet the excess demand. Bituminous coal is currently the least expensive thermal fuel per kilowatt-hour of electricity produced, and therefore we seek to maximize the use of bituminous coal for generation needs in excess of the stable demand level, except for meeting short-term surges in demand which require rapid start-up and shutdown. Thermal units fired by LNG, hydroelectric units and internal combustion units are the most efficient types of units for rapid start-ups and shutdowns, and therefore we use such units principally to meet short-term surges in demand. Anthracite coal is a less efficient fuel source than bituminous coal in terms of electricity output per unit cost.
Our generation subsidiaries have constructed and recommissioned thermal and internal combustion units in order to help meet power demand. Subject to market conditions, our generation subsidiaries plan to continue to add additional thermal and internal combustion units. These units generally take less time to complete construction than nuclear units.
The high average age of our oil-fired thermal units is attributable to our reliance on oil-fired thermal units as the primary means of electricity generation until mid-1970s. Since then, we have diversified our fuel sources and constructed relatively few oil-fired thermal units compared to units of other fuel types.
The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the amount of electricity generated by facilities linked to our grid system and the amount of power used or lost in connection with transmission and distribution.
Electricity generated by us and our generation subsidiaries:
Solar and fuel cells
Total generation by us and our generation subsidiaries
Electricity generated by IPPs:
Thermal
Hydro and other renewable
Total generation by IPPs
Gross generation
Auxiliary use(2)
Pumped-storage(3)
Total net generation(4)
Transmission and distribution losses(5)
IPPs = Independent power producers
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The table below sets forth our total capacity at the end of, and peak and average loads during, the indicated periods.
Total capacity
Peak load
Average load
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
We commenced nuclear power generation activities in 1978 when our first nuclear generation unit, Kori-1, began commercial operation. On April 2, 2001, all of nuclear and hydroelectric power generation assets and liabilities of our thermal generation subsidiaries were transferred to KHNP.
KHNP owns and operates 23 nuclear generation units at four power plant complexes in Korea, located in Kori, Wolsong, Yonggwang (Hanbit) and Ulchin (Hanul), 51 hydroelectric generation units including 16 pumped storage hydro generation units as well as five solar generation units and one wind generation unit as of December 31, 2014.
The table below sets forth the number of units and installed capacity as of December 31, 2014 and the average capacity factor by types of generation units in 2014.
Hydroelectric
Shin-Kori-2 and Shin-Wolsong-1, each with a 1,000 megawatt capacity, commenced commercial operation in July 2012. We are currently building five additional nuclear generation units, consisting of one unit with a 1,000 megawatt capacity and four units each with a 1,400 megawatt capacity at the Shin-Kori and Shin-Hanul sites, respectively. We expect to complete these units between 2015 and 2018. In addition, we plan to build four additional nuclear units, each with a 1,400 megawatt capacity, and two additional nuclear units, each with a 1,500 megawatt capacity at the Shin-Kori and Shin-Hanul sites between 2019 and 2024.
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The table below sets forth certain information with respect to the nuclear generation units of KHNP as of December 31, 2014.
Unit
Reactor Design(2)
Turbine and Generation(3)
Kori-1
Kori-2
Kori-3
Kori-4
Shin-Kori-1
Shin-Kori-2
Wolsong-1
Wolsong-2
Wolsong-3
Wolsong-4
Shin-Wolsong-1
Hanbit-1
Hanbit-2
Hanbit-3
Hanbit-4
Hanbit-5
Hanbit-6
Hanul-1
Hanul-2
Hanul-3
Hanul-4
Hanul-5
Hanul-6
Total nuclear
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The table below sets forth the average capacity factor and average fuel cost per kilowatt for 2014 with respect to each nuclear generation unit of KHNP.
Hanbit -2
Hanbit -3
Hanbit -4
Hanbit -5
Hanbit -6
Under extended-cycle operations, nuclear units can be run continuously for periods longer than the conventional 12-month period between scheduled shutdowns for refueling and maintenance. Since 1987, we have adopted the mode of extended-cycle operations for all of our pressurized light water reactor units and plan to use it for our newly constructed units. The duration of shutdown for fuel replacement and maintenance was 71.9 days per unit in 2014. In addition, KHNP’s nuclear units experienced an average of 0.2 unplanned shutdowns per unit in 2014. In the ordinary course of operations, KHNP’s nuclear units routinely experience damage and wear and tear, which are repaired during routine shutdown periods or during unplanned temporary suspensions of operations. No significant damage has occurred in any of KHNP’s nuclear reactors, and no significant nuclear exposure or release incidents have occurred at any of KHNP’s nuclear facilities since the first nuclear plant commenced operation in 1978.
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Effective January 1, 2011, pursuant to the Government’s Proposal for Improvements in the Structure of the Electric Power Industry announced in August 2010, our five thermal generation subsidiaries transferred all of the assets and liabilities relating to their pumped-storage and hydroelectric business units to KHNP. The table below sets forth certain information, including the installed capacity as of December 31, 2014 and the average capacity factor in 2014.
Location of Unit
Classification
Hwacheon
Chuncheon
Euiam
Cheongpyung
Paldang
Seomjingang
Boseonggang
Kwoesan
Anheung
Kangreung
Topyeong
Muju(1)
Sancheong (1)
Yangyang(1)
Yecheon(1)
Cheongpeoung(1)
Samrangjin(1)
Sancheong(1)
Cheongsong(1)
Solar/Wind
The table below sets forth certain information, including the installed capacity as of December 31, 2014 and the average capacity factor in 2014, regarding each solar and wind power unit of KHNP. Yecheon-units 1 and 2 began commercial operation in July 2012 and December 2012, respectively. KHNP added an 11-megawatt capacity unit to the Younggwang Solar Park, for which commercial operation began in November 2012.
Yonggwang
Yecheon
Kori
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Korea Water Resources Corporation, which is a Government-owned entity, assumes full control of multi-purpose dams, while KHNP maintains the dams used for power generation. Existing hydroelectric power units have exploited most of the water resources in Korea available for commercially viable hydroelectric power generation. Consequently, we expect that no new major hydroelectric power plants will be built in the foreseeable future. Due to the ease of its start-up and shut-down mechanism, hydroelectric power generation is reserved for peak demand periods.
Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.
The table below sets forth, by fuel type, the weighted average age and installed capacity as of December 31, 2014 and the average capacity factor and average fuel cost per kilowatt in 2014 based upon the net amount of electricity generated, of KOSEP.
Bituminous:
Samchunpo #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Yong Hung #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Yosu # 2
Anthracite:
Yongdong #1, 2
Combined cycle and internal Combustion:
Bundang gas turbine #1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8; steam turbine #1, 2
Hydro, Solar and other renewable energy
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Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.
The table below sets forth, by fuel type, the weighted average age and installed capacity as of December 31, 2014 and the average capacity factor and average fuel cost per kilowatt in 2014 based upon the net amount of electricity generated, of KOMIPO.
Boryeong #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Seocheon #1, 2
Oil-fired:
Jeju #2, 3
LNG-fired:
Seoul #4, 5
Combined-cycle and internal combustion:
Boryeong gas turbine #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; steam turbine #1, 2, 3,
Incheon gas turbine #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; steam turbine #1, 2, 3
Sejong gas turbine #1, 2; steam turbine #1
Jeju Gas Turbine #3
Jeju Internal Combustion Engine #1, 2
Wind-powered:
Yangyang #1, 2
Hydroelectric:
Boryeong
Photovoltaic (“PV”) power and fuel cell generation:
Boryeong (PV) site
Seocheon (PV) site
Jeju (PV) site
Seoul (PV) site
Yeosu (PV) site
Incheon (PV) site
Boryeong (fuel cell) site
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Korea Western Power Co., Ltd.
The table below sets forth, by fuel type, the weighted average age and installed capacity as of December 31, 2014 and the average capacity factor and average fuel cost per kilowatt in 2014 based upon the net amount of electricity generated, of KOWEPO.
Taean #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Pyeongtaek #1, 2, 3, 4
Combined cycle:
Pyeongtaek #1, 2
Gunsan
West Incheon
Taean
Solar:
Taean 2
Samryangjin
Sejong City
Gyeonggi-do
Yeongam
Pyeongtaek
Fuel Cell:
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Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd.
The table below sets forth, by fuel type, the weighted average age and installed capacity as of December 31, 2014 and the average capacity factor and average fuel cost per kilowatt in 2014 based upon the net amount of electricity generated, of KOSPO.
Hadong #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Nam Jeju #3, 4
Shin Incheon #1, 2, 3, 4
Busan #1, 2, 3, 4
Yeongwol #1
Hallim
Andong #1
Wind power:
Hankyung
Seongsan
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Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.
The table below sets forth, by fuel type, the weighted average age and installed capacity as of December 31, 2014 and the average capacity factor and average fuel cost per kilowatt in 2014 based upon the net amount of electricity generated, of EWP.
Dangjin #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Honam #1, 2
Donghae #1, 2
Ulsan #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Ulsan gas turbine #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; steam turbine #1, 2, 3
Ilsan gas turbine #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; steam turbine #1, 2
Mini hydro:
Dangjin
Photovoltaic:
Ulsan
Kwangyang
Dangjin Storage Facility
Dangjin Floating System
Dangjin Waste Treatment Facility
Donghae
Fuel cell:
Ilsan #1
Ilsan #2
Ilsan #3
Wind Power:
YeongGwang Jisan
Biomass:
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Power Plant Remodeling and Recommissioning
Our generation subsidiaries supplement power generation capacity through remodeling or recommissioning of thermal units. Recommissioning includes installation of anti-pollution devices, modification of control systems and overall rehabilitation of existing equipment. The following table shows recent remodeling and recommissioning initiatives by our generation subsidiaries.
Power Plant
Capacity
Completed (Year)
Taean #1-8
4,000 MW
(500 MW×8)
EP(1) upgrade (#4, 2011)
EP(1) upgrade (#1, 2012)
Pyeongtaek #1-4
1,400 MW
(350×4)
Boryeong #1-8
(500×8)
Control System upgrade
(#6, 2011, #3, 5, 2012)
Incheon CC #2
508.9 MW
(gas turbines 164
MW ×2)
(steam turbines 181
MW ×1)
Yosu #2
Samcheonpo #1-6
3,240 MW
(560 ×4500 ×2)
Refurbishing-modernization
Transmission and Distribution
We currently transmit and distribute substantially all of the electricity in Korea.
As of December 31, 2014, our transmission system consisted of 32,795 circuit kilometers of lines of 765 kilovolts and others including high-voltage direct current lines, and we had 805 substations with aggregate installed transformer capacity of 285,242 megavolt-amperes.
As of December 31, 2014, our distribution system consisted of 107,804 megavolt-amperes of transformer capacity and 8,832,409 units of support with a total line length of 457,249 circuit kilometers.
We make substantial investments in our transmission and distribution systems to increase geographic coverage and improve efficiency. Our current projects principally focus on increasing capabilities of the existing lines and reducing our transmission and distribution loss, which was 3.69% of our gross generation in 2014. In light of the increased damage to large-scale transmission and distribution facilities, we plan to reinforce stability of our transmission and distribution facilities through stricter design and material specifications. In addition, we also plan to expand underground transmission and distribution facilities to meet customer demand for more environment-friendly facilities. In order to reduce the interruption time in power distribution, which is an indicator of the quality of electricity transmission, we are also continuing to invest in automation of electricity transmission and development of new transmission technologies, among others.
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In particular, as part of our overall business strategy, we are currently developing, or seek to develop, an intelligent power transmission and distribution network, or “smart grids,” based on advanced information technology, in order to promote a more efficient allocation and use of electricity by consumers. We expect that such technology will improve efficiency and reduce electricity loss over the course of electricity transmission and distribution. In July 2012, the Government implemented a master plan to build out a smart grid, which includes the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (“AMI”) roadmap. In accordance with such plan, we are in the process of installing “smart meters” and related communication networks and operating systems for 22 million households for target completion by 2020 as part of the “smart grid” initiative in an effort to enhance efficiency in the power electricity industry and alleviate growing energy shortage concerns. Smart meters refer to digital meters that record, on a real-time basis, electricity consumption within a household and the effective tariff rate at the time of electricity usage so that consumers will have a price-based incentive to enhance efficiency in their electricity usage. On the other hand, the smart grid refers to the next-generation network for electricity distribution that integrates information technology into the existing power grid with the aim of enabling two-way real time exchange of information between electricity suppliers and consumers for optimal efficiency in electricity use. The smart grid project is scheduled to be completed in 2030, and the AMI project is currently scheduled to be completed in 2020. We expect that the smart grid initiative would significantly increase efficient energy consumption by providing real-time data to customers, which would in turn help to reduce greenhouse gas emission and decrease Korea’s reliance on foreign energy sources. As of December 31, 2014, we have installed 2 million smart meter units, and plan to install an additional 2.3 million units in 2015. The AMI project is expected to cost Won 1.7 trillion by 2020.
Some of the facilities we own and use in our distribution system use rights of way and other concessions granted by municipal and local authorities in areas where our facilities are located. These concessions are generally renewed upon expiration.
Fuel
Uranium, the principal fuel source for nuclear power, accounted for 33.5%, 30.9% and 35.3% of our fuel requirements for electricity generation in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
All uranium ore concentrates are imported from, and conversion and enrichment of such concentrates are provided by, sources outside Korea and are paid for with currencies other than Won, primarily U.S. dollars.
In order to ensure stable supply, KHNP enters into long-term and medium-term contracts with various suppliers and supplements such supplies with purchases in spot markets. In 2014, KHNP purchased 100%, or approximately 4,172 tons, of its uranium concentrate requirement under both long-term and spot supply contracts with suppliers in the United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, France, Germany, Niger, Canada, Japan and Australia. Under the long-term supply contracts, the purchase prices of uranium concentrates are adjusted annually based on base prices and spot market prices prevailing at the time of actual delivery. The conversion and enrichment services of uranium concentrates are provided by suppliers in Canada, France, Germany, Japan, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. A Korean supplier typically provides fabrication of fuel assemblies. Except for certain fixed contract prices, contract prices for processing of uranium are adjusted annually in accordance with the general rate of inflation. KHNP intends to obtain its uranium requirements in the future, in part, through purchases under medium- to long-term contracts and, in part, through spot market purchases.
Bituminous coal accounted for 42.5%, 43.0% and 44.1% of our fuel requirements for electricity generation in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively, and anthracite coal accounted for 2.0%, 1.8% and 1.9% of our fuel requirements for electricity generation in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
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In 2014, our generation subsidiaries purchased approximately 77 million tons of bituminous coal, of which approximately 41.6%, 40.2%, 10.4%, 6.8% and 0.9%, were imported from Indonesia, Australia, Russia, the United States and others, respectively. Approximately 84.5% of the bituminous coal requirements of our generation subsidiaries in 2014 were purchased under long-term contracts with the remaining 15.5% purchased in the spot market. Some of our long-term contracts relate to specific generating plants and extend through the end of the projected useful lives of such plants, subject in some cases to periodic renewal. Pursuant to the terms of our long-term supply contracts, prices are adjusted periodically based on market conditions. The average cost of bituminous coal per ton purchased under such contracts amounted to Won 113,705, Won 94,217 and Won 92,206 in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
In 2014, our generation subsidiaries purchased approximately 1.2 million tons of anthracite coal. The prices for anthracite coal under such contracts are set by the Government. The average cost of anthracite coal per ton purchased under such contracts was Won 141,669, Won 126,425 and Won 108,118 in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Oil accounted for 3.2%, 3.3% and 1.7% of our fuel requirements for electricity generation in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
In 2014, our generation subsidiaries purchased approximately 10.9 million barrels of fuel oil, substantially all of which was purchased from domestic refiners through competitive open bidding. Purchase prices are based on the spot market price in Singapore. The average cost per barrel was Won 139,204, Won 123,402 and Won 117,692 in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
LNG accounted for 17.7%, 19.7% and 15.5% of our fuel requirements for electricity generation in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. In 2014, for use in electricity generation we purchased approximately 9.4 million tons of LNG from Korea Gas Corporation, a Government-controlled entity in which we currently own a 24.5% equity interest. In 2014, we purchased all of our LNG requirements for use in power generation from Korea Gas Corporation. Under the terms of the LNG contract with Korea Gas Corporation, all of our five thermal generation subsidiaries jointly and severally agreed to purchase a total of 9.4 million tons of LNG in 2014, subject to an automatic price adjustment annually based on a pre-determined formula if the actual purchased amount exceeds or falls short of the contracted amount. We believe the quantities of LNG provided under such contract will be adequate to meet the needs of our generation subsidiaries for LNG for the next several years. The LNG supply contracts between our generation subsidiaries and Korea Gas Corporation generally have a term of 20 years and provide for minimum purchase requirements for our generation subsidiaries, the specific terms of which are subject to negotiation between Korea Gas Corporation and our generation subsidiaries and approval by the Government. The average cost per ton of LNG under our contract with Korea Gas Corporation was Won 1,020,528, Won 1,002,323 and Won 1,059,640 in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Hydroelectric power generation accounted for 1.1%, 1.3% and 1.3% of our fuel requirements for electricity generation in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The availability of water for hydroelectric power depends on rainfall and competing uses for available water supplies, including residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural consumption. Pumped storage enables us to increase the available supply of water for use during periods of peak electricity demand.
As of January 1, 2011, assets and liabilities relating to the pumped storage units of the five thermal generation subsidiaries were transferred to KHNP pursuant to the Government’s Proposal for Improvements in the Korean Electric Power Industry.
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Sales and Customers
Our sales depend principally on the level of demand for electricity in Korea and the rates we charge for the electricity we sell to the end-users.
Demand for electricity in Korea grew at a compounded average rate of 3.9% per annum for the five years ended December 31, 2014. According to the Bank of Korea, the compounded growth rate for real gross domestic product, or GDP, was approximately 3.7% for the same period. The GDP growth rate was approximately 2.3%, 2.9% and 3.3% during 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the annual rate of growth in Korea’s gross domestic product, or GDP, and the annual rate of growth in electricity demand (measured by total annual electricity consumption) on a year-on-year basis.
Growth in GDP
Growth in electricity consumption
Electricity demand in Korea varies within each year for a variety of reasons other than the general growth in GDP demand. Electricity demand tends to be higher during daylight hours due to heightened commercial and industrial activities and electronic appliance use. Due to the use of air conditioning during the summer and heating during the winter, electricity demand is higher during these two seasons than the spring or the fall. Variation in weather conditions may also cause significant variation in electricity demand.
We do not use any marketing channels, including any special sales methods, to sell electricity to our customers, other than to install electricity meters on-site and take monthly readings of such meters, based upon which invoices are sent to our customers.
Demand by the Type of Usage
The table below sets forth consumption of electric power, and growth of such consumption on a year-on-year basis, by the type of usage (in gigawatt hours) for the periods indicated.
Residential
Commercial
Educational
Industrial
Agricultural
Street lighting
Overnight Power
The industrial sector represents the largest segment of electricity consumption in Korea. Demand for electricity from the industrial sector was 272,552 gigawatt hours in 2014, representing a 2.7% increase from 2013, largely due to continued export-led growth of the Korean economy. Demand for electricity from the commercial sector has increased in recent years, largely due to increased commercial activities in Korea and the rapid expansion of the service sector of the Korean economy, which has resulted in increased office building construction, office automation and use of air conditioners. Demand for electricity from the commercial sector, however, decreased to 100,761 gigawatt hours in 2014, representing a 1.4% decrease from 2013 largely due to a
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decrease in electricity usage for air conditioning and heating resulting in part from cooler summer and warmer winter compared to the prior year. In 2014, we distributed electricity to approximately 22 million households, which represent substantially all of the households in Korea. Demand for electricity from the residential sector is largely dependent on population growth and use of heaters, air conditioners and other electronic appliances. Demand for electricity from the residential sector decreased to 64,457 gigawatt hours in 2014, representing a 2.1% decrease compared to 2013.
Demand Management
Our ability to provide adequate supply of electricity is principally measured by the facility capacity reserve margin and the supply reserve margin. The facility capacity reserve margin represents the difference between the peak usage during a year and the installed capacity at the time of such peak usage, expressed as a percentage of such installed capacity. The supply reserve margin represents the difference between the peak usage in a year and the average available capacity at the time of such peak usage, expressed as a percentage of such peak usage. The following table sets forth our facility reserve margin and supply reserve margin for the periods indicated.
Facility reserve margin
Supply reserve margin
While we seek to meet the growing demand for electricity in Korea primarily by continuing to expand our generation capacity, we have also implemented several measures to curtail electricity consumption, especially during peak periods. We apply time-of-use and seasonality tariff, which are structured so that higher tariffs are charged at the time and months of peak demand to select types of customers, and we also apply a progressive rate structure for the residential use of electricity. We have several demand management programs to control demand and induce power conservation during peak hours and peak seasons such as providing incentives for reducing power consumption during peak hours.
Electricity Rates
The Electricity Business Law and the Price Stabilization Act of 1975, each as amended from time to time, prescribe the procedures for the approval and establishment of rates charged for the electricity we sell. We submit our proposals for revisions of rates or changes in the rate structure to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy then reviews these proposals and, following consultation with the Electricity Rates Expert Committee of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, makes the final decision. Under the Electricity Business Law, the Korea Electricity Commission must review our proposals prior to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s final decision.
Under the Electricity Business Law and the Price Stabilization Act, electricity rates are established at levels that would enable us to recover our operating costs attributable to our basic electricity generation, transmission and distribution operations as well as receive a fair investment return on capital used in those operations.
In May 2014, in order to make conforming changes to the standards for determining the public utility rates and to further bolster the reasonableness of cost determination, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy amended the standards for determining the electricity tariff rates. The main amendments include (i) recording as our cost of electricity (which forms part of our operating costs) (x) the pretax income of our six generation subsidiaries (which was previously deducted from our operating costs) and (y) our equity interests in our six generation subsidiaries (which were previously included in the rate base discussed below), and (ii) when determining working capital, considering the actual time of our cost recovery (namely, the accounts receivable collection period and the accounts payable payment period).
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For the purposes of rate approval, operating costs are defined as the sum of our operating expenses (which principally consists of cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses) and our adjusted income taxes.
Fair investment return represents an amount equal to the rate base multiplied by the rate of return.
Following the amendments to its computation methods in May 2014 as described above, the rate base is currently equal to the sum of:
net utility plant in service (which is equal to utility plant minus accumulated depreciation minus revaluation reserve);
working capital for 19.2 days; and
the portion of construction-in-progress which is charged from our retained earnings.
The amounts used for the variables in the rates are those projected by us for the periods to be covered by the rate approval. There is no provision for prior period adjustments to compensate us.
For the purpose of determining the fair rate of return, the rate base is divided into two components in proportion to our total shareholders’ equity and our total debt. The rate of return permitted in relation to the debt component of the rate base is set at a level designed to approximate the weighted average interest cost on all types of borrowing for the periods covered by the rate approval. The rate of return permitted in relation to the equity component of the rate base is set by applying the capital asset pricing model which takes account of the risk-free rate, the return on the Korea Stock Price Index, KOSPI, a Korean equity market index, and the correlation of the stock price of our company with KOSPI. In 2013, the approved rate of return on the debt component of the rate base was 3.2% while the approved rate of return on the equity component of the rate base was 6.4%. As a result of such approved rates of returns, the fair rate of return in 2013 was determined to be 4.6%. The fair rate of return for 2014 has not yet been determined.
The Electricity Business Law and the Price Stabilization Act do not specify a basis for determining the reasonableness of our operating expenses or any other items (other than the level of the fair investment return) for the purposes of the rate calculation. However, the Government exercises substantial control over our budgeting and other financial and operating decisions.
In addition to the calculations described above, a variety of other factors are considered in setting overall tariff levels. These other factors include consumer welfare, our projected capital requirements, the effect of electricity tariff on inflation in Korea and the effect of tariff on demand for electricity.
From time to time, our actual rate of return on invested capital may differ significantly from the fair rate of return on invested capital assumed for the purposes of electricity tariff approvals, for reasons, among others, related to movements in fuel prices, exchange rates and demand for electricity that differ from what is assumed for determining our fair rate of return. For example, between 1987 and 1990, the actual rate of return was above the fair rate of return due to declining fuel costs and rising demand for electricity at a rate not anticipated for purposes of determining our fair rate of return. Similarly, depreciation of the Won against the U.S. dollar accounted for our actual rates of return being lower than the fair rate of return for the period from 1996 to 2000. For the period since 2006, our actual rates of return have been lower than the fair rate of return largely due to a general increase in fuel costs and additional facility investment costs incurred, the effects of which were not offset by timely increases in our tariff rates. Partly in response to the variance between our actual rates of return and the fair rates of return, the Government from time to time increases the electricity tariff rates, but there typically is a significant time lag for the tariff increases as such increases requires a series of deliberative processes and administrative procedures and the Government also has to consider other policy considerations, such as the inflationary effect of overall tariff increases and the efficiency of energy use from sector-specific tariff increases.
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Recent increases to the electricity tariff rates by the Government involve the following, which were made principally in response to the rising fuel prices which hurt our profitability as well as to encourage a more efficient use of electricity by the different sectors:
effective August 6, 2012, a 4.9% overall increase in our average tariff rate, consisting of increases in the residential, commercial, educational, industrial, street lighting, agricultural and overnight power usage tariff rates by 2.7%, 4.4%, 3.0%, 6.0%, 4.9%, 3.0% and 4.9%, respectively.
effective January 14, 2013, a 4.0% overall increase in our average tariff rate, consisting of increases in the residential, commercial, industrial, educational, agricultural, street lighting and overnight power usage tariff rates by 2.0%, 4.6%, 4.4%, 3.5%, 3.0%, 5.0% and 5.0%, respectively.
effective November 21, 2013, a 5.4% overall increase in our average tariff rate, consisting of increases in the residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, street lighting and overnight power usage tariff rates by 2.7%, 5.8%, 6.4%, 3.0%, 5.4% and 5.4%, respectively, while making no change to the educational tariff.
The tariff rates we charge for electricity vary among the different classes of consumers, which principally consist of industrial, commercial, residential, educational and agricultural consumers. The tariff also varies depending upon the voltage used, the season, the time of usage, the rate option selected by the user and, in the residential sector, the amount of electricity used per household, as well as other factors. For example, we adjust for seasonal tariff variations by applying higher rates when demand tends to rise such as during the months of June, July and August (when the demand tends to rise due to increased use of air conditioning) and November, December, January and February (when demand tends to rise due to increased use of heating), which reflects the policy of the Korean government to cope with the rise in electricity demand during peak seasons by encouraging a more efficient use of electricity by customers.
Our current tariff schedule, which became effective as of November 21, 2013, is summarized below by the type of usage:
Industrial. The basic charge varies from Won 5,550 per kilowatt to Won 9,810 per kilowatt depending on the type of contract, the voltage used and the rate option. The energy usage charge varies from Won 53.7 per kilowatt hour to Won 196.6 per kilowatt hour depending on the type of contract, the voltage used, the season, the time of day and the rate option.
Commercial. The basic charge varies from Won 6,160 per kilowatt to Won 9,810 per kilowatt depending on the type of contract, the voltage used and the rate option. The energy usage charge varies from Won 53.7 per kilowatt hour to Won 196.6 per kilowatt hour depending on the type of contract, the voltage used, the season, the time of day and the rate option.
Residential. Residential tariff includes a basic charge ranging from Won 410 for electricity usage of less than 100 kilowatt hours to Won 12,940 for electricity usage in excess of 500 kilowatt hours. Residential tariff also includes an energy usage charge ranging from Won 60.7 to Won 709.5 per kilowatt hour for electricity usage depending on the amount of usage and voltage.
Educational. The basic charge varies from Won 5,230 per kilowatt to Won 6,980 per kilowatt depending on the voltage used and the rate option. The energy usage charge varies from Won 43.8 per kilowatt hour to Won 160.4 per kilowatt hour depending on the voltage used, the season and the rate option.
Agricultural. The basic charge varies from Won 360 per kilowatt to Won 1,210 per kilowatt depending on the type of usage. The energy usage charge varies from Won 21.6 per kilowatt-hour to Won 41.9 per kilowatt hour depending on the type of contract, the voltage used and the season.
Street-lighting. The basic charge is Won 6,290 per kilowatt and the energy usage charge is Won 85.9 per kilowatt hour. For electricity capacity of less than 1 kilowatt or for places where the
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installation of the electricity meter is difficult, a fixed rate of Won 37.5 per watt applies, with the minimum charge per month of Won 1,220.
In 2001, as part of implementing the Restructuring Plan, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy established the Electric Power Industry Basis Fund to enable the Government to take over certain public services previously performed by us. In 2014, 3.7% of the tariff we collected from our customers was transferred to this fund prior to recognizing our sales revenue.
Fuel Cost Pass-through Adjustment to the Tariff System
Further to the announcement by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in February 2010, a new electricity tariff system went into effect on July 1, 2011. This system is designed to overhaul the prior system for determining electricity tariff chargeable to customers by more closely aligning the tariff levels to the movements in fuel prices, with the aim of providing more timely pricing signals to the market regarding the expected changes in electricity tariff levels and encouraging more efficient use of electricity by customers. Previously, the electricity tariff consisted of two components: (i) base rate and (ii) usage rate based on the cost of electricity and the amount of electricity consumed by the end-users. Under the new tariff system, the electricity tariff is also to have a third component of fuel cost pass-through adjustment (“FCPTA”) rate, which is to be added to or subtracted from the sum of the base rate and the usage rate on a monthly basis based on the three-month average movements of coal, LNG and oil prices. This system was intended to provide greater financial stability and ensure a minimum return on investment to electricity suppliers, such as us.
However, due to inflationary and other policy considerations relating to protecting the consumers from sudden and substantial rises in electricity tariff, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy issued a hold order on July 29, 2011 suspending our billing and collecting of the FCPTA amount and eventually abolished the FCPTA system altogether on May 21, 2014 and generally reverted to the tariff system in place prior to the adoption of the FCPTA system. See Item 5A. “Operating Results—Critical Accounting Policies—Correction of Accounting for Fuel Cost Pass-through Adjustment.”
Power Development Strategy
In addition, on January 13, 2014, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy adopted the Second Basic National Energy Plan following consultations with representatives from civic groups, the power industry and academia. The Second Basic National Energy Plan, which is a comprehensive plan that covers the entire spectrum of energy industries in Korea, will cover the period from 2013 to 2035 (compared to 2008 to 2030 under the First Basic National Energy Plan) and focuses on the following six key tasks: (i) shifting the focus of energy policy to demand management with a goal of reducing electricity demand by 15% by 2035, (ii) establishing a geographically decentralized electricity generation system so as to reduce transmission losses
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with a goal of supplying at least 15% of total electricity through such system by 2035, (iii) applying latest greenhouse gas emission reduction technologies to newly constructed generation units in order to further promote safety and environmental friendliness, (iv) strengthening exploration and procurement capabilities to enhance Korea’s energy security and to ensure stable supply of energy and increasing the portion of electricity supplied from renewable sources to 11% by 2035, (v) reinforcing the system for stable supply of conventional energy, such as oil and gas, and (vi) introducing in 2015 an energy voucher system in lieu of a tariff discount system for the benefit of consumers in the low income group. In addition, the Second Basic National Energy Plan contemplates revising the target level of electricity generated by nuclear sources as a percentage of total electricity generated to 29%, compared to 41% under the First Basic National Energy Plan.
We cannot assure that the Sixth Basic Plan, the Second Basic National Energy Plan or the respective plans to be subsequently adopted will successfully achieve their intended goals, the foremost of which is to ensure, through carefully calibrated capacity expansion and other means, balanced overall electricity supply and demand in Korea at affordable costs to the end users while promoting efficiency and environmental friendliness in the consumption and production of electricity. If there is a significant variance between the projected electricity supply and demand considered in planning our capacity expansions and the actual electricity supply and demand or if these plans otherwise fail to meet their intended goals or have other unintended consequences, this may result in inefficient use of our capital, mispricing of electricity and undue financing costs on the part of us and our generation subsidiaries, among others, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Capital Investment Program
The table below sets forth, for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the amounts of capital expenditures for the construction of generation, transmission and distribution facilities.
The table below sets forth the currently estimated installed capacity for new or expanded generation units to be completed by our generation subsidiaries in each year from 2015 to 2018.
Year
Type of Units
2015
2016
2017
2018
For the period from 2018 to 2027, our generation subsidiaries currently plan to complete seven additional nuclear units with an aggregate installed capacity of 10,000 megawatts (subject to any further plan to be announced by the Government in relation to the construction of additional nuclear generation capacity which was not included in the Sixth Basic Plan) and four additional coal-fired units with an aggregate installed capacity of 2,740 megawatts.
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As part of our capital investment program, we also intend to add new transmission lines and substations, continue to replace overhead lines with underground cables and improve the existing transmission and distribution systems.
The actual number and capacity of generation units and transmission and distribution facilities we construct and the timing of such construction are subject to change depending upon a variety of factors, including, among others, changes in the Basic Plan, demand growth projections, availability and cost of financing, changes in fuel prices and availability of fuel, ability to acquire necessary plant sites, environmental considerations and community opposition.
The table below sets forth, for the period from 2015 to 2018, the budgeted amounts of capital expenditures for the construction of generation, transmission and distribution facilities pursuant to our capital investment program. The budgeted amounts may vary from the actual amounts of capital expenditures for a variety of reasons, including, among others, the implementation of the Sixth Basic Plan, changes in the number of units to be constructed, the actual timing of such construction, changes in rates of exchange between the Won and foreign currencies and changes in interest rates.
Generation(1):
Sub-total
Transmission and Distribution:
Transmission
Distribution
Others(2)
We have financed, and plan to finance in the future, our capital investment programs primarily through net cash provided by our operating activities and financing in the form of debt securities and loans from domestic financial institutions, and to a lesser extent, borrowings from overseas financial institutions. In addition, in order to prepare for potential liquidity shortage, we and our generation subsidiaries maintain several credit facilities with domestic financial institutions in the aggregate amounts of Won 2,655 billion and US$5,181 million, the full amount of which was available as of December 31, 2014. We, KHNP and KOWEPO also maintain global medium-term note programs in the aggregate amount of US$10 billion, of which approximately US$3.3 billion remains currently available for future drawdown. KOSEP also maintains an A$2 billion Australian dollar medium-term note program, of which approximately A$1.7 billion remains current available for future drawdown. See also Item 5B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Resources.”
Environmental Programs
The Environmental Policy Basic Act, the Air Quality Preservation Act, the Water Quality Preservation Act, the Marine Pollution Prevention Act and the Waste Management Act, collectively referred in this annual report as the Environmental Acts, are the major laws of Korea that regulate atmospheric emissions, waste water, noise
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and other emissions from our facilities, including power generators and transmission and distribution units. Our existing facilities are currently in material compliance with the requirements of these environmental laws and international agreements, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. In order to foster coordination among us and our generation subsidiaries in respect of climate change and development of renewable energy sources, we and our generation subsidiaries formed the Committee on Climate Change and the Committee on Renewable Energy in 2005. In 2011 the Ministry of Security and Public Administration issued guidelines for the reduction of nationwide greenhouse gas emissions and energy conservation, pursuant to which we are intensifying our efforts to reduce the levels of carbon emission in order to help meet the national target for greenhouse gas emission reduction.
We continuously endeavor to contribute to sustainable growth (whether as an economy, a society or an ecosystem) by actively taking actions that befit our social responsibility as a corporate citizen in the energy industry. For example, in 2005, we became the first public company in Korea to join the United Nations Global Compact, an international voluntary initiative designed to hold a forum for corporations, United Nations agencies, labor and civic groups to promote reforms in economic, environmental and social policies. As part of our involvement with such initiative, we issue an annual report named the “Sustainability Report” to disclose our activities from the perspectives of economy, environment and society, in accordance with the reporting guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative, the official collaborating center of the United Nations Environment Program that works in cooperation with United Nations Secretary General. In addition, in order to address the global issue of climate change, in May 2013, we obtained the Carbon Trust Standard, a certificate issued by Carbon Trust, an agency of the British government for excellence in demonstrated efforts to reduce carbon footprint in response to global climate changes. We are also a participant of the Carbon Disclosure Project, an international organization that promotes transparency in informational disclosure of carbon management process, and in 2014 we were recognized by the Carbon Disclosure Project for scoring the highest in the energy and utility sector in relation to climate change response. We aim to become a global leader in carbon management and reduction.
In term of other social contributions, we also seek to foster a culture of mutual understanding and appreciation with local communities by developing a common set of shared values with local communities and fine-tuning our business model to meet this goal. Examples include applying discounted electricity tariff rates to the handicapped, veterans, patriots and low-income households, emergency and disaster relief and medical assistance (such as eye surgery) to the needy. In part as a result of such efforts, in 2014 we were selected as the best company in the global electricity utility sector in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, which measures management performance in terms of contribution to sustainability.
The table below sets forth the number of emission control equipment installed at thermal power plants by our generation subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014.
Flue Gas Desulphurization System
Selective Non-catalytic Reduction System
Selective Catalytic Reduction System
Electrostatic Precipitation System
Low NO2 Combustion System
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The table below sets forth the amount of annual emission from all generating facilities of our generation subsidiaries for the periods indicated. The amount of CO2 emissions may increase in the near future due to the construction of additional coal thermal power plants but is expected to decrease in the long-term, principally due to an increased use of nuclear power and renewable energy.
In order to comply with the current and expected environmental standards and address related legal and social concerns, we intend to continue to install additional equipment, make related capital expenditures and undertake several environment-friendly measures to foster community goodwill. For example, in October 2004, we and our generation subsidiaries reached an agreement with the Ministry of Environment and civic organizations to completely remove polychlorinated biphenyl, or PCB, a toxin, from the insulating oil of our transformers by 2015. In addition, when constructing certain large new transmission and distribution facilities, we assess and disclose their environmental impact at the planning stage of such construction, as well as consult with local residents, environmental groups and technical experts to generate community support for such projects. We exercise additional caution in cases where such facilities are constructed near ecologically sensitive areas such as wetlands or preservation areas. We also make reasonable efforts to minimize any negative environmental impact, for example, by using more environment-friendly technology and hardware. In addition, we also undertake measures to minimize losses during the transmission and distribution process by making our power distribution network more energy-efficient in terms of loss of power, as well as to lower consumption of energy, water and other natural resources. In addition, we and our subsidiaries have acquired the ISO 14000 certification which is an environmental management system widely adopted internationally and have made it a high priority to make our electricity generation and distribution more environmentally friendly. In 2013, we further reinforced our environmental management system by acquiring the ISO 14001 certification as well as a domestic certification of the “GMS (Green Management System), KS I 7001/7002”, which relates to the management of resources, energy, green house effects and social responsibilities. Recently, we were awarded the 2014 presidential award for environmental contributions as a corporate citizen, after scoring the highest among 102 corporations that competed for the award.
Our environmental measures, including the use of environment-friendly but more expensive parts and equipment and allocation of capital expenditures for the installation of such facilities, may result in increased operating costs and liquidity requirement. The actual cost of installation and operation of such equipment and related liquidity requirement will depend on a variety of factors which may be beyond our control. There is no assurance that we will continue to be in material compliance with legal or social standards or requirements in the future in relation to the environment.
As part of our long-term strategic initiatives, we plan to take other measures designed to promote the generation and use of environmentally friendly, or green, energy. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Strategy.”
Some of our generation facilities are powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, wind power and hydraulic power. While such facilities are currently insignificant as a proportion of our total generation capacity or generation volume of our generation subsidiaries, we expect that the portion will increase in the future, especially since we are required to comply with the Renewable Portfolio Standard policy as described below.
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The following table sets forth the generation capacity and generation volume in 2014 of our generation facilities that are powered by renewable energy sources.
Hydraulic Power
Wind Power
Solar Energy, Fuel Cells and Biogas
Subtotal
As percentage of total(1)
In order to deal with shortage of fuel and other resources and also to comply with various environmental standards, in 2012 the Government adopted the Renewable Portfolio Standard program, which replaced the Renewable Portfolio Agreement which had been in effect from 2006 to 2011. Under the Renewable Portfolio Standard program, each generation subsidiary is required to generate a specified percentage of total electricity to be generated by such generation subsidiary in a given year in the form of renewable energy, with the target percentage being 2.5% in 2013 and 3.0% in 2014 and incrementally increasing to 10.0% by 2024. Fines are to be levied on any subsidiary that fails to do so in the prescribed timeline. In 2013, while one of our generation subsidiaries met 100% of its target, five others were unsuccessful to do so. Our six generation subsidiaries met, on average, 91.8% of the target for 2013 and accordingly were fined an aggregate amount of Won 44 billion. Compliance by our generation subsidiaries of the 2014 target is currently under evaluation, and if our generation subsidiaries are found to have failed to meet the target for 2014 or for subsequent years, our generation subsidiaries may become subject to additional fines or other penalties. The budgeted amount of capital expenditure for implementation of the Renewable Portfolio Standard program as currently planned for the period from 2014 to 2024 is approximately Won 14.8 trillion. We expect that such additional capital expenditure to be covered by a corresponding increase in electricity tariff. However, there is no assurance that the Government will in fact raise the electricity tariff to a level sufficient to fully cover such additional capital expenditures or at all.
As to how we plan to finance our capital expenditures related to our environmental programs, see “—Capital Investment Program.”
Community Programs
Building goodwill with local communities is important to us in light of concerns among the local residents and civic groups in Korea regarding construction and operation of generation units, particularly nuclear generation units. The Act for Supporting the Communities Surrounding Power Plants requires that the generation companies and the affected local governments carry out various activities up to a certain amount annually to address neighboring community concerns. Pursuant to this Act, we and our generation subsidiaries, in conjunction with the affected local and municipal governments, undertake various programs, including scholarships and financial assistance to low-income residents.
Under the Act for Supporting the Communities Surrounding Power Plants, activities required to be undertaken under the Act are funded partly by the Electric Power Industry Basis Fund (see “—Sales and Customers—Electricity Rates”) and partly by KHNP as part of its budget. KHNP is required to make annual contributions to the affected local communities in an amount equal to Won 0.25 per kilowatt hour of electricity generated by its nuclear generation units during the one-year period before the immediately preceding fiscal year and Won 5 million per thousand kilowatts of hydroelectric generation capacity. In addition, under Korean tax law, KHNP is currently required to pay local tax levied on its nuclear generation units in an amount equal to
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Won 1 (effective January 1, 2015 reflecting an increase from Won 0.5 previously) per kilowatt hour of their generation volume in the affected areas and Won 2 per 10 cubic meters of water used for hydroelectric generation.
Prior to the construction of a generation unit, our generation subsidiaries perform an environmental impact assessment which is designed to evaluate public hazards, damage to the environment and concerns of local residents. A report reflecting this evaluation and proposing measures to address the problems identified must be submitted to and approved by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy following agreement with related administrative bodies, including the Ministry of Environment prior to the construction of the unit. Our generation subsidiaries are then required to implement the measures reflected in the approved report. Despite these activities, civic community groups may still oppose the construction and operation of generation units (including nuclear units), and such opposition could adversely impact our construction plans for generation units (including nuclear units) and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flow.
Nuclear Safety
KHNP takes nuclear safety as its top priority and continues to focus on ensuring the safe and reliable operation of nuclear power plants. KHNP also focuses on enhancing corporate ethics and transparency in the operation of its plants.
KHNP has a corporate code of ethics and is firmly committed to enhancing nuclear safety, developing new technologies and improving transparency. KHNP has also established the “Statement of Safety Policy for Nuclear Power Plants” to ensure the highest level of nuclear safety. Furthermore, KHNP invests approximately 5% of its total annual sales into research and development for the enhancement of nuclear safety and operational performance.
KHNP implements comprehensive programs to monitor, ensure and improve safety of nuclear power plants. In order to enhance nuclear safety through risk-informed assessment, KHNP conducts probabilistic safety assessments, including for low power-shutdown states, for all its nuclear power plants. In order to systematically verify nuclear safety and identify the potential areas for safety improvements, KHNP performs periodic safety reviews on a 10-year frequency basis for all its operating units. These reviews have been completed for Kori units 1, 2, 3 and 4, Hanbit units 1, 2, 3 and 4, Hanul units 1, 2, 3 and 4 and Wolsong units 1, 2, 3 and 4. Reviews for Hanbit units 5 and 6 and Hanul units 5 and 6 are in progress. In order to enhance nuclear safety and plant performance, KHNP has established a maintenance effectiveness monitoring program based on the maintenance rules issued by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which covers all of KHNP’s nuclear power plants in commercial operation.
KHNP has developed the Risk Monitoring System for operating nuclear power plants, which it implements in all of its nuclear power plants. The Risk Monitoring System is intended to help ensure nuclear plant safety. In addition, KHNP has developed and implemented the Severe Accident Management Guidelines and is developing the Severe Accident Management Guidelines for Low Power-Shutdown States in order to manage severe accidents for all of its nuclear power plants.
KHNP conducts various activities to enhance nuclear safety such as quality assurance audits and reviews by the KHNP Nuclear Review. KHNP maintains a close relationship with international nuclear organizations in order to enhance nuclear safety. In particular, KHNP invites international safety review teams such as the World Association of Nuclear Operators (“WANO”) Peer Review Team and the Expert Mission Team to its nuclear plants for purposes of meeting international standards for independent review of its facilities. KHNP actively exchanges relevant operational information and technical expertise with its peers in other countries. For example, we conducted five WANO Peer Reviews for Wolsong #1, 2, Hanul #1, 2, Hanul #3, 4, Shin-Kori #1, 2 and Hanbit #5, 6 in 2014. We also invited WANO Follow-up Peer Review Team at Hanul #5, 6 in February 2014. The recommendations and findings from this event were shared with KHNP’s other nuclear plants to implement improvements at such plants.
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The average level of radiation dose per unit amounted to a relatively low level of 0.36 man-Sv in 2014, which was substantially lower than the global average in 2014 of 0.73 man-Sv/year as reported in the WANO performance indicator report.
In response to the damage to the nuclear facilities in Japan as a result of the tsunami and earthquake in March 2011, the Government conducted additional safety inspections on nuclear power plants by a group of experts from governmental authorities, civic groups and academia. As a result of such inspections, the Government required KHNP to perform 50 comprehensive safety improvement measures. The Government also established the Nuclear Safety & Security Commission in October 2011 for neutral and independent safety appraisals. KHNP developed 10 additional measures through benchmarking overseas cases and the internal analysis of current operations. KHNP plans to implement these measures, which are expected to be completed by 2015, at total expected cost of approximately Won 1.0 trillion. As of December 31, 2014, KHNP had completed 39 of such measures.
Low and intermediate level waste, or LILW, and spent fuels are stored in temporary storage facilities at each nuclear site of KHNP. The temporary LILW storage facilities at the nuclear sites had been sufficient to accommodate all LILWs produced up to 2014. Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (“KORAD”) completed the construction of a LILW disposal facility in the city of Gyeongju and the government approval for its operations was obtained in December 2014. Starting from December 2010, LILW stored in temporary storage facilities at Hanul and Wolsong was transferred to a disposal facility in the city of Gyeongju.
