[DISCLOSURE] Asia Pacific Satellite Communications (211270), a producer of communications equipment, reported on Sept. 6 that it has obtained a patent for satellite communications system and technology for assisting mobile devices using local area networks. This technology uses satellites when there is an error in the ground network or communications error on mobile devices.By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Interbulls (158310) announced on Sept. 6 that it will exercise conversion rights for 8.36 percent of its convertible bonds. About 5.5 million shares worth 2.4 billion won (US$2.17 million) will be converted to stocks, and will be listed on Sept. 21 at 5,651 won per share.By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] E Investment & Development (093230), a producer of electronics components, announced on Sept. 5 that it has acquired 766,283 shares of New Pride Corporation worth 5.76 billion won (US$5.21 million) to improve its financial structure and secure more liquid assets. This amounts to 14.87 percent of its equity capital. E I&D now owns 2.18 percent stake. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[THE INVESTOR] The government announced a set of measures on Sept.5 to tackle the nation’s chronic low birthrate and to identify the “blind spots” in the state welfare system next year. The Ministry of Welfare and Health and three other ministries announced the allocated budget in 2017 aimed at stabilizing public livelihoods.Under the measures, the government is first set to increase state housing support for newly married couples as part of efforts to increase the number of newborns.The governm

[THE INVESTOR] South Korea said on Sept.5 that it has provided 74 percent of earmarked support funds to local firms that operated factories at the now-shuttered joint industrial park in North Korea.The government has offered 376.7 billion won (US$340.1 million) out of about 500 billion won in state funds to South Korean companies that have factories inside the Kaesong Industrial Complex, according to Seoul’s Unification Ministry.Seoul shut down the factory zone in the North’s border city of Kaes

[DISCLOSURE] The Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology and Shinhan Bank (055550) have signed an agreement for industry-university cooperative research to develop the financial industry’s first big data, the bank reported on Sept. 5. The research team will first monitor all types of variables, collect data of its retail consumers via questionnaires and establish the development analytic model by the year-end. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] AmorePacific (090430) announced on Sept. 5 that it has invested 110 billion won (US$99.14 million) to set up AmorePacific Malaysia Manufacturing (tentative name) and acquire all of its shares. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Vessel (177350), a producer of semiconductor devices, stated on Sept. 5 that it has decided to issue 5.59 million bonus shares, entitling every shareholder one common share for each share they hold. The new stocks will be distributed on Sept. 23 and will be listed on Oct. 17. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[THE INVESTOR] The budget allocated to the health and welfare sectors in 2017 is set to increase 3.3 percent on-year, the Health Ministry said on Sept. 2.The ministry said its budget for next year, subject to parliamentary endorsement, is set to increase to 55.8 trillion won (US$49.60 billion), up 436 billion won from 2016.A large portion of the planned allocations is related to the county‘s state pension program and health insurance payments. The payments by the National Pension Service increas

[DISCLOSURE] Hanbit Soft (047080) reported on Sept. 2 that it has agreed to a 3.12 billion won (US$ 2.79 million) contract extension with a Chinese firm for its online game “Audition”.This amounts to 14.1 percent of its last year’s revenue and expires September 2019. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Huvitz (065510) announced Sept. 2 that Mondrian Investment Partners made an additional purchase of 121,329 shares (1.02 percent), owning a total of 7.29 percent stake in the firm. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (042660) said on Sept. 1 that it is mulling the feasibility of spinning off its special ship business, although details have not been finalized yet, in a statement released in response to Korea Exchange’s May inquiry regarding rumors of its defense division sales. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[THE INVESTOR]The South Korean government will reduce the debt-equity ratio of public corporations to around 150 percent by 2020, the Finance Ministry said on Sept. 1.Under a long-term financial management plan, 39 public firms, including the Korea Gas Corp. and the Korea Electric Power Corp., are required to maintain their debt-equity ratio at an average 151 percent from the current 194 percent in the coming five years, with their total debt hovering around 490 trillion won (US$439.10 billion),

[THE INVESTOR] Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said on Sept.1 the government’s efforts to promote the wage peak system among public organizations in the country could create 8,000 more jobs for young people through next year.Under the wage peak system, employees accept a reduced salary before retirement that frees up money that can allow firms to hire new workers. South Korea has been promoting the system since last year as a solution to tackling rising unemployment among the youth.Hwang added that

[DISCLOSURE] Hyundai Cement (006390) announced on Sept.1 that its creditor banks have decided to sell all shares that were traded via debt-equity swap.A consortium led by Korea Development Bank was selected as the lead sales manager.By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] U&I (056090) said on Sept. 1 that its spinal fixation device, ANAX MIS System, has received approval from Food and Drug Administration for export to the US.By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Curocom (040350) announced on Sept. 1 that will acquire 2.09 million shares of its apparel maker affiliate GNCO (065060) for around 6 billion won (US$ 5.37 million). Curocom, a provider of banking automation & network control systems and IT products, will fund GNCO’s capital increase to wield stronger influence over control of the company and maximize profits. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Seokwang Partners announced on Sept. 1 that it has acquired 475,185 shares (4.77 percent) of KPM Tech (042040) via a debt-equity swap. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Hana Financial Group (086790) announced on Aug. 31 that it has sold its stake of 5.78 percent (462,815 shares) in KPM Tech (042040) to Hanil Vacuum (123840) consortium. Hana group acquired the bonds as a debt-equity swap during the restructuring of KPM Tech, a producer of surface treatment chemicals and automatic plating equipment. By Yun Jeong-hyeon (clareyun@heraldcorp.com)

[THE INVESTOR]] South Korea will overhaul the operations of exisiting free economic zones to attract more investors, the Trade Ministry said on Aug.31.It will also expand incentives and benefits to local companies as well as foreigners in order to reinvigorate the FEZs.The ministry unveiled a plan to revamp its FEZ policy at a deregulation review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn in Incheon, west of Seoul.The scheme came as the FEZs have failed to woo as many foreign investors as h