May 18, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Mergers and acquisitions in South Korea picked up this year, spurred by restructuring of industries and the government’s move to ease regulation.

A total of 18 M&A deals worth 7.06 trillion won (US$6.45 billion) were struck by the country’s top 30 conglomerates this year as of July 31, up 66 percent from last year’s outstanding transaction amount of 4.27 trillion won, data showed on Aug. 10.

After years in the doldrums, Asia’s fourth-largest economy’s M&A market reignited in 2014 and has continued to grow since then, according to research firm CEO Score which tracks M&A activities in which the local large conglomerates obtained management rights through deals.

The top 30 business groups were engaged in 272 M&As worth a combined 46.75 trillion won since 2010. 

Related article : Lotte spent W10tr on M&As in six years

The data showed that Lotte Group, the country’s fifth-largest conglomerate, was the most aggressive in acquisitions in terms of transaction value, signing a total of 28 acquisition deals worth 9.75 trillion won (US$8.87 billion) between 2010 and end-July.

By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)