South Korea
Korea's KIC appoints new CIO
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) has named Shin-Woo Kang, most recently CEO of Hanwa Asset Management, as its new CIO. He replaces Heung-Sik Choo, who stepped down in February after less than two years in the job.
China’s Chenhui Capital, Lancy Group launch Sino-Korean fund
Chinese GP Chenhui Venture Partners have teamed up with one of its LP – Shenzhen-listed company Lancy Group – to create a Sino-South Korea PE fund that will invest in consumer and technology companies.
Korea’s NPS boosts overseas PE exposure
The National Pension Service of Korea (NPS) has pledged to more than double the Asian allocation of its KRW19.5 trillion ($16.4 billion) allotment for global private equity investment.
Korea to allow publicly-raised capital into private equity
Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has announced plans to allow capital raised through public market offerings to invest in domestic private equity and real assets vehicles.
Korea's Althea raises $3.5m Series A
Althea, a South Korean cosmetics e-commerce site that markets primarily to Southeast Asia, has raised a $3.5 million Series A round from a group of investors including Mirae Asset Ventures, Cherubic Ventures and 500 Startups.
Tencent invests in Korea's PE-backed YG Entertainment
China’s Tencent Holdings and Beijing Weiying Times Technology – an online ticketing platform in which Tencent is an investor – have committed approximately $85 million to YG Entertainment, a Korean record label and talent manager backed by L Capital...
Kyobo Life bids for MBK-owned ING Life Korea
Kyobo Life Insurance, Korea’s third-largest insurer, has entered the bidding process for MBK Partners-owned ING Life Korea.
SCPE to buy controlling stake in Korea's Kolon Water & Energy
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has agreed to acquire a controlling interest in South Korean wastewater treatment specialist Kolon Water & Energy (KWE) for KRW88.6 billion ($74.9 million).
Keystone named preferred bidder for Korea's Dongbu
Local GP Keystone Private Equity has been selected as the preferred bidder for distressed Korean construction company Dongbu Corporation.
Korea's GEPS seeks offshore secondaries managers
South Korea’s Government Pension Investment Service (GEPS) is looking to make two commitments – of $50 million apiece – to overseas GPs operating co-mingled global secondaries funds.
Korea VC fundraising: Unbalanced boom
The forces behind a bumper year for South Korean venture fundraising serve as a reminder that local players must do more to build much-needed international relationships
Hillhouse leads $50m round for Korea's Baedal Minjok
China’s Hillhouse Capital has led a $50 million investment in Woowa Brothers, owner and operator of leading South Korean online food-ordering platform Baedal Minjok.
Korea's VIG Partners buys parking management business
VIG Partners – formerly known as Vogo Investment – has agreed to buy an 83% stake in Korea-based parking management business HiParking for KRW27 billion ($23 million).
Deal focus: VCs back Kyulux to be leading light
VCs and strategic investors demonstrate confidence in Kyulux to produce energy-efficient digital displays with higher quality at a lower price
Deal focus: Ticket Monster targets seamless service
Korea's NHN Entertainment seeks payment synergies with PE-backed e-commerce marketplace Ticket Monster
IMM PE, Mirae agree to sell stake in Korea defense business
IMM Private Equity and Mirae Asset Private Equity are set to exit South Korea-based Doosan Defense Systems & Technology (DST) after Hanwha Techwin agreed to buy the business for KRW695 billion ($607 million).
KKR, Anchor-backed Ticket Monster gets NHN investment
Ticket Monster, a South Korea-based e-commerce marketplace controlled by KKR and Anchor Equity Partners, has received a KRW47.5 billion ($40 million) investment from online gaming provider NHN Entertainment (NHNE) in what is expected to be the first tranche...
Japan's Colopl VR Fund leads $11m round for VR specialist
Colopl VR Fund has led a $11 million Series A round of funding for Fove, a virtual reality (VR) technology company founded in Japan and headquartered in the US.
Portfolio: Unison Capital and Gong Cha
Bubble tea chain Gong Cha’s Korean franchise started out with an entrepreneurial approach that suited its needs. Now Unison Capital is transforming management style and building a regional lifestyle brand
Altos closes second Korea VC fund at $110m
US-based venture capital firm Altos Ventures has closed its second Korean Opportunity Fund (KOF) at the hard cap of $110 million.
Baring, Glenwood to buy LafargeHolcim's Korea business
Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed to buy LafargeHolcim’s Korea-based cement business in a joint deal with local GP Glenwood Private Equity worth approximately KRW560 million ($482 million).
Korea's POBA to double offshore PE allocation
South Korea’s Public Officials Benefit Association (POBA) plans to double its allocation to offshore private equity funds this year to $200 million.
Q&A: L Capital Asia's Ravi Thakran
Following the announcement of L Capital's merger with Catterton, Ravi Thakran, managing partner and chairman of L Capital Asia, discusses the implications of the deal and shares his views on the investment climate
Hallyu Ventures invests $13.8m in Korean coffee house
Singapore’s Hallyu Ventures will acquire a 38% stake in South Korean coffee shop operator Caffe Bene for a cash consideration of KRW16.6 billion ($13.8 million).