Form 20-F
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2004


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


Form 20-F

(Mark One)

¨ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

or

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number:     -


KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

N/A   The Republic of Korea
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)   (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

167 SAMSEONG-DONG, GANGNAM-GU, SEOUL 135-791, KOREA

(Address of principal executive offices)


Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class:


 

Name of each exchange on which registered:


Common stock, par value Won 5,000 per share*   New York Stock Exchange

American depositary shares, each representing

one-half of share of common stock

  New York Stock Exchange

* Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing of American depositary shares on the New York Stock Exchange, pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

7 3/4% Debentures due April 1, 2013

Twenty Year 7.40% Amortizing Debentures, due April 1, 2016

One Hundred Year 7.95% Zero-to-Full Debentures, due April 1, 2096

6% Debentures due December 1, 2026

7% Debentures due February 1, 2027

6 3/4% Debentures due August 1, 2027

8 1/4% Notes due March 15, 2005

4.25% Notes due September 12, 2007


Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the last full fiscal year covered by this Annual Report:

640,748,573 shares of common stock, par value of Won 5,000 per share

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:

Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:

Item 17  ¨    Item 18  x



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

               Page

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

   1

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   1

PART I

   2
     ITEM 1.   

IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

   2
     ITEM 2.   

OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

   2
     ITEM 3.   

KEY INFORMATION

   2
         

Selected Financial Data

   2
         

Risk Factors

   5
     ITEM 4.   

INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

   12
         

History And Development

   12
         

Business Overview

   15
         

Property, Plants And Equipment

   46
     ITEM 5.   

OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

   47
         

Operating Results

   47
         

Liquidity And Capital Resources

   54
         

Research And Development, Patents And Licenses, Etc.

   60
         

Trend Information

   60
     ITEM 6.   

DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

   61
         

Directors And Senior Management

   61
         

Employees

   64
         

Corporate Governance

   65
     ITEM 7.   

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

   67
         

Major Shareholders

   67
         

Related Party Transactions

   67
     ITEM 8.   

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   68
         

Consolidated Statements And Other Financial Information

   68
     ITEM 9.   

THE OFFER AND LISTING

   69
     ITEM 10.   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   76
         

Articles of Incorporation

   76
         

Exchange Controls

   82
         

Taxation

   86
         

Documents On Display

   95
     ITEM 11.   

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   96
     ITEM 12.   

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

   98

PART II

   99
     ITEM 13.   

DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

   99
     ITEM 14.   

MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

   99
     ITEM 15.   

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   99
     ITEM 16A.   

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

   99
     ITEM 16B.   

CODE OF ETHICS

   100
     ITEM 16C.   

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

   100
     ITEM 16D.   

EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEE

   100

PART III

   101
     ITEM 17.   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   101
     ITEM 18.   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   101
     ITEM 19.   

EXHIBITS

   101


Table of Contents

CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

 

All references to “Korea” or the “Republic” in this report are references to The Republic of Korea. All references to the “Government” in this report are references to the government of The Republic. All references to “we”, “us”, the “Company” or “KEPCO” in this report are references to Korea Electric Power Corporation and, as the context may require, its subsidiaries. All references to “tons” are to metric tons, equal to 1,000 kilograms, or 2,204.6 pounds. Any discrepancies in any table between totals and the sums of the amounts listed are due to rounding. All references to “Korean GAAP” in this report are references to the generally accepted accounting principles in Korea, and all references to “U.S. GAAP” are references to the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Annual Report on Form 20-F includes future expectations, projections or “forward-looking statements” (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). The words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate” and similar words identify forward-looking statements. In addition, all statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. “Cautionary Statements”, or important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, are disclosed in this report. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements.

 

1


Table of Contents

PART I

 

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following table sets forth the selected financial data. The selected consolidated financial data in the table have been derived from our consolidated financial statements for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2003. The consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 have been audited by Anjin Deloitte LLC, a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. Anjin Deloitte LLC are Korean independent certified public accountants. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and Notes thereto as of December 31,1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 and for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2003 included in this report.

 

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting regulations applicable to Government-invested companies and Korean GAAP, which differ in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. See Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP” and Note 22 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

 

Consolidated Statement of Earnings Data

 

    Year Ended December 31,

    1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  2003

    (Won in billion, US$ in million, except per share data)

Amounts in Accordance with Korean GAAP(1):

                                   

Operating revenues

  (Won) 15,751   (Won) 18,708   (Won) 20,225   (Won) 21,366   (Won) 22,775   $ 19,106

Operating expenses

    13,179     15,238     16,236     16,319     17,551     14,724

Operating income

    2,571     3,470     3,989     5,047     5,224     4,382

Income before income taxes, minority interest and amortization of consolidation adjustment

    2,154     2,205     2,932     5,171     4,110     3,448

Income taxes

    677     721     1,293     2,104     1,763     1,479

Net income

    1,477     1,483     1,635     3,048     2,323     1,949

Diluted earnings per share of common stock

    2,330     2,319     2,559     4,770     3,686     3.09

Earnings per share of common stock

    2,337     2,320     2,559     4,770     3,686     3.09

Dividends per share held by public

    600     600     550     800     1,050     0.88

Dividends per share held by Government

    350     450     550     800     1,050     0.88

Amounts in Accordance with U.S. GAAP(3):

                                   

Operating revenue

  (Won) 16,001   (Won) 18,983   (Won) 20,256   (Won) 21,373   (Won) 22,781   $ 19,112

Net income

    2,248     2,796     3,287     3,573     4,552     3,819

Diluted earnings per share of common stock

    3,533     4,340     5,144     5,591     7,202     6.04

Earnings per share of common Stock

    3,556     4,376     5,144     5,591     7,221     6.05

Other Data:

                                   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(2)

                                   

Korean GAAP

    2.0     1.9     2.5     4.2     4.1     4.1

U.S GAAP(3)

    2.3     2.5     3.6     4.8     6.0     6.0

 

2


Table of Contents

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

 

     As of December 31,

 
     1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

    2003

    2003

 
     (Won in billion, US$ in million)  

Amounts in Accordance with Korean GAAP(4):

                                                

Net working capital deficit(5)

   (Won) (6,920 )   (Won) (5,695 )   (Won) (3,561 )   (Won) (4,680 )   (Won) (4,599 )   $ (3,858 )

Net utility plant in service

     47,447       48,450       49,440       53,527       52,363       43,928  

Construction in progress

     10,442       10,653       11,154       7,777       9,551       8,012  

Total assets

     64,766       65,920       70,562       70,512       71,727       60,174  

Total stockholders’ equity

     30,325       32,059       33,182       35,562       37,782       31,696  

Capital stock

     3,199       3,201       3,201       3,201       3,204       2,688  

Long-term debt

     20,343       20,460       22,089       17,671       15,814       13,266  

Other liabilities-long term liabilities

     3,539       4,148       6,005       7,173       7,992       6,704  

Amounts in Accordance with U.S. GAAP(4):

                                                

Total assets

     56,291       57,404       62,591       62,297       65,380       54,849  

Total stockholders’ equity

     18,982       21,437       24,162       27,291       31,163       26,144  

(1) See Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Operating Results” for discussion of certain changes in Korean GAAP.
(2) For purposes of computing ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of earnings before income tax and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense (including capitalized interest) and amortization of bond discount and issue expenses.
(3) See Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP” and Note 22 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.
(4) In 1999, utility plant was revalued by (Won)9,439 billion, with a corresponding increase in stockholders’ equity under Korean GAAP.
(5) Net working capital means current assets minus current liabilities.

 

Currency Translations and Exchange Rates

 

In this report, unless otherwise indicated, all references to “Won” or “(Won)” are to the currency of the Republic, and all references to “U.S. Dollars”, “Dollars”, “$”, “U.S.$” or “US$” are to the currency of the United States of America. Unless otherwise indicated, all translations from Won to Dollars were made at (Won)1,192.00 to US$1.00, which was the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers in Won per US$1.00 as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Noon Buying Rate”) on December 31, 2003. On June 25, 2004, the Noon Buying Rate was (Won)1,150 to US$1.00. No representation is made that the Won or U.S. Dollar amounts referred to in this report could have been or could be converted into Dollars or Won, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.

 

3


Table of Contents

The following table sets forth, for the periods and dates indicated, certain information concerning the Noon Buying Rate in Won per US$1.00.

 

Year Ended December 31,


   At End of Period

   Average(1)

   High

   Low

     (Won per US$1.00)

1998

   1,206.00    1,401.00    1,812.00    1,196.00

1999

   1,136.00    1,189.80    1,243.00    1,125.00

2000

   1,267.00    1,130.90    1,267.00    1,105.50

2001

   1,313.50    1,292.00    1,369.00    1,234.00

2002

   1,186.30    1,250.40    1,332.00    1,160.60

2003

   1,192.00    1,192.10    1,262.00    1,146.00

2004 (through June 25)

   1,150.00    1,168.00    1,195.10    1,141.40

January

   1,165.00    1,183.35    1,195.10    1,172.00

February

   1,193.70    1,167.53    1,180.00    1,152.20

March

   1,252.00    1,166.59    1,179.00    1,146.70

April

   1,215.50    1,152.86    1,173.60    1,141.40

May

   1,165.00    1,177.88    1,191.00    1,165.00

June (through June 25)

   1,150.00    1,159.87    1,164.80    1,150.00

(1) The average of the Noon Buying Rates over the relevant period.

 

4


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

 

Our business and operations are subject to various risks, many of which are beyond our control. If any of the risks described below actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be seriously harmed.

 

Risks Relating to KEPCO

 

The Government’s Plan for restructuring the electricity industry in Korea (the “Restructuring Plan”) may have a material adverse effect on us.

 

On January 21, 1999, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (the “MOCIE”) announced the Restructuring Plan for the electricity industry in Korea. For a detailed description of the Restructuring Plan, see Item 4 “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Restructuring of the Electricity Industry in Korea”.

 

The Government promulgated the Law on Promotion of Restructuring of Electricity Industry (the “Restructuring Law”) and amended the Electricity Business Law on December 23, 2000, which allowed us to implement the Restructuring Plan. Pursuant to the Restructuring Law:

 

  on April 2, 2001, the Government established the Korea Power Exchange to deal with the sale of electricity and to work out regulations governing the electricity industry to allow for electricity distribution through a competitive bidding process;

 

  on April 2, 2001, the Government established a competitive bidding pool system for the sale and purchase of electricity; and

 

  on April 27, 2001, the Government established the Korean Electricity Commission to regulate the restructured Korean electricity industry and to ensure fair competition.

 

On February 23, 2001, our board of directors approved a new plan to split our non-nuclear and non-hydroelectric generating capacity into five wholly-owned generation subsidiaries and our nuclear and hydroelectric generating capacity into a separate wholly-owned generation subsidiary. On March 16, 2001, our shareholders approved the plan to establish the generation subsidiaries and the allocation of our assets and liabilities to such generation subsidiaries, effective as of April 2, 2001.

 

In September 2003, a joint study group on Reforming Electricity Distribution Network was established under the Tripartite Commission to propose a methodology of introducing distribution competition within the industry. Members of the Commission are among others from Government and labor union. In June 2004, based on the conclusion of this study group, the Tripartite Commission resolved that it would be in the best interest of the Republic and the Korean electricity industry to suspend the formation and the privatization of the distribution subsidiaries. Following this resolution and recommendation of the Tripartite Committee, the MOCIE announced on June 17, 2004 to suspend the plan to form and privatize the distribution subsidiaries, which implies suspending the plan of introducing a two-way bidding pool system.

 

The Restructuring Plan still contemplates that we eventually dispose of our interests in our generation subsidiaries (excluding our nuclear and hydroelectric power generation subsidiary). In April 2002, the MOCIE released the basic privatization plan for five of our generation subsidiaries, excluding our nuclear and hydroelectric power generation subsidiary. In 2002, we commenced the sale of Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd. (“KOSEP”). According to the original privatization plan, the process of selling KOSEP was to sell the management control and involve domestic initial public offering and strategic stake sale. Due to market conditions, the process of selling KOSEP has tentatively been delayed. The aggregate foreign ownership of our generation subsidiaries will be limited to 30% of total power generation capacity in Korea. We cannot assure you as to the timing or the extent to which our divestiture will occur. In addition, it is possible that Korean law relating to anti-competitive practices as existing at that time may affect the manner in which we conduct our business through such subsidiaries.

 

5


Table of Contents

Recent increase in fuel prices will adversely affect our results of operations and profitability.

 

Fuel costs constituted 21.3% and 29.7% of our sales and cost of sales, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2003. Our generation subsidiaries purchase substantially all of the fuel that they use (except for anthracite coal) from a small number of suppliers outside Korea at prices determined in part by prevailing market prices in currencies other than Won. In addition, our generation subsidiaries purchase a significant portion of their fuel requirements under contracts with limited quantity and duration. Pursuant to the terms of our long-term supply contracts, prices are adjusted annually in light of market conditions. See Item 4 “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Fuel”. Most of the bituminous coal requirements are imported from China, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, Russia and the United States under long-term contracts. Approximately 31% and 45% of the annual bituminous coal requirements of our generation subsidiaries in 2003 were imported from China and Australia, respectively. Approximately 74% of the combined bituminous coal requirements of our generation subsidiaries are purchased under long-term contracts and 26% purchased on the spot market. Recently, due to increase in domestic demand in China and elsewhere in the world, the prices of bituminous coal have soared. As a result of this price increase and the effects of rising shipping cost for bituminous coal, our generation subsidiaries will be unable to secure their respective bituminous coal supply at prices comparable to those of prior periods. In addition, any significant interruption or delay in the supply of fuel, bituminous coal in particular, from any of the suppliers could cause our generation subsidiaries to purchase fuel on the spot market at prices higher than contracted, resulting in an increase in our fuel cost. In addition, there have been recent increases in oil prices, resulting in higher fuel cost. In May 2004, the price of oil (Dubai) exceeded US$34.00 per barrel as compared to an average of US$26.82 per barrel in 2003. Because the Government regulates the rates we charge for electricity we sell (see Item 4 “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Rates”), our ability to pass on such cost increases to our customers is limited. We estimate that the recent increase in fuel prices has had a material adverse effect on our results of operations and profitability in 2004 to date. We expect fuel prices to remain high throughout 2004. Accordingly, we expect our operating income and net income may decrease significantly in 2004 and beyond compared to prior periods.

 

The impact of Won depreciation may have a material adverse effect on us.

 

The depreciation of Won against the U.S. dollar or the Japanese Yen in the past had a material effect on the cost of servicing our foreign currency debt and the cost of our purchases of fuel materials and equipment from overseas sources. As of December 31, 2003, approximately 36.2% of our debt was denominated in foreign currencies, principally in Dollars and Yen. The prices for substantially all of the fuel materials and a significant portion of the equipment we purchase are stated in currencies other than Won, generally in Dollars. Since substantially all of our revenues are denominated in Won, we must generally obtain foreign currencies through foreign-currency denominated financings or through the conversion of Won to affect such purchases or service such debt. As a result, any significant depreciation of the Won against the Dollar or other foreign currencies will adversely impact us.

 

Labor unrest may materially and adversely affect our operations.

 

As of December 31, 2003, approximately 62.5% of the employees of our generation subsidiaries were members of the Korean Power Plant Industry Union. The Restructuring Plan and the privatization plan for our non-nuclear generation subsidiaries have generated labor unrest. Labor unions to which our employees belong have voiced their opposition to the Restructuring Plan from its very inception. In particular, the prospect of privatizing some of our core assets has raised concerns among some of our employees. On February 25, 2002, employees belonging to labor unions of our five non-nuclear generation subsidiaries commenced a six-week strike to protest the Government’s plans to privatize our five non-nuclear generation subsidiaries. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), the second-largest governing body of labor unions in Korea with over 600,000 members, negotiated with the Government on behalf of the labor unions. After prolonged negotiations with the Government, KCTU directed the labor unions of our five non-nuclear generation subsidiaries to end their strike on April 2, 2002. We cannot assure you that a large-scale strike will not occur again in the future, or

 

6


Table of Contents

that any such labor unrest will be satisfactorily resolved. Such labor unrest may adversely affect our results of operations, including by severely disrupting the power supply as well as substantially hindering the implementation of the Restructuring Plan.

 

Inherent in the operation of nuclear power generation facilities are numerous hazards risks, any of which could result in a material loss of revenues or increased expenses.

 

Through Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (“KHNP”), our wholly-owned nuclear subsidiary, we currently operate 18 nuclear-fuel generating units. The operation of nuclear power plants is subject to certain hazards, including environmental hazards such as leaks, ruptures and discharge of toxic and radioactive substances and materials. These hazards can cause personal injuries or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and natural resources, pollution or other environmental damage, clean-up responsibilities, regulatory investigation and penalties and suspension of operations. Nuclear power has a stable and low cost structure that forms the base load and is the largest source of Korea’s electricity supply accounting for 40.2% of electricity generated in Korea in 2003. Due to significantly lower fuel costs as compared with conventional power plants, our nuclear power plants are in general operated at full capacity with only routine shutdowns for check-up and overhaul consisting of 30 to 40 days. In December 2003, in response to concerns of potential exposure to radioactive materials arising from a release incident, we shut down Younggwang-5, one of our nuclear power plants for assessment, inspection and overhaul. This nuclear power plant resumed its operations on April 28, 2004. In November 2003, we shut down Younggwang-6, another of our nuclear power plants for planned overhaul, during which a mechanical problem was discovered giving rise to concerns as to its safety. After the overhaul, this nuclear power plant resumed its operations on April 6, 2004. For details of these incidents, see Item 4 “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Environment and Community Programs—Nuclear Safety”. The breakdown, failure or suspension of operation of a nuclear unit could result in a material loss of revenues, increase in fuel costs from alternative power sources and/or additional costs to repair, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial conditions and results of operation.

 

Opposition to the construction and operation of nuclear-fuel generating units may have adverse effect on us.

 

In 2003, 40.2% of the electricity generated in Korea was generated by nuclear generating units. In recent years, we have encountered increasing opposition in the Republic to the construction and operation of nuclear generating units. Although the Government and we have undertaken various community development programs to address concerns of residents of areas near nuclear units, community opposition to the construction and operation of nuclear units could result in construction delay or relocation of planned nuclear units which could have a material adverse impact on us. See Item 4 “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Power Generation—KHNP”, “Business Overview—Environment and Community Programs” and “Business Overview—Insurance”.

 

Insurance coverage may not be sufficient.

 

Risks of substantial liability arise from the operation of nuclear-fueled generating units and from the use and handling of nuclear fuel and possible radioactive emissions associated with such nuclear fuel. While KHNP carries insurance for its generation units and is the beneficiary of a certain Government indemnity with respect to such risks, the amounts and coverage thereof are limited and do not cover all types or amounts of loss which could arise in connection with the ownership and operation of nuclear plants, and material financial consequences could result from a significant accident.

 

Our non-nuclear generation subsidiaries carry insurance covering key assets and equipments located at their respective power plants against certain risks, including fire, construction-in-progress, imported fuel and procurement in transit and directors’ and officers’ liability. These insurance and indemnity, however, cover only a portion of the assets that our generation subsidiaries own and operate and do not cover all types or amounts of loss that could arise in connection with the ownership and operation of these power plants. In addition, unlike

 

7


Table of Contents

KHNP or us, our non-nuclear generation subsidiaries are not permitted to self-insure, and accordingly have not self-insured, against risks of their uninsured assets or business. Accordingly, material and adverse financial consequences could result from a significant accident.

 

Because we and our non-nuclear generation subsidiaries do not carry insurance against terrorist attacks, in the event of an act of terrorism, the coverage amount for their properties may not be enough. See Item 4 “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Insurance”.

 

We anticipate that we need to incur substantial indebtedness for future capital expenditures.

 

We anticipate that a substantial additional indebtedness will be required through the years in order to refinance existing debt and to make capital expenditures for construction of generation plants and other facilities. We expect that certain portion of our long-term debt will need to be raised through foreign currency borrowings and in international capital markets. It is possible that the cost at which such financing may be provided may not be acceptable to us.

 

We may not be able to raise equity capital in the future without the participation of the Government.

 

The Korea Electric Power Corporation Act (the “KEPCO Act”) requires that the Government, directly or pursuant to The Korea Development Bank Act (the “KDB Act”), through The Korea Development Bank (a statutory banking institution wholly owned by the Government), own at least 51% of our capital stock. As of March 31, 2003, Government, directly or through The Korea Development Bank (“KDB”), owned 54% of our issued capital. Accordingly, without changes in the existing Korean law, it will be difficult or impossible for us to undertake any equity financing in the future (other than sales of treasury stock) without the participation of the Government.

 

Risks Relating to Korea and the Global Economy

 

Adverse developments in Korea could adversely affect us.

 

Beginning in late 1997, Korea experienced a significant financial and economic downturn which resulted in, among other things, a significant increase in the number and size of Korean companies filing for corporate reorganization and protection from their creditors. Although it is believed that the country’s economy has recovered to a certain extent, there can be no assurance that the recovery will continue or that Korea’s economy will not experience any adverse developments in the future. Recent developments that have hurt and may continue to hurt Korea’s economy include, for example, financial difficulties experienced by SK Networks (formerly known as SK Global Co., Ltd.), which admitted in March 2003 that it had falsified its financial statements, and the increase in the credit card delinquencies causing the financial difficulties experienced by banks and credit card companies, including LG Credit Card Co., Ltd., which is suffering from insolvency.

 

Adverse economic developments in the Republic have had, and may have in the future, a significant impact on us. In general, the rate of growth in electricity demand in Korea has shown a proportionate positive correlation to the rate of growth in the overall economy, reflected in such measures as GDP. As a consequence of adverse economic conditions in Korea, the rate of growth in demand for electricity declined significantly in late 1997 and during 1998. Total demand for electricity increased by 11.8% in 2000 as compared to 1999, by 7.6% in 2001 as compared to 2000, by 8.0% in 2002 as compared to 2001 and by 5.4% in 2003 as compared to 2002.

 

Developments that could hinder the Republic’s economic recovery include the following:

 

  social and labor unrest resulting from lay-offs, increasing unemployment and lower levels of income;

 

  a decrease in tax revenues and a substantial increase in the Government’s expenditures for unemployment compensation and other social programs that together are expected to lead to an increased Government budget deficit;

 

8


Table of Contents
  volatility in commodity prices (including oil prices), foreign currency reserve levels, exchange rates, interest rates and the stock market;

 

  increased reliance on exports to service foreign currency debts, which could cause friction with the Republic’s trading partners;

 

  the current financial problems of certain former and current companies of Korean conglomerates, or chaebols, as well as companies which conduct business with those chaebols, or the failure of restructuring of chaebols, and their potential impact on the Republic’s financial sector;

 

  continued adverse developments in the economies of countries to which the Republic exports goods and services (such as the United States and Japan), or in emerging market economies in Asia or elsewhere; and

 

  a deterioration in economic or diplomatic relations between the Republic and its trading partners or allies, including such deterioration resulting from trade disputes or disagreements in foreign policy.

 

Tensions with North Korea could have an adverse effect on us.

 

In recent months, the level of tension between Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“North Korea”), as well as among North Korea, the United States and Japan, has increased. In response to North Korea’s admission to maintaining a nuclear weapons program in breach of the peace accord executed in October 1994 (the “1994 Accord”), the United States, Japan, Korea and the European Union (which became party to the 1994 Accord in November 2002) suspended shipments of oil to North Korea under the 1994 Accord and reiterated their demands to North Korea to halt its nuclear weapons program. Following the suspension of oil shipments, North Korea removed seals and surveillance equipment from its Yongbyon nuclear power plant and evicted nuclear inspectors from the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (the “IAEA”) in December 2002. In January 2003, North Korea announced its intention to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, refusing to abandon its nuclear power and arms program unless the United States were to execute a non-aggression pact. Media reports have stated that North Korea has reactivated a reactor at its main nuclear complex, the Yongbyon nuclear power plant. In February 2003, the IAEA referred the nuclear issue to the United Nations Security Council. In an effort to secure a peaceful negotiated resolution to these events, the two Koreas continue to hold ministerial talks. In July 2003 and February 2004, the representatives of the United States, North Korea, China, Russia, Japan and Korea met to resolve issues relating to North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. In the recent multilateral discussions, Korea, North Korea, the United States, China, Japan and Russia agreed to establish a working group for detailed discussions and hold the next discussions before the end of June 2004. The parties also expressed their commitment to a nuclear-weapons-free Korean peninsula and willingness to coexist peacefully. However, there can be no assurance that the level of tensions will not escalate and have a serious adverse impact on us.

 

Unemployment and labor unrest in Korea may adversely affect our operations.

 

The economic downturn in Korea in 1997 and 1998 and the increase in the number of corporate reorganizations and bankruptcies thereafter caused layoffs and increasing unemployment in Korea, and a similar economic downturn in the future could lead to further layoffs. These factors could lead to social unrest and substantially increase government expenditures for unemployment compensation and other costs for social programs. During 1998 and 1999, there were large-scale protests and labor strikes in Korea. According to statistics from the Bank of Korea, the unemployment rate generally decreased from 4.1% as of December 31, 2000 to 3.1% as of December 31, 2002, but increased to 3.6% as of December 31, 2003. A continued increase in unemployment or labor unrest in Korea could adversely affect our operations and the financial conditions of Korean companies in general, depressing the price of securities on the Korea Stock Exchange and the value of the Won relative to other currencies. These developments would likely have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

9


Table of Contents

Financial instability in Korea and other countries, particularly emerging market countries, could adversely affect on us.

 

The Korean market and the Korean economy are influenced by economic and market conditions in other countries, including emerging market countries. Financial turmoil in Asia and elsewhere in the world in recent years has adversely affected the Korean economy. Although economic conditions are different in each country, investors’ reactions to developments in one country, such as Argentina or Brazil, can have adverse effects on the securities of companies in other countries, including Korea. A loss of investor confidence in the financial systems of emerging and other markets may cause increased volatility in Korean financial markets. We cannot assure you that financial events of the type that occurred in emerging markets in Asia in 1997 and 1998 will not happen again or will not have an adverse effect on our business.

 

Other Risks

 

We are jointly and severally liable for certain debt of our generation subsidiaries.

 

Under the relevant provisions of the Korean Commercial Code, we and each of our generation subsidiaries remain jointly and severally liable for all of our liabilities existing prior to the corporate split on April 2, 2001 and all liabilities that we transferred to generation subsidiaries unless such joint and several liability has been successfully eliminated through consents of creditors of affected debt, including consent by resolutions at bondholders’ meetings, which resolutions are approved by the court. In order to facilitate the privatization of our generation subsidiaries, we eliminated the joint and several liabilities among us and our generation subsidiaries through the consent process described in Item 4. “Information on the Company—History and Development—Recent Developments—Debt Restructuring”. As a result, our generation subsidiaries are released from the joint and several liability for all of our foreign debts existing prior to the corporate split on April 2, 2001 which were not transferred to our generation subsidiaries and the creditors of such debts no longer have direct claims as to the assets of our generation subsidiaries. However, we and our generation subsidiaries remain jointly and severally liable for bonds issued prior to April 2, 2001 in the domestic market, for which KDB Guarantee (as defined in Item 4. “Information on the Company—History and Development—Recent Developments—Debt Restructuring”) has not yet been provided. We are jointly and severally liable for domestic debt of us and our generation subsidiaries in the aggregate amount of approximately (Won)3,090 billion (US$2,580 million), consisting of (Won)1,747 billion (US$1,459 million) of domestic bonds and (Won)1,343 billion (US$1,121 million) of domestic borrowings, outstanding as of February 29, 2004. These obligations will rank equally with our other unsecured debt.

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with Korean GAAP, which differ materially from U.S. GAAP.

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting regulations applicable to Government-invested companies and Korean GAAP, which differ in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. See Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP”.

 

Korean GAAP and U.S. GAAP differ, among other ways, in respect of the following issues:

 

  treatment of asset retirement obligations;

 

  treatment of asset revaluation;

 

  treatment of foreign exchange translation gains and losses; and

 

  the establishment of a regulatory asset and liability to offset the impact of foreign exchange translation losses and gains on our income statement, deferred income taxes and reserves for self-insurance.

 

See Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP” and Note 22 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.

 

10


Table of Contents

We are generally subject to Korean corporate governance and disclosure standards, which differ in significant respects from those in other countries.

 

Companies in Korea, including us, are subject to corporate governance standards applicable to Korean public companies which differ in many respects from standards applicable in other countries, including the United States. As a reporting company registered with the SEC and listed on the NYSE, we are, and in the future will be, subject to certain corporate governance standards as mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). However, foreign private issuers, including us, are exempt from certain corporate governance standards required to be complied with under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or under the rules of the NYSE. There may also be less publicly available information about Korean companies, such as us, than is regularly made available by public or non-public companies in other countries. Such differences in corporate governance standards and less public information could result in less than satisfactory corporate governance practices or disclosure to investors in certain countries.

 

11


Table of Contents

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

 

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

 

General Information

 

We were established by the Government on December 31, 1981 as the successor to Korea Electric Company and, until 1989, were wholly owned by the Government. Our registered office is located at 167 Samseong-Dong, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, Korea, and our telephone number is 82-2-3456-4264.

 

In 1989, the Government sold 21% of our common stock as part of a planned partial privatization. Such partial privatization was one of several sales by the Government of shares of Government-owned companies undertaken. In 1994, we sold 1.2% of our shares in a global offering. In 1995, we sold 1.1% of our shares in another global offering. From November 1997 to February 1998 the Government injected capital into KDB, The Export-Import Bank of Korea, Korea First Bank and Seoul Bank with our shares to support those financial institutions. In March 1999, the Government sold 5% of our shares in a global offering. As a result, as of December 31, 2000, the Government owned, directly or indirectly, 54% of our issued common stock (including treasury stock). On June 20, 2001, the Government transferred 127,086,334 shares of our common stock held by it, which represents 19.85% of our outstanding capital, to KDB, and on April 30, 2004, the Government transferred 34,511,869 shares of our common stock, which represents 5.39% of our outstanding capital, to KDB to strengthen its capital base. As a result of such transfer, the Government and KDB own 27.03% and 26.93%, respectively, of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of the end of April 2004. See the table setting forth certain information relating to certain owners of our capital stock as of April 30, 2004 in Item 7 “Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Major Shareholders”.

 

The KEPCO Act requires that the Government, directly or pursuant to the KDB Act, through KDB, own at least 51% of our capital. Direct or indirect ownership of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock enables the Government to control the approval of certain corporate matters which require a stockholders’ resolution, including approval of dividends. The Government’s and KDB’s rights as holders of our common stock are exercised by the MOCIE based on the Government’s ownership of our common stock and a proxy to be received from KDB in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and Economy (“MOFE”).

 

We operate under the general supervision of the MOCIE. The MOCIE, in consultation with the MOFE, has responsibility for approving the electric power rates we charge after review by the Korean Electricity Commission. See “—Business Overview—Rates”. We furnish reports to officials of the MOCIE, the MOFE and other Government agencies and regularly consult with such officials on matters relating to our business and affairs. See “—Business Overview—Regulation”.

 

Pursuant to our articles of incorporation, our directors are classified into two categories: standing directors and non-standing directors. The number of standing directors shall be not more than seven, including the president (who is our Chairman and CEO), and the non-standing directors shall be not more than eight. In any case, the number of standing directors may not exceed the number of non-standing directors. The standing directors other than our president shall be appointed by the MOCIE upon the motion of our president with the approval at the general meeting of our shareholders. The non-standing directors shall be appointed from among specialists in the private sector with knowledge of business management by the Minister of Planning and Budget of the Republic upon the motion of our president. Our president shall be appointed by the president of the Republic upon the motion of the MOCIE after shareholders’ approval following the nomination by a president nomination committee which is composed of the non-standing directors and other members from the private sector appointed by the board of directors. The president serves as our chief executive officer and represents us and administers our day-to-day business in all matters not specifically designated as responsibilities of the board of directors.

 

Our statutory auditor is appointed by the President of the Republic upon the motion of the Minister of the Planning and Budget of Korea following a resolution at the general meeting of our shareholders. The auditor is

 

12


Table of Contents

our full-time employee responsible for monitoring our business affairs and accounts. The auditor attends board meetings but is not a director and does not vote at board meetings. See Item 6 “Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Directors and Senior Management”.

 

We play an important role in the implementation of the Government’s national energy policy, which is established in consultation with us. As an entity formed to serve public policy goals of the Government, we seek to maintain an overall level of profitability which allows us to strengthen our equity base in order to support the growth in our business. Our electricity rates are established pursuant to procedures that take into account, among other things, our needs to recover the costs of operations, to make capital investments and to provide a fair return to our security holders. See “—Business Overview—Rates”.

 

Recent Developments

 

Debt Restructuring

 

Pursuant to the Restructuring Plan for the electricity industry in Korea (as described in “—Restructuring of the Electricity Industry in Korea” below), in February 2001, our board of directors approved a plan to split the assets and liabilities associated with our generating capacity into six wholly owned subsidiaries. We implemented the plan effective as of April 2, 2001. Under the relevant provisions of the Korean Commercial Code, we remain jointly and severally liable for all liabilities we transferred to our generation subsidiaries, and each generation subsidiary is jointly and severally liable for all of our liabilities existing prior to the corporate split and all liabilities that we transferred to other generation subsidiaries.

 

In order to facilitate the privatization of the non-nuclear and non-hydroelectric generation subsidiaries, we took actions to eliminate the joint and several liabilities among us and our generation subsidiaries so that the generation subsidiaries will not be liable for our debt and debt of other generation subsidiaries. Under Korean law, the elimination of this joint and several liability requires consent of creditors of affected debt, including consent of a specified percentage of each series of the outstanding debt securities that were sold in the United States, Europe, Asia and Korea. On November 14, 2002, we commenced solicitations of consents and proxies from the holders of our debentures and notes listed below under the heading Yankee and Global Bonds (the “Yankee and Global Bonds”) and under the heading Eurobonds (the “Eurobonds” and, together with the Yankee and Global Bonds, the “Bonds”).

 

Yankee and Global Bonds


    

Eurobonds


US$1,350mm 6.375% Notes due 2003

     JPY2,560mm 2.75% Notes due 2004

US$300mm 8.25% Notes due 2005

     US$21mm FRNs due 2004

US$350mm 7.75% Debentures due 2013

     JPY5,000mm 2.50% Notes due 2004

US$70.64mm 6.00% Debentures due 2026

     JPY5,000mm 2.92% Notes due 2004

US$300mm 7.00% Debentures due 2027

     EUR25.183mm 5.75% Notes due 2004

US$200mm 6.75% Debentures due 2027

     US$55mm 7.11% Notes due 2004

US$139,842mm 7.40% Amortizing Debentures due 2016

     US$50mm FRNs due 2004

US$52,559mm 7.95% Zero-to-Full Debentures due 2096

     JPY30,000mm 2.10% Notes due 2005
       US$96.5mm FRNs due 2005
       US$95mm 7.05% Notes due 2007
       GBP24.467mm 8.50% Notes due 2007

 

The solicitations related to proposed amendments to the agreements under which our debt securities were issued and to waivers of certain rights under the Korean Commercial Code. In consideration for the amendments and waivers, and upon the satisfaction or waiver of all closing conditions, the KDB agreed to issue a full, unconditional and irrevocable guarantees (the “KDB Guarantees”) in respect of the Bonds if the amendments and waiver with respect to such issue become effective. The waivers were intended to eliminate the joint and several liability of the generation subsidiaries on the Bonds and facilitate the eventual divestiture or sale of the generation subsidiaries pursuant to the Restructuring Plan. The joint and several liabilities arose as a matter of

 

13


Table of Contents

law under the Korean Commercial Code in connection with our creation of the generation subsidiaries and transfer of our assets to them. The debt obligations covered by the KDB Guarantees are denominated in several currencies and have final maturities ranging from 2003 to 2027, except that one series of debt securities matures in 2096.

 

In February 2003, we completed the solicitation of consents and proxies for the Yankee and Global Bonds and KDB Guarantees were given accordingly. In April 2003, we announced the successful completion of the closing conditions relating to the Eurobonds and KDB Guarantees were given accordingly. In February 2004, we successfully completed the solicitation of consents and proxies for our Yen-denominated bonds offered in Japan (the “Samurai Bonds”) and KDB Guarantees were given accordingly. In March 2003, we completed the solicitation of consents for our domestic bonds; however, the KDB Guarantees have not yet been given. These domestic bonds are still entitled to the joint and several liability by us and all of our generation subsidiaries, including us. As of April 30, 2004, the outstanding balance of these domestic bonds amounted to (Won)1,012 billion (US$866 million). The joint and several liability by us and all of our generation subsidiaries relating to these domestic bonds will be eliminated when the KDB Guarantees are given in respect of these bonds without further consent of the bondholders. In addition, we had domestic borrowings outstanding which were also entitled to joint and several liability among us and our generation subsidiaries of (Won)1,062 billion (US$909 million) as of April 30, 2004. As a result, the total debt still subject to joint and several liability amounted to (Won)2,074 billion (US$1,775 million).

 

Suspension of the Restructuring Plan

 

In September 2003, a joint study group on Reforming Electricity Distribution Network was established under the Tripartite Commission to propose a methodology of introducing distribution competition within the industry. Members of the Commission are among others from Government and labor union. In June 2004, based on the conclusion of this study group, the Tripartite Commission resolved that it would be in the best interest of the Republic and the Korean electricity industry to suspend the formation and the privatization of the distribution subsidiaries. Following this resolution and recommendation of the Tripartite Committee, the MOCIE announced on June 17, 2004 to suspend the plan to form and privatize the distribution subsidiaries, which implies suspending the plan of introducing a two-way bidding pool system.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

This table below sets forth for each year in the three-year period ending December 31, 2003, the amounts of capital expenditures (including capitalized interest) for the construction of generating, transmission and distribution facilities:

 

2001


  

2002


  

2003


(in billions of Won)
(Won)7,299    (Won)6,653    (Won)6,782

 

For the expected completion dates of generating facilities, see “—Business Overview—Capital Investment Program”.

 

14


Table of Contents

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

 

Introduction

 

We are an integrated electric utility company and the only company engaged in the transmission and distribution of electricity in Korea. Through our six consolidated generation subsidiaries, we also generate substantially all of the electricity consumed in Korea. As of December 31, 2003, we and our generation subsidiaries owned approximately 90% of the total electricity generating capacity in Korea (excluding plants generating electricity primarily for private or emergency use). In 2003, we sold 294 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. Of the 322 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity we generated or purchased in 2003, 41.3% was generated by our nuclear and hydroelectric power generation subsidiary.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2003, we had consolidated operating revenues of (Won)22,775 billion (U.S.$19,106 million) and consolidated net income of (Won)2,323 billion (U.S.$1,949 million) and for the year ended December 31, 2002, we had consolidated operating revenues of (Won)21,366 billion and consolidated net income of (Won)3,048 billion. Our operating revenues increased primarily as a result of a 5.4% increase in kilowatt hours of electricity sold in 2003. The increase in electricity sold was primarily attributable to a 4.4% increase in kilowatt hours of electricity sold to the industrial sector, a 7.3% increase in kilowatt hours of electricity sold to the commercial sector and a 6.8% increase in kilowatt hours of electricity sold to the residential sector. See Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Operating Results”.