In order to increase the storage capacity of temporary storage facilities for spent fuels, KHNP has been pursuing various projects, such as installing high-density racks in spent fuel pools and building dry storage facilities. Through these activities, we expect that the storage capacity for spent fuels in all nuclear sites will be sufficient to accommodate all the spent fuels produced by 2016. The policy for spent fuel management options is currently under development.
In 2009, the Radioactive Waste Management Act (“RWMA”) was enacted in an effort to centralize management of the disposal of spent fuel and LILW and enhance the security and efficiency of related management processes. The RWMA designates KORAD to manage the disposal of spent fuels and LILW. Pursuant to the RWMA, the Government has established the Radioactive Waste Management Fund. The management expense for LILW is paid when LILW is transferred to KORAD, and the charge for spent fuel is paid based on the quantity generated every quarter. LILW-related management costs and charges for spent fuel are reviewed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy every two years. In December 2012, such costs and charges were increased by a committee composed of Government officials, KHNP, Korea Radioactive Waste Management Corporation and experts in finance and accounting. This may result in an increase in future expenses that KHNP may incur in relation to radioactive waste.
All of KHNP’s nuclear plants are currently in compliance with Korean law and regulations and the safety standards of the IAEA in all material respects. For a description of certain past incidents relating to quality assurance in respect of KHNP, see Item 3D. “Risk Factors—Recent findings of falsified testing results and bribery and the subsequent prolonged shutdowns of certain of our nuclear generation units may adversely hurt our reputation, business, results of operations and financial condition.”
Decommissioning
Decommissioning of a nuclear power unit is the process whereby the unit is shut down at the end of its life, the fuel is removed and the unit is eventually dismantled. KHNP implements a dismantling policy under which dismantling would take place five to ten years after the unit’s closure. KHNP renewed the operating license of Kori-1, the first nuclear power plant constructed in Korea, which commenced operation in 1978, for an additional 10 years in 2007. In February 2015, KHNP also renewed the operation license of Wolsong-1 (which originally expired in November 2012) for an additional 10 years until 2020. Decommissioning of KHNP’s nuclear power
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generation units is not expected to commence before 2017. While it does not carry a cash reserve for its decommissioning liability, KHNP retains full financial and operational responsibility for decommissioning its units.
KHNP has accumulated the decommissioning cost as a liability since 1983. The decommissioning costs of nuclear facilities are defined by the Radioactive-Waste Management Act, which requires KHNP to credit annual appropriations separately. These costs are estimated based on studies conducted by the relevant committees, and are reviewed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy every two years. In December 2012, estimated decommissioning costs were increased in consideration of overseas cases of decommissioning, inflation rate assumptions, changes in the operating environment and other criteria. As a result, KHNP was required to accrue additional provisions due to increased future decommissioning costs, and as of December 31, 2014, KHNP accrued Won 13,143 billion for the cost of dismantling and decontaminating existing nuclear power plants, which consisted of dismantling costs of nuclear plants of Won 10,311 billion and dismantling costs of spent fuel and radioactive waste of Won 2,812 billion. For accounting treatment of decommissioning costs, see Item 5A. “Operating Results—Critical Accounting Policies—Decommissioning Costs.”
Overseas Activities
We are engaged in a number of overseas activities. We believe that such activities help us diversify our revenue streams by leveraging the operational experience of us and our subsidiaries gathered from providing a full range of services, such as power plant construction and specialized engineering and maintenance services in Korea, as well as to establish strategic relationships with countries that are or may become providers of fuels.
The table set below summarizes our major overseas projects.
Country
Project Period
United Arab Emirates
Jordan
Rabigh, Saudi Arabia
Shanxi, China
Gansu, China
Inner Mongolia, China
Liaoning, China
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Vietnam
Thailand
Ilijan, Philippines
Naga, Philippines
Cebu, Philippines
India
United States
Mexico
Chile
Nigeria
Exploration and Production Projects:
Indonesia
Australia
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Canada
Niger
France
Transmission and Distribution Projects:
Kazakhstan
Dominican Republic
While strategically important, we believe that our overseas activities, as currently being conducted, are not in the aggregate significant in terms of scope or amount compared to our domestic activities. In addition, a number of the overseas contracts currently being pursued are based on non-binding memoranda of understanding and the details of such projects may significantly change during the course of negotiating the definitive agreements.
A further description of the major overseas activities by us and our subsidiaries is provided below.
Generation projects
In December 2009, following an international open bidding process, we entered into a prime contract with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (the “ENEC”), a state-owned nuclear energy provider of the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), to design, build and help operate four civil nuclear power generation units to be located in Barakah, a region approximately 270 kilometers from Abu Dhabi, for the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy program. The contract amount for the project is US$18.6 billion, with the term of the contract to last from December 27, 2009 to May 1, 2020. Under the contract, we and the subcontractors, some of which are our subsidiaries, are to perform various duties in connection with the project, including, among others, (i) designing and constructing four nuclear power generation units (each with a capacity of 1,400 megawatts), (ii) supplying nuclear fuel for three fuel cycles including initial loading (with each cycle currently projected to last for
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approximately 18 months), and (iii) providing technical support, training and education to the plant operation personnel. The target completion dates for the four units are set for May 2017, May 2018, May 2019 and May 2020.
In addition, in order to foster a long-term strategic partnership and stable management of the units post-construction, we currently plan to make an equity investment in a project company established by ENEC. Details of such investment, including its size and structure, remain subject to further negotiation at this time, and we plan to make further disclosures regarding such investment in due course and as appropriate.
In October 2010, a consortium, which included us, was selected by Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (“ADWEA”), a state-run utilities provider in the United Arab Emirates, as the preferred bidder in an international bidding for the construction and operation of the combined-cycle natural gas-fired electricity generation facilities in Shuweihat, UAE with an expected aggregate generation capacity of 1,600 megawatts. In February 2011, the consortium entered into a formal contract with ADWEA for the construction and operation of the generation facilities. This project involves three years of construction starting from March 2011, and 25 years of operation by us following its completion in July 2014. The total project cost is estimated to be US$1.5 billion, of which approximately 20% will be financed through equity investments by the consortium members and the remaining 80% through project financing. Equity interests in the consortium are owned by ADWEA (60.0%), Sumitomo (20.4%) and us (19.6%). The total amount of our equity investment in the project is expected to be approximately US$56 million, and we are participating in this project through a special purpose vehicle.
In July 2008, a consortium consisting of us and Xenel was selected as the preferred bidder to “build, own and operate” a gas-fired power plant with installed capacity of 373 megawatts in Al Qatrana, near Amman, Jordan. After entering into definitive agreements in October 2009, construction of the power plant began in March 2010 and was completed in December 2011. The total cost of the project was approximately US$460 million. Operation of the power plant will be for a period of 25 years until 2035. We and Xenel established a joint venture to oversee the project, with us and Xenel holding an 80:20 equity interest, respectively. We expect our total investment in the project to be approximately US$96 million. We believe that this project will help us expand our business in the Middle East and position us as a competitive power producer in the global market.
In January 2012, a consortium consisting of us, Mitsubishi Corporation and Wartsila Development & Financial Services was selected by National Electric Power Corporation, a state-run electricity provider in Jordan, to construct and operate a diesel engine power project in Almanakher with an expected total generation capacity of 573 megawatts. In August 2012, we established a special-purpose vehicle for the purpose of carrying out the project and on September 24, 2012, the consortium entered into a power purchase agreement with the National Electric Power Company. The construction of the power plant began in September 2012 and was completed in October 2014. The total cost of the project was approximately US$775 million. Operation of the power plant will be for a period of 25 years until 2039. We, Mitsubishi Corporation and Wartsila Development & Financial Services established a joint venture to overseas the project with 60:35:5 equity interest, respectively. We expect our total investment in the project to be approximately US$104 million.
In January 2013, we were selected by Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Jordan as an independent power producer to “build, own and operate” a wind farm with installed capacity of 89.1 megawatts in Fujeij, which is located on a plateau 150 kilometers south of Amman, Jordan. This project is currently in negotiations with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of Jordan, and we expect the construction to begin in 2015 for target completion in 2017. The project involves 20 months of construction and 20 years of operation. The total project cost is approximately US$176 million, of which approximately 43% will be financed through equity investments solely from us, and we will be the 100% equity holder of the project and the remaining 57% through debt financing. We believe that this project will help us to further diversify our business portfolio in the Middle East from the existing focus on nuclear and thermal power plants to expand into renewable energy facilities.
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Saudi Arabia
In December 2008, we formed a consortium with ACWA Power International of Saudi Arabia and submitted a bid for the 1,204 megawatt oil-fired power project in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia. In March 2009, we were selected as the preferred bidder, and in July 2009, we entered into a power purchase agreement with Saudi Electricity Company. Construction of the project was completed in April 2013, and we will participate in the operation of the plant for 20 years. This project has an estimated project cost of US$2.5 billion. We currently hold a 40.0% equity interest in the joint venture entity, Rabigh Electricity Company, which will oversee the project.
China
In April 2007, we formed a limited partnership with Shanxi International Electricity Group and Deutsche Bank in China to develop and operate power projects and coal mines in Shanxi province, China, which was approved by the Chinese government. As of December 31, 2014, total capital investment in these projects amounted to US$1.33 billion of which KEPCO’s capital investment was US$0.45 billion. We are expected to participate in the operation of the project for a period of 50 years ending 2056. As of December 31, 2014, the total installed capacity was 5,946 megawatts and capacity under construction was 941 megawatts, and our equity interest in the partnership was 34%.
In September 2005 and April 2006, we and China Datang Corporation of the People’s Republic of China formed joint ventures to build four wind-powered generation projects in China, consisting of one project in Gansu province with total capacity of 49.3 megawatts and three projects in Inner Mongolia with total capacity of 139.4 megawatts. Since then, one project with capacity of 49.5 megawatts has been added in Gansu and 15 projects with total capacity with 851.4 megawatts have been added in Inner Mongolia. In Liaoning province, we are developing five projects with total capacity of 226 megawatts under an understanding with the government of Chaoyang City. As of December 2014, 642.5 megawatts and 178.0 megawatts of the aforementioned projects had been developed in Inner Mongolia and Liaoning province, respectively. The joint ventures were capitalized with RMB 271 million for the Gansu projects, RMB 3,297 million for the Inner Mongolia projects and RMB 678 million for the Liaoning projects. One-third of the investment was funded with equity contribution and the remaining two-thirds with debt. We and China Datang Corporation hold 40% and 60% of equity interests, respectively, in each of the aforementioned joint ventures and we are participating in the projects through our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Of the 25 wind power generation projects in the aforementioned areas in China, 20 projects with a total capacity of 919 megawatts are currently in operation. The other five projects are still in the preparation stage.
In March 2013, a consortium consisting of us and Marubeni, a Japanese corporation, was selected by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam for the construction and operation of a 1,200 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam. The target date for commencing construction is December 2015 with target completion by December 2019, following which we will handle operation for 25 years. We are under negotiation with Electricity of Vietnam to finalize a power purchase agreement. Total project cost is expected to be US$2.34 billion, of which 25% will be funded by capital contribution and the remaining 75% by debt financing. The share capital of the special purpose entity that will be in charge of this project will be US$574 million, and KEPCO and Marubeni will each hold 50% equity interest in such entity.
In December 2011, KOMIPO agreed to purchase a 29% equity interest in Navanakorn Electric Co., a Thailand power company, to jointly develop a combined-cycle power plant project in Thailand with generation capacity of 111 megawatts. The total project cost is currently estimated to be US$187 million, and KOMIPO expects to invest approximately US$15.6 million into this project. Following the completion of construction in 2013, this project commenced commercial operation on October 31, 2013 for a period of 25 years.
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Philippines
We are currently engaged in three major power projects in the Philippines: (i) a “build, operate and transfer” of a 1,200-megawatt combined-cycle power plant project in Ilijan, construction of which began in November 1997 and was completed in June 2002, and operation by us until 2022 (the project cost of the Ilijan project was US$721 million, for which project finance on a limited recourse basis was provided), and (ii) ownership of a 39.6% equity interest in SPC Power Corporation, an independent power producer which owns a 208.1-megawatt Naga power complex in Cebu, in which we initially acquired a 40.0% equity interest in February 2006 pursuant to a rehabilitation, operation, maintenance and management (“ROMM”) agreement, which was completed in March 25, 2012 followed by an approximately two-year operation and maintenance period thereafter. In September 2014, SPC Power Corporation acquired the ownership of Naga power plant complex from the Philippine government as the winning bidder of the sales of Naga Power Plant and (iii) a “build, operate and own” of a 200-megawatt CFBC coal power plant in Cebu for which construction began in February 2008 and was completed in May 2011, followed by operation thereof until 2036. The project cost of the Cebu project was US$451 million, for which project financing on a limited recourse basis was provided.
In 2012, KOWEPO purchased a 40% equity interest in Pioneer Gas Power for a purchase price of approximately US$35 million to construct a 388-megawatt combined-cycle power plant in Maharashtra, India. The total size of the project, which commenced in February 2012, is expected to be approximately US$274 million and we expect the power facility to begin commercial operation in 2016.
In December 2011, KOMIPO entered into a land lease agreement with the City of Boulder, Nevada to develop the solar power plant with generation capacity of 200 megawatts. The construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2015. The total project cost is currently estimated to be US$500 million, and KOMIPO invested approximately US$9.2 million into this project and plans to acquire a 20% equity interest. The project will be undertaken jointly with SunPower Corporation. All of the electricity generated will be sold to utility companies in Nevada and California under long-term electricity sales agreements.
In 2012, KOSEP completed construction of wind farm projects in Oklahoma, KODE Novus 1 LLC and KODE Novus 2 LLC. The two wind farm projects have generation capacities of 80 megawatts and 40 megawatts, respectively, and KOSEP commenced operation of these projects in December 2012 for a term of 20 years. The total project cost is expected to be US$27.8 million, and KOSEP will hold a 50% and 49% equity interest in these wind farm projects, respectively.
In August 2010, a consortium led by us was selected as the preferred bidder in an international auction for the construction and operation of the Norte II gas-fueled combined-cycle electricity generation facility in Chihuahua, Mexico, as ordered by the Commission Federal de Electricidad (“CFE”) of Mexico. The consortium established a special purpose vehicle, KST Electric Power Company (“KST”), to act as the operating entity, and in September 2010, KST entered into a power purchase agreement with CFE in relation to the construction and operation of a 433-megawatt combined-cycle power plant at Chihuahua in Mexico. In October 2010, KST was licensed by the Mexican government as an independent power producer, which allows it to produce and sell electricity to CFE during the specified contract period. The project will be undertaken on a “build, own and operate” basis. The total cost of the project is approximately US$430 million. We hold a 56% equity interest in the consortium, with the remaining equity interests held by Samsung C&T (with a 34% equity interest) and Techint, a Mexico company (with a 10% equity interest). Approximately 22.5% of the total project costs will be financed through equity investments by the consortium and the remaining 77.5% through project financing. Commercial operation commenced in December 2013 following completion of the construction, and the
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operation period will run for 25 years until 2038. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, KEPCO Energy Service Company, currently manages the operation of the project.
In November 2013, Kelar S.A., a special purpose company owned by respective holding companies of KOSPO and Samsung C&T in Chile entered into a long-term contract with Tamakaya SpA, a special purpose company wholly owned by BHP Copper Inc., to build, own, operate and maintain a 517 megawatt combined cycle gas turbine power plant. Prior to entering into such contract, in order to facilitate project management, KOSPO established a wholly-owned subsidiary, KOSPO Chile SpA to own 65 % of the shares in Kelar S.A. In January 2014, an engineering, procurement and construction contract was entered between Kelar S.A. and Samsung Engineering Co. Ltd. Debt financing in the amount of US$477 million was provided in November 2014. The total cost of the project is expected to be US$602 million. Construction for this project began in February 2014 and is expected to be completed in October 2016.
In October 2007, we invested US$9.1 million in KEPCO Energy Resource Nigeria Ltd., (“KERNL”), a joint venture with Energy Resource Ltd., a Nigerian company. We currently own 30.0% of KERNL’s equity capital. In May 2007, KERNL entered into a share purchase agreement with the Nigerian government for the purchase of 70% of the equity capital of Egbin Power Plc in Nigeria, which owns and operates the Egbin power plant, a 1,320-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Lagos, Nigeria for a consideration of approximately US$407 million. The acquisition was completed in October 2013, and in June 2013, we entered into a contract with Egbin Power Plc for the operation and maintenance of the Egbin power plant. The contract price was US$315 million. In November 2013, we commenced operation and maintenance services for a term of five years and will expire in October 2018.
Exploration and Production Projects
In July 2009, we, together with KOSEP, purchased a 1.5% equity interest in PT Adaro Energy Tbk (“Adaro”) for an aggregate purchase price of US$47 million. Adaro is one of the largest coal producers in Indonesia and has produced a total of 56 million tons of coal in 2014. As part of this investment, we are entitled to an annual coal procurement of 3 million tons per year. In August 2010, we purchased a 20% equity interest in PT Bayan Resources Tbk (“Bayan”), an Indonesian mining company, for a purchase price of US$518 million. Bayan is engaged in open cut mining of various coal qualities from mines located primarily in East and South Kalimantan, and has produced approximately 10 million tons of coal in 2014. In addition, because Bayan owns one of the largest coal terminals in Indonesia, we believe that the acquisition will improve our access to much-needed transportation infrastructure within Indonesia. As part of this investment, we are entitled to an annual coal procurement of 2 million tons per year between 2012 and 2014 and 7 million tons per year beginning in 2015. We expect that both of our investments in Indonesia will help us secure more stable supply of coal for power generation and help us hedge against fluctuations in fuel prices.
In August 2011, KOSPO entered into an agreement with PT. Kedap Sayaaq to acquire a 10% equity interest in LongDaliq mines located in western Kalimantan, Indonesia. KOSPO acquired such equity interest in 2013, and will secure up to three million tons of coal per year through a coal off-take agreement.
In January 2008, a consortium consisting of Korea Resources Corporation, a Government-controlled enterprise, Hanwha Corporation, us and four of our wholly owned generation subsidiaries, namely, KOSEP, KOMIPO, KOWEPO and KOSPO, entered into an agreement with Felix Resources Limited, an Australian coal
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mining company which was acquired by Yancoal Australia in December 2009, to develop the Moolarben coal mine located in Western Coal Fields, New South Wales, Australia. Under the terms of agreement, the consortium purchased a 10% equity interest in the Moolarben project, for a purchase price of A$90 million, of which we and our four generation subsidiaries own an aggregate of 5%. Yancoal and Sojitz Coal Resources Pty hold 80% and 10% equity interests of the project respectively. In 2014, Moolarben produced 6.4 million tons of coal. Our four generation subsidiaries have coal off-take agreements for a total of 2.5 million tons of coal per annum.
In November 2007, we and EWP entered into a share subscription agreement with Cockatoo Coal Limited (“Cockatoo”), a coal exploration and mining company located in Australia. We and EWP currently hold a 1.1% equity interest, in aggregate, in Cockatoo after having made a total investment of A$21.8 million. Cockatoo has several coal exploration projects in Queensland and New South Wales and one production project in Bowen Basin, Queensland, Australia.
In July 2010, KEPCO Australia Pty Ltd., our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into an agreement with Anglo American Metallurgical Coal Pty Ltd. to acquire 100% of the equity interest in Anglo Coal (Bylong) Pty Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anglo, for a purchase price of A$403 million. Bylong owns a bituminous coal mine in New South Wales, Australia. From this acquisition, we expect to secure an average of 3.26 million tons of bituminous coal per year from this mine for over 40 years starting from 2018. We are currently undergoing a feasibility study for this project to explore and develop coal that is of export quality.
In June 2012, KOSPO entered into an agreement with Amber Energy Company, which is the operator of Decker and Black Cutte mines located in Brisbane, Australia. KOSPO is also entitled to secure up to two million tons of coal per year through a coal off-take agreement.
In June 2009, we and KHNP entered into a share subscription agreement with Denison Mines Corporation (“Denison”), which is a Canada-based uranium exploration and development company with projects in Canada, Zambia, Namibia, Mali and Mongolia. Denison owns 60% interest in the Wheeler River Project, 60% interest in the Waterbury Lake Project and a 22.5% ownership interest in the McClean Lake uranium mill. We and KHNP currently hold approximately 11.5% equity interest, in aggregate, in Denison.
In December 2007, a consortium consisting of four Korean companies, namely, us, Korea Resources Corporation, Hanwha Corporation and SK Networks Co., Ltd. (the “Korean Consortium”), entered into an agreement with CanAlaska Uranium, Ltd., a uranium exploration company located in Canada (“CanAlaska”), to carry out a joint uranium exploration project to explore for uranium on the Cree East property in the Athabasca region in the province of Saskatchewan in Canada. We have invested C$4.75 million and currently hold a 12.5% equity interest in the project.
In January 2008, a consortium consisting of us, KHNP, KEPCO Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd., Hanwha Corporation and Gravis Capital Corp., a Canadian company, entered into an agreement with Fission Energy Corp., a uranium exploration company located in Canada, to carry out a joint uranium exploration project in Waterbury Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada. During the three-year exploration period, which ended in April 2010, we discovered a high grade uranium mineralization after drilling 20 out of 97 sites. In August 2010, the consortium entered into additional agreements consisting of a limited partnership agreement with Fission Energy Corp. and extended the exploration period to May 2013 in order to enlarge known mineralization and to produce a resource estimate. In April 2013, Denison mines Corp. acquired Fission’s 60% interest in the Waterbury Lake uranium project. We have invested C$11.2 million and currently hold a 16% equity interest of the project. Further exploration program in Waterbury Lake, which started in January 2014 and expected to be finished in 2016, is in progress.
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On July 2, 2012, we and KHNP acquired equity interests in Energy Fuel Inc. (“EFI”), a Denver-based uranium producer as a result of a swap between Denison Mine’s U.S. assets, which we invested in 2009, and EFI’s equity. In November 2013, we additionally acquired equity interests in EFI through EFI’s merger with Strathmore that we invested in 2012. We and KHNP made an off-take agreement with EFI by which we and KHNP are entitled to procure approximately 160 tons of uranium per year until 2015, and will renegotiate the next procurement beginning in 2016. We and KHNP currently hold 8.7% equity interest, in aggregate, in EFI.
In December 2009, we and KHNP entered into a definitive agreement with Areva NC Expansion (“ANCE”) to purchase 15.0% of the share capital of ANCE and 10% of the share capital of Imouraren SA, which is an ANCE-invested mine operating company. We and KHNP currently hold a 13.5% equity interest in ANCE and 9% Imouraren SA. We are entitled to procure up to approximately 9.0% of Imouraren SA’s annual uranium production in Niger, which is estimated to be 626 metric tons based on ANCE’s annual production plan for 36 years starting from its production.
In August 2005, a consortium consisting of us, Korea National Oil Corporation (“KNOC”), a Government-owned entity, and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering won a bid from the federal government of Nigeria for exploration and production of oil in two off-shore blocks. The consortium, of which we hold a 8.8% equity interest, holds 60.0% of the equity interest in the special purpose vehicle established to carry out the project regarding these two blocks. In March 2006, the consortium entered into production sharing contracts with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in connection with this project. However, in January 2009, the government of Nigeria unilaterally decided to void allocation of the two blocks granted to the consortium based on a claim that the consortium failed to pay full amount of the consideration. KNOC filed a suit in the Nigerian court challenging this decision in August 2009, the final outcome of which is currently pending. In the meanwhile, our projects in Nigeria remain on hold.
In June 2009, KHNP acquired a 2.5% equity interest in Societe D. Enrichissement Du Tricastin (“SET Holding”), which was established by Areva for the purpose of constructing and operating a uranium enrichment plant in Tricastin, France. KHNP has invested approximately 129 million Euros for a 2.5% equity interest, and COGAC SAS and a group led by Japan France Enrichment Investing and Kansai Electric Power Co. have acquired a 5% and 4.5% equity interest, respectively, in SET Holding. The maximum production capability of the uranium enrichment plant is 7,500 ton Separative Work Unit or, SWU. We believe that this investment will help us secure a more stable and economical supply of enriched uranium.
Transmission and Distribution Projects
In September 2011, a joint venture company established by us and Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd. (“Megha”) entered into an agreement with M.P. Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Co. Ltd., Indore (“Paschim”) and M.P. Poorv Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Co. Ltd., Jabalpur (“Poorv”), each a state-controlled electricity provider in India, to improve the overall power distribution network in Madhya Pradesh, India through a feeder separation program, including improvements of transmission lines and installation of power meters in seven rural areas. The joint venture company will be responsible for five of the projects in conjunction with Megha. In addition, we will be separately responsible for the remaining two projects. The total project cost is estimated to be US$100 million, of which US$32 million will be invested in the projects conducted by us and the remaining US$68 million in the projects conducted in conjunction with Megha. Construction for the project began in September 2011 and is expected to be completed in May 2015.
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On January 31, 2011, a consortium led by us, Hyundai Engineering and Hyundai Corporation won a power transmission project from Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company (“KEGOC”), a Kazakhstan state-run company. This US$100 million project was conducted on an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis, in connection with which are modernizing 17 substations in Kazakhstan. The project is expected to be completed in May 2015.
In May 2011, we entered into an agreement with Corporación Dominicana de Empresas Eléctricas Estatales (“CDEEE”) to improve power distribution networks in three local districts in Dominican Republic. We constructed 1,294 kilometers of distribution lines and 12,644 electricity poles as part of the rehabilitation project. We were in charge of design, procurement and construction. The project was completed in May 2014, but there remains an unpaid balance to us. The total project cost is estimated to US$48 million.
North Korea
Kaesong Complex
Since 2005, we have provided electricity to the industrial complex located in Kaesong, North Korea, which was established pursuant to an agreement made during the summit meeting of the two Koreas in June 2000. The Kaesong complex is the largest economic project between the two Koreas and is designed to combine the Republic’s capital and entrepreneurial expertise with the availability of land and labor of North Korea. In March 2005, we built a 22.9 kilovolt distribution line from Munsan substation in Paju, Gyeonggi Province to the Kaesong complex and became the first to supply electricity to pilot zones such as ShinWon Ebenezer. In April 2006, we started to construct a 154 kilovolt, 16 kilometer transmission line connecting Munsan substation to the Kaesong complex as well as Pyunghwa substation in the complex and began operations in May 2007.
As of December 31, 2014, we supplied electricity to 254 units, including administrative agencies, support facilities and resident corporations, using a tariff structure identical to that of South Korea. No assurance can be given that we will not experience any material losses from this project as a result of, among other things, a project suspension or failure of the project as a result of a breakdown or escalation of hostilities in the relationship between the Republic and North Korea. See Item 3D. “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Korea and the Global Economy—Tensions with North Korea could have an adverse effect on us and the market value of our shares.”
The Light Water Reactor Project
The Korean Peninsula Development Organization, or KEDO, was chartered in March 1995 as an international consortium stipulated by the Agreed Framework, which was signed by the United States and North Korea in October 1994. KEDO signed an agreement with North Korea in December 1995 to construct two light water reactors in North Korea in return for certain nuclear nonproliferation steps to be taken by North Korea. However, when North Korea did not meet the conditions required for the continuation of the project, KEDO suspended the project in December 2003. Following the suspension, KEDO notified us of the termination of the project and the related turnkey contract between KEDO and us. In 2006, we entered into a transfer agreement with KEDO under which we assumed substantially all of KEDO’s rights and obligations related to the light water reactor outside of North Korea. Following disposal of the transferred equipment in March 2012 we submitted to KEDO the Final Report on Resale in relation to such disposal as required under the transfer agreement and in January 2013, KEDO gave us a final notice of the termination of the transfer agreement.
Insurance
We and our generation subsidiaries carry insurance covering against certain risks, including fire, in respect of key assets, including buildings, equipment, machinery, construction-in-progress and procurement in transit, as
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well as, in the case of KEPCO, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. We and our generation subsidiaries maintain casualty and liability insurance against risks related to our business to the extent we consider appropriate. Other than KHNP, neither we nor our generation subsidiaries separately insure against terrorist attacks. These insurance and indemnity policies, however, cover only a portion of the assets that we own and operate and do not cover all types or amounts of loss that could arise in connection with the ownership and operation of these assets.
Substantial liability may result from the operations of our nuclear generation units, the use and handling of nuclear fuel and possible radioactive emissions associated with such nuclear fuel. KHNP maintains property and liability insurance against risks of its business to the extent required by the related law and regulations or considered as appropriate and otherwise self-insures against such risks. KHNP carries insurance for its generation units against certain risks, including property damage, nuclear fuel transportation and liability insurance for personal injury and property damage. KHNP carries property damage insurance covering up to US$1 billion per accident for all properties within its plant complexes, which includes property insurance coverage for acts of terrorism up to US$300 million and for breakdown of machinery up to US$300 million. KHNP maintains nuclear liability insurance for personal injury and third-party property damage for coverage of up to 300 million Special Drawing Rights, or SDRs, which amounts to approximately US$430 million, at the rate of 1 SDR = US$ 1.433510 as posted on the Internet homepage of the International Monetary Fund on January 5, 2015 per plant complex, for a total coverage of 1.5 billion SDRs. KHNP is also the beneficiary of a Government indemnity with respect to such risks for damage claims of up to Won 300 million SDRs per nuclear plant complex, for a total coverage of 1.5 billion SDRs. Under the Nuclear Damage Compensation Act of 1969, as amended, KHNP is liable only up to 300 million SDRs, per single accident; provided that such limitation will not apply where KHNP intentionally causes harm or knowingly fails to prevent the harm from occurring. KHNP will receive the Government’s support, subject to the approval of the National Assembly, if (i) the damages exceed the insurance coverage amount of 300 million SDRs and (ii) the Government deems such support to be necessary for the purposes of protecting damaged persons and supporting the development of nuclear energy business. While KHNP carries insurance for its generation units and nuclear fuel transportation, the level of insurance is generally adequate and is in compliance with relevant laws and regulations, and KHNP is the beneficiary of a certain Government indemnity which covers a portion of liability in excess of the insurance. Such insurance is limited in terms of amount and scope of coverage and does not cover all types or amounts of losses which could arise in connection with the ownership and operation of nuclear plants. Accordingly, material adverse financial consequences could result from a serious accident to the extent it is neither insured nor covered by the government indemnity.
See Item 3D. “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to KEPCO—The amount and scope of coverage of our insurance are limited.”
Competition
In particular, we compete with independent power producers with respect to electricity generation. The independent power generators accounted for 15.1% of total power generation in 2014 and 22.4% of total generation capacity as of December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, there were 10 independent power generators in Korea, excluding renewable energy producers. Prior to December 2010, private enterprises had not been permitted to own and operate coal-fired power plants in Korea. However, the Fifth Basic Plan announced in December 2010 included for the first time a plan for independent power producers to own and operate coal-fired power plants, namely four generation units with aggregate capacity of 2,290 megawatts for completion in 2016. In addition, in connection with the Sixth Basic Plan announced in February 2013, the Ministry of Trade, Industry
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and Energy accepted additional applications from independent power producers for construction of coal-fired power plants. 15 independent power producers applied for construction of a total of 40 additional coal-fired generation units with aggregate generation capacity of 37,100 megawatts, of which the Government approved applications for the construction of six generation units with aggregate generation capacity of 6,000 megawatts. The Government also approved applications for construction of two additional generation units with aggregate generation capacity of 2,000 megawatts to prepare for the contingency of failed or delayed construction of the foregoing generation units. Construction for the six generation units is scheduled to be completed between 2018 and 2021. While it remains to be seen whether construction of these generation units will be completed as scheduled, if it were to be completed as scheduled and/or independent power producers are permitted to build additional generation capacity (whether coal-fired or not), our market share in Korea may decrease, which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
The electric power industry, which began its liberalization process with the establishment of our power generation subsidiaries in April 2001, may become further liberalized in accordance with the Restructuring Plan. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Restructuring of the Electric Power Industry in Korea.”
In the residential sector, consumers may use natural gas, oil and coal for space and water heating and cooking. However, currently there is no practical substitute for electricity for lighting and other household appliances, which is available on commercially affordable terms.
In the commercial sector, electricity is the dominant energy source for lighting, office equipment and air conditioning. For its other uses, such as space and water heating, natural gas and, to a lesser extent, oil, provide competitive alternatives to electricity.
In the industrial sector, electricity is the dominant energy source for a number of industrial applications, including lighting and power for many types of industrial machinery and processes that are available on commercially affordable terms. For other uses, such as heating, electricity competes with oil and natural gas and potentially with gas-fired combined heating and power plants.
Regulation
We are a statutory juridical corporation established under the KEPCO Act for the purpose of ensuring a stable supply of electric power and further contributing toward the sound development of the national economy through facilitating development of electric power resources and carrying out proper and effective operation of
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the electricity business. The KEPCO Act (including the amendment thereto) prescribes that we engage in the following activities:
The KEPCO Act currently requires that our profits be applied in the following order of priority:
first, to make up any accumulated deficit;
second, to set aside 20.0% or more of profits as a legal reserve until the accumulated reserve reaches one-half of our capital;
third, to pay dividends to shareholders;
fourth, to set aside a reserve for expansion of our business;
fifth, to set aside a voluntary reserve for the equalization of dividends; and
sixth, to carry forward surplus profit.
As of December 31, 2014, the legal reserve was Won 1,605 billion and the voluntary reserve was Won 22,999 billion, which consisted of reserve for business expansion of Won 17,182 billion, reserve for investment in social overhead capital of Won 5,277 billion, reserve for research and human development of Won 330 billion and reserve for equalizing dividends of Won 210 billion.
We are under the supervision of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, which has principal responsibility with respect to director and management appointments and rate approval.
Because the Government owns part of our capital stock, the Government’s Board of Audit and Inspection may audit our books.
The Electricity Business Act requires that licenses be obtained in relation to generation, transmission, distribution and sales of electricity, with limited exceptions. We hold the license to generate, transmit, distribute and sell electricity. Each of our six generation subsidiaries holds an electricity generation license. The Electricity Business Act governs the formulation and approval of electricity rates in Korea. See “—Sales and Customers—Electricity Rates” above.
On January 28, 2014, the Act for Supporting the Communities Surrounding Power Plants was enacted, with effect from July 29, 2014, which prescribes the supports to be provided by the power generation or transmission
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companies to the communities surrounding power plants. Under this Act, those who own land or houses in the vicinity of power plants may claim compensation for damages, or compel purchase of such properties, by the power generation or transmission companies which are legally obligated in principle to pay for such damages or purchase such properties. See “—Community Programs” above.
Our operations are subject to various laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and safety. See “—Community Programs” above.
Proposed Sale of Certain Power Plants and Equity Interests
The following table summarizes our current plans for sale of certain of our assets. The consummation of these plans, however, is subject to, among others, related Government policies and market conditions.
Equity Holdings
Primary Business
KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering Co., Ltd(1).
KEPCO Engineering & Construction Co., Inc
Korea Electric Power Industrial Development Co., Ltd.
KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering Co., Ltd.
In December 2007, we completed the initial public offering of KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering Co., Ltd., or KPS, formerly our wholly-owned subsidiary, by listing approximately 20.0% of its equity interest on the Korea Stock Exchange. Pursuant to the Public Institution Reform Plan, we sold through block sales to third party investors an aggregate of 27.5% shares in KPS on various occasions during the period from December 2012 to April 2015. We currently hold a 52.5% equity interest in KPS.
KEPCO Engineering & Construction Co., Inc.
Pursuant to the Third Phase of the Public Institution Reform Plan announced by the Government in August 2008, we conducted the initial public offering of Korea Engineering and Construction Co., Inc., or KEPCO E&C formerly known as Korea Power Engineering Co., Ltd., in December 2009 for gross proceeds to us of Won 165 billion, following which we owned 77.9% of KEPCO E&C’s shares. In furtherance of the Public Institution Reform Plan and to improve our financial profile, we sold our equity interests representing 3.1%, 4.0% and 4.5% of KEPCO E&C shares in November 2011, December 2013 and December 2014, respectively, in each case to third party investors. We currently hold a 66.3% equity interest in KEPCO E&C.
In 2003, we privatized Korea Electric Power Industrial Development, or KEPID, formerly our wholly-owned subsidiary, by selling 51.0% of its equity interest to Korea Freedom Federation. Pursuant to the Fifth
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Phase of the Public Institution Reform Plan announced by the Government in 2009, we sold 20% of the KEPID shares through additional listing. We currently plan to sell the remaining 29.0% of KEPID’s equity interest based on, among others, considerations of economic and market conditions.
LG Uplus Corp.
In 2014, we sold our remaining 8.8% equity interest in LG Uplus Corp., a telecommunications and Internet access service provider in Korea. Pursuant to the Public Institution Reform Plan and in an effort to improve our financial profile, we sold through block sales to third party investors 4.4% of LG Uplus shares in August 2014 and the remaining 4.4% in December 2014.
Item 4C. Organizational Structure
As of December 31, 2014, we had 76 subsidiaries, 50 associates and 38 joint ventures (not including any special purpose entities).
Subsidiaries
Our wholly-owned six generation subsidiaries are KHNP, KOSEP, KOMIPO, KOWEPO, KOSPO and EWP. Our non-generation subsidiaries include KEPCO E&C, KEPCO KPS, KEPCO NF, and KEPCO KDN. For a full list of our subsidiaries, including foreign subsidiaries, and their respective jurisdiction of incorporation, please see Exhibit 8.1 attached to this annual report.
Associates and Joint Ventures
An associate is an entity over which we have significant influence and that is neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but does not have control or joint control over those policies. According to IFRS 11, joint arrangements are classified as joint operations or joint ventures, depending on the rights and obligations of the parties to the arrangements. As a result of IFRS 11, we have changed our accounting policy for our interests in joint arrangements. Under IFRS 11, we have classified our interests in joint arrangements as either joint operations (if we have rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to an arrangement) or joint ventures (if we have rights only to the net assets of an arrangement). When making this assessment, we considered the structure of the arrangements, the legal form of any separate vehicles, the contractual terms of the arrangements and other facts and circumstances. Previously, the structure of the arrangement was the sole focus of classification. We have re-evaluated our involvement in our only joint arrangement and have reclassified the investment from a jointly controlled entity to a joint venture. See Note 17 of the notes to our financial statements.
The table below sets forth for each of our principal associates and joint ventures the name and our percentage shareholdings and their principal activities as of December 31, 2014.
Principal Activities
Associates:
Daegu Green Power Co., Ltd.
Korea Gas Corporation(1)
YTN Co., Ltd.
Cheongna Energy Co., Ltd.
Generating and distributing
vapor and hot/cold water
Gangwon Wind Power Co., Ltd.(2)
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Hyundai Green Power Co., Ltd.
Korea Power Exchange(6)
AMEC Partners Korea(3)
Hyundai Energy Co., Ltd.(9)
Ecollite Co., Ltd.
Taebaek Wind Power Co., Ltd.
Muju Wind Power Co., Ltd.
Pyeongchang Wind Power Co., Ltd.
Daeryun Power Co., Ltd.(3)(10)
JinanJangsu Wind Power Co., Ltd.
Changjuk Wind Power Co., Ltd.
KNH Solar Co., Ltd.
SPC Power Corporation
Gemeng International Energy Co., Ltd.
PT. Cirebon Electric Power
KNOC Nigerian East Oil Co., Ltd.(4)
KNOC Nigerian West Oil Co., Ltd.(4)
Dolphin Property Limited(4)
PT Wampu Electric Power
PT. Bayan Resources TBK
S-Power Co., Ltd.
Pioneer Gas Power Limited(8)
Eurasia Energy Holdings
Power generation and
resources development
Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Co., Ltd.
Busan Solar Co., Ltd.(3)
Hadong Mineral Fiber Co., Ltd.
Green Biomass Co., Ltd.
PT. Mutiara Jawa
Samcheok Eco Material Co., Ltd.(3) (11)
Noeul Green Energy Co., Ltd.
Naepo Green Energy Co., Ltd.
Goseong Green Energy Co. Ltd.
Gangneung Eco Power Co., Ltd.
Shin Pyeongtaek Power Co., Ltd.
Heang Bok Do Si Photovoltaic Power Co., Ltd.
DS POWER Co., Ltd.(2)
Dongducheon Dream Power Co., Ltd.
KS Solar Corp. Ltd.(3)
Yeongwol Energy Station Co., Ltd.(2)
Jinbhuvish Power Generation(2)
SE Green Energy Co., Ltd.
Daegu Photovoltaic Co., Ltd.
Jeongam Wind Power Co., Ltd.
Korea Power Engineering Service Co., Ltd.
Joint Ventures:
KEPCO-Uhde Inc.(7)
Eco Biomass Energy Sdn. Bhd.(7)
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Datang Chaoyang Renewable Power Co., Ltd.
Shuweihat Asia Power Investment B.V.
Shuweihat Asia Operation & Maintenance Company(7)
Waterbury Lake Uranium L.P.
ASM-BG Investicii AD
RES Technology AD
KV Holdings, Inc.
KEPCO SPC Power Corporation(7)
Canada Korea Uranium Limited Partnership(5)
KEPCO Energy Resource Nigeria Limited
Gansu Datang Yumen Wind Power Co., Ltd.
Datang Chifeng Renewable Power Co., Ltd.
Datang KEPCO Chaoyang Renewable Power Co., Ltd.
Rabigh Electricity Company
Rabigh Operation & Maintenance Company
Jamaica Public Service Company Limited
KW Nuclear Components Co., Ltd.
Busan Shinho Solar Power Co., Ltd.
GS Donghae Electric Power Co., Ltd. (Formally, STX Electric Power Co., Ltd.
Global Trade Of Power System Co., Ltd.
Exporting products and
technology of small or
medium business by proxy
Expressway Solar-light Power Generation Co., Ltd
KODE NOVUS 1 LLC.
KODE NOVUS 2 LLC.
Daejung Offshore Wind Power Co., Ltd.
Amman Asia Electric Power Company(7)
KEPCO-ALSTOM Power Electronics Systems, Inc.(7)
Dangjin Eco Power Co., Ltd. (Formally, Dongbu Power Dangjin Corporation
Honam Wind Power Co., Ltd.
Nepal Water & Energy Development Company Pty Ltd.(7)
Chun-cheon Energy Co., Ltd.
Yeonggwangbaeksu Wind Power Co., Ltd.(3)
Nghi Son 2 Power Ltd.
Kelar S.A.(7)
PT. Tanjung Power Indonesia
Incheon New Power Co., Ltd.
Seokmun Energy Co., Ltd.
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Item 4D. Property, Plant and Equipment
Our property consists mainly of power generation, transmission and distribution equipment and facilities in Korea. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Power Generation,” “—Transmission and Distribution” and “—Capital Investment Program.” In addition, we own our corporate headquarters building complex at 55 Jeollyeok-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, 520-350, Korea. As of December 31, 2014, the net book value of our property, plant and equipment was Won 135,812 billion. As of December 31, 2014, investment property, which is accounted for separately from our property, plant and equipment, amounted to Won 317 billion. No significant amount of our properties is leased. There are no material encumbrances on our properties, including power generation, transmission and distribution equipment and facilities.
In connection with the recent relocation of our headquarters in December 2014 pursuant to a government plan, in September 2014 we entered into a definitive agreement with a consortium consisting of Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motor Company and Hyundai Mobis for the sale of the properties in our previous headquarters for a sale price of Won 10,550 billion. The sale was made following an open bidding, and the assessment value for such properties was approximately Won 3,335 billion. Under the sales agreement, the purchaser made a deposit equal to 10% of the purchase price on the date of the agreement, paid the first installment equal to 30% of the purchase price on January 15, 2015 and is obligated to pay the remaining proceeds in two equal installments on May 25 and September 25, 2015, and the title to the properties will transfer on the date the full purchase price is paid.
On December 30, 2014, we completed the sales of 49 properties (including residential properties, storage spaces, and substation lots that are located in Korea) which are not directly related to its operations for an aggregate sale price of approximately Won 55.9 billion, representing 0.04% of our total assets as of December 31, 2014. The foregoing sales reflect our plans to improve our financial soundness through debt reduction and enhance our management efficiency, selling noncore properties that have no direct relations to electricity facilities.
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We do not have any unresolved comments from the SEC staff regarding our periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
You should read the following discussion on our operating and financial review and prospects together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes which appear elsewhere in this annual report. Our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows may materially change from time to time, for reasons including various policy initiatives (including changes to the Restructuring Plan) by the Government in relation to the Korean electric power industry, and accordingly our historical performance may not be indicative of our future performance. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Restructuring of the Electric Power Industry in Korea” and Item 3D. “Risk Factors—The Government may adopt policy measures to substantially restructure the Korean electric power industry or our operational structure, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and profitability.”
Item 5A. Operating Results
Overview
We are a predominant market participant in the Korean electric power industry, and our business is heavily regulated by the Government, including with respect to the rates we charge to customers for the electricity we sell. In addition, our business requires a high level of capital expenditures for the construction of electricity generation, transmission and distribution facilities and is subject to a number of variable factors, including demand for electricity in Korea and fluctuations in fuel costs, which are in turn impacted by the movements in the exchange rates between the Won and other currencies.
Under the Electricity Business Law and the Price Stabilization Act, the Government generally establishes electricity rates at levels that are expected to permit us to recover our operating costs attributable to our basic electricity generation, transmission and distribution operations in addition to receiving a fair investment return on capital used in those operations. For a detailed description of the fair investment return, see Item 4B. “Business Overview—Sales and Customers—Electricity Rates.” From 2008 to 2012, we had consecutive net losses and, from time to time, operating losses, due to substantial increases in fuel prices which have more than offset the effect from the increases in the electricity tariff rates we charge to our customers. From 2013 to 2014, largely due to increases in electricity tariff rates, the general decline of fuel prices and the greater use of coal relative to LNG (the former being a cheaper source of fuel) as a proportion of the fuels used to produce electricity, our gross profit, operating profit and net profit increased significantly.
If fuel prices were to rise substantially and rapidly in the future, such rise may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and profitability. In part to address these concerns, the Government from time to time increases the electricity tariff rates (most recently in January and November 2013). However, such increases may be insufficient to fully offset the adverse impact from the rise in fuel costs, and since such increases typically require lengthy public deliberations in order to be implemented, the tariff increases often occur with a significant time lag and as a result our results of operations and cash flows may suffer.
Further to the announcement by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in February 2010, a new electricity tariff system went into effect on July 1, 2011. This system was designed to overhaul the prior system for determining electricity tariff chargeable to customers by more closely aligning the tariff levels to movements in fuel prices, with the aim of providing more timely pricing signals to the market regarding the expected changes in electricity tariff levels and encouraging more efficient use of electricity by customers. Previously, the electricity tariff consisted of two components: (i) base rate and (ii) usage rate based on the cost of electricity and the amount of electricity consumed by the end-users. Under the new tariff system, the electricity tariff also has a
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third component of the FCPTA rate, which is to be added to or subtracted from the sum of the base rate and the usage rate on a monthly basis based on the three-month average movements of coal, LNG and oil prices. This system was intended to provide greater financial stability and ensure a minimum return on investment to electricity suppliers, such as us.
