Chaebols
Chaebols
Chaebols
INTRODUCTION
Chaebols Chaebol is a Korean name meaning a group with a lot of money. It was a large South Korean private business groups. Chaebols were involved in activities ranging from farming to ship building. The separate companies within Chaebol held shares in each other. The major contributors to the Countrys economy.
INTRODUCTION
All the financial transactions were subject to Government scrutiny. Decision-making was top-down with top management exerting strict control. Most Chaebols had close ties with the government and were involved in policy making. Chaebols had a support of banks to bail them out of financial crises.
http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/chaebol.htm
BACKGROUND
Chaebols was first introduced in 1920s under Japanese rule. It was designed on the lines of Japanese Keiretsu. The companies were controlled by Central Government. Initially designed to meet the requirements of Japanese Government. South Korea became independent in 1945.
BACKGROUND
In 1961 Park Chung became the President. The economy dependence was converted from agrarian economy to industrial one. All banks were nationalized. To encourage growth of economy a Law was passed Dealing with Illicit Wealth Accumulation. Many leading businessmen were arrested. Five-year economic plans was implemented related to export and import. Idea was to make South Korea independent in all manufacturing fields.
Goal- Increase wealth and strengthen Political stability. Three 5 year plan were induced under Economic Planning board since 1962. 1st- 1962-1966 2nd- 1967-1971 3rd- 1972-1976
Economic Plan(1960-1966)
Korea was a poor country with inadequate savings. It focused on developing textile and light manufacturing industries to make South Korea selfsufficient.
Economic Plan(1967-1971)
It focused on heavy industries such as iron and steel, automobiles, shipping etc, to make South Korea competitive in world market. 1972, US-China opened for import gave them more marketplace.
Economic Plan(1972-1976)
The 3rd five year plan was referred as Heavy Chemical Industrialization Plan(HCI). To fund the plan Government borrowed heavily from foreign countries.
CHAEBOLS IN TROUBLE
Trouble started in late 1990s.Initially the slowdown in international semiconductor, metals and petrochemical businesses. Further with the rise in wages, by this south Korea lost its competitive edge in international markets.
PROBLEMS
HUGE DEBTS LACK OF TRANCPARENCY IN CHAEBOL CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PROLIFERATION OF UNPROFITABLE SUBSIDAIRIES THROUGHOUT THE ECONOMY INADEQUATE FINANCIAL REPORTING AND CONTROLLING WITHIN THE CHAEBOLS ABSENCE OF A FREE MARKET SYSTEM
Restructuring
Improve transparency in management of Chaebols. Cross-Debt gurantees within Chaebols were banned. Debt to equity ratio to be 2:1) Advised to get rid of unprofitable subsidiaries. Management instructed to appoint outside director.