 

Demand for electricity in the Republic grew at a compounded average rate of 8.2% per annum for the five years ended December 31, 2003 compared to real GDP compounded growth rates of approximately 5.4% for the same period according to The Bank of Korea. The GDP growth rate was 3.1% for 2003 as compared to 6.2% in 2002. Total demand for electricity in Korea during 2003 increased by 5.4% as compared to 2002. We anticipate demand for electricity to continue to increase in 2004.

 

Historically, we have made substantial expenditures for construction of generation plants and other facilities to meet increased demand for electric power. Subject to the Government’s restructuring plan as discussed in “Business—Restructuring of the Electricity Industry in Korea”, we (including our generation and distribution subsidiaries) plan to continue to make substantial expenditures to expand and enhance our generating, transmission and distribution system in the future. See Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Requirements”.

 

Prior to the corporate reorganization effected on April 2, 2001, which created six generation subsidiaries wholly owned by us, we were the principal electricity generation company in Korea. We continue to be the principal electricity transmission and distribution company in Korea, subject to the implementation of the Restructuring Plan (as described herein).

 

Restructuring of the Electricity Industry in Korea

 

On January 21, 1999, the MOCIE published the Restructuring Plan. The overall objectives of the Restructuring Plan are to:

 

  introduce competition and thereby increase efficiency in the Korean electricity industry;

 

  ensure a long-term, inexpensive and stable electricity supply; and

 

  promote consumer convenience through the expansion of consumer choice.

 

The KEPCO Act requires that the Government own at least 51% of our capital. Direct or indirect ownership of more than 50% of our outstanding common stock enables the Government to control the approval of certain corporate matters which require a stockholders’ resolution, including approval of dividends. The Government’s and KDB’s rights as holders of our common stock are exercised by the MOCIE in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and Economy (“MOFE”). The Government currently has no plan to cease to own directly or indirectly at least 51% of our outstanding common stock.

 

15


Table of Contents

The following is a description of the Restructuring Plan and the Government’s position relating to the Restructuring Plan as of the date of this report.

 

Phase I

 

During Phase I, which was the preparation stage for Phase II and ran from January 1, 1999 until April 2, 2001, we continued to be the principal electricity generator, with a few independent power producers (the “IPPs”) supplying electricity to us pursuant to existing power purchase agreements (the “PPAs”). On February 23, 2001, our board of directors approved a plan to split our non-nuclear and non-hydroelectric generating capacity into the following five separate wholly-owned generation subsidiaries, each with its own management structure, assets and liabilities: Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. (“KOMIPO”), Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd (“KOSEP”), Korea Western Power Co., Ltd. (“KOWEPO”), Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd. (“KOSPO”), and Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd. (“EWP”). Our hydroelectric and nuclear generating capacity was transferred into a separate wholly-owned generation subsidiary, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (“KHNP”). On March 16, 2001, our shareholders approved the plan to establish the generation subsidiaries effective as of April 2, 2001.

 

The Government’s objectives in dividing the power generation capacity into separate generation subsidiaries were principally to:

 

  introduce competition and thereby increase efficiency in the electricity generation industry in Korea; and

 

  ensure the stable supply of electricity in Korea.

 

Following the implementation of Phase I, we have retained our monopoly position with respect to transmission and distribution of electricity in Korea.

 

While our ownership percentage of the non-nuclear and non-hydroelectric generation subsidiaries and distribution subsidiaries will depend on the ultimate form of the Restructuring Plan approved by the Government, we plan to continue to retain 100% ownership of KHNP, distribution and the transmission business.

 

Phase II

 

Phase II, which is the current phase, began on April 2, 2001. In Phase II, the Government has introduced a competitive bidding or bidding pool system under which we purchase power from the generation subsidiaries and other companies for transmission and distribution to customers. Such competitive bidding or bidding pool system was established on April 2, 2001 and is a cost-based pool system (the “CBP”) (as described below).

 

Pursuant to the Electricity Business Law amended on December 23, 2000, the Government established the KPX on April 2, 2001 to deal with the sale of electricity and work out regulations governing the electricity market to allow for electricity distribution via a competitive bidding process. The Government also established the Korea Electricity Commission (the “KEC”) on April 27, 2001 to regulate the restructured Korean electricity industry and to ensure fair competition. As part of this process, the KPX established the Electricity Market Rules relating to the operation of the bidding pool system. To amend the Electricity Market Rules, the KPX shall obtain approval from the MOCIE and any amendment must be reviewed by the KEC, prior to approval by the MOCIE.

 

The KEC’s main functions involve implementing of necessary standards and measures for electricity market operation and reviewing of matters relating to licensing companies in the Korean electricity industry. The KEC also acts as an arbitrator in disputes involving utility rates and companies in the Korean electricity industry and consumers and investigates illegal or deceptive activities of Korean electricity market participants.

 

16


Table of Contents

The Pool System

 

Under the pool system, each generation company, including our generation subsidiaries, participates in a competitive bidding process operated by the KPX. Under the current CBP, each generation company, including our generation subsidiaries, submits its costs to the KPX on a monthly basis and also submits available capacity to the KPX one day prior to the date of trading. The submitted costs are divided into two categories: base load units and non-base load units, in order to promote fair competition as base load and non- base load units have different cost structures. Base load plants utilize coal and nuclear fuel materials and non-base load plants utilize non-coal and non-nuclear fuel materials. The final pool price for each of these categories is determined by the KPX.

 

CBP comprises two prices, namely, system marginal price (“SMP”) and base load marginal price (“BLMP”), which are determined by variable costs of the most expensive non-base load unit(s) and base load unit(s), respectively, from which electricity is dispatched for the trading period. Non-base load capacity payment (“Non-Base Load CP”) and base load capacity payment (“Base Load CP”) represent fixed costs of non-base load units and base load units, respectively, and are settled separately from the CBP.

 

One uniform pool price for each category is determined every hour as the SMP and the BLMP by merit order (as described below).

 

Merit order is a power dispatch order system determined and used by the KPX. The KPX determines the allocation of power supplied by generation companies. This determination is primarily dependent on variable cost and other various factors, including the proximity of a generation company to the geographical area to which power is being supplied, transmission and distribution costs, network and fuel constraints and amount of power loss during transmission and distribution.

 

Consumers purchase power from us at prices based upon our purchase price plus transmission and distribution fees and other fees which are set by the KEC. The KEC’s prime objective is ensuring transparency and preventing anti-competitive practices in the bidding process to maximize the benefits of competition to consumers.

 

Privatization of Non-nuclear Generation Subsidiaries

 

In April 2002, the MOCIE released the basic privatization plan for five of our generation subsidiaries, excluding our nuclear and hydroelectric power generation subsidiary. In 2002, we commenced the sale of Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd. (“KOSEP”). According to the original privatization plan, the process of selling KOSEP was to sell the management control and involve domestic initial public offering and strategic stake sale. Due to market conditions, the process of selling KOSEP has tentatively been delayed. The aggregate foreign ownership of our generation subsidiaries will be limited to 30% of total power generation capacity in Korea. In consultation with us, the Government will determine the size of the ownership interest to be sold and the timing of sales, with a view to encouraging competition, assuring adequate electricity supply and debt service capability.

 

17


Table of Contents

The diagram below illustrates Phase II of the Restructuring Plan.

 

LOGO

 

Resolution of the Tripartite Commission and the Recent MOCIE Announcement

 

In September 2003, a joint study group on Reforming Electricity Distribution Network was established under the Tripartite Commission to propose a methodology of introducing distribution competition within the industry. Members of the Commission are among others from Government and labor union. In June 2004, based on the conclusion of this study group, the Tripartite Commission resolved that it would be in the best interest of the Republic and the Korean electricity industry to suspend the formation and the privatization of the distribution subsidiaries. Following this resolution and recommendation of the Tripartite Committee, the MOCIE announced on June 17, 2004 to suspend the plan to form and privatize the distribution subsidiaries, which implies suspending the plan of introducing a two-way bidding pool system.

 

Power Generation

 

The electricity generating systems of our generation subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 comprised a total of 296 generating units, including nuclear, thermal, hydro and internal combustion units, which as of December 31, 2003 had an aggregate installed generating capacity of 50,432 megawatts. Our thermal units produce electricity using steam turbine generators and include units fired by coal and oil. Internal combustion units are diesel-fired gas turbine and combined cycle units. Combined cycle units consist of either LNG-fired combined cycle units or oil-fired combined cycle units. In addition to the generating facilities that our generation subsidiaries own, we purchase power output of several generating plants not owned by our generation subsidiaries.

 

18


Table of Contents

The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003, the number of units, installed capacity and the average capacity factor for each type of generating facility that our generation subsidiaries own.

 

    

Number

of Units


  

Installed

Capacity(1)


  

Average Capacity

Factor(2)


          (megawatts)    (percent)

KEPCO facilities:

              

Nuclear

   18    15,716    94.2
    
  
  

Thermal:

              

Coal

   37    15,931    87.4

Oil

   19    4,280    44.4

LNG

   6    1,538    12.4
    
  
  

Total thermal

   62    21,749    73.6
    
  
  

Internal combustion

   175    10,130    37.7

Hydro

   41    2,837    14.0
    
  
  

Total KEPCO facilities

   296    50,432    69.8
    
  
  

(1) Installed capacity represents the level of output that may be sustained continuously without significant risk of damage to plant and equipment.
(2) Average capacity factor represents the total number of kilowatt hours of electricity generated in the period divided by the total number of kilowatt hours that would have been generated assuming continuous operation of generating units at installed capacity expressed as a percentage.

 

The useful life of units of each type without substantial renovation is approximately as follows: nuclear and thermal, over 30 years; internal combustion, over 25 years; hydroelectric, over 50 years. Substantial renovation can extend the useful life of thermal units by up to 20 years.

 

We attempt to achieve efficient use of generating resources and diversification of generating capacity by fuel types. We have in the past relied principally upon oil-fired thermal generating units for electricity generation. Since the oil shock in 1974, however, Korea’s power development plans have emphasized the construction of nuclear generating units. While nuclear units are more expensive to construct than other units of comparable capacity, nuclear fuel is less expensive than fossil fuels producing comparable amounts of energy. However, efficient operation of nuclear units requires that such plants be run continuously at relatively constant energy output levels. As it is impractical to store large quantities of electric energy, we seek to maintain nuclear power production capacity at a level approximating a level at which demand is continuous within Korea. For production at times when demand exceeds the level of continuous demand, we rely on units fired by fossil fuel and hydroelectric units, which can be started and shut down more efficiently than nuclear units. Bituminous coal is currently the cheapest thermal fuel per kilowatt hour of electricity produced, and therefore we have sought to maximize the use of bituminous coal for generation needs above the continuous demand level, except for meeting surges in demand requiring rapid startup and shutdown. Thermal units fired by LNG, hydroelectric units and gas turbine internal combustion units are the most efficient types of units for rapid startup and shutdown, and therefore we have used such units principally to meet short-term surges in demand. We have increasingly used LNG-fired units and bituminous coal-fired units rather than anthracite coal-fired units to reduce the environmental impact of our generating operations. Anthracite coal is also a less efficient fuel source than bituminous coal.

 

Our generation subsidiaries have constructed and recommissioned thermal and internal combustion units in order to help meet power demand. Subject to market conditions, our generation subsidiaries plan to add additional thermal and internal combustion units in future periods for this purpose. Such units may be completed more quickly than new nuclear units.

 

19


Table of Contents

The table below sets forth for each of the five years ended December 31, 2003 the amount of electricity generated by facilities linked to our grid system, and the amount of power used or lost in connection with transmission and distribution.

 

    1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

 

% of 2003

Gross

Generation(1)


 
    (million kilowatt hours and percent)  

Electricity generated at generation subsidiaries:

                         

Nuclear

  103,064   108,964   112,133   119,103   129,671   40.2 %

Thermal

                         

Coal

  83,603   99,428   112,257   119,665   121,931   37.8  

Oil

  11,524   18,888   21,622   17,493   16,664   5.2  

LNG

  1,345   1,632   1,557   1,771   1,674   0.5  
   
 
 
 
 
 

Total thermal

  96,472   119,948   135,437   138,929   140,269   43.5  

Internal combustion

  27,091   24,734   23,914   30,888   33,445   10.4  

Hydro

  3,560   3,196   2,915   3,262   3,479   1.1  
   
 
 
 
 
 

Total generation

  230,187   256,842   274,398   292,182   306,866   95.2  

Electricity purchased from others:

                         

Thermal

  6,631   7,144   9,589   12,242   12,178   3.8  

Hydro

  2,507   2,414   1,236   2,049   3,408   1.1  
   
 
 
 
 
 

Total purchased

  9,138   9,558   10,825   14,291   15,586   4.8  

Gross generation

  239,325   266,400   285,224   306,474   322,452   100  

Auxiliary use(2)

  10,998   12,328   12,980   13,728   14,226   4.4  

Pumping storage(3)

  2,525   2,118   2,401   2,688   2,581   0.8  
   
 
 
 
 
 

Total net generation(4)

  225,802   251,953   269,842   290,058   305,645   94.8  
   
 
 
 
 
 

Transmission and distribution losses

  11,280   11,871   12,140   12,994   13,593   4.4 (5)

(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the percentages are based on gross generation.
(2) Auxiliary use represents electricity consumed by generating units in the course of generation.
(3) Pumping storage represents electricity consumed during low demand periods in order to store water which will be utilized to generate hydroelectric power during peak demand periods.
(4) Total net generation is gross generation subtracted by auxiliary use and pumping storage.
(5) Total transmission and distribution losses divided by total net generation.

 

The table below sets forth our total capacity at the end of each period (including units generating electricity primarily for sale to us) and peak and average load in each period for each of the five years ended December 31, 2003.

 

     1999

   2000

   2001

   2002

   2003

     (megawatts)

Total capacity

   46,978    48,451    50,859    53,801    56,053

Peak-load

   37,293    41,007    43,125    45,773    47,385

Average load

   27,320    30,328    32,560    34,986    36,810

 

KHNP

 

We commenced nuclear power generation activities in 1978 when our first nuclear generating unit, Kori-1, began commercial operations. On April 2, 2001, we transferred all of our nuclear and hydroelectric power generation assets and liabilities to KHNP.

 

Currently, KHNP owns and operates 18 nuclear generating units at four power plant complexes in Korea, located in Kori, Wolsong, Yonggwang and Ulchin and 27 hydroelectric generating units.

 

20


Table of Contents

The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003, the number of units, installed capacity and the average capacity factor for the two types of generating facility.

 

    

Number

of Units


   Installed
Capacity(1)


   Average
Capacity
Factor(2)


          (megawatts)    (percent)

Nuclear

   18    15,716    94.2

Hydroelectric

   27    534    31.5
    
  
  

Total

   45    16,250    —  
    
  
  

(1) Installed capacity represents the level of output that may be sustained continuously without significant risk of damage to plant and equipment.
(2) Average capacity factor represents the total number of kilowatt hours of electricity generated in the period divided by the total number of kilowatt hours that would have been generated assuming continuous operation of generating units at installed capacity expressed as a percentage.

 

We are currently building two additional nuclear generating units, each with a 1,000-megawatt capacity at the Ulchin site, Ulchin-5 and -6 and we expect to complete these units in 2004 and 2005, respectively. In addition, we are planning to receive permission to build additional six nuclear units (New Kori Nos. 1 through 4 and New Wolsong Nos. 1 and 2).

 

Nuclear

 

The table below sets forth certain information with respect to the nuclear generating units KHNP owned as of December 31, 2003.

 

Unit


  

Reactor

Type(1)


  

Reactor

Design(2)


  

Turbine and

Generation(3)


  

Commencement

of operations


  

Installed

Capacity


     (megawatts)

Kori-1

   PWR    W    GEC    1978    587

Kori-2

   PWR    W    GEC    1983    650

Kori-3

   PWR    W    GEC    1985    950

Kori-4

   PWR    W    GEC    1986    950

Wolsong-1

   PHWR    AECL    P    1983    679

Wolsong-2

   PHWR    AECL, H    H, GE    1997    700

Wolsong-3

   PHWR    AECL, H    H, GE    1998    700

Wolsong-4

   PHWR    AECL, H    H, GE    1999    700

Yonggwang-1

   PWR    W    W    1986    950

Yonggwang-2

   PWR    W    W    1987    950

Yonggwang-3

   PWR    H, CE    H, GE    1995    1,000

Yonggwang-4

   PWR    H, CE    H, GE    1996    1,000

Yonggwang-5

   PWR    D, CE    D, GE    2002    1,000

Yonggwang-6

   PWR    D, CE    D, GE    2002    1,000

Ulchin-1

   PWR    F    A    1988    950

Ulchin-2

   PWR    F    A    1989    950

Ulchin-3

   PWR    H, CE    H, GE    1998    1,000

Ulchin-4

   PWR    H, CE    H, GE    1999    1,000

Total nuclear

            —      15,716

(1) PWR means pressurized light water reactor; PHWR means pressurized heavy water reactor.
(2) W means Westinghouse Electric Company (U.S.A); AECL means Atomic Energy Canada Limited (Canada); F means Framatome (France); H means HANJUNG; CE means Combustion Engineering (U.S.A); D means Doosan Heavy Industries.

 

21


Table of Contents
(3) GEC means General Electric Company (UK); P means Parsons (Canada and UK); W means Westinghouse Electric Company (U.S.A); A means Alsthom (France); H means HANJUNG; GE means General Electric (U.S.A); D means Doosan Heavy Industries.

 

The table below sets forth certain information for 2003 with respect to each nuclear generating unit KHNP owned. In 2003, the total fuel cost was W4.41 per kilowatt hour.

 

Unit


   Average Capacity Factor

    Average Fuel Cost Per kwh

     (percent)     (Won)

Kori-1

   93.2 %   (Won) 4.39

Kori-2

   90.2       5.31

Kori-3

   104.8       4.12

Kori-4

   95.1       4.50

Wolsong-1

   89.5       4.70

Wolsong-2

   95.3       4.44

Wolsong-3

   97.3       4.49

Wolsong-4

   98.2       4.77

Yonggwang-1

   88.7       5.12

Yonggwang-2

   92.8       4.33

Yonggwang-3

   93.9       4.29

Yonggwang-4

   102.9       4.24

Yonggwang-5

   81.1       4.07

Yonggwang-6

   92.5       4.00

Ulchin-1

   87.6       4.70

Ulchin-2

   90.9       3.93

Ulchin-3

   104.4       4.03

Ulchin-4

   95.4       4.58
    

 

Total nuclear

   94.2 %   (Won) 4.41
    

 

 

The average capacity factor of all of our nuclear units in aggregate has been maintained at 87.3% or more in each year since 1995.

 

Under extended cycle operations, nuclear units can be run continuously for periods longer than the conventional 12-month period between shutdowns for refueling and maintenance. This operational strategy of extended cycle has been adopted by all of our PWR units since 1987 and will spread to newly commenced units. Average shutdown periods for routine fuel replacement and maintenance varied from 30 to 40 days.

 

KHNP’s nuclear units experienced an average of 0.6 unplanned shutdowns per unit for the year ended December 31, 2003. In the ordinary course of operation, KHNP’s nuclear units routinely experienced damage and wear and tear and were repaired during routine shutdown periods or during unplanned temporary suspensions of operations. No significant damage has occurred in any of KHNP’s nuclear reactors and no significant nuclear exposure or release incidents have occurred at any of KHNP’s nuclear facilities since the first nuclear plant commenced operations in 1978. See Item 3 “Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to KEPCO—Inherent in the operation of nuclear power generation facilities are numerous hazards risks, any of which could result in a material loss of revenues or increased expenses”.

 

22


Table of Contents

Hydroelectric

 

The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003 certain information regarding each hydroelectric plant.

 

Name (Number of Plants)


  

Classification


   Year Built

   Installed Capacity

  

Average Capacity Factor

for the twelve months

ended

December 31, 2003


               (megawatts)    (percent)

Hwacheon(4)

   Dam waterway    1944    108.00    14.4

Chuncheon(2)

   Dam    1965    57.60    23.8

Euiam(3)

   Dam    1967    45.00    43.1

Cheongpyung(3)

   Dam    1943    79.60    43.9

Paldang(4)

   Dam    1973    120.00    48.4

Seomjingang(3)

   Basin deviation    1945    34.80    63.8

Boseonggang(2)

   Basin deviation    1937    4.50    58.9

Kwoesan(2)

   Dam    1957    2.60    55.7

Anheung(3)

   Dam waterway    1978    0.48    32.7

Kangreung(2)

   Basin deviation    1991    82.00    —  

Total hydroelectric

             534.58    31.5

 

The Government-owned Korea Water Resources Corporation assumes full control of multi-purpose dams, while KHNP maintains the dams used for power generation. Existing hydroelectric power plants have exploited most of the water resources in the Republic available for commercially viable hydroelectric power generation. Consequently, KHNP expects that no new major hydroelectric power plants will be built in the foreseeable future. Due to its relatively high cost of generation, hydroelectric power generation is reserved for peak periods.

 

KOSEP

 

As of December 31, 2003, KOSEP had 10 thermal units, including eight coal-fired units with aggregate installed capacity of 3,565 megawatts and two oil-fired units with aggregate installed capacity of 500 megawatts. KOSEP also had combined cycle and internal combustion units with aggregate installed capacity of 900 megawatts and pumped storage units with aggregate installed capacity of 600 megawatts. KOSEP had a total installed capacity of 5,565 megawatts.

 

The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003, for each plant location, the weighted average age, installed capacity, average capacity factor and average fuel cost of the thermal units KOSEP owns based upon the net amount of electricity generated.

 

    

Weighted Average

Age of Units


   Installed Capacity

  

Average Capacity

Factor


  

Average Fuel

Cost per kwh


     (years)    (megawatts)    (percent)     

Bituminous:

                     

Samchunpo #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

   12    3,240    86.0    (Won) 15.37

Anthracite:

                     

Youngdong #1, 2

   26    325    63.8      55.41

Oil-fired:

                     

Yeosoo #1, 2

   27    500    24.8      63.44
    
  
  
  

Total thermal

   14.7    4,065    76.7    (Won) 39.87
    
  
  
  

 

23


Table of Contents

The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003, for each plant location, the weighted average age, installed capacity, average capacity factor, and average fuel cost of the combined cycle and internal combustion units and pumped storage units KOSEP owns based upon the net amount of electricity generated.

 

   

Weighted Average

Age of Units


  Installed Capacity

 

Average Capacity

Factor


 

Average Fuel

Cost per kwh


    (years)   (megawatts)   (percent)    

Combined cycle and Internal Combustion:

                 

Bundang GT #1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 /ST #1, 2

  9   900   42.9   (Won) 73.13

Pumped storage(1):

                 

Muju #1, 2

  8   600   11.8   (Won) 31.28

(1) During periods of low energy usage, these pumped storage stations use electricity from other generating plants to pump water from lower to higher elevations to be available for increased production during periods of peak energy usage or to supplement production in case of unplanned shutdowns at other generating plants.

 

KOMIPO

 

As of December 31, 2003, KOMIPO had 17 thermal units, including eight coal-fired units with aggregate installed capacity of 3,400 megawatts, three oil-fired units with aggregate installed capacity of 160 megawatts and six LNG-fired units with aggregate installed capacity of 1537.5 megawatts, constituting a total installed capacity of 5,097.5 megawatts for its thermal units. KOMIPO also had 13 combined cycle and internal combustion units with aggregate installed capacity of 1,855 megawatts.

 

The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003, for each plant location, the weighted average age, installed capacity, average capacity factor and average fuel cost of the thermal units KOMIPO owns based upon the net amount of electricity generated.

 

    

Weighted Average

Age of Units


   Installed Capacity

  

Average Capacity

Factor


  

Average Fuel

Cost per kwh


     (years)    (megawatts)    (percent)     

Bituminous:

                     

Boryeong #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

   13.4    3,000    88.6    (Won) 14.42

Anthracite:

                     

Seocheon #1, 2

   20.5    400    64.2      56.66

Oil-fired:

                     

Jeju #1, 2, 3

   4.5    160    74.8      63.57

LNG-fired:

                     

Seoul #4, 5

   33.9    388    19.6      101.04

Incheon #1, 2, 3, 4

   28.1    1,150    10.0      82.22
    
  
  
  

Total thermal

   18.6    5,098    63.3    (Won) 24.00
    
  
  
  

 

24


Table of Contents

The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003, for each plant location, the weighted average age, installed capacity, average capacity factor and average fuel cost of the combined cycle and internal combustion units KOMIPO owns.

 

    

Weighted Average

Age of Units


   Installed Capacity

  

Average Capacity

Factor


  

Average

Fuel

cost per kwh


     (years)    (megawatts)    (percent)     

Combined cycle and internal combustion:

                     

Boryeong Combined Cycle G/T #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. S/ T#1, 2, 3, 4

   4.4    1,800    28.9    (Won) 65.92

Jeju G/T #3

   26.3    55    0.4      260.03
    
  
  
  

Total combined cycle and internal Combustion

   5.3    1,855    27.6    (Won) 66.00
    
  
  
  

 

KOWEPO

 

As of December 31, 2003, KOWEPO had eleven thermal units, including seven coal-fired units with aggregate installed capacity of 3,066 megawatts and four oil-fired units with aggregate installed capacity of 1,400 megawatts, constituting a total installed capacity of 4,466 megawatts for its thermal units. KOWEPO also had 21 combined cycle and internal combustion units with aggregate installed capacity of 2,280 megawatts and two pumped storage units with aggregate installed capacity of 600 megawatts.

 

The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003 for each plant location, the weighted average age, installed capacity, average capacity factor and average fuel costs of the thermal units KOWEPO owns based upon the net amount of electricity generated.

 

    

Weighted Average

Age of Units


   Installed Capacity

  

Average Capacity

Factor


  

Average Fuel

Cost per kwh


     (years)    (megawatts)    (percent)     

Bituminous:

                     

Taean #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

   5.6    3,000    88.9    (Won) 13.98

Anthracite:

                     

Kunsan #1

   35.2    66    74.7      68.94

Oil-fired:

                     

Pyeongtaek #1, 2, 3, 4

   22.1    1,400    48.9      61.49
    
  
  
  

Total thermal

   11.2    4,466    76.2    (Won) 24.42
    
  
  
  

 

25


Table of Contents

The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003, for each plant location, the weighted average age, installed capacity, average capacity factor and average fuel cost of the combined cycle and internal combustion units KOWEPO owns based upon the net amount of electricity generated.

 

    

Weighted Average

Age of Units


   Installed Capacity

  

Average Capacity

Factor


  

Average Fuel

Cost per kwh


     (years)    (megawatts)    (percent)     

Combined cycle and internal combustion:

                     

Pyeongtaek Combined Cycle

   10.8    480    21.1    (Won) 89.00

West Incheon Combined Cycle

   11.5    1,800    45.3      60.95
    
  
  
  

Total combined cycle and internal Combustion

   11.4    2,280    40.2      64.06
    
  
  
  

Pumped storage:

                     

Samryangjin #1

   18.1    300    11.5      —  

Samryangjin #2

   18.0    300    11.1      —  
    
  
  
  

Total pumped storage

   18.1    600    11.3    (Won) —  
    
  
  
  

 

KOSPO

 

As of December 31, 2003, KOSPO had 10 thermal units, including six coal-fired units with aggregate installed capacity of 3,000 megawatts and four oil-fired units with aggregate installed capacity of 420 megawatts, constituting a total installed capacity of 3,420 megawatts for its thermal units. KOSPO also had 25 combined cycle and internal combustion units with aggregate installed capacity of 2,845 megawatts and two pumped storage units with aggregate installed capacity of 400 megawatts.

 

The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003 for each plant location, the weighted average age, installed capacity, average capacity factor and average fuel cost of the thermal units KOSPO owns based upon the net amount of electricity generated.

 

    

Weighted Average

Age of Units


   Installed Capacity

  

Average Capacity

Factor


  

Average Fuel

Cost per kwh


     (years)    (megawatts)    (percent)     

Bituminous:

                     

Hadong #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

   5.0    3,000    92.3    (Won) 14.55

Oil-fired:

                     

Youngnam#1, 2

   32.2    400    51.3      57.59

South Jeju #1, 2

   23.9    20    46.2      86.49
    
  
  
  

Total thermal

   8.3    3,420    87.3    (Won) 17.63
    
  
  
  

 

26


Table of Contents

The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003, for each plant location, the weighted average age, installed capacity, average capacity factor and average fuel cost of the combined cycle and internal combustion units and pumped storage units KOSPO owns based upon the net amount of electricity generated.

 

   

Weighted Average

Age of Units


  Installed Capacity

 

Average Capacity

Factor


 

Average Fuel

Cost per kwh


    (years)   (megawatts)   (percent)    

Combined cycle and internal combustion:

                 

Shin Incheon Combined Cycle #3, 4

  7.3   1,800   67.5   (Won) 57.7

Busan Combined Cycle #1, 2

  0.7   900   20.0     54.6

Hallim Combined Cycle

  7.6   105   11.1     124.9

South Jeju Internal Combustion

  12.8   40   77.2     57.9
   
 
 
 

Total combined Cycle and internal Combustion

  5.3   2,845   55.5   (Won) 57.8
   
 
 
 

Pumped storage

  24.2   400   2.8   (Won) 38.8

Cheongpyeong

  0.7   900   20.0   (Won) 54.6

 

EWP

 

As of December 31, 2003 EWP had 14 thermal units, including eight coal-fired units with aggregate installed capacity of 2,900 megawatts and six oil-fired units with aggregate installed capacity of 1,800 megawatts, constituting a total installed capacity of 4,700 megawatts for its thermal units. EWP also had 17 combined cycle and internal combustion units with aggregate installed capacity of 2,100 megawatts and two pumping storage units with aggregate installed capacity of 700 megawatts.

 

The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003, for each plant location, the weighted average age, installed capacity, average capacity factor and average fuel cost of the thermal units EWP owns based upon the net amount of electricity generated.

 

    

Weighted Average

Age of Units


   Installed Capacity

  

Average Capacity

Factor


  

Average Fuel

Cost per kwh


     (years)    (megawatts)    (percent)     

Bituminous:

                     

Dangjin #1, 2, 3, 4

   3.6    2,000    92.5    (Won) 14.28

Honam #1, 2

   18.9    500    78.5      20.89

Anthracite:

                     

Donghae #1, 2

   4.8    400    70.3      44.71

Oil-fired:

                     

Ulsan #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

   27.7    1,800    42.2      57.86
    
  
  
  

Total thermal

   16.3    4,700    69.9      25.87
    
  
  
  

 

27


Table of Contents

The table below sets forth as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003, for each plant location, the weighted average age, installed capacity, average capacity factor and average fuel cost of the combined cycle and internal combustion units and pumping storage units EWP owns.

 

   

Weighted Average

Age of Units


  Installed Capacity

 

Average Capacity

Factor


 

Average Fuel

Cost per kwh


    (years)   (megawatts)   (percent)    

Combined cycle and internal combustion

                 

Ulsan Combined Cycle

  7.2   1,200   15.2   (Won) 69.04

Ilsan Combined Cycle

  9.8   900   40.1     75.53
   
 
 
 

Total combined cycle and internal combustion

  8.4   2,100   25.9     73.36
   
 
 
 

Pumped storage:

                 

Sancheong #1, 2

  2.2   700   11.3     29.44

 

The high average age of the oil-fired thermal units owned by our generation subsidiaries is attributable to our historic reliance on oil-fired thermal units as our primary means of electricity generation. Since the mid- 1970’s we have diversified our fuel sources and constructed fewer oil-fired thermal units than units of other types.

 

Power Plant Recommissioning

 

We have in the past and our generation subsidiaries will continue to supplement our power generation capacity through remodeling or recommissioning our thermal units. The recommissioning included installation of anti-pollution devices, modification of control systems and overall rehabilitation and maintenance of existing equipment. Through 1998, 24 thermal units have been evaluated for life extension, and we had recommissioned Honam #1 and #2 (belonging to EWP) and Inchon #1 and #2 (belonging to KOMIPO) by the end of 2002.

 

28


Table of Contents

Purchased Power

 

We purchased electricity generated by our six generation subsidiaries and some of independent power producers through Korea Power Exchange since April 2, 2001. The power trading results for the year ended December 31, 2003 through Korea Power Exchange are as follows:

 

Power Trading Result

 

     For the Year Ended December 31, 2003

     Items

  

Volume

(Gigawatt hours)


  

Percentage of

Total Volume


   

Sales to KEPCO

(in billions of

Won)


  

Percentage of

Total Sales


   

Unit Price

(Won/kwh)


Generation Companies

   KHNP    125,864    42.0 %   5,065    34.5 %   40.24
     KOMIPO    31,345    10.5     1,782    12.1     56.85
     KOSEP    30,026    10.0     1,454    9.9     48.43
     KOWEPO    37,096    12.4     2,123    14.5     57.23
     KOSPO    37,321    12.4     2,048    14.0     54.89
     EWP    32,544    10.9     1,868    12.7     57.39
     Others    5,314    1.8     329    2.2     61.87
         
  

 
  

 
     Total    299,510    100.0 %   14,669    100.0 %   48.98
         
  

 
  

 

Energy Sources

   Nuclear    124,412    41.5 %   4,983    34.0 %   40.05
     Bituminous coal    110,408    36.9     4,671    31.8     42.31
     Anthracite coal    6,346    2.1     325    2.2     51.20
     Oil    19,118    6.4     1,446    9.9     75.61
     LNG    1,904    0.6     226    1.5     118.92
     Combined cycle    32,328    10.8     2,644    18.0     81.79
     Hydro    2,438    0.8     140    1.0     57.48
     Pumped storage    1,978    0.7     203    1.4     102.74
     Others    578    0.2     31    0.2     53.35
         
  

 
  

 
     Total    299,510    100.0 %   14,669    100.0 %   48.98
         
  

 
  

 

Load

   Base load    240,743    80.4 %   9,957    67.9 %   41.36
     Non-base load    58,767    19.6     4,712    32.1     80.19
         
  

 
  

 
     Total    299,510    100.0 %   14,669    100.0 %   48.98
         
  

 
  

 

 

Cost-Based Pool System

 

We purchase electricity generated by our six generating subsidiaries and some of IPPs through the KPX, which was established in April 2001, under CBP. Under the current CBP, power plants are separated into two groups, one comprising base load plants (nuclear and coal energy sources) and the other comprising non-base load plants (oil, LNG and hydro energy sources). Along with other generation companies, KHNP submits details of its production costs, which are used to determine SMP, BLMP, Non-Base Load CP and Base Load CP, to KPX. Non-Base Load CP and Base Load CP representing fixed costs of non-base load units and base load units, respectively, are settled separately from the CBP. SMP and BLMP used to calculate prices are based on the highest variable costs among the plants in operation by merit order submitted to the power pool. For details of the pool system, see “—Restructuring of the Electricity Industry in Korea—Phase II”.

 

In 2003, the average settlement price of BLMP was (Won)18.17/kWh. For the same period, the average settlement price of SMP was (Won)50.73/kWh. The Base Load CP and Non-Base Load CP for 2003 were (Won)21.49/kWh and (Won)7.17/kWh, respectively.

 

29


Table of Contents

Power purchased from Independent Power Producers

 

We also purchased an aggregate of 11.1 billion kilowatt hours of electricity generated by independent power producers under existing power purchase agreements in 2003. We purchased the entire power output of a privately-owned combined cycle unit, a number of hydroelectric units owned by the Government-owned Korea Water Resources Corporation and certain other small hydroelectric units owned by private business, with an aggregate capacity of 4,026 megawatts. Other generating units, with an aggregate capacity of 4,085 megawatts as of December 31, 2003, generate electricity primarily for the purposes of the industrial owners of such units. Excess electricity generated by some of these units is sold to us.

 

Transmission and Distribution

 

We are currently the only company engaged in the transmission and distribution of electricity in the Republic. As of December 31, 2003, we had in operation 603 substations with an installed transformer capacity of 173,066 megavolt-amperes.

 

As of December 31, 2003, the transmission system comprised approximately 28,260 circuit kilometers of lines of 66 kilovolts or more including High Voltage Direct Current (“HVDC”). Our distribution system includes 1,023,776 kilometers of total line length with an aggregate transformer capacity of 76,356 megavolt-amperes. We began laying underground distribution lines in 1973 to increase efficiency and reduce customer concerns regarding exposed cables and, at December 31, 2003, this process had been completed for 47.4% of the distribution lines in Seoul and 9.8% of the distribution lines in the Republic as a whole. We plan to continue laying such underground distribution lines.

 

In recent years, we have invested heavily in our transmission and distribution systems to expand capacity and to increase efficiency. Current projects include increasing transmission capability for the existing transmission lines. By December 31, 2003, we upgraded the service voltage for households from 110 volts to 220 volts for 100% of the households in the Republic. Improvements in technology and facilities have also enabled us to increase holding rate frequency, a measure of the constancy of the frequency of electric charge delivered, from 81.9% in 1982 to 99.7% in 2003 and to reduce power outage per customer from 733 minutes in 1982 to 19.7 minutes in 2003. We achieved a transmission and distribution loss factor of 4.43% in 2003.

 

As we anticipate making substantial additions to our generating capacity in the near term, we will need to make significant investments in expanding our transmission and distribution facilities. We will need to make additional capital expenditures to improve existing facilities, strengthen our nationwide power grids and increase the proportion of underground distribution lines.

 

Some of the facilities we own and use in our distribution system employ rights of way and other concessions granted by authorities in the municipalities and at other local areas where the facilities are located. These concessions have generally been renewed at expiration.

 

Fuel

 

Nuclear

 

All uranium ore concentrates, conversion and enrichment services are imported from sources outside Korea (including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, South Africa, Canada and Australia) and are paid for with currencies other than Won, primarily in U.S. dollars.

 

In order to ensure stable supply, KHNP enters into long-term and medium-term contracts with various suppliers, and supplement such supplies with purchases of fuels on spot markets.

 

In 2003, KHNP purchased approximately 85%, or 2,977 tons, of its uranium concentrates requirement under long-term supply contracts with suppliers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, South

 

30


Table of Contents

Africa, Kazakhstan and the United States. Under the long-term supply contracts, the purchase prices of uranium concentrates are adjusted annually based on base price and spot market price prevailing at the time of actual delivery. In addition, KHNP purchased 15%, or 529 tons, of its uranium concentrates requirement through spot contracts mainly from Kazakhstan. Non-Korean suppliers provide the conversion and enrichment of uranium concentrates and Korean suppliers provide fabrication of fuel assemblies. Contract prices for processing of uranium are adjusted annually in accordance with the general rate of inflation with exceptions for certain fixed contract prices. KHNP intends to obtain its uranium requirements in the future, in part, through purchases under long-term and medium-term contracts and, in part, through spot market purchases.

 

Coal

 

As of December 31, 2003, 29.2% of our total installed generating capacity (not including capacity of others) was represented by plants burning bituminous coal and 2.3% of such generating capacity was represented by plants burning anthracite coal.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2003, our generation subsidiaries purchased 41.5 million tons of bituminous coal. Most of our bituminous coal requirements are imported from China, Australia, Indonesia, Canada, Russia and the United States, with approximately 74% purchased under long-term contracts and 26% purchased on the spot market. Certain of our long-term contracts relate to specific generating plants and extend through the end of the projected useful lives of the specific plants, subject in some cases to periodic renewal. Pursuant to the terms of our long-term supply contracts, prices are adjusted annually in light of market conditions. The average cost of bituminous coal per ton purchased under such contracts was approximately (Won)37,694 in 2003. Recently, due to increase in domestic demand in China and elsewhere in the world, the prices of bituminous coal have soared. Combined with the effects of rising shipping cost for bituminous coal, our generation subsidiaries will be unable to secure their respective bituminous coal supply at prices comparable to those of prior periods. See Item 3 “Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to KEPCO—Recent increase in fuel prices will adversely affect our results of operations and profitability”.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2003, our generation subsidiaries purchased 4.7 million tons of anthracite coal. Our generation subsidiaries purchase our anthracite coal requirements in Korea under long-term contracts with the Korea Coal Mines Cooperative and Korea Coal Corporation, which is wholly-owned by the Government. The prices for anthracite coal under such contracts are set by the Government. The average cost of anthracite coal per ton purchased under such contracts was approximately (Won)73,779 in 2003.