However, due to inflationary and other policy considerations relating to protecting the consumers from sudden and substantial rises in electricity tariff, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy issued a hold order on July 29, 2011 suspending our billing and collecting of the FCPTA amount and eventually abolished the FCPTA system altogether on May 21, 2014 and generally reverted to the tariff system in place prior to the adoption of the FCPTA system.
For further discussion, including in relation to accounting, see Item 5A. “Operating Results—Critical Accounting Policies—Correction of Accounting for Fuel Cost Pass-through Adjustment.”
The results of our operations are largely affected by the following factors:
demand for electricity;
electricity rates we charge to our customers;
fuel costs; and
the exchange rates of Won against other foreign currencies, in particular the U.S. dollar.
Demand for Electricity
Our sales are largely dependent on the level of demand for electricity in Korea and the rates we charge for the electricity we sell.
Demand for electricity in Korea grew at a compounded average rate of 3.9% per annum for the five years ended December 31, 2014. According to the Bank of Korea, the compounded growth rate for real gross domestic product, or GDP, was approximately 3.7% during the same period. The GDP increased, on a year-on-year basis, by 2.3% in 2012, by 2.9% in 2013, and by 3.3% in 2014.
The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the annual rate of growth in Korea’s gross domestic product, or GDP, and the annual rate of growth in electricity demand (measured by total annual electricity consumption).
Demand for electricity may be categorized either by the type of its usage or by the type of customers. The following describes the demand for electricity by the type of its usage, namely, industrial, commercial and residential:
The industrial sector represents the largest segment of electricity consumption in Korea. Demand for electricity from the industrial sector was 272,552 gigawatt hours in 2014, representing a 2.7% increase from 2013, largely due to the continued export-led growth of the Korean economy.
Demand for electricity from the commercial sector has increased in recent years, largely due to increased commercial activities in Korea and the rapid expansion of the service sector of the Korean economy, which has resulted in increased office building construction, office automation and use of air conditioners. However, demand for electricity from the commercial sector decreased to 100,761 gigawatt hours in 2014, representing a 1.4% decrease from 2013 largely due to decreased electricity usage for cooling and heating reflecting cooler summer and warmer winter in 2014 compared to 2013.
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In 2014, we distributed electricity to approximately 22 million households, which represent substantially all of the households in Korea. Demand for electricity from the residential sector is largely dependent on population growth and use of heaters, air conditioners and other electronic appliances. Demand for electricity from the residential sector decreased to 64,457 gigawatt hours in 2014, representing a 2.1% decrease compared to 2013, largely due to a decrease in electricity usage for air conditioning and heating resulting in part from cooler summer and warmer winter in 2014 compared to 2013.
For a discussion on demand by the type of customers, see Item 4B. “Business Overview—Sales and Customers—Demand by the Type of Usage.”
Since our inception, we have had the predominant market share in terms of electricity generated in Korea. As for electricity we purchase from the market for transmission and distribution to our end-users, our generation subsidiaries accounted for 90.9%, 89.4% and 86.2% in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, while the remainder was accounted for by independent power producers. As for transmission and distribution of electricity, we have historically handled, expect to continue to handle, substantially all of such activities in Korea.
We expect that we will continue to have a dominant market share in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in Korea for the foreseeable future, absent any substantial changes to the Restructuring Plan or other policy initiatives by the Government in relation to the Korean electric power industry, or an unexpected level of market penetration by independent power producers or localized electricity suppliers under the Community Energy System. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Competition.”
Under the Electricity Business Law and the Price Stabilization Act, electricity rates are established at levels that will permit us to recover our operating costs attributable to our basic electricity generation, transmission and distribution operations in addition to receiving a fair investment return on capital used in those operations. For further discussion of fair investment return, see Item 4B. “Business Overview—Sales and Customers—Electricity Rates.”
From time to time, our actual rate of return on invested capital may differ significantly from the fair rate of return on invested capital assumed for the purposes of electricity tariff approvals, for reasons, among others, related to movements in fuel prices, exchange rates and demand for electricity that differs from what is assumed for determining our fair rate of return. For example, between 1987 and 1990, the actual rate of return was above the fair rate of return due to declining fuel costs and rising demand for electricity. In contrast, depreciation of the Won against the U.S. dollar accounted for our actual rates of return being lower than the fair rate of return for the period from 1996 to 2000. Partly in response to the variance between our actual rates of return and the fair rate of return, the Government from time to time increases the electricity tariff rates, but there typically is a significant time lag for the tariff increase as such increase requires a series of deliberative processes and administrative procedures and the Government also has to consider other policy considerations, such as the inflationary effect of overall tariff increases and the efficiency of energy use through sector-specific tariff increases. For the period since 2006, our actual rate of return has been lower than the fair rate of return largely due to increases in fuel costs and additional facility investment costs, the effects of which were not offset by timely increases in the electricity tariff rates.
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Fuel Costs
Our results of operations are also significantly affected by the cost of producing electricity, which is subject to a variety of factors, including, in particular, the cost of fuel.
Cost of fuel in any given year is a function of the volume of fuels consumed and the unit fuel cost for the various types of fuel used for generation of electricity which affects the cost structure for both our generation subsidiaries and independent power producers from whom we purchase electric power. A significant change in the unit fuel costs materially impacts the costs of electricity generated by our generation subsidiaries, which mainly comprise our fuel costs under the cost of sales, as well as, to our knowledge, the costs of electricity generated by the independent power producers that sell their electricity to us (see Item 4A. “Purchase of Electricity—Cost-based Pool System”), which mainly comprise our purchased power costs under the cost of sales. We are however unable to provide a comparative analysis since the unit fuel cost information for independent power producers and their cost structures are proprietary information.
Fuel costs accounted for 48.5%, 45.1% and 36.1% of our sales and 49.2%, 47.8% and 41.4% of our cost of sales in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Substantially all of the fuel (except for anthracite coal) used by our generation subsidiaries is imported from outside of Korea at prices determined in part by prevailing market prices in currencies other than Won. In addition, our generation subsidiaries purchase a significant portion of their fuel requirements under contracts with limited quantity and duration. Pursuant to the terms of our long-term supply contracts, prices are adjusted from time to time subject to prevailing market conditions. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Fuel.”
Uranium accounted for 33.5%, 30.9% and 35.3% of our fuel requirements in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Coal accounted for 44.5%, 44.8% and 46.0% of our fuel requirements in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. LNG accounted for 17.7%, 19.7% and 15.5% of our fuel requirements in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. Oil accounted for 3.2%, 3.3% and 1.7% of our fuel requirements in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. In each case, the fuel requirements are measured by the amount of electricity generated by us and our generation subsidiaries and do not include electricity purchased from independent power producers. In order to ensure stable supplies of fuel materials, our generation subsidiaries enter into long-term and medium-term contracts with various suppliers and supplement such supplies with fuel materials purchased on spot markets.
The price of bituminous coal, which represents our largest fuel requirement, fluctuates significantly from time to time. In 2014, approximately 84.5% of the bituminous coal requirements of our generation subsidiaries were purchased under long-term contracts and the remaining 15.5% purchased on the spot market. The average “free on board” Newcastle coal 6300 GAR spot price index published by Platts decreased from US$85.1 per ton in 2013 to US$70.7 per ton in 2014 and US$56.4 per ton as of April 10, 2015. If the price of bituminous coal were to sharply rise, our generation subsidiaries may not be able to secure their respective bituminous coal supplies at prices commercially acceptable to them. In addition, any significant interruption or delay in the supply of fuel, bituminous coal in particular, from any of their suppliers could cause our generation subsidiaries to purchase fuel on the spot market at prices higher than contracted, resulting in an increase in fuel cost.
In recent years, the prices of oil and LNG have fallen significantly. The prices of oil and LNG are substantially dependent on the price of crude oil, and according to Bloomberg (Bloomberg Ticker:
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PGCRDUBA), the average daily spot price of Dubai crude oil per barrel decreased from US$108.9 in 2012 to US$105.4 in 2013 to US$96.6 in 2014 and was US$54.8 as of April 10, 2015.
Nuclear power has a stable and relatively low-cost structure and forms a significant portion of electricity supplied in Korea. Due to significantly lower unit fuel costs compared to those for thermal power plants, our nuclear power plants are generally operated at full capacity with only routine shutdowns for fuel replacement and maintenance, with limited exceptions. In case of shortage in electricity generation resulting from stoppages of the nuclear power plants, we seek to make up for such shortage with power generated by our thermal power plants.
Because the Government heavily regulates the rates we charge for the electricity we sell (see Item 4B. “Business Overview—Sales and Customers—Electricity Rates”), our ability to pass on such cost increases to our customers is limited. For example, from 2008 to 2012 we had consecutive net losses and, from time to time, operating losses, largely due to sustained rises in fuel costs that were neither timely nor sufficiently offset by a corresponding rise in electricity tariff rates. If fuel prices substantially increase and the Government, out of concern for inflation or for other reasons, maintains the current level of electricity tariff and does not increase it to a level to sufficiently offset the impact of rising fuel prices, the price increases will negatively affect our profit margins or even cause us to suffer net losses and our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows would suffer.
Movements of the Won against the U.S. Dollar and Other Foreign Currencies
Korean Won fluctuates significantly against major currencies from time to time. For fluctuations in exchange rates, see Item 3A. “Selected Financial Data—Currency Translations and Exchange Rates.” In particular, Korean Won underwent substantial fluctuations during the recent global financial crisis, and remains subject to significant volatility. The Noon Buying Rate per one U.S. dollar fluctuated from Won 1,063.2 on December 31, 2012 to Won 1,055.3 on December 31, 2013 and to Won 1,090.9 on December 31, 2014 and was Won 1,093.1 on April 10, 2015. In 2014, the Won generally depreciated against U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies, and such depreciation may result in a significant increase in the cost of fuel materials and equipment purchased from overseas as well as the cost of servicing our foreign currency debt. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 20.5% of our long-term debt (including the current portion but excluding issue discounts and premium) before accounting for swap transactions was denominated in foreign currencies, principally U.S. dollars. The prices for substantially all of the fuel materials and a significant portion of the equipment we purchase are stated in currencies other than Won, generally in U.S. dollars. Since a substantial portion of our revenues is denominated in Won, we must generally obtain foreign currencies through foreign currency-denominated financings or from foreign currency exchange markets to make such purchases or service such debt, fulfill our obligations under existing overseas investments and make new overseas investments. As a result, any significant depreciation of Won against U.S. dollar or other foreign currencies will have a material adverse effect on our profitability and results of operations. See Item 3D. “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to KEPCO—The movement of Won against the U.S. dollar and other currencies may have a material adverse effect on us.”
Recent Accounting Changes
New Amendments Adopted
New amendments to IFRS and other accounting standards are set forth below. These amendments had no impact on our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.
Amendments to IAS 32—Financial Instruments: Presentation
Amendments to IFRIC 21—Levies
See Note 2 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report for further related information.
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New Standards and Amendments Not Yet Adopted
The following new standards and amendments to existing IFRS and other standards are effective for annual periods beginning after January 1, 2014; however, we have not adopted such amendments yet and are currently in the process of evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements upon the adoption of these amendments.
IFRS 9—Financial Instruments
IFRS 15— Revenue from contract with customers
Amendments to IAS 19—Employee benefits
Critical Accounting Policies
The following discussion and analysis are based on our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report. 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 policies.”
We make a number of estimates and judgments in preparing our consolidated financial statements. These estimates may differ from actual results and have a significant impact on our recorded assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We consider an estimate to be a critical accounting estimate if it requires a high level of subjectivity or judgment, and a significant change in the estimate would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Further discussion of these critical accounting estimates and policies is included in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.
The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently by us and our subsidiaries to all periods presented in the consolidated annual financial statements, unless otherwise indicated.
Sale and Purchase of Electricity
The Government approves the rates we charge to customers. Our utility rates are designed to recover our reasonable costs plus a fair investment return. We purchase electricity principally from our generation subsidiaries based on a competitive bidding process though the Korea Power Exchange.
We recognize electricity sales revenue based on power sold (transferred to the customer) up to the reporting date. To determine the amount of power sold, we make reasonable estimates on daily power volumes for residential, commercial, industrial and other uses. The differences between the current month’s estimated amounts and actual (meter-read) amounts are adjusted (trued-up) during the next month period.
Correction of Accounting for Fuel Cost Pass-through Adjustment
As of July 1, 2011, a new electricity tariff system approved by the Government took effect featuring a fuel cost pass-through adjustment (“FCPTA”). This system is intended to allow us to pass through fluctuations in fuel costs ultimately to customers. The FCPTA amount is determined based on a prior three-month period moving average of international fuel prices and other factors, and such amount is reflected two months later. On July 29, 2011, out of inflationary and other policy considerations, the Government issued a hold-order suspending us from billing or collecting the FCPTA amount from customers.
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Our accounting policy was to recognize unbilled fuel cost adjustments as assets under the IFRS Conceptual Framework when we concluded that it is probable that future economic benefits would flow to us. We had concluded that we controlled a resource as a result of past events from which future economic benefits were expected to flow to us. The Regulation for Electricity Service, which regulates the FCPTA system, provides a legal “resource” or right to bill where the costs we incur will result in future cash flows. The operation of the FCPTA system creates a right to charge rates in amounts that would permit us to recover the related costs, such amounts being subject to government approval. In addition, we relied on the authority of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, which regulates and approves the electricity tariff we charge to our customers, including the FCPTA system. As of December 31, 2011, we determined that it was probable that economic benefits associated with the unbilled fuel cost adjustments would be realizable based on the authority of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in setting and enforcing electricity rates for customers. Therefore, we concluded that as of December 31, 2011 it was probable that our unbilled FCPTA amount would be collected.
We previously recognized revenue and a receivable for the FCPTA amounts subject to the hold order in the amount of Won 357,085 million at December 31, 2011. However, we came to realize that our FCPTA rate regulatory scheme closely resembles a cost-of service scheme, and have therefore determined that the appropriate accounting for the unbilled FCPTA amounts is to reduce cost of sales by the unbilled FCPTA amounts and recognize a related non-financial asset by the same amount, which is more consistent with accounting policies for rate regulated assets of other standard setting bodies. In accordance with IAS 8—Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors, we used judgment in developing and applying an accounting policy that results in information that is relevant and reliable. In making that judgment, management considered pronouncements of other standard-setting bodies that use a similar conceptual framework to develop accounting standards, other accounting literature and accepted industry practices. We have concluded that the aforementioned error is immaterial, and corrected the accounting for our unbilled FCPTA amounts in our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011.
During the fourth quarter of 2012, we had further consultations with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy as to the outlook for the lifting the hold-order. Furthermore, on January 11, 2013, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy informed us that the FCPTA system needed to be reassessed in light of other factors such as the prolonged unbilled period since the announcement of the FCPTA system. We have therefore concluded that, in consideration of the prolonged unbilled period and recent consultations with, and information from, the Ministry, we would not be able to bill and collect the unbilled FCPTA amounts for the foreseeable future. As a result, we wrote off the entire unbilled FCPTA amounts of Won 1,877 billion recognized through December 31, 2012, including the unbilled FCPTA amounts as of December 31, 2011. As a result, there was no FCPTA amount remaining in the consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2013.
On May 21, 2014, for inflationary and other various policy considerations, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy abolished the FCPTA system altogether. As a result, there was no FCPTA amount remaining in the consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2014.
As for the accumulated and unbilled FCPTA amount, on the next occasion on which the Government raises the electricity tariff rates, we plan to consult with the Government and consider whether to reflect such FCPTA amount in our consolidated financial statements by adjusting the total electricity cost.
Derivative Instruments
We recognize rights and obligations arising from derivative instruments as assets and liabilities, which are stated at fair value. The gains and losses that result from the change in the fair value of derivative instruments are reported in current earnings. However, for derivative instruments designated as hedging the exposure of variable cash flows, the effective portions of the gains or losses on the hedging instruments are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and credited or charged to operations at the time the hedged transactions affect earnings, and the ineffective portions of the gains or losses are credited or charged immediately to operations.
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Significant management judgment is involved in determining the fair value of estimated derivative instruments. The estimates and assumptions used by our management to determine fair value can be impacted by many factors, such as the estimated discount factor derived from observable market data, credit risk of the counterparty and the estimated cash flow based on settlement period, interest convention, and other contract information of the derivative instruments.
As of December 31, 2012, we had Won 376 billion of net amounts as assets, and as of December 31, 2013, we had Won 614 billion of net amounts as liabilities. As of December 31, 2014, we had Won 168 billion of net amounts as liabilities. Changes in the estimated discount factor or cash flow, or changes in the assumptions and judgments by management underlying these estimates, may cause material revisions to the estimated total gain or loss effect of derivative instruments, which could have a material effect on the recorded asset or liability.
Decommissioning Costs
We recognize the fair value of estimated decommissioning costs as a liability in the period in which we incur a legal obligation associated with retirement of long-lived assets that result from acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the assets. We also recognize a corresponding asset that is depreciated over the life of the asset. Accretion expense consists of period-to-period changes in the liability for decommissioning costs resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows. Depreciation and accretion expenses are included in the cost of electric power in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Significant management judgment is involved in determining the fair value of estimated decommissioning costs. The estimates and assumptions used by our management to determine fair value can be impacted by many factors, such as the estimated decommissioning costs based on engineering studies commissioned and approved by the Korean government, and changes in assumed dates of decommissioning, inflation rate, discount rate, decommissioning technology, regulation and the general economy.
As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, we had a liability for decommissioning costs in the amounts of Won 11,913 billion, Won 12,348 billion and Won 13,234 billion, respectively. Changes in the estimated costs or timing of decommissioning, or changes in the assumptions and judgments by management underlying these estimates, may cause material revisions to the estimated total cost to decommission these facilities, which could have a material effect on the recorded liability. We used discount rates of 4.49%, 4.49% and 4.49% and inflation rates of 2.93%, 2.93% and 2.93% when calculating the decommissioning cost liability recorded as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. In addition, the following is a sensitivity analysis of the potential impact on decommissioning costs from a 0.10% increase or decrease in each of the inflation rate and the discount rate, assuming that all other aforementioned assumptions remain constant:
Increase (decrease) of liability for decommissioning costs
See Notes 26 and 45 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report for further related information.
Provision for Decontamination of Transformer
Under the Persistent Organic Pollutants Management Act which was enacted in 2007, we are required to remove the toxin polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”) from our transformers’ insulating oil by 2015. We are also required to inspect the PCB levels in our transformers and dispose of any PCBs in excess of established safety standards.
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As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, we had liabilities of Won 220 billion, Won 220 billion and Won 200 billion, respectively, for inspection and disposal costs related to the decontamination of existing transformers.
The estimates and assumptions used by our management to determine fair value can be affected by many factors, such as the estimated costs of inspection and disposal, inflation rate, discount rate, regulations and the general economy.
Changes in the estimated costs or changes in the assumptions and judgments underlying these estimates may cause material revisions to the estimated total costs, which could have a material effect on our recorded liability. When calculating the provision for the decontamination of our transformers, we used a discount rate of 4.92% and an inflation rate of 3.10% as of December 31, 2012, a discount rate of 4.92% and an inflation rate of 3.10% as of December 31, 2013 and a discount rate of 3.78% and an inflation rate of 2.79% as of December 31, 2014.
Deferred Tax Assets
In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets, our management considers whether it is probable that a portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of our deferred tax assets is dependent on whether we are able to generate future taxable income in specific tax jurisdictions during the periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Our management has scheduled the expected future reversals of the temporary differences and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. Based on these factors, our management believes that it is probable that we will realize the benefits of these temporary differences as of December 31, 2014. However, the amount of deferred tax assets that is realized may be different if we do not realize estimated future taxable income during the carry forward periods as originally expected.
In relation to the deferred tax assets recognized for tax loss, future taxable income is estimated considering the followings: (i) five-year mid-to long-term financial forecasts of earnings before tax approved by management and submitted to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, and (ii) average amount of tax adjustments for the recent three years. Based on the estimated amount and timing of future taxable profit, our management determined that all cumulative tax losses as of December 31, 2014 could be recognized as an asset.
For tax credits carried forward, similar to deferred tax assets recognized for tax loss, our management estimates the probability timing of future taxable profits in determining the probability of utilization of tax credits carried forward. In addition, our management considers the possible carry forward period and available tax credit or deductible temporary differences within the tax laws of each country in which the tax credits originated.
Similarly, our management also estimates the probability of utilization of temporary differences considering the probability of generating future taxable profits in the periods that the deductible temporary differences reverse. We do not recognize deferred tax assets for certain temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates, and interests in joint ventures considering future dividends or disposals.
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities at each separate taxpaying entity. Under IFRS, a deferred tax asset is recognized for temporary difference that will result in deductible amounts in future years and for carry forwards. If, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely that some or the entire portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized, that portion is deducted directly from the deferred tax asset.
We believe that the accounting estimate related to the realizability of deferred tax asset is a “critical accounting estimate” because: (i) 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 (ii) the difference between these assessments and the actual performance could have a material impact on the realization of tax benefits as reported in our results of operations. Management’s assumptions require significant judgment because actual performance has fluctuated in the past and may continue to do so.
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Useful Lives of Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are initially measured at cost and after initial recognition, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. The cost of property, plant and equipment includes expenditures arising directly from the construction or acquisition of the asset, any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management and the initial estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located.
Economic useful life is the duration of time the asset is expected to be productively employed by us, which may be less than its physical life. Management’s assumptions on the following factors, among others, affect the determination of estimated economic useful life: wear and tear, obsolescence, technical standards, changes in market demand and technological changes.
The estimated useful lives of our property, plant and equipment are as follows:
Buildings
Structures
Machinery
Vehicles
Loaded heavy water
Asset retirement costs
Finance lease assets
Ships
A component that is significant compared to the total cost of property, plant and equipment is depreciated over its separate useful life. Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at the end of each reporting date and adjusted, if appropriate. In 2012, we changed the estimated useful lives of certain buildings. As a result of the change in accounting estimate, depreciation expenses decreased by Won 57,378 million and Won 31,979 million in 2013 and 2014, respectively. In addition, we estimate that depreciation expense will decrease by Won 22,158 million in 2015.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
At the end of each reporting period, we review the carrying amounts of tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, we estimate the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Where a reasonable and consistent basis of allocation can be identified, corporate assets are also allocated to individual cash-generating units, or otherwise they are allocated to the smallest group of cash-generating units for which a reasonable and consistent allocation basis can be identified.
Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and intangible assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment at least annually, and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired. Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell or value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present values using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
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If the recoverable amount of an asset (or a cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or the cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognized immediately in income or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.
In the event that an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or a cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, ensuring that such carrying amount increase does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset (or the cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately in income or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.
The assessment of impairment is a critical accounting estimate, because significant management judgment is required to determine: (i) whether an indicator of impairment has occurred, (ii) how assets should be grouped, and (iii) the recoverable amount of the asset or asset group in the case of an impairment. If management’s assumptions about these assets change as a result of events or circumstances, and management believes the assets may have declined in value, we may record impairment charges, resulting in lower profits. Our management uses its best estimate in making these evaluations and considers various factors, including the future prices of energy, fuel costs and other operating costs. However, actual market prices and operating costs could vary from those used in the impairment evaluations, and the impact of such variations could be material. We performed impairment tests on individual asset of Garorim Tidal Power Plant Co., Ltd., a 49% owned subsidiary. Accordingly, we recognized the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount as impairment loss on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. See Note 18 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report for further information.
Accrual for Loss Contingencies for Legal Claims
We are involved in legal proceedings regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business. In relation to these matters, as of December 31, 2014, we were engaged in 652 lawsuits as a defendant and 157 lawsuits as a plaintiff. The total amount claimed against us was Won 563 billion and the total amount claimed by us was Won 314 billion as of December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, our provisions for these legal claims amounted to Won 200 billion. These provisions are adjusted when events or circumstances cause these judgments or estimates to change.
Actual amounts of our liabilities as determined upon settlement of legal claims or by final decisions of the courts in relation thereto may be substantially different from the amounts of provisions recognized or contingent liabilities disclosed. If the actual amounts are higher than the amounts of related provisions, the resulting additional liabilities would adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Consolidated Results of Operations
2014 Compared to 2013
In 2014, our consolidated sales, which is principally derived from the sale of electric power, increased by 6.3% to Won 57,123 billion from Won 53,713 billion in 2013, reflecting primarily a 4.7% increase in our average electricity tariff rates in 2014 compared to 2013 and a 0.58% increase in the volume of electricity sold from 474,849 gigawatt hours in 2013 to 477,592 gigawatt hours in 2014. For a discussion of the increase in our electricity tariff rates which are regulated by the Government, see Item 4B. “Business Overview—Sales and Customers—Electricity Rates.” The overall increase in the volume of electricity sold was primarily attributable to a 2.7% increase in the volume of electricity sold to the industrial sector, which represents the largest segment of electricity consumption in Korea, from 265,373 gigawatt hours in 2013 to 272,552 gigawatt hours in 2014, which was partially offset by a 1.4% decrease in the volume of electricity sold to the commercial sector from 102,196 gigawatt hours in 2013 to 100,761 gigawatt hours in 2014 and a 2.1% decrease in the volume of
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electricity sold to the residential sector from 65,815 gigawatt hours in 2013 to 64,457 gigawatt hours in 2014. The increase in the volume of electricity sold to the industrial sector was primarily due to the general increase in demand for electricity in this sector in Korea largely as a result of continued export-led growth of the Korean economy, which involved an increased industrial output and greater capacity utilization in industrial plants. The decreases in the volume of electricity sold to the commercial and residential sectors were largely due to weather conditions, including cooler summer and warmer winter in 2014 compared to 2013.
Our consolidated cost of sales, which is principally derived from the costs related to the purchase of fuels for generation of electricity and to a lesser extent, from the purchase of power from independent power producers, depreciation and salaries, decreased by 1.6% to Won 49,763 billion in 2014 from Won 50,596 billion in 2013, primarily due to a 14.9% decrease in fuel costs, which was partially offset by a 11.2% increase in purchased power, a 6.8% increase in depreciation, a 2.0% increase in salaries and a 18.2% increase in other cost of sales.
Fuel costs, which accounted for 41.4% and 47.8% of our consolidated cost of sales in 2014 and 2013, respectively, decreased by 14.9% to Won 20,595 billion in 2014 from Won 24,200 billion in 2013 largely due to a 13.7% decrease in unit fuel cost mainly resulting from the general decline in international market prices for our main fuel types, as well as an increased use of less expensive fuel sources such as nuclear power due to the resumption of three nuclear units in 2014. Purchased power, which accounted for 25.3% and 22.4% of our cost of sales in 2014 and 2013, respectively, increased by 11.2% to Won 12,602 billion in 2014 from Won 11,329 billion in 2013, primarily due to a 16.1% increase in the volume of power purchased from independent power producers (who generate electricity primarily through LNG-fired power plants), from 67,676 gigawatt hours in 2013 to 78,551 gigawatt hours in 2014, primarily due to an increase in installed generation capacity (such as from the Yulchon combined cycle unit) of independent power producers. Depreciation expense, excluding Won 957 billion and Won 825 billion in 2014 and in 2013, respectively arising from amortization of nuclear fuel charged to fuel costs aforementioned, increased by 5.6% to Won 6,763 billion in 2014 from Won 6,403 billion in 2013 primarily due to an increase of additional property, plant and equipment related to the construction of new generation facilities pursuant to our capital investment program.
Salaries recorded as cost of sales increased by 2.0% to Won 2,633 billion in 2014 from Won 2,583 billion in 2013 primarily due to an increase by base salary in tandem with the inflation rate. Other cost of sales increased by 17.9% to Won 7,169 billion in 2014 from Won 6,080 billion in 2013 primarily due to an increase in costs related to our nuclear complex construction projects in the United Arab Emirates.
As a cumulative result of the foregoing factors, our consolidated gross profit increased by 136.1% to Won 7,360 billion in 2014 from Won 3,117 billion in 2013, and our consolidated gross profit margin increased significantly to 12.9% in 2014 from 5.8% in 2013. The increases in our consolidated gross profit and consolidated gross profit margin were largely attributable to the 6.3% increase in our consolidated sales (which were primarily due to the 4.7% overall increase in the average electricity tariff rates) and the 1.7% decrease in our consolidated cost of sales (which was mainly due to the 14.9% decrease in fuel costs partially offset by the 11.2% increase in purchased power).
Our consolidated selling and administrative expenses slightly increased by 0.1% to Won 1,924 billion in 2014 from Won 1,923 billion in 2013, largely due to an increase in commission, which was substantially offset by a decrease in salaries recorded as selling and administrative expenses and a decrease in ordinary development expense.
Our consolidated other income, net of expenses, increased by 6.4% to Won 666 billion in 2014 from Won 626 billion in 2013, mainly as a result of an increase in compensation and reparation revenue and an increase in revenue related to the transfer of assets from customers, which were partially offset by a decrease in gains on electricity infrastructure development fund.
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Our consolidated net other gains decreased by 17.1% to Won 107 billion in 2014 from Won 129 billion in 2013, primarily as a result of an increase of impairment loss on property, plant and equipment. Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment increased largely due to impairment related to Garorim Tidal Power Plant Co., Ltd., a 49% owned subsidiary.
As a cumulative result of the foregoing factors, our consolidated operating profit increased more than threefold to Won 6,209 billion in 2014 from Won 1,948 billion in 2013, and our consolidated operating income margin increased significantly to 10.9% in 2014 from 3.6% in 2013. These increases were mainly due to the 6.3% increase in our consolidated sales and the 1.6% decrease in our consolidated cost of sales.
Our consolidated finance expenses, net, decreased by 2.0% to Won 2,255 billion in 2014 from Won 2,302 billion in 2013, primarily as a result of net gain on valuation of derivatives in 2014 compared to net loss in 2013 and net gain on foreign currency transaction in 2014 compared to net loss in 2013 which more than offset recording net losses in foreign currency translation in 2014 compared to net gains in 2013, which were largely as a result of the depreciation of Korean Won against the U.S. dollar in 2014.
We had consolidated profit of associates or joint ventures using equity method of Won 275 billion in 2014, compared to consolidated loss of associates or joint ventures using equity method of Won 42 billion in 2013, primarily as a result of an increase in profit of Korea Gas Corporation.
As a cumulative result of the foregoing factors, our consolidated income before income taxes increased significantly to Won 4,229 billion in 2014 from Won 396 billion in 2013.
Our income tax expense increased significantly to Won 1,430 billion in 2014 from Won 571 billion in 2013, largely as a result of an increase in our profit before income taxes, which was partially offset by an increase in adjustments related to unrealized deferred tax assets. See Note 41 to our financial statements included in this annual report. Our effective tax expense (benefit) rate, which represents tax expense (benefit) as a percentage of profit (loss) before income taxes, decreased from 144.0% in 2013 to 33.8% in 2014 primarily due to the effect of recognition of deferred tax assets in relation to amounts received from customers regarding installation and use of facilities required for electricity supply in 2013. In 2014, the effective tax rate was higher than the statutory rate of 24.2%, primarily due to the recognition of deferred tax liabilities regarding our investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures primarily in connection with taxable temporary differences related to undistributed earnings.
As a cumulative result of the above factors, our consolidated profit increased significantly to Won 2,799 billion in 2014 from Won 174 billion in 2013. Our consolidated net profit margin also increased significantly to 4.9% in 2014 from 0.3% in 2013. Our profit attributable to the owners of the company was Won 2,687 billion in 2014 from Won 60 billion attributable to the owners of the company in 2013.
We had consolidated other comprehensive loss of Won 358 billion in 2014 compared to consolidated other comprehensive income of Won 186 billion in 2013, largely as a result of decreased actuarial gains on retirement benefit obligations, net of tax (related to changes in future salary increases), valuation gains on available-for-sale securities (primarily Korea District Heating Corp.) and gains on valuation of derivatives using cash flow hedge accounting, share in other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures, net of tax.
As a cumulative result of the above factors, our consolidated total comprehensive income increased significantly Won 2,441 billion in 2014 from Won 360 billion in 2013.
2013 Compared to 2012
In 2013, our consolidated sales, which is principally derived from the sale of electric power, increased by 9.3% to Won 53,713 billion from Won 49,121 billion in 2012, reflecting primarily a 7.3% overall increase in our
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average electricity tariff rates in 2013 (as a result of a 4.0% increase effective January 14, 2013 and a 5.4% increase effective November 21, 2013) and a 1.8% increase in the volume of electricity sold from 466,593 gigawatt hours in 2012 to 474,849 gigawatt hours in 2013. The overall increase in the volume of electricity sold was primarily attributable to a 2.8% increase in the volume of electricity sold to the industrial sector, which represents the largest segment of electricity consumption in Korea, from 258,102 gigawatt hours in 2012 to 265,373 gigawatt hours in 2013, and, to a lesser extent, a 0.6% increase in the volume of electricity sold to the commercial sector from 101,593 gigawatt hours in 2012 to 102,196 gigawatt hours in 2013 and a 0.5% increase in the volume of electricity sold to the residential sector, from 65,484 gigawatt hours in 2012 to 65,815 gigawatt hours in 2013. The increase in the volume of electricity sold to the industrial sector was primarily due to the general increase in demand for electricity in this sector in Korea largely as a result of continued export-led growth of the Korean economy, which involved an increased industrial output and greater capacity utilization in industrial plants. For a discussion of the increase in our electricity tariff rates, see Item 4B. “Business Overview—Sales and Customers—Electricity Rates.”
Our consolidated cost of sales, which is principally derived from the costs related to the purchase of fuels for generation of electricity and to a lesser extent, from the purchase of power from independent power producers, depreciation and salaries, increased by 4.4% to Won 50,596 billion in 2013 from Won 48,459 billion in 2012, primarily due to a 1.6% increase in fuel costs, a 15.6% increase in purchased power and a 5.6% increase in depreciation, which were partially offset by a 3.0% decrease in salaries and a 1.4% decrease in other cost of sales.
Fuel costs, which accounted for 47.8% and 49.2% of our consolidated cost of sales in 2013 and 2012, respectively, increased to Won 24,200 billion in 2013 from Won 23,823 billion in 2012 largely due to an increased use of more expensive fuel sources such as LNG due to the extended suspension of three of our nuclear units related to quality assurance issues, which was partially offset by a 2.6% decrease in unit fuel cost mainly resulting from the general decline in international market prices for our main fuel types. Purchased power, which accounted for 22.4% and 20.2% of our cost of sales in 2013 and 2012, respectively, increased by 15.6% to Won 11,329 billion in 2013 from Won 9,801 billion in 2012, primarily due to a 12.1% increase in the volume of power purchased from independent power producers (who generate electricity primarily through LNG-fired power plants), from 60,392 gigawatt hours in 2012 to 67,676 gigawatt hours in 2013, primarily to compensate for the shortfall in the supply of electricity due to the higher than anticipated rise in demand for electricity in 2013 as well as extended suspension of three of our nuclear units related to quality assurance issues. Depreciation expense, excluding Won 825 billion and Won 771 billion in 2013 and in 2012, respectively arising from amortization of nuclear fuel charged to fuel costs aforementioned, increased by 5.4% to Won 6,403 billion in 2013 from Won 6,075 billion in 2012 primarily due to an increase of additional property, plant and equipment related to the construction of new generation facilities pursuant to our capital investment program.
Salaries recorded as cost of sales decreased by 3.0% to Won 2,583 billion in 2013 from Won 2,662 billion in 2012 primarily due to a decrease in performance pay. Other remaining items of our cost of sales decreased to Won 6,080 billion in 2013 from Won 6,098 billion in 2012 primarily due to a decrease in provision for decommissioning costs of our nuclear facilities.
As a cumulative result of the foregoing factors, our consolidated gross profit increased significantly to Won 3,117 billion in 2013 from Won 661 billion in 2012, and our consolidated gross profit margin increased significantly to 5.8% in 2013 from 1.3% in 2012. The increases in our consolidated gross profit and consolidated gross profit margin were largely attributable to the 9.3% increase in our consolidated sales (which were due to the 7.3% overall increase in the average electricity tariff rates and, to a lesser extent, the 1.8% increase in the volume of electricity sold), which was partially offset by the 4.4% increase in our consolidated cost of sales (which was mainly due to the 15.6% increase in purchased power and, to a lesser extent, the 1.6% increase in fuel costs and the 5.6% increase in depreciation expense).
Our consolidated selling and administrative expenses increased by 8.0% to Won 1,923 billion in 2013 from Won 1,780 billion in 2012, primarily as a result of increases in depreciation and commissions, which increased by Won 22 billion and Won 67 billion, respectively.
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Our consolidated other income, net of expenses, increased by 4.2% to Won 626 billion in 2013 from Won 600 billion in 2012, mainly as a result of an increase in insurance compensations and an increase in contributions from the Electric Power Industry Basis Fund, which was partially offset by an increase in donations for educational and other purposes.
We had consolidated other gains, net, of Won 129 billion in 2013 compared to consolidated other losses, net, of Won 1,782 billion in 2012, primarily as a result of a write-off in 2012 of our accumulated but unbilled fuel cost-based adjustment amounts. (See Item 5A. “Operating Results—Critical Accounting Policies—Correction of Accounting for Fuel Cost Pass-through Adjustment”). Other profit is mainly composed of gain or loss from disposal of assets and inventories, among others.
As a cumulative result of the foregoing factors, we had consolidated operating profit of Won 1,948 billion in 2013 compared to consolidated operating loss of Won 2,300 billion in 2012, and our consolidated operating profit margin was 3.6% in 2013 compared to an operating loss margin of 4.7% in 2012. These turnarounds were mainly due to the 9.3% increase in our consolidated sales, which was partially offset by the 4.4% increase in our consolidated cost of sales.
Our consolidated finance expenses, net of income, increased by 18.7% to Won 2,302 billion in 2013 from Won 1,940 billion in 2012, primarily as a result of a decrease in net gains on foreign currency translation, and an increase in net interest expense, which was partially offset by a decrease in net losses on valuation of derivatives.
We had consolidated loss of associates or joint ventures using equity method of Won 42 billion in 2013, compared to consolidated profit of associates or joint ventures using equity method of Won 177 billion in 2012, primarily as a result of decreased profits from Korea Gas Corporation mainly due to an impairment loss on intangible assets.
As a cumulative result of the foregoing factors, our consolidated loss before income taxes significantly decreased to Won 396 billion in 2013 from Won 4,063 billion in 2012.
Our income tax benefit decreased by 42.1% to Won 571 billion in 2013 from Won 985 billion in 2012, largely as a result of a decrease in our loss before income taxes, which was partially offset by an increase in adjustments related to unrealized deferred tax assets. See Note 41 to our financial statements included in this annual report. Our effective tax benefit rate, which represents tax benefit as a percentage of loss before income taxes, increased from 24.3% in 2012 to 144.0% in 2013 primarily due to the effect of recognition of deferred tax assets in relation to amounts received from customers regarding installation and use of facilities required for electricity supply.
As a cumulative result of the above factors, we had consolidated profit of Won 174 billion in 2013, compared to consolidated loss of Won 3,078 billion in 2012. Our consolidated net profit margin was 0.3% in 2013 compared to consolidated net loss margin of 6.3% in 2012. Our profit attributable to the owners of the company was Won 60 billion in 2013, compared to loss of Won 3,167 billion attributable to the owners of the company in 2012.
We had consolidated other comprehensive income of Won 186 billion in 2013 compared to consolidated other comprehensive loss of Won 322 billion in 2012, largely as a result of positive changes in actuarial gains or losses on retirement benefit obligations, net of tax (related to changes in future salary increases), gains on valuation of derivatives using cash flow hedge accounting, share in other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures, net of tax. Furthermore, there were valuation gains on available-for-sale securities of LG Uplus Corp. and Korea District Heating Corp. in 2013.
As a cumulative result of the above factors, we had consolidated total comprehensive income of Won 360 billion in 2013, compared to consolidated total comprehensive loss of Won 3,400 billion in 2012.
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Inflation
The effects of inflation in Korea on our financial condition and results of operations are reflected primarily in construction costs as well as in labor expenses. Inflation in Korea has not had a significant impact on our results of operations in recent years. It is possible that inflation in the future may have an adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Segment Results
We operate the following business segments: transmission and distribution, nuclear power generation and thermal power generation and all others. The transmission and distribution segment, which is operated by KEPCO, the parent company, consists of operations related to the transmission, distribution and sale to end-users of electricity purchased from our generation subsidiaries as well as from independent power producers. The power generation segment, which is operated by our one nuclear generation subsidiary and five thermal generation subsidiaries, consists of operations related to the generation of electricity sold to KEPCO through the Korea Power Exchange. The transmission and distribution segment and the power generation segment together represent our electricity business. The remainder of our operation is categorized as “all others.” The all other segment consists primarily of operations related to the plant maintenance and engineering service, information services, and sales of nuclear fuel, communication line leasing, overseas businesses and others. In 2012, 2013 and 2014 the unaffiliated revenues of the power generation segment (representing the six generation subsidiaries) and all our other revenues in the aggregate amounted to only 2.5%, 2.6% and 2.8% of our consolidated revenues, respectively, and the results of operations for our business segments substantially mirror our consolidated results of operations. For further information, see Note 4 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.
Item 5B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
We expect that our capital requirements, capital resources and liquidity position may change in the course of implementing the Restructuring Plan. See Item 4B. “—Business Overview—Restructuring of the Electric Power Industry in Korea” and Item 3D. “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to KEPCO— The Government may adopt policy measures to substantially restructure the Korean electric power industry or our operational structure, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and profitability.”
Capital Requirements
We anticipate that the following represent the major sources of our capital requirements in the short-term to intermediate future:
capital expenditures pursuant to our capital investment program;
working capital requirements, the largest component of which is fuel purchases;
payment of principal and interest on our existing debt; and
overseas investments.
In addition, if there were to occur unanticipated material changes to the Restructuring Plan, the Basic Plan or other major policy initiatives of the Government relating to the electric power industry, or natural disasters, such developments may require a significant amount of additional capital requirements.
Capital Expenditures
We anticipate that capital expenditures will be the most significant use of our funds for the next several years. Our capital expenditures relate primarily to the construction of new generation units, maintenance of existing generation units and expansion of our transmission and distribution systems. Our capital expenditures
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generally follow budgets established under the Basic Plan Relating to the Long-Term Supply and Demand of Electricity, which contains projections relating to the supply and demand of electricity of Korea based on which we plan the construction of additional generation units and transmission systems. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Capital Investment Program” for a further description of our capital investment program.
Our total capital expenditures for the construction of generation, transmission and distribution facilities were Won 12,748 billion, Won 15,831 billion and Won 16,629 billion in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and under our current budgets, are estimated to be approximately Won 17,269 billion, Won 14,917 billion and Won 14,873 billion in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. We plan to finance our capital expenditures primarily through issuance of securities in the capital markets, borrowings from financial institutions and construction grants.
In order to deal with shortage of fuel and other resources and also to comply with various environmental standards, in 2012 the Government has adopted the Renewable Portfolio Standard program, which replaces the Renewable Portfolio Agreement which was in effect from 2006 to 2011. Under the Renewable Portfolio Standard program, each generation subsidiary is required to generate a specified percentage of total electricity to be generated by such generation subsidiary in a given year in the form of renewable energy, with the target percentage being 2.5% in 2013 and 3.0% in 2014 and incrementally increasing to 10.0% by 2024. The current budgeted amount of capital expenditure for implementation of the Renewable Portfolio Standard program as currently planned for the period from 2014 to 2024 is approximately Won 14.8 trillion. We expect that such additional capital expenditure will be covered by a corresponding increase in electricity tariff. However, there is no assurance that the Government will in fact raise the electricity tariff to a level sufficient to fully cover such additional capital expenditures or at all. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Environmental Programs” for a further description of the Renewable Portfolio Standard and our related past capital expenditures.
Fuel Purchases
We require significant funds to finance our operations, principally in relation to the purchase of fuels by our generation subsidiaries for generation of electricity. In 2012, 2013 and 2014, fuel costs accounted for 48.5%, 45.1% and 36.1% of our sales and 49.2%, 47.8% and 41.4% of our cost of sales, respectively. We plan to fund our fuel purchases primarily with net operating cash, although in cases of rapid increases in fuel prices as is the case from time to time, we may also rely on borrowings from financial institutions and issuance of debt securities in the capital markets.
Repayment of Existing Debt
Payments of principal and interest on indebtedness will require considerable resources. The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of the outstanding interest-paying debt (excluding issue discounts and premium) before accounting for swap transactions of us and our six wholly-owned generation subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 for each year from 2015 to 2019 and thereafter. As of December 31, 2014, such debt represented 97.7% of our outstanding debt on a consolidated basis.
Year endedDecember 31
2019
Thereafter
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We and our six wholly-owned generation subsidiaries incurred interest charges (including capitalized interest) in relation to our interest-paying debt of Won 2,927 billion, Won 3,084 billion and Won 3,121 billion in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. We anticipate that interest charges will increase in future years because of, among other factors, anticipated increases in our long-term debt. See “—Capital Resources” below. The weighted average rates of interest on our and our six wholly-owned generation subsidiaries’ debt were 4.65%, 4.11% and 3.93% in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Overseas Investments
As part of our revenue diversification and fuel procurement strategy, we plan to continue to make overseas investments on a selective basis, which will be funded primarily through foreign currency-denominated borrowings and debt securities issuances as well as net operating cash from such projects.
Capital Resources
We have traditionally met our working capital and other capital requirements primarily from net cash provided by operating activities, issuance of debt securities and borrowings from financial institutions. Net cash provided by operating activities is primarily a function of electricity sales and fuel purchases and is also affected by increases and decreases in trade receivables, trade payables and inventory related to electricity sales and fuel purchases. Net cash provided by operating activities was Won 3,917 billion, Won 6,884 billion and Won 12,046 billion in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, our long-term debt (excluding the current portion but including issue discounts and premium), before accounting for swap transactions, amounted to Won 45,525 billion, Won 52,801 billion and Won 55,720 billion, respectively, representing 89.1%, 102.6% and 101.6% of shareholders’ equity, respectively, as of such dates. As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the current portions of our long-term debt were Won 7,005 billion, Won 7,508 billion and Won 6,446 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, our short-term borrowings amounted to Won 689 billion, Won 579 billion and Won 659 billion, respectively. See Note 23 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report. Total long-term debt (including the current portion but excluding issue discounts and premium), before accounting for swap transactions, as of December 31, 2014 was Won 62,300 billion, of which Won 49,518 billion was denominated in Won and an equivalent of Won 12,782 billion was denominated in foreign currencies, primarily U.S. dollars. In addition, we, KHNP and KOWEPO also maintain U.S. dollar-denominated global medium-term note programs in the aggregate amount of US$10 billion, of which approximately US$3.3 billion remains currently available for future drawdown. KOSEP also maintains an A$2 billion Australian dollar medium-term note program, of which approximately A$1.7 billion remains current available for future drawdown.”
