Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The Korean government announced today that it will allow a fourth telco in Korea in order to reduce the oligopoly structure dominated by the three existing telcos.</li>
<li>This decision to allow another telco in Korea will have a major negative impact on the existing three telcos in Korea.</li>
<li>On a relative basis, we think that this could have a worse impact than LG Uplus as compared to SK Telecom due to greater price sensitivity of LG Uplus' customers.</li>
</ul>


The Korean government announced today that it will allow a fourth telco in Korea in order to reduce the oligopoly structure dominated by the three existing telcos.
This decision to allow another telco in Korea will have a major negative impact on the existing three telcos in Korea.
On a relative basis, we think that this could have a worse impact than LG Uplus as compared to SK Telecom due to greater price sensitivity of LG Uplus' customers.


The Rise of the Fourth Telco in Korea - Breaking the Oligopoly

ESG Analyst, Who's Good

Heejeong (Hollie) Park

ESG Analyst

ASIA’S FIRST AI-DRIVEN ESG INSIGHT PROVIDER

Who's Good

Using AI technologies and public data, Who’s Good provides objective and up-to-date corporate ESG insights on Asian companies.

WHY WHO'S GOOD

* Time-sensitive: Time is the essence in finance. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can process vast amount of information in a short span of time. Our powerful algorithm offers real-time in-depth corporate ESG analysis with out compromising its quality.
* Objective: We turned to public big data and news big data as source to base our analysis on and to preserve impartiality. We leverage 350 public big data sources and 93 news data sources in Korea to uncover insights.
* Insightful: Who’s Good ESG analysis coverage extends to all listed and non-listed companies in Korea. This allows us to provide a comprehensive insight into the Korean market.
* Global approach to ESG: Our ESG research framework is built on international standards and principles including UN Global Compact, ISO 26000, ICGN and CFA Guidelines on Corporate Governance to meet the global standards.

<ul>
<li>Domestic telecom company faced significant fines for false advertising of 5G, the second-largest penalty ever imposed. </li>
<li>Investigations into the telecom market, dominated by a long-term duopoly, are expanding. </li>
<li>Within KT Group's subcontracting process, allegations of favoritism and manipulation in project allocation are currently under investigation by the prosecution.</li>
</ul>


Domestic telecom company faced significant fines for false advertising of 5G, the second-largest penalty ever imposed. 
Investigations into the telecom market, dominated by a long-term duopoly, are expanding. 
Within KT Group's subcontracting process, allegations of favoritism and manipulation in project allocation are currently under investigation by the prosecution.


KT CORPORATION: Fines, Favoritism, and ESG Risks

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>In our view, the Korean government could allow a fourth major telco in Korea in the next 1-2 years. </li>
<li>The launch of the fourth major telco in Korea would have a significant negative impact on the three existing Korean telcos. </li>
<li>In the local media, the following companies have been mentioned as potential candidates to inject capital into the 4th telecom operator in Korea: Coupang, Naver, Kakao, Viva Republica, and Shinsegae.</li>
</ul>


In our view, the Korean government could allow a fourth major telco in Korea in the next 1-2 years. 
The launch of the fourth major telco in Korea would have a significant negative impact on the three existing Korean telcos. 
In the local media, the following companies have been mentioned as potential candidates to inject capital into the 4th telecom operator in Korea: Coupang, Naver, Kakao, Viva Republica, and Shinsegae.


When Will the Korean Government Allow the Fourth Telco in Korea?

<ul>
<li>The Starlink service is expected to be launched in Korea in 2Q/3Q 2023. Starlink gained more than 1 million active subscribers globally as of December 2022.</li>
<li>The launch of the Starlink service in Korea is likely to have a positive impact on  companies such as Hanwha Aerospace, Solu-M, Intellian Technologies, and Satrec Initiative.</li>
<li>We like a pair trade involving long (basket of 8 stocks above that are positively impacted by Starlink launch in Korea) and short (three major Korean telcos).</li>
</ul>


The Starlink service is expected to be launched in Korea in 2Q/3Q 2023. Starlink gained more than 1 million active subscribers globally as of December 2022.
The launch of the Starlink service in Korea is likely to have a positive impact on  companies such as Hanwha Aerospace, Solu-M, Intellian Technologies, and Satrec Initiative.
We like a pair trade involving long (basket of 8 stocks above that are positively impacted by Starlink launch in Korea) and short (three major Korean telcos).


Launch of Starlink Service by SpaceX - Impact on 11 Korean Companies

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

Investigate special situations, pairs, and index rebalancing trades in Korea.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>KT's foreign room has been rising since early September last year. If this trend continues, it will likely approach the inclusion borderline of 15% within a month or two.</li>
<li>This trend is expected to continue for the time being as the tough relationship between the KT CEO and the government seems unlikely to be resolved in the short term.</li>
<li>The February inclusion is pretty tight, but May seems like we could be looking out for it.</li>
</ul>


KT's foreign room has been rising since early September last year. If this trend continues, it will likely approach the inclusion borderline of 15% within a month or two.
This trend is expected to continue for the time being as the tough relationship between the KT CEO and the government seems unlikely to be resolved in the short term.
The February inclusion is pretty tight, but May seems like we could be looking out for it.


Foreign Ownership Limit Stocks in Korea: KT Is Again in the Limelight

South Korea

KINX INC is the Internet linkage and line adapter service providing firm.  The Company provides IX and Internet Data Center service to the network service providers to reduce the traffic and to contruct Internet infrastructure.  KINX also provides VoIP service.