 

Oil

 

Our generation subsidiaries purchased approximately 28.7 million barrels of fuel oil (including gasoline for internal combustion) in 2003. We acquired approximately 82% of this fuel oil through competitive open bidding among five Korean refiners for three-month terms of supply. We purchased the remainder through international open bidding (including local refineries and traders) for individual cargoes. Purchase prices are based on the spot market in Singapore. The average cost per barrel was approximately (Won)40,651 in 2003.

 

LNG

 

For the year ended December 31, 2003, we purchased approximately 4.8 million tons of LNG from Korea Gas Corporation (“KGC”), a Korean corporation of which we own 24.5%. We entered into a 20-year LNG supply contract (the “LNG Contract”) with KGC which is to expire in November 2006. Under the terms of the LNG Contract, our annual minimum purchase quantity is determined by our negotiations with KGC, subject to the Government’s approval, and may be adjusted through negotiations between the parties. Our generation subsidiaries are under a “take-or-pay” obligation to KGC to the extent of our annual minimum purchase quantity. The annual purchase price for LNG is determined by our negotiation with KGC, subject to approval by the MOCIE. KGC imports LNG primarily from Indonesia and Malaysia and supplies LNG to us and other Korean

 

31


Table of Contents

gas companies. We believe quantities of LNG provided under such contract will be adequate for our generation subsidiaries’ needs for the next several years. The average cost per ton of LNG under such contract was approximately (Won)400,423 in 2003.

 

Hydroelectric

 

The availability of water for hydroelectric power depends on rainfall and competing uses for available water supplies, including domestic and industrial consumption, agriculture and irrigation. Pumping storage enabled us to increase available supplies of water for use during periods of peak demand.

 

Sales and Customers

 

Our results of operations, sales in particular, are dependent upon demand for electricity in Korea and the rates we charge for the electricity we sell.

 

Demand for electricity in the Republic grew at a compounded average rate of 8.7% per annum for the five years ended December 31, 2003. According to The Bank of Korea, real gross domestic product (“GDP”) compounded growth rates was approximately 6.4% for the same period. The GDP growth rate was 3.1% for 2003 as compared to 7.0% in 2002. Demand for electricity may be broken down by class of customers as follows:

 

  The industrial sector is currently the largest user of electricity in Korea. While demand from the industrial sector (including the agricultural sector) has increased steadily as a result of economic expansion in Korea, it has gradually declined as a percentage of total demand from 58.0% of total demand in 1997 to 51.2% in 2003. In addition, demand from the industrial sector (including the agricultural sector) increased by 4.1% to 150,387 million kilowatt hours in 2003 as compared to 2002.

 

  The commercial sector currently accounts for 33.6% of electricity consumed in Korea. Demand from the commercial sector has increased in recent years, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of total demand. The commercial sector has shown the highest rate of growth in demand since 1980. Demand from the commercial sector increased by 7.5% to 98,640 million kilowatt hours in 2003 as compared to 2002.

 

  Demand from the residential sector increased by 5.4% to 44,572 million kilowatt hours in 2003 as compared to 2002.

 

The rapid growth in Korea’s economy since the early 1960’s has resulted in substantial growth in the demand for electricity. While the world-wide economic recession of the early 1980’s slowed economic growth in Korea, in the latter half of the 1980’s, the Republic’s economy resumed its rapid growth, leading to substantial increases in demand for electricity. The slow economic growth in Korea in the early 1990’s resulted in a slight decline in the growth of demand for electricity. However, consumption levels, particularly during periods of peak demand, continue to press the limits of available supply. Total demand for electricity in 2001 increased by 7.6% as compared to 2000. The total demand for electricity in 2002 increased by 8.0% as compared to 2001, and the total demand in 2003 increased by 5.4% as compared to 2002. The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the annual rate of growth in Korea’s gross domestic product (“GDP”) and the annual rate of growth in electricity demand (measured in total annual electricity consumption).

 

     1999

    2000

    2001

    2002

    2003

 

Growth in GDP (at 2000 constant prices)

   9.5 %   8.5 %   3.8 %   7.0 %   3.1 %(1)

Growth in electricity consumption

   10.7 %   11.8 %   7.6 %   8.0 %   5.4 %

(1) Preliminary

 

Electricity demand in the Republic varies within each year for a variety of reasons other than general growth in demand. Electricity demand tends to be higher during daylight hours due to commercial and industrial activity

 

32


Table of Contents

and electrical appliance use during such periods. Due to air conditioner use, electricity demand is higher during the summer than during any other season. Variations in weather conditions may also cause significant variations in electricity demand.

 

Demand by Class of Customer

 

The table below sets forth the consumption of electric power by usage for the periods indicated.

 

     1999

   2000

   2001

   2002

   2003

  

% of
Total

2003


     (Gigawatt hours)    (percent)

Industrial

   120,859    132,260    135,791    144,454    150,387    51.2

Commercial

   58,775    70,173    82,729    91,719    98,640    33.6

Residential

   34,581    37,102    39,211    42,278    44,572    15.2
    
  
  
  
  
  

Total

   214,215    239,535    257,731    278,451    293,599    100.0
    
  
  
  
  
  

 

Demand during the first quarter of 2004 increased by 5.6% to 80,189 million kilowatt hours as compared to the corresponding period in 2003.

 

Industry is the largest user of electricity in Korea. While demand from the industrial sector (including the agricultural sector) has increased steadily as a result of economic expansion in the Republic, it has gradually declined as a percentage of total demand from 58.0% of total demand in 1997 to 51.2% in 2003. Demand from the industrial sector (including the agricultural sector) increased by 4.1% to 150,387 million kilowatt hours in 2003 as compared to 2002.

 

Demand from the commercial sector has increased in recent years, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of total demand. The rapid expansion of the service sector of the Korean economy has resulted in increased office building construction, office automation and use of air conditioners. Growth in the commercial sector is also attributable to the construction industry and the expansion of the leisure and distribution industries. The commercial sector has shown the highest rate of growth in demand since 1980. Demand from the commercial sector increased by 7.5% to 98,640 million kilowatt hours in 2003 as compared to 2002.

 

In 2003, we serviced about 12 million households, or almost all of the households in the Republic. Continuing increase in demand from the residential sector is due primarily to increases in population and increased use of air conditioners and other electrical appliances. Demand from the residential sector increased by 5.4% to 44,572 million kilowatt hours in 2003 as compared to 2002.

 

Demand Management

 

Our ability to provide an adequate supply of electricity is principally measured by the facility capacity reserve ratio and the supply capability reserve ratio. The facility capacity reserve ratio represents the difference between peak usage during a year and installed capacity as of the time of such peak usage expressed as a percentage of such installed capacity. The supply capability reserve ratio represents the difference between peak usage in a year and average available capacity as of the time of such peak usage expressed as a percentage of such peak usage. The following table sets forth our facility capacity reserve and supply capability reserve ratios for the periods indicated.

 

     1999

   2000

   2001

   2002

   2003

     (percent)

Facility reserve ratio

   19.1    16.8    15.1    15.3    18.4

Supply reserve ratio

   16.4    12.4    12.9    13.9    17.1

 

33


Table of Contents

While we provide for the growing demand for electricity in Korea primarily by continuously expanding our generating capacity through the addition of new generating facilities, we have also implemented several programs designed to control electricity demand, especially during peak periods. Principal measures are time-of use rate schedules mostly for large-scale customers and a progressive rate structure for residential use of electricity. Other measures include incentives from a public benefit fund for peak load reduction by adjusting vacation or repair schedules and for average load reduction during summer peak hours as well as Government encouragement of measures in building construction (such as use of ice-storage air conditioners) to reduce electricity use and the provision of loans on favorable terms by Government-controlled financial institutions for energy conservation projects with recommendations of the Korea Energy Management Corporation.

 

Rates

 

The Electricity Business Law and the Price Stabilization Act of 1975, as amended (together, the “Rate Laws”), prescribe the procedures for the approval and establishment of rates charged for the electricity we sell. We submit our recommendations for revisions of rates or changes in the rate structure to the MOCIE. The recommendations are reviewed and, upon consultation with the Electricity Rates Expert Committee of the MOCIE and the MOFE, a final determination is made by the MOCIE. Under the recently amended Electricity Business Law, the recommendations shall be reviewed by the Korean Electricity Commission, which was established as a regulatory agency pursuant to such amended law, prior to determination by the MOCIE. On June 20, 2001, the MOCIE announced the new standards for computing electricity rates, which became effective from that date.

 

As contemplated by the Rate Laws, electricity rates are established at levels intended to permit us to recover our operating costs attributable to our basic electricity generation, transmission and distribution operations and to provide a fair investment return on capital employed in those operations. For the purposes of rate approval, operating costs are the sum of:

 

  operating expenses plus

 

  adjusted income taxes.

 

Fair investment return is equal to the rate base times a fair rate of return. The rate base is equal to the sum of:

 

  net utility plant in service (equal to utility plant minus accumulated depreciation minus revaluation reserve) plus

 

  working capital for two months (equal to 2/12 of operating expenses other than depreciation expenses and any other non-cash expenses) plus

 

  construction in progress using equity fund.

 

The amounts used for the variables in the rates are those projected by us for the periods to be covered by the rate approval. There is no provision for prior period adjustments to compensate us.

 

For the purpose of determining fair investment return, the rate base is divided into two components proportionate to our total stockholders’ equity and our total debt. The fair rate of return permitted in relation to the debt component of the rate base is set at a level designed to approximate our anticipated interest cost on long-term debt for the periods covered by the rate approval. The approved fair rate of return on the debt component of the rate base is 5.3%. The fair rate of return permitted in relation to the equity component of the rate base is set at a level equal to the expected rate of return on investment calculated using a formula provided in the new standards. The approved fair rate of return on the equity component of the rate is 7.53%.

 

The Rate Laws do not contemplate any determination of the reasonableness of operating expenses or any other items (other than the level of fair investment return) for the purposes of the rate calculation. However, the Government exercises substantial control over our budgeting and other financial and operating decisions.

 

34


Table of Contents

In addition to the calculations described above, a variety of other factors are considered in setting overall rate levels. These other factors include consumer welfare, our projected capital requirements, the effect of electricity rates on inflation in the Republic and the effect of rates on demand for electricity.

 

In the latter half of the 1980s, our actual rate of return on equity generally exceeded the rate of return on equity assumed for the purposes of rate approvals principally as a result of declining fuel costs and higher than anticipated growth in demand. As a consequence, we implemented rate reductions averaging 7.6% in 1987, 7.6% in 1988, 7.0% in 1989 and 3.7% in 1990. However, primarily because of changes in fuel prices and growth in capital investment, and in order to encourage conservation of electricity and to secure internal cash for capital expenditures, rates were increased by an average of 4.9% in June 1991, 6.0% in February 1992, 4.2% in May 1995. More recently, in order to compensate for the Won depreciation which caused our fuel expenditure to increase, rates were increased by 5.9% in July 1997, 6.1% in January 1998, 5.3% in November 5, 1999 and 4.0% in November 2000 across the board. From 1997 through 2003, our actual rate of return on invested capital generally was below the rate of return assumed for the purpose of rate approvals.

 

Our rate schedule is organized by types of use: principally industrial, commercial, residential, educational and agricultural. The rates charged for electricity vary among the different classes of consumer.

 

Rates also vary depending upon the voltage used, the season, the time of day, the option of rate selected by the user and, in the residential sector, the amount of electricity used per household, as well as other factors. Beginning with the first six months of 1995, we adjusted seasonal rate variations by removing the month of June from the summer period when peak rates are in effect and increasing the rates for the months of October, November, December, January, February and March to correspond more closely to peak demand variations.

 

Our current rate schedule, which was last revised as of March 1, 2004 is summarized below by type of consumer:

 

Industrial. The basic charge varies from (Won)4,020 per kilowatt to (Won)5,070 per kilowatt depending on the type of contract, the voltage used and the option of rate. Energy usage charge varies from (Won)28.00 per kilowatt hour to (Won)118.60 per kilowatt hour depending on the type of contract, the voltage used, the season, the time of day and the option of rate.

 

Commercial. The basic charge varies from (Won)5,170 per kilowatt to (Won)6,130 per kilowatt depending on the type of contract, the voltage used and the option of rate. Energy usage charge varies from (Won)36.00 per kilowatt hour to (Won)148.10 per kilowatt hour depending on the type of contract, the voltage used, the season, the time of day and the option of rate.

 

Residential. Residential rates include a basic charge ranging from (Won)370 for electricity usage of less than 100 kilowatt hours to (Won)11,440 for electricity usage in excess of 500 kilowatt hours. Residential rates also include an energy usage charge ranging from (Won)52.00 to (Won)606.80 per kilowatt hour for electricity usage depending on the amount of usage and voltage.

 

Educational. The basic charge varies from (Won)4,830 per kilowatt to (Won)5,870 per kilowatt depending on the voltage used and the option of rate. Energy usage charge varies from (Won)50.90 per kilowatt hour to (Won)86.20 per kilowatt hour depending on the voltage used, the season and the option of rate.

 

Agricultural. The basic charge varies from (Won)340 per kilowatt to (Won)1,060 per kilowatt depending on the type of usage. The energy usage charge varies from (Won)20.40 per kilowatt-hour to (Won)36.10 per kilowatt hour depending on the type of usage.

 

Effective June 1, 2002, the MOCIE adjusted the progressive rates for residential electricity usage. Such progressive rates for residential electricity usage originally started in 1974 following the oil crisis of 1973 as a way of inducing reasonable and economical usage of electricity and energy. Seven different rates are

 

35


Table of Contents

progressively imposed according to the average amount of electricity used. When average residential electricity rates increased 3.3% in November 2000, rates for electricity usage below 300 kilowatt hours did not increase, but the progressive rates were further strengthened by a 20% increase for electricity usage between 301 kilowatt hours and 400 kilowatt hours and by a 40% increase for electricity usage over 400 kilowatt hours. As a result of ever increasing electricity usage of the average household, however, the previous base amount for the application of progressive rates, 300 kilowatt hours, has been raised to 400 kilowatt hours. In addition, residential high-voltage rates have also been established, taking into account the gap between the costs of high-voltage and low-voltage electricity. Finally, the MOCIE established the Electric Power Industry Basis Fund to enable the Government to take over public service aspects of our business as part of the implementation of the Restructuring Plan. Electricity charge and charge for the Electric Power Industry Basis Fund are separately billed.

 

On January 1, 2003, as part of a plan to improve the tariff structure, the MOCIE adjusted the rates among the various types of consumers. As a result of this rate adjustment, industrial rates increased by 2.5%. On the other hand, residential and commercial rates decreased by 2.2% and 2.0%, respectively.

 

On March 1, 2004, the MOCIE further revised our rate schedule, which resulted in a 1.5% reduction in rates. Residential, commercial and educational rates decreased by 2.8%, 3.5% and 3.0%, respectively. Industry rates were frozen at previous levels despite our request for an increase.

 

Power Development Strategy

 

After the amendment of the Electricity Business Law on December 13, 2000 and the separation of our generation subsidiaries, the Government released the first of Long-Term Electricity Supply and Demand Basic Plan (the “Basic Plan”) on August 17, 2002. The Basic Plan will serve as a guideline for a stable medium and long term supply of electric power. The Basic Plan will not be spearheaded by the Government but will instead be led by our generation subsidiaries.

 

The Basic Plan aims to ensure a stable, cost-effective and environmentally clean source of electric power through 2015. Among its main objectives are (1) to reduce peak demand by active implementation of a demand side management program, (2) to maintain an optimum level of installed capacity with proper supply system reliability, (3) to maintain an optimum capacity mix considering site, environmental impact and cost, (4) to reduce the total anticipated electricity generation cost by developing alternate sources of power and extending the useful life of existing plants and (5) to continue to produce electricity in an environmentally clean manner. The Basic Plan is based upon, among other factors, the anticipated growth in Korea’s economy and unpredictability of various factors affecting the electricity demand. Our capital investment program described under “—Capital Investment Program” reflects these objectives and is generally intended to implement the Basic Plan.

 

The Basic Plan contemplates that independent power producers will build a total of four power generation units, consisting of four LNG-fired combined cycle units, with a combined installed capacity of 1,920 megawatts by 2006. In the initial phase of the Basic Plan, the Government selected proposals from LG Energy and Hyundai Energy for the development of a 500.7 megawatt LNG-fired plant and a 471.9 megawatt LNG-fired plant. The development of a 500.7 megawatt LNG-fired plant was completed in March 2001 and commenced commercial operating in April 1, 2001, and the development of a 471.9 megawatt LNG-fired plant will be completed in 2005. In Phase II, Daegu Electric Company was selected as the independent power producer to develop two 473.5 megawatt-producing LNG-fired plants to be completed by 2005 and 2006. The construction schedule of power plants to be developed by independent power producers may be delayed.

 

The Basic Plan is subject to change depending upon a variety of factors, including demand growth projections, availability and cost of financing, changes in fuel prices and availability of fuel, ability to acquire necessary plant sites, environmental considerations, community opposition and other factors.

 

36


Table of Contents

Capital Investment Program

 

This table below sets forth for each year in the three-year period ending December 31, 2003, the amounts of capital expenditures (including capitalized interest) for the construction of generating, transmission and distribution facilities:

 

2001


  

2002


  

2003


(in billions of Won)
(Won)7,299    (Won)6,653    (Won)6,782

 

In accordance with the objectives of the Basic Plan, our generation subsidiaries currently intend to add new installed capacity of 32,640 megawatts during the period from 2002 to 2015 by constructing or expanding the capacity of 12 nuclear units, 20 LNG-fired combined cycle internal combustion units, 16 coal-fired units, two oil-fired units and 20 hydroelectric units and others. According to the Plan, the total capacity of all generating facilities in 2015 will be 76,925 megawatts, of which nuclear power plants will contribute 34.6%, coal-fired plants 28.9%, LNG combined plants 25.4%, oil-fired plants 2.9% and hydroelectric and other plants 8.2%.

 

The table below sets forth information as to the currently estimated date of completion and installed capacity of new or expanded generating units to be completed by our generation subsidiaries according to the Basic Plan in each year through the year 2007.

 

Year


   Number of Units

   Type of Units

   Total Installed Capacity

          (megawatts)     

2004

   2
2
1
1
1
   Coal-fired
LNG-fired combined cycle
Nuclear
Alternative energy
Oil-fired
   1,600.0
900.0
1,000.0

6.0
1.4

2005

   3
1
2
2
   LNG-fired combined cycle
Nuclear

Pump storage hydroelectric
Coal-fired
   1,395.4
1,000.0
500.0
700.0

2006

   1
1
4
   LNG-fired combined cycle
Coal-fired

Pumped storage hydroelectric
   450.0
500.0
1,100.0

2007

   3
2
   Coal-fired
Oil-fired
   1,500.0
150.0

 

In the years between 2008 and 2015, our generation subsidiaries plan to complete eight nuclear units with an aggregate installed capacity of 9,600 megawatts, seven coal-fired units with an aggregate installed capacity of 3,600 megawatts and two pumped storage hydroelectric units with an aggregate installed capacity of 800 megawatts.

 

As part of our capital investment program, we also intend to add additional cable transmission lines and to continue to replace above-ground lines with underground cables in densely populated areas. In addition, we plan to improve the existing transmission and distribution systems.

 

The actual number and capacity of generation units and transmission and distribution facilities we and our generation subsidiaries construct and the timing of such construction will depend upon a variety of factors, including demand growth projections, availability and cost of financing, changes in fuel prices and availability of fuel, ability to acquire necessary plant sites, environmental considerations, community opposition and other factors.

 

37


Table of Contents

The table below sets forth for the years from 2004 to 2007, the budgeted amounts of capital expenditures (including capitalized interest) for the construction of generation and transmission and distribution facilities pursuant to our generation subsidiaries’ and our capital investment program. The budgeted amounts may vary from the actual amounts of our generation subsidiaries’ capital expenditures for a variety of reasons, including the implementation of the Restructuring Plan, changes in the number of units to be constructed and the timing of such construction, changes in rates of exchange between the Won and foreign currencies, changes in interest rates and other factors.

 

     2004

   2005

   2006

   2007

   Total

     (In billions of Won)

Generation

                                  

Nuclear

   (Won) 2,266    (Won) 2,030    (Won) 2,566    (Won) 2,757    (Won) 9,619

Thermal

     2,347      2,605      2,281      2,091      9,324
    

  

  

  

  

Sub-Total

     4,613      4,635      4,847      4,848      18,943
    

  

  

  

  

Transmission and Distribution

                                  

Transmission

     1,475      2,233      2,181      1,901      7,789

Distribution

     1,772      1,856      1,987      2,104      7,719

Others

     274      308      303      278      1,163
    

  

  

  

  

Sub-Total

     3,521      4,397      4,472      4,282      16,671
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   (Won) 8,134    (Won) 9,032    (Won) 9,318    (Won) 9,130    (Won) 35,614
    

  

  

  

  

 

Environment and Community Programs

 

The Environment Policy Basic Act of 1990 (as amended) and other related legislation and regulations (the “Environment Acts”), which are principally administered by the Ministry of Environment, regulate atmospheric emissions, wastewater, noise and other emissions from our thermal, hydro and internal combustion power units. We believe that our existing units are currently in substantial compliance with the requirements of the Environment Acts.

 

Atmospheric emissions from generating plants burning fossil fuels include, among other things, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulates. The Environment Acts establish emissions standards relating to, among other things, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulates. Such standards have become more stringent from January 1999 to reduce the amount of permitted emissions.

 

 

The table below sets forth the number of emission control equipment installed to coal-fired power plants by our generation subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003

 

     KOSEP

   KOMIPO

   KOWEPO

   KOSPO

   EWP

Flue Gas Desulphurisation System

   4    6    6    8    7

Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction System

        0    —      —      2

Selective Catalytic Reduction System

        4    —      5    3

Electrostatic Precipitation System

   8    11    10    13    14

Low NO(2) Combustion System

   14    16    14    13    4

 

In order to comply with the new standards, we intend to continue to install additional emissions control equipment as a part of a ten-year program ending in 2010. The installation of such emissions control equipment may also result in increased operating costs. The actual costs of installation and operation of such equipment will depend upon a variety of factors, including, among other things, modifications to emissions limits and the amount of power such equipment will consume.

 

38


Table of Contents

There has been opposition in the Republic to the construction and operation of nuclear generating units. The Act for Supporting the Communities Surrounding Power Plants addresses neighboring community concerns about generating units. Pursuant to this Act, KHNP undertook various activities to address concerns of residents of areas near nuclear units. KHNP has also dedicated a portion of total revenues from electricity sales to community development programs, including educational, income-assistance and other programs. As a result of the amendment of the Act for Supporting the Communities Surrounding Power Plants in December 2000, however, the Government took over such public service aspects of its business. Despite these activities, however, community opposition to the construction and operation of nuclear units could result in a change in construction plans for nuclear units and have a material adverse effect on us.

 

Prior to the construction of a generating unit, KHNP performs an environmental impact assessment which is designed to evaluate public hazards, damage to the environment and concerns of local residents. A report reflecting this evaluation and proposed measures to address the problems identified must be submitted to and approved by the Ministry of Environment prior to construction of the unit. KHNP is then required to implement the measures reflected in the approved report.

 

Nuclear Safety

 

KHNP considers safety as its top priority and focuses on establishing a safety-centered strategy and an integrated safety evaluation system, continued development of nuclear safety technology, radiation safety management and other safety measures in order to maintain highest practicable levels of operational safety.

 

KHNP implements safety measures and controls in the design, fabrication, construction, operation and maintenance of its nuclear generating units to reduce the risk of possible release of radioactive materials. International nuclear plant safety standards are set by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards is generally monitored by the Ministry of Science and Technology. KHNP submits a safety assessment report once every quarter to the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, which is a technical expert organization that performs regulatory functions such as safety reviews, inspections, and development of regulatory technical standards for the regulation of nuclear power plants and radiation facilities, entrusted by the Ministry of Science and Technology. In addition, three of the Ministry of Science and Technology personnel and two of the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety personnel are employed at KHNP’s operation sites full-time, enabling continuous reporting to the regulatory bodies. In addition, the Atomic Energy Act and regulations promulgated thereunder (“Atomic Energy Acts”) specify safety standards for nuclear generating units in the Republic. KHNP’s nuclear units are in compliance in all material respects with the standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency and with requirements under Korean law. In addition, KHNP has exchanged nuclear plant operating experiences, technology and conducted safety peer review with international nuclear entities such as the U.S. Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and World Association of Nuclear Operators on 15 different occasions since 1983. If KHNP or the Ministry of Science and Technology determine safety conditions and measures are inadequate, operation of one or more nuclear units might be suspended temporarily or indefinitely. No material suspension of operation for safety reasons has occurred at any of KHNP’s nuclear units at any time. In November and December 2003, we shut down two of our nuclear power plants, Younggwang-5 and Younggwang-6, as follows. In December 2003, Younggwang-5 accidentally released water exposed to radiation. In consultation with the Government and in response to complaints and concerns raised by the local community, KHNP suspended the operations at Younggwang-5 and engaged a third-party assessment firm in Germany to conduct an assessment of the emission level in this incident and the safety of continued operations of this unit. At the same time, KHNP conducted inspection and overhaul in advance of the original schedule. We estimate that the amount of radiation released in this incident was 1/61,000th of the permitted amount under applicable Korean

 

39


Table of Contents

law. Based upon this assessment, Younggwang-5 resumed its operations on April 28, 2004. In November 2003, during a planned overhaul, we discovered that the thermal sleeve of safety injection nozzle in Younggwang-6 was dislocated from its original position, which raised concerns as to its safety internally as well as with the local community and the Government. In response to these concerns, KHNP suspended its operations and engaged three third-party assessment firms from France, Germany and the United States to conduct an investigation into this problem. After receiving a bill of health as to its safety by the assessment firms, Younggwang-6 resumed its operations on April 6, 2004. See Item 3 “Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to KEPCO—Inherent in the operation of nuclear power generation facilities are numerous hazards risks, any of which could result in a material loss of revenues or increased expenses”.

 

KHNP currently stores nuclear waste from its nuclear power generating units in interim storage facilities located at the site of each of its nuclear generating units. Such storage facilities will be adequate for nuclear waste produced by all of its nuclear generating units until 2008. Prior to an amendment to the Atomic Energy Acts, the Government was responsible for locating site and constructing repository (permanent disposal facilities) for nuclear waste and the Government sought to construct the repository through the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute ((“KAERI”). KEPCO had been required to contribute funds toward the cost of such construction based on the amount of nuclear waste produced by its nuclear generating units. Under an amendment to the Atomic Energy Acts and the Electricity Enterprise Acts, effective January 1, 1997, KEPCO assumed responsibility for nuclear waste disposal administration, including disposal facility construction. KEPCO’s experience in nuclear power management made it possible to formulate and submit a new radioactive waste management plan to the Government calling for the construction of an integrated radioactive waste management facility. According to the plan, construction of the disposal facility for low and intermediate level radioactive waste is expected to be completed by 2008 and construction of the centralized interim storage facility for spent fuel by 2016. Since April 2, 2001, following the creation of six generating subsidiaries spun off from KEPCO, KHNP has been responsible for the costs of, and assumed liability for, these activities related to nuclear waste storage. In close cooperation with the Government, KHNP is currently in the process of locating a site for constructing the necessary repository.

 

Since the operational reform and upgrades in nuclear facilities since 1992, the average level of radiation dose per unit has continuously decreased to reach 0.57 man-Sv in 2003 which was lower than the global average of 1.14 man-Sv/year according to World Association of Nuclear Operations Performance Indicator 2001 Report. In addition, KHNP has in place a Radiation Emergency Plan in preparation for nuclear accidents and conducts regular preventive exercises and drills.

 

Decommissioning

 

Decommissioning of a nuclear power unit is the process whereby it is shut down at the end of its economic life, the fuel is removed and it is eventually dismantled. KHNP has adopted a decommissioning strategy under which the last stage of decommissioning would commence up to 5 to 10 years after unit closure. The decommissioning of the first nuclear unit is not expected to commence before 2013. KHNP retains full financial and operational responsibility for decommissioning its units.

 

Historically, KHNP has recorded expenses for estimated decommissioning costs of nuclear facilities based primarily on a 1992 engineering study supplemented by management analysis and the expected decommissioning dates of its nuclear power plants. During 2003, KHNP obtained a new engineering study and updated its estimate of the expected decommissioning dates for its nuclear power plant. For the accounting treatment of decommissioning costs, see Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Operating Results—Critical Accounting Policies—Decommissioning Costs”.

 

Research and Development

 

We maintain a research and development program concentrated on developing self-reliant of core technology and leading national technology advancement in the electric power business.

 

40


Table of Contents

In order to achieve the goal of bringing our electric technologies up to international standards by the first half of the 21st century, we have adopted the “Electric Technology Development Plan toward 2010”. This strategic plan is being implemented across all areas of our in-house research and development program.

 

The basic goal of our research and development program for the year 2003 was obtaining the highest electric power technology to enable us to become a global electric power leader. To promote research and development for enhancing economical efficiency and to provide a reliable supply of electric power, we invested, as of December 31, 2003, (Won)127 billion in research and development, (Won)4 billion in technological development and (Won)47 billion in building up infrastructure for the education of human resources and the development of computer equipments.

 

In the field of hydroelectric and thermal power, our research and development efforts are primarily focused on developing the power technologies required for the efficient and stable operation of hydro and thermal power plants such as our “Development of Turbine Digital Control System for Thermal Power Plant” project. We also put much emphasis on enhancing plant maintenance, which has proven to be of great importance in maintaining a competitive edge in this field, through accurate damage analysis, environment-friendly inspections and various other protective and optimization measures.

 

In the field of nuclear power, our research and development efforts are primarily focused on developing technology for enhancing the safety and economy of nuclear plants, such as our “Life Time Management for Nuclear Power Plant” project. Our research and development objective for this field is to obtain the technologies necessary to perform reactor/plant safety analysis, radiation control and radioactive waste reduction and seismic monitoring and analysis.

 

KHNP is also performing research and development efforts in the field of nuclear power. KHNP has centered on safety-related research and development for nuclear power. In particular, KHNP is currently operating research and development programs to minimize radiation using various methods and to maximize safety related to management of radioactive waste and reduction of such waste materials by developing disposal repository for low and intermediate level radioactive waste.

 

In 2002, KHNP invested (Won)30 billion in research and development, (Won)136 billion in technological development and (Won)36 billion in building up infrastructure for the education of human resources and the development of computer equipments. In 2003, KHNP invested (Won)12 billion in research and development, (Won)148 billion in technological development and (Won)10 billion in building up infrastructure for the education of human resources and the development of computer equipments.

 

In the field of electric power systems, our research and development efforts have been focused on developing the required technologies and providing the technical support for the stable and reliable operation of power systems, such as “Development of a Flexible Alternating Current Transmission System Operation Technology” project. We have developed technologies for an efficient distribution system, preventive maintenance for substations, system automation, power utilization and demand side management (DSM).

 

Concurrently with carrying on the electric power business, we are committed to developing environment-friendly technologies and are focused on developing technologies for environmental protection and new sources of energy.

 

We invested approximately (Won)196 billion in 2001, (Won)155 billion in 2002 and (Won)178 billion in 2003 on research and development. We had approximately 527 employees engaged in research and development activities as of December 31, 2003.

 

In addition, we have been cooperating closely with many foreign electric utilities and research institutes on a diverse range of projects.

 

41


Table of Contents

The Government has launched several large long-term research and development projects to achieve a self-reliant capability in the field of power generation. We are taking a leading role in this national research and development program which includes the “Korean Next Generation Nuclear Power Plant”, “Flue Gas Desulfurization and Denitrification”, “Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Technologies” and “Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell” development projects.

 

As a result of our research over the past three years, the number of applications we have filed for intellectual property rights and grants has increased in quantity and quality. More than 900 applications were presented at home and abroad in each year from 2001 through 2003.

 

We also try to market the technologies we have developed overseas by identifying key items that had market potential in light of intellectual property, overseas market condition and cost-efficiency issues. We are continuously upgrading our R&D programs to emphasize low-cost, high-efficiency research by restructuring our R&D organization and reallocating and reassigning research personnel.

 

Other Activities

 

In January 2000, we established a telecommunication company, Powercomm for purposes of (i) disposing of our non-core business and (ii) ensuring fair usage and competition through the efficient use of our telecommunication network. We have transferred approximately (Won)713 billion of our fiberoptic network assets as well as approximately (Won)36 billion of cash to Powercomm. As Powercomm has obtained a telecommunications license from the Government, it is capable of operating its telecommunication business independently. In July 2000 we sold 10.5% of our equity interest in Powercomm and in December 2002 we further sold approximately 45.5% of our equity interest, including our management right in Powercomm for (Won)819 billion and in April 2003 we sold a further 1,299,000 shares of Powercomm, representing 0.87% of Powercomm’s total issued and outstanding shares of common stock to Powercomm’s employee stock ownership association. Following such sales, our current ownership interest in Powercomm is 43.1%. Depending on market conditions, we expect to dispose of our the remaining equity interest in Powercomm in domestic and foreign markets. See “—Proposed Sale by Us of Certain Power Plants and Equity Interests”.

 

In order to maximize our operational experience and the full range of services we can offer through our subsidiaries which provide power plant construction and specialized engineering and maintenance services, we have been pursuing international power-related projects. Currently, we are executing two major power projects. We have been running a 650 megawatt oil-fired power plant in Malaya, the Philippines, after three years of rehabilitation since June 1998. We were awarded a 1,200 megawatt Ilijan Combined-Cycle Power Plant, a “Build, Operate and Transfer” project, by National Power Corporation in the Philippines through an international bid in November 1997. This project cost is US$710 million, for which project financing on a limited recourse basis has been provided. The Ilijan Power Plant was commissioned on June 5, 2002. We intend to develop further overseas projects.

 

We have also been awarded a 100-MW coal-fired power plant project in Wuzhi, China and the construction of this project is expected to begin in the second half of 2004.

 

In addition, we are developing overseas transmission & distribution projects. Currently, we are carrying out a feasibility study on a 500kV transmission system in Myanmar and providing services related to transmission and distribution in Libya.

 

KEPCO is also planning to develop overseas projects to secure stable supply of fuel material.

 

The Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (“KEDO”) selected us as their prime contractor in March 1996 to build two units of pressurized light-water nuclear reactors with total capacity of 2,000 megawatts in North Korea. Preliminary work for the project, which commenced in August 1997, was completed on February

 

42


Table of Contents

2, 2000. We entered into a turnkey contract with KEDO on December 15, 1999. Pursuant to the contract which became effective as of February 3, 2000, we commenced full-scale construction of the two pressurized light-water nuclear reactors which is scheduled to be completed within 116 months of commencement. KEDO, members of which include Korea, the United States, European Union and Japan, etc. is responsible for financing of the approximately US$4.6 billion project.

 

The KEDO Project, due to heightened tension in the international arena caused by such factors as the announcement of reactivation of North Korea’s nuclear facilities construction process, has been postponed for the one-year period running from December 1, 2003 to November 30 of this year. We, having inherited the Light Water Reactor Project, are bound by contract for the period of postponement to take steps to prevent deterioration of the quality of our construction facilities or loss of profit, as well as to prepare for prompt renewal of business activities. Accordingly, we are doing our best to maintain the high quality and safety of our construction facilities, despite the fact that the Project is in a dormant state, in order to optimize performance in case of a renewal of the Project.

 

Currently, the business and revenues of these activities are not in the aggregate material to us.

 

Insurance

 

We and our generation subsidiaries carry insurance covering key assets and equipments located at their respective power plants against certain risks, including fire, construction-in-progress, imported fuel and procurement in transit and directors’ and officers’ liability. These insurance and indemnity, however, cover only a portion of the assets that our generation subsidiaries own and operate and do not cover all types or amounts of loss that could arise in connection with the ownership and operation of these power plants.

 

Risks of substantial liability arise from the operation of nuclear-fueled generating units and from the use and handling of nuclear fuel and possible radioactive emissions associated with such nuclear fuel. KHNP maintains property and liability insurance against risks of its business to the extent it considers appropriate and otherwise self-insure against such risks. KHNP carries insurance for its generation units against certain risks, including property damage, nuclear fuel transportation and liability insurance for personal injury and property damage. KHNP is also the beneficiary of a Government indemnity with respect to such risks. Under the Nuclear Damage Compensation Act of 1969, as amended, KHNP is liable only up to 300 million Special Drawing Rights (approximately US$440 million, at the rate of 1 SDR = US$1.46761 as posted on the Internet homepage of the International Monetary Fund on June 25, 2004) per single accident; provided that such limitation will not apply where KHNP intentionally caused the harm or knowingly failed to prevent the harm from occurring. KHNP will receive the Government’s support, subject to the approval of the National Assembly, if (i) the damages exceed the insurance coverage amount of (Won)50 billion and (ii) the Government deems such support to be necessary for the purposes of protecting damaged persons and supporting the development of nuclear energy business. The amount of Government’s support to KHNP for such qualifying nuclear incident would be 300 million SDRs, or the limit of KHNP’s liability, minus the coverage amount of up to (Won)50 billion as determined by the National Assembly. KHNP also carries insurance against terrorism with the insurance coverage being up to $300 million on property and (Won)50 billion on liability. The amounts and coverage of these insurance and indemnity are limited and do not cover all types or amounts of loss which could arise in connection with the ownership and operation of nuclear plants, and material and adverse financial consequences could result from a significant accident.

 

We and our non-nuclear generation subsidiaries do not carry any insurance against terrorist attacks specifically. We maintain casualty and liability insurance against risks of our business to the extent we consider appropriate and otherwise self-insure against such risks.

 

See Item 3 “Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to KEPCO—Insurance coverage may not be sufficient”.

 

43


Table of Contents

Affiliated Companies

 

We have four principal affiliates (companies in which we hold at least 20% and not more than 50% of the share capital) whose accounts are not required to be included in our consolidated financial statements. See Note 1 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements. The table below sets forth for each principal affiliate the name and year of incorporation, our percentage holding and principal activities as of December 31, 2003.

 

     Year of
Incorporation


  

Ownership

(percent)


  

Principal Activities


KGC

   1983    24.5   

Sales of liquefied natural gas

Korea District Heating Co. Ltd

   1985    26.1   

Providing of heat

YTN(1)

   1993    21.4   

Broadcasting

Powercomm Corporation

   2000    43.1   

Communication line leasing

Korea Electric Power Industrial Development Co., Ltd.(2)

  

 

1990

  

 

49.0

  

 

Disposal of power-plant ash and electric meter reading


(1) KEPCO Data Network Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of KEPCO, owns the 21.4% equity interest in YTN.
(2) KEPCO sold a portion of its investment in Korea Electric Power Industrial Development Co., Ltd. during 2003, which reduced its ownership interest to 49.0%

 

The Government announced a plan to privatize Government-invested companies to increase their efficiency and to induce foreign investment in Korea. Pursuant to such plan, we plan to sell all or part of our equity interest in Korea District Heating Co., Ltd. and we intend to sell all or a part of our equity interest in KGC in the future. We sold all of our equity interests in telecommunications companies and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd. in 1999 and 2001, respectively.