Subject to the implementation of our capital expenditure plan and the sale of our interests in our generation subsidiaries and other subsidiaries, our long-term debt may increase or decrease in future years. Until recently, a significant portion of our long-term debt was raised through foreign currency-denominated borrowings. Our foreign currency-denominated long-term debt (including the current portion but excluding issue discounts and premium), before accounting for swap transactions, amounted to Won 12,648 billion and Won 12,782 billion as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
Our ability to incur long-term debt in the future is subject to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, the implementation of the Restructuring Plan and the amount of capital that other Korean entities may seek to raise in capital markets. Economic, political and other conditions in Korea may also affect investor demand for our securities and those of other Korean entities. In addition, our ability to incur debt will also be affected by the Government’s policies relating to foreign currency borrowings, the liquidity of the Korean capital markets and our operating results and financial condition. In case of adverse developments in Korea, the price at which such financing may be available may not be acceptable to us.
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We incur our short-term borrowings primarily through commercial papers sold to domestic financial institutions. We have not had, and we do not expect to have, any material difficulties in obtaining short-term borrowings. In addition, in order to prepare for potential liquidity shortage, we maintain several credit facilities with domestic financial institutions amounting to Won 2,655 billion and US$5,181 million, the full amount of which was available as of December 31, 2014.
We may raise capital from time to time through the issuance of equity securities. However, there are certain restrictions on our ability to issue equity, including limitations on shareholdings by foreigners. In addition, without changes in the existing KEPCO Act which requires that the Government, directly or pursuant to the Korea Development Bank Act, through Korea Development Bank, own at least 51% of our capital stock, it may be difficult or impossible for us to undertake any equity financing other than sales of treasury stock without the participation of the Government. Even if we are able to conduct equity financing with the participation of the Government, prevailing market conditions may be such that we may not be able conduct equity financing on terms that are commercially acceptable to us. See Item 3D. “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Korea and the Global Economy.”
Our total shareholders’ equity increased by 6.6% from Won 51,451 billion as of December 31, 2013 to Won 54,825 billion as of December 31, 2014, mainly as a result of an increase in total comprehensive income and a disposal of our treasury shares for an aggregate consideration of Won 856 billion.
Liquidity
Our liquidity is substantially affected by our construction expenditures and fuel purchases. Construction in progress increased by 18.0% from Won 27,334 billion as of December 31, 2013 to Won 32,256 billion as of December 31, 2014. Fuel costs decreased by 14.9% to Won 20,595 billion in 2014 from Won 24,200 billion in 2013.
Our cash flows are also impacted by other factors. Our net cash provided by operating activities increased by 75.0% from Won 6,884 billion in 2013 to Won 12,046 billion in 2014. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities in 2014 compared to 2013 was mainly due to an increase in cash collected from our customers in tandem with increases in electricity tariff rates and the sales volume and in 2014 compared to 2013 and the decrease in the unit cost of coal, LNG and oil in 2014 compared to 2013, which in turn led to a decrease in cash paid for fuels. Our cash flows from investing activities are affected by acquisitions of property, plant and equipment. Our net cash used in investing activities remained largely stable from Won 14,503 billion in 2013 to Won 14,460 billion in 2014. Our cash flows from financing activities are mainly affected by borrowings and issuance of debt securities and repayment thereof, as well as dividends paid. Our net cash used in financing activities decreased by 75.0% from Won 7,933 billion in 2013 to Won 1,985 billion in 2014, largely due to reduced borrowing and increased repayments as part of our debt reduction program.
Due to the capital-intensive nature of our business as well as significant volatility in fuel prices, from time to time we operate with working capital deficits, and we may have substantial working capital deficits in the future. As of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, we had a working capital deficit of Won 4,884 billion, Won 4,945 billion and Won 4,780 billion, respectively. We have traditionally met our working capital and other capital requirements primarily with net cash provided by operating activities, issuance of debt securities, borrowings from financial institutions and construction grants. We also incur short-term borrowings primarily through commercial papers sold to domestic financial institutions. We have not had, and we do not expect to have, any material difficulties in obtaining short-term borrowings. See “—Capital Resources.”
We may face liquidity concerns in the case of sudden and sharp depreciation of the Won against major foreign currencies or depreciation over a sustained period of time. While substantially all of our revenues are denominated in Won, we pay for substantially all of our fuel purchases in foreign currencies and a substantial portion of our long-term debt is denominated in foreign currencies, and payment of principal and interest thereon is made in foreign currencies. In the past, we have incurred foreign currency debt principally due to the limited
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availability and the high cost of Won-denominated financing in Korea. However, in light of the increasing sophistication of the Korean capital markets and the recent increase in Won liquidity in the Korean financial markets, we plan to reduce the portion of our debt which is denominated in foreign currencies although we intend to continue to raise certain amounts of capital through long-term foreign currency debt for purposes of maintaining diversity in our funding sources as well as paying for overseas investments and fuel procurements in foreign currencies. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 20.5% of our long-term debt (including the current portion but excluding issue discounts and premium) before accounting for swap transactions was denominated in currencies other than Won.
We enter into currency swaps and other hedging arrangements with respect to our debt denominated in foreign currencies only to a limited extent due primarily to the limited size of the Korean market for such derivative arrangements. Such instruments include combined currency and interest rate swap agreements, interest rate swaps and foreign exchange agreements. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments in order to hedge market risk resulting from fluctuations in fuel costs. Our policy is to hold or issue derivative financial instruments for hedging purposes only. Our derivative financial instruments are entered into with major financial institutions, thereby minimizing the risk of credit loss. See Note 11 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.
We did not pay dividends in respect of fiscal year 2012 as we did not have net income for such year. We paid dividends of Won 90 per share in respect of fiscal year 2013. On April 24, 2015, we paid dividends of Won 500 per share in respect of fiscal year 2014.
Other
Our operations are materially affected by the policies and actions of the Government. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Regulation.”
Item 5C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
Research and Development
Our research and development program is focused on developing advanced electric power, renewable energy, smart grid and customer-friendly electricity service technologies that will enable us to become a global leader in the energy industry. In order to achieve our corporate vision of becoming a “Smart Energy Creator” in 2014, we adopted the KEPCO Technology Strategy, which emphasizes enhanced technological convergence and customer service. As part of such strategy, we seek to develop (i) clean and smart energy technology, including in relation to low carbon emission in power generation, (ii) an efficient and intelligent power transmission and distribution grid system, (iii) technology that will enhance efficiency and responsiveness to consumer’s electricity consumption patterns, and (iv) improvements in information, communication and technology (“ICT”) for enhanced customer service.
In 2015, consistent with the Government guidelines, we plan to invest approximately 0.54% of our annual revenue in the research and development of green and smart technologies, particularly with a focus on the following 12 areas: integrated gasification combined cycle for synthetic natural gas production, carbon capture and storage, offshore wind power, offshore energy development, high voltage direct currents, super conductor, smart grid, micro grid, demand responsive and energy efficiency applications, power ICT solutions, super-critical CO2 power generation systems and energy storage systems.
Our high-priority “green and smart energy” projects currently include the following:
acquiring integrated gasified process technology;
establishing high-tech smart grid and micro grid test beds in Jeju Island;
developing highly efficient absorbents for carbon capture;
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commercializing offshore wind power plants;
obtaining high-voltage direct currents technology suitable for domestic operation; and
experimental testing of large-scale electricity storage systems with capacities ranging from four to eight megawatts.
Our research and development activities also focus on the following:
in the thermal power generation sector, reducing the greenhouse effect, enhancing efficiency and reducing cost in power plant construction and operation as well as in our plant maintenance, including through improvements in damage analysis and environment-friendly inspections;
in the renewable energy sector, enhancing efficiency, lowering costs of power generation, identifying new energy sources and exploring new business opportunities;
in the electric power system sector, enhancing the stability and reliability in the operation of our electric power grid as well as enhancing efficiency in electricity distribution, including through build-out of large-sized electricity storage facilities and superconducting transmission cable grids, introducing preventive maintenance measures for substations and developing technologies related to system automation, power utilization and power line communication;
in the customer service sector, developing technologies enabling a greater range of business opportunities and heightened customer service in anticipation of the upcoming rollout of the smart grid system; and
in the technological convergence sector, identifying new business opportunities through convergence among technologies and businesses and maximizing synergy from such convergence in tandem with the promotion of creative economy in Korea as well as globally.
In addition, we cooperate closely with several other electric utility companies and research institutes, both foreign and domestic, on various projects to diversify the scope and scale of our research and development activities.
We invested Won 327 billion, Won 640 billion and Won 638 billion in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and currently plan to invest Won 861 billion in 2015, on research and development. Our current focus in research and development is primarily in the area of ICT-based smart energy technological development. We had 1,144 employees engaged in research and development activities as of December 31, 2014. As a result of our research, we currently have 2,845 registered patents and 2,244 patent applications outstanding in Korea and abroad. In addition, we plan to establish a management infrastructure that will facilitate the development of high value-added intellectual properties. We also seek opportunities to market our technologies overseas.
Item 5D. Trend Information
Trends, uncertainties and events which could have a material impact on our sales, liquidity and capital resources are discussed above in Item 5A. “Operating Results” and Item 5B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Item 5E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no significant off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2014.
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Item 5F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
The following summarizes certain of the contractual obligations of us and our six wholly-owned generation subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on liquidity and cash flow in future periods.
Contractual Obligations(1)
Long-term debt(2)
Short-term borrowings
Interest payments(3)
For a description of our commercial commitments and contingent liabilities, see Note 50 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.
We entered into a power purchase agreement with GS EPS Co., Ltd. and three other independent power producers, under which we are required to purchase all electricity generated by these companies to the extent such electricity is traded through the Korea Power Exchange. The purchase prices for such electricity are predetermined under the power purchase agreements, subject to annual adjustments. We purchased power from these companies in the amounts of Won 2,988 billion, Won 2,897 billion and Won 1,980 billion in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
We have entered into contracts with domestic and foreign suppliers to purchase bituminous coal and anthracite coal. Although we meet our coal requirements primarily through purchases in spot markets, substantial amounts of such requirements are also met through purchases under long-term supply contracts. Under our long-term supply contracts, purchase prices are adjusted periodically based on prevailing market conditions. We currently purchase all our LNG requirements from Korea Gas Corporation, a related party. We have also entered into long-term transportation contracts with Hanjin Shipping Co., Ltd. and others.
We import all uranium ore concentrates from sources outside Korea (including the United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, France, Germany, Niger, Canada, Japan and Australia) through medium- to long-term contracts and pay for such concentrates with currencies other than Won, primarily U.S. dollars. Contract prices for processing of uranium are generally based on market prices. See Note 49 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements for further details of these contracts.
Under the Long-term Transmission and Substation Plan approved by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, we are liable for the construction of all of our power transmission facilities and the maintenance and repair expenses for such facilities.
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Payment guarantee and short-term credit facilities from financial institutions as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Payment guarantee
Description
Financial Institutions
Payment of import letter of credits
Inclusive credits
Performance guarantees on guarantees
Guarantees for bid
Warranty bond and others
Trade finance
Other guarantees
Overdraft and Others
Overdraft
Commercial paper
Limit amount available for card
Loan limit
Repayment guarantees for foreign currency debentures
We provide a performance guarantee related to a construction contract to Kookmin Bank. Such guarantee is not recognized as a provision for financial guarantee because such performance guarantee does not meet the definition of a financial guarantee contract under IFRS.
We have borrowings of Won 22.5 billion from Long Lasting Value (“LLV”) as of December 31, 2014. LLV obtains loans from major stockholders, such as Samsung Life Insurance, and lends the money to other third parties. We guarantee secured payments to the major stockholders of LLV, such as payment of principal, tax, commissions, etc., with a limit of Won 23.9 billion.
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In order to secure our status as a shareholder of Navanacom Electric Co., Ltd., we have signed a fund supplement contract. According to the contract, in case Navanacom Electric Co., Ltd. does not have sufficient funds for its operation or repayment of borrowings, we bear a payment obligation in proportion to our ownership.
Existing guarantees provided by us to our associates and joint ventures as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
Primary Guarantor(Providing Company)
Secondary Guarantor(Provided Company)
Type ofGuarantees
Guarantee (FinalProvided Company)
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104
KEPCO E&C
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KOSEP USA, INC.
KEPCO KPS
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Other than as described in this annual report and also in Notes 47 and 50 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report, we did not have any other material credit lines and guarantee commitments provided to any third parties as of December 31, 2014.
We are subject to legal proceedings. For a description of our legal proceedings, see Item 8A. “Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Legal Proceedings.”
Item 6A. Directors and Senior Management
Board of Directors
Under the KEPCO Act, the Public Agencies Management Act and our Articles of Incorporation, our board of directors, which is required to consist of not more than 15 directors, including the president, is vested with the authority over our management.
Pursuant to our Articles of Incorporation and the Public Agencies Management Act, we have two types of directors: standing directors (sangim-isa in Korean) and non-standing directors (bisangim-isa in Korean). The standing directors refer to our directors who serve their positions in full-time capacity. Many of our standing directors concurrently hold executive positions with us or our subsidiaries. The non-standing directors refer to our directors who do not serve their positions in full-time capacity. The non-standing directors currently do not hold any executive positions with us or our subsidiaries.
Under our Articles of Incorporation, there may not be more than seven standing directors, including our president, and more than eight non-standing directors. The number of standing directors, including our president, may not exceed the number of non-standing directors. A senior non-standing director appointed by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance becomes our chairman of the board following the review and resolution of the Public Agencies Operating Committee.
Our president is appointed by the President of the Republic upon the motion of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy following the nomination by our director nomination committee, the review and resolution of the Public Agencies Operating Committee pursuant to the Public Agencies Management Act and an approval at the general meeting of our shareholders. Our controller & auditor general is appointed by the President of the Republic upon the motion of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance following the nomination by our director nomination committee, the review and resolution of the Public Agencies Operating Committee pursuant to the Public Agencies Management Act and an approval at the general meeting of our shareholders. Standing directors (other than our president and controller & auditor general) are appointed by our president with the approval at the general meeting of our shareholders.
On January 24, 2011, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy changed the designation of our generation subsidiaries from “other public institutions” to “market-oriented public enterprises.” As “other public institutions” under the provisions of the Public Agencies Management Act, our generation subsidiaries were not subject to the same regulations applicable to us with regards to corporate governance matters such as the appointment and dismissal of directors and the composition of the boards of directors. However, as market-oriented public enterprises, our generation subsidiaries are currently subject to the same corporate governance rules applicable to us. All of our generation subsidiaries accordingly amended their respective articles of incorporation in 2011 and are currently generally subject to the same system of regulations applicable to us.
The non-standing directors must be appointed by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance following the review and resolution of the Public Agencies Operating Committee from a pool of candidates recommended by the director nomination committee and must have ample knowledge and experience in business management. Government officials that are not part of the teaching staff in national and public schools are ineligible to become our non-standing directors. Our president serves as our chief executive officer and represents us and administers
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our day-to-day business in all matters and bears the responsibility for the management’s performance. The term of our president is three years, while that of our directors is two years. According to the Public Agencies Management Act, our president’s term cannot be terminated unless done so by the President of the Republic pursuant to the Public Agencies Management Act or upon an event as specified in our Articles of Incorporation.
Attendance by a majority of the board members constitutes a voting quorum for our board meetings, and resolutions can be passed by a majority of the board members. In the event the president acts in violation of law or the Articles of Incorporation, is negligent in his duties, or otherwise is deemed to be significantly impeded in performing his official duties as chief executive officer, the board of directors may by resolution request the minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to dismiss or recommend the dismissal of the president.
Non-standing directors may request any information necessary to fulfill their duties from the chief executive officer, and except in special circumstances, the chief executive officer must comply with such request.
The names, titles and outside occupations, if any, of the directors as of March 31, 2015 and the respective years in which they took office are set forth below.
Name
Title
Outside Occupation
Position Held Since
Cho, Hwan-Eik
Ahn, Hong-Ryoul
Park, Kyu-Ho
Park, Jung-Keun
Baek, Seung-Jung
Kim, Byung-Sook
Chang, Jae-Won
Cho, Jeon-Hyeok
Lee, Kang-Hee
Chung, Hae-Joo
Koo, Ja-Yoon
Ahn, Choong-Yong
Choi, Gyo-Il
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Sung, Tae-Hyun
Non-Standing Director
and Member of the
Audit Committee
Choi, Ki-Ryun
Cho, Hwan-Eik has been our President, Chief Executive Officer and Standing Director since December 17, 2012. Prior to his current position, he served as Chair-professor at Hanyang University, President of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, CEO of Korea Export Insurance Corporation and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Commerce. Mr. Cho received a Ph.D. in business administration from Hanyang University.
Ahn, Hong-Ryoul has been our Standing Director and member of the Audit Committee since December 27, 2013. Mr. Ahn currently serves as auditor of Korea Hemophilia Foundation. Prior to his current position, he served as attorney at Ahn, Hong-Ryoul Law Firm and public prosecutor at Busan District Public Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. Ahn received a B.A. in law from Seoul National University.
Park, Kyu-Ho has been our Standing Director since June 18, 2013. Mr. Park also currently serves as our Executive Vice President of Domestic Operations and previously served as our Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Busan District Division and Head of our Beijing office. Mr. Park received an M.B.A. from Korea University.
Park, Jung-Keun has been our Standing Director since October 29, 2013. Mr. Park also currently serves as our Executive Vice President of Overseas Operations and previously served as our Vice President of Personnel & General Affairs Department, Vice President of International Strategy Office and Vice President of Procurement & Contract Department. Mr. Park received a B.A. in economics from Chung-Ang University.
Baek, Seung-Jung has been our Standing Director since June 18, 2013. Mr. Baek also currently serves as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and previously served as Chief Human Resources Officer, Vice President of Audit & Inspection Office and Vice President of Daegu-Gyeongbuk District Division. Mr. Baek received an M.A. in economics from Kyungpook National University.
Kim, Byung-Sook has been our Standing Director since June 18, 2013. Mr. Kim also currently serves as our Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer and previously served as the Vice President of KEPCO Research Institute, Vice President of Technology Policy & Planning Department and Vice President of Distribution Construction Department. Mr. Kim received a Ph.D in electrical engineering from Chonbuk National University.
Chang, Jae-Won has been our Standing Director since March 31, 2015. Mr. Chang also currently serves as our Executive Vice President and Chief Power Grid Officer and previously served as our Vice President of Transmission & Substation Construction, Vice President of Incheon District Division and Vice President of Transmission & Substation Operation Department. Mr. Chang received a Ph.D in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Cho, Jeon-Hyeok has been our Non-Standing Director since February 14, 2014. Mr. Choi is currently Professor of Economics at College of Liberal Arts, Myungji University. Mr. Choi previously served as a Professor of the Department of Economics, National University of Incheon and Chief Executive Officer of Naeil Venture Capital. Mr. Cho received a Ph.D in economic theory and financial economics from University of Wisconsin at Madison.
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Lee, Kang-Hee has been our Non-Standing Director since February 14, 2014. Mr. Lee is currently a member of the Incheon City Advisory Committee. Mr. Lee previously served as a member of the National Assembly for two terms and a member of the Advisory Board on Democratic Peaceful Unification.
Chung, Hae-Joo has been our Non-Standing Director since June 30, 2011. Mr. Chung is currently the chairman of the board of Korea Testing & Research Institute. Mr. Chung received a B.A. in law from Seoul National University and completed a public policy course at Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration.
Koo, Ja-Yoon has been our Non-Standing Director since September 2, 2014. Mr. Koo is currently Professor of Electronics & System Engineering at Hanyang University and previously served as chairman of the Korean Electricity Regulatory Commission under the supervision of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea. Mr. Koo received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Seoul National University and a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from ENSIEG.
Ahn, Choong-Yong has been our Non-Standing Director since December 2, 2014. Mr. Ahn is currently Chaired Professor of Graduate School of International Studies at Chungang University and previously served as the foreign investment ombudsman for Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). Mr. Ahn received a B.A in Economics from Kyoungpook National University and a Ph.D in Economics from Ohio State University.
Choi, Gyo-Il has been our Non-Standing Director since February 14, 2014. Mr. Choi is currently an attorney-at-law at Choi, Gyo-Il law Firm. Mr. Choi previously served as Chief Public Prosecutor at the Seoul Prosecutor’s Office and Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Justice. Mr. Lee received an LL.B in law from Korea University.
Sung, Tae-Hyun has been our Non-Standing Director since August 12, 2014. Mr. Sung is currently Professor of Electrical Engineering at Hanyang University and previously served as senior researcher at KEPCO Research Institute. Mr. Sung received a B.S. in Material Engineering from Hanyang University and a Ph.D in Material Science and Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Choi, Ki-Ryun has been our Non-Standing Director since August 12, 2014. Mr. Choi is currently Professor of Energy Systems Research at Ajou University and previously served as head of New & Renewable Energy Center of Korea Energy Management Corporation. Mr. Choi received a B.S. in Mining and Minerals Engineering from Seoul National University and a Ph.D in Energy Economics from University of Grenoble.
The business address of our directors is 55 Jeollyeok-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, 520-350, Korea.
Under the Public Agencies Management Act, which took effect as of April 1, 2007, we are designated as a “market-oriented public enterprises” and, as such, are required to establish an audit committee in lieu of the pre-existing board of auditors upon expiration of the term of the last remaining member of the board of auditors. In September 2007, we amended our Articles of Incorporation to establish, in lieu of the pre-existing board of auditors, an audit committee meeting the requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Under the Public Agencies Management Act, the Korean Commercial Code and the amended Articles of Incorporation, we are required to maintain an audit committee consisting of three members, of which not less than two members are required to be the non-standing directors. The roles and responsibilities of our audit committee members are to perform the functions of an audit committee meeting the requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Our audit committee was established on December 8, 2008.
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Our audit committee currently consists of Ahn, Hong-Ryoul, a standing director, and Cho, Jeon-Hyeok and Sung, Tae-Hyun, both non-standing directors. All such members of the audit committee are independent within the meaning of the Korea Stock Exchange listing standards, the regulations promulgated under the Korean Commercial Code and the New York Stock Exchange listing standards.
Item 6B. Compensation
In 2014, the aggregate amount of remuneration paid to our directors and executive officers in the aggregate was Won 4,062 million. The aggregate amount accrued in 2014 to provide retirement and severance benefits for our directors and executive officers was Won 307 million.
Item 6C. Board Practices
Under the Public Agencies Management Act and our Articles of Incorporation, the term of office for our directors and executive officers appointed after April 1, 2007 is three years for the president and two years for other executive officers. The officers and the directors may be reappointed for an additional term of one year. In order to be reappointed, the president must be evaluated on the basis of his management performance; a standing director, on the basis of the performance of the duties for which he was elected to perform, or if the standing director has executed an incentive bonus contract, on the basis of his performance under the contract; and a non-standing director, on the basis of his performance of the duties for which he was elected to perform.
Our board currently does not maintain a compensation committee. See Item 16G. “Corporate Governance.” However, we currently maintain an audit committee meeting the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to perform the roles and responsibilities of the compensation committee. Prior to the establishment of the audit committee on December 8, 2008 pursuant to the Public Agencies Management Act, we maintained a board of auditors, which performed the roles and responsibilities required of an audit committee under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including the supervision of the financial and accounting audit by the independent registered public accountants.
The president’s management contract includes benefits upon termination of his employment. The amount for termination benefits payable equals the average value of compensation for one month times the number of years the president is employed by us, provided that the president is only eligible for termination benefits after more than one year of continuous service.
The termination benefits for standing directors are determined in accordance with our internal regulations for executive compensation. Standing directors are only eligible for benefits upon termination of employment or death following one year of continuous service.
See also Item 16G. “Corporate Governance” for a further description of our board practices.
Item 6D. Employees
As of December 31, 2014, we and our generation subsidiaries had a total of 40,259 regular employees, almost all of whom are employed within Korea. Approximately 9.4% of our regular employees (including employees of our generation subsidiaries) are located at our head office.
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The following table sets forth the number of and other information relating to our regular employees, not including directors or senior management, as of December 31, 2014.
Regular Employees
Administrative
Engineers
Head Office Employees
% of total
Members of Labor Union
We and each of our generation subsidiaries have separate labor unions. Approximately 70.3% of our and our generation subsidiaries’ employees in the aggregate are members of these labor unions, each of which negotiates a collective bargaining agreement for its members each year. Under applicable Korean law, an employee-employer cooperation committee comprised of an equal number of representatives of management and labor (which shall be no less than three and no more than ten representatives from each of management and labor) is required to be established. Accordingly, an employee-employer cooperation committee composed of eight representatives of management and eight representatives of labor has been established at the holding company and at each of our generation subsidiaries. The committee meets periodically to discuss various labor issues.
Since our formation in 1981, our businesses had not been interrupted by any work stoppages or strikes except in early 2002, when employees belonging to our five thermal generation subsidiaries went on strike for six weeks to protest the Government’s decision to privatize such thermal generation subsidiaries according to the Restructuring Plan, which privatization plan has since been suspended indefinitely. See Item 3D. “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to KEPCO—The Government may adopt policy measures to substantially restructure the Korean electric power industry or our operational structure, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and profitability.”
We believe our relations with our employees are generally good.
Item 6E. Share Ownership
None of our directors and members of our administrative, supervisory or management bodies own more than 0.1% of our common stock.
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Item 7A. Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth certain information relating to certain owners of our capital stock as of December 31, 2014, the date we last closed our shareholders’ registry:
Title of Class
Identity of Person or Group
Common stock
Common shares
American depositary shares
On October 24, 2014, we sold 18,929,995 treasury shares, which represented 2.95% of our total issued shares as of such date, through a block sale to third party investors.
All of our shareholders have equal voting rights. See Item 10B. “Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation—Description of Capital Stock—Voting Rights.”
Item 7B. Related Party Transactions
We are engaged in a variety of transactions with our affiliates. We have related party transactions with Government-controlled entities such as Korea Gas Corporation, our consolidated subsidiaries and our equity investees. In addition, we engage in related party transactions with Korea Development Bank, one of our major shareholders. See Note 47 of the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report for a description of transaction and balances with our related parties.
In the past three years, our related party transactions principally consisted of purchases of LNG from Korea Gas Corporation, sales of electricity to Korea District Heating Co., Ltd., and long-term borrowings from Korea Development Bank. In 2012, 2013 and 2014, we and our generation subsidiaries purchased LNG from Korea Gas Corporation in the aggregate amount of Won 11,645 billion, Won 12,450 billion and Won 10,135 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, we had long-term borrowings from Korea Development Bank in the aggregate amount of Won 1,500 billion.
We also engage in extensive transactions with our consolidated generation subsidiaries, including the purchase of electricity from them through Korea Power Exchange, sales of electricity to them, payment and receipt of commissions for services and receivables and payables transactions. These are eliminated in the consolidation process. We also provide guarantees for certain of our affiliates. See Item 5F. “Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations—Overdraft and Others.” We also have certain relationships with the Korea Power Exchange. See Item 4B. “Business Overview—Purchase of Electricity—Cost-based Pool System.”
For a further description of our transactions with our affiliates, see Note 47 of the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.
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Item 7C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Item 8A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in compliance with requirements under Item 18. “Financial Statements.”
Legal Proceedings
As of December 31, 2014, we, including our generation subsidiaries, were engaged in 652 lawsuits as a defendant and 157 lawsuits as a plaintiff. As of the same date, the total amount of damages claimed against us was Won 563 billion, for which we have made a provision of Won 200 billion as of December 31, 2014, and the total amount claimed by us was Won 314 billion as of December 31, 2014. While the outcome of any of these lawsuits cannot presently be determined with certainty, our management currently believes that the final results from these lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, financial position or results of operation.
The following are potentially significant claims pertaining to us and our subsidiaries.
In 2009, we entered into a contract with LS Cable & System Ltd. (“LS Cable”) under which LS Cable agreed to install submarine cables in an area between Jindo and Jeju Island. LS Cable & System Ltd. notified us of the completion of construction and requested the issuance of a certificate of completion. We however disagreed that LS Cable had completed construction in accordance with the conditions of the contract, rejected the goods delivered and refused to pay LS Cable the contracted amount. In October 2012, LS Cable filed for arbitration with the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board seeking damage in the aggregate amount of Won 194 billion from us in relation to unpaid invoices under the contract (which amounts to Won 120 billion) and extra payments relating to additional construction. In July 2014, we paid LS Cable Won 40 billion as a portion of the unpaid invoices, and recognized the remaining unpaid invoices, Won 80 billion, as a liability. However, since the amounts and timing of extra payments relating to the additional construction cannot be reasonably estimated, we had not made any additional provision in relation thereto as of December 31, 2014. The arbitration is currently under review by the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, and the arbitral result may be unfavorable to us.
In September 2013, Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd., SK Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. and GS Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. filed a lawsuit against KHNP seeking from KHNP extra contractual payments in the total amount of Won 133 billion on grounds of design change under the construction contract relating to New Hanwool 1 & 2 units. Due to inherent uncertainties relating to this lawsuit, we are unable to reliably estimate the amount of compensation, if any, and timing thereof, payable to the plaintiff. Consequently, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the economic impact from the ultimate resolution of this lawsuit and have not made any provision in relation thereto.
In January 2013, Korea Nuclear Technology Co., Ltd. (“KNT”) initiated litigation against KHNP based on the claim that KNT had a right to supply KHNP with passive autocatalytic recombiners (“PARs”), which had been developed under a cooperative research and development agreement between KNT and KHNP through a contract to be negotiated between the two parties without being required to undergo an open bidding process for a period of three years, but that KHNP selected a third party to supply the PARs following an open bidding process. The claimed amount of damages and compensation was Won 6.9 billion. In October 2013, the lower court ruled against KNT based on the principles of freedom of contract and the preference for competitive bidding. In December 2013, KNT filed for an appeal. In October 2014, the court rendered a final judgment against KNT by finding that KHNP was not legally obliged to enter into a contract with KNT for the supply of PARs.
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In December 2013, the Supreme Court of Korea ruled that regular bonuses fall under the category of ordinary wages on the condition that those bonuses are paid regularly and uniformly. The Supreme Court also ruled that “employees shall not retroactively demand the difference in overtime pay as additional wages, in the event that the demand itself causes an unexpected increase in spending for their company, and thus lead the company to financial difficulty. In that case, the request is not acceptable, since it is unjust, and it is in breach of the principle of good faith.” Prior to such ruling, we determined wages in accordance with budget instructions from the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, which excluded bonuses from ordinary wages and had the consent of our labor unions. Any request for the retroactive demand for the difference in overtime pay as additional wages may be limited based on the principle of good faith. On January 15, 2015, there was a lower court decision on ordinary wages of the labor union in KOSPO. According to this decision, basic bonus, incentives, and part of the subsidies paid regularly, uniformly, and steadily are to be included in the ordinary wages, and as a result of a related lawsuit, it was concluded that this case does not violate the principle of good faith since no significant difficulty in management or risk in the continuance and existence of the company were predicted. However, we decided to appeal this case. We believe that the possibility of economic outflow as a result of this lawsuit is probable. As a result, we recorded a provision of Won 174 billion in relation to this lawsuit as of December 31, 2014.
In addition, our generation subsidiaries, currently and from time to time, are involved in lawsuits incidental to the conduct of their business. A significant number of such lawsuits are based on the claim that the construction and operation of the electricity generation units owned by our generation subsidiaries have impaired neighboring fish farms. Our generation subsidiaries normally pay compensation to the members of fishery associations near our power plant complex for expected losses and damages arising from the construction and operation of their power plants in advance. Despite such compensation paid by us, a claim may still be filed against our generation subsidiaries challenging the compensation paid by us. We do not believe such claims or proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, have had or will have a material adverse effect on us and our generation subsidiaries. However, we cannot assure you that this will be the case in the future, given the possibility that we may become subject to more litigation and lawsuits arising from changes in the environmental laws and regulations applicable to us and our generation subsidiaries and people’s growing demand for more compensation.
Dividend Policy
For our dividend policy, see Item 10B. “Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation—Description of Capital Stock—Dividend Rights.” For a description of the tax consequences of dividends paid to our shareholders, see Item 10E. “Taxation—Korean Taxes—Shares or ADSs—Dividends on the Shares of Common Stock or ADSs” and Item 10E. “Taxation—U.S. Federal Income and Estate Tax Consideration for U.S. Persons—Tax Consequences with Respect to Common Stock and ADSs—Distributions on Common Stock or ADSs.”
Item 8B. Significant Changes
Item 9A. Offer and Listing Details
Notes
We have issued the following registered notes and debentures, which are traded principally in the over-the-counter market:
7.40% Amortizing Debentures, due April 1, 2016 (the “7.40% Debentures”);
7.95% Zero-To-Full Debentures, due April 1, 2096 (the “7.95% Debentures”);
6% Debentures due December 1, 2026, (the “6% Debentures”);
7% Debentures due February 1, 2027 (the “7% Debentures”); and
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6-3/4% Debentures due August 1, 2027 (the “6-3/4% Debentures,” and together with the 7.40% Debentures, the 7.95% Debentures, the 6% Debentures and the 7% Debentures, the “Registered Debt Securities”).
Sales prices for the Registered Debt Securities are not regularly reported on any United States securities exchange or other United States securities quotation service.
The principal trading market for our common stock is the Korea Exchange. Our common stock is also listed on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of ADSs. The ADSs have been issued by Citibank, N.A. as depositary and are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KEP.” One ADS represents one-half of one share of our common stock. As of December 31, 2014, the date we last closed our shareholders’ registry, 32,170,678 ADSs representing 5.01% shares of our common stock were outstanding.
Common Stock
Shares of our common stock are listed on the KRX KOSPI Market of the Korea Exchange. The table below shows the high and low closing prices on the KRX KOSPI Market of the Korea Exchange for our common stock since 2010.
Period
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
First Quarter (through April 10)
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ADSs
The table below shows the high and low trading prices on the New York Stock Exchange for the outstanding ADSs since 2010. Each ADS represents one-half of one share of our common stock.
Item 9B. Plan of Distribution
Item 9C. Markets
The Korea Exchange
The Korea Exchange began its operations in 1956, originally under the name of the Korea Stock Exchange. On January 27, 2005, pursuant to the Korea Securities and Futures Exchange Act, the Korea Exchange was officially created through the consolidation of the Korea Stock Exchange, the Korea Futures Exchange, the KOSDAQ Stock Market, Inc., or KOSDAQ, and the KOSDAQ Committee within the Korea Securities Dealers Association, which was in charge of the management of the KOSDAQ. The KRX KOSPI Market of the Korea Exchange, formerly the Korea Stock Exchange, has a single trading floor located in Seoul. The Korea Exchange
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is a limited liability company, the shares of which are held by (i) securities companies and futures companies that were the members of the Korea Stock Exchange or the Korea Futures Exchange and (ii) the shareholders of the KOSDAQ.
As of March 31, 2015 the aggregate market value of equity securities listed on the KOSPI of the Korea Exchange was approximately Won 1,272,317 billion. The average daily trading volume of equity securities for the first quarter of 2015 was approximately 354 million shares with an average transaction value of Won 4,633 billion.
The Korea Exchange has the power in some circumstances to suspend trading of shares of a given company or to de-list a security. The Korea Exchange also restricts share price movements. All listed companies are required to file accounting reports annually, semi-annually and quarterly and to release immediately all information that may affect trading in a security.
The Government has in the past exerted, and continues to exert, substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector business community which can have the intention or effect of depressing or boosting the market. In the past, the Government has informally both encouraged and restricted the declaration and payment of dividends, induced mergers to reduce what it considers excess capacity in a particular industry and induced private companies to publicly offer their securities.
The Korea Exchange publishes the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or KOSPI, every thirty seconds, which is an index of all equity securities listed on the KRX KOSPI Market of the Korea Exchange. On January 1, 1983, the method of computing KOSPI was changed from the Dow Jones method to the aggregate value method. In the new method, 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 KOSPI in the past five years are set out in the following table:
Source: The Korea Exchange
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 KOSPI 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,” upward and downward movements in share prices of any category of shares on any day are limited under the rules of the Korea Exchange to 15% of the previous day’s closing price of the shares, rounded down as set out below:
Previous Day’s Closing Price (Won)
less than 5,000
5,000 to less than 10,000
10,000 to less than 50,000
50,000 to less than 100,000
100,000 to less than 500,000
500,000 or more
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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 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 Korea Exchange 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. 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 Korea Exchange. See Item 10E. “Taxation—Korean Taxes.”
The number of companies listed on the KRX KOSPI Market of the Korea Exchange since 2009, 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:
The Korean securities markets are principally regulated by the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act. The law 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.
Protection of Customer’s Interest in Case of Insolvency of Financial Investment Companies with a Brokerage License
Under Korean law, the relationship between a customer and a financial investment company with a brokerage license 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 financial investment company with a brokerage license) through such sell or buy order are regarded as belonging to the customer insofar as the customer and the consignment agent’s creditors are concerned. Therefore, in the event of bankruptcy or reorganization procedures involving a financial investment company with a brokerage license, the customer of such financial investment company is entitled to the proceeds of the securities sold by such financial investment company.
When a customer places a sell order with a financial investment company with a brokerage license which is not a member of the Korea Exchange and this financial investment company places a sell order with another
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financial investment company with a brokerage license which is a member of the Korea Exchange, 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.
Likewise, 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 insofar as the customer and the non-member company’s creditors are concerned.
Under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, the Korea Exchange is obliged to indemnify any loss or damage incurred by counterparty as a result of a breach by its members. If a financial investment company with a brokerage license which is a member of the Korea Exchange breaches its obligation in connection with a buy order, the Korea Exchange is obliged to pay the purchase price on behalf of the breaching member.
As the cash deposited with a financial investment company with a brokerage license is regarded as belonging to such financial investment company, which is liable to return the same at the request of its customer, the customer cannot take back deposited cash from the financial investment company with a brokerage license if a bankruptcy or reorganization procedure is instituted against such financial investment company and, therefore, can suffer from loss or damage as a result. However, the Depositor Protection Act provides that Korean Deposit Insurance Corporation will, upon the request of the investors, pay investors up to Won 50 million per depositor per financial institution in case of the such financial investment company’s bankruptcy, liquidation, cancellation of securities business license or other insolvency events (collectively, the “Insolvency Events”). Pursuant to the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, subject to certain exceptions, financial investment companies with a brokerage license are required to deposit the cash received from their customers with the Korea Securities Finance Corporation, a special entity established pursuant to the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act. Set-off or attachment of cash deposits by financial investment companies with a brokerage license is prohibited. The premiums related to this insurance under the Depositor Protection Act are paid by financial investment companies with a brokerage license.
Item 9D. Selling Shareholders
Item 9E. Dilution
Item 9F. Expenses of the Issue
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Item 10A. Share Capital
Item 10B. Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation
Set forth below is information relating to our capital stock, including brief summaries of material provisions of our Articles of Incorporation, the KEPCO Act, the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, the Korean Commercial Code and certain related laws of Korea, all currently in effect. The following summaries are
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qualified in their entirety by reference to our Articles of Incorporation and the applicable provisions of the KEPCO Act, Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, the Korean Commercial Code, the Public Agencies Management Act and certain related laws of Korea. In November 2013 we amended our Articles of Incorporation to reflect the amendments to a regulation promulgated under the Public Agencies Management Act.
Objects and Purposes
We are a statutory juridical corporation established under the KEPCO Act for the purpose of ensuring “stabilization of the supply and demand of electric power, and further contributing toward the sound development of the national economy through expediting development of electric power resources and carrying out proper and effective operation of the electricity business.” The KEPCO Act and our Articles of Incorporation contemplate that we engage in the following activities:
Our registered name is “Hankook Chollryuk Kongsa” in Korean and “Korea Electric Power Corporation” in English. Our registration number in the commercial registry office is 114671-0001456.
Directors
Under the KEPCO Act and our Articles of Incorporation, our board of directors consists of our president, standing directors and non-standing directors. A majority of the board members constitutes a voting quorum, and resolutions will be passed by a majority of the board members. Directors who have an interest in certain agenda proposed to the board may not vote on such issues.
The standards of remuneration for our officers, including directors, shall be determined by a resolution of the board of directors, provided that the maximum amount of remuneration to be paid to our officers shall be determined by shareholder resolution and provided that the remuneration standards for the president and standing directors shall be determined by board resolution in accordance with the guideline thereon established by the minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance through review and resolution of our management committee. Directors who have an interest may not participate in the meeting of the board of directors for determining the remuneration for officers.
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Neither the KEPCO Act nor our Articles of Incorporation have provisions relating to (i) borrowing powers exercisable by the directors and how such borrowing powers can be varied, (ii) retirement or non-retirement of directors under an age limit requirement, or (iii) the number of shares required for a director’s qualification.
Currently, our authorized share capital is 1,200,000,000 shares, which consists of shares of common stock and shares of non-voting preferred stock, par value Won 5,000 per share. Under our Articles of Incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 150,000,000 non-voting preferred shares. As of December 31, 2014, the last day on which the shareholder registry was closed for purposes of identifying shareholders of record, 641,964,077 common shares were issued and no non-voting preferred shares have been issued. All of the issued and outstanding common shares are fully-paid and non-assessable and are in registered form. Share certificates are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 10,000 shares.
Description of Capital Stock
Dividend Rights
Under the KEPCO Act, we are authorized to pay preferential dividends on our shares held by public shareholders as opposed to those held by the Government. Dividends to public shareholders are distributed in proportion to the number of shares of the relevant class of capital stock owned by each public shareholder following approval by the shareholders at a general meeting of shareholders. Korea Development Bank may receive dividends in proportion to the numbers of our shares held by them. Under the Korean Commercial Code and our Articles of Incorporation, we will pay full annual dividends on newly issued shares.
Under our Articles of Incorporation, holders of non-voting preferred shares (of which there are currently none) are entitled to receive an amount not less than 8% of their par value as determined by a resolution of the board of directors at the time of their issuance. However, if the dividends on our common shares exceed the dividends on our non-voting preferred shares, the holders of non-voting preferred shares will be entitled to participate in the distribution of such excess amount with the holders of the common shares at an equal rate.
We declare our dividend annually at the annual general meeting of shareholders which is held within three months after the end of the fiscal year. The annual dividend is paid to the shareholders on record as of the end of the fiscal year preceding the annual shareholders’ meeting. Annual dividends may be distributed either in cash or in our shares. However, a dividend of shares must be distributed at par value, and dividends in shares may not exceed one-half of the annual dividend.
Under the Korean Commercial Code and our Articles of Incorporation, we do not have an obligation to pay any annual dividend unclaimed for five years from the payment date.
The KEPCO Act provides that we shall not pay an annual dividend unless we have made up any accumulated deficit and set aside as a legal reserve an amount equal to 20.0% or more of our net profit until our accumulated reserve reaches one-half of our stated capital.
Distribution of Free Shares
In addition to dividends in the form of shares to be paid out of retained or current earnings, the Korean Commercial Code permits us to distribute to our shareholders an amount transferred from our capital surplus or legal reserve to stated capital in the form of free shares.
Voting Rights
Holders of our common shares are entitled to one vote for each common share, except that voting rights with respect to any common shares held by us or by a corporate shareholder, more than one-tenth of whose
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outstanding capital stock is directly or indirectly owned by us, may not be exercised. Any person (with certain exceptions) who holds more than 3% of our issued and outstanding shares cannot exercise voting rights with respect to the shares in excess of this 3% limit. See “—Limitation on Shareholdings.” Pursuant to the Korean Commercial Code, cumulative voting is permissible in relation to the appointment of directors. Under the Korean Commercial Code, a cumulative vote can be requested by the shareholders of a corporation representing at least 1% of the total voting shares of such corporation if the relevant shareholders’ meeting is intended to elect more than two seats of the board of directors and the request for cumulative voting is made to the management of the corporation in writing at least six weeks in advance of the shareholders’ meeting. Under this new voting method, each shareholder will have multiple voting rights corresponding to the number of directors to be appointed in such voting and may exercise all such voting rights to elect one director. Shareholders are entitled to vote cumulatively unless the Articles of Incorporation expressly prohibit cumulative voting. Our current Articles of Incorporation do not prohibit cumulative voting. Except as otherwise provided by law or our Articles of Incorporation, a resolution can be adopted at a general meeting of shareholders by affirmative majority vote of the voting shares of the shareholders present or represented at a meeting, which must also represent at least one-fourth of the voting shares then issued and outstanding. The holders of our non-voting preferred shares (other than enfranchised preferred shares (as described below)) are not entitled to vote on any resolution or to receive notice of any general meeting of shareholders unless the agenda of the meeting includes consideration of a resolution on which such holders are entitled to vote. If we are unable to pay any dividend to holders of non-voting preferred shares as provided in our Articles of Incorporation, the holders of non-voting preferred shares will become enfranchised and will be entitled to exercise voting rights until such dividends are paid. The holders of these “enfranchised preferred shares” have the same rights as holders of our common shares to request, receive notice of, attend and vote at a general meeting of shareholders. Pursuant to the KEPCO Act and our Articles of Incorporation, the appointment of standing directors, the president and standing statutory auditor are subject to shareholder approval.
Under the Korean Commercial Code, for the purpose of electing our statutory auditor, a shareholder (together with certain related persons) holding more than 3% of the total shares having voting rights may not exercise voting rights with respect to shares in excess of such 3% limit.
The Korean Commercial Code provides that the approval by holders of at least two-thirds of those shares having voting rights present or represented at a meeting, where such shares also represent at least one-third of the total issued and outstanding shares having voting rights, is required in order to, among other things:
amend our Articles of Incorporation;
remove a director or statutory auditor;
effect any dissolution, merger, consolidation or spin-off of us;
transfer the whole or any significant part of our business;
effect the acquisition by us of all of the business of any other company;
effect the acquisition by us of the business of another company that may have a material effect on our business;
reduce capital; or
issue any new shares at a price lower than their par value.
Under our Articles of Incorporation, an approval by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is required in order to amend the Articles of Incorporation. Any change to our authorized share capital requires an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation.
In addition, in the case of amendments to our Articles of Incorporation or any merger or consolidation of us or in certain other cases which affect the rights or interests of the non-voting preferred shares a resolution must
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be adopted by a meeting of the holders of non-voting preferred shares approving such event. This resolution may be adopted if approval is obtained from holders of at least two-thirds of those non-voting preferred shares present or represented at such meeting and such non-voting preferred shares also represent at least one-third of our total issued and outstanding non-voting preferred shares.
A shareholder may exercise his voting rights by proxy. The proxy shall present the power of attorney prior to the start of the general meeting of shareholders. Under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act and our Articles of Incorporation, no one other than us may solicit a proxy from shareholders.