Sejong Telecom, Inc. develops and provides various telecom service.  The Company's main service include international phone call, Internet phone call, and long distance call.

ECS Telecom Co.,Ltd. is a provider of communication products and services.  The company offers private branch exchange (PBX), IP telephony, contact center solution, and trading system.

KT Corporation provides telecommunication services including local, long distance, and international calling, satellite communication, data transmission, and wireless telephone services in South Korea.  The Company also offers network portal and high-speed Internet access services using asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSLs).

Netmarble Corporation develops and publishes mobile games. The Company develops and publishes casual games, action, sports games, strategy, simulation games, and social casino games. Netmarble offers services worldwide.

KRTnet Corporation provides radio relay services for mobile phone companies by building and maintaining relay station.  The Company also manufactures telecommunication equipment used for radio relay station.

Pearl Abyss Corp. operates as a computer games making company. The Company offers games development, games exporting, and other services. Pearl Abyss serves customers worldwide.

Kakao Games Corp. operates as a multiply platform gaming company. The Company provides mobile games, computer games, virtual reality games, and other related products. Kakao Games markets its products worldwide.

LS Cable & System Asia Ltd. provides and offers cable products.  The Company manufactures and markets electric and telecommunication cables, head transmission lines, voltage cables and industrial specialty cables for the energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, railway, telecommunication and electronics industries.

HYBE Co., Ltd. operates as an entertainment company. The Company provides music production, album distribution, entertainers management, publicity, planning, training, and other services. HYBE also makes television shows.

Iridium Communications, Inc. offers mobile satellite communications services. The Company's satellites operate in a low-earth orbit and provide 100% global coverage.  Iridium Holdings offers voice and data communications services to the United States and foreign governments; businesses; non-governmental organizations; and consumers.

Cogent Communications Holdings Inc. is a next generation optical Internet servic e provider focused on delivering ultra-high speed Internet access and transport services.The Company serves businesses in the multi-tenant marketplace and servi ce providers located in major metropolitan areas across the United States.

Proximus SA provides communication services and products to residential, business and corporate customers both domestically and internationally.  The Group offers multimedia products, payphones, pagers, operator services and calling cards.  Proximus SA also provides mobile phone and Internet services.

Bezeq Israeli Telecommunication Corporation Ltd. offers local, long-distance, and international telecommunications services in Israel.  The Company also offers Internet access lines, calling cards, and high volume data transfer networks.

PCCW Limited, through its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications, Internet access, multimedia services and related equipment.  The Company also offers computer, engineering, and other technical services in Hong Kong.  In addition, PCCW invests in and develops system integration and technology-related business, infrastructure and properties in Hong Kong and China.

China Communications Services Corporation Limited provides specialized telecommunications support services to telecommunications operators.  The Company offers telecommunications infrastructure services, including design, construction and project supervision and management, business process outsourcing services , and applications, content and other services.

China Communications Services Corp Ltd. (552 HK)

Globalstar, Inc. provides mobile voice and data communications services via satellite. The Company primarily provides business and recreational communications to industry, government, and individual customers located in remote areas throughout the world.

United Internet AG operates as an internet services company. The Company provides landline and mobile internet access products, as well as cloud applications at data centers with fixed monthly fees and volume-based charges. United Internet serves consumers and business clients worldwide.

NetLink NBN Trust designs, builds, owns, and operates fiber network infrastructures. The Company offers fiber network resources, including ducts, manholes, and cables. NetLink NBN Trust also focuses on leasing telecommunication infrastructures to telecommunication service providers. NetLink NBN Trust serves customers in Singapore.designs, builds, owns, and operates fiber network infrastructures. The Company offers fiber network resources, including ducts, manholes, and cables. NetLink NBN Trust also focuses on leasing telecommunication infrastructures to telecommunication service providers. NetLink NBN Trust serves customers in Singapore.

Zegona Communications plc is an investment company. The Company buys and sells businesses in the European Telecommunications, Media and Technology (''TMT'') sectors.

LG Uplus Corp., an affiliate of LG Group, provides a wide range of personal communications services (PCS) using code division multiple access (CDMA) technology.  The Company offers call forwarding, call and data transfer, call waiting, voice mail, Internet-phone, prepaid call, and authentication text-to-speech (TTS) services.

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LG Uplus Corp (032640 KS)

The Rise of the Fourth Telco in Korea - Breaking the Oligopoly

The Korean government announced today that it will allow a fourth telco in Korea in order to reduce the oligopoly structure dominated by the three...

Douglas Kim

KT CORPORATION: Fines, Favoritism, and ESG Risks

Examining ESG Risks: KT CORPORATION (030200 KS), a leading Korean telecom company, under scrutiny for false 5G ads and favoritism investigation

Heejeong (Hollie) Park

When Will the Korean Government Allow the Fourth Telco in Korea?

The Korean government could allow a fourth major telco in Korea in the next 1-2 years which would have a significant negative impact on the three...

Douglas Kim

Launch of Starlink Service by SpaceX - Impact on 11 Korean Companies

The launch of the SpaceX's Starlink service in Korea in 2Q/3Q 2023 is likely to have a positive impact on companies such as Hanwha Aerospace, Solu...

Douglas Kim

Foreign Ownership Limit Stocks in Korea: KT Is Again in the Limelight

This post examines Korea's foreign ownership-restricted stocks and discusses potential momentum trading opportunities for KT.

Sanghyun Park

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