 

The completion of our plans, however, is subject to, among other considerations, Government policies relating to us as well as market conditions. We do not believe that such sales will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Competition

 

We are currently the only holder of the required license for transmission and distribution of electricity in the Republic and have no competitors in these areas. Therefore, our principal competition is currently from alternative power and heating sources. The power generation industry is in the process of liberalization, beginning with the establishment of our power generation subsidiaries in April 2001, in accordance with the Restructuring Plan.

 

In the residential market, consumers may use natural gas, oil and coal for space and water heating and cooking. However, currently there is no practical substitute for electricity for lighting and for many household appliances.

 

In the commercial market, electricity is the dominant energy source for lighting, office equipment and air conditioning. In other uses such as space and water heating, natural gas and, to a lesser extent, oil provide competitive alternatives to electricity.

 

In the industrial market, currently there is no practical substitute for electricity in a number of applications including lighting and power for many types of industrial machinery and processes. For other uses, such as space and water heating, electricity competes with oil and natural gas and potentially with gas-fired combined heating and power plants.

 

Regulation

 

We are a statutory juridical corporation established under the KEPCO Act for the purpose of ensuring “stabilization of the supply and demand of electric power, and further contributing toward the sound

 

44


Table of Contents

development of the national economy through expediting development of electric power resources and carrying out proper and effective operation of the electricity business”. The KEPCO Act contemplates that we will engage in the following activities:

 

  development of electric power resources;

 

  the generation, transmission, transformation, distribution of electricity and other related business;

 

  related investment, research and technology development;

 

  business incidental to the foregoing; and

 

  any other business activities entrusted to us by the Government.

 

The KEPCO Act currently requires that our profits be applied in the following order of priority:

 

  first, to make up any accumulated deficit;

 

  second, to set aside as a legal reserve 20% or more of profits until the accumulated reserve reaches one-half of our capital;

 

  third, to pay dividends to stockholders;

 

  fourth, to set aside a reserve for expansion of our business;

 

  fifth, to set aside a voluntary reserve for the equalization of dividends; and

 

  sixth, to carry forward surplus profit.

 

According to our consolidated financial results as of December 31, 2003, the legal reserve was (Won)1,600 billion, the reserve for business expansion was (Won)10,925 billion and the reserve for investment of social overhead capital was (Won)5,012 billion.

 

We are under the supervision of the MOCIE, which has principal responsibility with respect to director and management appointments and rate approval.

 

Because the Government partially owns our capital stock, the Government’s Board of Audit and Inspection may audit our books.

 

The Electricity Business Act requires that licenses be obtained in relation to the generation, transmission and distribution and sale of electricity, with limited exceptions. We possess a license authorizing us to generate, transmit, distribute and sell electricity. Several other companies have received a license solely for power generation. See “—Power Generation—Purchased Power”. Each of our six generation subsidiaries possesses an electricity generation license. No entity other than us has a license for the transmission or distribution of electricity. The Electricity Business Act also governs the formulation and approval of electricity rates in Korea. See “—Rates”.

 

Our operations are subject to a number of laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and safety. See “—Environment and Community Programs”.

 

Proposed Sale by Us of Certain Power Plants and Equity Interests

 

The Government has announced a plan to privatize Government-invested companies to increase their efficiency and to induce foreign investment in Korea. Pursuant to such plan, we sold 28.8% of the total outstanding common stock of Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd., formerly HANJUNG, in 2000 and the remaining equity interest in 2001. We intend to sell all or part of our 26.1% equity interest in Korea District Heating Co., Ltd. and our 24.5% equity interest in KGC at an appropriate time in the future. See “—Affiliated Companies”. In August 2000, we completed the sale of two LNG cogeneration power plants at Anyang

 

45


Table of Contents

and Puchon, Korea, each with an installed capacity of 450 megawatts, to LG Power Company Limited, which was established by a consortium of companies, including the LG-Caltex Oil Corporation, LG-Caltex Gas Corporation, Ltd., Kukdong City Gas Co., Ltd. and Texaco Power and Gasification Global Inc. See “—Power Generation”. The sale of these two power plants was pursued independently of the Government’s restructuring plan as described below but is paving the way for the privatization of the district heating industry in Korea. We also sold all our equity interests in several Korean telecommunications companies in 1999. In March 2003, as part of our privatization plan we sold 51% of our total equity interest in, which represented in effect control of, Korea Electric Power Industrial Development Co., Ltd. for (Won)64.7 billion. It is our plan to sell the remaining 49% at an appropriate time in the future when market conditions are favorable. In July 2000, we sold 15,757,000 shares of Powercomm, our wholly-owned telecommunications subsidiary, representing approximately 10.5% of Powercomm’s total issued and outstanding shares of common stock. In December 2002 we sold 68,250,000 shares of Powercomm, representing approximately 45.5% of Powercomm’s total issued and outstanding shares of common stock and in April 2003 we sold 1,299,000 shares of Powercomm, representing 0.87% of Powercomm’s total issued and outstanding shares of common stock to Powercomm’s employee stock ownership association. Following such sales, our current ownership interest in Powercomm is 43.1%. In November 2003, we issued an exchangeable bond with a 5-year maturity convertible into a 17% of Powercomm shares that we own in the amount of US$250 million in the international capital market. We are planning to sell down our remaining interest in Powercomm.

 

The completion of our plans, however, is subject to, among other considerations, Government policies relating to us and market conditions. The assets proposed for sale and the related sales and earnings do not, in the aggregate, constitute a material part of our assets or results of operations.

 

PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT

 

Our property consists mainly of power generation, transmission and distribution equipment and facilities in Korea. See “—Business Overview—Power Generation”, “—Transmission and Distribution” and “—Capital Investment Program”. As of December 31, 2003, the net book value of our property was (Won)61,914 billion. No significant amount of our properties are leased.

 

46


Table of Contents

ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

 

You should read the following discussion together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes which appear elsewhere in this report. We expect that the implementation of the Restructuring Plan will over time materially change the environment in which we operate and, accordingly, our historic performance may not be indicative of our future results of operations and capital requirements and resources. See Item 4 “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Restructuring of the Electricity Industry in Korea” and Item 3 “Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to KEPCO—The Government’s Plan for Restructuring the Electricity Industry in Korea (the “Restructuring Plan”) may have a material adverse effect on us”.

 

OPERATING RESULTS

 

Overview

 

For the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003, we had consolidated operating revenues of (Won)18,864 billion, (Won)20,406 billion and (Won)21,834 billion (U.S.$18,317 million), principally from the sale of electricity. As we have a monopoly over the Korean electricity industry, our business is heavily regulated by the Government in terms of the rates we charge to our customers for the electricity we sell. However, our business requires high level of capital expenditures and is subject to a number of variable factors, including demand for electricity in Korea and fluctuation in costs, such as fuel prices which are determined in part by reference to currencies other than the Won.

 

Demand for Electricity and Rates

 

Our results of operations, sales in particular, are dependent upon demand for electricity in Korea and the rates we charge for the electricity we sell.

 

Demand for electricity in the Republic grew at a compounded average rate of 8.2% per annum for the five years ended December 31, 2003. According to The Bank of Korea, real gross domestic product (“GDP”) compounded growth rates was approximately 5.4% for the same period. The GDP growth rate was 3.1% for 2003 as compared to 6.2% in 2002. Demand for electricity may be broken down by class of customers as follows:

 

  The industrial sector is currently the largest user of electricity in Korea. While demand from the industrial sector (including the agricultural sector) has increased steadily as a result of economic expansion in Korea, it has gradually declined as a percentage of total demand from 58.0% of total demand in 1997 to 51.2% in 2003. In addition, demand from the industrial sector (including the agricultural sector) increased by 1.1% to 150,387 million kilowatt hours in 2003 as compared to 2002.

 

  The commercial sector currently accounts for 33.6% of electricity consumed in Korea. Demand from the commercial sector has increased in recent years, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of total demand. The commercial sector has shown the highest rate of growth in demand since 1980. Demand from the commercial sector increased by 7.5% to 98,640 million kilowatt hours in 2003 as compared to 2002.

 

  Demand from the residential sector increased by 5.4% to 44,572 million kilowatt hours in 2003 as compared to 2002.

 

The rapid growth in Korea’s economy since the early 1960’s has resulted in substantial growth in the demand for electricity. While the world-wide economic recession of the early 1980’s slowed economic growth in Korea, in the latter half of the 1980’s, the Republic’s economy resumed its rapid growth, leading to substantial increases in demand for electricity. The slow economic growth in Korea in the early 1990’s resulted in a slight decline in the growth of demand for electricity. However, consumption levels, particularly during periods of peak

 

47


Table of Contents

demand, continue to press the limits of available supply. Total demand for electricity in 2001 increased by 7.6% as compared to 2000. The total demand for electricity in 2002 increased by 8.0% as compared to 2001, and the total demand in 2003 increased by 5.4% as compared to 2002. The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the annual rate of growth in Korea’s gross domestic product (“GDP”) and the annual rate of growth in electricity demand (measured in total annual electricity consumption).

 

     1999

   2000

   2001

   2002

   2003(1)

     (percent)

Growth in GDP (at 1995 constant prices)

   10.9    9.3    3.1    6.3    3.1

Growth in electricity consumption

   10.7    11.8    7.6    8.0    5.4

(1) Preliminary

 

For additional discussions of demand by class of customers, see Item 4 “Business Overview—Sales and Customers—Demand by Class of Customer”. We anticipate that demand for electricity will continue to increase in 2004.

 

The Rate Laws (as defined in “Business—Sales and Customers—Rates”) prescribe the procedures for the approval and establishment of rates charged for the electricity we sell. We submit our recommendations for revisions of rates or changes in the rate structure to the MOCIE. The recommendations are reviewed and, upon consultation with the Electricity Rates Expert Committee of the MOCIE and the MOFE, a final determination is made by the MOCIE. Under the recently amended Electricity Business Law, the recommendations must be reviewed by the Korean Electricity Commission, which was established as a regulatory agency under the amended law, prior to final determination by the MOCIE. On January 1, 2003, as part of a plan to improve the rate structure, the MOCIE adjusted the rates among the various types of consumers. As a result of this rate adjustment, industrial rates increased by 2.5%. On the other hand, residential and commercial rates decreased by 2.2% and 2.0%, respectively. On March 1, 2004, the MOCIE revised our rate schedule, which resulted in a 1.5% reduction of rates. Residential, commercial and educational rates decreased by 2.8%, 3.5% and 3.0%, respectively. Industry rates were frozen at previous levels despite our request for an increase. See “Business—Sales and Customers—Rates”.

 

Increase in Fuel Cost

 

Our results of operations are affected by the cost of producing electricity which is subject to a variety of factors including in particular the cost of fuel.

 

Fuel costs constituted 21.3% and 29.7% of our sales and cost of sales, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2003. Our generation subsidiaries purchase substantially all of the fuel that they use (except for anthracite coal) from a small number of suppliers outside Korea at prices determined in part by prevailing market prices in currencies other than Won. In addition, our generation subsidiaries purchase a significant portion of their fuel requirements under contracts with limited quantity and duration. Pursuant to the terms of our long-term supply contracts, prices are adjusted annually in light of market conditions. See “Business—Fuel”.

 

Uranium accounted for 40.8% of our fuel requirements in 2002 and 42.3% in 2003. Coal accounted for 41.0% of our fuel requirements in 2002 and 41.0% in 2003. Oil (including diesel for internal combustion) accounted for 6.1% of our fuel requirements in 2002 and 5.6% in 2003. Liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) accounted for 11.1% of our fuel requirements in 2002 and 11.3% in 2003. These fuel requirements are measured in each case by the amount of electricity generated and does not include electricity purchased from others. In order to ensure stable supplies of fuel materials, our generation subsidiaries enter into long-term and medium-term contracts with various suppliers, and supplement such supplies with purchases of fuel materials on spot markets. Substantially all of the fuel materials we utilize other than anthracite coal are purchased directly or indirectly from sources outside Korea and are paid for with currencies other than Won.

 

48


Table of Contents

The table below sets forth, for each type of generating unit our generation subsidiaries own, the average fuel cost per kilowatt hour of net electricity generated for the periods indicated. Since the separation of our generation subsidiaries in April 2001, the average fuel cost per kilowatt hour is different for each generation subsidiary. The table does not include fuel costs for units owned by others.

 

     1999

   2000

   2001

   2002

   2003

Nuclear

   (Won) 3.50    (Won) 4.35    (Won) 4.58    (Won) 4.73    (Won) 4.41

Thermal Coal(1)

     14.51      13.27      14.80      16.81      14.73

Oil(2)

     35.21      52.57      51.80      54.03      59.65

LNG

     61.35      87.05      84.00      94.37      89.61

Internal combustion

     44.86      62.33      58.07      64.57      63.03

(1) For bituminous coal
(2) For BC oil

 

Recently, due to increase in domestic demand in China and elsewhere in the world, the prices of bituminous coal have soared. See “Business—Fuel”. Approximately 73% of the combined bituminous coal requirements of our generation subsidiaries are purchased under long-term contracts and 27% purchased on the spot market. The “free on board” price paid for Chinese bituminous coal purchased during 2003 was U.S.$30.80 per ton. We expect the “free on board” price for Chinese bituminous coal to be purchased during 2004 to be approximately U.S.$50.00 per ton. Combined with the effects of rising shipping cost for bituminous coal, our generation subsidiaries will be unable to secure their respective bituminous coal supply at prices comparable to those of prior periods. In addition, any significant interruption or delay in the supply of fuel, bituminous coal in particular, from any of the suppliers could cause our generation subsidiaries to purchase fuel on the spot market at prices higher than contracted, resulting in an increase in our fuel cost. In addition, there have been recent increases in oil prices, resulting in higher fuel cost. Because the Government regulates the rates we charge for electricity we sell as described in “—Demand for Electricity and Rates” above, our ability to pass on such cost increases to our customers is limited. We estimate that the recent increase in fuel prices has had a material adverse effect on our results of operations and profitability in 2004 to date. We expect fuel prices to remain at record high levels throughout 2004. Accordingly, we expect our operating income and net income may decrease significantly in 2004 and beyond compared to prior periods. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Recent increase in fuel prices will adversely affect our results of operations and profitability”.

 

Nuclear power has a stable and low cost structure that forms the base load of Korea’s electricity supply. Due to significantly lower fuel costs as compared with conventional power plants, our nuclear power plants are in general operated at full capacity with only routine shutdowns for check-up and overhaul consisting of 40 to 50 days. In December 2003, in response to concerns of potential exposure to radioactive materials arising from a release incident, we shut down Younggwang-5, one of our nuclear power plants for assessment, inspection and overhaul. This nuclear power plant is scheduled to resume operations in late April 2004. In November 2003, we shut down Younggwang-6, another of our nuclear power plants for planned overhaul, during which a mechanical problem was discovered giving rise to concerns as to its safety. After the overhaul, this nuclear power plant resumed its operations on April 6, 2004. We made up for the shortage in electricity generation resulting from stoppages of these nuclear power plants with power generated by our coal-fired power plants. Because coal-fired power plants carry higher fuel costs, our fuel cost increased further in 2003 as compared to 2002 as a result of the foregoing.

 

Depreciation of the Won against the U.S. dollar or the Japanese Yen

 

Due to adverse economic conditions and reduced liquidity, the value of the Won in relation to the U.S. Dollar and other major foreign currencies declined substantially in 1997 but generally rose in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2003 with the exception of a modest decline in 2002. For fluctuations in exchange rates, see Item 3

 

49


Table of Contents

“Key Information—Selected Financial Data—Currency Translations and Exchange Rates”. Such depreciation had a material effect on the cost of servicing our foreign currency debt and the cost of our purchases of fuel materials and equipment from overseas sources. As of December 31, 2003, approximately 36.2% of our debt was denominated in foreign currencies, principally in Dollars and Yen. The prices for substantially all of the fuel materials and a significant portion of the equipment we purchase are stated in currencies other than Won, generally in Dollars. Since substantially all of our revenues are denominated in Won, we must generally obtain foreign currencies through foreign-currency denominated financings or through the conversion of Won to affect such purchases or service such debt. As a result, any significant depreciation of the Won against the Dollar or other foreign currencies will result in foreign exchange transaction or translation losses and adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. See “Risk Factors—The Impact of Won depreciation may have a material adverse effect on us.”

 

Recent Accounting Changes

 

In August 2002, the Korean Accounting Standards Board (“KASB”) issued Statement of Korea Accounting Standards (“SKAS”) No. 10—“Inventory”. This statement provides accounting and reporting standards for the measurement of acquisition cost and unit cost, and for the valuation of inventory. Under this statement, the inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market value. Net realizable value and current replacement cost are deemed as market value for finished goods, merchandises, work in progress and raw material, respectively. This statement also allows the recognition of reversal of valuation losses up to original cost of inventory. This statement is effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2004. Although early application is permitted, we do not intend to apply this statement before 2004. We do not expect the adoption of this statement to have a significant impact on the financial condition or result of operations.

 

In January 2002, the KASB issued SKAS No. 8—“Securities”. This statement addresses the accounting and reporting standards for investment in equity and debt securities. This statement requires those investments to be classified in three categories; held-to-maturity securities, trading securities and available-for-sale securities. Held-to-maturity securities are reported at amortized cost and trading and available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value. However, non-marketable equity securities in available-for-sale securities are stated at cost if the fair value cannot be reliably determined. Under this statement, unrealizable gains or losses for trading securities and available-for-sale securities are included in current operation and capital adjustments, respectively. This statement is effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2003. We have adopted this statement in 2003 but such adoption did not have a significant impact on our financial condition or result of operation.

 

In December 2001, KASB issued SKAS No. 7 “Capitalization of Financing Costs”. Under this statement, interests and other financing costs on debts should be recorded as periodic expenses in current operations, however, these costs incurred relating to construction of an asset may be capitalized as a part of an asset at our option. Prior to this statement, the aforementioned costs had to be capitalized and not be expensed. This statement also requires that the accounting policy adopted by us for capitalization of financing costs be applied consistently. This statement is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2003. We have chosen the capitalization of financing cost pursuant to this statement. The amount of capitalized financing cost for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 were (Won)548 billion and 524 billion, respectively.

 

In December 2001, KASB issued SKAS No. 6 “Events Occuring after the Balance Sheet Date”. This statement addresses the accounting and reporting standards for reflecting events that occur after the balance sheet date, such as declaration of dividends. As a result of adoption of this statement, dividends proposed for the financial year ended December 31, 2003 but approved by shareholders during 2004 were not reflected in the 2003 balance sheet. Applying this standard we recognized an increase in shareholders’ equity and decrease in current liabilities by (Won)661 billion as of December 31, 2003, as compared with the previous accounting treatment. The prior year financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2002 have been restated to conform to the provision of those standards for comparative purpose.

 

50


Table of Contents

In December 2001, the KASB issued SKAS No. 5 “Tangible Assets”. This statement provides accounting and reporting standards for obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets, for impairment of long-lived assets and for the cost related to the inspection or overhaul of the assets. Under this statement, the present value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation (e.g. dismantlement and restoration costs) should be recognized in the financial statements as a liability and the same amounts are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived assets. The provision of this statement in relation to asset retirement obligation could be applied for our tangible asset acquired before the effective date of this statement. However, we have decided not to apply this provision for our tangible assets acquired before the effective date of this statement. This statement also requires that the costs related to a periodic inspection or overhaul should be capitalized when the costs can be identified as a separate component of the asset, and the costs meet the asset recognition criteria. This statement became effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2003.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Accounting estimates are an integral part of the financial statements prepared by our management and are based upon our management’s current judgments. Notes 2 and 22 of the Consolidated Financial Statements include a summary of the significant accountings policies used in the preparation of our financial statements under Korean GAAP and U.S. GAAP. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) issued disclosure guidance for accounting policies that the management believes are most “critical”. The SEC defines these critical accounting policies as those that are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require the management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgment, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their significance to the financial statements and because of the possibility that future events affecting the estimate may differ significantly from the management’s current judgments. We believe the following represents our critical accounting policies.

 

Regulatory Accounting

 

Under U.S. GAAP, in accordance with SFAS No. 71 “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation”, a regulatory liability or regulatory asset is recognized on the consolidated balance sheet with a corresponding charge or credit to operations when revenues intended to cover some costs are provided for through the rate making process either before or after the costs are incurred. If, as a result of deregulation, we or our subsidiaries no longer meet the criteria for application of SFAS No. 71, the elimination of the regulatory assets and liabilities are charged or credited to current operations. Regulatory assets and liabilities are established based on the current regulation and rate-making process. Accordingly, these assets and liabilities may be significantly changed due to the potential future deregulation or changes in the rate-making process.

 

Decommissioning Costs

 

KHNP accrues for estimated decommissioning costs of nuclear facilities based on engineering studies and the expected decommissioning dates of the nuclear power plant. These costs are included in cost of electric power in the consolidated statement of income. As of December 31, 2003, KHNP has accrued (Won)5,091 billion (US$4,271 million) as the cost of dismantling and decontaminating existing nuclear power plants, consisting of dismantling costs of nuclear plant of (Won)1,950 billion (US$1,636 million) and dismantling costs of spent fuel and radioactive waste of (Won)3,141 billion (US$2,635 million). Annual additions to the reserve are in amounts such that the current costs would be fully accrued for at estimated dates of decommissioning on a straight-line basis, reflecting the inflation rate. The accounting for decommissioning costs for nuclear power plants involves significant estimates related to costs to be incurred many years in the future. During 2003, the Company updated its engineering study on the estimated decommissioning costs of its nuclear facilities and applied the amount prospectively. As a result of this change in estimate, the provision for decommissioning costs increased by (Won)72,888 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. As SKAS No. 5 “Tangible Assets” was issued, KHNP is required to recognize the fair value of liability for an asset retirement obligations (e.g., dismantling and

 

51


Table of Contents

restoration costs) for all assets acquired after December 31, 2002. See Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Operating Results—Recent Accounting Changes”. However, existing asset retirement obligations as of December 31, 2002 are excluded from this standard.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, we adopted SFAS No. 143 “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligation” on January 1, 2003. Under this Statement, the fair value of liabilities for an asset retirement obligations for all existing long-lived assets including those acquired before January 1, 2003 is to be recognized in the period in which they are incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The corresponding amount is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset and expensed using a systematic and rational method over the asset’s useful life. As a result of adopting SFAS No. 143, capitalized asset retirement costs, net of accumulated depreciation and the asset retirement obligation as of December 31, 2003 are (Won)1,752 billion and (Won)4,613 billion, respectively, under U.S. GAAP. As described above, the Company updated its engineering study on the estimated decommissioning costs of its nuclear facilities during 2003. As a result of this change in estimate, under U.S. GAAP, the liability for decommissioning costs and the related net asset increased by (Won)732,010 and (Won)851,452, respectively, million for the year ended December 31, 2003. Also, as a result of this change in estimate, under U.S. GAAP, net income increased by (Won)119,440 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Deferred Income Taxes

 

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities at each separate taxpaying entity. We assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income, and, to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, such deferred tax assets are reduced either by direct write-down under Korean GAAP or by recording a valuation allowance under U.S. GAAP. Changes in the balance of deferred tax assets are reflected in current operations. Estimates of future taxable income involve judgments with respect to future economic factors that are difficult to predict and are beyond our management’s control. As a result, actual amounts could differ from these estimates and the amount of deferred tax assets recognized would need to be increased or decreased accordingly.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

We evaluate the long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management’s judgment, that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. These computations utilize judgments and assumptions inherent in management’s estimate of undiscounted future cash flows to determine recoverability of an asset. If management’s assumptions about these assets change as a result of events or circumstances, and management believes the assets may have declined in value, then we may record impairment charges, resulting in lower profits. Management uses its best estimate in making these evaluations and considers various factors, including the future prices of energy, fuel costs and operating costs. However, actual market prices and operating costs could vary from those used in the impairment evaluations, and the impact of such variations could be material.

 

Results of Operations

 

2003 Compared to 2002

 

In 2003, our revenues from the sale of electric power, the principal component of our operating revenues, increased by 7.0% to (Won)21,834 billion (US$18,317 million) from (Won)20,406 billion in 2002, reflecting primarily a 5.4% increase in kilowatt hours of electricity sold in 2003 which was offset in part by a decrease in electricity rate as of March 1, 2003. The increase in electricity sold was primarily attributable to a 4.4% increase in kilowatt hours of electricity sold to the industrial sector, a 7.3% increase in kilowatt hours of electricity sold to the commercial sector and a 6.8% increase in kilowatt hours of electricity sold to the residential sector.

 

52


Table of Contents

Operating expenses increased by 7.5% to (Won)17,551 billion (US$14,723 million) in 2003 as compared to (Won)16,319 billion in 2002. Of the operating expenses, our power generation, transmission, and distribution expenses, a principal component of our operating expenses, increased by 7.4% to (Won)14,392 billion (US$12,074 million) in 2003 from (Won)13,405 billion in 2002 primarily due to a 10.0% increase in fuel costs as a result of increase in unit fuel cost and increased sale of electricity as well as a 13.0% increase in labor costs. On the other hand, expense for purchased power increased by 14.6% to (Won)1,384 billion (US$1,161 million) in 2003 from (Won)1,207 billion in 2002 as a result of a 11.3% increase in kilowatt hours of power purchased for resale.

 

Our selling and administrative expenses increased 6.5% to (Won)1,236 billion (US$1,037 million) in 2003 from (Won)1,161 billion in 2002. We believe that such increase was primarily attributable to a 6.9% increase in labor expense from (Won)410 billion in 2002 to (Won)438 billion (US$367 million) in 2003 and a 10.7% increase in sales commission expenses, which include fees paid for meter readings and billing, from (Won)253 billion in 2002 to (Won)280 billion (US$235 million) in 2003, which more than offset a 5.3% decrease in depreciation from (Won)57 billion in 2002 to (Won)54 billion (US$45 million) in 2003 and a 14.2% decrease in other commission expense from (Won)127 billion in 2002 to (Won)109 billion (US$91 million) in 2003. As a result of these changes, our operating income for 2003 increased by 3.5% to (Won)5,223 billion (US$4,382 million) as compared to (Won)5,047 billion in 2002.

 

Our net non-operating results showed a loss of (Won)1,114 billion (US$934 million) in 2003 as compared to a gain of (Won)124 billion in 2002. Foreign exchange transaction and translation losses amounted to (Won)207 billion in 2003 as compared to gains of (Won)512 billion in 2002 primarily as a result of only a slight depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Won in 2003 as compared to a more substantial depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Won in 2002 and an appreciation of the Japanese Yen against the Won in 2003. Gain on disposal of investments decreased by 89.6% from (Won)433 billion in 2002 to (Won)45 billion due to the lack of material asset sale in 2003. Valuation loss on currency and interest rate swaps amounted to (Won)94 billion in 2003 as compared to gains of (Won)64 billion in 2002. The aforementioned factors more than offset a decreased in the interest expense by 18.4% from (Won)1,016 billion in 2002 to (Won)830 billion (US$696 million) in 2003 due primarily to a decrease in interest rates.

 

Our effective current tax rate in 2003 was 39.9% as compared to 36.2% in 2002. The increase was due primarily to differences in the period in which revenue and expenses are recognized for financial reporting and tax purpose and an increase in provision for decommissioning reserve, which increase resulted in an increase in taxable income.

 

As a result of the above factors, our net income decreased by 23.8% to (Won)2,323 billion (US$1,949 million) in 2003 as compared to (Won)3,048 billion in 2002.

 

2002 Compared to 2001

 

In 2002, our revenues from the sale of electric power increased by 8.2% to (Won)20,406 billion from (Won)18,864 billion in 2001, reflecting primarily a 8.0% increase in kilowatt hours of electricity sold in 2002. The increase in electricity sold was primarily attributable to a 6.4% increase in kilowatt hours of electricity sold to the industrial sector, a 10.9% increase in kilowatt hours of electricity sold to the commercial sector and a 7.8% increase in kilowatt hours of electricity sold to the residential sector.

 

Other operating revenues decreased by 29.5% to (Won)960 billion in 2002 as compared to (Won)1,361 billion in 2001. The decrease in other operation revenues was primarily due to the exclusion of sales of Powercomm Corporation (“Powercomm”). In 2002, a portion of shares in Powercomm was sold to the third party and as a result of this disposition, Powercomm was excluded from the consolidation from 2002.

 

Operating expenses increased by 0.5% to (Won)16,319 billion in 2002 as compared to (Won)16,236 billion in 2001. Of the operating expenses, our power generation, transmission, and distribution expenses decreased by 2.1% to

 

53


Table of Contents

(Won)13,405 billion in 2002 from (Won)13,685 billion in 2001 primarily due to a 8.9% decrease in fuel costs as a result of decrease in the unit fuel cost. On the other hand, expenses for purchased power increased by 23.4% to (Won)1,207 billion in 2002 from (Won)987 billion in 2001 as a result of a 20.8% increase in kilowatt hours of electricity of power purchased for resale.

 

Our selling and administrative expenses increased 3.8% to (Won)1,161 billion in 2002 from (Won)1,118 billion in 2001. We believe that such increase was primarily attributable to a 17.8% increase in labor expenses from (Won)348 billion in 2001 to (Won)410 billion in 2002, a 7.7% increase in sales commission expenses from (Won)235 billion in 2001 to (Won)253 billion in 2002, a 14.4% increase in commission-others expenses from (Won)111 billion in 2001 to (Won)127 billion in 2002, which more than offset a 24.7% decrease in depreciation from (Won)77 billion in 2001 to 58 billion in 2002, a 62.7% decrease in promotion expenses from (Won)51 billion in 2001 to (Won)19 billion in 2002 and a 33.3% decrease in maintenance expenses from (Won)24 billion in 2001 to (Won)16 billion in 2002. As a result of these changes, our operating income for 2002 increased by 26.5% to (Won)5,047 billion from (Won)3,989 billion in 2001.

 

Our net non-operating results showed income of (Won)124 billion in 2002 as compared to expenses of (Won)1,057 billion in 2001. Interest expenses decreased by 15.5% from (Won)1,203 billion in 2001 to (Won)1,016 billion in 2002 due primarily to a decrease in interest rates. Foreign exchange transaction and translation gains amounted to (Won)512 billion in 2002 as compared to losses of (Won)13 billion in 2001 primarily as a result of the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Won. Gain on disposal of investments increased 167.3% from (Won)162 billion in 2001 to (Won)433 billion in 2002 due primarily to the sales of a portion of our investments in Powercomm in 2002. Gain on repayment of bonds amounted to (Won)13 billion in 2002 as compared to losses of (Won)102 billion in 2001. Valuation gain on currency and interest rate swaps amounted to (Won)64 billion in 2002 as compared to losses of (Won)132 billion in 2001. The aforementioned factors more than offset a decrease in reversal of impairment loss on investment from (Won)23 billion in 2001 to nil, and a decrease in gain on valuation using the equity method of accounting from (Won)98 billion in 2001 to (Won)95 billion in 2002.

 

Our effective current tax rate in 2002 was 36.2% as compared to 37.6% in 2001. The decrease was due primarily to a decrease in the statutory corporate income tax rate (including resident surtax) from 30.8% in 2001 to 29.7% in 2002.

 

As a result of the above factors, our net income increased by 86.4% to (Won)3,048 billion (US$2,569 million) in 2002 as compared to (Won)1,635 billion in 2001.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

We expect that our capital requirements, capital resources and liquidity position may change in the course of implementing the Restructuring Plan. See Item 4 “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Restructuring of the Electricity Industry in Korea” and Item 3 “Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to KEPCO—The Government’s Plan for Restructuring the Electricity Industry in Korea (the “Restructuring Plan”) may have a material adverse effect on us”.

 

Capital Requirements

 

We have traditionally met our working capital and other capital requirements primarily from net cash provided by operating activities, sales of debt securities, borrowings from financial institutions and construction grants. Net cash provided by operating activities was (Won)7,669 in 2001, (Won)8,757 billion in 2002 and (Won)8,311 billion (US$6,972 million) in 2003. Total long-term debt as of December 31, 2003 (including the current portion and discount on debentures on and excluding premium on debentures) was (Won)22,534 billion (US$18,904 million), of which (Won)14,461 billion (US$12,132 million) was denominated in Won and the equivalent of (Won)8,073 billion (US$6,772 million) was denominated in foreign currencies, primarily U.S. dollars. Construction grants received were (Won)564 billion in 2001, (Won)627 billion in 2002 and (Won)618 billion (US$518 billion) in 2003.

 

54


Table of Contents

The implementation of the Restructuring Plan and the current economic environment may result in a material change in our capital investment program. However, we expect our working capital and other capital requirements (including those of our generation and distribution subsidiaries) to continue to increase as a result of our capital investment program. The capital investment program continues to contemplate the construction of a large number of generating units and a significant expansion of our transmission and distribution systems. The construction of new generating units requires significant investments over extended periods before commencement of operations.

 

We anticipate that capital expenditures will be the most significant use of our funds for the next several years. Our total capital expenditures were (Won)7.3 trillion in 2001, (Won)6.7 trillion in 2002, (Won)6.8 trillion in 2003 (US$5.7 billion) and under current plans, are estimated to be approximately (Won)8.1 trillion in 2004 and approximately (Won)9.0 trillion in 2005.

 

We expect our capital investment program as described above to change in the course of implementing the Restructuring Plan.

 

In addition to funding requirements relating to our capital investment program, payments of principal and interest on indebtedness will require considerable resources. The scheduled maturities of our outstanding long-term debt as of December 31, 2003 in the years ending December 31, 2004 to 2008 and thereafter are set forth in the table below:

 

2004


   2005

   2006

   2007

   2008 and
thereafter


(in billions of Won)

(Won)6,624

   (Won)4,652    (Won)3,209    (Won)3,153    (Won)4,897

 

We have incurred interest charges (including capitalized interest) of (Won)2,017 billion in 2001, (Won)1,608 billion in 2002 and (Won)1,333 billion (US$1,118 million) in 2003. We anticipate that interest charges will increase in future years because of, among other factors, anticipated increases in our long-term debt. See “—Capital Resources” below. The weighted average rate of interest on our debt was 6.13% for the year ended December 31, 2002 and 5.78% for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

We paid dividends on our common stock of (Won)333 billion in 2001, (Won)330 billion in 2002 and (Won)512 billion (US$430 million) in 2003. We will pay dividends to holders of our common stock as of December 31, 2003, including the Government, of (Won)662 billion during 2004. The Government holds shares of the same class of common stock as public stockholders. Our articles of incorporation authorize the Government and us to determine the amount of dividends paid to the Government taking into consideration various factors, including our liquidity and capital needs. Accordingly, in the past, we have typically paid dividends to the Government at rates lower than those declared to public stockholders. However, our policy, which is effective for the financial year ended December 31, 2002 and going forward, is to pay dividends to the Government at a rate equal to the dividends paid to public stockholders.

 

Capital Resources

 

In order to meet our future working capital and other capital requirements, we intend to continue to rely primarily upon net cash provided by operating activities, sales of debt securities, borrowings from financial institutions and construction grants. At December 31, 2003, our long-term debt, excluding the current portion thereof, as a percentage of stockholders’ equity was 41.8%. We incurred (Won)3,383 billion of long-term debt in 2002 and (Won)5,378 billion (US$4,511 million) in 2003. At December 31, 2003, we had (Won)210 billion (US$176 million) of short-term borrowings as compared to (Won)158 billion as of December 31, 2002. See Note 11 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

 

55


Table of Contents

Subject to the implementation of the Restructuring Plan, our long-term debt may increase in future years mainly due to the capital expenditure that is necessary to respond to increased power demand. However, as we sell our interests in our generation and other subsidiaries and receive proceeds of such sale, our long-term debt may remain relatively constant or decrease. Until recently, a substantial portion of our long-term debt was raised through foreign currency borrowings. However, in order to reduce the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on our results of operations, we have recently been reducing and plan to continue to reduce the proportion of our debt which is denominated in foreign currencies by, among other methods, borrowing more in the Korean market where interest rates have recently declined substantially. Our foreign currency denominated long-term debt decreased from (Won)8,542 billion as of December 31, 2002 to (Won)8,073 billion (US$6,773 million) as of December 31, 2003. We also intend to continue to reduce the proportion of our foreign currency debt which is denominated in U.S. Dollars.

 

Our ability to incur long-term debt in the future is subject to a variety of uncertainties including, among other things, the implementation of the Restructuring Plan and the amount of capital that other Korean entities may seek to raise in foreign currency markets. Economic, political and other conditions in the Republic may also affect investor demand for our securities and those of other Korean entities. In addition, our ability to incur debt will also be affected by the Government’s policies relating to foreign currency borrowings, the liquidity of the Korean capital markets and our operating results and financial condition. Due to the adverse developments in Korea, however, the price at which such financing may be available may not be acceptable to us.

 

We may raise capital from time to time through the issuance of equity securities. However, there are certain restrictions on our ability to issue equity, including limitations on shareholdings by foreigners. In addition, without changes in the existing KEPCO Act which requires that the Government, directly or pursuant to the KDB Act, through KDB, own at least 51% of our capital stock, it will be difficult or impossible for us to undertake any equity financing other than sales of treasury stock without the participation of the Government. Due to adverse economic developments in Korea, however, the share price at which such financing may be available may not be acceptable to us. See Item 3 “Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Korea and the Global Economy—Adverse developments in Korea could adversely affect us”.

 

Our total stockholders’ equity increased from (Won)30,625 billion at December 31, 1999 to (Won)37,782 billion (US$31,696 million) at December 31, 2003.

 

Liquidity

 

Substantially all of our revenues are denominated in Won. However, as of December 31, 2003, 36.2% of our long-term debt (including the current portion thereof) was denominated in currencies other than Won. We have incurred such foreign currency debt in the past principally due to the limited availability and high cost of Won-denominated financing in the Republic. Although we intend to continue raising substantial amounts of capital through long-term foreign currency borrowings, we have recently been reducing, and plan to continue to reduce, the portion of our debt which is denominated in foreign currencies.

 

We enter into currency swap and other hedging arrangements with respect to our debt denominated in foreign currencies only to a limited extent due primarily to the limited size of the Korean market for such derivative arrangements. See Note 14 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements. Due to the considerable amount of our long-term debt denominated in foreign currencies, changes in foreign currency exchange rates significantly affect our liquidity because of the effect of such changes on the amount of funds required for us to make interest and principal payments on foreign currency-denominated debt.

 

In addition to the impact of foreign exchange rates on us arising from foreign currency-denominated borrowings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates may also affect our liquidity as we obtain substantially all of our fuel materials, other than anthracite coal, directly or indirectly from sources outside Korea and the prices for such fuel materials are based on prices stated in, and in many cases are paid for in, currencies other than Won.

 

56


Table of Contents

Our liquidity is also substantially affected by our construction expenditures and fuel purchases. Construction in progress increased from (Won)7,777 billion as of December 31, 2002 to (Won)9,551 billion (US$8,012 million) as of December 31, 2003. Fuel expense represented 21.6% and 22.2% of revenues from sale of electric power in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

We had a working capital deficit (current liabilities minus current assets) of (Won)4,680 billion as of December 31, 2002 and (Won)4,599 billion (US$3,858 million) as of December 31, 2003. We have traditionally operated with a working capital deficit. In recent periods, our trade notes and accounts payable have been significant in amount as we have met a portion of our working capital needs through deferred payment of certain types of accounts. We contemplate that we will continue to maintain substantial working capital deficits in the future.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2003.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

 

The following summarizes certain of our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2003, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on liquidity and cash flow in future periods.