Subject to the provisions of the deposit agreement, holders of our American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) are entitled to instruct the depositary, whose agent is the record holder of the underlying common shares, how to exercise voting rights relating to those underlying common shares.
Preemptive Rights and Issuance of Additional Shares
Authorized but unissued shares may be issued at such times and, unless otherwise provided in the Korean Commercial Code, upon such terms as our board of directors may determine. The new shares must be offered on uniform terms to all our shareholders who have preemptive rights and who are listed on the shareholders’ register as of the record date. Subject to the limitations described under “—Limitation on Shareholdings” below and with certain other exceptions, all our shareholders are entitled to subscribe for any newly issued shares in proportion to their existing shareholdings. Under the Korean Commercial Code, we may vary, without shareholder approval, the terms of such preemptive rights for different classes of shares. Public notice of the preemptive rights to new shares and their transferability must be given not less than two weeks (excluding the period during which the shareholders’ register is closed) prior to the 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.
Our Articles of Incorporation provide that new shares that are (1) publicly offered pursuant to the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, (2) issued to members of our employee stock ownership association, (3) represented by depositary receipts, (4) issued through offering to public investors, or (5) issued to investors in kind under the State Property Act may be issued pursuant to a resolution of the board of directors to persons other than existing shareholders, who in such circumstances will not have preemptive rights.
Under our Articles of Incorporation, we may issue convertible bonds or bonds with warrants each up to an aggregate principal amount of Won 2,000 billion and Won 1,000 billion, respectively, to persons other than existing shareholders. However, the aggregate principal amount of convertible bonds and bonds with warrants so issued to persons other than existing shareholders may not exceed Won 2,000 billion.
Under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act and our Articles of Incorporation, members of our employee stock ownership association, whether or not they are our shareholders, have a preemptive right, subject to certain exceptions, to subscribe for up to 20.0% of any 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 exceed 20.0% of the total number of shares then outstanding.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of our liquidation, the assets remaining after payment of all debts, liquidation expenses and taxes will be distributed among shareholders in proportion to the number of shares held. Holders of our non-voting preferred shares have no preference in liquidation.
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Rights of Dissenting Shareholders
In certain limited circumstances (including, without limitation, the transfer of the whole or any significant part of our business or the merger, or consolidation upon a split-off of us with another company), dissenting holders of shares have the right to require us to purchase their shares. To exercise such right, shareholders must submit a written notice of their intention to dissent to us prior to the general meeting of shareholders or the class meeting of holders of non-voting preferred shares, as the case may be. Within 20 days after the date on which the relevant resolution is passed at such meeting, such 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 such 20-day period. The purchase price for such shares must be determined through negotiation between the dissenting shareholders and us. Under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, 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 price on the Korea Exchange for a two-month period before the date of adoption of the relevant board resolution, (2) the weighted average of the daily share price on the Korea Exchange for the one month period before such date and (3) the weighted average of the daily share price on the Korea Exchange for the one week period before such date. However, if we or dissenting shareholders who requested us to purchase their shares oppose such purchase price, the determination of a purchase price may be filed with a court. Holders of ADSs will not be able to exercise dissenter’s rights unless they have withdrawn the underlying Common Stock and become our direct shareholders.
Transfer of Shares
Under the Korean Commercial Code, the transfer of shares is effected by delivery of share certificates, but in order to assert shareholders’ rights against us, the transferee must have his name and address registered on our register of shareholders. For this purpose, shareholders are required to file one’s name, address and seal with our transfer agent. Under our Articles of Incorporation, non-resident shareholders must appoint an agent authorized to receive notices on their behalf in Korea and file a mailing address in Korea. These requirements do not apply to the holders of ADSs. Under current Korean regulations, the Korea Securities Depository, foreign exchange banks (including domestic branches of foreign banks), financial investment companies with a dealing, brokerage or collective investment license and internationally recognized foreign custodians are authorized to act as agents and provide related services for foreign shareholders. Our transfer agent is Kookmin Bank, located at 9-1, Namdaemun-ro, 2-ga, Chung-ku, Seoul, Korea. Certain foreign exchange controls and securities regulations apply to the transfer of our shares by non-residents of Korea or non-Koreans. See Item 9. “The Offer and Listing.”
Acquisition of Our Own Shares
Under the Korean Commercial Code, we may acquire our own shares through (1) purchases on a stock exchange or (2) purchase of the shares in proportion to the number of shares held by each shareholder on equal terms and conditions, by a resolution at a Shareholders’ meeting. The aggregate amount of the acquisition price shall not exceed the excess of our net assets, on a non-consolidated basis, over the sum of (1) our stated capital, (2) the total amount of our capital surplus reserve and earned surplus reserve which have accumulated up to the end of the previous fiscal year, (3) our earned surplus required to be accumulated for the then current fiscal year and (4) our net assets stated in the balance sheet as being increased as a result of the evaluation of the assets and liabilities in accordance with our accounting principles without being set off against any unrealized losses. In addition, under the Korean Commercial Code, we may not acquire our own shares if our net assets may fall short of the aggregate amount of the item (1) to (4) above, on a non-consolidated basis, as of the conclusion of the relevant business year of us. In general, our subsidiaries 50% or more of whose shares are owned by us may not acquire our shares.
General Meeting of Shareholders
The ordinary general meeting of our shareholders is held within three months after the end of each fiscal year, and subject to board resolution or court approval, an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders may be held as necessary or at the request of shareholders holding an aggregate of 1.5% or more of our outstanding
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common shares for at least six consecutive months. Under the Korean Commercial Code, an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders may be convened at the request of our audit committee, subject to a board resolution or court approval. Holders of non-voting preferred shares may only request a general meeting of shareholders once the non-voting preferred shares have become enfranchised as described under “—Description of Capital Stock—Voting Rights” above. Written notices setting forth the date, place and agenda of the meeting must be given to shareholders at least two weeks prior to the date of the general meeting of shareholders. However, pursuant to the Korean Commercial Code and our Articles of Incorporation, with respect to holders of less than 1% of the total number of our issued and outstanding shares which are entitled to vote, notice may be given by placing at least two public notices at least two weeks in advance of the meeting in at least two daily newspapers published in Seoul or by placing a public notice in the electrical disclosure system of the Financial Supervisory Service or the Korea Exchange, at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. Currently, for giving such notice, we use an electronic disclosure system available for access at a website maintained by the FSS (known as the Data Analysis, Retrieval and Transfer System, or DART). 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 such meeting. Holders of the enfranchised preferred shares on the shareholders’ register as of the record date are entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, the general meetings. Otherwise, holders of non-voting preferred shares are not entitled to receive notice of general meetings of shareholders or vote at such meetings but may attend such meetings.
The general meeting of shareholders is held in Naju, Jeollanam-do.
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 our shares on the register of shareholders upon presentation of the share certificates.
The record date for annual dividends is December 31. For the purpose of determining the holders of shares entitled to annual dividends, the register of shareholders may be closed from January 1 to January 31 of each year. Further, the Korean Commercial Code and our Articles of Incorporation permit us at least two weeks’ public notice to set a record date and/or close the register of shareholders for not more than three months for the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to certain rights pertaining to our shares. The trading of our shares and the delivery of certificates in respect of them may continue while the register of shareholders is closed.
Annual Report
At least one week prior to the annual general meeting of shareholders, our annual report and audited consolidated financial statements must be made available for inspection at our principal office and at all branch offices. Copies of annual reports, the audited non-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 Korea Exchange an annual report within 90 days after the end of our fiscal year, a half-year report within 45 days after the end of the first six months of our fiscal year and quarterly reports within 45 days after the end of the first three months and nine months of our fiscal year. Following our adoption of IFRS starting in January 1, 2011 pursuant to regulatory requirements for listed companies in Korea, we are required to file half-year and quarterly reports containing interim financial statements and notes thereto on a consolidated basis as well as on a separate basis.
Limitation on Shareholdings
No person other than the Government, our employee stock ownership association and persons who obtain an approval from the Financial Services Commission may hold for its account more than 3% of our total issued and
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outstanding shares. In calculating shareholdings for this purpose, shares held by your spouse and your certain relatives or by your certain affiliates (such spouses, relatives and affiliates are together referred to as “Affiliated Holders”) are deemed to be held by you. If you hold our shares in violation of this 3% limit, you are not entitled to exercise the voting rights or preemptive rights of our shares in excess of such 3% limit and the Financial Services Commission may order you to take necessary corrective action. In addition, the KEPCO Act currently requires that the Government, directly or through Korea Development Bank, own not less than 51% of our capital. For other restrictions on shareholdings, see Item 9. “The Offer and Listing.”
Change of Control
The KEPCO Act requires that the Government, directly or pursuant to the Korea Development Bank Act, through Korea Development Bank, own not less than 51% of our capital.
Disclosure of Share Ownership
Under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, any person whose direct or beneficial ownership of a listed company’s shares with voting rights, equity-related debt securities including convertible bonds, bonds with warrants, exchangeable bonds, certificates representing the rights to subscribe for common shares, derivatives-linked securities and depository receipts of the aforementioned securities (collectively referred to as “Equity Securities”), together with the Equity Securities directly or beneficially owned by certain related persons or by any person acting in concert with the person, accounts for 5% or more of our total outstanding Equity Securities is required to report the status and purpose (in terms of whether the purpose of shareholding is to participate in the management of the issuer) of the holdings and the material contents of the agreements relating to the Equity Securities and other matters prescribed by the Presidential Decree under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act to the Financial Services Commission of Korea and the Korea Exchange within five business days after reaching the 5% ownership interest threshold.
In addition, any change (i) in the purpose of the shareholding or in the ownership, (ii) the major terms and conditions of agreements relating to Equity Securities owned (such as trust agreements and collateral agreements) to the extent the number of relevant Equity Securities is 1% or more of the total outstanding Equity Securities, or (iii) the type of ownership (direct ownership or holding) to the extent the number of relevant Equity Securities is 1% or more of the total outstanding Equity Securities, must be reported to the Financial Services Commission of Korea and the Korea Exchange within five business days from the date of such change (or by the tenth day of the month following the month in which the change occurs, in the case of a person with no intent to seek management control). Notwithstanding the foregoing, certain professional investors designated by the Financial Services Commission may report such matters to the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange by the tenth day of the month immediately following the end of the quarter in which such 5.0% ownership interest is reached or the change occurs.
When filing a report to the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange in accordance with the reporting requirements described above, a copy of such report must be sent to the relevant listed company. Violation of these reporting requirements may subject a person to sanctions such as prohibition on the exercise of voting rights with respect to the Equity Securities for which the reporting requirement was violated or fines or imprisonment. Furthermore, the Financial Services Commission may order the disposal of the Equity Securities for which the reporting requirement was violated or may impose administrative fine.
A person reporting to the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange that his purpose of holding the Equity Securities is to participate in the management of the listed company is prohibited from acquiring additional Equity Securities of the listed company and exercising voting rights during the period commencing from the date on which the event triggering the reporting requirements occurs to the fifth day from the date on which the report is made.
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Item 10C. Material Contracts
Item 10D. Exchange Controls
General
The Foreign Exchange Transaction Act and the Presidential Decree and regulations under that Act and Decree, or collectively the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws, regulate investment in Korean securities by non-residents and issuance of securities outside Korea by Korean companies. Non-residents may invest in Korean securities pursuant to the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws. The Financial Services Commission has also adopted, pursuant to its authority under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, regulations that regulate investment by foreigners in Korean securities and issuance of securities outside Korea by Korean companies.
Subject to certain limitations, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance has the authority to take the following actions under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws: (i) if the Government deems it necessary on account of war, armed conflict, natural disaster or grave, sudden and significant changes in domestic or foreign economic circumstances or similar events or circumstances, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance may temporarily suspend performance under any or all foreign exchange transactions, in whole or in part, to which the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws apply (including suspension of payment and receipt of foreign exchange) or impose an obligation to deposit, safe-keep or sell any instruments of payment to the Bank of Korea or certain other governmental agencies or financial institutions, and (ii) if the Government concludes that the international balance of payments and international financial markets are experiencing or are likely to experience significant disruption or that the movement of capital between Korea and other countries are likely to adversely affect the Korean Won, exchange rates or other macroeconomic policies, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance may take action to require any person who intends to effect or effects a capital transaction to deposit all or a portion of the instruments of payment acquired in such transactions with the Bank of Korea or certain other governmental agencies or financial institutions.
Government Review of Issuances of Debt Securities and ADSs and Report for Payments
In order for us to issue debt securities of any series outside of the Republic, we are required to file a report with our designated foreign exchange bank or the Ministry of Strategy and Finance on the issuance of such debt securities, depending on the issuance amount. The Ministry of Strategy and Finance may at its discretion direct us to take measures as necessary to avoid undue exchange rate fluctuations before it accepts such report. Furthermore, in order for us to make payments of principal of or interest on the debt securities of any series and other amounts as provided in an indenture and such debt securities, we are required to present relevant documents to the designated foreign exchange bank at the time of each actual payment. The purpose of such presentation is to ensure that the actual remittance is consistent with the terms of the transaction reported to our designated foreign exchange bank or the Ministry of Strategy and Finance.
In order for us to offer for purchase shares of our common stock held in treasury in the form of ADSs or issue shares of our common stock represented by the ADSs, we are required to file a prior report of such offer or issuance with our designated foreign exchange bank or the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, depending on the offering amount. The Ministry of Strategy and Finance may at its discretion direct us to take measures as necessary to avoid undue exchange rate fluctuations before it accepts such report. No further Governmental approval is necessary for the initial offering and issuance of the ADSs.
In order for a depositary to acquire any existing shares of our common stock from holders of these shares of common stock (other than from us) for the purpose of issuance of depositary receipts representing these shares of common stock, the depositary would be required to obtain our consent for the number of shares to be deposited
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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 at the time of such proposed deposit. We may not grant this consent for the deposit of shares of our common stock in the future, if our consent is required. Therefore, a holder of ADSs who surrenders ADSs and withdraws shares of our common stock may not be permitted subsequently to deposit such shares and obtain ADSs.
In addition, we are also required to notify the Ministry of Strategy and Finance upon receipt of the full proceeds from the offering of ADSs. No additional Governmental approval is necessary for the offering and issuance of ADSs.
Reporting Requirements for Holders of Substantial Interests
Under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, any person whose direct beneficial ownership of a listed company’s Equity Securities, together with the Equity Securities beneficially owned by certain related persons or by any person acting in concert with such person, accounts for 5% or more of our total outstanding Equity Securities is required to report the status and purpose (namely, whether the purposes of the share ownership is to participate in the management of the issuer) of the holdings and the material contents of the agreements relating to the Equity Securities and other matters prescribed by the Presidential Decree under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act to the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange within five business days after reaching the 5% ownership interest and any change in ownership interest subsequent to the report which equals or exceeds 1.0% of the total outstanding Equity Securities is required to be reported to the Financial Services Commission and the Korea Exchange within five business days from the date of the change.
In addition to the reporting requirements described above, any person whose direct or beneficial ownership of our voting stock and/or depository receipts for our voting stock accounts for 10.0% or more of the total issued
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and outstanding voting stock, whom we refer to as a major shareholder, must file a report to the Securities and Futures Commission and to the Korea Exchange within five business days after the date on which the person reached such shareholding limit. In addition, such person must file a report to the Securities and Futures Commission and to the Korea Exchange regarding any subsequent change in his/her shareholding. Such report on subsequent change in shareholding must be filed within five business days of the occurrence of any such change. Violation of these reporting requirements may subject a person to criminal sanctions such as fines and imprisonment.
Restrictions Applicable to ADSs
No Governmental approval is necessary for the sale and purchase of ADSs in the secondary market outside Korea or for the withdrawal of shares of our common stock underlying ADSs and the delivery inside Korea of the withdrawn shares. However, a foreigner who intends to acquire shares must obtain an Investment Registration Card from the Financial Supervisory Service as described below. The acquisition of 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.
Special Reporting Requirement for Companies Whose Securities Are Listed on Foreign Exchanges
Under the regulations of the Financial Services Commission amended on December 24, 2009, (i) if a company listed on the Korea Exchange has submitted a public disclosure of material matters to a foreign financial investment supervisory authority pursuant to the laws of the foreign jurisdiction, then it must submit a copy of the public disclosure and a Korean translation thereof to the Financial Services Commission of Korea and the Korea Exchange, and (ii) if a company listed on the Korea Exchange is approved for listing on a foreign stock market or determined to be de-listed from the foreign stock market or actually listed on, or de-listed from, a foreign stock market, then it must submit a copy of any document, which it submitted to or received from the relevant foreign government, foreign financial investment supervisory authority or the foreign stock market, and a Korean translation thereof to the Financial Services Commission of Korea and the Korea Exchange.
Persons who have acquired shares of our common stock as a result of the withdrawal of shares of common stock underlying ADSs may exercise their preemptive rights for new shares, participate in free distributions and receive dividends on shares of our common stock without any further governmental approval.
Restrictions Applicable to Common Stock
Under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws and the Regulations on Financial Investment Business (together, the “Investment Rules”), foreigners are permitted to invest, subject to certain exceptions and procedural requirements, in all shares of Korean companies unless prohibited by specific laws. Foreign investors may trade shares listed on the Korea Exchange only through the Korea Exchange except for certain limited circumstances. These circumstances include, among others, (1) odd-lot trading of shares, (2) acquisition of shares by a foreign company as a result of a merger, (3) acquisition or disposal of shares in connection with a tender offer, (4) acquisition of shares by exercise of warrant, conversion right under convertible bonds, exchange right under exchangeable bonds or withdrawal right under depositary receipts issued outside of Korea by a Korean company, such shares being “Converted Shares,” (5) acquisition of shares through exercise of rights under securities issued outside of Korea, (6) 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), (7) over-the-counter transactions between foreigners of a class of shares for which a ceiling on aggregate acquisition by foreigners (as explained below) exists and has been reached or exceeded, (8) acquisition of shares by direct investment under the Foreign Investment Promotion Law, (9) acquisition and disposal of shares on an overseas stock exchange market, if such shares are simultaneously listed on the KRX KOSPI Market or the KRX KOSDAQ Market of the Korea Exchange and such overseas stock exchange, and (10) arm’s length transactions between foreigners in the event all such foreigners belong to an investment group
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managed by the same person. For over-the-counter transactions of shares listed on the Korea Exchange outside the Korea Exchange between foreigners of a class of shares for which a ceiling on aggregate acquisition by foreigners exists and has been reached or exceeded, a financial investment company with a brokerage license in Korea must act as an intermediary. Odd-lot trading of shares listed on the Korea Exchange outside the Korea Exchange must involve a financial investment company with a dealing license in Korea as the other party. Foreign investors are prohibited from engaging in margin transactions with respect to shares subject to a ceiling on acquisition by foreigners.
The Investment Rules require a foreign investor who wishes to invest in or dispose of shares on the Korea Exchange (including Converted Shares) to register his/her identity with the Financial Supervisory Service prior to making any such investment or disposal unless he/she had previously registered. However, such registration requirement does not apply to foreign investors who acquire Converted Shares with the intention of selling them within three months from the date they were acquired. Upon registration, the Financial Supervisory Service will issue to the foreign investor an Investment Registration Card which must be presented each time the foreign investor opens a brokerage account with a financial investment company or financial institution in Korea. Foreigners eligible to obtain an Investment Registration Card include any foreign nationals who are individuals (with residence abroad for six months or more), foreign governments, foreign municipal authorities, foreign public institutions, international financial institutions or similar international organizations, corporations incorporated under foreign laws and any person in any additional category designated by the Decree of the Financial Services and Capital Markets Act. All Korean branches of a foreign corporation as a group are treated as a separate foreigner from the head office of the foreign corporation. However, a foreign branch of a Korean securities company, a foreign corporation or a depositary issuing depositary receipts may obtain one or more Investment Registration Cards in its name in certain circumstances as described in the relevant regulations.
Upon a foreign investor’s purchase of shares through the Korea Exchange, no separate report by the investor is required because the Investment Registration Card system is designed to control and oversee foreign investment through a computer system. However, a foreign investor’s acquisition or sale of shares outside the Korea Exchange (as discussed above) must be reported by the foreign investor or his standing proxy to the Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service at the time of each acquisition or sale. However, a foreign investor must ensure that any acquisition or sale by it of shares outside the Korea Exchange in the case of trades in connection with a tender offer, odd-lot trading of shares or trades of 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 Korea Securities Depository, financial investment companies with a dealing or brokerage license or securities finance companies engaged to facilitate such transactions. In the event a foreign investor desires to acquire or sell shares outside the Korea Exchange and the circumstances in connection with such sale or acquisition do not fall within the exceptions made for certain limited circumstances described above, then the foreign investor must obtain the prior approval of the Governor. In addition, in the event a foreign investor acquires or sells shares outside the Korea Exchange, a prior report to the Bank of Korea may also be required in certain circumstances. 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), financial investment companies with a dealing, brokerage or collective investment license and certain eligible foreign custodians which will exercise shareholders’ rights or perform any matters related to the foregoing activities if the foreign investor does not perform these activities himself. However, a foreign investor may be exempted from complying with these standing proxy rules with the approval of the Governor of the Financial Supervisory Service in cases deemed inevitable by reason of conflict between the laws of Korea and those of the home country of the foreign investor.
Certificates evidencing shares of Korean companies must be kept in custody with an eligible custodian in Korea, the Korea Securities Depository, foreign exchange banks (including domestic branches of foreign banks), financial investment companies with a dealing, brokerage or collective investment license and certain eligible foreign custodians are eligible to be a custodian of shares for a non-resident or foreign investor. A foreign investor must ensure that his custodian deposits his shares with the Korea Securities Depository. Generally, a
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foreign investor may not permit any person, other than his/her standing proxy, to exercise rights relating to his shares or perform any tasks related thereto on his behalf. 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 is made impracticable, including cases where such compliance would contravene the laws of the home country of the foreign investor.
Under the Investment Rules, with certain exceptions, a foreign investor may acquire shares of a Korean company without being subject to any single or aggregate foreign investment ceiling. However, certain designated public corporations are subject to a 40.0% ceiling on acquisitions of shares by foreigners in the aggregate and a ceiling on acquisitions of shares by a single foreign investor provided in the Articles of Incorporation of such corporations. Of the Korean companies listed on the Korea Exchange, we are so designated. The Financial Services Commission may impose other restrictions as it deems necessary for the protection of investors and the stabilization of the Korean securities and derivatives market. Generally, the ownership of Converted Shares constitutes foreign ownership for purposes of such aggregate foreign ownership limit. However, the acquisition of Converted Shares is one of the exceptions under which foreign investors may acquire shares of designated corporations in excess of the 40.0% ceiling.
In addition to the aggregate foreign investment ceiling set by the Financial Services Commission under authority of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, our Articles of Incorporation set a 3% ceiling on acquisition by a single investor (whether domestic or foreign) of the shares of our common stock. Any person (with certain exceptions) who holds more than 3% of our issued and outstanding shares cannot exercise voting rights with respect to our shares in excess of this 3% limit.
Converted Shares;
A foreigner who has acquired shares in excess of any ceiling described above may not exercise his voting rights with respect to the shares exceeding such limit and the Financial Services Commission may take necessary corrective action against him.
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 a securities company. Funds in the foreign currency account may be remitted abroad without any governmental approval.
Dividends on shares of our common stock 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 securities company or the investor’s Won account. Funds in the investor’s Won account may be transferred to his foreign currency account or withdrawn for local living expenses, provided that any withdrawal of local living expenses in excess of a certain amount is reported to the tax authorities by the foreign exchange bank at which Won account is maintained. Funds in the
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investor’s Won account may also be used for future investment in shares or for payment of the subscription price of new shares obtained through the exercise of preemptive rights.
Financial investment companies with a securities dealing, brokerage or collective investment license are allowed to open foreign currency accounts with foreign exchange banks exclusively for accommodating foreign investors’ stock investments in Korea. Through these accounts, these securities companies and asset management companies 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 foreign investors having to open their own accounts with foreign exchange banks.
Item 10E. Taxation
Korean Taxes
The following summary describes the material Korean tax consequences of ownership of the Registered Debt Securities and ADSs. Persons considering the purchase of the Registered Debt Securities or ADSs should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the application of the Korean income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction. Reference is also made to a tax treaty between the Republic and the United States entitled “Convention Between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of the United States of America for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and the Encouragement of International Trade and Investment,” signed on June 4, 1976 and entered into force on October 20, 1979.
The following summary of Korean tax considerations applies to you so long as you are not:
a resident of Korea;
a corporation having its head office, principal place of business or place of effective management in Korea; or
engaged in a trade or business in Korea through a permanent establishment or a fixed base to which the relevant income is attributable or with which the relevant income is effectively connected.
Registered Debt Securities
Taxation of Interest
Pursuant to the Special Tax Treatment Control Law (“STTCL”), when we make payments of interest to you on the Registered Debt Securities, no amount will be withheld from such payments for, or on account of, any income taxes of any kind imposed, levied, withheld or assessed by Korea or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, provided that Registered Debt Securities are deemed to be foreign currency-denominated bonds issued outside of Korea for the purpose of the STTCL.
If the tax exemption under the STTCL referred to above were to cease to be in effect, the rate of income tax or corporation tax applicable to the interest on the Registered Debt Securities would be 14% of income for a non-resident without a permanent establishment in Korea. In addition, local income tax would be imposed at the rate of 10.0% of the income tax or corporation tax (which would increase the total tax rate to 15.4%), unless reduction is available under an applicable income tax treaty. If you are a qualified resident in a country that has entered into a tax treaty with Korea, you may qualify for an exemption or a reduced rate of Korean withholding tax. See the discussion under “—Shares or ADSs—Tax Treaties” below for an additional explanation on treaty benefits.
In order to obtain the benefits of an exemption or a reduced withholding tax rate under a tax treaty, you must submit to us, prior to the interest payment date, such evidence of tax residence as may be required by the Korean tax authorities in order to establish your entitlement to the benefits of the applicable tax treaty.
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Furthermore, Korean tax laws require the beneficial owner to submit an application for entitlement to a preferential tax rate together with evidence of tax residence (including a certificate of tax residence of the beneficial owner issued by a competent authority of the country of tax residence of the beneficial owner) to a withholding obligor paying Korean source income in order to benefit from the available reduced tax rate pursuant to the relevant tax treaty. Under Korean tax laws and subject to certain exceptions, an overseas investment vehicle (which is defined as an organization established in a foreign jurisdiction that manages funds collected through investment solicitation by acquiring, disposing or otherwise investing in proprietary targets and then distributes the proceeds thereof to investors) (the “Overseas Investment Vehicle”) must obtain an application for a preferential tax rate from the beneficial owner and forward it to the withholding obligor along with an overseas investment vehicle report (prepared by the Overseas Investment Vehicle) which includes a detailed statement on the beneficial owner.
Taxation of Capital Gains
Korean tax laws currently exclude from Korean taxation gains made by a non-resident without permanent establishment in Korea from the sale of a Registered Debt Security to another non-resident (except where a non-resident sells Registered Debt Securities to another non-resident who has permanent establishments in Korea, if any). In addition, capital gains realized from the transfer of Registered Debt Securities outside Korea by non-residents with or without permanent establishments in Korea are currently exempt from taxation by virtue of the STTCL, provided that the issuance of such Registered Debt Securities is deemed to be an overseas issuance of foreign currency-denominated bonds under the STTCL. If you sell or otherwise dispose of a Registered Debt Security through other ways than those mentioned above, any gain realized on the transaction will be taxable at ordinary Korean withholding tax rates (which is the lesser of 22.0% (including local income tax) of the net gain or 11.0% (including local income tax) of the gross sale proceeds, subject to the production of satisfactory evidence of the acquisition cost of such Registered Debt Securities and certain direct transaction costs attributable to the disposal of such Registered Debt Securities), unless an exemption is available under an applicable income tax treaty. See the discussion under “—Shares or ADSs—Tax Treaties” below for an additional explanation on treaty benefits.
Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax
If you die while you are the holder of Registered Debt Securities, the subsequent transfer of the Registered Debt Securities by way of succession will be subject to Korean inheritance tax. Similarly, if you transfer Registered Debt Securities as a gift, the donee will be subject to Korean gift tax and you may be required to pay the gift tax if the donee fails to do so.
At present, Korea has not entered into any tax treaty relating to inheritance or gift taxes.
Shares or ADSs
Dividends on the Shares of Common Stock or ADSs
We will deduct Korean withholding tax from dividends (whether in cash or in shares) paid to you at a rate of 22% (inclusive of local income tax). If you are a qualified resident in a country that has entered into a tax treaty with Korea, you may qualify for a reduced rate of Korean withholding tax. See the discussion under “—Tax Treaties” below for an additional explanation on treaty benefits.
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, such evidence of tax residence as may be required by the Korean tax authorities in order to establish your entitlement to the benefits of the applicable tax treaty. Evidence of tax residence may be submitted to us through the ADS depositary. If we distribute to you free shares representing a transfer of certain capital reserves or asset revaluation reserves into paid-in capital, such distribution may be subject to Korean withholding tax.
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Furthermore, Korean tax laws require the beneficial owner to submit an application for entitlement to a preferential tax rate together with evidence of tax residence (including a certificate of tax residence of the beneficial owner issued by a competent authority of the country of tax residence of the beneficial owner) to a withholding obligor paying Korean source income in order to benefit from the available reduced tax rate pursuant to the relevant tax treaty. Under Korean tax laws and subject to certain exceptions, the Overseas Investment Vehicle must obtain an application for entitlement to a preferential tax rate from the beneficial owner and forward it to the withholding obligor along with an overseas investment vehicle report (prepared by the Overseas Investment Vehicle) which includes a detailed statement on the beneficial owner.
If you hold common shares or ADSs and receive the dividend through an account at the Korea Securities Depository held by a foreign depositary settlement institute, you are not required to submit the application for entitlement to a preferential tax rate. However, evidence of tax residence may need to be submitted to us through such foreign depositary settlement institute.
As a general rule, capital gains earned by non-residents upon the transfer of the common shares or ADSs would be subject to Korean income tax at a rate equal to the lesser of (i) 11.0% (including local income tax) of the gross proceeds realized or (ii) 22.0% (including local income tax) of the net realized gain (subject to the production of satisfactory evidence of the acquisition costs and certain direct transaction costs arising out of the transfer of such common shares or ADSs), unless such non-resident is exempt from Korean income taxation under an applicable Korean tax treaty into which Korea has entered with the non-resident’s country of tax residence. Please see the discussion under “—Tax Treaties” below for an additional explanation on treaty benefits. Even if you do not qualify for any exemption under a tax treaty, you will not be subject to the foregoing income tax on capital gains if you qualify for the relevant Korean domestic tax law exemptions discussed in the following paragraphs.
You will not be subject to Korean income taxation on capital gains realized upon the transfer of our common stocks or ADSs through the Korea Exchange if you (i) have no permanent establishment in Korea and (ii) did not own or have not owned (together with any shares owned by any entity which you have a certain special relationship with and possibly including the shares represented by the ADSs) 25.0% or more of our total issued and outstanding shares at any time during the calendar year in which the sale occurs and during the five calendar years prior to the calendar year in which the sale occurs.
It should be noted that (i) capital gains earned by you (regardless of whether you have a permanent establishment in Korea) from the transfer of ADSs outside Korea will be exempted from Korean income taxation provided that ADSs are deemed to have been issued overseas under the STTCL, but (ii) if and when an owner of the underlying shares of stock transfers ADSs after conversion of the underlying shares into ADSs, the exemption described in (i) is not applicable.
If you are subject to tax on capital gains with respect to the sale of ADSs, or of shares of common stock which you acquired as a result of a withdrawal, the purchaser or, in the case of the sale of shares of common stock on the Korea Exchange or through an investment dealer or investment broker under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act, an investment dealer or investment broker is required to withhold Korean tax from the sales price in an amount equal to 11.0% (including local income tax) of the gross realization proceeds and to make payment of these amounts to the Korean tax authority, unless you establish your entitlement to an exemption under an applicable tax treaty or domestic tax law or produce satisfactory evidence of your acquisition cost and transaction costs for the shares of common stock or the ADSs.
However, if you transfer the ADSs following an exchange of the underlying shares of stock owned by you for ADSs to a purchaser who is a non-residents or a foreign company without permanent establishment in Korea, you are obligated to file an income tax return and pay tax on gain realized from such transfer unless exempt
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under an applicable tax treaty or domestic law. Further, if you transfer the shares of common stock outside of Korea (excluding a transfer on a foreign exchange) to non-residents or foreign companies without having permanent establishments in Korea, you are obligated to file an income tax return and pay income tax on capital gain realized from such transfer unless exempt under an applicable tax treaty or domestic law. If a purchaser or an investment dealer or investment broker, as the case may be, withholds and remits the tax on capital gains derived from transfer of shares of common stock or ADSs, your obligation to file an income tax return and pay income tax will be exempt.
In order to obtain the benefit of an exemption from tax pursuant to a tax treaty, you must submit to the purchaser or the investment dealer or the investment broker, or through the ADS depositary, as the case may be, prior to or at the time of payment, such evidence of your tax residence as the Korean tax authorities may require in support of your claim for treaty benefits. Please see the discussion under “—Tax Treaties” below for an additional explanation on claiming treaty benefits. Furthermore, Korean tax laws require the beneficial owner to submit an application for tax exemption together with evidence of tax residence (including a certificate of tax residence of the beneficial owner issued by a competent authority of the country of tax residence of the beneficial owner) to a withholding obligor paying Korean source income in order to benefit from the available exemption pursuant to the relevant tax treaty. Under Korean tax laws and subject to certain exceptions, the Overseas Investment Vehicle must obtain an application for tax exemption from the beneficial owner and forward it to the withholding obligor along with an overseas investment vehicle report (prepared by the Overseas Investment Vehicle) which includes a detailed statement on the beneficial owner.
Tax Treaties
Korea has entered into a number of income tax treaties with other countries (including the United States), which would reduce or exempt Korean withholding tax on dividends on, and capital gains on transfer of, shares of our common stock or ADSs. For example, under the Korea-United States income tax treaty, reduced rates of Korean withholding tax of 16.5% or 11.0% (respectively, including local income tax, depending on your shareholding ratio) on dividends and an exemption from Korean withholding tax on capital gains are available to residents of the United States that are beneficial owners of the relevant dividend income or capital gains. However, under Article 17 (Investment of Holding Companies) of the Korea-United States income tax treaty, such reduced rates and exemption do not apply if (i) you are a United States corporation, (ii) by reason of any special measures, the tax imposed on you by the United States with respect to such dividends or capital gains is substantially less than the tax generally imposed by the United States on corporate profits, and (iii) 25.0% or more of your capital is held of record or is otherwise determined, after consultation between competent authorities of the United States and Korea, to be owned directly or indirectly by one or more persons who are not individual residents of the United States. Also, under Article 16 (Capital Gains) of the Korea-United States income tax treaty, the exemption on capital gains does not apply if you are an individual, and (a) you maintain a fixed base in Korea for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year and your ADSs or shares of common stock giving rise to capital gains are effectively connected with such fixed base or (b) you are present in Korea for a period or periods of 183 days or more during the taxable year.
You should inquire for yourself whether you are entitled to the benefit of an income tax treaty with Korea. It is the responsibility of the party claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty in respect of dividend payments or capital gains to submit to us, the purchaser or the investment dealer or the investment broker, as applicable, a certificate as to his tax residence. In the absence of sufficient proof, we, the purchaser or the investment dealer or the investment broker, as applicable, must withhold tax at the normal rates. Further, in order for you to obtain the benefit of a tax exemption on certain Korean source income (e.g., interest, dividends and capital gains) under an applicable tax treaty, Korean tax laws require you (or your agent) to submit an application for tax exemption (if there is no change in the content of such application, it is not required to submit such application again within a period of three years thereafter) along with a certificate of your tax residence issued by a competent authority of your country of tax residence. Under Korean tax laws and subject to certain exceptions, the Overseas Investment Vehicle must obtain an application for tax exemption from the beneficial owner and forward it to the withholding
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obligor along with an overseas investment vehicle report (prepared by the Overseas Investment Vehicle) which includes a detailed statement on the beneficial owner. The withholding obligor must submit the application and the report to the relevant tax office by the ninth day of the month following the date of the first payment of such income.
Furthermore, the Korean tax laws require the beneficial owner to submit an application for entitlement to a preferential tax rate (if there is no change in the content of such application, it is not required to submit such application again within a period of three years thereafter) together with evidence of tax residence (including a certificate of tax residence of the beneficial owner issued by a competent authority of the country of tax residence of the beneficial owner) to a withholding obligor paying Korean source income in order to benefit from the available reduced tax rate pursuant to the relevant tax treaty. If you hold the shares of common stock or ADSs and receive the dividend through an account at the Korea Securities Depository held by a foreign depositary settlement institute, you are not required to submit the application for entitlement to a preferential tax rate. However, evidence of tax residence may need to be submitted to us through such foreign depositary settlement institute.
Under Korean tax laws and subject to certain exceptions, the Overseas Investment Vehicle must obtain an application for a preferential tax rate from the beneficial owner and forward it to the withholding obligor along with an overseas investment vehicle report (prepared by the Overseas Investment Vehicle) which includes a detailed statement on the beneficial owner.
If you die while holding an ADS or donate an ADS, it is unclear whether, for Korean inheritance and gift tax purposes, you will be treated as the owner of the shares of common stock underlying the ADSs. If the tax authority interprets depositary receipts as the underlying share certificates, you may be treated as the owner of the shares of common stock and your heir or the donee (or in certain circumstances, you as the donor) will be subject to Korean inheritance or gift tax presently at the rate of 10.0% to 50.0%, depending on the value of the ADSs or shares of common stock.
If you die while holding a share of common stock or donate a share of common stock, your heir or donee (or in certain circumstances, you as the donor) will be subject to Korean inheritance or gift tax at the same rate as indicated above.
Securities Transaction Tax
If you transfer shares of common stock on the Stock Market of the Korea Exchange, you will be subject to securities transaction tax at the rate of 0.15% and an agriculture and fishery special surtax at the rate of 0.15% of the sale price of the shares of common stock. If your transfer of the shares of common stock is not made on the Stock Market of the Korea Exchange, subject to certain exceptions you will be subject to securities transaction tax at the rate of 0.5% and will not be subject to an agriculture and fishery special surtax.
Under the Securities Transaction Tax Law, depositary receipts (such as ADSs) constitute share certificates subject to the securities transaction tax. However, a transfer of depositary receipts listed on the New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ National Market or other qualified foreign exchanges will be exempt from the securities transaction tax although depositary receipts, including ADSs, constitute share certificates subject to the securities transaction tax.
In principle, the securities transaction tax, if applicable, must be paid by the transferor of the shares or rights. When the transfer is effected through the Korea Securities Depository, the Korea Securities Depository is generally required to withhold and pay the tax to the tax authorities. When such transfer is made through an
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investment dealer or investment broker under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act only, such investment dealer or investment broker is required to withhold and pay the tax. Where the transfer is effected by a non-resident without a permanent establishment in Korea, other than through the Korea Securities Depository or an investment dealer or investment broker, the transferee is required to withhold the securities transaction tax for payment to the Korean tax authority.
U.S. Federal Income and Estate Tax Considerations for U.S. Persons
The following is a summary of certain U.S. Federal income and estate tax consequences for beneficial owners of the Registered Debt Securities, common stock and ADSs that are “U.S. Persons (as defined below).” For purposes of this summary, you are a “U.S. Person” if you are any of the following for U.S. Federal income tax purposes:
an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. Federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
a trust if (1) it is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.
This summary is based on current law, which is subject to change (perhaps retroactively), is for general purposes only and should not be considered tax advice. This summary does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. Federal income and estate tax consequences to you in light of your particular circumstances. The discussion set forth below is applicable to you if (i) you are a resident of the United States for purposes of the current income tax treaty between the United States and Korea (the “Treaty”), (ii) your Registered Debt Securities, common stock or ADSs are not, for purposes of the Treaty, effectively connected with a permanent establishment in Korea and (iii) you otherwise qualify for the full benefits of the Treaty. Except where noted, this summary deals only with Registered Debt Securities, common stock or ADSs held as capital assets, and it does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. Federal income and estate tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the U.S. Federal income tax laws (including if you are a dealer in securities or currencies, a financial institution, a regulated investment company, a real estate investment trust, an insurance company, a tax-exempt organization, a person holding the Registered Debt Securities, common stock or ADSs as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, constructive sale or straddle, a person owning 10.0% or more of our voting stock, a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities holdings, a person liable for the alternative minimum tax, an investor in a pass-through entity, or a U.S. Person whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar). We cannot assure you that a change in law will not alter significantly the tax considerations that we describe in this summary.
If a partnership holds the Registered Debt Securities, common stock or ADSs, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our Registered Debt Securities, common stock, or ADSs, you should consult your tax advisor.
Because of the 100-year maturity of the One Hundred Year 7.95% Zero-to-Full Debentures, due April 1, 2096 (the “ZTF Debentures”), it is not certain whether the ZTF Debentures will be treated as debt for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. The discussion below assumes that the ZTF Debentures (as well as the other Registered Debt Securities) will be treated as debt, except that a summary of the consequences to you if the ZTF Debentures were not treated as debt is provided under “Tax Consequences with Respect to Registered Debt Securities Generally—ZTF Debentures Treated as Equity” below.
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The discussion of the tax consequences of ownership of common stock and ADSs below, is based, in part, upon representations made by the Depositary to us and assumes that the deposit agreement, and all other related agreements, will be performed in accordance with their terms.
You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the particular U.S. Federal income and estate tax consequences to you of the ownership of the Registered Debt Securities, common stock and ADSs, as well as the consequences to you arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
Tax Consequences with Respect to Registered Debt Securities Generally
Payments
Except as provided below with regard to original issue discount (as defined below) on the ZTF Debentures, interest payments on a Registered Debt Security will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with your method of accounting for tax purposes. Principal payments on an amortizing Registered Debt Security generally will constitute a tax-free return of capital to you.
Although interest payments to you are currently exempt from Korean taxation provided that Registered Debt Securities are deemed to be foreign currency-denominated bonds issued outside of Korea for the purpose of the STTCL, (See—“Korean Taxes—Registered Debt Securities—Taxation of Interest,” above) if the Korean law providing for the exemption is repealed, then, in addition to interest payments on the Registered Debt Securities and original issue discount on the ZTF Debentures, you will be required to include in income any additional amounts and any Korean tax withheld from interest payments notwithstanding that you in fact did not receive such withheld tax. You may be entitled to deduct or credit such Korean tax (up to the Treaty rate), subject to applicable limitations in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Your election to deduct or credit foreign taxes will apply to all of your foreign taxes for a particular taxable year. Interest income on a Registered Debt Security (including additional amounts and any Korean taxes withheld in respect thereof) and original issue discount on a ZTF Debenture generally will constitute foreign source income and generally will be considered passive category income for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit. You will generally be denied a foreign tax credit for Korean taxes imposed with respect to the Registered Debt Securities where you do not meet a minimum holding period requirement during which you are not protected from risk of loss. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.
Original Issue Discount
The ZTF Debentures were issued with original issue discount (“OID”), for U.S. Federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between (i) the sum of all scheduled amounts payable on the ZTF Debentures (including the interest payable on such ZTF Debentures) and (ii) the “issue price” of the ZTF Debentures. The “issue price” of each ZTF Debenture is the first price at which a substantial amount of the ZTF Debentures was sold to the public (other than to an underwriter, broker, placement agent or wholesaler). If you hold ZTF Debentures, then you generally must include OID in gross income in advance of the receipt of cash attributable to that income, regardless of your method of accounting. However, you generally will not be required to include separately in income cash payments received on the ZTF Debentures, even if denominated as interest.
The amount of OID includible in income by the initial holder of a ZTF Debenture is the sum of the “daily portions” of OID with respect to the ZTF Debenture for each day during the taxable year or portion of the taxable year in which such holder held such ZTF Debenture, or accrued OID (for a discussion relevant to subsequent purchasers, see “—Market Discount” and “—Bond Premium,” below). The daily portion is determined by allocating to each day in any “accrual period” a pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. The “accrual period” for a ZTF Debenture may be of any length and may vary in length over the term of the ZTF Debenture, provided that each accrual period is no longer than one year and each scheduled payment of principal
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or interest occurs on the first day or the final day of an accrual period. The amount of OID allocable to any accrual period other than the final accrual period is an amount equal to the product of the ZTF Debenture’s adjusted issue price at the beginning of such accrual period and its yield to maturity (determined on the basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and properly adjusted for the length of the accrual period). OID allocable to a final accrual period is the difference between the amount payable at maturity and the adjusted issue price at the beginning of the final accrual period. The “adjusted issue price” of a ZTF Debenture at the beginning of any accrual period is equal to its issue price increased by the accrued OID for each prior accrual period (for subsequent purchasers, determined without regard to the amortization of any acquisition or bond premium, as described below) and reduced by any payments previously made on such ZTF Debenture. Under these rules, you will have to include in income increasingly greater amounts of OID in successive accrual periods. We are required to provide information returns stating the amount of OID accrued on ZTF Debentures held of record by persons other than corporations and other exempt holders.
As discussed above, although interest payments to you are currently exempt from Korean taxation provided that Registered Debt Securities are deemed to be foreign currency-denominated bonds issued outside of Korea for the purpose of the STTCL, (See—“Korean Taxes—Registered Debt Securities—Taxation of Interest,” above) if the Korean law providing for the exemption is repealed, then Korean withholding tax may be imposed at times that differ from the times at which you are required to include interest or OID in income for U.S. Federal income tax purposes and this disparity may limit the amount of foreign tax credit available.
Market Discount
If you purchase a Registered Debt Security other than a ZTF Debenture for an amount that is less than its stated redemption price at maturity, or, in the case of a ZTF Debenture, its adjusted issue price, the amount of the difference will be treated as “market discount” for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, unless that difference is less than a specified de minimis amount. Under the market discount rules, you will be required to treat any payment, other than qualified stated interest (as defined in the Code), on, or any gain on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a Registered Debt Security as ordinary income to the extent of the market discount that you have not previously included in income and are treated as having accrued on the Registered Debt Security at the time of its payment or disposition. In addition, you may be required to defer, until the maturity of the Registered Debt Security or its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of all or a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness attributable to the Registered Debt Security.
Any market discount will be considered to accrue ratably during the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of the Registered Debt Security, unless you elect to accrue on a constant interest method. Your election to accrue market discount on a constant interest method is to be made for the taxable year in which you acquired the Registered Debt Security, applies only to that Registered Debt Security and cannot be revoked. You may elect to include market discount in income currently as it accrues, on either a ratable or constant interest method, in which case the rule described above regarding deferral of interest deductions will not apply. Your election to include market discount in income currently, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired by you on or after the first taxable year to which your election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). You should consult your own tax advisor before making this election.
