Activist fund targets Korean Air as Seoul boosts investor powers

Chaebol under pressure to improve poor corporate governance

20181211 Korean Air A330 300.jpg

Hanjin KAL controls Korean Air, the country's largest carrier, with a 29.6% stake.

KIM JAEWON, Nikkei staff writer

SEOUL -- Activist funds are targeting Korean Air Lines' parent company and South Korea's other family-run conglomerates, pressing them for better shareholder returns and improved governance in a sign that recent government moves to boost the power of minority shareholders are having an effect.

Korea Corporate Governance Improvement Fund, a local private equity fund, has become the second largest shareholder in Hanjin KAL, paying 135.7 billion won ($120.1 million) for a 9% stake. It ranks just behind Chairman Cho Yang-ho who owns 17.7%.

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