KOSPI 5000 Special Committee Wins Korea Corporate Governance Award

APR Selected in the Management Category
"Clear and Genuine Shareholder Return Policy"

The 4th Korea Corporate Governance Awards ceremony, hosted by the Korea Corporate Governance Forum and sponsored by KCGI, was held on December 3 at an event venue in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

On this day, awards were presented to seven individuals across six categories. The grand prize was awarded to the KOSPI 5000 Special Committee, a non-standing special committee of the Democratic Party of Korea. The committee is chaired by Assemblyman Oh Ki-hyung, with Assembly members Kim Namgeun, Min Byungdeok, Park Sanghyuk, Lee Soyoung, Lee Jeongmoon, Kim Younghwan, Kim Hyunjung, Park Hongbae, and Lee Kangil serving as committee members.

In the management category, Kim Byunghoon, CEO of APR, was selected. He was recognized for his efforts to enhance shareholder value by implementing a clear shareholder return policy following the company’s listing on the KOSPI market in February last year. In January this year, APR canceled treasury shares worth 60 billion won, and in July, it paid out a cash dividend of 134.3 billion won. Since announcing in July last year that the company would consistently allocate at least 25% of its annual consolidated adjusted net income to cash dividends and the purchase and cancellation of treasury shares, APR has maintained this consistent policy.

In the investor category, the Asian Corporate Governance Association (ACGA) was selected as the awardee. Lee Hansang, Chairman of the Korea Accounting Standards Board (public official category), and Lee Sanghoon, Professor at Kyungpook National University Law School (scholar category), were also named as recipients. Journalists Kim Jeongseok of Maeil Business Newspaper and Kim Hakseong of Yonhap Infomax were co-recipients in the media category.

Lee Namwoo, Chairman of the Korea Corporate Governance Forum, stated, "Recently, with the amendment of the Commercial Act, Korea’s corporate governance reforms have advanced to a level that has surprised foreign investors. If the government-led 'top-down' approach to the Value-Up policy, which could have ended as an empty gesture, is combined with a 'bottom-up' approach in which companies voluntarily protect shareholders and operate independent boards, we will be able to establish a much better governance improvement system."

On the 3rd, award recipients and judges are taking a commemorative photo at the 4th Korea Corporate Governance Awards ceremony held at a location in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.