Bond Premium
If you purchase a ZTF Debenture for an amount that is greater than its adjusted issue price but equal to or less than the sum of all amounts payable on the ZTF Debenture after the purchase date, you will be considered to have purchased that ZTF Debenture at an “acquisition premium.” Under the acquisition premium rules, the amount of OID that you must include in gross income with respect to a ZTF Debenture for any taxable year will be reduced by the portion of the acquisition premium properly allocable to that year.
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If you purchase a Registered Debt Security for an amount in excess of the sum of all amounts payable on the Registered Debt Security after the purchase date other than qualified stated interest, you will be considered to have purchased the Registered Debt Security at a “premium” and, if such Registered Debt Security is a ZTF Debenture, you will not be required to include any OID in income. You generally may elect to amortize the premium over the remaining term of the Registered Debt Security on a constant yield method as an offset to interest when includible in income under your regular accounting method. In the case of instruments that provide for alternative payment schedules, bond premium is calculated by assuming that (a) you will exercise or not exercise options in a manner that maximizes your yield, and (b) we will exercise or not exercise options in a manner that minimizes your yield (except that we will be assumed to exercise call options in a manner that maximizes your yield). If you do not elect to amortize bond premium, that premium will decrease the gain or increase the loss you would otherwise recognize on disposition of a Registered Debt Security. Your election to amortize premium on a constant yield method will also apply to all debt obligations held or subsequently acquired by you on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies. You may not revoke the election without the consent of the IRS. You should consult your own tax advisor before making this election.
Sale, Exchange and Retirement of Registered Debt Securities
When you sell, exchange or retire a Registered Debt Security, you will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount you receive (not including an amount equal to any accrued qualified stated interest, which will be taxable as ordinary income to the extent not previously included in income) and your adjusted tax basis in the Registered Debt Security. Your tax basis in a Registered Debt Security other than a ZTF Debenture will generally be your cost of obtaining the Registered Debt Security increased by any market discount included in income and reduced by payments of principal you receive and any bond premium that you elect to amortize. Your adjusted tax basis in a ZTF Debenture will, in general, be your cost therefor, increased by any market discount and OID previously included in income and reduced by any cash payments on the ZTF Debentures and any bond premium that you elect to amortize. Your gain or loss realized on selling, exchanging or retiring a Registered Debt Security will generally be treated as United States source income. Consequently, you may not be able to use the foreign tax credit arising from any Korean tax imposed on the disposition of Registered Debt Securities unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against tax due on other income treated as derived from foreign sources. Except as described above with respect to market discount, your gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale, exchange or retirement of a Registered Debt Security, you have held the Registered Debt Security for more than one year. If you are an individual and the Registered Debt Security being sold, exchanged or retired is a capital asset that you held for more than one year, you may be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any capital gain recognized. Your ability to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations.
ZTF Debentures Treated as Equity
If the ZTF Debentures were treated as equity for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, amounts deemed paid with respect to the ZTF Debentures would be deemed dividends for U.S. Federal income tax purposes to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. Federal income tax purposes).
You would include the amounts deemed paid by us on the ZTF Debentures (before reduction for Korean withholding tax, if any) as dividend income when actually or constructively paid by KEPCO. Section 305 of the Code, which would apply to the ZTF Debentures if they were treated as equity for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, requires current accrual of dividends under principles similar to the accrual of OID. Amounts treated as dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations.
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Tax Consequences with Respect to Common Stock and ADSs
In general, for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, holders of ADSs will be treated as the owners of the underlying common stock that is represented by such ADSs. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of common stock by holders of ADSs will not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax.
Distributions on Common Stock or ADSs
The gross amount of distributions (other than certain distributions of common stock or rights to subscribe for common stock) to holders of common stock or ADSs (including amounts withheld in respect of Korean withholding taxes) will be taxable dividends to such holders, to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. Federal income tax principles. Such income (including withheld taxes) will be includable in the gross income of a holder as ordinary income on the day actually or constructively received by the holder, in the case of common stock, or by the Depositary, in the case of ADSs. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code.
With respect to non-corporate U.S. Persons, certain dividends paid by a qualified foreign corporation and received by such holders may be subject to reduced rates of taxation. A qualified foreign corporation includes a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States, if such treaty contains an exchange of information provision and the United States Treasury Department had determined that the treaty is satisfactory for purposes of the legislation. The United States Treasury Department has determined that the Treaty, which contains an exchange of information provision, is (in the absence of additional guidance) satisfactory for these purposes. In addition, we believe we are eligible for the benefits of the Treaty. However, a foreign corporation is also treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid by that corporation on shares (or ADSs backed by such shares) that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Shares of our common stock will generally not be considered readily tradable for these purposes. However, United States Treasury Department guidance indicates that our ADSs, which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. There can be no assurance that our ADSs will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in later years. Non-corporate U.S. Persons that do not meet a minimum holding period requirement during which they are not protected from a risk of loss or that elect to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation regardless of our status as a qualified foreign corporation. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends if the recipient of a dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. This disallowance applies even if the minimum holding period has been met. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the foregoing rules to their particular circumstances.
The amount of any dividend paid in Won will equal the United States dollar value of the Won received calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date the dividend is received by the holder, in the case of common stock, or by the Depositary, in the case of ADSs, regardless of whether the Won are converted into U.S. dollars. If the Won received as a dividend are not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a holder will have a basis in the Won equal to their U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Any gain or loss realized on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the Won will be treated as United States source ordinary income or loss. The amount of any distribution of property other than cash will be the fair market value of such property on the date of distribution.
The maximum rate of withholding tax on dividends paid to you pursuant to the Treaty is 16.5%. You will be required to properly demonstrate to us and the Korean tax authorities your entitlement to the reduced rate of withholding under the Treaty. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, Korean withholding taxes (up to the Treaty rate) will be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your U.S. Federal income tax liability. For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit, dividends paid on the common stock or ADSs will be treated as foreign source income and will generally constitute passive category income. Further, in certain circumstances, if you have held common stock or ADSs for less than a specified minimum period during which you are not
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protected from risk of loss, or are obligated to make payments related to the dividends, you will not be allowed a foreign tax credit for foreign taxes imposed on dividends paid on common stock or ADSs. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances including the possible adverse impact on creditability to the extent you are entitled to a refund of any Korean tax withheld or a reduced rate of withholding.
To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, as determined under U.S. Federal income tax principles, the distribution will first be treated as a tax-free return of capital, causing a reduction in the adjusted basis of the common stock or ADSs (thereby increasing the amount of gain, or decreasing the amount of loss, to be recognized by the investor on a subsequent disposition of the common stock or ADSs), and the balance in excess of adjusted basis will be taxed as capital gain recognized on a sale or exchange of property. Consequently, such distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would not give rise to foreign source income and you generally would not be able to use the foreign tax credit arising from any Korean withholding tax imposed on such distributions unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against U.S. tax due on other foreign source income in the appropriate category for foreign tax credit purposes. However, we do not expect to keep earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. Federal income tax principles. Therefore, you should expect that a distribution will generally be treated as a dividend (as discussed above).
Distributions of common stock or rights to subscribe for common stock that are received as part of a pro rata distribution to all of our shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax. Consequently such distributions will not give rise to foreign source income and you generally will not be able to use the foreign tax credit arising from any Korean withholding tax unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against U.S. tax due on other income derived from foreign sources. The basis of the new common stock or rights so received will be determined by allocating your basis in the old common stock between the old common stock and the new common stock or rights received, based on their relative fair market value on the date of distribution. However, the basis of the rights will be zero if (i) the fair market value of the rights is less than 15% of the fair market value of the old common stock at the time of distribution, unless the taxpayer elects to determine the basis of the old common stock and of the rights by allocating between the old common stock and the rights the adjusted basis of the old common stock or (ii) the rights are not exercised and thus expire.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of ADSs or Common Stock
Upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of ADSs or common stock, you generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition and your adjusted tax basis in the ADSs or common stock. The capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale, exchange or other disposition, the ADSs or common stock have been held by you for more than one year. Under current law, long-term capital gains of individuals are, under certain circumstances, taxed at lower rates than items of ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any gain or loss recognized by you will generally be treated as U.S. source gain or loss. Consequently, you may not be able to use the foreign tax credit arising from any Korean tax imposed on the disposition of ADSs or common stock unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against tax due on other income treated as derived from foreign sources.
You should note that any Korean securities transaction tax will not be treated as a creditable foreign tax for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, although you may be entitled to deduct such taxes, subject to applicable limitations under the Code.
Estate and Gift Taxation
As discussed above in “—Korean Taxes—Registered Debt Securities—Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax” and “—Korean Taxes—Shares or ADSs—Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax,” Korea may impose an inheritance tax on
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your heir who receives ADSs and will impose an inheritance tax on an heir who receives common stock or Registered Debt Securities. The amount of any inheritance tax paid to Korea may be eligible for credit against the amount of U.S. Federal estate tax imposed on your estate. Prospective purchasers should consult their personal tax advisors to determine whether and to what extent they may be entitled to such credit. Korea also imposes a gift tax on the donation of any property located within Korea. The Korean gift tax generally will not be treated as a creditable foreign tax for United States tax purposes.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to principal, interest, OID and premium payments on Registered Debt Securities and dividend payments in respect of the common stock or ADSs or the proceeds received on the sale, exchange or redemption of the Registered Debt Securities, common stock or ADSs paid within the United States (and in certain cases, outside of the United States) to holders other than certain exempt recipients, and a backup withholding tax may apply to such amounts if you fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or to report interest and dividends required to be shown on your U.S. Federal income tax returns. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to you will be allowed as a refund or a credit against your U.S. Federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Item 10F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Item 10G. Statements by Experts
Item 10H. Documents on Display
We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act, 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. You may inspect and copy these materials, including this annual report and the exhibits thereto, at SEC’s Public Reference Room 100 Fifth Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. As a foreign private issuer, we are also required to make filings with the Commission by electronic means. Any filings we make electronically will be available to the public over the Internet at the Commission’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.
Item 10I. Subsidiary Information
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our primary market risk exposures are to fluctuations in exchange rates, interest rates and fuel prices. We are exposed to foreign exchange risk related to foreign currency-denominated liabilities. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 20.5% of our long-term debt (including the current portion but excluding issue discounts and premium), before accounting for swap transactions, was denominated in foreign currencies, principally U.S. dollars. However, a substantial portion of our revenues is denominated in Won. As a result, changes in exchange rates, particularly between the Won and the U.S. dollar, significantly affect us due to our significant amounts of foreign currency-denominated debt and the effect of such changes on the amount of funds required by us to make interest and principal payments on such debt. In order to reduce the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on our results of operations, we have recently been reducing and plan to continue to reduce the proportion of our debt which is denominated in foreign currencies.
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We are also exposed to foreign exchange risk related to our purchases of fuels since we obtain substantially all of our fuel materials (other than anthracite coal) directly or indirectly from sources outside Korea. Prices for such fuel materials are quoted based on prices stated in, and in many cases are paid for in, currencies other than Won. In 2014, fuel costs represented 36.1% of our sales.
We are exposed to interest rate risk due to significant amounts of debt. Upward fluctuations in interest rates increase the cost of additional debt and the interest cost of outstanding floating rate borrowings. We are also exposed to fluctuations in prices of fuel materials. In 2014, for electricity generation, uranium accounted for 35.3% of our fuel requirements, coal accounted for 46.0%, LNG accounted for 15.5% and oil accounted for 1.7%, measured in each case by the amount of electricity we generated. In 2013, measured on the same basis, uranium accounted for 30.9% of our fuel requirements, coal accounted for 44.8%, LNG accounted for 19.7% and oil accounted for 3.3%.
For additional discussions of our market risks, see Item 3D. “Risk Factors” and Item 5B. “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Liquidity.”
We have entered into various swap contracts to hedge exchange rate risks arising from foreign currency-denominated debts. Details of currency swap contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
Type
Trading
145
DBS
+0.84%
+0.78%
Cash flow hedge
+1.01%
+1.50%
+1.25%
+3%
*n/N
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+1.05%
+1.20%
Under these currency swap contracts, we recognized net valuation gain of Won 168,987 million in 2014.
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Details of interest rate contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
Counterparty
(KRW in millions,
USD in thousands)
Nonghyup Bank
Korea Development Bank
HSBC
Standard Chartered
JP Morgan
Korea Exchange Bank
Credit Suisse
Korea Development Bank(1)
BNP Paribas
KFW
Credit Agricole
4.10%
SMBC
4.18%
Under these interest rate swap contracts, we recognized net valuation loss of Won 16,800 million in 2014.
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We engage in transactions denominated in foreign currencies and consequently, we become exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates. The carrying amounts of our foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:
AUD
CAD
CNY
EUR
IDR
MXN
PHP
SAR
USD
INR
PKR
MGA
JPY
KZT
GBP
CHF
AED
SEK
JOD
BDT
CLP
ZAR
The following analysis sets forth the sensitivity of our consolidated net income before income taxes (our “pre-tax income”) to changes in exchange rates, interest rates, electricity rates and fuel costs. For purposes of this section, we and our related parties will be deemed one entity. The range of changes in such risk categories represents our view of the changes that are reasonably possible over a one-year period, although it is difficult to predict such changes as a result of adverse economic developments in Korea. See Item 3D. “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Korea and the Global Economy—Unfavorable financial and economic conditions in Korea and globally may have a material adverse impact on us.” The following discussion only addresses material market risks faced by us and does not discuss other risks which we face in the normal course of business, including country risk, credit risk and legal risk. Unless otherwise specified, all calculations are made under IFRS.
If Won depreciates against U.S. dollar and all other foreign currencies held by us by 10% and all other variables are held constant from their levels as of December 31, 2014, we estimate that our unrealized foreign exchange translation losses will increase by Won 790 billion in 2015. Such sensitivity analysis is conducted for monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies other than functional currency as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, before accounting for swap transactions. To manage our foreign currency risk related to foreign currency-denominated receivables and payables, we have a policy of entering into currency forward agreements. In addition, to manage our foreign currency risk related to foreign currency-denominated expected sales transactions and purchase transactions, we enter into cross-currency swap agreements.
We are exposed to interest rate risk due to its borrowing with floating interest rates. If interest rates increase by 1% on all of our borrowings and debentures bearing variable interest and all other variables are held constant as of December 31, 2014, we estimate that our income before income taxes will decrease by Won 60.6 billion
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(not reflecting the fact that a portion of such interest may be capitalized under IFRS) in 2015. Such sensitivity analysis does not take into consideration interest rate swap transactions. To manage our interest rate risks, we, in addition to maintaining an appropriate mix of fixed and floating rate loans, have entered into certain interest rate swap agreements.
We are exposed to electricity rates risk due to the rate regulation by the Government, which considers the effect of electricity rate changes on the national economy. If the electricity rate rises by 1% and all other variables are held constant as of December 31, 2014, we estimate that our income before income taxes will increase by Won 526.2 billion in 2015.
We are exposed to fuel price risks due to the heavy influence of fuel costs on our sales and cost of sales. If the fuel prices of anthracite and bituminous coal, oil, LNG and others used for generation by us and our generation subsidiaries rise by 1% and all other variables are held constant as of December 31, 2014, we estimate that our income before income taxes will decrease by Won 206 billion in 2015.
The above discussion and the estimated amounts generated from the sensitivity analyzes referred to above include “forward-looking statements,” which assume for analytical purposes that certain market conditions may occur. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements should not be considered projections by us of future events or losses.
See Note 45 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report for further related information.
Item 12A. Debt Securities
Of the five debt securities issued by us that are registered under the Exchange Act as set forth in the cover page of this annual report, two debt securities, namely Twenty Year 7.40% Amortizing Debentures due April 1, 2016 and One Hundred Year 7.95% Zero-to-Full Debentures due April 1, 2096, are guaranteed by Korea Development Bank.
Korea Development Bank, a policy bank for the Korean government, is 100% beneficially owned by the Korean government. The voting rights in our equity interest held by Korea Development Bank are effectively exercised by the Korean government.
The guarantee by Korea Development Bank of our two above-mentioned registered debt securities is itself a security registered under the Securities Act. Korea Development Bank is a Schedule B issuer and it periodically files registration statements with the Commission. These registration statements typically include financial statements prepared in accordance with the applicable generally accepted accounting principles, currently the Korean International Financial Reporting Standards, and audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in the Republic of Korea.
The guarantee by Korea Development Bank of these two debt securities will each expire on April 1, 2016. The guarantee for the Twenty Year 7.40% Amortizing Debentures due April 1, 2016 will expire by reason of the maturity of such debentures, while the guarantee for the One Hundred Year 7.95% Zero-to-Full Debentures due April 1, 2096 will expire by reason of the expiration of a put option period applicable to such debentures in accordance with the terms of such debentures.
Item 12B. Warrants and Rights
Item 12C. Other Securities
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Item 12D. American Depositary Shares
Under the terms of the Deposit Agreement in respect of our ADSs, the holder and beneficiary owners of ADSs, any party depositing or withdrawing or surrendering ADSs or ADRs, whichever applicable, may be required to pay the following fees and charges to Citibank, N.A. acting as depositary for our ADSs:
Item
Services
Fees
Depositary fees payable upon the issuance and cancellation 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 cancellation. The brokers in turn charge these transaction fees to their clients.
Depositary fees payable in connection with distributions of cash or securities to ADS holders and the depositary services fee are charged by the depositary to the holders of record of ADSs as of the applicable ADS record date. The depositary fees payable for cash distributions are generally deducted from the cash being
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distributed. In the case of distributions other than cash (i.e., stock dividends, rights offerings), 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 un-certificated 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 central clearing and settlement system, the Depository Trust Company (“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 the requested service until payment is received or may set-off the amount of the depositary fees from any distribution to be made to the ADS holder.
The fees and charges the ADS holders may be required to pay may vary over time and may be changed by us and by the depositary. The ADS holders will receive prior notice of such changes.
Depositary Payments for the Fiscal Year 2014
The following table sets forth our expenses incurred in 2014, which were reimbursed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the former depositary for our ADSs), and Citibank, N.A. (the current depositary for our ADSs) in the aggregate:
Reimbursement of legal fees
Reimbursement of accounting fees
Contributions towards our investor relations and other financing efforts (including investor conferences, non-deal roadshows and market information services)
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ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Disclosure Control
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-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. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon our evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014 were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file and submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decision 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, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, for our company. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 based on the framework established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and 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 a company’s assets, (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that a company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of a company’s management and directors, and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of a company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to consolidated financial statement preparation and presentation and 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.
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Following the overhaul in May 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway (“COSO”) of the COSO Framework relating to internal controls and adoption of the 2013 Integrated Framework of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO Framework (2013)”), we have, effective January 1, 2014, adopted the COSO Framework (2013) and incorporated it into our internal control system for us and our subsidiaries in order to comply with the Sarbanes Oxley Act and to standardize our internal control system. As required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related rules as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 using criteria established by the COSO Framework (2013). Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014 based on the criteria established by the COSO Framework (2013).
Audit Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp. has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which is included elsewhere in this annual report.
Changes in Internal Controls
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Our adoption of the COSO Framework (2013) did not have, and is not reasonably likely to have, any material effect on our internal control over financial reporting.
We operate an integrated ERP system for a transparent and efficient management of the core ERP components, including personnel, accounting, procurement, construction and facilities maintenance. In addition, we also operate a strategic enterprise management system that includes business warehouse, management information and business planning and simulation systems. We continue to upgrade and improve the ERP system, which is being used as our core information infrastructure.
Our board of directors has determined that we have at least one “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined by the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued pursuant to Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Our audit committee financial expert is Cho, Jeon-Hyeok. Such member currently remains a member of the audit committee and is independent within the meaning of the Korea Stock Exchange listing standards, the regulations promulgated under the Enforcement Decree of the Korean Commercial Code and the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. For biographic information of our audit committee financial expert, Cho, Jeon-Hyeok, see Item 6A. “Directors and Senior Management.”
We have adopted a code of ethics for our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions as required under Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, together with an insider reporting system in compliance with Section 301 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The code of ethics is available on our website www.kepco.co.kr. We have not granted any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics to any of the above-mentioned officers during our most recently completed fiscal year.
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ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL AUDITOR FEES AND SERVICES
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 for professional services rendered by our principal auditors for such year, for various types of services and a brief description of the nature of such services. KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp., a Korean independent registered public accounting firm, was our principal auditors for the year ended December 31, 2014 and we currently expect KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp. to serve as our principal auditors for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Type of Services
Nature of Services
Audit Fees
Audit-Related Fees
Tax Fees
All Other Fees
United States law and regulations in effect since May 6, 2003 generally require all service of the principal auditors be pre-approved by an independent audit committee or, if no such committee exists with respect to an issuer, by the entire board of directors. We have adopted the following policies and procedures for consideration and approval of requests to engage our principal auditors to perform audit and non-audit services. If the request relates to services that would impair the independence of our principal auditors, the request must be rejected. If the service request relates to audit and permitted non-audit services for us and our subsidiaries, it must be forwarded to our audit committee and receive pre-approval.
In addition, United States law and regulations permit the pre-approval requirement to be waived with respect to engagements for non-audit services aggregating no more than five percent of the total amount of revenues we paid to our principal auditors, if such engagements were not recognized by us at the time of engagement and were promptly brought to the attention of our audit committee or a designated member thereof and approved prior to the completion of the audit.
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEE
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
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.
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ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANTS
Due to the expiration of the term of the appointment of Deloitte Anjin LLC as the independent registered public accounting firm for us and our certain other subsidiaries, including KHNP, as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, we appointed KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp. as the independent registered public accounting firm for us and KHNP for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, effective from January 1, 2013. The decision to make such appointment was approved at our audit committee meeting on March 27, 2013.
The foregoing decision to change the independent registered public accounting firm was made pursuant to the rules of the Board of Audit and Inspection, a Government agency, relating to audits of public enterprises, under which a public accounting firm may not audit a public enterprise (including us and KHNP) for a term exceeding six consecutive years. The fiscal year 2012 marked the sixth year of audit by Deloitte Anjin LLC of us and KHNP.
The consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012, before the effects of the retrospective adjustments to apply the changes in accounting described in Note 2 thereto and the retrospective adjustments to the disclosures for a change in the composition of segments discussed in Note 4 thereto, were audited by Deloitte Anjin LLC. Deloitte Anjin LLC’s engagement as our independent registered public accounting firm was terminated after the completion of the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012. The audit report of Deloitte Anjin LLC on our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012, before the effects of the adjustments discussed in Note 2 and Note 4 thereto, prepared in accordance with IFRS did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. Furthermore, in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012, before the effects of the adjustments discussed in Note 2 and Note 4 thereto, there were no disagreements (as described in Item 16F(a)(1)(iv) of Form 20-F) with Deloitte Anjin LLC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte Anjin LLC, would have caused Deloitte Anjin LLC to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with their reports. In addition, we confirm that between January 1, 2011 and the date of the termination of Deloitte Anjin’s engagement as our independent registered public accounting firm, there were no “reportable events” requiring disclosure pursuant to Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form 20-F. The foregoing also applies in the same way to KHNP’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012, before the effects of the adjustments discussed in Note 2 thereto, and the audit report of Deloitte Anjin LLC thereon; and KHNP also did not have any disagreements with Deloitte Anjin LLC as to the matters mentioned above and there were similarly no reportable events as applies to KHNP.
Between January 1, 2011 and the date of appointment of KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp. as our independent registered public accounting firm, neither we nor anyone on our behalf consulted with KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp. with respect to either (1) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our consolidated financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to us that KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp. concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue or (2) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement, as defined in Item 16F(a)(1)(iv) of Form 20-F and the related instructions to Item 16F, or a reportable event, as described in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form 20-F. Similarly, neither KHNP nor anyone on its behalf consulted with KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp. with respect to the matters mentioned above.
We provided a copy of this disclosure to Deloitte Anjin LLC and requested that Deloitte Anjin LLC furnish us with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees with the statements made above. A copy of Deloitte Anjin LLC’s letter addressed to the SEC dated April 28, 2015 is attached to this annual report as Exhibit 15.5.
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ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We are committed to high standards of corporate governance. We are in compliance with the corporate governance provisions of the KEPCO Act, the Public Agencies Management Act, the Korean Commercial Code, the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea and the Listing Rules of the Korea Exchange. We, like all other companies in Korea, must comply with the corporate governance provisions under the Korean Commercial Code, except to the extent the KEPCO Act and the Public Agencies Management Act otherwise require. In addition, as a listed company, we are subject to the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea, unless the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea otherwise provides.
The Public Agencies Management Act
On April 1, 2007, the Government-invested Enterprise Management Basic Act, which was enacted in 1984, was abolished and the Public Agencies Management Act took effect. Unless stated otherwise, the Public Agencies Management Act takes precedence over any other laws and regulations in the event of inconsistency. Under this Act, the minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance designated us as a “market-oriented public enterprise,” as defined under this Act, on April 2, 2007, and we became subject to this Act accordingly.
The Public Agencies Management Act requires a number of changes in the appointment process for our executive officers, which we have incorporated in our amendment to our Articles of Incorporation in September 2007. A senior non-standing director appointed by the minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance becomes our chairman of the board following the review and resolution of the Public Agencies Operating Committee. Our president is appointed by the President of the Republic upon the motion of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy following the nomination by our director nomination committee, the review and resolution of the Public Agencies Operating Committee pursuant to the Public Agencies Management Act and an approval at the general meeting of our shareholders. Standing directors other than our president must be appointed by our president with the approval at the general meeting of our shareholders from a pool of candidates recommended by our director nomination committee. Prior to the enactment of the Act, standing directors were appointed directly by the minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The non-standing directors must be appointed by the minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance following the review and resolution of the Public Agencies Operating Committee from a pool of candidates recommended by the director nomination committee and must have ample knowledge and experience in business management. Government officials that are not part of the teaching staff in national and public schools are ineligible to become our non-standing directors.
Under the Public Agencies Management Act and our Articles of Incorporation, the term of office for directors is three years for the president and two years for other directors. The directors may be reappointed for an additional term of one year. In order to be reappointed, the president must be evaluated on the basis of his management performance; a standing director, on the basis of the performance of the duties for which he was elected to perform, or if the standing director has executed an incentive bonus contract, on the basis of his performance under the contract; and a non-standing director, on the basis of his performance of the duties for which he was elected to perform.
Under the Public Agencies Management Act and our Articles of Incorporation, a recommendation from the director nomination committee is required for the appointment of our executive officers, except in the case of reappointments. The director nomination committee consists of five to fifteen members, including private-sector members appointed by the board of directors. Non-standing directors must comprise at least the majority of the director nomination committee. One of the private-sector members must be able to represent our opinion and must not be currently employed by us. As required under the Public Agencies Management Act, we established an audit committee. At least two-thirds of the audit committee members must be non-standing directors, and at least one committee member must be an expert in finance or accounting. According to the Public Agencies
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Management Act, our president’s term cannot be terminated unless done so by the President of the Republic pursuant to the Public Agencies Management Act or upon an event as specified in our Articles of Incorporation.
As required under Public Agencies Management Act, we submit to the Government by October 31 every year a report on our medium- to long-term management goals. Under the Public Agencies Management Act, we are also required to give separate public notice of important management matters, such as our budget and financial statements, status of directors and annual reports. In addition, for purposes of providing a comparison of the management performances of government agencies, we are required to post on a designated website a notice on a standard form detailing our management performance. Following consultation with the minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the review and resolution of the operating committee, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance must examine the adequacy and competency of government agencies and establish plans on merger, abolishment, restructuring and privatization of public agencies. In such case, the minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy must execute these plans and submit a performance report to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance.
On January 24, 2011, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy changed the designation of our generation subsidiaries from “other public institutions” to “market-oriented public enterprises.” As “other public institutions” under the provisions of the Public Agencies Management Act, our generation subsidiaries were not subject to the same regulations applicable to us with regards to corporate governance matters such as the appointment and dismissal of directors and the composition of the boards of directors. However, as market-oriented public enterprises, our generation subsidiaries are currently subject to the same corporate governance rules applicable to us. All of our generation subsidiaries accordingly amended their respective articles of incorporation in 2011 and are subject to the same system of regulations applicable to us.
Differences in Korean/New York Stock Exchange Corporate Governance Practices
We are a “foreign private issuer” (as such term is defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act), and our ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE. Under Section 303A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, NYSE-listed companies that are foreign private issuers are permitted to follow home country practice in lieu of the corporate governance provisions specified by the NYSE with limited exceptions. Under the NYSE Listed Company Manual, we as a foreign private issuer are required to disclose significant differences between NYSE’s corporate governance standards and those we follow under Korean law. The following summarizes some significant ways in which our corporate governance practices differ from those followed by U.S. companies listed on the NYSE under the listing rules of the NYSE.
Majority of Independent Directors on the Board
Under the NYSE listing rules, U.S. companies listed on the NYSE must have a board the majority of which is comprised of independent directors satisfying the requirements of “independence” as set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. No director qualifies as “independent” unless the board of directors affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with the listed company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with us). The NYSE rules include detailed tests for determining director independence. While as a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from this requirement, our board of directors is in compliance with this requirement as it currently consists of 15 directors, of which eight directors satisfy the requirements of “independence” as set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. U.S. companies listed on the NYSE are required to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines. Under the Public Agencies Management Act, more than one-half of our directors must be non-standing directors. The Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea deems a non-standing director nominated pursuant to other applicable laws (such as the Public Agencies Management Act) as an “outside” or “non-executive” director. Under the Public Agencies Management Act, a non-standing director is appointed by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance following the review and resolution of the Public Agencies Operating Committee from a pool of candidates recommended by the director nomination committee and must have ample
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knowledge and experience in business management. Government officials that are not part of the teaching staff in national and public schools are ineligible to become our non-standing directors.
Executive Session
Under the NYSE listing rules, non-management directors of U.S. companies listed on the NYSE are required to meet on a regular basis without management present and independent directors must meet separately at least once per year. While no such requirement currently exists under applicable Korean law, listing standards or our Articles of Incorporation, exclusive sessions were held quarterly in 2014 in order to promote the exchange of diverse opinions by non-standing directors.
Under the NYSE listing rules, listed companies must have an audit committee that has a minimum of three members, and all audit committee members must satisfy the requirements of independence set forth in Section 303A.02 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. We are in compliance with this requirement as our audit committee is comprised of three outside directors meeting the requirements of independence set forth in Section 303A.02 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. The audit committee must be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accountants. Our board of auditors performs the roles and responsibilities required of an audit committee under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including the supervision of the audit by the independent registered public accountants. Under the Korea Exchange listing rules and the Korean Commercial Code, a large listed company must also establish an audit committee of which at least two-thirds of its members must be outside directors and whose chairman must be an outside director. In addition, at least one member of the audit committee who is an outside director must also be an accounting or financial expert. Currently, our audit committee consists of three independent directors, and our audit committee is in compliance with the foregoing requirements under the NYSE listing rules, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Korea Exchange listing rules and the Korean Commercial Code.
Nomination/Corporate Governance Committee
Under the NYSE listing rules, U.S. companies listed on the NYSE must have a nomination/corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors. In addition to identifying individuals qualified to become board members, this committee must develop and recommend to the board a set of corporate governance principles. Under the Public Agencies Management Act, we are required to have a director nomination committee which consists of non-standing directors and ad hoc members appointed by our Board of Directors. Our standing directors and executives as well as governmental officials that are not part of the teaching staff in national and public schools are ineligible to become a member of our director nomination committee. There is no requirement to establish a corporate governance committee under applicable Korean law.
Pursuant to the NYSE listing standards, non-management directors must meet on a regular basis without management present and independent directors must meet separately at least once per year. No such requirement currently exists under applicable Korean law.
Compensation Committee
Under the NYSE listing rules, U.S. companies listed on the NYSE are required to have a compensation committee which is composed entirely of independent directors. In January 2013, the SEC approved amendments to the listing rules of NYSE and NASDAQ regarding the independence of compensation committee members and the appointment, payment and oversight of compensation consultants. The listing rules were adopted as required by Section 952 of the Dodd-Frank Act and rule 10C-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which direct the national securities exchanges to prohibit the listing of any equity security of a company that is
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not in compliance with the rule’s compensation committee director and advisor independence requirements. Certain elements of the listing rules became effective on July 1, 2013 and companies listed on the NYSE must comply with such listing rules by the earlier of the company’s first annual meeting after January 15 or October 31, 2014.
No such requirement currently exists under applicable Korean law or listing standards, and we currently do not have a compensation committee.
Corporate Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Under the NYSE listing rules, U.S. companies listed on the NYSE are required to establish corporate governance guidelines and to adopt a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from this requirement. Pursuant to the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we have adopted a code of ethics applicable to our President & Chief Executive Officer and all other directors and executive officers including the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Accounting Officer, as well as all financial, accounting and other officers that are involved in the preparation and disclosure of our consolidated financial statements and internal control of financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We have also adopted an insider reporting system in compliance with Section 301 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The code of ethics applicable to our executive officers and financial officers are available on www.kepco.co.kr.
Shareholder Approval of Equity Compensation Plans
Under the NYSE listing rules, shareholders of U.S. companies listed on the NYSE are required to approve all equity compensation plans. Under Korean law and regulations, stock options can be granted to employees to the extent expressly permitted by the articles of incorporation. We currently don’t have any equity compensation plans.
Annual Certification of Compliance
Under the NYSE listing rules, a chief executive officer of a U.S. company listed on the NYSE must annually certify that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of NYSE corporate governance standards. As a foreign private issuer, we are not subject to this requirement. However, in accordance with rules applicable to both U.S. companies and foreign private issuers, we are required to promptly notify the NYSE in writing if any executive officer becomes aware of any material noncompliance with the NYSE corporate governance standards applicable to us. In addition, foreign private issuers, including us, are required to submit to the NYSE an annual written affirmation relating to compliance with Sections 303A.06 and 303A.11 of the NYSE listed company manual, which are the NYSE corporate governance standards applicable to foreign private issuers. All written affirmations must be executed in the form provided by the NYSE, without modification. An annual written affirmation is required to be submitted to the NYSE within 30 days of filing with the SEC our annual report on Form 20-F. We have been in compliance with this requirement in all material respects and plan to submit such affirmation within the prescribed time line.
Whistle Blower Protection
On May 25, 2011, the SEC adopted final rules to implement whistleblower provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, which are applicable to foreign private issuers with securities registered under the U.S. securities laws. The final rules provide that any eligible whistleblower who voluntarily provides the SEC with original information that leads to the successful enforcement of an action brought by the SEC under U.S. securities laws must receive an award of between 10 and 30 percent of the total monetary sanctions collected if the sanctions exceed $1,000,000. An eligible whistleblower is defined as someone who provides information about a possible
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violation of the securities laws that he or she reasonably believes has occurred, is ongoing, or is about to occur. The possible violation does not need to be material, probably or even likely, but the information must have a “facially plausible relationship to some securities law violation”; frivolous submissions would not qualify. The final rules also prohibit retaliation against the whistleblower. While the final rules do not require employees to first report allegations of wrongdoing through a company’s corporate compliance system, they do seek to incentivize whistleblowers to utilize internal corporate compliance first by, among other things, (i) giving employees who first report information internally the benefit of the internal reporting date for purposes of the SEC program so long as the whistleblower submits the same information to the SEC within 120 days of the initial disclosure; (ii) clarifying that the SEC will consider, as part of the criteria for determining the amount of a whistleblower’s award, whether the whistleblower effectively utilized the company’s corporate compliance program or hindered the function of the program; and (iii) crediting a whistleblower who reports internally first and whose company passes the information along to the SEC, which would mean the whistleblower could receive a potentially higher award for information gathered in an internal investigation initiated as a result of the whistleblower’s internal report.
In addition, the final rules address concerns that the whistleblower rules incentivize officers, directors and those with legal, audit, compliance or similar responsibilities to abuse these positions by making whistleblower complaints to the SEC with respect to information they obtained in these roles by generally providing that information obtained through a communication subject to attorney-client privilege or as a result of legal representation would not be eligible for a whistleblower award unless disclosure would be permitted by attorney conduct rules. Accordingly, officers and directors, auditors and compliance personnel and other persons in similar roles would not be eligible to receive awards for information received in these positions unless (x) they have a reasonable basis to believe that (1) disclosure of the information is necessary to prevent the entity from engaging in conduct that is likely to cause substantial injury to the financial interests of the entity or investors; or (2) the entity is engaging in conduct that will impede an investigation of the misconduct, for example, destroying documents or improperly influencing witnesses; or (y) 120 days have passed since the whistleblower provided the information to senior responsible persons at the entity or 120 days have passed since the whistleblower received the information at a time when these people were already aware of the information.
In Korea, there is no corresponding law or regulation.
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
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ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Reference is made to Item 19. “Exhibits” for a list of all financial statements filed as part of this annual report.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
(a) Financial Statements filed as part of this Annual Report
See Index to Financial Statements on page F-1 of this annual report.
(b) Exhibits filed as part of this Annual Report
See Index of Exhibits beginning on page E-1 of this annual report.
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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.
/s/ Cho, Hwan-Eik
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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp. on Consolidated Financial Statements (Korea Electric Power Corporation)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp. on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (Korea Electric Power Corporation)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Deloitte Anjin LLC (Korea Electric Power Corporation)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Ernst & Young Han Young (Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Ernst & Young Han Young (Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.)
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2013 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM ON CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Korea Electric Power Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Korea Electric Power Corporation (the “Company”) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity and cash flows, for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the financial statements of Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary, whose financial statements comprise 3.93 percent of consolidated total assets (prior to inter-company eliminations) as of December 31, 2013 and 5.90 percent of consolidated revenue (prior to inter-company eliminations) for the year ended December 31, 2013. Those financial statements were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd., is based solely on the report of the other auditors. The accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, changes in equity and cash flows of Korea Electric Power Corporation and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2012 were audited by other auditors whose report thereon dated April 30, 2013, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements, before the retrospective presentation of the power generation maintenance operating segment as a reportable segment as described in note 4 to the consolidated financial statements and the reclassification adjustments to present accrued incentive compensation as provisions instead of trade accounts payable and other as described in note 2.
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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits and the report of the other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Korea Electric Power Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and of their consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
We have audited the retrospective presentation in 2012 of the plant maintenance & engineering service operating segment as a reportable segment as described in note 4 and the reclassification adjustments to present accrued incentive compensation as provisions instead of trade accounts payable and other as described in note 2. In our opinion, such retrospective reportable segment presentation and reclassification adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 2012 consolidated financial statements of the Company other than with respect to the retrospective reportable segment presentation and reclassification adjustments and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 2012 consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 30, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp.
Seoul, Korea
April 30, 2015
F-2
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
We have audited Korea Electric Power Corporation’s (the “Company”) 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. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the group’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the 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.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statements of financial position of Korea Electric Power Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity and cash flows, for the years then ended and our report dated April 30, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
F-3
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
We have audited, before the effects of the retrospective adjustments to apply the changes in accounting described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements and the retrospective adjustments to the disclosures for a change in the composition of segments discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss, changes in equity, and cash flows of Korea Electric Power Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the 2012 consolidated financial statements before the effects of the adjustments discussed in Note 2 and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements are not presented herein). These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the financial statements of certain consolidated subsidiaries whose financial statements reflect 10.1 percent of consolidated total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose report has been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd., is based solely on the report of the other auditors.
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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, based on our audits and the report of the other auditors, such consolidated financial statements, before the effects of retrospective adjustment for the change in accounting described in Note 2 and retrospective adjustment for a change in segments discussed in Note 4, present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations of Korea Electric Power Corporation and subsidiaries and their cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the retrospective adjustments for the changes in accounting described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, and the retrospective adjustments to the disclosures for a change in the composition of segments discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements and, accordingly, we do not express on opinion or any other form of assurance about whether such retrospective adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Those retrospective adjustments were audited by other auditor.
/s/ Deloitte Anjin LLC
April 30, 2013
F-4
The Board of Directors and Stockholder of
We have audited the consolidated statements of financial position of Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2012. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd. as at December 31, 2012 and the consolidated results of its financial performance, and its cash flows for each of the year ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
/s/ Ernst & Young Han Young
April 29, 2013
Seoul, Republic of Korea
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We have audited the consolidated statement of financial position of Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd. and subsidiaries (the “Company”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation, as of December 31, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2013. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and their consolidated results of operations, and their cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
April 30, 2014
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KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
As of December 31, 2013 and 2014
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Current financial assets, net
Trade and other receivables, net
Inventories, net
Income tax refund receivables
Current non-financial assets
Assets held-for-sale
Total current assets
Non-current assets
Non-current financial assets, net
Non-current trade and other receivables, net
Investment properties, net
Goodwill
Intangible assets other than goodwill, net
Investments in associates
Investments in joint ventures
Deferred tax assets
Non-current non-financial assets
Total non-current assets
Total Assets
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables, net
Current financial liabilities, net
Income tax payables
Current non-financial liabilities
Current provisions
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Non-current trade and other payables, net
Non-current financial liabilities, net
Non-current non-financial liabilities
Employee benefits liabilities, net
Deferred tax liabilities
Non-current provisions
Total non-current liabilities
Total Liabilities
(Continued)
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Consolidated Statements of Financial Position—(Continued)
Equity
Contributed capital
Share premium
Retained earnings
Legal reserves
Voluntary reserves
Unappropriated retained earnings
Other components of equity
Other capital surpluses
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Treasury stock
Other equity
Total Equity
Total Liabilities and Equity
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014
Sales of goods
Sales of construction services
Sales of other services
Cost of sales of goods
Cost of sales of construction services
Cost of sales of other services
Other income
Other expenses
Other gains (losses), net
Finance income
Finance expenses
Equity method income (loss) of associates and joint ventures
Share in income of associates and joint ventures
Gain on disposal of investments in associates and joint ventures
Share in loss of associates and joint ventures
Loss on disposal of investments in associates and joint ventures
Impairment loss on investments in associates and joint ventures
Profit (loss) before income tax
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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)—(Continued)
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Remeasurements of defined benefit liability, net of tax
Share in other comprehensive income (loss) of associates and joint ventures, net of tax
Items that are or may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Net change in the unrealized fair value of available-for-sale financial assets, net of tax
Net change in the unrealized fair value of derivatives using cash flow hedge accounting, net of tax
Foreign currency translation of foreign operations, net of tax
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Total comprehensive income (loss) for the period
Profit or loss attributable to:
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share
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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
Balance at January 1, 2012
Share in other comprehensive loss of associates and joint ventures, net of tax
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Net changes in the unrealized fair value of available-for-sale financial assets, net of tax
Transactions with owners of the Company, recognized directly in equity
Dividends paid
Issuance of share capital by subsidiaries
Changes in consolidation scope
Issuance of hybrid securities
Balance at December 31, 2012
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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity—(Continued)
Balance at January 1, 2013
Profit for the period
Share in other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures, net of tax
Equity transaction in consolidated scope—other than issuance of share capital
Dividends paid (hybrid securities)
Balance at December 31, 2013
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Balance at January 1, 2014
Disposal of treasury stocks
Balance at December 31, 2014
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating activities
Adjustments for:
Income tax expense (benefit)
Depreciation
Amortization
Employee benefit expense
Bad debt expense
Interest expense
Loss on sale of financial assets
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Loss on abandonment of property, plant, and equipment
Impairment loss on property, plant and equipment
Impairment loss on intangible assets
Loss on disposal of intangible assets
Accretion expense to provisions, net
Gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net
Valuation and transaction loss (gain) on derivative instruments, net
Share in income of associates and joint ventures, net
Gain on sale of financial assets
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Gain on disposal of intangible assets
Loss on disposal of other non-current assets
Gain (loss) on disposal of investments in associates and joint ventures
Interest income
Dividends income
Impairment loss on available-for-sale securities
Impairment loss on other non-current non-financial assets
Others, net
Changes in:
Trade receivables
Non-trade receivables
Accrued income
Other receivables
Other current assets
Inventories
Other non-current assets
Trade payables
Non-trade payables
Accrued expenses
Other current liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
Investments in associates and joint ventures
Provisions
Payments of employee benefit obligations
Plan assets
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—(Continued)
Cash generated from operating activities
Dividends received
Interest paid
Interest received
Income taxes paid
Net cash from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from disposals of associates and joint ventures
Acquisition of associates and joint ventures
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from disposals of intangible assets
Acquisition of intangible assets
Proceeds from disposals of financial assets
Acquisition of financial assets
Increase in loans
Collection of loans
Increase in deposits
Decrease in deposits
Receipt of government grants
Usage of government grants
Net cash inflow (outflow) from business acquisitions
Other cash inflow (outflow) from investing activities, net
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds (Repayment) from short-term borrowings, net
Proceeds from long-term borrowings and debt securities
Repayment of long-term borrowings and debt securities
Payment of finance lease liabilities
Settlement of derivative instruments, net
Proceeds on disposal of partial interest in a subsidiary that does not involve loss of control
Change in non-controlling interest
Cash inflow from hybrid bond
Dividends paid (hybrid bond)
Other cash outflow from financing activities, net
Net cash from financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents before effect of exchange rate fluctuations
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31
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December 31, 2014
Korea Electric Power Corporation (“KEPCO”) was incorporated on January 1, 1982 in accordance with the Korea Electric Power Corporation Act (the “KEPCO Act”) to engage in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and development of electric power resources in the Republic of Korea. KEPCO also provides power plant construction services. KEPCO’s stock was listed on the Korea Stock Exchange on August 10, 1989 and the Company listed its Depository Receipts (DR) on the New York Stock Exchange on October 27, 1994.
As of December 31, 2014, KEPCO’s share capital amounts to ￦3,209,820 million and KEPCO’s shareholders are as follows:
Government of the Republic of Korea
Foreign investors
In accordance with the Restructuring Plan enacted on January 21, 1999 by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (the “MTIE”, formerly the Ministry of Knowledge Economy), KEPCO spun off its power generation divisions on April 2, 2001, resulting in the establishment of six power generation subsidiaries. KEPCO moved the headquarters to Naju, Jeollanam-do, in November 2014 as part of the government’s plan to relocate state-run companies for balanced national development.
The consolidated financial statements were authorized for issuance by the Board of Directors on February 27, 2015, which were submitted for approval at the shareholders’ meeting held on March 31, 2015.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board (“IASB”).
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, except for the following material items in the consolidated statements of financial position:
derivative financial instruments are measured at fair value
available-for-sale financial assets are measured at fair value
liabilities for defined benefit plans are recognized at the net of the total present value of defined benefit obligations less the fair value of plan assets
These consolidated financial statements are presented in Korean won (“Won”), which is KEPCO’s functional and presentation currency.
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The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.
The following are the key assumptions concerning the future, and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the end of the reporting period, that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.
Energy delivered but not metered nor billed are calculated at the reporting date based on consumption statistics and selling price estimates. Determination of the unbilled revenues at the end of the reporting period is sensitive to the estimated assumptions and prices based on statistics. Unbilled revenue recognized as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 is ￦1,678,327 million and ￦1,793,589 million, respectively.
