Young Poong loses Korea Zinc share price lawsuit

Seoul Central District Court ruled that Korea Zinc's directors did not breach their duties in a disputed share buyback that Young Poong said cost them 837 billion won ($632 million).

Company names in Korean of Young Poong, left, and Korea Zinc

A court on Thursday ruled against Young Poong in a shareholder derivative lawsuit seeking 837 billion won ($632 million) in damages from Korea Zinc Chairman Choi Yun-beom and other company directors.

Young Poong — a major shareholder in Korea Zinc — had filed the suit in November 2024, claiming Korea Zinc's directors had inflicted losses of 837 billion won on the company by making a tender offer involving the purchase of its own shares at 890,000 won apiece, when the actual price was around 560,000 won.

The Seoul Central District Court ruled, however, that Korea Zinc's directors could not be deemed to have violated their managerial duties, given the steps they took before making the purchase.

It also ruled that the action did not violate the Commercial Act or the company's articles of incorporation.


Yonhap