 

          Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligations


   Total

  

Less than

1 Year


   1 - 3
years


   4 - 5
Years


  

After

5 Years


     (in billions of Won)

Long-Term Debt

   (Won) 22,534    (Won) 6,624    (Won) 7,861    (Won) 6,213    (Won) 1,836

Capital Lease Obligations

     5      4      1      —        —  

Operating Leases

     2      2      —        —        —  

 

For a description of our commercial commitments and contingent liabilities, see Note 19 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

 

We did not have any unconditional purchase obligations as of December 31, 2003. Other long-term contractual obligations include long-term contracts to purchase fuel, including LNG, oil, bituminous coal and anthracite coal. These contracts generally have terms of three months to one year and provide for periodic price adjustments to then-market prices.

 

We did not have any credit lines and guarantee commitments provided to any third parties as of December 31, 2003.

 

For a description of our legal proceedings, see Item 8. “Financial Information—Legal Proceedings”.

 

Inflation

 

The effects of inflation in the Republic on our financial condition and results of operations are reflected primarily in construction costs as well as in labor expenses. Inflation in the Republic has not had a significant impact on our results of operations in recent years. It is possible that inflation in the future may have an adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

57


Table of Contents

Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP

 

The following table sets forth the effects of the significant adjustments to net income and stockholders’ equity which would be required if U.S. GAAP were to be applied to our financial statements instead of Korean GAAP:

 

     Year ended December 31,

 
     2001

    2002

    2003

    2003

 
     (In millions of Won and thousands of US$, except per share data)  

Net income under Korean GAAP

   (Won) 1,634,850     (Won) 3,048,105     (Won) 2,323,425     $ 1,949,182  

Adjustments:

                                

Operating income:

                                

Asset revaluation

     614,035       511,787       449,971       377,492  

Special depreciation

     (28,676 )     (24,246 )     (21,033 )     (17,645 )

Regulated operations

     899,357       175,783       170,925       143,393  

Capitalized foreign currency translation

     227,884       164,037       246,531       206,821  

Reversal of eliminated profit on transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates

     (111,546 )     (44,772 )     (17,083 )     (14,331 )

Asset retirement obligation

     —         —         454,589       381,366  

Reserve for self-insurance

     4,861       5,465       6,400       5,369  

Other income (expenses):

                                

Asset revaluation

   (Won) 352,575     (Won) 130,210     (Won) 117,795     $ 98,821  

Capitalized foreign currency translation

     (64,237 )     43,633       (20,589 )     (17,273 )

Reserve for self-insurance

     73,382       (1,172 )     (1,010 )     (847 )

Convertible bonds

     —         —         1,344       1,130  

Extraordinary item—Deregulation effect

     423,146       —         —         —    

Cumulative effect of accounting change—Asset retirement obligation

     —         —         1,775,306       1,489,349  

Income tax expenses—Deferred income taxes

     (738,439 )     (436,040 )     (934,648 )     (784,100 )
    


 


 


 


Net income as adjusted under U.S. GAAP

   (Won) 3,287,192     (Won) 3,572,790     (Won) 4,551,923     $ 3,818,727  
    


 


 


 


 

     As of December 31,

 
     2002

    2003

    2003

 
     (In millions of Won and thousands of US$)  

Stockholders’ equity under Korean GAAP

   (Won) 36,073,138     (Won) 37,781,936     $ 31,696,255  

Adjustments:

                        

Utility plant

                        

Asset revaluation

     (8,902,992 )     (8,355,176 )     (7,009,376 )

Capitalized asset retirement cost

     —         1,751,755       1,469,593  

Special depreciation

     59,305       38,272       32,107  

Capitalized foreign currency translation

     (2,242,663 )     (2,016,721 )     (1,691,880 )

Reversal of eliminated profit on transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates

     120,454       103,371       86,721  

Investment securities:

                        

Asset revaluation

     (141,927 )     (121,977 )     (102,330 )

Deferred income taxes

     3,187,609       2,252,961       1,890,067  

Liabilities:

                        

Asset retirement obligation

     —         478,140       401,124  

Regulated operation

     (836,887 )     (665,962 )     (558,693 )

Reserve for self-insurance

     82,536       87,926       73,763  

Convertible bonds

     —         (43,828 )     (36,769 )

Minority interests

     (108,073 )     (127,569 )     (107,021 )
    


 


 


Stockholders’ equity under U.S. GAAP

   (Won) 27,290,500     (Won) 31,163,128     $ 26,143,561  
    


 


 


 

58


Table of Contents

Note 22 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements provides a description of the principal differences between Korean GAAP and U.S. GAAP as they relate to us.

 

The material differences between Korean GAAP and U.S. GAAP as applied to our statements of income relate to:

 

  treatment of assets revaluation;

 

  treatment of foreign currency translation losses and gains;

 

  treatment of asset retirement obligation of long-lived assets; and

 

  the establishment of a regulatory asset or liability to offset the impact of foreign currency translation losses or gains, deferred income taxes and reserve for self-insurance.

 

Realized and unrealized foreign exchange translation gains and losses incurred during the construction period on short-term and long-term debt incurred for construction of utility plant will continue to be capitalized as part of the cost of the related asset.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, all realized and unrealized foreign exchange translation gains and losses are credited or charged to current operations.

 

In June 1998, the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 133, as amended by SFAS No. 138, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. The effective date is for years beginning June 15, 2000. Under SFAS No. 133, we are required to recognize all derivatives on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through current operations. If a derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of derivatives will either be offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitment through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s changes in fair value will be immediately recognized incurrent earnings. We recorded all derivatives on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value by Korean GAAP. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value will be immediately recognized in current earnings. We believe that there is no material impact on net income and stockholders’ equity under U.S. GAAP since derivatives accounting under Korean GAAP is substantially the same as SFAS No. 133.

 

Regulations for the establishment of electricity rates permit, in certain cases, certain income and expenses to be recognized in different years than they would otherwise be recognized for financial reporting purposes. In accordance with U.S. GAAP for regulated enterprises such as us, a regulatory asset or liability may be established on our consolidated balance sheets by a credit or charge to our net income to offset, in whole or in part, foreign currency translation losses (“Translation Losses”) or gains on monetary assets and liabilities, deferred income taxes and reserves for self-insurance. Under U.S. GAAP, the establishment of such asset, with a corresponding credit to our income statement, in respect of Translation Losses is determined principally by an assessment of the probability of recoverability of the Translation Losses through adjustments to our future rates for electricity.

 

As discussed in Item 4 “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Restructuring of the Electricity Industry in Korea” and Note 1 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements, on April 2, 2001, six new generation subsidiaries were established in accordance with the Restructuring Plan. Since our generation subsidiaries’ rates are determined by a competitive system that is not cost based, they no longer meet the criteria for application of SFAS No. 71 “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation”. Our power transmission and distribution divisions continue to meet the criteria for application of SFAS No. 71. The Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the elimination of the effects of regulations that have been recognized as regulatory assets and liabilities pursuant to SFAS No 71. The effect of this change has been recognized in current operations, resulting in the increase in net income under U.S. GAAP of (Won)423,146 million, in accordance

 

59


Table of Contents

with SFAS No. 101 “Accounting for the Discontinuation of Application of SFAS No 71”. However, in accordance with SFAS No. 101, the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment measured and reported pursuant to SFAS No. 71 were not adjusted since they were not impaired under the provisions of SFAS No. 121 “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of”.

 

The Government approves the rates that we charge to our customers. Our utility rates are designed to recover our “reasonable costs” plus a fair investment return. In June 2001, the MOCIE announced the revised guidelines for utility rate setting, stating that non-operating expenses should be excluded from “reasonable costs” while income tax expenses (including deferred income taxes), instead of income tax payables, should be included for rate-making purpose. As a result of this guideline change and the deregulation of our generation subsidiaries, only our deferred income taxes caused by the differences between Korean GAAP and U.S. GAAP are subject to SFAS No. 71, to the extent that tax benefits or obligations will affect future allowable costs for rate making purpose.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligations is to be recognized in the period in which they are incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The corresponding amount is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. This accounting for asset retirement obligations is applied to all existing long-lived assets as of January 1, 2003 under U.S. GAAP. Accounting for asset retirement obligations under Korean GAAP is substantially same as U.S. GAAP, except that those assets acquired before January 1, 2003 can be excluded from the application of the accounting for asset retirement obligation.

 

Other

 

Our operations are materially affected by the policies and actions of the Government. See Item 4 “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Regulation”.

 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PATENTS AND LICENSES, ETC.

 

See Item 4 “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Research and Development”.

 

TREND INFORMATION

 

Trends, uncertainties and events which could have a material impact on our sales, operating revenues and liquidity and capital resources are discussed above in “—Operating Results” and “—Liquidity and Capital Resources”.

 

60


Table of Contents

ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

 

DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT

 

Under the KEPCO Act and our articles of incorporation, our management is vested in the board of directors, which consists of not more than fifteen directors, including the president.

 

The directors are classified into two categories: standing directors and non-standing directors. The number of standing directors shall be not more than seven, including our president, and the non-standing directors shall be not more than eight. In any case, the number of standing directors may not exceed the number of non-standing directors. The standing directors other than our president shall be appointed by the MOCIE upon the motion of our president with the approval at the general meeting of our shareholders. Our standing directors also presently constitute our executive officers. The non-standing directors shall be appointed from among specialists in the private sector with knowledge of business management by the Minister of Planning and Budget of the Republic upon the motion of our president. Our president shall be appointed by the President of the Republic upon the motion of the MOCIE following the approval at the general meeting of our shareholders after the nomination by a president nomination committee which is composed of the non-standing directors and other members from the private sector appointed by the board of directors. Our president serves as our chief executive officer and represents us and administers our day-to-day business in all matters not specifically designated as responsibilities of the board.

 

Our statutory auditor is appointed by the President of the Republic upon the motion of the Minister of Planning and Budget of the Republic following a resolution at the general meeting of our shareholders. The statutory auditor is our full-time employee responsible for monitoring our business affairs and accounts. The statutory auditor attends board meetings but is not a director and does not have the right to vote at board meetings.

 

The names, titles, and outside occupations, if any, of the directors and auditor as of April 8, 2004 and the respective years in which they took office are set forth below.

 

Name


   Age

  

Title


  

Outside Occupation


  

Position Held Since


Han, Joon-Ho

   (58)    President, Chairman & CEO, Standing Director    None    March 25, 2004

Chung, Tay-Ho

   (56)    Standing Director    None    August 11, 2001

Lee, Hi-Taek

   (56)    Chief Financial Officer, Standing Director    None    April 11, 2003

Ham, Yoon-Sang

   (57)    Standing Director    None    April 11, 2003

Kim, Young-Man

   (55)    Standing Director    None    April 11, 2003

Yoon, Meng-Hyun

   (55)    Standing Director    None    April 11, 2003

Park, You-Kwang

   (62)    Non-Standing Director    President, Strategic Business Research Institute, Andersen Korea    August 11, 2001

Park, Chang-Rae

   (62)    Non-Standing Director    Advisor, Samsung Press Foundation    March 23, 2002

Kim, Song-Gi

   (61)    Non-Standing Director    Professor, Seoul National University    March 23, 2002

Chang, Suk-Whan

   (59)    Non-Standing Director    Director, Market Economy Research Institute, Shin & Kim    March 23, 2002

 

61


Table of Contents

Name


   Age

  

Title


  

Outside Occupation


  

Position Held Since


Rhee, Byeong-Gyu

   (49)    Non-Standing Director    Editorial Writer, Hankook Ilbo    June 10, 2002

Chang, Sang-Hyon

   (68)    Non-Standing Director    Senior Advisor to Onse Telecom Co., Ltd.    July 18, 2002

Moon, Chung-Sook

   (49)    Non-Standing Director    Professor, Sookmyung Women’s University    March 28, 2003

Lee, Seog-Yeon

   (49)    Non-Standing Director    Lawyer    August 9, 2003

Ahn, Wang-Seon

   (59)    Statutory Auditor    None    May 22, 2002

 

Han, Joon-Ho has served as our President, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer since March 25, 2004. Mr. Han received a B.A. in law from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in public administration from Kyunghee University. He previously served as the Chairman of the Presidential Commission on Small and Medium Enterprises.

 

Chung, Tay-Ho has been a Standing Director since August 11, 2001. Mr. Chung currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the Transmission Division. He received a B.S. in electrical engineering from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin.

 

Lee, Hi-Taek has been our Chief Financial Officer and Standing Director since August 11, 2003. Mr. Lee currently serves as the Senior Vice President of the Planning & Restructuring Division and previously served as the general manager of the Company’s Central Education Institute. Mr. Lee received a B.A. in sociology from Seoul National University.

 

Ham, Yoon-Sang has been a Standing Director since August 11, 2003. Mr. Ham currently serves as the Senior Vice President of the General Affairs Division and previously served as the general manager of the Company’s Incheon District Head Office. Mr. Ham received a B.A. in business administration from Gyeonggi University and an M.B.A. from Hanyang University.

 

Kim, Young-Man has been a Standing Director since August 11, 2003. Mr. Kim currently serves as the Senior Vice President of the Marketing and Service Division and previously served as the general manager of the Company’s Business Supporting Department. Mr. Kim received a B.A. in business administration from International University and an M.B.A. from Hanyang University.

 

Yoon, Meng-Hyun has been a Standing Director since August 11, 2003. Mr. Yoon currently serves as the Senior Vice President of the Overseas & KEDO Project Division and previously served as the general manager of the Korea Electric Power Research Institute. Mr. Yoon received a B.S. in nuclear power engineering from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in nucleonics from the university of California.

 

Park, You-Kwang has been a Non-Standing Director since August 11, 2001. Mr. Park is currently President of the Strategic Business Research Institute at Andersen Korea. He received a B.A. in public administration from Seoul National University and an M.A. in public administration from Syracuse University.

 

Park, Chang-Rae has been a Non-Standing Director since March 23, 2002. Mr. Park is currently an advisor to the editorial board of the Financial News. He received a B.A. in economics from Seoul National University.

 

Kim, Song-Gi has been a Non-Standing Director since March 23, 2002. Mr. Kim is currently a professor of business administration at Seoul National University. He received a B.A. in accounting from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Texas.

 

62


Table of Contents

Chang, Suk-Whan has been a Non-Standing Director since March 23, 2002. Mr. Chang is currently a director of the Market Economy Research Institute at Shin & Kim. He received a B.A. in political science from Seoul National University and an M.A. in public administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

 

Rhee, Byeong-Gyu has been a Non-Standing Director since June 10, 2002. Mr. Rhee is currently an editorial writer for Hankook Ilbo. He received a B.A. in political science and diplomacy from Sungkyunkwan University.

 

Chang, Sang-Hyon has been a Non-Standing Director since July 18, 2002. Mr. Chang is currently a senior advisor to Onse Telecom. He received a B.A. in law from Sungkyunkwan University.

 

Moon, Chung-Sook has been a Non-Standing Director since March 28, 2003. Ms. Moon is currently a professor of consumer economics at Sookmyung Women’s University. She received a B.A. in home management from Sookmyung Women’s University, an M.A. in family economics in Sookmyung Women’s University and a Ph.D. in consumer economics from Kansas State University. Ms. Moon was a member of the Committee for Korean Regulatory Reform.

 

Lee, Seog-Yeon has been a Non-Standing Director since August 11, 2003. Mr. Lee currently serves as the Chairperson of a commission under the Board of Audit & Inspection in Korea. Mr. Lee received a Ph.D. in law from Seoul National University.

 

Ahn, Wang Seon has been our Statutory Auditor since May 22, 2002. He received an LL.B from Seoul National University. Mr. Ahn previously served as the Deputy Prosecutor General for Kwangju District Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The presence at board meetings of a majority of the board members constitutes a voting quorum and resolutions can be passed by a majority of the board members.

 

Our president may be removed by the President of the Republic following a shareholders’ resolution with the consents of a president nomination committee as moved by the MOCIE. In addition, the Minister of Planning and Budget may recommend removal of our president if the results of operations are poor. The standing directors, in the order contemplated by internal regulations, assist the president and act for the president when the president is unable to act.

 

The business address of our directors is 167 Samseong-Dong, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, Korea.

 

Compensation of Directors and Supervisors

 

For the year ended December 31, 2003, the aggregate amount of remuneration paid and accrued to the directors and executive officers, including the auditor, as a group, was (Won)922 million. The aggregate amount we set aside or accrued during the year ended December 31, 2003 to provide retirement and severance benefits for our directors and executive officers, including our statutory auditor, was (Won)101 million.

 

Board Practices

 

The terms of office of our directors (including the president) and the auditor are three years.

 

As required by applicable law in the Republic, our board does not maintain an audit committee or a remuneration committee. See “—Corporate Governance” below.

 

The president’s management contract provides for benefits upon termination of his employment. The president is only eligible for termination benefits after more than one year of continuous service. For each year’s employment with us, the payment amount for termination benefits is equal to the average value of compensation for one month.

 

63


Table of Contents

The terms for termination benefits for standing directors and the auditor are determined in accordance with our internal regulations for executive compensation. Standing directors and the auditor are only eligible for benefits upon termination of employment or death following one year of continuous service.

 

Share Ownership

 

None of our directors and members of our administrative, supervisory or management bodies owns more than 0.1% of our common stock.

 

EMPLOYEES

 

As of December 31, 2003, we had approximately 30,829 regular employees, including the employees of our generation subsidiaries, almost all of whom are employed within the Republic. Approximately 8.2% of our regular and non-regular employees (including employees of generation subsidiaries) are employed at our head office in Seoul.

 

The following table sets forth the number of and other information relating to our employees, not including directors or senior management, as of December 31, 2003.

 

     KEPCO

    KHNP

    KOSEP

    KOMIPO

    KOWEPO

    EWP

    KOSPO

    Total

 

Regular Employees

                                                

Administrative

   4,577     558     174     177     154     172     174     5,986  

Service technicians

   8,607     5,010     1,136     1,421     1,180     1,610     1,337     20,301  

Skilled laborers

   3,931     196     79     166     69     53     48     4,542  

Sub-total

   17,115     5,764     1,389     1,764     1,403     1,835     1,559     30,829  

Non-regular Employees

   2,249     910     193     138     169           91     3,750  

Total

   19,364     6,674     1,582     1,902     1,572     1,835     1,650     34,579  

Head Office Employee

   1,142     731     161     202     182     181     253     2,852  

% of total

   5.9 %   11.0 %   10.2 %   10.6 %   11.6 %   9.9 %   15.3 %   8.2 %

Member labor

   13,886     4,166     942     1,263     939     1,180     1,037     23,413  

% of total

   71.7 %   62.4 %   59.5 %   66.4 %   59.7 %   64.3 %   62.8 %   67.7 %

 

KEPCO and each of our generation subsidiaries have separate labor unions. Approximately 67.7% of our employees in the aggregate are members of these labor unions, each of which negotiates a collective bargaining agreement for its members each year. Pursuant to applicable Korean law, an employee-employer cooperation committee, which is composed of eight representatives of management and eight representatives of labor, is required to be, and has been, established at KEPCO and at each of our generation subsidiaries. The Committee meets periodically to discuss various labor issues. Since our formation in 1981, our businesses have not been interrupted by any work stoppages or strikes until early 2002. Although our relations with our employees have been good, we have experienced labor unrest as a result of changes in our businesses according to the Restructuring Plan. We faced opposition from labor in late 2000 in connection with the Restructuring Plan. However, we experienced no significant difficulties with labor in the transfer of employees in our power generation division to the newly established generation subsidiaries on or prior to April 2, 2001 in line with the Restructuring Plan. As of April 2, 2001, we had transferred 14,492 employees to our generation subsidiaries, as a result of which we had 15,036 employees as of such date. Early in 2002, employees belonging to our five non-nuclear generation subsidiaries went on strike for six weeks to protest the Government’s decision to privatize such non-nuclear generation subsidiaries. See Item 3 “Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to KEPCO—The Government’s Plan for Restructuring the Electricity Industry in Korea (the “Restructuring Plan”) may have a material adverse effect on us and the price of our securities”. However, we did not experience any interruption of our businesses because non-union employees kept the non-nuclear generation facilities running. We cannot assure that we will not have any work stoppages or strikes or other labor problems in the future.

 

64


Table of Contents

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

We complied throughout the year with the corporate governance provisions of the KEPCO Act, Government-Invested Enterprise Management Basic Act, Commercial Code of Korea, Securities and Exchange Act of Korea and the Listing Rules of the Korea Stock Exchange. We, like all other companies in Korea, must comply with the corporate governance provisions of the Commercial Code of Korea, except to the extent the KEPCO Act and the Government-Invested Enterprise Management Basic Act governs. In addition, as a listed company, we are subject to the Securities and Exchange Act of Korea, unless the Securities and Exchange Act of Korea otherwise provides.

 

Differences in Korean/New York Stock Exchange corporate governance practices

 

In November 2003, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved new corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) for listed companies. Under these new rules, as a NYSE-listed foreign private issuer, we must disclose any significant ways in which its corporate governance practices differ from those followed by US companies under NYSE listing standards. We believe the following to be the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and NYSE corporate governance rules applicable to US companies.

 

U.S. companies listed on the NYSE are required to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines. The listing rules of the Korea Stock Exchange (“KSE”) require each company, at the time of its initial listing, to disclose information related to its corporate governance, such as its board of directors, internal audit, shareholder voting, and remuneration of officers and directors. The KSE, among other things, will review the corporate governance practices of the company in determining whether to approve such company for listing.

 

Under the NYSE listing rules applicable to U.S. companies, independent directors must comprise a majority of the board of directors. No director qualifies as “independent” unless the board of directors affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with the listed company (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the company). The NYSE rules include detailed tests for determining director independence. Under the Government-Invested Enterprise Management Basic Act, more than one-half of our directors must be non-standing directors. The Securities and Exchange Act of Korea deems a non-standing director nominated pursuant to the Government-Invested Enterprise Management Basic Act as an “outside” or “non-executive” director. Under the Government-Invested Enterprise Management Basic Act, a non-standing director is appointed by the Minister of Planning and Budget of the Republic upon the motion of our president and the resolution by the Government-Invested Enterprise Management Committee.

 

Under the NYSE listing standards, companies are required to have an audit committee, with at least three members, composed entirely of independent directors. The audit committee must be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the public accountant. Under the Government-Invested Enterprise Management Basic Act and the Securities and Exchange Act of Korea, we are required to maintain a statutory auditor in lieu of an audit committee. The Government-Invested Enterprise Management Basic Act and government regulations require that the statutory auditor be separate from and independent of our board of directors and our management. Our statutory auditor oversees our financial reporting, business and legal compliance separately from the audit by the independent public accountants.

 

Under the NYSE listing standards, companies are required to have a nominating/corporate governance committee, composed entirely of independent directors. In addition to identifying individuals qualified to become board members, this committee must develop and recommend to the board a set of corporate governance principles. Under the Government-Invested Enterprise Management Basic Act, we are required to have a CEO nominating committee which consists of non-standing directors and ad hoc members appointed by our Board of Directors. Our standing directors and executives cannot become members of the nominating committee. There is no requirement to establish a corporate governance committee under applicable Korean law.

 

65


Table of Contents

Pursuant to the NYSE listing standards, non-management directors must meet on a regular basis without management present and independent directors must meet separately at least once per year. No such requirement currently exists under applicable Korean law.

 

The NYSE listing standards require U.S. companies to adopt a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers. Pursuant to the requirements of the Sarbanes—Oxley Act, we have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and all other directors and executive officers including the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Accounting Officer, which is available on www.kepco.co.kr.

 

Lastly, a chief executive officer of a U.S. company listed on the NYSE must annually certify that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of NYSE corporate governance standards. In accordance with NYSE listing rules applicable to foreign private issuers, we are not required to provide the NYSE with this annual compliance certification. However, in accordance with rules applicable to both U.S. companies and foreign private issuers, we are required to promptly notify the NYSE in writing after any executive officer becomes aware of any material non-compliance with the NYSE corporate governance standards applicable to us.

 

66


Table of Contents

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS

 

The following table sets forth certain information relating to certain owners of our capital stock as of April 30, 2004:

 

Title of Class


  

Identity of Person or Group


   Shares Owned

  

Percentage of

Class(1)


 

Common stock

  

Government(2)

   345,761,554    54.0 %
    

Resolution & Finance Corporation

   32,405,109    5.1  
    

National Pension Corporation

   18,444,137    2.9  
    

KEPCO (held in the form of treasury)

   11,068,050    1.7  
    

Employee Stock Ownership Association

   —      —    
    

Directors and executive officers as a group

   —      —    
    

Public(3)

   233,069,723    36.3  
         
  

Total

        640,748,573    100.0 %
         
  


(1) Percentages are based on issued shares of common stock (including treasury stock).
(2) Includes indirect holdings by the Republic through KDB of 172,567,940 shares (26.9%). The Government currently owns 100% of KDB.
(3) Includes 184,930,886 shares of common stock, representing 28.9% of shares of issued common stock (including treasury stock) held by non-Koreans, including in the form of American depositary shares.

 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

We from time to time have engaged in a variety of transactions with our affiliates. Our policy on transactions with affiliates is that these transactions will be conducted on terms substantially as favorable to us as we could obtain at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a person other than an affiliate.

 

For our significant transactions with related parties for the year ended December 31, 2002, see Note 19 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

 

For our transaction with KEDO, see Item 4 “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Other Activities” and Note 20 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

 

For the purchase of electricity from the independent power producers and our generation subsidiaries, see Item 4 “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Purchased Power”.

 

On behalf of our affiliates, KEPCO International Hong Kong Ltd., KEPCO Philippines Corp. and KEPCO Ilijan Corp., we have provided payment guarantees of US$288 million and JP ¥ 7 billion, US$135 million and JP ¥ 7 billion and US$113 million and ¥ 7 billion for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively, to KDB and another bank. See Note 20 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

 

67


Table of Contents

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Our Consolidated Financial Statements are set forth under Item 18 “Financial Statements”.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

As of December 31, 2003, we, including our subsidiaries, were a defendant in 299 different court proceedings. At that date, those proceedings included claims against us amounting in the aggregate of (Won)202 billion. While we are unable to predict the ultimate disposition of these claims, the ultimate disposition of these claims will not, in the opinion of management, have a material adverse effect on us.

 

Our generation subsidiaries currently and from time to time are involved in lawsuits incidental to the conduct of their business. Most of such lawsuits are based on the claim that the construction and operation of the electric generation units owned by our generation subsidiaries in the neighborhood caused impairment of fish farms. As of December 31, 2003, the total amount of damages claimed in such lawsuits was approximately (Won)111 billion. Our generation subsidiaries normally pay compensation to and for the benefit of the members of the fisheries association near our power plant complex for expected losses and damages arising from the construction and operation of its power plant in the neighborhood in advance prior to the commencement of the construction and operation. Despite of such compensations paid by us, a claim may still be filed against our generation subsidiaries challenging the compensations paid by us. We do not believe such claims or proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, have had and will have a material adverse effect on us and our generation subsidiaries. However, we cannot assure you that this will be the case in the future, given the possibility that we may become subject to more litigations and lawsuits arising from changes in the environmental laws and regulations applicable to us and our generation subsidiaries and people’s growing demand for more compensations.

 

We are also involved in several lawsuits instituted by local governments or local government-controlled entities calling for a partial refund of construction grants previously paid to us. The aggregate amount of such claims was approximately (Won)32 billion as of December 31, 2003.

 

Dividend Policy

 

See Item 10 “Additional Information—Articles of Incorporation—Description of Capital Stock—Dividend Rights”. For a description of the tax consequences of dividends paid to our shareholders, see Item 10 “Additional Information—Taxation—Korean Taxes—Taxation of Dividends” and Item 10 “Additional Information—Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Tax Consideration for U.S. Persons—Equity Securities—Taxation of Dividends”.

 

68


Table of Contents

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

 

Notes

 

Our 4.25% Notes due 2007 (the “4.25% Notes”), 7 3/4% Debentures due April 1, 2013 (the “7 3/4% Debentures”), 6 3/8% Notes due December 1, 2003 (the “6 3/8% Notes”), Twenty Year 7.40% Amortizing Debentures, due April 1, 2016 (the “7.40% Debentures”), One Hundred Year 7.95% Zero-To-Full Debentures, due April 1, 2096 (the “7.95% Debentures”), 6% Debentures due December 1, 2026, (the “6% Debentures”), 7% Debentures due February 1, 2027 (the “7% Debentures”), 6 3/4% Debentures due August 1, 2027 (the “6 3/4% Debentures”) and 8 1/4% Notes due March 15, 2005 (the “8 1/4% Notes” and together with the 4.25% Notes, the 7 3/4% Debentures, the 6 3/8% Notes, the 7.40% Debentures, the 7.95% Debentures, the 6% Debentures, the 7% Debentures and the 6 3/4% Debentures, the “Registered Debt Securities”) are traded principally in the over-the counter market. Sales prices for the Registered Debt Securities are not regularly reported on any United States securities exchange or other United States securities quotation service. The 6 3/8% Notes are registered on the Luxembourg, Hong Kong and Singapore stock exchanges, but we do not believe that such stock exchanges are the principal market for the 6 3/8% Notes. The 4.25% Notes and the 8 1/4% Notes are registered on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, but we do not believe that such stock exchange is the principal market for the 4.25% Notes and the 8 1/4% Notes.

 

Common Stock and ADSs

 

The principal trading market for our common stock is the Korea Stock Exchange. Our common stock is also listed on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of ADSs. The ADSs have been issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank as depositary and are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “KEP”. The ADS ratio is one ADS representing one-half of one share of our common stock. As of June 24, 2004, 91,659,320 ADSs representing 45,829,660 shares of our common stock were outstanding.

 

The Korea Stock Exchange

 

The Korea Stock Exchange began its operations in 1956. Currently it is the only stock exchange in Korea. It has a single trading floor located in Seoul. The Korea Stock Exchange is a membership organization consisting of most Korean securities companies and some Korean branches of foreign securities companies.

 

As of June 24, 2004, the aggregate market value of equity securities listed on the Korea Stock Exchange was approximately (Won)339 trillion. The average daily trading volume of equity securities for 2003 was approximately 542 million shares with an average transaction value of (Won)2,217 billion.

 

The Korea Stock Exchange has the power in some circumstances to suspend trading in the shares of a given company or to de-list a security. The Korea Stock Exchange also restricts share price movements. All listed companies are required to file accounting reports annually, semiannually and quarterly and to release immediately all information that may affect trading in a security.

 

The Government has in the past exerted, and continues to exert, substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector business community which can have the intention or effect of depressing or boosting the market. In the past, the Government has informally both encouraged and restricted the declaration and payment of dividends, induced mergers to reduce what it considers excess capacity in a particular industry and induced private companies to offer publicly their securities.

 

The Korea Stock Exchange publishes the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (“KOSPI”) every thirty seconds, which is an index of all equity securities listed on the Korea Stock Exchange. On January 1, 1983, the method of computing KOSPI was changed from the Dow Jones method to the aggregate value method. In the new method, the market capitalizations of all listed companies are aggregated, subject to certain adjustments, and this aggregate is expressed as a percentage of the aggregate market capitalization of all listed companies as of the base date, January 4, 1980.

 

69


Table of Contents

Movements in KOSPI are set out in the following.

 

       Opening

     High

     Low

     Closing

1980

     100.00      119.36      100.00      106.87

1981

     97.95      165.95      93.14      131.37

1982

     123.60      134.49      106.00      127.31

1983

     122.52      134.46      115.59      121.21

1984

     116.73      142.46      114.37      142.46

1985

     139.53      163.37      131.40      163.37

1986

     161.40      279.67      153.85      272.61

1987

     264.82      525.11      264.82      525.11

1988

     532.04      922.56      527.89      907.20

1989

     919.61      1,007.77      844.75      909.72

1990

     908.59      928.82      566.27      696.11

1991

     679.75      763.10      586.51      610.92

1992

     624.23      691.48      459.07      678.44

1993

     697.41      874.10      605.93      866.18

1994

     879.32      1,138.75      855.37      1,027.37

1995

     1,013.57      1,016.77      847.09      882.94

1996

     888.85      986.84      651.22      651.22

1997

     653.79      792.29      350.68      376.31

1998

     385.49      579.86      280.00      562.46

1999

     587.57      1,028.07      498.42      1,028.07

2000

     1,059.04      1,059.04      500.60      504.62

2001

     520.95      704.50      468.76      504.62

2002

     698.00      937.61      584.04      627.55

2003

     635.17      822.16      515.24      810.71

2004 (through June 25)

     821.26      907.43      728.98      779.03

Source: The Korea Stock Exchange

 

Shares are quoted “ex-dividend” on the first trading day of the relevant company’s accounting period; since the calendar year is the accounting period for the majority of listed companies, this may account for the drop in KOSPI between its closing level at the end of one calendar year and its opening level at the beginning of the following calendar year.

 

With certain exceptions, principally to take account of a share being quoted “ex-dividend” and “ex-rights”, permitted upward and downward movements in share prices of any category of shares on any day are limited under the rules of the Korea Stock Exchange to 15% of the previous day’s closing price of the shares, rounded down as set out below:

 

Previous Day’s Closing Price (Won)


  

Rounded Down

To (Won)


less than 5,000

   5

5,000 to less than 10,000

   10

10,000 to less than 50,000

   50

50,000 to less than 100,000

   100

100,000 to less than 500,000

   500

500,000 or more

   1,000

 

As a consequence, if a particular closing price is the same as the price set by the fluctuation limit, the closing price may not reflect the price at which persons would have been prepared, or would be prepared to continue, if so permitted, to buy and sell shares. Orders are executed on an auction system with priority rules to deal with competing bids and offers.

 

70


Table of Contents

Due to deregulation of restrictions on brokerage commission rates, the brokerage commission rate on equity securities transactions may be determined by the parties, subject to commission schedules being filed with the Korea Stock Exchange by the securities companies.

 

In addition, a securities transaction tax will generally be imposed on the transfer of shares or certain securities representing rights to subscribe for shares. A special agricultural and fishery tax of 0.15% of the sales prices will also be imposed on transfer of these shares and securities on the Korea Stock Exchange. See “Taxation-Korean Taxation”.

 

The number of companies listed on the Korea Stock Exchange, the corresponding total market capitalization at the end of the periods indicated and the average daily trading volume for those periods are set forth in the following table:

 

          Total Market Capitalization

  

Average Daily Trading

Volume, Value


Year


  

Number of

Listed

Companies


  

(Millions of

Won)


  

(Thousands of

Dollars)(1)


  

Thousands of

Shares


  

(Millions of

Won)


  

(Thousands of

Dollars)(1)


1979

   355    2,609,414    5,391,351    5,382    4,579    4,641

1980

   352    2,526,553    3,828,691    5,654    3,897    5,905

1981

   343    2,959,057    4,224,207    10,565    8,708    12,433

1982

   334    3,000,494    4,407,711    9,704    6,667    8,904

1983

   328    3,489,654    4,386,743    9,325    5,941    7,468

1984

   336    5,148,460    6,222,456    14,847    10,642    12,862

1985

   342    6,570,404    7,380,818    18,925    12,315    13,834

1986

   355    11,994,233    13,924,115    31,755    32,870    38,159

1987

   389    26,172,174    33,033,162    20,353    70,185    88,584

1988

   502    64,543,685    94,348,318    10,367    198,364    289,963

1989

   626    95,476,774    140,489,660    11,757    280,967    414,431

1990

   669    79,019,676    110,301,055    10,866    183,692    256,500

1991

   686    73,117,833    96,182,364    14,022    214,263    281,850

1992

   688    84,711,982    107,502,515    24,028    308,246    391,175

1993

   693    112,665,260    139,419,948    35,130    574,048    676,954

1994

   699    151,217,231    191,729,721    36,862    776,257    984,223

1995

   721    141,151,399    182,201,367    26,130    487,762    629,614

1996

   760    117,369,988    139,031,021    26,571    486,834    575,733

1997

   776    70,988,897    50,161,742    41,525    555,759    392,707

1998

   748    137,798,451    114,090,455    97,716    660,429    471,432

1999

   725    349,503,966    305,137,040    278,551    3,481,620    3,039,654

2000

   704    188,041,490    148,393,204    306,154    2,602,159    2,053,796

2001

   589    255,850,070    192,934,221    473,241    1,947,420    1,506,236

2002

   683    258,680,756    215,445,465    857,245    3,041,598    2,533,820

2003

   684    355,360,626    298,121,331    542,010    2,216,636    2,402,661

2004 (through June 25)

   676    339,250,685    284,606,279    424,021    2,580,329    2,164,706

Source: The Korea Stock Exchange

Note:
(1) Converted at the Concentration Base Rate of The Company of Korea or the Market Average Exchange Rate, as the case may be, at the end of the periods indicated.

 

The Korean securities markets are principally regulated by the FSC and the Securities and Exchange Act. The Securities and Exchange Act was amended fundamentally numerous times in recent years to broaden the

 

71


Table of Contents

scope and improve the effectiveness of official supervision of the securities markets. As amended, the Securities and Exchange Act imposes restrictions on insider trading and price manipulation, requires specified information to be made available by listed companies to investors and establishes rules regarding margin trading, proxy solicitation, takeover bids, acquisition of treasury shares and reporting requirements for shareholders holding substantial interests.

 

Further Opening of the Korean Securities Market

 

A stock index futures market was opened on May 3, 1996 and a stock index option market was opened on July 7, 1997, in each case at the Korea Stock Exchange. Remittance and repatriation of funds in connection with investment in stock index futures and options are subject to regulations similar to those that govern remittance and repatriation in the context of foreign portfolio investment in Korean stocks.

 

In addition, the Korea Stock Exchange announced its plan to open new option markets for seven individual stocks (Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom, KT, KEPCO, POSCO, Kookmin Bank and Hyundai Motor Company) effective January 28, 2002. According to such plan and amended applicable regulation, non-Koreans are permitted to invest in such options for individual stocks subject to the same procedural requirements as those currently applicable to the investment in stock or stock index futures and options at the Korea Stock Exchange.

 

Starting from May 1, 1996, foreign investors were permitted to invest in warrants representing the right to subscribe for shares of a company listed on the Korea Stock Exchange or registered on the KOSDAQ, subject to certain investment limitations. A foreign investor may not acquire such warrants with respect to shares of a class of a company for which the ceiling on aggregate investment by foreigners has been reached or exceeded.

 

As of December 30, 1997, foreign investors were permitted to invest in all types of corporate bonds, bonds issued by national or local governments and bonds issued in accordance with certain special laws without being subject to any aggregate or individual investment ceiling. The FSC sets forth procedural requirements for such investments. The Government announced on February 8, 1998 its plans for the liberalization of the money market with respect to investment in money market instruments by foreigners in 1998. According to the plan, foreigners have been permitted to invest in money market instruments issued by corporations, including commercial paper, starting February 16, 1998 with no restrictions as to the amount. Starting May 25, 1998, foreigners have been permitted to invest in certificates of deposit and repurchase agreements.

 

Currently, foreigners are permitted to invest in securities including shares of all Korean companies which are not listed on the Korea Stock Exchange nor registered on the KOSDAQ and in bonds which are not listed.

