South Korea

South Korea’s SK IE Technology (SKIET) has begun work for its up to W2.29tr ($2.03bn) IPO, after getting preliminary approval to list from the Korea Exchange on Tuesday.

An environmental activist institute has argued that the bookrunners of a Korea National Oil Corp $700m bond priced on Tuesday are being inconsistent with their own climate policies, and might even be taking legal risks, because of the issuer's exposure to tar sands oil production in Canada.

Korea National Oil Corp’s (KNOC) quasi-sovereign credentials helped drive demand for its $700m bond on Monday, its first international debt transaction of the year.

Natixis makes senior changes to CIB, coverage teams — BofA rejigs Korea leadership

South Korea’s Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co has raised a $200m loan consisting of conventional and Islamic financing tranches, in a deal driven by Middle Eastern banks.

South Korean internet company Naver Corp, best known for its search platform, has made its debut in the bond market with a $500m sustainability note.

Bank of America has made some top level changes to its South Korea business, according to internal memos seen by GlobalCapital Asia on Friday.

Coupang, a South Korean e-commerce company, scooped up $4.2bn from its IPO this week, after pricing the deal above the marketed range. It is the largest US listing from Asia since Alibaba Group Holding raised $25bn seven years ago.

Woori Card Co, a South Korean financial services firm, targeted investors in Taiwan on Wednesday for a $200m social bond.

While European banks have been ducking the covered bond market in favour of central bank liquidity, issuance from the asset class’s newer markets has also been light, but for different reasons. Attention is now on South Korea and Japan, which are seen as the most promising sources of new issuance, according to a senior S&P ratings official.

South Korean e-commerce company Coupang has increased the price range for its US IPO a day before wrapping up the deal, now putting proceeds of up to $4.08bn within reach.

South Korea’s flag carrier Korean Air has topped up its coffers with W2.5tr ($2.19bn) in fresh equity after sealing a jumbo rights issue.