Information about critical judgments in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements is included in the following notes:
Note 17—Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures
Note 18—Property, plant and equipment
Note 45—Risk Management
Information about assumptions and estimation uncertainties that have a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment within the next financial year is included in the following notes:
Note 41—Income taxes
Note 25—Employment benefits
The Company has adopted amendments to IAS 32, ‘Financial Instruments: Presentation’, since January 1, 2014. The amendments require that a financial assets and a financial liability are offset and the net amount is presented in the statement of financial position when an entity currently has a legally enforceable right to set off the recognized amounts and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. According to the amendments, the right to set off should not be contingent on a future event, and legally enforceable in the normal course of business, in the event of default, and in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the entity and all of the counterparties. The entity intends to settle on a net basis, if the gross settlement mechanism has features that eliminate or result in insignificant credit and liquidity risk, and that will process receivables and payables in a single settlement process or cycle.
Upon adoption of the amendment, there is no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company has adopted IFRIC 21, ‘Levies’ since January 1, 2014. The interpretation confirms that an entity recognizes a liability for a levy when the triggering event specified in the legislation occurs.
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An entity does not recognize a liability at an earlier date, even if it has no realistic opportunity to avoid the triggering event. If a levy is only payable once a specified amount has been reached, then no liability is recognized until this ‘minimum threshold’ is reached.
The interpretation does not provide guidance on the accounting for the costs arising from recognizing the liability to pay a levy. Other IFRICs should be applied to determine whether the recognition of a liability to pay a levy gives rise to an asset or an expense.
The following new standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards are effective for annual periods beginning after January 1, 2014; however the Company has not applied them yet. The management is in the process of evaluating the potential impact on the consolidated financial statements upon the adoption of the new standards, interpretation and the amendments.
IFRS 9, published in July 2014, replaces the existing guidance in IAS 39, ‘Financial Instruments: recognition and Measurement’. IFRS 9 includes revised guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments, including a new expected credit loss model for calculating impairment on financial assets, and the new general hedge accounting requirements. It also carries forward the guidance on recognition and derecognition of financial instruments from IAS 39. IFRS 9 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted
IFRS 15 establishes a comprehensive framework for determining whether, how much and when revenue is recognized. It replaces existing revenue recognition guidance, including IAS 18 ‘Revenue’, IAS 11 ‘Construction Contracts’ and IFRIC 13 ‘Customer Loyalty Programs’. IFRS 15 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted
Amendments to IAS 19 introduced a practical expedient to accounting for defined benefit plan, when employees or third parties pay contributions if certain criteria are met. According to the amendments, the entity is permitted to recognize those contributions as a reduction of the service cost in the period in which the related service is rendered, instead of forecast future contributions from employees or third parties and attribute them to periods or service as negative benefits. This amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2014.
F-18
From January 1, 2013, the Company has reclassified certain current trade and other payables to current provisions in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The provisions represent management’s estimated incentive compensation to be paid based on individual performance evaluations or management assessments. The impacts of reclassification of accounts are as below:
Consolidated statement of financial position
Trade and other payables
Consolidated statement of cash flow
The above reclassification does not have an impact on the net assets, net profits and losses or loss per share as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Except as described in note 2.(5), the Company applied the following significant accounting policies consistently for all periods presented.
The consolidated financial statements are the financial statements of a group in which the assets, liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows of the parent and its subsidiaries are presented as those of a single economic entity. Subsidiaries are controlled by the Company. The Company controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity.
Income and expense of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) from the effective date of acquisition and up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate. Total comprehensive income of subsidiaries is attributed to the owners of the Company and to the non-controlling interests even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.
When necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies into line with those of the Company.
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries are eliminated during the consolidation.
Changes in the Company’s ownership interests in a subsidiary that do not result in the Company losing control over the subsidiary are accounted for as equity transactions. The carrying amounts of the Company’s interests and the non-controlling interests are adjusted to reflect the changes in their relative interests in the subsidiary. Any difference between the amount by which the non-controlling interests are adjusted and the fair value of the consideration paid or received is recognized directly in equity and attributed to owners of the Company.
When the Company loses control of a subsidiary, the income or loss on disposal is calculated as the difference between (i) the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any retained interest and (ii) the previous carrying amount of the assets (including goodwill), and liabilities of
F-19
the subsidiary and any non-controlling interests. When assets of the subsidiary are carried at revalued amounts or fair values and the related cumulative gain or loss has been recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity, the amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity are accounted for as if the Company had directly disposed of the relevant assets (i.e. reclassified to income or loss or transferred directly to retained earnings). The fair value of any investment retained in the former subsidiary at the date when control is lost is recognized as the fair value on initial recognition for subsequent accounting under IAS 39, ‘Financial Instruments’: Recognition and Measurement or, when applicable, the cost on initial recognition of an investment in an associate or a jointly controlled entity.
A business combination is accounted for by applying the acquisition method, unless it is a combination involving entities or businesses under common control.
The consideration transferred in a business combination is measured at fair value, which is calculated as the sum of the acquisition-date fair values of the assets transferred by the Company, liabilities incurred by the Company to the former owners of the acquiree and the equity interests issued by the Company in exchange for control of the acquiree. Acquisition-related costs are generally recognized in income or loss as incurred.
At the acquisition date, the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are recognized at their fair value at the acquisition date, except that:
deferred tax assets or liabilities and liabilities or assets related to employee benefit arrangements are recognized and measured in accordance with IAS 12, ‘ Income Taxes’ and IAS 19, ‘ Employee Benefits’ respectively;
Assets (or disposal groups) that are classified as held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5, ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale’ are measured in accordance with that standard.
Goodwill is measured as the excess of the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree, and the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree (if any) over the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. If, after reassessment, net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree and the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held interest in the acquiree (if any), the excess is recognized immediately in income or loss as a bargain purchase gain.
Non-controlling interest that is present on acquisition day and entitles the holder to a proportionate share of the entity’s net assets in an event of liquidation, may be initially measured either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the recognized amounts of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. The choice of measurement can be elected on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Other types of non-controlling interests are measured at fair value or, when applicable, on the basis specified in other IFRSs. When the consideration transferred by the Company in a business combination includes assets or liabilities resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement, the contingent consideration is measured at its acquisition-date fair value and included as part of the consideration transferred in a business combination. Changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration that qualify as measurement period adjustments are adjusted retrospectively, with corresponding adjustments against goodwill. Measurement period adjustments are adjustments that arise from additional information obtained during the ‘measurement period’ (which cannot exceed one year from the acquisition date) about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date.
The subsequent accounting for changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration that do not qualify as measurement period adjustments depends on how the contingent consideration is classified. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is not re-measured at subsequent reporting dates and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. Contingent consideration that is classified as an asset or a liability
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is re-measured at subsequent reporting dates in accordance with IAS 39, ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’, or with IAS 37, ‘Provisions’, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, as appropriate, with the corresponding gain or loss being recognized in income or loss.
When a business combination is achieved in stages, the Company’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree is re-measured to fair value at the acquisition date (i.e. the date when the Company obtains control) and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognized in income or loss. Amounts arising from interests in the acquiree prior to the acquisition date that have previously been recognized in other comprehensive income are reclassified to income or loss where such treatment would be appropriate if that interest were disposed of.
If the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs, the Company reports provisional amounts for the items for which the accounting is incomplete. Those provisional amounts are adjusted during the measurement period (see above), or additional assets or liabilities are recognized, to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the amounts recognized at that date.
The assets and liabilities acquired under business combinations under common control are recognized at the carrying amounts recognized previously in the consolidated financial statements of the ultimate parent. The difference between consideration transferred and carrying amounts of net assets acquired is recognized as part of share premium.
An associate is an entity over which the Company has significant influence and that is neither a subsidiary nor an interest in a joint venture. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but does not control or joint control over those policies.
The results and assets and liabilities of associates are incorporated in these consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. If the investment is classified as held for sale, in which case it is accounted for in accordance with IFRS 5 ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale’, any retained portion of an investment in associates that has not been classified as held for sale shall be accounted for using the equity method until disposal of the portion that is classified as held for sale takes place. If the Company holds 20% ~ 50% of the voting power of the investee, it is presumed that the Company has significant influence.
After the disposal takes place, the Company shall account for any retained interest in associates in accordance with IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’ unless the retained interest continues to be an associates, in which case the entity uses the equity method.
Under the equity method, an investment in an associate is initially recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position at cost and adjusted thereafter to recognize the Company’s share of the income or loss and other comprehensive income of the associate. When the Company’s share of losses of an associate exceeds the Company’s interest in that associate (which includes any long-term interests that, in substance, form part of the Company’s net investment in the associate), the Company discontinues recognizing its share of further losses. Additional losses are recognized only to the extent that the Company has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.
Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the Company’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of an associate recognized at the date of acquisition is recognized as goodwill, which is included within the carrying amount of the investment. Any excess of the Company’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities over the cost of acquisition, after reassessment, is recognized immediately in income or loss. The requirements of IAS 39, ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’, are applied to determine whether it is necessary to recognize any impairment loss with respect to the Company’s investment in an associate. When necessary, the entire carrying amount of the investment (including goodwill) is tested for impairment in accordance
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with IAS 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’ as a single asset by comparing its recoverable amount (higher of value in use and fair value less costs to sell) with its carrying amount, any impairment loss recognized forms part of the carrying amount of the investment. Any reversal of that impairment loss is recognized in accordance with IAS 36 to the extent that the recoverable amount of the investment subsequently increases.
Upon disposal of an associate that results in the Company losing significant influence over that associate, any retained investment is measured at fair value at that date and the fair value is regarded as its fair value on initial recognition as a financial asset in accordance with IAS 39. The difference between the previous carrying amount of the associate attributable to the retained interest and its fair value is included in the determination of the gain or loss on disposal of the associate. In addition, the Company accounts for all amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income in relation to that associate on the same basis as would be required if that associate had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities. Therefore, if a gain or loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income by that associate would be reclassified to income or loss on the disposal of the related assets or liabilities, the Company reclassifies the gain or loss from equity to income or loss (as a reclassification adjustment) when it loses significant influence over that associate.
When the Company transacts with its associate, incomes and losses resulting from the transactions with the associate are recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements only to the extent of interests in the associate that are not related to the Company.
A joint arrangement is an arrangement of which two or more parties have joint control. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. Joint arrangements are classified into two types—joint operations and joint ventures. A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement (i.e. joint operators) have rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement. A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement (i.e. joint venturers) have rights to the net assets of the arrangement.
If the Company is a joint operator, the Company is to recognize and measure the assets and liabilities (and recognize the related revenues and expenses) in relation to its interest in the arrangement in accordance with relevant IFRSs applicable to the particular assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. If the joint arrangement is a joint venture, the Company is to account for that investment using the equity method accounting in accordance with IAS 28, ‘Investment in Associates and Joint Ventures’ (see note 3 (3)), except when the Company is applicable to the IFRS 5, ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale’.
Non-current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable and the non-current asset (or disposal group) is available for immediate sale in its present condition. Management must be committed to the sale, which should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year from the date of classification.
When the Company is committed to a sale plan involving loss of control of a subsidiary, all of the assets and liabilities of that subsidiary are classified as held for sale when the criteria described above are met, regardless of whether the Company will retain a non-controlling interest in its former subsidiary after the sale.
Non-current assets (and disposal groups) classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their previous carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.
F-22
The Company measures goodwill which acquired in a business combination at the amount recognized at the date on which it obtains control of the acquiree (acquisition date) less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to each CGU that is expected to benefit from the synergies arising from the goodwill acquired.
The Company assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is any indication that an asset may be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or a CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss.
Any impairment identified at the CGU level will first reduce the carrying value of goodwill and then be used to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the CGU on a pro rata basis. Except for impairment losses in respect of goodwill which are never reversed, an impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized.
Revenue from the sale of goods, rendering of services or use of the Company assets is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of returns, trade discounts and volume rebates, which are recognized as a reduction of revenue. Revenue is recognized when the amount of revenue can be measured reliably and it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Company.
The Korean government approves the rates charged to customers by the Company’s power transmission and distribution division. The Company’s utility rates are designed to recover the Company’s reasonable costs plus a fair investment return. The Company’s power generation rates are determined in the market.
The Company recognizes electricity sales revenue based on power sold (transferred to the customer) up to the reporting date. To determine the amount of power sold, the Company estimates daily power volumes of electricity for residential, commercial, general and etc. The differences between the current month’s estimated amount and actual (meter-read) amount, is adjusted for (trued-up) during the next month period.
Revenue from services rendered is recognized in profit or loss in proportion to the stage of completion of the transaction at the reporting date. The stage of completion is assessed by reference to surveys of work performed or services performed to date as a percentage of total services to be performed or the proportion that costs incurred to date bear to the estimated total costs of the transaction or other methods that reliably measures the services performed.
Dividend income is recognized in profit or loss on the date that the Company’s right to receive payment is established, which in the case of quoted securities is the ex-dividend date.
Interest income is recognized as it accrues in profit or loss, using the effective interest method. Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset’s net carrying amount on initial recognition.
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The Company’s policy for recognition of revenue from operating leases is described in note 3 (9) below.
The Company recovers a substantial amount of the cost related to its electric power distribution facilities from customers through the transfer of assets, while the remaining portion is recovered through electricity sales from such customers in the future. As such, the Company believes there exists a continued service obligation to the customers in accordance with IFRIC 18, ‘Transfer of Assets from Customers’ when the Company receives an item of property, equipment, or cash for constructing or acquiring an item of property or equipment, in exchange for supplying electricity to customers. The Company defers the amounts received, which are then recognized as revenue over the estimated service period which does not exceed the transferred asset’s useful life.
The Company provides services related to the construction of power plants related to facilities of its customers, mostly in foreign countries.
When the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, revenue and costs are recognized based on the stage of completion of the contract activity at the end of the reporting period, measured based on the proportion of contract costs incurred for work performed to date relative to the estimated total contract costs, except where this would not be representative of the stage of completion. Variations in contract work, claims and incentive payments are included to the extent that the amount can be measured reliably and its receipt is considered probable.
When the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognized to the extent of contract costs incurred when it is probable the revenue will be realized. Contract costs are recognized as expenses in the period in which they are incurred. When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognized as an expense immediately.
When contract costs incurred to date plus recognized income less recognized losses exceed progress billings, the surplus is shown as amounts due from customers for contract work. For contracts where progress billings exceed contract costs incurred to date plus recognized income less recognized losses, the surplus is shown as the amounts due to customers for contract work. Amounts received before the related work is performed are included in the consolidated statements of financial position, as a liability, as advances received. Amounts billed for work performed but not yet paid by the customer are included in the consolidated statements of financial position as accounts and other receivables.
The Company classifies and accounts for leases as either a finance or operating lease, depending on the terms. Leases where the Company assumes substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. All other leases are classified as operating leases.
Amounts due from lessees under finance leases are recognized as receivables at the amount of the Company’s net investment in the leases. Finance lease income is allocated to accounting periods so as to reflect a constant periodic rate of return on the Company’s net investment outstanding in respect of the leases.
Rental income from operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
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Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.
Assets held under finance leases are initially recognized as assets of the Company at their fair value at the inception of the lease or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the statement of financial position as a finance lease obligation.
Lease payments are apportioned between finance expenses and reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance expenses are recognized immediately in income or loss, unless they are directly attributable to qualifying assets, in which case they are capitalized in accordance with the Company’s general policy on borrowing costs. Contingent rentals are recognized as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.
Operating lease payments are recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, except where another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed. Contingent rentals arising under operating leases are recognized as an expense in the period in which they are incurred.
In the event that lease incentives are received to enter into operating leases, such incentives are recognized as a liability. The aggregate benefit of incentives is recognized as a reduction of rental expense on a straight-line basis, except where another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the respective functional currencies of the Company entities at exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated to the functional currency using the reporting date’s exchange rate. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are measured at fair value are retranslated to the functional currency at the exchange rate at the date that the fair value was determined.
Exchange differences are recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they arise except for:
Exchange differences on foreign currency borrowings relating to assets under construction for future productive use, which are included in the cost of those assets when they are regarded as an adjustment to interest costs on those foreign currency borrowings;
Exchange differences on transactions entered into in order to hedge certain foreign currency risks; and (see note 3 (23))
Exchange differences on monetary items receivable from or payable to a foreign operation for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur (therefore forming part of the net investment in the foreign operation), which are recognized initially in other comprehensive income and reclassified from equity to income or loss on disposal or partial disposal of the net investment.
For the purpose of presenting financial statements, the assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are expressed in Korean won using exchange rates prevailing at the end of the reporting period. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the period, unless exchange rates fluctuated significantly during that period, in which case the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions are used. Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity.
When a foreign operation is disposed of, the relevant amount in the translation is transferred to profit or loss as part of the profit or loss on disposal.
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The Company capitalizes borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset as part of the cost of that asset. Other borrowing costs are recognized in expense as incurred. A qualifying asset is an asset that requires a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale.
Investment income earned on the temporary investment of specific borrowings pending their expenditure on qualifying assets is deducted from the borrowing costs eligible for capitalization.
All other borrowing costs are recognized in income or loss in the period in which they are incurred.
Government grants are not recognized unless there is reasonable assurance that the Company will comply with the grant’s conditions and that the grant will be received.
Benefit from a government loan at a below-market interest rate is treated as a government grant, measured as the difference between proceeds received and the fair value of the loan based on prevailing market interest rates.
Government grants whose primary condition is that the Company purchase, construct or otherwise acquire long-term assets are deducted in calculating the carrying amount of the asset. The grant is recognized in profit or loss over the life of a depreciable asset as a reduced depreciation expense.
Government grants which are intended to compensate the Company for expenses incurred are recognized as other income (government grants) in profit or loss over the periods in which the Company recognizes the related costs as expenses.
When an employee has rendered service to the Company during a period, the Company recognizes the contribution payable to a defined contribution plan in exchange for that service as a liability (accrued expense).
For defined benefit pension plans and other post-employment benefits, the net periodic pension expense is actuarially determined by “Pension Actuarial System” developed 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 that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid and that have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related pension liability. However, if there is not a deep market, market yields on government bonds are used.
Net defined benefit liability’s measurement is composed of actuarial gains and losses, return on plan assets excluding net interest on net defined benefit liability, and any change in the effect of the asset ceiling, excluding net interest, which are immediately recognized in other comprehensive income. The actuarial gains or losses recognized in other comprehensive income which will not be reclassified into net profit or loss for later periods are immediately recognized in retained earnings. Past service cost will be recognized as expenses upon the earlier of the date of change or reduction to the plan, or the date of recognizing termination benefits.
The retirement benefit obligation recognized in the statement of financial position represents the present value of the defined benefit obligation as adjusted for unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and
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unrecognized past service cost, and as reduced by the fair value of plan assets. Any asset resulting from this calculation is limited to unrecognized actuarial losses and past service cost, plus the present value of available refunds and reductions in future contributions to the plan.
Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Current tax and deferred tax are recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to a business combination, or items recognized directly in equity or in other comprehensive income.
Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable profit or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years. The taxable profit is different from the accounting profit for the period since the taxable profit is calculated excluding the temporary differences, which will be taxable or deductible in determining taxable profit (tax loss) of future periods, and non-taxable or non-deductible items from the accounting profit.
Deferred tax is recognized, using the asset-liability method, in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. A deferred tax liability is recognized for all taxable temporary differences. A deferred tax asset is recognized for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which they can be utilized. However, deferred tax is not recognized for the following temporary differences: taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill, or the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting profit or loss nor taxable income.
The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Company expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets or deferred tax liabilities on investment properties measured at fair value, unless any contrary evidence exists, are measured using the assumption that the carrying amount of the property will be recovered entirely through sale.
The Company recognizes a deferred tax liability for all 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. The Company recognizes a deferred tax asset for all deductible temporary differences arising from investments in subsidiaries and associates, to the extent that it is probable that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilized.
The carrying amount of a deferred tax asset is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and reduces the carrying amount to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow the benefit of part or all of that deferred tax asset to be utilized.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Company expects, at the end of the reporting period to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.
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Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only if there is a legally enforceable right to offset the related current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority and they intend to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis.
Current and deferred tax are recognized in income or loss, except when they relate to items that are recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case, the current and deferred tax are also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively. Where current tax or deferred tax arises from the initial accounting for a business combination, the tax effect is included in the accounting for the business combination.
Subsequent costs are recognized in the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment at cost or, if appropriate, as separate items if it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. The costs of the day-to-day servicing are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.
Property, plant and equipment, except for land, are depreciated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives that appropriately reflect the pattern in which the asset’s future economic benefits are expected to be consumed. For loaded nuclear fuel related to long-term raw materials and spent nuclear fuels related to asset retirement costs, the Company uses the production method to measure and recognizes as expense the economic benefits of the assets.
The estimated useful lives of the Company’s property, plant and equipment are as follows:
A component that is significant compared to the total cost of property, plant and equipment is depreciated over its separate useful life. Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at the end of each reporting date and adjusted, if appropriate.
Property, plant and equipment are derecognized on disposal, or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Gains or losses arising from derecognition of a property, plant and equipment, measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, are recognized in income or loss when the asset is derecognized.
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Property held for the purpose of earning rentals or benefiting from capital appreciation is classified as investment property. Investment property is initially measured at its cost. Transaction costs are included in the initial measurement. Subsequently, investment property is carried at depreciated cost less any accumulated impairment losses.
Subsequent costs are recognized in the carrying amount of investment property at cost or, if appropriate, as separate items if it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. The costs of the day-to-day servicing are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.
Investment property except for land, are depreciated on a straight-line basis over 8 ~ 40 years as estimated useful lives.
The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate accounted for on a prospective basis.
An investment property is derecognized upon disposal or when the investment property is permanently withdrawn from use and no future economic benefits are expected from the disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the property (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in income or loss in the period in which the property is derecognized.
Intangible assets with finite useful lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses. Amortization is recognized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful life and amortization method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate being accounted for on a prospective basis. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses.
Expenditure on research activities is recognized as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.
An internally-generated intangible asset arising from development (or from the development phase of an internal project) is recognized if, and only if, all of the following have been demonstrated:
The technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale;
The intention to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it;
The ability to use or sell the intangible asset;
How the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits;
The availability of adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use or sell the intangible asset; and
The ability to measure reliably the expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development.
The amount initially recognized for internally-generated intangible assets is the sum of the expenditure incurred from the date when the intangible asset first meets the recognition criteria listed above. When
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the development expenditure does not meet the criteria listed above, an internally-generated intangible asset cannot be recognized and the expenditure is recognized in income or loss in the period in which it is incurred.
Internally-generated intangible assets are reported at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.
The estimated useful lives and amortization methods of the Company’s intangible assets with finite useful lives are as follows:
Amortization methods
Usage rights for donated assets
Software
Industrial rights
Development expenses
Dam usage right
Mining right
Intangible assets that are acquired in a business combination are recognized separately from goodwill are initially recognized at their fair value at the acquisition date (which is regarded as their cost).
Subsequent to initial recognition, intangible assets acquired in a business combination are reported at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses, on the same basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately.
An intangible asset is derecognized on disposal, or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Gains or losses arising from derecognition of an intangible asset, measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, and are recognized in income or loss when the asset is derecognized.
At the end of each reporting period, the Company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets with definite useful lives to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Where a reasonable and consistent basis of allocation can be identified, corporate assets are also allocated to individual cash-generating units, or otherwise they are allocated to the smallest group of cash-generating units for which a reasonable and consistent allocation basis can be identified.
Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and intangible assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment at least annually, and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired.
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
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When an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or a cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately in income or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.
Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost of inventories, except for those in transit, are measured under the weighted average method and consists of the purchase price, cost of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.
Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and selling expenses. The amount of any write-down of inventories to net realizable value and all losses of inventories are recognized as an expense in the period the write-down or loss occurs. The amount of any reversal of any write-down of inventories, arising from an increase in net realizable value, are recognized as a reduction in the amount of inventories recognized as an expense in the period in which the reversal occurs.
Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
The risks and uncertainties that inevitably surround many events and circumstances are taken into account in reaching the best estimate of a provision. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are determined at the present value of the expected future cash flows.
Where some or all of the expenditures required to settle a provision are expected to be reimbursed by another party, the reimbursement shall be recognized when, and only when, it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received if the entity settles the obligation. The reimbursement shall be treated as a separate asset.
Provisions are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted to reflect the current best estimates. If it is no longer probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, the provision is reversed.
The Company determines the provision for employment benefits as the incentive payments based on the results of the individual performance evaluation or management assessment.
The Company records the fair value of estimated decommissioning costs as a liability in the period in which the Company incurs a legal obligation associated with retirement of long-lived assets that result from acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the assets. Accretion expense consists of period-to-period changes in the liability for decommissioning costs resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows.
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Under the Radioactive Waste Management Act, the Company is levied to pay the spent nuclear fuel fund for the management of spent nuclear fuel. The Company recognizes the provision of present value of the payments.
Under the Radioactive Waste Management Act, the Company recognizes the provision for the disposal of low and intermediate radioactive wastes in best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation.
Under the regulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants Management Act, enacted in 2007, the Company is required to remove polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a toxin, from the insulating oil of its transformers by 2025. As a result of the enactments, the Company is required to inspect the PCBs contents of transformers and dispose of PCBs in excess of safety standards under the legally settled procedures. The Company’s estimates and assumptions used to determine fair value can be affected by many factors, such as the estimated costs of inspection and disposal, inflation rate, discount rate, regulations and the general economy.
Power plant regional support programs consist of scholarship programs to local students, local economy support programs, local culture support programs, environment development programs, and local welfare programs. The Company recognizes the provision in relation to power plant regional support program.
Renewable portfolio standard (“RPS”) program is required to generate a specified percentage of total electricity to be generated in the form of renewable energy and provisions are recognized for the governmental regulations to require the production of energies from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass.
The Company recognizes and measures non-derivative financial assets by the following four categories: financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, held-to-maturity investments, loans and receivables and available-for-sale financial assets. The Company recognizes financial assets in the statement of financial position when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Upon initial recognition, non-derivative financial assets are measured at their fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the asset’s acquisition or issuance.
A regular way purchase or sale of financial assets shall be recognized and derecognized, as applicable, using trade date accounting or settlement date accounting. A regular way purchase or sale is a purchase or sale of a financial asset under a contract whose terms require delivery of the asset within the time frame established generally by regulation or convention in the marketplace concerned.
The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a debt instrument and of allocating interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly
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discounts estimated future cash receipts (including all fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) through the expected life of the debt instrument, or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition. Income is recognized on an effective interest basis for debt instruments other than those financial assets classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss.
A financial asset is classified as financial assets are classified at fair value through profit or loss if it is held for trading or is designated as such upon initial recognition. Upon initial recognition, transaction costs are recognized in profit or loss when incurred. A financial assets its acquired principally for the purpose of selling it in the near term are classified as a short-term financial assets held for trading and also all the derivatives including an embedded derivate that is not designated and effective as a hedging instrument are classified at the short-term trading financial asset as well. Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value, and changes therein are recognized in profit or loss.
A financial asset is classified as held for trading if:
It has been acquired principally for the purpose of selling it in the near term; or
On initial recognition it is part of a portfolio of identified financial instruments that the Company manages together and has a recent actual pattern of short term profit taking; or
It is derivative, including an embedded derivative that is not designated and effective as a hedging instrument.
A financial asset other than a financial asset held for trading may be designated as at financial assets at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition if:
Such designation eliminates or significantly reduces a measurement or recognition inconsistency that would otherwise arise; or
The financial asset forms part of a group of financial assets or financial liabilities or both, which is managed and its’ performance is evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with the Company’s documented risk management or investment strategy, and information about the grouping is provided internally on that basis; or
It forms a part of a contract containing one or more embedded derivatives, and with IAS No. 39, Financial Instruments; Recognition and Measurement permits the entire combined contract (asset or liability) to be designated as at financial assets at fair value through profit or loss.
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are stated at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on re-measurement recognized in income or loss. The net gain or loss recognized in income or loss incorporates any dividend or interest earned on the financial asset and is included in the ‘finance income and finance expenses’ line item in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
A non-derivative financial asset with a fixed or determinable payment and fixed maturity, for which the Company has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity, are classified as held-to-maturity investments. Subsequent to initial recognition, held-to-maturity investments are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.
Available-for-sale financial assets are those non-derivative financial assets that are designated as available-for-sale or are not classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, held-to-maturity investments or loans and receivables.
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Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the valuation reserve. However, impairment losses, interest calculated using the effective interest method, and foreign exchange gains and losses on monetary assets are recognized in income or loss. Unquoted equity investments which are not traded in an active market, whose fair value cannot be measured reliably are carried at cost.
When a financial asset is derecognized or impairment losses are recognized, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified from equity to profit or loss.
Dividends on an available-for-sale equity instrument are recognized in profit or loss when the Company’s right to receive payment is established.
The fair value of available-for-sale monetary assets denominated in a foreign currency is determined in that foreign currency and translated at the spot rate at the end of the reporting period. The foreign exchange gains and losses that are recognized in income or loss are determined based on the amortized cost of the monetary asset. Other foreign exchange gains and losses are recognized in other comprehensive income.
Loans and receivables are financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. Subsequent to initial recognition, loans and receivables are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method except for loans and receivables of which the effect of discounting is immaterial.
Financial assets, other than those at financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of each reporting period. Financial assets are considered to be impaired when there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows of the investment have been affected.
For listed and unlisted equity investments classified as available-for-sale financial asset, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost is considered to be objective evidence of impairment in addition to the criteria mentioned below.
For all other financial assets, objective evidence of impairment could include:
Significant financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty; or
Breach of contract, such as a default or delinquency in interest or principal payments, or
It becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or financial re-organization; or
The disappearance of an active market for that financial asset because of financial difficulties.
For certain categories of financial asset, such as trade receivables, assets that are assessed not to be impaired individually are, in addition, assessed for impairment on a collective basis. Objective evidence of impairment for a portfolio of receivables could include the Company’s past experience of collecting payments, an increase in the number of delayed payments in the portfolio past the average credit period and, as well as observable changes in national or local economic conditions that correlate with default on receivables.
For financial assets recorded at amortized cost, the amount of the impairment loss recognized is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate.
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For financial assets carried at cost, the amount of the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the current market rate of return for a similar financial asset. Such impairment loss will not be reversed in subsequent periods.
The carrying amount of the financial asset is reduced by the impairment loss directly for all financial assets with the exception of trade receivables, where the carrying amount is reduced through the use of an allowance account. When a trade receivable is considered uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against the allowance account. Changes in the carrying amount of the allowance account are recognized in income or loss.
When an available-for-sale financial asset is considered to be impaired, cumulative gains or losses previously recognized in other comprehensive income are reclassified to income or loss in the period.
For financial assets measured at amortized cost, if, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized, the previously recognized impairment loss is reversed through income or loss to the extent that the carrying amount of the investment at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortized cost would have been had the impairment not been recognized.
In respect of available-for-sale equity securities, impairment losses previously recognized in income or loss are not reversed through income or loss. Any increase in fair value subsequent to an impairment loss is recognized in other comprehensive income. In respect of available-for-sale debt securities, impairment losses are subsequently reversed through income or loss if an increase in the fair value of the investment can be objectively related to an event occurring after the recognition of the impairment loss.
The Company derecognizes a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows on the financial asset in a transaction in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred. Any interest in transferred financial assets that is created or retained by the Company is recognized as a separate asset or liability. If the Company retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the transferred financial assets, the Company continues to recognize the transferred financial assets and recognizes financial liabilities for the consideration received.
On de-recognition of a financial asset in its entirety, the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the sum of the consideration received and receivable and the cumulative gain or loss that had been recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity is recognized in income or loss.
On de-recognition of a financial asset other than in its entirety (e.g. when the Company retains an option to repurchase part of a transferred asset), the Company allocates the previous carrying amount of the financial asset between the part it continues to recognize under continuing involvement, and the part it no longer recognizes on the basis of the relative fair values of those parts on the date of the transfer. The difference between the carrying amount allocated to the part that is no longer recognized and the sum of the consideration received for the part no longer recognized and any cumulative gain or loss allocated to it that had been recognized in other comprehensive income is recognized in income or loss. A cumulative gain or loss that had been recognized in other comprehensive income is allocated between the part that continues to be recognized and the part that is no longer recognized on the basis of the relative fair values of those parts.
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Debt and equity instruments are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement.
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Company are recognized at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.
Repurchase of the Company’s own equity instruments is recognized and deducted directly in equity. No gain or loss is recognized in income or loss on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of the Company’s own equity instruments.
Financial liabilities are recognized when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instruments. Financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction cost that are directly attributable to the issue of financial liabilities are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transaction cost directly attributable to acquisition of financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recognized immediately in profit or loss.
Financial liabilities are classified as either financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss or other financial liabilities.
Financial liabilities are classified as at financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss when the financial liability is either held for trading or it is designated as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss.
A financial liability is classified as held for trading if:
It has been acquired principally for the purpose of repurchasing it in the near term; or
On initial recognition it is part of a portfolio of identified financial instruments that the Company manages together and has a recent actual pattern of short-term profit-taking; or
It is a derivative that is not designated and effective as a hedging instrument.
A financial liability other than a financial liability held for trading may be designated as at FVTPL upon initial recognition if:
The financial liability forms part of a Company of financial assets or financial liabilities or both, which is managed and its performance is evaluated on a fair value basis, in accordance with the Company’s documented risk management or investment strategy, and information about the grouping is provided internally on that basis; or
It forms part of a contract containing one or more embedded derivatives, and IAS 39, ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’, permits the entire combined contract (asset or liability) to be designated as at FVTPL.
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Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are stated at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on re-measurement recognized in income or loss. The net gain or loss recognized in income or loss incorporates any interest paid on the financial liability and is included in ‘finance income and finance expenses’.
Other financial liabilities, including borrowings, are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs.
Other financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense recognized on an effective yield basis. The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability, or (where appropriate) a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.
Financial guarantee contract liabilities are initially measured at their fair values and, if not designated as at FVTPL, are subsequently measured at the higher of: (a) the amount of the obligation under the contract, as determined in accordance with IAS 37, ‘Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets; or (b) the amount initially recognized less, cumulative amortization recognized in accordance with IAS 18, ‘Revenue’.
The Company derecognizes financial liabilities when, and only when, the Company’s obligations are discharged, cancelled or they expire. The difference between the carrying amount of the financial liability derecognized and the consideration paid and payable is recognized in income or loss.
The Company enters into a variety of derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign exchange rate risk, including foreign exchange forward contracts, interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps and others.
Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value. The resulting gain or loss is recognized in income or loss immediately unless the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in such case the timing of the recognition in income or loss depends on the nature of the hedge relationship.
A derivative with a positive fair value is recognized as a financial asset; a derivative with a negative fair value is recognized as a financial liability. A derivative is presented as a non-current asset or a non-current liability if the remaining maturity of the instrument is more than 12 months and it is not expected to be realized or settled within 12 months. Other derivatives are presented as current assets or current liabilities.
Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or other host contracts are treated as separate derivatives when their risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of the host contracts and when the host contracts are not measured at FVTPL.
F-37
An embedded derivative is presented as a non-current asset or a non-current liability if the remaining maturity of the hybrid instrument to which the embedded derivative is part of, is more than 12 months and it is not expected to be realized or settled within 12 months. All other embedded derivatives are presented as current assets or current liabilities.
The Company designates certain hedging instruments, which include derivatives, embedded derivatives and non-derivatives in respect of foreign currency risk, as either fair value hedges or cash flow hedges. Hedges of foreign exchange risk on firm commitments are accounted for as cash flow hedges.
At the inception of the hedge relationship, the entity documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, along with its risk management objectives and its strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Furthermore, at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the Company documents whether the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item.
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recognized in income or loss immediately, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk. The changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument and the change in the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk relating to the hedged items are recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Hedge accounting is discontinued when the Company revokes the hedging relationship, when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or when it no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. The fair value adjustment to the carrying amount of the hedged item arising from the hedged risk is amortized as income or loss as of that date.
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 and accumulated under the heading of reverse for gains (loss) on valuation of derivatives. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized immediately in income or loss, and is included in the ‘finance income and expense’.
Amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity are reclassified to income or loss in the periods when the hedged item is recognized in income or loss, in the same line of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as the recognized hedged item. However, when the forecast transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or a non-financial liability, the gains and losses previously accumulated in equity are transferred from equity and included in the initial measurement of the cost of the non-financial asset or non-financial liability.
Hedge accounting is discontinued when the Company revokes the hedging relationship, when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or it no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. Any gain or loss accumulated in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognized when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognized in income or loss. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the gain or loss accumulated in equity is recognized immediately in income or loss.
F-38
The Company’s operating segments are its business components that generate discrete financial information that is reported to and regularly reviewed by the Company’s the chief operating decision maker, the Chief Executive Officer, for the purpose of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance. The Company’s reportable segments are ‘Transmission and distribution’, ‘Electric power generation (Nuclear)’, ‘Electric power generation (Non-nuclear)’, ‘Plant maintenance & engineering service’ and ‘Others’; others mainly represent the business unit that manages the Company’s foreign operations.
Power generation maintenance is an operating segment that met the quantitative thresholds to be a reportable segment as of December 31, 2013. Accordingly, 2012’s reportable segment information has been revised to show the Power generation maintenance information.
Segment operating profit (loss) is determined the same way that consolidated operating profit is determined under IFRS without any adjustment for corporate allocations. The accounting policies used by each segment are consistent with the accounting policies used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Segment assets and liabilities are determined based on separate financial statements of the entities instead of on a consolidated basis. There are various transactions between the reportable segments, including sales of property, plant and equipment and so on, that are conducted on an arms-length basis at market prices that would be applicable to an independent third-party. For subsidiaries which are in a different segment from that of its immediate parent company, their carrying amount in separate financial statements is eliminated in the consolidating adjustments in the tables below. In addition, consolidation adjustments in the table below include adjustments of the amount of investment in associates and joint ventures from the cost basis amount reflected in segment assets to that determined using equity method in the consolidated financial statements.
F-39
Segment
Transmission and distribution
Electric power generation (Nuclear)
Electric power generation (Non-nuclear)
Plant maintenance & engineering service
Consolidation adjustments
Finance expense
Equity method income of associates joint ventures
Loss before income tax
F-40
F-41
Segment totals
Consolidation adjustments:
Elimination of inter-segment amounts
Equity method adjustment
Deferred taxes
Consolidated totals
F-42
The following information on revenue from external customers and non-current assets is determined by the location of the customers and of the assets:
Geographical unit
Domestic
Overseas(*1)
There is no individual customer comprising more than 10% of the Company’s revenue for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
F-43
Current financial assets
Held-to-maturity investments
Derivative assets
Other financial assets
Trade and other receivables
Non-current financial assets
Available-for-sale financial assets
F-44
F-45
Borrowings
Debt securities
Derivative liabilities
F-46
Loans and receivables
Short-term financial instruments
Long-term financial instruments
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Gain (loss) on valuation of derivatives
Derivative assets(using hedge accounting)
Financial liabilities carried at amortized cost
Interest expense of borrowings and debt securities
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Derivative liabilities(using hedge accounting)
F-47
Restricted deposits as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Cash
Cash equivalents
Short-term deposits classified as cash equivalents
Short-term investments classified as cash equivalents
F-48
Deposits
Finance lease receivables
F-49
Trade and other receivables are classified as loans and receivables, and are measured using the effective interest method. No interest is accrued for trade receivables related to electricity for the duration between the billing date and the payment due dates. But once trade receivables are overdue, the Company imposes a monthly interest rate of 2.0% on the overdue trade receivables. The Company holds deposits of three months’ expected electricity usage for customers requesting temporary usage and customers with past defaulted payments.
Trade receivables: (not overdue, not impaired)
Trade receivables: (overdue, not impaired)
Less than 60 days
Trade receivables: (impairment reviewed)
60 ~ 90 days
90 ~ 120 days
120 days ~ 1 year
Over 1 year
Less allowance for doubtful accounts
Less present value discount
The Company assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is any objective evidence that trade receivables are impaired, and provides allowances for doubtful accounts which includes impairment for trade receivables that are individually significant.
The Company considers receivables as overdue if the receivables are outstanding 60 days after the maturity and sets allowance based on past experience of collection.
F-50
Other receivables: (not overdue, not impaired)
Other receivables: (overdue, not impaired)
Other receivables: (impairment reviewed)
Beginning balance
Write-off
Reversal
Others(*)
Ending balance
F-51
Equity securities
Listed
LG Uplus Corporation(*4)
Kwanglim Co., Ltd.(*1,3)
Cockatoo Coal Limited (*1,3)
Denison Mines Corp.
Energy Fuels Inc.(*5)
Fission 3.0
Fission Uranium Corp.(formerly named Fission)
PT Adaro Energy Tbk(*1)
Sungjee Construction Co., Ltd.(*1,3)
Ssangyong Motor Co., Ltd.(*3)
Korea District Heating Corp.(*1)
Namkwang Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd(*1)
Pumyang Construction Co., Ltd.
ELCOMTEC Co., Ltd.(*1)
PAN Ocean Co., Ltd.(*1)
Borneo International Furniture Co., Ltd.
TONGYANG Inc.
TONGYANG Networks Inc.
Unlisted
LIG E&C Co., Ltd.
Dae Kwang Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
Dongnam Co., Ltd.
Mobo Co., Ltd.
SAMBO AUTO. Co., Ltd.
Woobang ENC Co., Ltd.
Ginseng K Co., Ltd.
Areva Nc Expansion
IBK-AUCTUS Green Growth Private Equity Firm(*1)
K&C-Gyeongnam Youth Job Creation Investment Fund
Navanakorn Electric Co., Ltd.(*6)
PT. Kedap Saayq(*1)
Set Holding(*7)
Construction Guarantee(*8)
Global Dynasty Overseas Resource Development Private Equity Firm
Plant & Mechanical Contractors Financial Cooperative of Korea
Fire Guarantee
Korea Software Financial Cooperative
Engineering Financial Cooperative
Women’s Venture Fund(*4)
Electric Contractors Financial Cooperative
Korea Specialty Contractor Financial Cooperative
Information & Communication Financial Cooperative
F-52
Troika Overseas Resource Development Private Equity Firm
Korea Electric Engineers Association
Korea Investment—Korea EXIM Bank CERs Private Special Asset Investment Trust(*4)
Hanwha-KOSEP New Renewable Energy Private Special Assets Investment Trust1
Hanwha Electric Power Venture Fund
Byucksan Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.(*1)
Dongyang Engineering & Construction Corp.(*1)
Hwan Young Steel Co., Ltd.
Intellectual Discovery, Ltd.
Poonglim Industrial Co., Ltd.
HANKOOK Silicon Co., Ltd.
Pumyang Asset Management Co., Ltd.
Sanbon Department Store
Woori Ascon Co., Ltd.
Miju Steel Mfg Co., Ltd.
BnB Sungwon Co., Ltd.
Hana Civil Engineering Co., Ltd.
KC Development Co., Ltd.
IMHWA Corp.
IXELON Co., Ltd.
DALIM Special Vehicle Co., Ltd.
ASA KIMJE Co., Ltd.
ASA JEONJU Co., Ltd.
KYUNGWON Co., Ltd.
Moonkyoung Silica Co., Ltd.
Yousung Remicon Co., Ltd.
Sungkwang Timber Co., Ltd.
Yongbo Co., Ltd.
Korea Bio Fuel Co., Ltd.(*4)
Green & Sustainable Energy Investment Corp.(*2)
Kanan Hydroelectric Power Corp.(*2)
Siam Solar Power Co., Ltd.(*4)
3i Powergen Inc.(*2)
Ambre Energy Limited(*4)
F-53
Book values of unlisted equity securities held by the Company that were measured at cost as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are ￦330,001 million and ￦299,308 million, respectively, as a quoted market price does not exist in an active market and its fair value cannot be measured reliably.
Held-to-maturity investments as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Government and municipal bonds and others
F-54
Currency option
Currency forward
Currency swap
Interest rate swap
F-55
Bank of America
Citibank
Deutsche Bank
Barclays Bank PLC
Nova Scotia
RBS
Mizuho Bank
F-56
Receive (%)
UBS
Morgan Stanley
Goldman Sachs
IBK
Societe Generale
M-UFJ
Hana Bank
F-57
Contract interest rate
Pay (%)
UBS AG
Deutsche Bank AG
Nomura
BTMU
F-58
(5) Interest rate swap contracts which are not designated as hedge instruments as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
Korea Development Bank (*)
Contract interest rate per annum
CA-CIB (Credit Agricole)
Other derivatives
F-59
Present value discount
Long-term/short-term financial instruments
Short-term loans and receivables
Loans for tuition
Loans for housing
Loans for related parties
Fisheries loan
Other loans
Long-term loans and receivables
F-60
Time deposits
Installment deposits
Deposit for treasury stock in trust
Special money in trust
Repurchase agreement
CD
MMT
MMDA
Inventories as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Raw materials
Merchandises
Work-in-progress
Finished goods
Supplies
Inventories in transit
Other inventories
The reversal of the allowance for loss on inventory valuation due to increases in the net realizable value of inventory deducted from cost of sales were ￦5,568 million, ￦687 million and ￦3,029 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The amounts of loss from inventory valuation included in other gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were ￦6,920 million, ￦261 million and ￦2,709 million, respectively.
F-61
The Company entered into a power purchase agreement («PPA») with Jordan Electric Power Company to provide a 373MW level Qatrana gas combined power plant over a 25 year lease term, and accounts for the PPA as a finance lease. Also, the Company has fly-ash pipe conduit finance leases with an average lease term of 7 years. In addition the Company entered into a PPA with the Comision Federal de Electricidad in Mexico to provide for 25 years of all electricity generated from the power plant after completion of its construction and collect rates consisting of fixed costs (to recover the capital) and variable costs during the contracted period.
Less than 1 year
1 ~ 5 years
More than 5 years
Non-financial assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Advance payment
Prepaid expenses
Others (*)
Tax refund receivables
Other quick assets and others
F-62
Key operation activities
Location
KEPCO Engineering & Construction Company, Inc. (*1)
Architectural engineering for utility plant and others
KOREA
70.86
%
66.32
Utility plant maintenance and others
63.00
54.00
KEPCO Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd.
KEPCO KDN Co., Ltd.
Garorim Tidal Power Plant Co., Ltd. (*2)
Korea Engineering & Power Services Co., Ltd.
Operation and maintenance of utility plant
52.43
—
KEPCO International Hong Kong Ltd.
KEPCO International Philippines Inc.
KEPCO Gansu International Ltd.
KEPCO Philippines Holdings Inc.
KEPCO Philippines Corporation
KEPCO Ilijan Corporation
KEPCO Lebanon SARL
KEPCO Neimenggu International Ltd.