 

Protection of Customer’s Interest in Case of Insolvency of Securities Companies

 

Under Korean law, the relationship between a customer and a securities company in connection with a securities sell or buy order is deemed to be consignment and the securities acquired by a consignment agent (i.e., the securities company) through such sell or buy order are regarded as belonging to the customer in so far as the customer and the consignment agent’s creditors are concerned. Therefore, in the event of a bankruptcy or reorganization procedure involving a securities company, the customer of the securities company is entitled to the proceeds of the securities sold by the securities company. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Act recognizes the ownership of a customer in securities held by a securities company in such customer’s account.

 

When a customer places a sell order with a securities company which is not a member of the Korea Stock Exchange and this securities company places a sell order with another securities company which is a member of the Korea Stock Exchange, the customer is still entitled to the proceeds of the securities sold received by the non-member company from the member company regardless of the bankruptcy or reorganization of the non-member company.

 

72


Table of Contents

Likewise, when a customer places a buy order with a non-member company and the non-member company places a buy order with a member company, the customer has the legal right to the securities received by the non- member company from the member company because the purchased securities are regarded as belonging to the customer in so far as the customer and the non-member company’s creditors are concerned.

 

Under the Securities and Exchange Act, the Korea Stock Exchange is obliged to indemnify any loss or damage incurred by a counterparty as a result of a breach by its members. If a securities company which is a member of the Korea Stock Exchange breaches its obligation in connection with a buy order, the Korea Stock Exchange is obliged to pay the purchase price on behalf of the breaching member.

 

As the cash deposited with a securities company is regarded as belonging to the securities company, which is liable to return the same at the request of its customer, the customer cannot take back deposited cash from the securities company if a bankruptcy or reorganization procedure is instituted against the securities company and, therefore, can suffer from loss or damage as a result. However, the Depositor Protection Act provides that Korean Deposit Insurance Corporation will, upon the request of the investors, pay investors up to (Won)50 million per depositor per financial institution in case of the securities company’s bankruptcy, liquidation, cancellation of securities business license or other insolvency events (collectively, the “Insolvency Events”). The premiums related to this insurance are paid by securities companies. Pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act, as amended, securities companies are required to deposit the cash received from its customers to the extent the amount is not covered by the Depositor Protection Act with the Korea Securities Finance Corporation, a special entity established pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act. Set-off or attachment of cash deposits by securities companies with the Korea Securities Finance Corporation is prohibited. In addition, in the event of an occurrence of an Insolvency Event to the securities company, the cash so deposited shall be withdrawn and paid to the customer senior to other creditors of the securities company.

 

73


Table of Contents

Market Price Information

 

Common Stock

 

Shares of our common stock are listed on the Korea Stock Exchange.

 

The table below shows the high and low trading prices on the Korea Stock Exchange for our common stock since January 1, 1996.

 

     Price

Period


   High

   Low

     (in Won)

1997

   29,900    12,900

1998

   31,000    13,550

1999

   50,500    26,400

2000

   36,800    22,900

2001

   26,850    18,600

First Quarter

   26,850    19,900

Second Quarter

   25,300    18,600

Third Quarter

   24,200    19,200

Fourth Quarter

   24,800    20,300

2002

         

First Quarter

   26,400    20,900

Second Quarter

   25,700    21,300

Third Quarter

   23,200    19,800

Fourth Quarter

   21,000    17,600

2003

         

First Quarter

   18,750    17,100

Second Quarter

   20,550    17,550

Third Quarter

   22,250    17,900

Fourth Quarter

   25,400    21,000

2004

         

First Quarter

   22,500    20,000

January

   21,400    20,200

February

   21,450    20,300

March

   22,500    20,000

Second Quarter (through June 25)

   20,400    18,350

April

   20,400    19,050

May

   19,800    18,600

June (through June 25)

   19,200    18,350

 

74


Table of Contents

ADSs

 

The table below shows the high and low trading prices on the New York Stock Exchange for the outstanding ADSs since January 1, 1996. Each ADS represents one-half of one share of our common stock.

 

     Price

Period


   High

   Low

     (in US$)

1997

   22.25    8.00

1998

   20.06    6.56

1999

   21.69    12.06

2000

   18.81    9.88

2001

   11.31    7.59

First Quarter

   11.31    8.09

Second Quarter

   10.73    7.59

Third Quarter

   10.51    8.59

Fourth Quarter

   10.52    8.62

2002

         

First Quarter

   10.81    8.98

Second Quarter

   11.69    9.99

Third Quarter

   10.92    9.06

Fourth Quarter

   9.68    8.21

2003

         

First Quarter

   8.84    7.69

Second Quarter

   9.57    7.89

Third Quarter

   10.67    8.54

Fourth Quarter

   11.62    10.11

2004

         

First Quarter

   11.23    9.76

January

   10.47    9.76

February

   10.76    10.02

March

   11.23    10.17

Second Quarter (through June 24)

   10.64    8.77

April

   10.64    9.30

May

   9.52    8.77

June (through June 24)

   9.27    8.82

 

75


Table of Contents

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

 

Set forth below is information relating to our capital stock, including brief summaries of material provisions of our articles of incorporation, the KEPCO Act, the Korean Securities and Exchange Act of 1962, as amended (the “Securities and Exchange Act”), the Korean Commercial Code, and certain related laws of Korea, all as currently in effect. The following summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to our articles of incorporation and the applicable provisions of the KEPCO Act, the Securities and Exchange Act, the Korean Commercial Code and certain related laws of Korea.

 

Objects and Purposes

 

We are a statutory juridical corporation established under the KEPCO Act for the purpose of ensuring “stabilization of the supply and demand of electric power, and further contributing toward the sound development of the national economy through expediting development of electric power resources and carrying out proper and effective operation of the electricity business”. The KEPCO Act and our articles of incorporation contemplate that we will engage in the following activities:

 

  Development of electric power resources;

 

  Generation, transmission, transformation and distribution of electricity and other related business activities;

 

  Related investment, research and technology development;

 

  Business incidental to the foregoing; and

 

  Any other activities entrusted by the Government.

 

Our registered name is “Hankook Chollryuk Kongsa” in Korean, and in English “Korea Electric Power Corporation”. Our registration number in the commercial registry office is 114671-0001456.

 

Directors

 

Under the KEPCO Act and our articles of incorporation, our board of directors consists of our president, standing directors and non-standing directors. A majority of the board members constitutes a voting quorum, and resolutions will be passed by a majority of the board members. Directors who have an interest in certain agenda proposed to the board may not vote on such issues.

 

The standards of remuneration for our officers, including directors, shall be determined by a resolution of the board of directors. The remuneration standards for the president and standing directors shall reflect the management results of our operation and the standards for the president shall contain the contents of the agreement between the president and us. Directors who have an interest may not participate in the meeting of the board of directors for determining the remuneration for officers.

 

Share Capital

 

Currently, our authorized share capital is 1,200,000,000 shares, which consists of shares of Common Stock (“Common Shares”) and shares of non-voting preferred stock, par value (Won)5,000 per share (“Non-Voting Shares,” and together with the Common Shares, “Shares”). Under our articles of incorporation, we are authorized to issue up to 150,000,000 Non-Voting Shares. As of April 330, 2004, 640,748,573 Common Shares were issued and no Non-Voting Shares have been issued. As of April 330, 2004, we held 10,713,050 shares of Common Stock as treasury stock. All of the issued and outstanding Common Shares are fully-paid and non-assessable, and are in registered form. Share certificates are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 10,000 shares.

 

76


Table of Contents

Description of Capital Stock

 

Dividend Rights

 

Under the KEPCO Act, we are authorized to pay preferential dividends on the Shares held by the public shareholders compared to those held by the Government. Dividends to the public shareholders are distributed in proportion to the number of shares of the relevant class of capital stock owned by each public shareholder following approval by the shareholders at a general meeting of shareholders. KDB may receive dividends in proportion to the numbers of our shares held by KDB. Under the Korean Commercial Code and our articles of incorporation, we will pay full annual dividends on newly issued shares.

 

Under our articles of incorporation, holders of Non-Voting Shares (of which there are currently none) are entitled to receive an amount not less than 8% of their par value as determined by a resolution of the board of directors at the time of their issuance. However, if the dividends for Common Shares exceed the dividends for Non-Voting Shares, the holders of Non-Voting Shares will be entitled to participate in the distribution of such excess amount with the holders of Common Shares at an equal rate.

 

We declare our dividend annually at the annual general meeting of shareholders which is held within three months after the end of the fiscal year. The annual dividend is paid to the shareholders of record as of the end of the fiscal year preceding the annual shareholders’ meeting shortly after the annual shareholders’ meeting. Annual dividends may be distributed either in cash or in Shares. However, a dividend of Shares must be distributed at par value and, if the market price of the Shares is less than their par value, dividends in Shares may not exceed one-half of the annual dividend.

 

Under the Korean Commercial Code and our articles of incorporation, we do not have an obligation to pay any annual dividend unclaimed for five years from the payment date.

 

The KEPCO Act provides that we shall not pay an annual dividend unless we have made up any accumulated deficit and set aside as a legal reserve an amount equal to 20% or more of our net profit until our accumulated reserve reaches one-half of our stated capital.

 

Distribution of Free Shares

 

In addition to dividends in the form of shares to be paid out of retained or current earnings, the Korean Commercial Code permits us to distribute to our shareholders an amount transferred from our capital surplus or legal reserve to stated capital in the form of free shares.

 

Voting Rights

 

Holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote for each Common Share, except that voting rights with respect to any Common Shares held by us or by a corporate shareholder, more than one-tenth of whose outstanding capital stock is directly or indirectly owned by us, may not be exercised. Any person (with certain exceptions) who holds more than 3% of our issued and outstanding Shares cannot exercise voting rights with respect to the Shares in excess of this 3% limit. See “—Limitation on Shareholdings”. Pursuant to the Korean Commercial Code and the Securities and Exchange Act, cumulative voting is permissible in relation to the appointment of directors. Under the Korean Commercial Code and the Securities and Exchange Act, a cumulative vote can be requested by the shareholders of a corporation representing more than 1% of the total voting shares of such corporation if the relevant shareholders’ meeting is intended to elect more than two seats of the board of directors and the request for cumulative voting is made to the management of the corporation in writing at least seven days in advance of the shareholders’ meeting. Under this new voting method, each shareholder will have multiple voting rights corresponding to the number of directors to be appointed in such voting and may exercise all such voting rights to elect one director. Shareholders are entitled to vote cumulatively unless the articles of incorporation expressly prohibit cumulative voting. Our current articles of

 

77


Table of Contents

incorporation do not prohibit cumulative voting. Except as otherwise provided by law or our articles of incorporation, a resolution can be adopted at a general meeting of shareholders by affirmative majority vote of the voting Shares of the shareholders present or represented at a meeting, which must also represent at least one-fourth of the voting Shares then issued and outstanding. The holders of Non-Voting Shares (other than Enfranchised Non-Voting Shares) are not entitled to vote on any resolution or to receive notice of any general meeting of shareholders unless the agenda of the meeting includes consideration of a resolution on which such holders are entitled to vote. If we are unable to pay any dividend to holders of Non-Voting Shares as provided in our articles of incorporation, the holders of Non-Voting Shares will become enfranchised and will be entitled to exercise voting rights until such dividends are paid. The holders of Enfranchised Non-Voting Shares have the same rights as holders of Common Shares to request, receive notice of, attend and vote at a general meeting of shareholders. Pursuant to the KEPCO Act and our articles of incorporation, the appointment of standing directors, the president and statutory auditor are subject to shareholder approval.

 

Under the Korean Commercial Code and the Securities and Exchange Act, for the purpose of electing our Statutory Auditor, a shareholder (together with certain related persons) holding more than 3% of the total Shares having voting rights may not exercise voting rights with respect to Shares in excess of such 3% limit.

 

The Korean Commercial Code provides that the approval by the holders of at least two-thirds of those Shares having voting rights present or represented at a meeting, where such Shares also represent at least one-third of the total issued and outstanding Shares having voting rights, is required in order to, among other things:

 

  amend our articles of incorporation;

 

  remove a director or our statutory auditor;

 

  effect any dissolution, merger or consolidation of us;

 

  transfer the whole or any significant part of our business;

 

  effect the acquisition by us of all of the business of any other company; or

 

  issue any new Shares at a price lower than their par value.

 

Under our articles of incorporation, an approval by the MOCIE is required in order to amend the articles of incorporation. Any change to our authorized share capital requires an amendment to our articles of incorporation.

 

In addition, in the case of amendments to our articles of incorporation or any merger or consolidation of us or in certain other cases which affect the rights or interests of the Non-Voting Shares a resolution must be adopted by a meeting of the holders of Non-Voting Shares approving such event. This resolution may be adopted if approval is obtained from holders of at least two-thirds of those Non-Voting Shares present or represented at such meeting and such Non-Voting Shares also represent at least one-third of our total issued and outstanding Non-Voting Shares.

 

A shareholder may exercise his voting rights by proxy. The proxy shall present the power of attorney prior to the start of the general meeting of shareholders. Under the Securities and Exchange Act and our articles of incorporation, no one other than us may solicit a proxy from shareholders.

 

Subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, holders of ADRs are entitled to instruct the Depositary, whose agent is the record holder of the underlying Common Shares, how to exercise voting rights relating to those underlying Common Shares. See “Description of American Depositary Shares—Voting of the Underlying Deposited Securities”.

 

Preemptive Rights and Issuance of Additional Shares

 

Authorized but unissued shares may be issued at such times and, unless otherwise provided in the Korean Commercial Code, upon such terms as our Board of Directors may determine. The new shares must be offered on

 

78


Table of Contents

uniform terms to all our shareholders who have preemptive rights and who are listed on the shareholders’ register as of the record date. Subject to the limitations described under “Limitation on Shareholdings” below and with certain other exceptions, all our shareholders are entitled to subscribe for any newly issued Shares in proportion to their existing shareholdings. Under the Korean Commercial Code, we may vary, without shareholder approval, the terms of such preemptive rights for different classes of shares. Public notice of the preemptive rights to new shares and their transferability must be given not less than two weeks (excluding the period during which the shareholders’ register is closed) prior to the record date. Our Board of Directors may determine how to distribute shares for which preemptive rights have not been exercised or where fractions of shares occur.

 

Our articles of incorporation provide that new Shares that are (1) publicly offered pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act, (2) issued to members of our employee stock ownership association, (3) represented by depositary receipts or (4) issued through offering to public investors may be issued pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors to persons other than existing shareholders, who in such circumstances will not have preemptive rights.

 

We may issue convertible bonds or bonds with warrants each up to an aggregate principal amount of (Won)2,000 billion and (Won)1,000 billion, respectively, to persons other than existing shareholders. However, the aggregate principal amount of convertible bonds and bonds with warrants so issued to persons other than existing shareholders may not exceed (Won)2,000 billion.

 

Under the Securities and Exchange Act and our articles of incorporation, members of our employee stock ownership association, whether or not they are our shareholders, have a preemptive right, subject to certain exceptions, to subscribe for up to 20% of any Shares publicly offered pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act. This right is exercisable only to the extent that the total number of Shares so acquired and held by members of our employee stock ownership association does not exceed 20% of the total number of Shares then outstanding.

 

Liquidation Rights

 

In the event of our liquidation, the assets remaining after payment of all debts, liquidation expenses and taxes will be distributed among shareholders in proportion to the number of Shares held. Holders of Non-Voting Shares have no preference in liquidation.

 

Rights of Dissenting Shareholders

 

In certain limited circumstances (including, without limitation, the transfer of the whole or any significant part of our business or the merger, or consolidation upon a split-off of us with another company), dissenting holders of Shares have the right to require us to purchase their Shares. To exercise such right, shareholders must submit a written notice of their intention to dissent to us prior to the general meeting of shareholders or the class meeting of holders of Non-Voting Shares, as the case may be. Within 20 days (the “Request Period”) after the date on which the relevant resolution is passed at such meeting, such dissenting shareholders must request us in writing to purchase their Shares. We are obligated to purchase the Shares of dissenting shareholders within one (1) month after the expiration of the Request Period. If we cannot agree on a price through negotiation, the purchase price will be the average of (1) the weighted average of the daily share price on the Korea Stock Exchange for a two-month period before the date of adoption of the relevant Board resolution, (2) the weighted average of the daily share price on the Korea Stock Exchange for the one month period before such date and (3) the weighted average of the daily share price on the Korea Stock Exchange for the one week period before such date. However, the FSC may adjust this price if we or at least 30% of the Shares we are obligated to purchase do not accept such purchase price. Holders of ADSs will not be able to exercise dissenter’s rights unless they have withdrawn the underlying Common Stock and become our direct shareholders.

 

79


Table of Contents

Transfer of Shares

 

Under the Korean Commercial Code, the transfer of Shares is effected by delivery of share certificates but, in order to assert shareholders’ rights against us, the transferee must have his name and address registered on our register of shareholders. For this purpose, shareholders are required to file one’s name, address and seal with our transfer agent. Under our articles of incorporation, non-resident shareholders must appoint an agent authorized to receive notices on its behalf in Korea and file a mailing address in Korea. These requirements do not apply to the holders of ADRs. Under current Korean regulations, Korean securities companies and banks in Korea (including licensed branches of non-Korean securities companies and banks), future trading companies, the Korea Securities Depository, internationally recognized foreign custodians and investment management companies are authorized to act as agents and provide related services for foreign shareholders. Our transfer agent is the Kookmin Bank, located at 9-1, Namdaemun-ro, 2-ga, Chung-ku, Seoul, Korea. Certain foreign exchange controls and securities regulations apply to the transfer of Shares by non-residents or non-Koreans. See Item 9 “The Offer and Listing”.

 

Acquisition of Our Own Shares

 

We generally may not acquire our own Shares except in certain limited circumstances, including, without limitation, a reduction in capital. Under the Korean Commercial Code, except in case of a reduction in capital, any Shares acquired by us must be sold or otherwise transferred to a third party within a reasonable time. In general, our 50% or more owned-subsidiaries are not permitted to acquire Shares.

 

In addition, we may acquire the Shares through purchase on the Korea Stock Exchange or through a tender-offer. We may also acquire interests in our own Shares through agreements with trust companies, securities investment trust companies and securities investment companies. The aggregate purchase price for the Shares may not exceed the total amount available of dividends at the end of the preceding fiscal year, subject to certain procedural requirements.

 

General Meeting of Shareholders

 

The ordinary general meeting of our shareholders is held within three months after the end of each fiscal year and, subject to board resolution or court approval, an extraordinary general meeting of our shareholders may be held as necessary or at the request of shareholders holding an aggregate of 1.5% or more of our outstanding Common Shares for at least six months. Under the Korean Commercial Code, an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders may be convened at the request of our statutory auditor, subject to a board resolution or court approval. Holders of Non-Voting Shares may only request a general meeting of shareholders once the Non-Voting Shares have become enfranchised as described under “Voting Rights” above (referred to as “Enfranchised Non-Voting Shares”). Written notices setting forth the date, place and agenda of the meeting must be given to shareholders at least two weeks prior to the date of the general meeting of shareholders. However, pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act and our articles of incorporation, with respect to holders of less than 1% of the total number of issued and outstanding Shares which are entitled to vote, notice may be given by placing at least two public notices at least two weeks in advance of the meeting in at least two daily newspapers published in Seoul. Currently, we use The Korea Daily News and The Maeil Business Newspaper published in Seoul for this purpose. Shareholders not on the shareholders’ register as of the record date are not entitled to receive notice of the general meeting of shareholders or attend or vote at such meeting. Holders of Enfranchised Non-Voting Shares on the shareholders’ register as of the record date are entitled to receive notice of, and to attend and vote at, the general meetings. Otherwise, holders of Non-Voting Shares are not entitled to receive notice of general meetings of shareholders or vote at such meetings but may attend such meetings.

 

The general meeting of shareholders is held in Seoul.

 

Register of Shareholders and Record Dates

 

Our transfer agent, Kookmin Bank, maintains the register of our shareholders at its office in Seoul, Korea. It registers transfers of Shares on the register of shareholders upon presentation of the Share certificates.

 

80


Table of Contents

The record date for annual dividends is December 31. For the purpose of determining the holders of Shares entitled to annual dividends, the register of shareholders may be closed for the period following December 31 and ending on the next following ordinary general meeting of shareholders. Further, the Korean Commercial Code and our articles of incorporation permit us upon at least two weeks’ public notice to set a record date and/or close the register of shareholders for not more than three months for the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to certain rights pertaining to the Shares. The trading of Shares and the delivery of certificates in respect of them may continue while the register of shareholders is closed.

 

Annual Report

 

At least one week prior to the annual general meeting of shareholders, our annual report and audited non-consolidated financial statements must be made available for inspection at our principal office and at all branch offices. Copies of annual reports, the audited non-consolidated financial statements and any resolutions adopted at the general meeting of shareholders will be available to our shareholders.

 

Under the Securities and Exchange Act, we must file with the FSC and the Korea Stock Exchange an annual report within 90 days after the end of our fiscal year, a half-year report within 45 days after the end of the first six months of our fiscal year and quarterly reports within 45 days after the end of the first three months and nine months of our fiscal year. Copies of these reports are available for public inspection at the FSC and the Korea Stock Exchange.

 

Limitation on Shareholdings

 

No person other than the Government, our employee stock ownership association and persons who obtain an approval from the FSC may hold for its account more than 3% of our total issued and outstanding Shares. In calculating shareholdings for this purpose, shares held by your spouse and your certain relatives or by your certain affiliates (such spouses, relatives and affiliates are together referred to as “Affiliated Holders”) are deemed to be held by you. If you hold Shares in violation of this 3% limit, you are not entitled to exercise the voting rights or preemptive rights of the Shares in excess of such 3% limit and the FSC may order you to take necessary corrective action. In addition, the KEPCO Act currently requires that the Government, directly or through KDB, own not less than 51% of our capital. For other restrictions on shareholdings, see Item 9 “The Offer and Listing”.

 

Change of Control

 

The KEPCO Act requires that the Government, directly or pursuant to the KDB Act, through KDB, own not less than 51% of our capital.

 

Disclosure of Share Ownership

 

Under the Securities and Exchange Act, any person who directly or beneficially owns shares, whether in the form of shares or ADSs, certificates representing the rights to subscribe for common shares and equity-related debt securities including convertible bonds and bonds with warrants (collectively, the “Equity Securities”) together with the Equity Securities beneficially owned by certain related persons or by any person acting in concert with the person accounts for 5% or more of the total outstanding Equity Securities is required to report the status of the holdings to the FSC and the Korea Stock Exchange within five business days after reaching the 5% ownership interest. In addition, any change in the ownership interest subsequent to the report which equals or exceeds 1% of the total outstanding Equity Securities is required to be reported to the FSC and the Korea Stock Exchange within five business days from the date of the change.

 

Violation of these reporting requirements may subject a person to criminal sanctions such as fines or imprisonment and may result in a loss of voting rights with respect to the ownership of Equity Securities exceeding 5%. Furthermore, the FSC may issue an order to dispose of non-reported Equity Securities.

 

81


Table of Contents

EXCHANGE CONTROLS

 

General

 

The Foreign Exchange Transaction Act and the Presidential Decree and regulations under that Act and Decree (collectively the “Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws”) regulate investment in Korean securities by non-residents and issuance of securities outside Korea by Korean companies. Under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws, non-residents may invest in Korean securities only to the extent specifically allowed by these laws or otherwise permitted by the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The FSC has also adopted, pursuant to its authority under the Korean Securities and Exchange Act, regulations that restrict investment by foreigners in Korean securities and regulate issuance of securities outside Korea by Korean companies.

 

Under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws, (1) if the Government deems that it is inevitable due to the outbreak of natural calamities, wars, conflict of arms or grave and sudden changes in domestic or foreign economic circumstances or other situations equivalent thereto, the Ministry of Finance and Economy may temporarily suspend payment, receipt or the whole or part of transactions to which the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws apply, or impose an obligation to safe-keep, deposit or sell means of payment in or to certain Korean governmental agencies or financial institutions; and (2) if the Government deems that international balance of payments and international finance are confronted or are likely to be confronted with serious difficulty or the movement of capital between Korea and abroad brings or is likely to bring on serious obstacles in carrying out currency policies, exchange rate policies and other macroeconomic policies, the Ministry of Finance and Economy may take measures to require any person who intends to perform capital transactions to obtain permission or to require any person who performs capital transactions to deposit part of the means of payment acquired in such transactions in certain Korean governmental agencies or financial institutions, in each case subject to certain limitations thereunder.

 

Government Review of Issuances of Debt Securities and ADSs and Report for Payments

 

In order for us to issue debt securities of any series, maturity of which is one year or more, outside of the Republic, we are required to file a report with our designated foreign exchange bank or the MOFE on the issuance of such debt securities, depending on the issuance amount. Furthermore, in order for us to make payments of principal of or interest on the debt securities of any series and other amounts as provided in an indenture and such debt securities, we are required to present relevant documents to the designated foreign exchange bank at the time of each actual payment. The purpose of such presentation is to ensure that the actual remittance is consistent with the terms of the transaction reported to our designated foreign exchange bank or the MOFE.

 

In order for us to offer for purchase shares of our common stock held in treasury in the form of ADSs or issue shares of our common stock represented by the ADSs, we are required to file a prior report of such offer or issuance with our designated foreign exchange bank or the MOFE, depending on the offering amount. No further Korean governmental approval is necessary for the initial offering and issuance of the ADSs.

 

In order for a depositary to acquire any existing shares of our common stock from holders of these shares of common stock (other than from us) for the purpose of issuance of depositary receipts representing these shares of common stock, the depositary would be required to obtain our consent for the number of shares to be deposited in any given proposed deposit which exceeds the difference between (1) the aggregate number of shares deposited by us or with our consent for the issuance of ADRs (including deposits in connection with the initial and all subsequent offerings of ADRs and stock dividends or other distributions related to these ADRs) and (2) the number of shares on deposit with the depositary at the time of such proposed deposit. The depositary would also be required to file a written report to the Governor of the FSS after the acquisition of the shares of common stock. We may not grant this consent for the deposit of shares of our common stock in the future, if our consent is required. Therefore, a holder of ADRs who surrenders ADRs and withdraws shares of our common stock may not be permitted subsequently to deposit such shares and obtain ADRs.

 

82


Table of Contents

Reporting Requirements for Holders of Substantial Interests

 

If any person whose direct beneficial ownership of (1) shares having voting rights (whether in the form of shares or ADSs), (2) certificates representing the right to subscribe for shares and (3) certain equity-related debt securities such as convertible bonds and bonds with warrants (collectively, the “Equity Securities”), together with the Equity Securities beneficially owned by certain related persons or by any person acting in concert with such person, accounts for 5% or more of the aggregate of the total outstanding shares having voting rights and those other Equity Securities which are owned by such person, then such person is required to report the status of his holdings to the FSC and the Korea Stock Exchange within five business days after reaching the 5% ownership interest. Moreover, any change in the ownership interest subsequent to such report which equals or exceeds 1% of the total outstanding shares having voting rights and those other Equity Securities which are owned by such person is required to be reported to the FSC and the Korea Stock Exchange within five business days from the date of such change.

 

Violation of these reporting requirements may subject a person to criminal sanctions such as fines or imprisonment and may result in loss of voting rights with respect to the ownership of Equity Securities exceeding 5%. Furthermore, the FSC may issue an order to dispose of such non-reported Equity Securities.

 

Restrictions Applicable to ADSs

 

No Korean governmental approval is necessary for the sale and purchase of ADSs in the secondary market outside Korea or for the withdrawal of shares of our common stock underlying ADSs and the delivery inside Korea of the withdrawn shares. However, a foreigner who intends to acquire shares must obtain an Investment Registration Card from the FSS as described below. The acquisition of shares by a foreigner must be reported by the foreigner or his standing proxy in Korea immediately to the Governor of the FSS.

 

Persons who have acquired shares of our common stock as a result of the withdrawal of shares of common stock underlying the ADSs may exercise their preemptive rights for new shares, participate in free distributions and receive dividends on shares of our common stock without any further governmental approval.

 

Restrictions Applicable to Common Stock

 

Under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws and FSC regulations (together, the “Investment Rules”), foreigners are permitted to invest, subject to certain exceptions and procedural requirements, in all shares of Korean companies unless prohibited by specific laws. Foreign investors may trade shares listed on the Korea Stock Exchange or traded on the Korea Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (“KOSDAQ”) system only through the Korea Stock Exchange or the KOSDAQ system, as the case may be, except for certain limited circumstances. These circumstances include, among others, (1) odd-lot trading of shares, (2) acquisition of shares (“Converted Shares”) by exercise of warrant, conversion right under convertible bonds, exchange right under exchangeable bonds or withdrawal right under depositary receipts issued outside of Korea by a Korean company, (3) acquisition of shares as a result of inheritance, donation, bequest or exercise of shareholders’ rights (including preemptive rights or rights to participate in free distributions and receive dividends) and (4) over-the-counter transactions between foreigners of a class of shares for which a ceiling on aggregate acquisition by foreigners (as explained below) exists and has been reached or exceeded. For over-the-counter transactions of shares listed on the Korea Stock Exchange or traded on the KOSDAQ system outside the Korea Stock Exchange or the KOSDAQ system between foreigners of a class of shares for which a ceiling on aggregate acquisition by foreigners exists and has been reached or exceeded a securities company licensed in Korea must act as an intermediary. Odd-lot trading of shares listed on the Korea Stock Exchange or traded on the KOSDAQ system outside the Korea Stock Exchange or the KOSDAQ system must involve a licensed securities company in Korea as the other party. Foreign investors are prohibited from engaging in margin transactions with respect to shares subject to a ceiling on acquisition by foreigners.

 

The Investment Rules require a foreign investor who wishes to invest in shares on the Korea Stock Exchange or KOSDAQ (including Converted Shares) to register its identity with the FSS prior to making any

 

83


Table of Contents

such investment. However, such registration requirement does not apply to foreign investors who acquire Converted Shares with the intention of selling them within three months from the date they were acquired. Upon registration, the FSS will issue to the foreign investor an Investment Registration Card which must be presented each time the foreign investor opens a brokerage account with a securities company. Foreigners eligible to obtain an Investment Registration Card include any foreign nationals who are individuals (with residence abroad for six months or more), foreign governments, foreign municipal authorities, foreign public institutions, international financial institutions or similar international organizations, corporations incorporated under foreign laws and any person in any additional category designated by the Decree of the Minister of Finance and Economy under the Securities and Exchange Act. All Korean branches of a foreign corporation as a group are treated as a separate foreigner from the head office of the foreign corporation. However, a foreign branch of a Korean securities company, a foreign corporation or a depositary issuing depositary receipts may obtain one or more Investment Registration Cards in its name in certain circumstances as described in the relevant regulations.

 

Upon a foreign investor’s purchase of shares through the Korea Stock Exchange or KOSDAQ, no separate report by the investor is required because the Investment Registration Card system is designed to control and oversee foreign investment through a computer system. However, a foreign investor’s acquisition or sale of shares outside the Korea Stock Exchange or KOSDAQ (as discussed above) must be reported by the foreign investor or his standing proxy to the Governor of the FSS at the time of each acquisition or sale. However, a foreign investor must ensure that any acquisition or sale by it of shares outside the Korea Stock Exchange or KOSDAQ in the case of trades in connection with a tender offer, odd-lot trading of shares or trades of a class of shares for which the aggregate foreign ownership limit has been reached or exceeded, is reported to the Governor of the FSS by the securities company engaged to facilitate such transaction. A foreign investor may appoint one or more standing proxies from among the Korea Securities Depository, internationally recognized foreign custodians, investment management companies, futures trading companies, foreign exchange banks (including domestic branches of foreign banks), and securities companies (including domestic branches of foreign securities companies) which will exercise shareholders’ rights or perform any matters related to the foregoing activities if the foreign investor does not perform these activities himself. However, a foreign investor may be exempted from complying with these standing proxy rules with the approval of the Governor of the FSS in cases deemed inevitable by reason of conflict between the laws of Korea and those of the home country of the foreign investor.

 

Certificates evidencing shares of Korean companies must be kept in custody with an eligible custodian in Korea. Only foreign exchange banks (including domestic branches of foreign banks), securities companies (including domestic branches of foreign securities companies), investment management companies, futures trading companies, internationally recognized foreign custodians and the Korea Securities Depository are eligible to be a custodian of shares for a non-resident or foreign investor. A foreign investor must ensure that his custodian deposits his shares with the Korea Securities Depository. However, a foreign investor may be exempted from complying with this deposit requirement with the approval of the Governor of the FSS in circumstances where compliance is made impracticable, including cases where such compliance would contravene the laws of the home country of the foreign investor.

 

Under the Investment Rules, with certain exceptions, a foreign investor may acquire shares of a Korean company without being subject to any single or aggregate foreign investment ceiling. However, certain designated public corporations are subject to a 40% ceiling on acquisitions of shares by foreigners in the aggregate and a ceiling on acquisitions of shares by a single foreign investor provided in the articles of incorporation of such corporations. Of the Korean companies listed on the Korea Stock Exchange, we are so designated. The FSC may increase or decrease these percentages if it deems it necessary for the public interest, protection of investors or industrial policy. Generally, the ownership of Converted Shares constitutes foreign ownership for purposes of such aggregate foreign ownership limit. However, the acquisition of Converted Shares is one of the exceptions under which foreign investors may acquire shares of designated corporations in excess of the 40% ceiling.

 

In addition to the aggregate foreign investment ceiling set by the FSC under authority of the Securities and Exchange Act, our Articles of Incorporation set a 3% ceiling on acquisition by a single investor (whether

 

84


Table of Contents

domestic or foreign) of the shares of our common stock. Any person (with certain exceptions) who holds more than 3% of our issued and outstanding Shares cannot exercise voting rights with respect to the Shares in excess of this 3% limit.

 

The ceiling on aggregate investment by foreigners applicable to us may be exceeded in certain limited circumstances, including as a result of acquisition of:

 

  shares by a depositary issuing depositary receipts representing such shares (whether newly issued shares or outstanding shares);

 

  Converted Shares;

 

  shares from the exercise of shareholders’ rights; or

 

  shares by gift, inheritance or bequest.

 

A foreigner who has acquired shares in excess of any ceiling described above may not exercise his voting rights with respect to the shares exceeding such limit and the FSC may take necessary corrective action against him pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act.

 

Under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Laws, a foreign investor who intends to acquire shares must designate a foreign exchange bank at which he must open a foreign currency account and a Won account exclusively for stock investments (“Foreign Currency Account” and “Won Account”, respectively). No approval is required for remittance into Korea and deposit of foreign currency funds in the Foreign Currency Account. Foreign currency funds may be transferred from the Foreign Currency Account at the time required to place a deposit for, or settle the purchase price of, a stock purchase transaction to a Won account opened at a securities company. Funds in the Foreign Currency Account may be remitted abroad without any governmental approval.

 

Dividends on shares of our common stock are paid in Won. No governmental approval is required for foreign investors to receive dividends on, or the Won proceeds of the sale of, any shares to be paid, received and retained in Korea. Dividends paid on, and the Won proceeds of the sale of, any shares held by a non-resident of Korea must be deposited either in a Won account with the investor’s securities company or his Won Account. Funds in the investor’s Won Account may be transferred to his Foreign Currency Account or withdrawn for local living expenses up to certain limitations. Funds in the Won Account may also be used for future investment in shares or for payment of the subscription price of new shares obtained through the exercise of preemptive rights.

 

Securities companies and investment trust companies are allowed to open foreign currency accounts with foreign exchange banks exclusively for accommodating foreign investors’ stock investments in Korea. Through these accounts, these securities companies and investment trust companies may enter into foreign exchange transactions on a limited basis, such as conversion of foreign currency funds and Won funds, either as a counterparty to or on behalf of foreign investors without the foreign investors having to open their own accounts with foreign exchange banks.

 

85


Table of Contents

TAXATION

 

Korean Taxes

 

The following summary describes the material Korean tax consequences of ownership of the Registered Debt Securities and ADSs. Persons considering the purchase of the Registered Debt Securities or ADSs should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the application of the Korean income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction. Reference is also made to a tax treaty between the Republic and the United States entitled “Convention Between the Government of The Republic of Korea and the Government of the United States of America for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and the Encouragement of International Trade and Investment,” signed on June 4, 1976 and entered into force on October 20, 1979 (“U.S.-Korea Tax Treaty”).

 

The following summary of Korean tax considerations applies to you so long as you are not:

 

  a resident of Korea;

 

  a corporation organized under Korean law; or

 

  engaged in a trade or business in Korea through a permanent establishment or a fixed base to which the relevant income is attributable or with which the relevant income is effectively connected.

 

Notes

 

Taxation of Interest

 

Under current Korean tax laws, when we make payments of interest to you on the notes, no amount will be withheld from such payments for, or on account of, any income taxes of any kind imposed, levied, withheld or assessed by Korea or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein.

 

Taxation of Capital Gains

 

Under specific exemptions granted under Korean tax law, you will not be subject to any Korean income or withholding taxes in connection with the capital gains from sale, exchange or other disposition of a note, if (1) you transfer the note to another non-resident (other than to such transferee’s permanent establishment in Korea) and (ii) you transfer the note to resident or non-resident of Korea (regardless whether the transferee’s have a permanent establishment in Korea) by virtue of the Special Tax Treatment Control Law of Korea (the “STTCL”), provided that the issuance of the note is deemed to be an overseas issuance under the STTCL If you sell or otherwise dispose of a note through other ways than those mentioned above, any gain realized on the transaction will be taxable at ordinary Korean withholding tax rates (the lesser of, subject to the production of satisfactory evidence of the acquisition cost of, and certain direct transaction costs attributable to the disposal of, the relevant notes, 27.5% of the net gain or 11% of the gross sale proceeds), unless an exemption is available under an applicable income tax treaty. See the discussion under “—Tax Treaties” below in Shares or ADSs for an additional explanation on treaty benefits.

 

Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax

 

If you die while you are the holder of a note, the subsequent transfer of the notes by way of succession will be subject to Korean inheritance tax. Similarly, if you transfer a note as a gift, the donee will be subject to Korean gift tax and you may be required to pay the gift tax if the donee fails to do so.

 

At present, Korea has not entered into any tax treaty relating to inheritance or gift taxes.

 

86


Table of Contents

Shares or ADSs

 

Dividends on the Shares of Common Stock or ADSs

 

We will deduct Korean withholding tax from dividends paid to you at a rate of 27.5%. If you are a qualified resident in a country that has entered into a tax treaty with Korea, you may qualify for a reduced rate of Korean withholding tax. See the discussion under “Tax Treaties” below for an additional explanation on treaty benefits.

 

In order to obtain the benefits of a reduced withholding tax rate under a tax treaty, you must submit to us, prior to the dividend payment date, such evidence of tax residence as may be required by the Korean tax authorities. In addition, in order to obtain the benefit of a tax exemption available under applicable tax treaties, you should submit an application for exemption prior to the time of the first dividend payment, together with a certificate verifying your tax residence issued by a competent authority of your country. Evidence of tax residence may be submitted to us through the ADR depositary. If we distribute to you free shares representing a transfer of certain capital reserves or asset revaluation reserves into paid-in capital, that distribution may be subject to Korean tax.