KEPCO Shanxi International Ltd.
KOMIPO Global Pte Ltd.
KEPCO Canada Energy Ltd.
KEPCO Netherlands B.V.
KOREA Imouraren Uranium Investment Corp.
Uranium mine development
FRANCE
100.00
KEPCO Australia Pty., Ltd.
KOSEP Australia Pty., Ltd.
KOMIPO Australia Pty., Ltd.
KOWEPO Australia Pty., Ltd.
KOSPO Australia Pty., Ltd.
KEPCO Middle East Holding Company
Qatrana Electric Power Company
KHNP Canada Energy Ltd.
KEPCO Bylong Australia Pty., Ltd.
Korea Waterbury Uranium Limited Partnership
Resources development
CANADA
79.64
KEPCO Canada Uranium Investment Limited Partnership
Korea Electric Power Nigeria Ltd.
KEPCO Holdings de Mexico
KST Electric Power Company
F-63
KEPCO Energy Service Company
KEPCO Netherlands S3 B.V.
PT. KOMIPO Pembangkitan Jawa Bali
PT. Cirebon Power Service (*2)
KOWEPO International Corporation
KOSPO Jordan LLC
EWP Philippines Corporation
EWP Philippine Holdings Corporation
EWP America Inc.
EWP Renewable Co.
DG Fairhaven Power, LLC
DG Kings Plaza Holdings, LLC
DG Kings Plaza, LLC
DG Kings Plaza II, LLC
DG Whitefield, LLC
Springfield Power, LLC
KNF Canada Energy Limited
PT KEPCO Resource Indonesia
EWP Barbados 1 SRL
California Power Holdings, LLC
Gyeonggi Green Energy Co., Ltd.
PT. Tanggamus Electric Power
Gyeongju Wind Power Co., Ltd.
KOMIPO America Inc.
Boulder Solar Power, LLC
EWPRC Biomass Holdings, LLC
PT. EWP Indonesia
KOWEPO America LLC.
KEPCO Netherlands J3 B.V.
Korea Offshore Wind Power Co., Ltd.
Global One Pioneer B.V.
Global Energy Pioneer B.V.
KOSEP Wind Power, LLC.
Mira Power Limited (*3)
KOSEP Material Co., Ltd. (*4)
Commerce and Industry Energy Co., Ltd.
KEPCO Singapore Holding Pte., Ltd.
KOWEPO India Private Limited
KEPCO KPS Philippines Corp.
KOSPO Chile SpA
PT. KOWEPO Sumsel Operation and Maintenance Services
INDONESIA
95.00
F-64
Subsidiary
Reason
PT. KOWEPO Sumsel Operation & Maintenance Services
KOSEP Wind Power, LLC
F-65
KEPCO Engineering & Construction Company, Inc.
Garorim Tidal Power Plant Co., Ltd.
Korea Power Engineering & Power Services Co., Ltd.
PT. Cirebon Power Service
KOSPO Jordan, LLC.
F-66
EWP Philippines Corporation (Formerly, EWP Cebu Corporation)
EWP America Inc. (*)
Boulder Solar Power, LLC.
KOWEPO America, LLC.
Mira Power Limited
KOSEP Material Co., Ltd.
F-67
KEPCO International HongKong Ltd.
F-68
Company
Nature and extent of any significant restrictions
F-69
Percentage of ownership
Net assets
Book value of non-controlling interest
Profit (loss) for the period attributable to non-controlling interest
Cash flows from financing activities before dividends to non-controlling interest
Dividends to non-controlling interest
Effect of exchange rate fluctuation
Net increase (decrease) of cash and cash equivalents
F-70
F-71
On April 29, 2013, the Company obtained control of Commerce and Industry Energy Co., Ltd. which engages in the integrated commerce and industry energy business, by acquiring an additional 29.5% of its equity shares. As a result, the Company’s ownership for Commerce and Industry Energy Co., Ltd. increased from 29.5% to 59.0%. The acquisition was accounted for as follows:
I. Fair value of consideration transferred
Carrying value of the equity method investees previously owned
Fair value adjustment(*1)
Cash and cash equivalents paid
Fair value of related commitments(*2)
II. Fair value of non-controlling interest(*3)
III. Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
<Assets>
Property, plant & equipment
Other assets
<Liabilities>
Other liabilities
Fair value of net assets
IV. Goodwill
If the Company had acquired the equity shares of Commerce and Industry Energy Co., Ltd. on January 1, 2013, the sales and profit for the 2013 would have been ￦54,044,024 million and ￦182,218 million, respectively. From the date of the acquisition, the subsidiary incurred sales and loss for the period ￦13,450 million and ￦2,959 million, respectively.
F-72
The net cash outflows from the business combination for the year ended December 31, 2013 are as follows:
Consideration paid in cash
Less: acquired cash and cash equivalents.
Acquisition cost
Accumulated impairment
Carrying book value
Changes
Newly recognized
The Company disposed the shares of Korea Engineering & Power Services Co., Ltd. and liquidated EWP Philippine Holdings Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company also reclassified the shares of Nepal Water & Energy Development Company Pty Ltd. and Dongducheon Dream Power Co., Ltd. from subsidiaries to investments in associates and liquidated EWP Barbados 2 SRL for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Consideration received in cash
The fair value of remaining shares after disposal
F-73
Employee benefits obligations, net
The fair value of sale price
Net assets disposed
Realization of unrealized gain
Other comprehensive loss
Gain from disposals of subsidiaries
Less: Cash in disposed subsidiaries
Net cash flow
F-74
Korea Electric Power Data Network Co., Ltd.
Investees
<Associates>
Korea Gas Corporation (*1)
Gangwon Wind Power Co., Ltd. (*2)
Korea Power Exchange (*6)
AMEC Partners Korea (*3)
Hyundai Energy Co., Ltd. (*9)
F-75
Alternergy Philippine Investments Corporation
Daeryun Power Co., Ltd.
KNOC Nigerian East Oil Co.,Ltd.(*4)
KNOC Nigerian West Oil Co., Ltd.(*4)
Dolphin Property Limited(*4)
E-Power S.A.
Pioneer Gas Power Limited(*8)
Busan Solar Co., Ltd.(*3)
Gumi-ochang Photovoltaic Power Co., Ltd.(*2)
Chungbuk Photovoltaic Power Co., Ltd.(*2)
Cheonan Photovoltaic Power Co., Ltd.(*2)
Hyundai Asan Solar Power Co., Ltd.
Jeonnam Solar Co., Ltd.
DS POWER Co., Ltd.
D Solarenergy Co., Ltd(*2)
KS Solar Corp. Ltd.(*3)
KOSCON Photovoltaic Co., Ltd(*2)
Yeongwol Energy Station Co.,Ltd(*2)
Yeonan Photovoltaic Co., Ltd(*2)
Q1 Solar Co., Ltd
Jinbhuvish Power Generation Pvt. Ltd.(*2)
Best Solar Energy Co., Ltd.
Seokcheon Solar Power Co., Ltd.(*2)
Golden Route J Solar Power Co., Ltd.(*2)
Photovoltaic powergeneration
F-76
<Joint ventures>
KEPCO-Uhde Inc.(*7)
Eco Biomass Energy Sdn. Bhd.(*7)
Shuweihat Asia Operation & MaintenanceCompany(*7)
KEPCO SPC Power Corporation(*7)
Canada Korea Uranium Limited Partnership(*5)
Busan Shinho Solar power Co., Ltd.
STX Electric Power Co., Ltd.
YEONGAM Wind Power Co., Ltd.
Exporting products andtechnology of small ormedium business by proxy
29.00
290
249
Expressway Solar-light Power Generation Co., Ltd.
Amman Asia Electric Power Company(*7)
KEPCO-ALSTOM Power Electronics Systems, Inc.(*7)
Dongbu Power Dangjin Corporation
Nepal Water & Energy Development Company Pty Ltd.
Kelar S.A(*7)
F-77
Korea Gas Corporation(*1)
Gangwon Wind PowerCo., Ltd.(*2)
Korea Power Exchange(*6)
AMEC Partners Korea(*3)
Hyundai Energy Co., Ltd.(*9)
Daeryun Power Co., Ltd.(*3,10)
F-78
KNOC Nigerian East Oil Co., Ltd.(*4)
Samcheok Eco Material Co., Ltd.(*3, 11)
Goseong Green Energy Co., Ltd.
DS POWER Co., Ltd.(*2)
Yeongwol Energy Station Co., Ltd(*2)
F-79
Eco Biomass Energy Sdn.Bhd.(*7)
Shuweihat Asia Operation & Maintenance Company(*7)
KEPCO SPC PowerCorporation(*7)
GS Donghae Electric Power Co., Ltd. (Formerly, STX Electric Power Co., Ltd.)
F-80
Exporting products and technology of small or medium business by proxy
Dangjin Echo Power Co., Ltd.(Formerly, Dongbu Power Dangjin Corporation)
Nepal Water & Energy Development Company
Pty Ltd.(*7)
Yeonggwangbaeksu Wind Power Co., Ltd.(*3)
F-81
Korea Gas Corporation (*)
F-82
Korea Gas Corporation
Gangwon Wind Power Co., Ltd.
Korea Power Exchange
AMEC Partners Korea
Hyundai Energy Co., Ltd.
Ecollite Co., Ltd.(*1)
Commerce and industry energy Co., Ltd
KNOC Nigerian East Oil Co., Ltd.
KNOC Nigerian West Oil Co., Ltd.
Dolphin Property Limited
PT. Bayan Resources TBK(*2)
Pioneer Gas Power Limited
Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Power Co., Ltd
Busan Solar Co., Ltd.
Gumi-ochang Photovoltaic Power Co., Ltd.
Chungbuk Photovoltaic Power Co., Ltd.
Cheonan Photovoltaic Power Co., Ltd.
PT. Mutiara Jawai
F-83
D Solarenergy Co., Ltd.
KS Solar Corp. Ltd.
KOSCON Photovoltaic Co., Ltd.
Yeongwol Energy Station Co., Ltd.
Yeonan Photovoltaic Co., Ltd.
Q1 Solar Co., Ltd.
Jinbhuvish Power Generation Pvt. Ltd.
Seokcheon Solar Power Co., Ltd.
Golden Route J Solar Power Co., Ltd.
KEPCO-Uhde Inc.
Eco Biomass Energy Sdn. Bhd.
Shuweihat Asia Operation & Maintenance Company
KEPCO SPC Power Corporation
Canada Korea Uranium Limited Partnership(*3)
Rabigh Electricity Company(*4)
F-84
Jamaica Public Service Company Limited(*5)
Global Trade Of Power System Co., Ltd
Yeongam F1 Solar Power Plant
Amman Asia Electric Power Company
KEPCO-ALSTOM Power Electronics Systems, Inc.
Kelar S.A
F-85
Samcheok Eco Material Co., Ltd.
F-86
Canada Korea Uranium Limited Partnership
Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (*)
Dangjin Echo Power Co., Ltd. (Formerly, Dongbu Power Dangjin Corporation)
Yeonggwangbaeksu Wind Power Co., Ltd.
F-87
F-88
F-89
F-90
F-91
F-92
Yeonggwangbaeksu Wind Power CO., Ltd.
Kelar S.A.
F-93
F-94
F-95
F-96
F-97
Gemeng International Energy Co., Ltd., issued put options on 8% of its shares to its financial investors, KEPCO Woori Sprott PEF (NPS Co-Pa PEF). If the investment fund is not collected until the maturity date (December 25, 2023, two years extension is possible), PEF can exercise the option at strike price which is the same as a principal investment price (including operating fees ratio of below 1% per annum), and also, the Company provided a performance guarantee on this agreement.
As of December 31, 2014, Hyundai Energy Co., Ltd., an associate of the Company, which engages in the integrated energy business, carries long-term borrowings for project financing amounting to ￦450 billion from Korea Development Bank and others.
Related to the above project financing, NH Power II Co., Ltd. and Daewoo Securities Co., Ltd., has entered into an agreement with Yeocheon TPL Co., Ltd. to acquire shares in Hyundai Energy Co., Ltd. held by Yeocheon TPL Co., Ltd. The Company had placed guarantees for a fixed return on investment to the financial institutions and had obtained the rights to acquire the investment securities in return preferentially.
In addition, NH Power II Co., Ltd. and Daewoo Securities Co., Ltd. have a right, which can be exercised for 30 days starting from 2 months to 1 month prior to 17 years after the termination date of contract to sell their shares to the Company. In addition, if dividends to shareholders exceed annual revenue, the exceeding amount shall be evenly distributed to Yeocheon TPL Co., Ltd. and the Company.
In case non-controlling shareholders decide to dispose of their shares in Taebaek Wind Power Co., Ltd. after the warrant period of defect repair for wind power generator has expired, the Company is obligated to acquire those shares at fair value. The acquisition is to be made after the conditions of the acquisition are discussed among the parties involved, with consideration of various factors such as financial status and business situation.
In case non-controlling shareholders decide to dispose of their shares in Pyeongchang Wind Power Co., Ltd. after commercial operation of the power plant has started, the Company is obligated to acquire those shares at fair value. The acquisition is to be made after the conditions of the acquisition are discussed among the parties involved, with the careful consideration of various factors such as financial status and business situation.
All shareholders of Daeryun Power Co., Ltd. except for POSCO Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd., have agreed to acquire the shares held by POSCO Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. This acquisition shall be made at issuance price of the share in proportion to each shareholder’s percentage of ownership within two months after the completion of EPC construction. In connection with this agreement, the company, one of the shareholders of Daeryun Power Co., Ltd., is obligated to acquire 1,210,772 shares of POSCO Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.’s investment, which amounts to ￦6,054 million. In case of a merger of Daeryun Power Co., Ltd., remaining shareholders are obligated to pay the dissident shareholders’ share for their purchased price.
F-98
In case non-controlling shareholders except for financial investors decide to dispose of their shares in Jeongam Wind Power Co., Ltd. after the construction of the power plant has been completed, the Company is obligated to acquire those shares at fair value.
In case Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., a co-participant of the joint venture agreement, decides to dispose of its shares in Daejung Offshore Wind Power Co., Ltd., the Company is obligated to acquire those shares after evaluating the economic feasibility of the facilities installed by Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
In case financial investors decide to dispose of their shares in Dongducheon Dream Power Co., Ltd. 5 years after the commencement of commercial operation of the power plant, the Company is obligated to acquire those shares at fair value.
The Company has a right to sell all shares and bonds of DS POWER Co., Ltd. to Daesung Industrial Co., Ltd and Daesung Industrial Co., Ltd. or an authoritative person appointed by Daesung Industrial Co., Ltd.
KNOC Nigerian East Oil Co., Ltd.,
KNOC Nigerian West Oil Co., Ltd. and
F-99
DS Power Co., Ltd.
• After 15 years from the completion date of facility which is financed by financial investor’s equity investment, the financial investor and the consolidated entity have appraisal right against Hyundai Steel Company (the “Operating investor”) and the operating investor can also claim against the financial investor to sell their shares.
• After 5 years from the completion date of additional facility, the operating investor has appraisal right against the consolidated entity and the financial investor when self-generating electricity is more profitable to Hyundai Steel Company’s cash flow rather than this business
• After 5 years from the completion date of the additional facility, if there exists an agreement among those relevant parties, the operating investor may claim to dispose the entire shares of the consolidated entity and the shares owned by financial investor to the operating investor or to the third parties which designated by the operating investor.
• After 25 years from the completion date or when operation of electricity generation business by Hyundai Green Power Co., Ltd is no longer feasible, the operating investor may claim to dispose the entire the shares of the consolidated entity and shares owned by financial investor to the operating investor or to third parties which are designated by the operating investor.
• After 5 years from the completion date of additional facility, if there reaches no agreement within 60 days, even if price of fuel supply fluctuates due to statutory or other irresistible reasons so that Hyundai Green Power Co., Ltd. would face excessive gain or loss, the operating investor (consolidated entity and financial investor) may claim the consolidated entity and the financial investor (operating investor) to dispose (acquire) the entire shares.
F-100
Land
Equipment
Tools
Construction-in- progress
F-101
(Government grants)
Construction-in-progress
Asset retirement cost
F-102
F-103
Rental income
Operating and maintenance expenses related to rental income
The fair values of the investment properties as of the reporting date were determined in consideration of the fluctuation on the publicly notified individual land price after the IFRS adoption date.
Nuclear power plant construction in UAE
Kazakhstan EPC and others
F-104
F-105
Licenses and franchises
Copyrights, patents rights and other industrial rights
Mining rights
Development expenditures
Intangible assets under development
Usage rights of donated assets and other
Leasehold rights
F-106
F-107
Smart technology verification and standard design project conducting right
KOSPO Evolutionary Efficient & Powerful System(KEEPS)
Development of maintenance system for utility plant
Contributions to APR NRC DC
CHF testing for best representative of HIPER/X2-Gen Fuel and development of best explanatory CHF correlation
Usage rights of donated assets
Songdo international business district(sector 1, 3) sharing charge
Dangjin power plant load facility usage right
F-108
Trade and other payables as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Other trade payables
Leasehold deposits received
Other deposits received
Finance lease liabilities
Dividends payable
F-109
Advance received from local governments
Current portion of long-term borrowings
Current portion of debt securities
Less: Current portion of discount on long-term borrowings
Less: Current portion of discount on debt securities
Long-term borrowings
Less : Discount on long-term borrowings
Less : Discount on debt securities
Add: Premium on debt securities
Creditor
Interest rate (%)
Local short-term borrowings
Local commercial paper
Korea Exchange Bank and others
Foreign short-term borrowings
Local bank overdraft
Woori Bank
Standard overdraft rate + 1.27
F-110
KTB Investment & Securities
20,788
Local long-term borrowings
Korea Industrial Bank
Kookmin Bank
Export-Import Bank of Korea
Project loans
2.00
2026
36,827
F-111
Facility
1yr KoFC bondrate + 0.20 ~
0.31
2018~2019
￦
2,300,000
Korea Resources Corporation
Development ofpower resources
3yr KTBrate - 2.25
2014~2027
64,202
Shinhan Bank and others
3yr AA- CB rate+ 1.10
2028
30,000
Korea National Oil Corporation
USD 8,784
9,270
Export-Import Bank of US
JBIC
Export-Import Bank of Korea and others
Proparco and others
PT PJB
SMBC and others
HSBC and others
Less : Discount of long-term borrowings
Less : Current portion of long-term borrowings
Add : Current portion of discount of long-term borrowings
F-112
Commercial Paper
Korea Finance Corporation
Development of power resources
PF Refinancing
Commercial loan
F-113
SCNT and others
Shareholder’s loan
Electricity Bonds(*)
2033.08.06
Electricity Bonds
Corporate Bonds
2040.12.10
Less : Discount on local debt securities
Less : Current portion of local debt securities
Add : Current portion of discount on local debt securities
F-114
FY-96
FY-97
FY-04
FY-06
FY-08
FY-09
FY-10
FY-11
FY-12
FY-13
Less : Discount on foreign debt securities
Add : Premium on debt securities
Less : Current portion of foreign debt securities
Add : Current portion of discount on foreign debt securities
F-115
1996.12.06
2096.04.01
1997.08.04
2027.08.04
FY-04(*)
2006.09.29
2016.09.29
2010.10.05
2015.10.05
2010.11.18
2015.11.18
2011.07.29
2021.07.13
2012.09.19
2022.09.19
2013.11.27
2018.11.27
2013.10.23
2019.03.26
2013.07.25
2018.07.25
FY-14
2014.12.02
2029.07.30
2014.07.31
2017.07.31
F-116
The Company enters into a power purchase agreements (“PPA”) under which the Company is committed to purchase an aggregate capacity of 3,770 megawatts for approximately twenty years from independent power producers, such as, GS EPS and three other providers. The Company recognizes these PPAs as finance leases; under the PPAs, there is no transfer of ownership or bargain purchase option of the plants at the end of the agreement, however, the present value of the future minimum power purchase payments equals substantially all of the plants’ respective fair values over a twenty-year period which makes up the major part of the respective plants’ economic life.
Current finance lease liabilities
Non-current finance lease liabilities
Minimum lease payment
Contingent rent payment
F-117
Defined benefit obligations
Other long-term employee benefit obligations
Discount rate
Future salary and benefit levels
Weighted average duration
Current service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Past service cost
Loss from settlement
Expenses as described above are recognized in those items below in the financial statements.
Others (Construction-in-progress and others)
In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, employee benefit obligations expenses of ￦41,289 million and ￦33,700 million, respectively, is recognized as cost of sales, and ￦5,370 million and ￦5,154 million, respectively, is recognized as selling and administrative expenses, and ￦11,092 million and ￦8,631 million, respectively relates to the Company’s defined contribution plans.
F-118
Present value of defined benefit obligation from funded plans
Fair value of plan assets
Present value of defined benefit obligation from unfunded plans
Net liabilities incurred from defined benefit plans
Interest cost (*)
Remeasurement component
Actual payments
Expected return
Contributions by the employers
Contributions by the employees
Assets decreased through settlement
In addition, gain or loss on accumulated remeasurement component amounted to ￦39,591 million and ￦(-)116,707 million and has been recognized as other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
F-119
Equity instruments
Debt instruments
Bank deposit
For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, actual returns on plan assets are amounted to ￦16,218 million and ￦15,669 million, respectively.
Actuarial gain from changes in demographic assumptions
Actuarial gain (loss) from changes in financial assumptions
Experience adjustments
Remeasurement component recognized as other comprehensive income (loss) is recorded in retained earnings.
Employment benefits
Provision for employment benefits
Litigation
Litigation provisions
Decommissioning cost
Nuclear plants
Spent fuel
Waste
PCBs
Other recovery provisions
Power plant regional support program
Provisions for tax
Provisions for financial guarantee
Provisions for RPS
F-120
F-121
Investment properties
F-122
Deferred revenue related to the Company’s construction contracts as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows and included in current and non-current non-financial liabilities in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position:
Increase during the current year / period
Offset during the current year / period
Non-financial liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Advance received
Unearned revenue
Deferred revenue
Withholdings
F-123
Legal reserve(*)
Retained earnings before appropriations
F-124
Reserve for investment on social overhead capital
Reserve for research and human development(*)
Reserve for business expansion
Reserve for equalizing dividends
Net profit for the period attributed to owner of the Company
Changes in equity method retained earnings
Remeasurements of defined benefit liability (asset), net of tax
Dividend paid
In millionsof Won
Income tax effect
F-125
Transfer to reserve for business expansion
For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company’s retained earnings were appropriated on March 28. 2014.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company’s retained earnings were appropriated on March 31, 2015. Statements of appropriation of retained earnings of KEPCO, the parent, for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
In millions of won except
for dividends per share
I. Retained Earnings Before Appropriations
Unappropriated retained earnings carried over from prior years
Net income
Remeasurements of the defined benefit plan
II. Transfer from voluntary reserves
III. Subtotal (I+II)
IV. Appropriations of retained earnings
Legal reserve
Dividends (government, individual)
(Amount of dividends per share (%) :
Current year—￦500 (10.0%)
Prior year—￦90 (1.8%))
V. Unappropriated retained earnings to be carried over forward to subsequent year
Korea Western Power Co., Ltd. and Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd. which are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, issued bond-type hybrid bonds for the year ended December 31, 2012. Bond-type hybrid securities classified as equity (non-controlling interest) as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
Issuer
Hybrid Bond
Korea WesternPower Co., Ltd.
1st bond-type hybrid bond
Korea South-EastPower Co., Ltd.
2nd bond-type hybrid bond
Expense of Issuance
F-126
Although these instruments have contractual maturity dates, the contractual agreements allow these subsidiaries to indefinitely extend the maturity dates and defer the payment of interest without modification to the other terms of the instruments. When the Company decides to not pay dividends on ordinary shares, they are not required to pay interest on the hybrid bonds.
Substantially, as these instruments have no contractual obligation to pay principal and interest, these instruments have been classified as equity (non-controlling interest) in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Treasury stocks
Disposal of subsidiary
Issuance of share capital of subsidiary
Change in consolidation scope
F-127
Changes in the unrealized fair value of available-for-sale financial assets, net of tax
Shares in other comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures, net of tax
F-128
Statutory revaluation reserve
Changes in other equity
Electricity
Heat supply
Sales of service
Salaries
Retirement benefit expense
Welfare and benefit expense
Insurance expense
Amortization of intangible assets
Commission
Advertising expense
Training expense
Vehicle maintenance expense
Publishing expense
Business promotion expense
Rent expense
Telecommunication expense
Transportation expense
Taxes and dues
Expendable supplies expense
Water, light and heating expense
F-129
Repairs and maintenance expense
Ordinary development expense
Travel expense
Clothing expense
Survey and analysis expense
Membership fee
Sales promotional expense
Sales promotional expenses
Miscellaneous wages
Litigation and filing expenses
Compensation for damages
Outsourcing expenses
Reward expenses
Reversal of other provisions
Reversal of allowance for doubtful accounts
Gains on assets contributed
Gains on liabilities exempted
Compensation and reparations revenue
Gains on electricity infrastructure development fund
Revenue from research contracts
Revenue related to transfer of assets from customers
F-130
Refund of claim for rectification
Adjustment of research project
Maintenance expenses on lease building
Training expenses
Deposit redemption
Reversal of expenses on litigation
Compensation for land incorporation
Revenue on royalty fee
Reimbursement of insurance fee
Harbor facilities dues of DangJin thermal power plant
Accretion expenses of other provisions
Depreciation expenses on investment properties
Depreciation expenses on idle assets
Other bad debt expense
Donations
Operating expenses related to the idle assets
Research grants
Supporting expenses on farming and fishing village
Operating expenses on fitness center
Expenses on adjustment of research and development grants
Forfeit of taxes and dues
Movement expense
Expenses on unauthorized provision payment of decommissioning cost
F-131
Other gains
Gains on disposal of property plant, and equipment
Gains on disposal of intangible assets
Gains on disposal of other non-current assets
Reversal of impairment loss on intangible assets
Gains on foreign currency translation
Gains on foreign currency transaction
Insurance proceeds
Other losses
Losses on disposal of property plant and equipment
Losses on disposal of intangible assets
Impairment loss on other non-current non-financial assets(*)
Losses on foreign currency translation
Losses on foreign currency transaction
F-132
Gains on disposal of inventories
Gains on valuation of inventories
Gains on proxy collection of TV license fee
Gains on compensation of impaired electric poles
Gains on compensation for infringement on contract
Gains on harbor facilities dues
Technical fees
Reversal of occupation development training fees
Gains on disposal of waste
Gains on insurance
Gains on litigation
Interests on tax rebate
Gains on other commission
Gains on research tasks
Gains on settlement and others
Losses on valuation of inventories
Losses on disposal of inventories
Losses due to disaster
Losses on rounding adjustment of electric charge surtax
Losses on adjustments of levies
Losses on write-off
Penalty on taxes and dues
Commission and others
Losses on litigation
Gains on disposal of financial assets
Gains on valuation of derivatives
Gains on transaction of derivatives
Other finance income
F-133
Short-term financial instrument
Long-term financial instrument
Losses on sale of financial assets
Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets
Losses on valuation of derivatives
Losses on transaction of derivatives
Losses on repayment of financial liabilities
Other financial liabilities
Less: Capitalized borrowing costs
Capitalization rates for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are 3.25% ~ 5.31%, 3.71% ~ 4.33% and 3.28% ~ 4.35%, respectively.
F-134
Current income tax expense
Payment of income tax
Adjustment due to changes in estimates related to prior years
Current income tax directly recognized in equity
Deferred income tax expense
Generation and realization of temporary differences
Reclassified from equity to loss
Changes of unrecognized tax losses, tax credit and temporary differences for prior periods
Changes in deferred tax on tax losses incurred during the period
Tax credit carry forwards
Income (Loss) before income tax
Income tax (expense) benefit computed at applicable tax rate of 24.2%
Adjustments
Additional payment of income taxes or receipt of income tax refunds
Effect of applying gradual tax rate
Effect of non-taxable revenue
Effect of non-deductible expenses
Effects of tax credits and deduction
Recognition of unrecognized deferred tax asset, net
Unrecognized deferred tax assets
Deferred income tax related to investments in subsidiaries and associates
Effective tax rate
F-135
Dividends of hybrid securities
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries and associates
Gain on disposal of treasury stocks
Income tax recognized as other comprehensive income (loss)
Gain (loss) on valuation of available-for-sale financial assets
Actuarial losses on employee benefit obligations
F-136
Deferred income tax on temporary differences
Employee benefits
Investments in associates or subsidiaries
Property, plant and equipment
Finance lease
Intangible assets
Doubtful receivables
Other finance liabilities
Gains (losses) on foreign exchange translation
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Special deduction
Impairment of non-current assets
Reserve for research and human development
Deferred income tax on unused tax losses and tax credit
Tax losses
Tax credit
F-137
Deferred income tax assets
Deferred income tax liabilities
F-138
Deductible temporary differences
Tax losses and tax credits carryback
1 ~ 2 years
2 ~ 3 years
More than 3 years
Assets held-for-sale as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Land(*1,2)
Building(*1,2)
Structures(*2)
F-139
Expenses classified by nature for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Raw materials used
Power purchase
F-140
F-141
Basic earnings (loss) per share
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
F-142
Net profit (loss) for the period and weighted average number of common shares used in the calculation of basic earnings (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Controlling interest in net profit (loss)
Profit (loss) used in the calculation of total basic earnings (loss) per share
Weighted average number of common shares
Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by applying adjusted weighted average number of common shares under the assumption that all dilutive potential common shares are converted to common shares.
Earnings used in the calculation of total diluted earnings (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Profit (loss) used in the calculation of total diluted earnings (loss) per share
Weighted average common shares used in calculating diluted earnings (loss) per share are adjusted from weighted average common shares used in calculating basic earnings (loss) per share. Detailed information of the adjustment for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Diluted weighted average number of shares
The Company manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Company will be able to continue while maximizing the return to shareholder through the optimization of the debt and equity balance. The capital structure of the Company consists of net debt (offset by cash and cash equivalents) and equity. The Company’s overall capital risk management strategy remains unchanged from that of the prior year.
Details of the Company’s capital management accounts as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Total borrowings and debt securities
Net borrowings and debt securities
Total shareholder’s equity
Debt to equity ratio
F-143
The Company is exposed to various risks related to its financial instruments, such as, market risk (currency risk, interest rate risk, price risk), credit risk. The Company monitors and manages the financial risks relating to the operations of the Company through internal risk reports which analyze exposures by degree and magnitude of risks. The Company uses derivative financial instruments to certain hedge risk exposures. The Company’s overall financial risk management strategy remains unchanged from that of the prior year.
Credit risk is the risk of finance loss to the Company if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations, and arises primarily from the sales activities, securities and derivatives. In addition, credit risk exposure may exist within financial guarantees and unused line of credits. As these financial institutions the Company makes transactions with are reputable financial institutions, the credit risk from them are considered limited. The Company decides credit transaction limits based on evaluation of client’s credit, through information obtained from the credit bureau and disclosed financial position at committing contracts.
Electricity sales, the main operations of the Company are the necessity for daily life and industrial activities of Korean nationals, and have importance as one of the national key industries. The Company dominates the domestic market supplying electricity to customers. The Company is not exposed to credit risk as customers of the Company are from various industries and areas. The Company uses publicly available information and its own internal data related to trade receivables, to rate its major customers and to measure the credit risk that a counter party will default on a contractual obligation. For the incurred but not recognized loss, it is measured considering overdue period.
In accordance with the Company policies, individual material financial assets are assessed on a regular basis, trade receivables that are assessed not to be impaired individually are, in addition, assessed for impairment on a collective basis. Value of the acquired collateral (including the confirmation of feasibility) and estimated collectable amounts are included in this assessment.
Allowance for bad debts assessed on a collective basis are recognized for (i) the Company of assets which individually are not material and (ii) incurred but not recognized losses that are assessed using statistical methods, judgment and past experience.
Book values of the financial assets represent the maximum exposed amounts of the credit risk. Details of the Company’s level of maximum exposure to credit risk as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Derivative assets (trading)
Derivative assets (using hedge accounting)
Financial guarantee contracts(*)
F-144
Financial guarantee contracts as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
Joint ventures
As of the reporting date, there are no financial assets and non-financial assets that were acquired through the exercise of the right of collateralized assets and reinforcement of credit arrangement.
Market risk is the risk that the Company’s fair values of the financial instruments or future cash flows are affected by the changes in the market. Market risk consists of interest rate risk, currency risk and other price risk.
Significant assets and liabilities with uncertainties in underlying assumptions
The following is a sensitivity analysis of defined benefit obligation assuming a 1% increase and decrease movements in the actuarial valuation assumptions as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Future salary
increases
Increase (decrease) indefined benefitobligation
Changes of employee benefits assuming a 1% increase and decrease movements in discount rate on plan asset for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 are ￦4,776 million and ￦5,699 million, respectively.
Changes in provisions due to movements in underlying assumptions as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
F-145
The following is a sensitivity analysis of provisions assuming a 0.1% increase and decrease movements in the underlying assumptions as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Inflation rate
Management judgment effected by uncertainties in underlying assumptions
The Company undertakes transactions denominated in foreign currencies; consequently, exposures to exchange rate fluctuations arise. The carrying amounts of the Company’s foreign currency denominated monetary assets and monetary liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
A sensitivity analysis on the Company’s income for the period assuming a 10% increase and decrease in currency exchange rates as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Increase (decrease) of income before income tax
Increase (decrease) of shareholder’s equity(*)
F-146
Sensitivity analysis above is conducted for monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies other than functional currency, without consideration of hedge effect of related derivatives, as of December 31, 2013 and 2014.
To manage its foreign currency risk related to foreign currency denominated receivables and payables, the Company has a policy to enter into currency forward agreements. In addition, to manage its foreign currency risk related to foreign currency denominated expected sales transactions and purchase transactions, the Company enters into cross-currency swap agreements.
The Company is exposed to interest rate risk due to its borrowing with floating interest rates. A 1% increase or decrease is used when reporting interest rate risk internally to key management personnel and represents management’s assessment of the reasonably possible change in interest rates.
The Company’s borrowings and debt securities with floating interest rates as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
A sensitivity analysis on the Company’s long-term borrowings and debt securities assuming a 1% increase and decrease in interest rates, without consideration of hedge effect of related derivatives for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Increase (decrease) of profit before income tax
To manage its interest rate risks, the Company enters into certain interest swap agreements or maintains an appropriate mix of fixed and floating rate borrowings.
The Company is exposed to electricity rates risk due to the rate regulation of the government which considers the effect of electricity rate on the national economy.
A sensitivity analysis on the Company’s income for the period assuming a 1% increase and decrease in price of electricity for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
F-147
The Company has established an appropriate liquidity risk management framework for the management of the Company’s short, medium and long-term funding and liquidity management requirements. The Company manages liquidity risk by continuously monitoring forecasted and actual cash flows, and by matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.
In addition, the Company has established credit lines on its trade financing and bank overdrafts, and through payment guarantees it has received, it maintains an adequate credit (borrowing) line. In addition, the Company has the ability to utilize excess cash or long-term borrowings for major construction investments.
The following table shows the details of maturities of non-derivative financial liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2014. This table, based on the undiscounted cash flows of the non-derivative financial liabilities, has been completed based on the respective liabilities’ earliest maturity date.
Borrowings and debt securities
The expected maturities for non-derivative financial assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 in detail are as follows:
F-148
Derivative liabilities classified by maturity periods which from reporting date to maturity date of contract as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Gross settlement
—Trading
—Hedging
The fair value of the Company’s actively-traded financial instruments (i.e. short-term financial assets held for trading, available-for-sale financial assets, etc.) is based on the traded market-price as of the reporting period end. The fair value of the Company’s financial assets is the amount which the asset could be exchanged for or the amount a liability could be settled for.
The fair values of financial instruments where no active market exists or where quoted prices are not otherwise available are determined by using valuation techniques. Valuation techniques include using recent arm’s length market transactions between knowledgeable, willing parties, if available, reference to the current fair value of another instrument that is substantially the same, discounted cash flow analysis and option pricing models. If there is a valuation technique commonly used by market participants to price the instrument and that technique has been demonstrated to provide reliable estimates of prices obtained in actual market transactions, the Company uses that technique.
F-149
For trade receivables and payables, the Company considers the carrying value net of impairment as fair value. While for disclosure purposes, the fair value of financial liabilities is estimated by discounting a financial instruments with similar contractual cash flows based on the effective interest method.
Assets recognized at fair value
Available-for-sale financial assets(*1)
Assets carried at amortized cost
Liabilities recognized at fair value
Derivative liabilities (trading)
Liabilities carried at amortized cost
Secured borrowings
Unsecured bond
Unsecured borrowings
Trade and other payables(*2)
Bank overdraft
The interest rates used to discount estimated cash flows, when applicable, are based on the government yield curve at the reporting date plus an adequate credit spread.
F-150
The discount rate used for calculating fair value as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Derivatives
The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, classified as Level 1, 2 or 3, based on the degree to which the fair value is observable.
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3: Inputs that are not based on observable market data.
Fair values of financial instruments by hierarchy level as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Financial assets at fair value
Financial liabilities at fair value
The fair value of available-for-sale financial assets publicly traded is measured at the closing bid price quoted at the end of the reporting period. Meanwhile, the fair value of unquoted available-for-sale financial assets is calculated using the valuation results from an external pricing service in which weighted average borrowing rates of interest of evaluated companies are used as a discount rate. The fair value of derivatives is measured using valuation model which is determined at the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at current market interest rate.
F-151
Changes of financial assets and liabilities which are classified as level 3 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Unlisted securities
The Company has entered into a contract with National Power Corporation (the “NPC”), based in the Republic of the Philippines whereby the Company can collect the electricity rates which are composed of fixed costs and variable costs during the concession period after building, rehabilitating, and operating the power plant.
The Company has the rights to use and own the power plant during the concession period from 2002 to 2022. At the end of the concession period, the Company has an obligation to transfer its ownership of the power plant to NPC.
1~ 2 years
2~ 3 years
Over 3 years
F-152
Related party
Parent
(76 subsidiaries)
Associates
(50 associates)
F-153
(38 joint ventures)
F-154
<Sales and Others>
Company name
Chungbuk Photovoltaic Power Co., Ltd
DSolar Energy Co., Ltd.
KS Solar Co., Ltd.
F-155
E-POWER S.A.
Yeongam Wind Power Co., Ltd.
F-156
<Purchase and Others>
Transaction type
D Solar Energy Co., Ltd.
KS Solar Energy Co., Ltd.
Expressway Solar-light Power Co., Ltd.
F-157
F-158
F-159
KEPCO-ALSTOM Power
Electronics Systems, Inc.
Non-trade receivablesand others
F-160
Related parties
Primary guarantor
Secondary guarantor
Type of guarantees
Guarantee
Korea Electric Power Corporation
Debt guarantees
129,868
SMBC, The Export-import Bank of Korea and ADB
Shuweihat Asia O&M Co., Ltd.
Performance guarantees
11,000
ADWEA
KNOC Nigerian East Oil Co., Ltd. and KNOC Nigerian West Oil Co., Ltd.
34,650
Korea National Oil Corporation (Nigerian government)
10,200
Standard Chartered Bank
F-161
Collateralized money invested
KRW
48,553
Korea Exchange Bank, Hana Bank and others
Payment guarantees for business reserve
2,500
Krung Thai Bank
Rabigh O&M Co., Ltd.
4,800
Saudi Arabia British Bank
Deagu Photovoltaic Co., Ltd.
1,230
Shinhan Capital Co., Ltd.
Dongducheon Dream Power Co., Ltd.(*2)
111,134
PT Mutiara Jawa
2,610
Shinhan Bank Singapore
Heangbok Do Si Photovoltaic Power Co., Ltd.
194
Shinhan Capital Co., Ltd., Nonghyup Bank
2,100
KT Capital Co., Ltd.
Guarantees for supplemental funding(*1)
Hanmaeum 2nd Securitization Co., Ltd.
Newstar TJ 1st Co., Ltd.
Collateralized money invested Guarantees for supplemental funding(*1)
3,480
GS-Donghae Electric Power Co., Ltd.
204,000
F-162
3,000
Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.
5,250
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi
1,296
Shinhan Bank, Kyobo Life Insurance Co., Ltd.
25,477
Korea Development Bank, Daewoo Securities Co., Ltd. and others
3,801
Shinhan Bank, Woori Bank
793
Consus Asset Management Co., Ltd
76,193
Korea Exchange Bank, Kookmin Bank
637
Performance guarantees(*1)
Korea Exchange Bank, SMBC, and others
F-163
Pyoungchang Wind Power Co., Ltd.
Collateralized money invested Performance guarantees and guarantees for supplemental funding(*1)
3,875
Woori Bank, Shinhan Bank
12,742
Korea Development Bank, Daewoo Securities Co., Ltd.
87,003—
Korea Development Bank and others
12,000
Nonghyup bank
PT. Wampu Electric Power
7,410
IBK and others
35,925—
Collateralized money invested Debt guarantees
15,595
4,271
16,101
4,175
Express solar-light Power. Generation Co., Ltd.
108,000
Korea Development Bank and others and others
F-164
Yeong Wol Energy Station Co., Ltd.
KRW 1,400
Daewoo Securities Co., Ltd. and others
KRW 6,800
Shinhan Bank
Significant non-cash investing and financing transactions for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
Transactions
Transfer from construction in-progress to other assets
Recognition of asset retirement cost and related provision for decommissioning costs
Transfer from provision for disposal of spent nuclear fuel to accrued expenses
Transfer from property, plant and equipment to finance lease receivables
F-165
Contracts
Construction of New Uljin units
Construction of New Kori units
Construction of New Wolseong units
Construction of Dangjin units
Construction of New Boryeong units
Construction of Samcheok units
Construction of Taean IGCC units
Construction of Taean units
Construction of office building (KDN)
Construction of office building (KOPEC)
Construction of Sejong city cogeneration units
Purchase of Wonju cogeneration units
Purchase of Ulsan combined cycle power units
Purchase of Pyeongtaek combined cycle power units
Purchase of Andong main machine
Purchase of diesel for generation
Construction of New Yeongheung units
Construction of New Yeosu units
Construction of New Seoul units
Purchase of Concrete Poles (10M,350KGF)
Purchase of cable (TR CNCE-W/AL,1C,400SQ) (unit price contract)
Other purchase contracts
The Company imports all of its uranium ore concentrates from sources outside Korea (including the United States, United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, France, Russia, South Africa, Canada and Australia) which are paid for with currencies other than Won, primarily in U.S. dollars. In order to ensure stable supply, the Company entered into long-term and medium-term contracts with various suppliers, and supplements such supplies with purchases of fuels on spot markets. The long-term and medium-term contract periods vary among contractors and the stages of fuel manufacturing process. Contract prices for processing of uranium are generally based on market prices. Contract periods for ore concentrates, conversion, enrichment and design and fabrication are as follows:
Concentrate
Transformed
Enrichment
Molded
F-166
As the defendant
As the plaintiff
The Company is the defendant against a number of claims. The following are potentially significant claims pertaining to the Company:
LS Cable & System Ltd. filed for arbitration (seeking a total amount of ￦194 billion from the Company) with the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board in October 2012 in order to demand unpaid invoices and extra payments relating to claims of rejection of the test on completion and goods (submarine cables installed) delivered.
After arbitration agreement by the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, the Company, as of July 2014, has paid a portion of unpaid construction payment of ￦40 billion of the total construction payment of ￦120 billion, which is out of the total arbitration filed of ￦194 billion. The remaining unpaid construction payment of ￦80 billion has been recognized as a liability.
The arbitration is currently on-going, and the final result might be unfavorable to the Company. However, since additional construction payments and periods cannot be rationally estimated, the Company has not recognized any provisions for potential loss.
Due to the inherent uncertainties, the Company is not able to reliably estimate the amount of compensation and timing if any, that might be awarded to Hyundai E&C and two other companies. Consequently, it is not possible for the Company to make an estimate of the expected financial effect that will result from the ultimate resolution of a lawsuit. Therefore, the Company has not recognized any provision for the lawsuit.
Prior to the ruling of the Supreme Court, the Company determined wages in accordance with budget instructions from the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, which excluded bonuses from ordinary wages
F-167
and was with the consent of the Company’s labor unions. Any request for the retroactive demand for the difference in overtime pay as additional wages may be limited based on the principle of good faith.
The Korean Power Plant Industry Union and others filed lawsuits against the Company’s six generation subsidiaries and KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering Co., Ltd. due to a dispute over the scope of ordinary wages.
On January 15, 2015, there was a court decision on ordinary wages of the labor union in Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd. According to the judgment, basic bonus, incentives, and part of the subsidies paid regularly, uniformly, and steadily are to be included in the ordinary wages, and as a result of the related lawsuit, it was concluded that this case does not violate the principle of good faith since no significant difficulty in management nor risk in the continuance and existence of the company were predicted. However, the Company decided to appeal at a higher count.
The Company believes that the possibility of economic outflow is probable on the ongoing and the expected lawsuit. As a result, the Company recognized ￦174,379 million of other provision.
Guarantees
Financial ornon-financial institution
Repayment guarantees for UAE Shuweihat S3 borrowings
Guarantee of UAE Shuweihat S3 interest swap agreement
The Company provides performance guarantee related to construction completion to Kookmin Bank. As such performance guarantee does not meet the definition of financial guarantee contract in IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments; Recognition and Measurement’, no related liability is recognized.
The Company has a borrowing of ￦22.5 billion from Long Lasting Value (“LLV”) as of December 31, 2014. LLV obtains loans from major stockholders, such as Samsung Life Insurance, and lends the money to other third parties. The Company guarantees secured payments to the major stockholders of LLV, such as payment of principal, tax, commissions, etc., with a limit of ￦23.9 billion.
In order to secure its status as a shareholder of Navanacom Electric Co., Ltd., the Company has signed a fund supplement contract. According to the contract, in case Navanacom Electric Co., Ltd. does not have sufficient funds for its operation or repayment of borrowings, the Company bears a payment obligation in proportion to its ownership.
F-168
Commitments
Financial institutions
Commitments on bank-overdraft
Commitments on bank-daylight overdraft
Limit amount available for CP
Certification of payment on payables from foreign country
423,009
Certification of payment on L/C
Certification of performance guarantee on contract
Certification of bidding
Advance payment bond, Warranty bond, Retention bond and others
Inclusive credit
F-169
Guarantor
Type of guarantee
F-170
The unbilled FCPTA amounts as of December 31, 2014 is ￦176,468 million, which decreased by ￦1,700,903 million from ￦1,877,371 million as of December 31, 2013.
In prior period, the Company concluded that, in consideration of the prolonged unbilled period and consultation with, and information from, the MTIE, the Company would not be able to bill and collect the unbilled FCPTA amounts for the foreseeable future. As a result, there were no FCPTA amounts remaining in the consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2014 and the accumulated unbilled FCPTA will be reflected in the next electricity rates by adjusting the total electricity cost.
Company Name
F-171
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
E-1