 

Taxation of Capital Gains

 

As a general rule, capital gains earned by non-residents upon the transfer of the common shares or ADSs would be subject to Korean withholding tax at a rate equal to the lesser of (i) 11% of the gross proceeds realized or (ii) 27.5% of the net realized gain (subject to the production of satisfactory evidence of the acquisition costs and certain direct transaction costs arising out of the transfer of such common shares or ADSs), unless such non-resident is exempt from Korean income taxation under an applicable Korean tax treaty into which Korea has entered with the non-resident’s country of tax residence. Please see the discussion under “Tax Treaties” below for an additional explanation on treaty benefits. Even if you do not qualify for any exemption under a tax treaty, you will not be subject to the foregoing withholding tax on capital gains if you qualify for the relevant Korean domestic tax law exemptions discussed in the following paragraphs.

 

With respect to shares of our common stock, you will not be subject to Korean income taxation on capital gains realized upon the transfer of such shares through the Korea Stock Exchange if you (i) have no permanent establishment in Korea and (ii) did not own or have not owned (together with any shares owned by any entity which you have a certain special relationship with and possibly including the shares represented by the ADSs) 25% or more of our total issued and outstanding shares at any time during the calendar year in which the sale occurs and during the five calendar years prior to the calendar year in which the sale occurs.

 

With respect to ADSs, there are uncertainties as to whether they should be viewed as securities separate from the shares of common stock underlying such ADSs or as the underlying shares themselves for capital gains tax purposes, as discussed in a more detail in the following paragraph. However, in either case, you will be eligible for exemptions for capital gains available under Korean domestic tax law (in addition to the exemption afforded under income tax treaties) if certain conditions discussed below are satisfied.

 

Under a tax ruling issued by the Korean tax authority in 1995 (the “1995 tax ruling”), ADSs are treated as securities separate from the underlying shares represented by such ADSs and, based on such ruling, (i) capital gains earned by you from the transfer of ADSs to another non-resident (other than to such transferee’s permanent establishment in Korea) will not be subject to Korean income taxation and (ii) capital gains earned by you (regardless whether you have a permanent establishment in Korea) from the transfer of ADSs outside Korea will be exempt from Korean income taxation by virtue of the Special Tax Treatment Control Law of Korea (the “STTCL”), provided that the issuance of the ADSs is deemed to be an overseas issuance under the STTCL. However, according to a recent tax ruling issued in 2004 by the Korean tax authority regarding the securities transaction tax (the “2004 tax ruling”), depositary receipts constitute share certificates the transfer of which is subject to the securities transaction tax. Even though the 2004 tax ruling addresses the securities transaction tax and not the income tax on capital gains, it gives rise to a question as to whether depositary shares (such as ADSs)

 

87


Table of Contents

should be viewed as the underlying shares for capital gains tax purposes. In that case, exemptions afforded under Korean domestic tax law to capital gains from transfer of ADSs based on the treatment of ADSs as securities separate from the underlying shares would no longer apply (including those referred to in the 1995 tax ruling), but, instead, exemptions for capital gains from transfer of the underlying shares would apply. Under such an exemption relevant to this case, capital gains from transfer of ADSs would be exempt from Korean income tax under the STTCL if (i) the ADSs are listed on the securities market overseas that is similar to the Korea Stock Exchange or KOSDAQ and (ii) the transfer of ADSs is made through such securities market. We believe that New York Stock Exchange would satisfy the condition (i) above.

 

If you are subject to tax on capital gains with respect to the sale of ADSs, or of shares of common stock which you acquired as a result of a withdrawal, the purchaser or, in the case of the sale of shares of common stock on the Korea Stock Exchange or through a licensed securities company in Korea, the licensed securities company, is required to withhold Korean tax from the sales price in an amount equal to 11% (including resident surtax) of the gross realization proceeds and to make payment of these amounts to the Korean tax authority, unless you establish your entitlement to an exemption under an applicable tax treaty or domestic tax law or produce satisfactory evidence of your acquisition cost and transaction costs for the shares of common stock or the ADSs. To obtain the benefit of an exemption from tax pursuant to a tax treaty, you must submit to the purchaser or the securities company, or through the ADR depositary, as the case may be, prior to or at the time of payment, such evidence of your tax residence as the Korean tax authorities may require in support of your claim for treaty benefits. Please see the discussion under “—Tax Treaties” below for an additional explanation on claiming treaty benefits.

 

Tax Treaties

 

Korea has entered into a number of income tax treaties with other countries (including the United States), which would reduce or exempt Korean withholding tax on dividends on, and capital gains on transfer of, shares of our common stock or ADSs. For example, under the Korea-United States income tax treaty, reduced rates of Korean withholding tax of 16.5% or 11.0% (respectively, including resident surtax, depending on your shareholding ratio) on dividends and an exemption from Korean withholding tax on capital gains are available to residents of the United States that are beneficial owners of the relevant dividend income or capital gains. However, under Article 17 (Investment of Holding Companies) of the Korea-United States income tax treaty, such reduced rates and exemption do not apply if (i) you are a United States corporation, (ii) by reason of any special measures, the tax imposed on you by the United States with respect to such dividends or capital gains is substantially less than the tax generally imposed by the United States on corporate profits, and (iii) 25% or more of your capital is held of record or is otherwise determined, after consultation between competent authorities of the United States and Korea, to be owned directly or indirectly by one or more persons who are not individual residents of the United States. Also, under Article 16 (Capital Gains) of the Korea-United States income tax treaty, the exemption on capital gains does not apply if you are an individual, and (a) you maintain a fixed base in Korea for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year and your ADSs or shares of common stock giving rise to capital gains are effectively connected with such fixed base or (b) you are present in Korea for a period or periods of 183 days or more during the taxable year.

 

You should inquire for yourself whether you are entitled to the benefit of an income tax treaty with Korea. It is the responsibility of the party claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty in respect of dividend payments or capital gains to submit to us, the purchaser or the securities company, as applicable, a certificate as to his tax residence. In the absence of sufficient proof, we, the purchaser or the securities company, as applicable, must withhold tax at the normal rates. Further, effective from July 1, 2002, in order for you to obtain the benefit of a tax exemption on certain Korean source income (e.g., dividends and capital gains) under an applicable tax treaty, Korean tax law requires you (or your agent) to submit the application for tax exemption along with a certificate of your tax residency issued by a competent authority of your country of tax residence, subject to certain exceptions. Such application should be submitted to the relevant district tax office by the ninth day of the month following the date of the first payment of such income.

 

88


Table of Contents

Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax

 

If you die while holding an ADS or donate an ADS, it is unclear whether, for Korean inheritance and gift tax purposes, you will be treated as the owner of the shares of common stock underlying the ADSs. If the tax authority’s interpretation of treating depositary receipts as the underlying share certificates under the 2004 tax ruling applies in the context of inheritance and gift taxes as well, you may be treated as the owner of the shares of common stock, your heir or the donee (or in certain circumstances, you as the donor) will be subject to Korean inheritance or gift tax presently at the rate of 10% to 50%; provided that the value of the ADSs or shares of common stock is greater than a specified amount.

 

If you die while holding a share of common stock or donate a share of common stock, your heir or donee (or in certain circumstances, you as the donor) will be subject to Korean inheritance or gift tax at the same rate as indicated above.

 

At present, Korea has not entered into any tax treaty relating to inheritance or gift taxes.

 

Securities Transaction Tax

 

If you transfer share of common stock on the Korea Stock Exchange, you will be subject to securities transaction tax at the rate of 0.15% and an agriculture and fishery special surtax at the rate of 0.15% of the sale price of the shares of common stock. If your transfer of the shares of common stock is not made on the Korea Stock Exchange, subject to certain exceptions you will be subject to securities transaction tax at the rate of 0.5% and will not be subject to an agriculture and fishery special surtax.

 

With respect to transfer of ADRs, the 2004 tax ruling has been issued by the Korean tax authority to the effect that depositary receipts (which the ADRs fall under) constitute share certificates subject to the securities transaction tax; provided that, under the Securities Transaction Tax Law, the transfer of depositary receipts listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market is exempt from the securities transaction tax. Based on the 2004 tax ruling and the relevant provisions of the Securities Transaction Tax Law, once the ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, your transfer of ADRs should not be subject to the securities transaction tax. According to tax rulings issued by the Korean tax authorities in 2000 and 2002, foreign stockholders are not subject to securities transaction tax upon the deposit of underlying stock and receipt of depositary shares or upon the surrender of depositary shares and withdrawal of the originally deposited underlying stock, but there remained uncertainties as to whether holders of ADRs other than initial holders will not be subject to securities transaction tax when they withdraw shares of common stock upon surrendering the ADRs. However, the holding of the 2004 tax ruling referred to above seems to view the ADRs as the underlying shares of common stock at least for the purpose of the securities transaction tax and, though not specifically stated, could be read to imply that the securities transaction tax should not apply to the deposit of shares of common stock in exchange of ADRs or withdrawal of shares of common stock upon surrender of the ADRs regardless of whether the holder is the initial holder because the transfer of ADRs by the initial holder to the subsequent holder would have already been subject to securities transaction tax under such tax ruling.

 

In principle, the securities transaction tax, if applicable, must be paid by the transferor of the shares or rights. When the transfer is effected through a securities settlement company, such settlement company is generally required to withhold and pay the tax to the tax authorities. When such transfer is made through a securities company only, such securities company is required to withhold and pay the tax. Where the transfer is effected by a non-resident without a permanent establishment in Korea, other than through a securities settlement company or a securities company, the transferee is required to withhold the securities transaction tax.

 

89


Table of Contents

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Persons

 

The following is a summary of certain U.S. Federal income tax consequences for beneficial owners of the Registered Debt Securities, common stock and ADRs that are “U.S. Persons” under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). Under the Code, you are a “U.S. Person” if you are any of the following for U.S. Federal income tax purposes:

 

  a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

  a corporation or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision of the United States;

 

  an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. Federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

  a trust if (1) it is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) it has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

 

This summary is based on current law, which is subject to change (perhaps retroactively), is for general purposes only and should not be considered tax advice. This summary does not represent a detailed description of the federal income tax consequences to you in light of your particular circumstances. The discussion set forth below is applicable to you if (i) you are a resident of the United States for purposes of the current income tax treaty between the United States and Korea (the “Treaty”), (ii) your Registered Debt Securities, common stock and ADRs are not, for purposes of the Treaty, effectively connected with a permanent establishment in Korea, (iii) you are not present in Korea for 183 days or more during the taxable year and (iv) you otherwise qualify for the full benefits of the Treaty. Except where noted, it deals only with Registered Debt Securities, common stock or ADRs held as capital assets, and it does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. Federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the U.S. Federal income tax laws (including if you are a dealer in securities or currencies, a financial institution, a regulated investment company, a real estate investment trust, an insurance company, a tax exempt organization, a person holding the Registered Debt Securities, common stock and ADRs as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, constructive sale or straddle, a person owning 10% or more of our voting stock, traders in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities holdings, or a U.S. Person whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. Dollar). We cannot assure you that a change in law will not alter significantly the tax considerations that we describe in this summary.

 

If a partnership holds the Registered Debt Securities, common stock or ADRs, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our Registered Debt Securities, common stock, or ADRs, you should consult your tax advisor.

 

Because of the 100 year maturity of the One Hundred Year 7.95% Zero-to-Full Debentures, due April 1, 2096 (the “ZTF Debentures”), it is not certain whether the ZTF Debentures will be treated as debt for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. The discussion below assumes that the ZTF Debentures (as well as the other Registered Debt Securities) will be treated as debt, except that a summary of the consequences to you if the ZTF Debentures were not treated as debt is provided under “ZTF Debentures Treated as Equity,” below.

 

The discussion of the tax consequences of ownership of common stock and ADRs below, is based, in part, upon representations made by the Depositary to the Company and assumes that the Deposit Agreement, and all other related agreements, will be performed in accordance with their terms.

 

You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the particular U.S. Federal income tax consequences to you of the ownership of the Registered Debt Securities, as well as the consequences to you arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

 

90


Table of Contents

Tax Consequences with respect to Registered Debt Securities Generally

 

Payments

 

Except as provided below with regard to original issue discount on the ZTF Debentures, interest payments on a Registered Debt Security will generally be taxable to you as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with your method of accounting for tax purposes. Principal payments on an amortizing Registered Debt Security generally will constitute a tax-free return of capital to you.

 

Although interest payments to you are currently exempt from Korean taxation, if the Korean law providing for the exemption is repealed, then, in addition to interest payments on the Registered Debt Securities and original issue discount (as defined below) on the ZTF Debentures, you will be required to include in income any Additional Amounts and any Korean tax withheld from interest payments notwithstanding that you in fact did not receive such withheld tax. You may be entitled to deduct or credit such Korean tax (up to the Treaty rate), subject to applicable limitations in the Code. Your election to deduct or credit foreign taxes will apply to all of your foreign taxes for a particular taxable year. Interest income on a Registered Debt Security (including Additional Amounts and any Korean taxes withheld in respect thereof) and original issue discount on a ZTF Debenture generally will constitute foreign source income and generally will be considered “passive” income or, for certain holders, “financial services” income, or if the rate of Korean withholding tax exceeds 5%, “high withholding tax interest” income, which are treated separately from other types of income in computing the foreign tax credit allowable to you under U.S. Federal income tax laws. Special rules apply to certain individuals whose foreign source income during the taxable year consists entirely of “qualified passive income” and whose creditable foreign taxes paid or accrued during the taxable year do not exceed $300 ($600 in the case of a joint return). The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances. Guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury may deny a foreign tax credit for foreign taxes imposed with respect to Registered Debt Securities where you hold the Registered Debt Securities in arrangements in which your expected economic profits, after non-U.S. taxes, is insubstantial.

 

Original Issue Discount

 

The ZTF Debentures were issued with original issue discount (“OID”) for U.S. Federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between (i) the sum of all scheduled amounts payable on the ZTF Debentures (including the interest payable on such ZTF Debentures) and (ii) the “issue price” of the ZTF Debenture. The “issue price” of each ZTF Debenture is the first price at which a substantial amount of the ZTF Debentures were sold to the public (other than to an underwriter, broker, placement agent or wholesaler). If you hold ZTF Debentures, then you generally must include OID in gross income in advance of the receipt of cash attributable to that income, regardless of your method of accounting. However, you generally will not be required to include separately in income cash payments received on the ZTF Debentures, even if denominated as interest.

 

The amount of OID includible in income by the initial holder of a ZTF Debenture is the sum of the “daily portions” of OID with respect to the ZTF Debenture for each day during the taxable year or portion of the taxable year in which such holder held such ZTF Debenture (“accrued OID”) (for a discussion relevant to subsequent purchasers, see “—Market Discount” and “—Bond Premium”, below). The daily portion is determined by allocating to each day in any “accrual period” a pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. The “accrual period” for a ZTF Debenture may be of any length and may vary in length over the term of the ZTF Debenture, provided that each accrual period is no longer than one year and each scheduled payment of principal or interest occurs on the first day or the final day of an accrual period. The amount of OID allocable to any accrual period is an amount equal to the product of the ZTF Debenture’s adjusted issue price at the beginning of such accrual period and its yield to maturity (determined on the basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and properly adjusted for the length of the accrual period). The “adjusted issue price” of a ZTF Debenture at the beginning of any accrual period is equal to its issue price increased by the accrued OID for each prior accrual period (for subsequent purchasers, determined without regard to the amortization of any acquisition or bond premium, as described below) and reduced by any payments made on such ZTF Debenture on or before

 

91


Table of Contents

the first day of the accrual period. OID allocable to a final accrual period is the difference between the amount payable at maturity and the adjusted issue price at the beginning of the final accrual period. Special rules will apply for calculating OID for an initial short accrual period. Under these rules, you will have to include in income increasingly greater amounts of OID in successive accrual periods. We are required to provide information returns stating the amount of OID accrued on ZTF Debentures held of record by persons other than corporations and other exempt holders.

 

As discussed above, although interest payments to you are currently exempt from Korean taxation, if the Korean law providing for the exemption is repealed, then Korean withholding tax may be imposed at times that differ from the times at which you are required to include interest or OID in income for U.S. Federal income tax purposes and this disparity may limit the amount of foreign tax credit available.

 

Market Discount

 

If you purchase a Registered Debt Security other than a ZTF Debenture for an amount that is less than its stated redemption price at maturity, or, in the case of a ZTF Debenture, its adjusted issue price, the amount of the difference will be treated as “market discount” for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, unless that difference is less than a specified de minimis amount. Under the market discount rules, you will be required to treat any payment, other than qualified stated interest (as defined in the Code), on, or any gain on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a Registered Debt Security as ordinary income to the extent of the market discount that you have not previously included in income and are treated as having accrued on the Registered Debt Security at the time of its payment or disposition. In addition, you may be required to defer, until the maturity of the Registered Debt Security or its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of all or a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness attributable to the Registered Debt Security.

 

Any market discount will be considered to accrue ratably during the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of the Registered Debt Security, unless you elect to accrue on a constant interest method. Your election to accrue market discount on a constant interest method is to be made for the taxable year in which you acquired the Registered Debt Security, applies only to that Registered Debt Security and cannot be revoked. You may elect to include market discount in income currently as it accrues, on either a ratable or constant interest method, in which case the rule described above regarding deferral of interest deductions will not apply. Your election to include market discount in income currently, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired by you on or after the first taxable year to which your election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS. You should consult your own tax advisor before making this election.

 

Bond Premium

 

If you purchase a ZTF Debenture for an amount that is greater than its adjusted issue price but equal to or less than the sum of all amounts payable on the ZTF Debenture after the purchase date other than payments of qualified stated interest (as defined in the Code), you will be considered to have purchased that ZTF Debenture at an “acquisition premium.” Under the acquisition premium rules, the amount of OID that you must include in gross income with respect to a ZTF Debenture for any taxable year will be reduced by the portion of the acquisition premium properly allocable to that year.

 

If you purchase a Registered Debt Security for an amount in excess of the sum of all amounts payable on the Registered Debt Security after the purchase date other than qualified stated interest, you will be considered to have purchased the Registered Debt Security at a “premium” and, if such Registered Debt Security is a ZTF Debenture, you will not be required to include any OID in income. You generally may elect to amortize the premium over the remaining term of the Registered Debt Security on a constant yield method as an offset to interest when includible in income under your regular accounting method. Special rules limit amortization of premium in the case of convertible Registered Debt Securities. In the case of instruments that provide for alternative payment schedules, bond premium is calculated by assuming that (a) you will exercise or not exercise options in a manner that maximizes your yield, and (b) we will exercise or not exercise options in a manner that

 

92


Table of Contents

minimizes your yield (except that we will be assumed to exercise call options in a manner that maximizes your yield). If you do not elect to amortize bond premium, that premium will decrease the gain or increase the loss you would otherwise recognize on disposition of a Registered Debt Security. Your election to amortize premium on a constant yield method will also apply to all debt obligations held or subsequently acquired by you on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies. You may not revoke the election without the consent of the IRS. You should consult your own tax advisor before making this election.

 

Sale, Exchange and Retirement of Registered Debt Securities

 

When you sell, exchange or retire a Registered Debt Security, you will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount you receive (not including an amount equal to any accrued interest you have not included in income, which will be taxable as ordinary income) and your adjusted tax basis in the Registered Debt Security. Your tax basis in a Registered Debt Security other than a ZTF Debenture will generally be your cost of obtaining the Registered Debt Security increased by any market discount included in income and reduced by payments of principal you receive and any bond premium that you elect to amortize. Your adjusted tax basis in a ZTF Debenture will, in general, be your cost therefore, increased by any market discount and OID previously included in income and reduced by any cash payments on the ZTF Debentures and any bond premium that you elect to amortize. Your gain or loss realized on selling, exchanging or retiring a Registered Debt Security will generally be treated as United States source income. Your gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale, exchange or retirement of a Registered Debt Security, you have held the Registered Debt Security for more than one year. If you are an individual and the Registered Debt Security being sold, exchanged or retired is a capital asset that you held for more than one year, you may be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any capital gain recognized. Your ability to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

ZTF Debentures Treated as Equity

 

If the ZTF Debentures were treated as equity for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, amounts deemed paid with respect to the ZTF Debentures would be deemed dividends for U.S. Federal income tax purposes to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. Federal income tax purposes).

 

You would include the amounts deemed paid by us on the ZTF Debentures (before reduction for Korean withholding tax, if any) as ordinary income when actually or constructively paid by the Company. Section 305 of the Code, which would apply to the ZTF Debentures if they were treated as equity for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, requires current accrual of dividends under principles similar to the accrual of OID. Amounts treated as dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to U.S. Corporations.

 

Tax Consequences with respect to Common Stock and ADRs

 

In general for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, holders of ADRs will be treated as the owners of the underlying common stock that are represented by such ADRs. However, the U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that parties involved in transactions in which depositary shares are pre-released may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by the holders of ADRs. Accordingly, the analysis of creditability of Korean taxes described below could be affected by future actions that may be taken by the U.S. Treasury. Deposits or withdrawals of common stock by holders for ADRs will not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax.

 

Distributions on Common Stock or ADRs

 

The gross amount of distributions (other than certain distributions of common stock or rights to subscribe for common stock) to holders of common stock or ADRs (including amounts withheld in respect of Korean withholding taxes) will be treated as dividend income to such holders, to the extent paid out of our current or

 

93


Table of Contents

accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. Federal income tax principles. Such income will be includable in the gross income of a holder as ordinary income on the day received by the holder, in the case of common stock, or by the Depositary, in the case of ADRs. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the Code.

 

With respect to U.S. holders who are individuals, certain dividends paid by a qualified foreign corporation and received by such holders before January 1, 2009 may be subject to reduced rates of taxation. A qualified foreign corporation includes a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty with the United States, if such treaty contains an exchange of information provision and the United States Treasury Department had determined that the treaty is satisfactory for purposes of the legislation. Legislative history indicates that the current income tax treaty between the United States and Korea, which contains an exchange of information provision, is (in the absence of additional guidance) satisfactory for these purposes. In addition, the Company believes it is eligible for the benefits of the United States-Korean income tax treaty. However, individuals that do not meet a minimum holding period requirement during which they are not protected from a risk of loss or that elect to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to section 163(d)(4) of the Code will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the foregoing rules to their particular circumstances.

 

The amount of any dividend paid in Won will equal the United States dollar value of the Won received calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date the dividend is received by the holder, in the case of common stock, or by the Depositary, in the case of ADRs, regardless of whether the Won are converted into U.S. Dollars. If the Won received as a dividend is not converted into U.S. Dollars on the date of receipt, a holder will have a basis in the Won equal to its U.S. Dollar value on the date of receipt. Any gain or loss realized on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the Won will be treated as ordinary income or loss. The amount of any distribution of property other than cash will be the fair market value of such property on the date of distribution.

 

The maximum rate of withholding tax on dividends paid to you pursuant to the Treaty is 15 percent. You will be required to properly demonstrate to the company and the Korean tax authorities your entitlement to the reduced rate of withholding under the Treaty. Subject to certain conditions and limitations, Korean withholding taxes (up to the Treaty rate) will be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your U.S. Federal income tax liability. For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit, dividends paid on the common stock or ADRs will be treated as income from sources outside the United States and will generally constitute “passive income” or, in the case of certain holders, “financial services income”. Special rules apply to certain individuals whose foreign source income during the taxable year consists entirely of “qualified passive income” and whose creditable foreign taxes paid or accrued during the taxable year do not exceed $300 ($600 in the case of a joint return). The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances including the possible adverse impact on creditability to the extent you are entitled to a refund of any Korean tax withheld or a reduced rate of withholding.

 

To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, the distribution will first be treated as a tax-free return of capital, causing a reduction in the adjusted basis of the common stock or ADRs (thereby increasing the amount of gain, or decreasing the amount of loss, to be recognized by the investor on a subsequent disposition of the common stock or ADRs), and the balance in excess of adjusted basis will be taxed as capital gain recognized on a sale or exchange of property. Consequently, such distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would not give rise to foreign source income and you would not be able to use the foreign tax credit arising from any Korean withholding tax imposed on such distribution unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against U.S. tax due on other foreign source income in the appropriate category for foreign tax credit purposes.

 

Distributions of common stock or rights to subscribe for common stock that are received as part of a pro rata distribution to all of our shareholders generally may not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax. Consequently

 

94


Table of Contents

such distributions will not give rise to foreign source income and you will not be able to use the foreign tax credit arising from any Korean withholding tax unless such credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against U.S. tax due on other income derived from foreign sources. The basis of the new common stock or rights so received will be determined by allocating your basis in the old common stock between the old common stock and the new common stock or rights received, based on their relative fair market value on the date of distribution. However, the basis of the rights will be zero if (i) the fair market of the rights is less than 15 percent of the fair market value of the old common stock the time of distribution, unless the taxpayer elects to determine the basis of the old common stock and of the rights by allocating between the old common stock and the new common stock the adjusted basis of the old common stock or (ii) the rights are not exercised and thus expire.

 

Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of ADRs or Common Stock

 

Upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of ADRs or common stock, you generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition and your adjusted tax basis in the ADRs or common stock. The capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale, exchange or other disposition, the ADRs or common stock have been held by you for more than one year. Under current law, long-term capital gains of individuals are, under certain circumstances, taxed at lower rates than items of ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any gain or loss recognized by you will generally be treated as U.S. source gain or loss.

 

You should note that any Korean securities transaction tax will not be treated as a creditable foreign tax for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, although you may be entitled to deduct such taxes, subject to applicable limitations under the Code.

 

Estate and Gift Taxation

 

Korean imposes an estate tax on a decedent who owns Registered Debt Securities and common stock (and possibly ADRs), even if the decedent was not a citizen or resident of Korea. See “—Korean Taxation-Estate Taxation and Gift Tax” above. The amount of any inheritance tax paid to Korea may be eligible for credit against the amount of U.S. Federal estate tax imposed on your estate. Prospective purchasers should consult their personal tax advisors to determine whether and to what extent they may be entitled to such credit. Korea also imposes a gift tax on the donation of any property located within Korea. The Korean gift tax generally will not be treated as a creditable foreign tax for United States tax purposes.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

In general, information reporting requirements will apply to principal, interest, OID and premium payments on Registered Debt Securities and dividend payments in respect of the common stock or ADRs or the proceeds received on the sale, exchange, or redemption of the Registered Debt Securities, common stock or ADRs paid within the United States (and in certain cases, outside of the United States) to holders other than certain exempt recipients (such as corporations), and a backup withholding may apply to such amounts if you fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or to report interest and dividends required to be shown on your federal income tax returns. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to you will be allowed as a credit against your U.S. Federal income tax liability.

 

DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY

 

We have filed this annual report on Form 20-F, including exhibits, with the SEC. As allowed by the SEC, in Item 19 of this annual report, we incorporate by reference certain information we filed with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this annual report. You may inspect and copy this annual report, including exhibits, and documents that are incorporated by reference in this annual

 

95


Table of Contents

report at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. Any filings we make electronically will be available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.

 

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Our primary market risk exposures are to fluctuations in exchange rates, interest rates and fuel prices. We are exposed to foreign exchange risk related to foreign currency denominated liabilities. As of December 31, 2003, approximately 33.9% of our debt was denominated in foreign currencies, principally in U.S. dollars and Yen. However, substantially all of our revenues are denominated in Won. As a result, changes in exchange rates, particularly between the Won and the U.S. dollar, significantly affect us due to our significant amounts of foreign currency denominated debt and the effect of such changes on the amount of funds required by us to make interest and principal payments on such debt. In order to reduce the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on our results of operations, we have recently been reducing and plan to continue to reduce the proportion of our debt which is denominated in foreign currencies and the proportion of its foreign currency debt which is denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

We are also exposed to foreign exchange risk related to our purchases of fuels since we obtain substantially all of our fuel materials (other than anthracite coal) directly or indirectly from sources outside Korea. Prices for such fuel materials are quoted based on prices stated in, and in many cases are paid for in, currencies other than Won. In 2003, fuel costs represented 22.3% of our revenue from the sale of electric power.

 

We are exposed to interest rate risk due to significant amounts of debt. Upward fluctuations in interest rates increase the cost of additional debt and the interest cost of outstanding floating rate borrowings. A substantial portion of our borrowings from overseas sources have interest rates which are determined in reference to London Interbank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”) and a substantial portion of our borrowings from domestic sources have interest rates which are determined in reference to the rate offered on domestic bonds issued by KDB with a maturity of one year.

 

We are also exposed to fluctuations in prices of fuel materials. In 2003, uranium accounted for 42.3% of our fuel requirements, coal accounted for 41.0%, oil (including diesel for internal combustion) accounted for 5.6% and LNG accounted for 11.3%. In 2002, measured on the same basis, uranium accounted for 40.8% of our fuel requirements, coal accounted for 41.0%, oil accounted for 6.1% and LNG accounted for 11.1%, measured in each case by the amount of electricity we generated.

 

For additional discussions of our market risks, see Item 3 “Key Information—Risk Factors” and Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Properties—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Liquidity”.

 

In order to limit our foreign exchange and interest rate exposure, we enter into derivative financial instruments only to a limited extent due primarily to the limited size of the Korean market for such derivative instruments. Such instruments include combined currency and interest rate swap agreements, interest rate swaps, and foreign exchange agreements. See Note 14 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments in order to hedge market risk resulting from fluctuations in fuel costs. Our policy is to hold or issue derivative financial instruments for hedging purposes only. Our derivative financial instruments are entered into with major financial institutions, thereby minimizing the risk of credit loss. For information relating to fair market values of our derivative financial instruments, see Note 14 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

 

The following analysis sets forth the sensitivity of our non-consolidated net income before income taxes (our “Pre-tax Income”) to changes in exchange rates, interest rates and fuel costs. For purposes of this section, we and the generation subsidiaries will be deemed one entity. The range of changes in such risk categories represents our view of the changes that are reasonably possible over a one-year period, although it is difficult to

 

96


Table of Contents

predict such changes as a result of adverse economic developments in Korea. See Item 3 “Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Korea—Adverse developments in Korea would have adverse effects on us”. The following discussion only addresses material market risks faced by us and does not discuss other risks which we face in the normal course of business, including country risk, credit risk and legal risk. All calculations are made under Korean GAAP.

 

The following modeling assumptions were made in the following sensitivity analysis:

 

(1) For any one year period, the Won/U.S. Dollar exchange rate at the beginning of such period was assumed to be (Won)1,197.80 to US$1.00, which was the market exchange rate as of December 31, 2003. For the purpose of calculating realized foreign exchange transaction losses, a selected change in the exchange rate was assumed to be the change in the average exchange rate for a one year period;

 

(2) The amount of foreign currency debt to be incurred by us in 2004 and 2005 was assumed to be US$900 million (or the equivalent amount thereof in other foreign currency) for each year. We assumed all such debt to be in U.S. Dollars with a fixed interest rate, maturity of over two years and payable at maturity, to be incurred by us evenly throughout a given one year period; and

 

(3) For any one-year period, we used prices of fuel materials in our budget for 2004 as the beginning fuel prices. In measuring sensitivity to changes in fuel prices, our anticipated fuel consumption for 2004 and 2005 was used.

 

If the Won depreciates against the U.S. Dollar by 10% and all other variables are held constant from their levels at December 31, 2003, we estimate that our unrealized foreign exchange translation losses will increase by (Won)517 billion in 2004, and by (Won)469 billion in 2005. Under Korean GAAP, such unrealized translation losses are to be credited or charged to current operations. However, realized and unrealized foreign exchange translation losses during construction period on debt incurred for construction of utility plant are permitted to be capitalized under Korean GAAP. Under U.S. GAAP, all such foreign exchange translation losses are included in the results of operations for the current period unless offset by the establishment of a regulatory asset. See Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP” and Note 24 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

 

In addition, if the Won depreciates against the U.S. Dollar by 10% and all other variables are held constant from their levels at December 31, 2003, we estimate that our Pre-tax Income will decrease by (Won)148 billion in 2004 and by (Won)156 billion in 2005, as a result of increased realized foreign exchange transaction losses (not reflecting the fact that a portion of such transaction losses on debt incurred for construction of utility plant may be capitalized under Korean GAAP); by (Won)30 billion in 2004 and by (Won)28 billion in 2005, as a result of increased interest expenses; and by (Won)529 billion in 2004 and by (Won)562 billion in 2005, as a result of increased fuel expenses.

 

If the foreign and domestic interest rates increase by 1% point and all other variables are held constant from their levels at December 31, 2003, we estimate that our Pre-tax Income will decrease by (Won)100 billion in 2004 and by (Won)95 billion in 2005 (not reflecting the fact that a portion of such interest may be capitalized under Korean GAAP). The above analysis considers the effects of such interest rate increase on short-term and long-term borrowings and does not reflect the positive impact on our Pre-tax Income of increased interest rates on our interest-bearing assets, if any.

 

If the fuel prices of uranium, anthracite and bituminous coal, oil and LNG rise by 10% and all other variables are held constant at their levels at December 31, 2003, we estimate that our Pre-tax Income will decrease by (Won)549 billion in 2004 and by (Won)582 billion in 2005.

 

97


Table of Contents

For comparative purposes, we also made the following modeling assumptions in June 2003 for the 2003 and 2004 sensitivity analysis that follows these assumptions:

 

(1) For any one year period, the Won/U.S. Dollar exchange rate at the beginning of such period was assumed to be (Won)1,200.40 to US$1.00, which was the market exchange rate as of December 31, 2002. For the purpose of calculating realized foreign exchange transaction losses, a selected change in the exchange rate was assumed to be the change in the average exchange rate for a one year period;

 

(2) The amount of foreign currency debt to be incurred by us in 2003 and 2004 was assumed to be US$807 million (or the equivalent amount thereof in other foreign currency) for each year. We assumed all such debt to be in U.S. Dollars with a fixed interest rate, maturity of over two years and payable at maturity, to be incurred by us evenly throughout a given one year period; and

 

(3) For any one-year period, we used prices of fuel materials in our budget for 2003 as the beginning fuel prices. In measuring sensitivity to changes in fuel prices, our anticipated fuel consumption for 2003 and 2004 was used.

 

If the Won depreciates against the U.S. Dollar by 10% and all other variables are held constant from their levels at December 31, 2002, we estimate that our unrealized foreign exchange translation losses will increase by (Won)551 billion in 2003, and by (Won)501 billion in 2004. Under Korean GAAP, such unrealized translation losses are to be credited or charged to current operations. However, realized and unrealized foreign exchange translation losses during construction period on debt incurred for construction of utility plant are permitted to be capitalized under Korean GAAP. Under U.S. GAAP, all such foreign exchange translation losses are included in the results of operations for the current period unless offset by the establishment of a regulatory asset. See Item 5 “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP” and Note 24 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

 

In addition, if the Won depreciates against the U.S. Dollar by 10% and all other variables are held constant from their levels at December 31, 2002, we estimate that our Pre-tax Income will decrease by (Won)227 billion in 2003 and by (Won)143 billion in 2004, as a result of increased realized foreign exchange transaction losses (not reflecting the fact that a portion of such transaction losses on debt incurred for construction of utility plant may be capitalized under Korean GAAP); by (Won)39 billion in 2003 and by (Won)32 billion in 2004, as a result of increased interest expenses; and by (Won)500 billion in 2003 and by (Won)530 billion in 2004, as a result of increased fuel expenses.

 

If the foreign and domestic interest rates increase by 1% point and all other variables are held constant from their levels at December 31, 2002, we estimate that our Pre-tax Income will decrease by (Won)109 billion in 2003 and by (Won)105 billion in 2004 (not reflecting the fact that a portion of such interest may be capitalized under Korean GAAP). The above analysis considers the effects of such interest rate increase on short-term and long-term borrowings and does not reflect the positive impact on our Pre-tax Income of increased interest rates on our interest-bearing assets. If any.

 

If the fuel prices of uranium, anthracite and bituminous coal, oil and LNG rise by 10% and all other variables are held constant at their levels at December 31, 2002, we estimate that our Pre-tax Income will decrease by (Won)521 billion in 2003 and by (Won)552 billion in 2004.

 

The above discussion and the estimated amounts generated from the sensitivity analyses referred to above include “forward-looking statements”, which assume for analytical purposes that certain market conditions may occur. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements should not be considered projections by us of future events or losses.

 

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Not applicable.

 

98


Table of Contents

PART II

 

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

For certain modifications to the rights of our debt securities, see Item 4 “Information on the Company—History and Development—Recent Developments—Debt Restructuring”. Disclosure on use of proceeds are not applicable.

 

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as December 31, 2003.

 

A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. As such, disclosure controls and procedures or systems for internal control over financial reporting may not prevent all errors and all fraud. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and any design may not succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

Based upon the evaluation referred to above, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded, subject to the limitations noted above, that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2003.

 

There were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation except that we are currently planning to develop, with the assistance of a third party advisory firm, an evaluation system to enable our management to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting (as defined under Rules 13a-15(c) and 15d-15(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). We expect this evaluation system, which is expected to be based on a suitable, recognized control framework (including the COSO framework), to be established in the second half of 2004. Once completed, we will use this evaluation system to identify deficiencies and weaknesses, if any, in our internal control over financial reporting, and, to the extent any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses are identified, we plan to take corrective actions, as appropriate, in the future.

 

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

 

Our board of directors has determined that it does not yet have an “audit committee financial expert”, as such term is defined by the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued pursuant to Section

 

99


Table of Contents

407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, serving on our board of director. We are currently in the process of selecting and reviewing potential candidates for an audit committee financial expert. However, the timing of this selection is dependent upon our ability to comply with, or qualify under the exemptions to, the Audit Committee standards under Section 301 of the Sarbanes—Oxley Act of 2002.

 

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Sarbanes—Oxley Act, we have adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our Chairman & Chief Executive Officer and all other directors and executive officers including the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Accounting Officer, which is available on www.kepco.co.kr.

 

ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed for each of the years ended December 31, 2003 for professional services rendered by Anjin Deloitte LLC, a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, our principal accountant, depending on the various types of services and a brief description of the nature of such services.

 

Type of services


     Aggregate fees
billed during the year
ended December 31,


    

Nature of services


     2002

     2003

    
     (in millions of Won)     

Audit Fees

     (Won) 935      (Won) 1,137     

Audit service for KEPCO and its subsidiaries.

Audit-Related Fees

       263        22     

Accounting advisory service.

Tax Fees

       11        20     

Tax return and consulting advisory service.

All Other Fees

       104        —       

All other services which do not meet the three categories above.

      

    

      

Total

     (Won) 1,313      (Won) 1,179       
      

    

      

 

United States law and regulations in effect since May 6, 2003 generally require all engagements of the principal accountants be pre-approved by an independent audit committee or, if no such committee exists with respect to an issuer, by the entire board of directors. Our Board of Directors has adopted the following policies and procedures for consideration and approval of requests to engage our principal accountants to perform audit and non-audit services. Engagement requests of audit and non-audit services for us and our subsidiaries must in the first instance be submitted to our Treasury Department subject to reporting to our Chief Financial Officer. If the request relates to services that would impair the independence of our principal accountants, the request must be rejected. If the engagement request relates to audit and permitted non-audit services, it must be forwarded to our Board of Directors for consideration.

 

Additionally, United States law and regulations in effect since May 6, 2003 permit the pre-approval requirement to be waived with respect to engagements for non-audit services aggregating no more than five percent of the total amount of revenues we paid to our principal accountants, if such engagements were not recognized by us at the time of engagement and were promptly brought to the attention of our Board of Directors or a designated member thereof and approved prior to the completion of the audit. In 2003, the percentage of the total amount of revenue we paid to our principal accountants represented by non-audit services in each category that were subject to such a waiver was less than 5%.

 

ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

Not applicable.

 

100


Table of Contents

PART III

 

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of responding to this item.

 

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Reference is made to Item 19 “Exhibits” for a list of all financial statements and schedules filed as part of this annual report.

 

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

 

(a) Financial Statements filed as part of this annual report

 

The following financial statements and related schedules, together with the reports of independent accountants thereon, are filed as part of this annual report:

 

     Page

Index to Financial Statements

   F-1

Report of Independent Public Accountants Anjin Deloitte LLC, a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

   F-2

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp., a member firm of KPMG International (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.)

   F-4

Report of Independent Auditors Ahn Kwon & Co., a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.)

   F-5

Report of Independent Auditors Young Wha Corporation, a member firm of Ernst & Young International (as former Independent Auditors of Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.)

   F-7

Report of Independent Auditors Ahn Kwon & Co., a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (as former Independent Auditors of Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.)

   F-8

Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2002 and 2003

   F-9

Consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003

   F-11

Consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003

   F-12

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003

   F-13

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

   F-15

 

(b) Exhibits filed as part of this annual report

 

1.1    Articles of Incorporation (in English)*
2.1    Form of Deposit Agreement**
12.1    Certifications of our Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act (Certifications under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
12.2    Certifications of our Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act (Certifications under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
13.1    Certifications of our Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) (Certifications under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
13.2    Certifications of our Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) (Certifications under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
15.1    Consent of Anjin Deloitte LLC, a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
15.2    Consent of KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp., a member firm of KPMG International (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.)

 

101


Table of Contents
15.3    Consent of Ahn Kwon & Co., a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.)
15.4    Consent of Young Wha Corporation, a member firm of Ernst & Young International (Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.)
15.5    Consent of Ahn Kwon & Co., a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.)
15.6    The Korea Electric Power Corporation Act (in English)***
15.7    Enforcement Decree of the Korea Electric Power Corporation Act (in Korean and English)****
15.8    Government-Invested Enterprise Management Basic Act of 1983, as amended (in Korean and English)****
15.9    Enforcement Decree of the Government-Invested Enterprise Management Basic Act of 1983, as amended (in Korean and English)****

* A fair and accurate translation from Korean to English.
** Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-6 with respect to the ADSs, registered under Registration No. 33-84612.
*** Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
**** Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 filed on March 8, 2000, registered under Registration No. 333-9180.

 

102


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION

By:

 

/s/ Joon-Ho Han


Name:   Joon-Ho Han
Title:   Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: June 30, 2004

 

103


Table of Contents

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

Index to Financial Statements

   F-1  

Report of Independent Public Accountants Anjin Deloitte LLC, a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

   F-2  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp., a member firm of KPMG International (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.)

   F-4  

Report of Independent Auditors Ahn Kwon & Co., a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.)

   F-5  

Report of Independent Auditors Young Wha Corporation, a member firm of Ernst & Young International (as former Independent Auditors of Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.)

   F-7  

Report of Independent Auditors Ahn Kwon & Co., a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (as former Independent Auditors of Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.)

   F-8  

Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2002 and 2003

   F-9  

Consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003

   F-11

Consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003

   F-12

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003

   F-13

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

   F-15

 

F-1


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of

Korea Electric Power Corporation:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Korea Electric Power Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the 2001 financial statements of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd., Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. and Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd., which statements reflect 42.1 percent of the total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2001 and 33.8 percent of the consolidated revenue for the year then ended. We did not audit the 2002 financial statements of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. and Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd., which statements reflect 31.6 percent of the consolidated assets as of December 31, 2002 and 29.2 percent of the consolidated revenue for the year then ended. We did not audit the 2003 financial statements of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., which statements reflect 28.2 percent of the consolidated assets as of December 31, 2003 and 22.3 percent of the consolidated revenue for the year then ended. Those statements were audited by other auditors whose reports have been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to amounts included for those entities, is based solely on the reports of the other auditors.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, based on our audits and the reports of the other auditors, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, and the consolidated results of its operations, changes in its stockholders’ equity and its cash flows for years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 in conformity with the financial accounting standards in the Republic of Korea (see Note 2).

 

Our audits also comprehend the translation of the Korean won amounts into U.S. dollar amounts and, in our opinion, such translation has been made in conformity with the basis stated in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Such U.S. dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of readers outside of the Republic of Korea.

 

As discussed in Note 1, Korea Electric Power Corporation spun off its power generation business division on April 2, 2001, in accordance with the approval of the stockholders on March 16, 2001, which resulted in the establishment of six new power generation subsidiaries, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd., Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd., Korea Western Power Co., Ltd., Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd., and Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd. As of April 2, 2001, their combined assets and liabilities were (Won)35,131,773 million and (Won)17,646,157 million, respectively.

 

As discussed in Note 1, the Company is considering the gradual privatization of its power generation subsidiaries and distribution business, in accordance with the restructuring plan, dated January 21, 1999, of the electricity industry in the Republic of Korea announced by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (“Restructuring Plan”). This Restructuring Plan, which is intended to introduce a competitive system in the electricity industry, is expected to affect the determination of utility rates, result in changes in management structure, related laws and regulations, and affect electricity supply and demand policy.

 

F-2


Table of Contents

As discussed in Note 2, in 2003, the Company adopted Statements of Korea Accounting Standards (“SKAS”) No. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, which are effective from January 1, 2003. Those statements provide accounting and reporting standards for the interim financial reporting, intangible assets, revenue recognition, tangible assets, events occurring after the balance sheet date, capitalization of financing costs, investment in securities and convertible securities. The prior year financial statements, which are presented for comparative purposes, were restated to conform to the provisions of those standards. As a result of the adoption of SKAS No. 6—“Events Occurring after the Balance Sheet Date”, stockholders’ equity increased and current liabilities decreased by (Won)511,350 million as of December 31, 2002.

 

Accounting practices used by the Company in preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements conform with generally accepted accounting principles in the Republic of Korea, but do not conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. A description of the significant differences and the reconciliation of net income and stockholders’ equity to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles are set forth in Note 22.

 

Anjin Deloitte LLC

 

Seoul, Korea
May 21, 2004

 

F-3


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholder

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.:

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the Auditing Standards, as established by the Financial Supervisory Commission of the Republic of Korea, and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the results of its operations, the changes in its retained earnings, and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards, as established by the Financial Supervisory Commission of the Republic of Korea.

 

The accompanying financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003 have been translated into United States dollars solely for the convenience of the reader and have been translated into United States dollars on the basis set forth in the financial statements.

 

Accounting principles generally accepted in the Republic of Korea vary in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Information relating to the nature and effect of such differences is presented in a note to the financial statements.

 

KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp.

 

Seoul, Korea

March 26, 2004

 

F-4


Table of Contents

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2001 and the related statements of income, appropriations of retained earnings and cash flows for the period from April 2, 2001 (inception) to December 31, 2001 (not presented separately herein). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the Republic of Korea and in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2001 and the results of its operations, the appropriations of its retained earnings and its cash flows for the period from April 2, 2001 (inception) to December 31, 2001, in conformity with financial accounting standards generally accepted in Korea (“Korean GAAP”).

 

Our audit also comprehended the translation of the Korean won amounts into U.S. dollar amounts and in our opinion, such translation has been made in conformity with the basis stated in a note to the Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.’s financial statements. Such U.S. dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of readers outside of Korea.

 

Accounting principles generally accepted in the Republic of Korea vary in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America would have affected the results of operations for the period from April 2, 2001 (inception) to December 31, 2001, and stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2001, to the extent summarized in a note to the Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.’s financial statements.

 

Without qualifying our opinion, we draw attention to the following:

 

As discussed in a note to the Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.’s financial statements, on April 2, 2001, the Company was established as a subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation (“KEPCO”) through transfers of certain of KEPCO’s power generation related assets and liabilities pursuant to the Restructuring Plan of the Electric Power Industry in the Republic of Korea.

 

As discussed in a note to the Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.’s financial statements, most of Company’s sales have been recognized through transactions with its parent, KEPCO. Sales to KEPCO were (Won)1,123,527 million for the period from April 2, 2001 to December 31, 2001 and the related trade receivables from KEPCO were (Won)121,205 million as of December 31, 2001.

 

As discussed in a note to the Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.’s financial statements, the Company contributed its harbor facilities to the Korean Government with an expectation to obtain the right to use the harbor facilities free of charge. As a result, the Company reclassified construction costs related to the harbor facilities to intangible assets. However, the Korean government decided not to grant the Company the right to use the harbor facilities free of charge. As a result, the Company filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries to invalidate such decision. In addition, the Company is involved in 3 lawsuits filed against

 

F-5


Table of Contents

the Company by Hyundai Merchant Marine Co., Ltd and other companies claiming reimbursement of ship repair costs, amounting to (Won)7,450 million. The ultimate outcome of the lawsuits is not predictable as of December 31, 2001.

 

As discussed in a note to the Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.’s financial statements, the operations of the Company have been affected, and may continue to be affected for the foreseeable future, by the general unstable economic conditions in the Republic of Korea and in the Asia Pacific region. The ultimate effect of these uncertainties on the financial position of the Company as of the balance sheet date cannot presently be determined.

 

Date: May 3, 2002

 

Ahn Kwon & Co.

 

Seoul, Korea

 

F-6


Table of Contents

Independent Auditors’ Report

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholder of

Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.

 

We have audited the balance sheets of Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2001 and 2002, and the related statements of income, appropriations of unappropriated retained earnings and cash flows for the period from April 2, 2001 (inception) to December 31, 2001 and the year ended December 31, 2002 (not presented separately herein). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the Republic of Korea and in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. as of December 31, 2001 and 2002, the results of its operations, appropriations of unappropriated retained earnings and cash flows for the period from April 2, 2001 (inception) to December 31, 2001 and the year ended December 31, 2002 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the Republic of Korea.

 

Accounting principles generally accepted in the Republic of Korea vary in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America would have affected the results of operations for the period from April 2, 2001 (inception) to December 31, 2001 and the year ended December 31, 2002, and stockholder’s equity as of December 31, 2001 and 2002, to the extent summarized in Note 22 to the financial statements (not presented separately herein).

 

Young Wha

 

Seoul, Korea

April 4, 2003

 

F-7


Table of Contents

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2001 and the related statements of operations, dispositions of deficit and cash flows for the period from April 2, 2001 (inception) to December 31, 2001 (not presented separately herein). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the Republic of Korea and in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2001 and the results of its operations, the disposition of its deficit and its cash flows for the period from April 2, 2001 (inception) to December 31, 2001, in conformity with financial accounting standards generally accepted in Korea (“Korean GAAP”).

 

Our audit also comprehended the translation of the Korean won amounts into U.S. dollar amounts and in our opinion, such translation has been made in conformity with the basis stated in a note to the Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.’s financial statements. Such U.S. dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of readers outside of Korea.

 

Accounting principles generally accepted in the Republic of Korea vary in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America would have affected the results of operations for the period from April 2, 2001 to December 31, 2001, and stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2001, to the extent summarized in a note to the Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.’s financial statements.

 

Without qualifying our opinion, we draw attention to the following:

 

As discussed in a note to the Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.’s financial statements, on April 2, 2001, the Company was established as a subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation (“KEPCO”) through transfers of certain of KEPCO’s power generation related assets and liabilities pursuant to the Restructuring Plan of the Electric Power Industry in the Republic of Korea.

 

As discussed in a note to the Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.’s financial statements, most of Company’s the sales have been recognized through transactions with its parent, KEPCO. Sales to KEPCO were (Won)1,379,068 million for the period from April 2, 2001 to December 31, 2001. The related trade receivables from KEPCO were (Won)167,887 million and the trade payables to KEPCO were (Won)23,065 million as of December 31, 2001.

 

As discussed in a note to the Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.’s financial statements, the operations of the Company have been affected, and may continue to be affected for the foreseeable future, by the general unstable economic conditions in the Republic of Korea and in the Asia Pacific region. The ultimate effect of these uncertainties on the financial position of the Company as of the balance sheet date cannot presently be determined.

 

Date: May 3, 2002

 

Ahn Kwon & Co.

 

Seoul, Korea

 

F-8


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2003

 

     Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. Dollars (Note 2)

2003


 
     2002

    2003

   
     (In millions)     (In thousands)  

ASSETS

                        

Utility plant (Notes 3, 5 and 12)

   (Won) 75,588,054     (Won) 81,548,400     $ 68,413,087  

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     (11,963,081 )     (16,875,523 )     (14,157,318 )

Construction grants

     (2,321,219 )     (2,758,789 )     (2,314,420 )
    


 


 


       61,303,754       61,914,088       51,941,349  
    


 


 


Investments and others:

                        

Long-term investment securities (Note 6)

     1,353,308       1,529,120       1,282,818  

Long-term loans (Note 7)

     257,098       287,139       240,888  

Deferred income tax assets

     1,261,813       1,352,449       1,134,605  

Currency and interest rate swaps (Note 14)

     324,093       131,429       110,260  

Intangibles (Note 4)

     459,202       515,993       432,881  

Other non-current assets (Note 13)

     638,359       456,138       382,665  
    


 


 


       4,293,873       4,272,268       3,584,117  
    


 


 


Current assets:

                        

Cash and cash equivalents (Note 13)

     1,997,480       2,050,636       1,720,332  

Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts (Notes 13 and 18)

     1,534,847       1,605,355       1,346,774  

Accounts receivable-other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts (Notes 13 and 18)

     310,497       458,360       384,530  

Short-term investment securities (Note 6)

     23,136       161,596       135,567  

Short-term financial instruments (Note 13)

     137,852       119,000       99,832  

Short-term loans (Note 7)

     14,661       16,284       13,661  

Inventories (Notes 5 and 8)

     721,556       904,933       759,173  

Other current assets

     174,463       224,752       188,550  
    


 


 


       4,914,492       5,540,916       4,648,419  
    


 


 


Total assets

   (Won) 70,512,119     (Won) 71,727,272     $ 60,173,885  
    


 


 


 

 

(continued)

 

F-9


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS—(CONTINUED)

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND 2003

 

     Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. Dollars (Note 2)

2003


 
     2002

    2003

   
     (In millions)     (In thousands)  

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

                        

Stockholders’ Equity (Notes 6 and 9):

                        

Common stock

   (Won) 3,200,504     (Won) 3,203,743     $ 2,687,704  

Capital surplus

     14,483,121       14,544,520       12,201,779  

Retained earnings

     18,419,413       20,231,488       16,972,725  

Capital adjustments

     (137,973 )     (325,384 )     (272,974 )

Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries

     108,073       127,569       107,021  
    


 


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     36,073,138       37,781,936       31,696,255  
    


 


 


Long-term Liabilities:

                        

Long-term debt (Note 11)

     17,665,355       15,813,137       13,266,055  

Accrued severance indemnities, net (Note 2)

     454,326       635,049       532,759  

Reserve for decommissioning cost (Note 2)

     4,417,934       5,091,070       4,271,032  

Reserve for self-insurance

     82,536       87,926       73,763  

Currency and interest swaps (Note 14)

     477,075       215,100       180,453  

Financing lease liabilities (Note 12)

     5,366       372       312  

Deferred income tax liabilities

     1,346,043       1,446,570       1,213,565  

Other long-term liabilities

     395,541       515,839       432,751  
    


 


 


       24,844,176       23,805,063       19,970,690  
    


 


 


Current Liabilities:

                        

Trade payables (Notes 13 and 18)

     734,437       755,248       633,597  

Accounts payable-other (Notes 13 and 18)

     931,892       870,919       730,637  

Short-term borrowings (Note 11)

     157,733       210,169       176,316  

Current portion of long-term debt (Note 11)

     5,653,428       6,621,266       5,554,753  

Income tax payable

     1,270,664       809,479       679,093  

Accrued expenses (Note 13)

     264,685       317,868       266,668  

Dividends payable

     2,474       2,324       1,950  

Other current liabilities (Note 13)

     579,492       553,000       463,926  
    


 


 


       9,594,805       10,140,273       8,506,940  
    


 


 


Total liabilities

     34,438,981       33,945,336       28,477,630  
    


 


 


Total stockholders’ equity and liabilities

   (Won) 70,512,119     (Won) 71,727,272     $ 60,173,885  
    


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

     Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. Dollars (Note 2)

2003


 
     2001

    2002

    2003

   
     (In millions, except per share amounts)    

(In thousands, except

per share amounts)

 

OPERATING REVENUES: (Notes 18
and 20)

                                

Sale of electricity

   (Won) 18,863,802     (Won) 20,406,404     (Won) 21,834,288     $ 18,317,356  

Other operating revenues

     1,361,186       959,271       940,306       788,847  
    


 


 


 


       20,224,988       21,365,675       22,774,594       19,106,203  

OPERATING EXPENSES
(Notes 4, 15, 16, 18, 19 and 20):

                                

Power generation, transmission and distribution

     13,685,512       13,405,043       14,391,644       12,073,527  

Purchased power

     987,272       1,207,381       1,383,818       1,160,921  

Other operating costs

     445,022       545,867       539,104       452,268  

Selling and administrative expenses

     1,118,355       1,160,601       1,236,230       1,037,106  
    


 


 


 


       16,236,161       16,318,892       17,550,796       14,723,822  
    


 


 


 


OPERATING INCOME

     3,988,827       5,046,783       5,223,798       4,382,381  

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):

                                

Interest income

     88,427       90,929       99,897       83,806  

Interest expense

     (1,203,179 )     (1,016,422 )     (829,743 )     (696,093 )

Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and translation, net

     (13,228 )     511,950       (206,572 )     (173,298 )

Gain on valuation using the equity method of accounting (Note 6)

     97,548       94,853       96,866       81,263  

Donations

     (112,431 )     (121,379 )     (185,805 )     (155,877 )

Valuation gain (loss) on currency and interest rate swaps, net (Note 14)

     (132,008 )     64,008       (93,490 )     (78,431 )

Gain on disposal of investments, net (Note 6)

     162,439       433,151       45,244       37,956  

Other, net

     55,329       66,985       (40,306 )     (33,814 )
    


 


 


 


       (1,057,103 )     124,075       (1,113,909 )     (934,488 )
    


 


 


 


ORDINARY INCOME

     2,931,724       5,170,858       4,109,889       3,447,893  

EXTRAORDINARY ITEM

     —         —         —         —    
    


 


 


 


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

     2,931,724       5,170,858       4,109,889       3,447,893  

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (Note 17)

     (1,293,133 )     (2,103,792 )     (1,763,271 )     (1,479,254 )
    


 


 


 


INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTERESTS

     1,638,591       3,067,066       2,346,618       1,968,639  

MINORITY INTERESTS

     (3,741 )     (18,961 )     (23,193 )     (19,457 )
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME

   (Won) 1,634,850     (Won) 3,048,105     (Won) 2,323,425     $ 1,949,182  
    


 


 


 


ORDINARY INCOME PER SHARE
(Note 2)

   (Won) 2,559     (Won) 4,770     (Won) 3,686     $ 3.09  
    


 


 


 


EARNINGS PER SHARE (Note 2)

   (Won) 2,559     (Won) 4,770     (Won) 3,686     $ 3.09  
    


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

    Korean Won (In millions)

 
   

Common

stock


 

Capital

surplus


   

Retained

earnings


   

Capital

adjustments


   

Minority

interests


    Total

 

Balances at January 1, 2001

  (Won) 3,200,504   (Won) 15,138,325     (Won) 14,020,125     (Won) (70,844 )   (Won) 104,180     (Won) 32,392,290  

Net income

    —       —         1,634,850       —         —         1,634,850  

Dividends declared

    —       —         (333,317 )     —         —         (333,317 )

Gain on disposal of treasury stock

    —       13,258       —         —         —         13,258  

Changes in capital adjustments

    —       —         —         32,621       —         32,621  

Changes in minority interests

    —       —         —         —         67,879       67,879  

Changes in equity interests

    —       (73,463 )     —         —         —         (73,463 )

Adjustment of equity of the investee not subject to equity method

    —       (172,883 )     (22,867 )     (5,242 )     —         (200,992 )
   

 


 


 


 


 


Balances at December 31, 2001

    3,200,504     14,905,237       15,298,791       (43,465 )     172,059       33,533,126  
   

 


 


 


 


 


Net income

    —       —         3,048,105       —         —         3,048,105  

Dividends declared

    —       —         (351,432 )     —         —         (351,432 )

Gain on disposal of treasury stock

    —       (310 )     —         —         —         (310 )

Gain on disposal of subsidiary’s common stock

          (423,949 )     423,949       —         —         —    

Changes in capital adjustments

    —       —         —         (93,347 )             (93,347 )

Changes in minority interests

    —       —         —         —         19,620       19,620  

Changes in equity interests

    —       2,143       —         (2,143 )     —         —    

Disposal of subsidiary’s common stock

    —       —         —         982       (83,606 )     (82,624 )
   

 


 


 


 


 


Balances at December 31, 2002

    3,200,504     14,483,121       18,419,413       (137,973 )     108,073       36,073,138  
   

 


 


 


 


 


Net income

    —       —         2,323,425       —         —         2,323,425  

Dividends declared

    —       —         (511,350 )     —         —         (511,350 )

Capital increase

    3,239     11,425       —         —         —         14,664  

Gain on disposal of treasury stock

    —       5,604       —         —         —         5,604  

Gain on disposal of subsidiary’s common stock

    —       —         —         (187,411 )     —         (187,411 )

Changes in capital adjustments

    —       45,171       —         —         —         45,171  

Changes in minority interests

    —       —         —         —         19,496       19,496  

Changes in equity interests

    —       (801 )     —         —         —         (801 )
   

 


 


 


 


 


Balances at December 31, 2003

  (Won) 3,203,743   (Won) 14,544,520     (Won) 20,231,488     (Won) (325,384 )   (Won) 127,569     (Won) 37,781,936  
   

 


 


 


 


 


Translation into U.S. Dollars (In thousands) (Note 2)

  $ 2,687,704   $ 12,201,779     $ 16,972,725     $ (272,974 )   $ 107,021     $ 31,696,255  
   

 


 


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

     Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. Dollars (Note 2)

2003


 
     2001

    2002

    2003

   
     (In millions)     (In thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

                                

Net income

   (Won) 1,634,850     (Won) 3,048,105     (Won) 2,323,425     $ 1,949,182  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                                

Depreciation and amortization

     4,955,661       4,906,138       5,088,736       4,269,074  

Utility plant removal cost

     281,490       256,010       245,974       206,353  

Provision for severance and retirement benefits

     174,717       202,763       219,762       184,364  

Provision for decommissioning costs

     424,092       583,372       698,400       585,906  

Provision for self-insurance

     4,861       5,465       6,400       5,369  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     13,726       8,602       23,178       19,445  

Interest expense, net

     9,072       17,192       21,273       17,847  

Loss (gain) on foreign currency translation, net

     22,273       (424,791 )     221,104       185,490  

Gain on disposal of investment, net

     (162,439 )     (433,151 )     (45,244 )     (37,956 )

Gain on valuation using the equity method of accounting

     (97,548 )     (94,853 )     (96,866 )     (81,263 )

Valuation gain (loss) on currency and interest rate swaps, net

     132,008       (64,008 )     93,490       78,431  

Decrease in deferred income tax assets

     334,697       220,937       8,232       6,906  

Increase in trade receivables

     (36,903 )     (68,932 )     (77,918 )     (65,367 )

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable- other

     (64,655 )     (42,383 )     9,300       7,802  

Increase in inventories

     (108,111 )     (7,128 )     (43,715 )     (36,674 )

Increase (decrease) in trade payables

     (128,164 )     44,799       (3,611 )     (3,029 )

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable-other

     (189,387 )     90,129       (65,492 )     (54,943 )

Increase (decrease) in income tax payable

     398,489       700,762       (459,232 )     (385,262 )

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses

     (110,662 )     (47,472 )     59,882       50,237  

Payment of severance and retirement benefits

     (36,160 )     (15,826 )     (15,084 )     (12,654 )

Payment of decommissioning costs

     (16,211 )     (13,841 )     (25,264 )     (21,195 )

Payment of self-insurance

     (1,736 )     (1,171 )     (1,011 )     (848 )

Other, net

     235,134       (113,603 )     125,373       105,178  
    


 


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     7,669,094       8,757,115       8,311,092       6,972,393  
    


 


 


 


 

(continued)

 

F-13


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

    Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. Dollars (Note 2)

2003


 
    2001

    2002

    2003

   
    (In millions)     (In thousands)  

Cash flows from investing activities:

                               

Disposal of utility plant

  (Won) 66,562     (Won) 106,821     (Won) 42,515     $ 35,667  

Additions to utility plant

    (7,187,492 )     (6,653,066 )     (6,781,993 )     (5,689,592 )

Receipt of construction grants

    564,009       626,566       618,092       518,534  

Acquisition of long-term financial instruments

    (2,000 )     (2,500 )     (3 )     (3 )

Proceeds from disposal of investment securities, net

    138,219       404,284       13,861       11,629  

Collection of long-term loans

    139,229       183,915       87,683       73,560  

Payment of long-term loans

    (181,871 )     (153,391 )     (219,881 )     (184,464 )

Increase in intangibles, net

    (18,046 )     (45,783 )     (26,039 )     (21,845 )

Increase in other non-current assets

    (132,009 )     (96,031 )     (14,262 )     (11,964 )

Withdrawal (acquisition) of short-term financial instruments, net

    (227,666 )     246,461       18,852       15,815  

Collection of short-term loans, net

    27,269       10,517       22,363       18,761  

Proceeds from sale (acquisition) of short-term investment securities, net

    20,372       (20,002 )     (134,204 )     (112,588 )
   


 


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

    (6,793,424 )     (5,392,209 )     (6,373,016 )     (5,346,490 )
   


 


 


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                               

Proceeds from long-term debt

    8,426,715       3,382,873       5,378,021       4,511,762  

Payment of long-term debt

    (1,431,553 )     (1,301,807 )     (1,131,595 )     (949,325 )

Payment of current portion of long-term debt

    (5,687,204 )     (5,241,520 )     (5,289,645 )     (4,437,622 )

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

    1,292,543       721,329       2,611,227       2,190,627  

Payment of short-term borrowings

    (1,253,752 )     (870,476 )     (2,560,998 )     (2,148,488 )

Cash dividends

    (333,462 )     (329,659 )     (511,577 )     (429,175 )

Acquisition of treasury stock

    —         —         (180,120 )     (151,107 )

Other, net

    56,019       (30,389 )     (180,427 )     (151,365 )
   


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    1,069,306       (3,669,649 )     (1,865,114 )     (1,564,693 )
   


 


 


 


Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents from changes in consolidated subsidiaries

    —         (1,731 )     (19,806 )     (16,616 )
   


 


 


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    1,944,976       (306,474 )     53,156       44,594  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

    358,978       2,303,954       1,997,480       1,675,738  
   


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

  (Won) 2,303,954     (Won) 1,997,480     (Won) 2,050,636     $ 1,720,332  
   


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

1. GENERAL:

 

(1) The Company

 

Korea Electric Power Corporation (the “KEPCO”) was incorporated on January 1, 1982 in accordance with the Korea Electric Power Corporation Act (the “KEPCO Act”) to engage in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and development of the electric power resources. KEPCO was given a government investment status on December 31, 1983 following the enactment of the Government-Invested Enterprise Management Basic Act. KEPCO’s stock was listed on the Korea Stock Exchange on August 10, 1989 and KEPCO has listed its Depository Receipt (DR) on the New York Stock Exchange on October 27, 1994.

 

As of December 31, 2003, the Government of the Republic of Korea, the Korea Development Bank and foreign investors hold 32.42 percent, 21.55 percent and 28.98 percent of KEPCO’s shares, respectively.

 

KEPCO spun off its power generation division on April 2, 2001, resulting in the establishment of six new power generation subsidiaries. The Company is considering the gradual privatization of its power generation subsidiaries and distribution business, which is in accordance with the restructuring plan dated January 21, 1999, of the electricity industry in the Republic of Korea announced by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (“Restructuring Plan”). This Restructuring Plan, which is intended to introduce a competitive system in the electricity industry, is expected to affect the determination of utility rates, result in changes in management structure, related laws and regulations, and affect electricity supply and demand policy.

(2) Consolidated Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries


  

Year of

establishment


   Ownership
percentage (%)


  

Primary business


        2002  

     2003  

  

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power
Co., Ltd. (*)

   2001    100.0    100.0    Power generation

Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd. (*)

   2001    100.0    100.0    Power generation

Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. (*)

   2001    100.0    100.0    Power generation

Korea Western Power Co., Ltd. (*)

   2001    100.0    100.0    Power generation

Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd. (*)

   2001    100.0    100.0    Power generation

Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd. (*)

   2001    100.0    100.0    Power generation

Korea Power Engineering Co., Ltd.

   1977    97.9    97.9    Engineering for utility plant

Korea Plant Services & Engineering Co., Ltd.

   1984    100.0    100.0    Utility plant maintenance

KEPCO Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd.

   1982    96.4    96.4    Nuclear fuel

Korea Electric Power Data Network
Co., Ltd.

   1992    100.0    100.0    Information services

KEPCO International Hong Kong Ltd.

   1995    100.0    100.0    Holding Company

KEPCO International Philippines Inc.

   2000    100.0    100.0    Holding Company

KEPCO Philippines Corporation

   1995    100.0    100.0    Utility plant rehabilitation and operation (Subsidiary of KEPCO International Hong Kong Ltd.)

KEPCO Ilijan Corporation

   1997    51.0    51.0    Construction and operation of utility plant (Subsidiary of KEPCO International Philippines Inc.)

(*) Six new power generation subsidiaries were established on April 2, 2001 by the spin-off of KEPCO’s power generation division in accordance with the Restructuring Plan.

 

F-15


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(a) The newly established power generation subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the sale of electricity to KEPCO through the Korea Power Exchange. Details of those subsidiaries are as follows:

 

Name of the subsidiaries


  

Major power plant


Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP)

   Hydroelectric power plant and nuclear power plant in Gori

Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd. (KOSEPCO)

   Thermoelectric power plant in Samchonpo

Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd. (KOMIPO)

   Thermoelectric power plant in Boryung

Korea Western Power Co., Ltd. (KOWEPCO)

   Thermoelectric power plant in Tae-an

Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd. (KOSPO)

   Thermoelectric power plant in Hadong

Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd. (KEWESPO)

   Thermoelectric power plant in Dangjin

 

(b) Details of the spin-off

 

a) KEPCO spun off its power generation business as stipulated by the Commercial Code of the Republic of Korea.

 

b) Registration date of the spin off: April 2, 2001

 

c) Date of resolution of stockholders: March 16, 2001

 

d) Date of resolution of Board of Directors: February 24, 2001

 

(c) Assets and liabilities of the spun off divisions

 

a) Assets and liabilities of the spun off divisions as of the date of the spin off (won in millions)

 

    KHNP

  KOSEPCO

  KOMIPO

  KOWEPCO

  KOSPO

  KEWESPO

  Total

Assets

  (Won) 18,791,413   (Won) 2,490,720   (Won) 2,662,209   (Won) 2,904,046   (Won) 3,627,985   (Won) 4,655,400   (Won) 35,131,773

Liabilities

    9,426,614     1,258,716     1,336,317     1,461,408     1,830,607     2,332,495     17,646,157
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets

  (Won) 9,364,799   (Won) 1,232,004   (Won) 1,325,892   (Won) 1,442,638   (Won) 1,797,378   (Won) 2,322,905   (Won) 17,485,616
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

b) Assets and liabilities of the spun off divisions as of December 31, 2000 (won in millions)

 

    KHNP

  KOSEPCO

  KOMIPO

  KOWEPCO

  KOSPO

  KEWESPO

  Total

Assets

  (Won) 17,433,479   (Won) 2,688,953   (Won) 2,209,503   (Won) 2,943,194   (Won) 3,507,340   (Won) 4,696,226   (Won) 33,478,695

Liabilities

    9,231,779     1,469,853     1,234,789     1,542,594     1,819,240     2,463,526     17,761,781
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets

  (Won) 8,201,700   (Won) 1,219,100   (Won) 974,714   (Won) 1,400,600   (Won) 1,688,100   (Won) 2,232,700   (Won) 15,716,914
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

c) Result of operations of the spun off divisions (From January 1, 2001 to April 1, 2001) (won in millions)

 

    KHNP

  KOSEPCO

  KOMIPO

  KOWEPCO

  KOSPO

  KEWESPO

  Total

Net sales

  (Won) 1,097,586   (Won) 410,195   (Won) 345,771   (Won) 406,931   (Won) 413,058   (Won) 481,710   (Won) 3,155,251

Cost of goods sold

    875,074     360,346     280,101     380,139     401,384     460,825     2,757,869
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

  (Won) 222,512   (Won) 49,849   (Won) 65,670   (Won) 26,792   (Won) 11,674   (Won) 20,885   (Won) 397,382
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-16


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(3) Affiliates accounted for using the equity method

 

Affiliate


   Year of
establishment


  

Ownership

percentage (%)


  

Primary business


          2002    

       2003    

  

Korea Gas Corporation

   1983    24.5    24.5    Sales of liquefied natural gas

Korea District Heating Co., Ltd.

   1985    26.1    26.1    Providing of heating

Powercomm Corporation

   2000    44.0    43.1    Communication line leasing

Korea Electric Power Industrial Development Co., Ltd.(*)

   1990

 

   100.0

 

   49.0

 

  

 

Disposal of power-plant ash and electric meter reading

YTN

   1993    21.4    21.4    Broadcasting

(*) KEPCO sold a portion of its investment in Korea Electric Power Industrial Development Co., Ltd. during 2003, which reduced its ownership interest to 49%.

 

(4) Uncertainties of domestic economic situation

 

In common with other Asian countries, the economic environment in the Republic of Korea continues to be volatile. In addition, the Korean government and the private sector continue to implement structural reforms to historical business practices including corporate governance. The Company may be either directly or indirectly affected by these economic conditions and the reform program described above. The accompanying financial statements reflect management’s assessment of the impact to date of the economic environment on the financial position and results of operations of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from management’s current assessment.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

 

(1) Basis of Consolidated Financial Statement Presentation

 

KEPCO maintains its official accounting records in Korean won and prepares statutory consolidated financial statements in the Korean language (Hangul) in conformity with the Accounting Regulations for Government Invested Enterprises, which have been approved by the Korean Ministry of Finance and Economy and, in the absence of specialized accounting regulations for utility companies, the accounting principles generally accepted in the Republic of Korea. Certain accounting principles applied by the Company that conform with financial accounting standards and accounting principles in the Republic of Korea may not conform with generally accepted accounting principles in other countries. Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements are intended for use by for those who are informed about Korean accounting principles and practices, Korea Electric Power Corporation Act and Accounting Regulations for Government Invested Enterprises. The accompanying financial statements have been condensed, restructured and translated into English (with certain expanded descriptions) from the Korean language financial statements. Certain information included in the Korean language financial statements, but not required for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations, is not presented in the accompanying financial statements.

 

In 2003, the Company adopted Statements of Korea Accounting Standards (“SKAS”) No 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, which are effective from January 1, 2003. Those statements provide accounting and reporting standards for the interim financial reporting, intangible assets, revenue recognition, tangible assets, events occurring after the balance sheet date, capitalization of financing costs, investment in securities and convertible securities. The prior year financial statements, which are presented for comparative purposes, were restated to conform to the

 

F-17


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

provisions of those standards. As a result of the adoption of SKAS No. 6—“Events Occurring After the Balance Sheet Date”, stockholders’ equity increased and current liabilities decreased by (Won)511,350 million as of December 31, 2002.

 

The U.S. dollar amounts presented in these financial statements were computed by translating the Korean won into U.S. dollars at the rate of (Won)1,192.00 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers in won as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on December 31, 2003, solely for the convenience of the reader. These convenience translations into U.S. dollars should not be construed as representations that the Korean won amounts have been, could have been, or could in the future be, converted at this or any other rate of exchange.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

(2) Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of KEPCO and its controlled subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”). Controlled subsidiaries include majority owned entities and entities of which KEPCO owns more than 30 percent of total outstanding voting stock and is the largest stockholder. Investments in affiliates in which KEPCO is able to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee are accounted for using the equity method. Significant influence is deemed to exist when the investor owns more than 20 percent of the investee’s voting shares unless there is evidence to the contrary.

 

Investments of KEPCO and equity accounts of subsidiaries subject to consolidation were eliminated at the dates KEPCO obtained control of the subsidiaries. Any difference between the cost of acquisition and the book value of the subsidiary is recorded as either goodwill or negative goodwill. Goodwill is amortized using the straight-line method within twenty years from the year the acquisition occurred. Negative goodwill is recovered, within the limit of the aggregate fair values of identifiable non-monetary assets, using the straight-line method over weighted-average years of depreciable assets and the amounts in excess of the limit are charged to current operations and presented as extraordinary gain at the acquisition date.

 

Intercompany receivables and payables including trade receivables and trade payables are eliminated. Profits and losses on intercompany sales of products, property or other assets are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements based on the gross profit or loss recognized. For sales from KEPCO to subsidiaries (downstream sales), the full amount of intercompany gain or loss is eliminated in the consolidated income. For upstream sales, the elimination is allocated proportionately to consolidated income and minority interests.

 

(3) Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, except for assets revalued upward in accordance with the KEPCO Act and the Assets Revaluation Law of Korea, net of depreciation. Expenditures incurred after the acquisition of the property, plant and equipment that increases the future economic benefits beyond the property’s most recently measured performance are capitalized as additions to property, plant and equipment.

 

The Company capitalizes interest and other borrowing costs on debt issued to finance capital expenditures as part of the acquisition cost of major facilities and equipment. For the years ended December 31, 2002 and

 

F-18


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

2003, the amount of capitalized interest was (Won)548,292 million and (Won)524,101 million, respectively, of which foreign currency transaction and translation gains deducted from the capitalized interest amounted to (Won)63,549 million and (Won) 5,102 million, respectively, and foreign currency transaction and translation losses added to the capitalized interest amounted to (Won)19,916 million and (Won)25,691 million, respectively.

 

Depreciation is computed using the declining-balance method (straight-line method for buildings and structures, unit-of-production method and straight-line method for nuclear fuel) based on the estimated useful lives described as follows:

 

    

Years


Buildings

   8~30

Structures

   8~30

Machinery

   16

Vehicles

   4

Others

   4, 9

 

KEPCO records the following funds and materials, which relate to the construction of transmission and distribution facilities, as construction grants:

 

  Grants from the government or public institutions

 

  Funds, construction materials or other items contributed by customers

 

Construction grants are initially recorded and presented in the financial statements as deductions from the assets acquired under such grants and are offset against depreciation expense during the useful lives of the related assets. KEPCO received (Won)624,527 million and (Won)611,862 million of construction grants, and offset (Won)205,975 million and (Won)174,211 million against depreciation expense and others for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

(4) Asset Impairment

 

The Company assesses any possible recognition of impairment loss when there is an indication that expected future economic benefits of a tangible asset is considerably less than its carrying amount as a result of technological obsolescence or rapid decline in market value. When it is determined that a tangible asset may have been impaired and that its estimated total future cash flows from continued use or disposal is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of a tangible asset is reduced to its recoverable amount and the difference is recognized as an impairment loss. If the recoverable amount of the impaired asset exceeds its carrying amount in a subsequent reporting period, the amount equal to the excess is treated as a reversal of the impairment loss; however, it cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized.

 

In 2001, the Company recognized an impairment loss on property, plant and equipment in the Youngwol and Busan thermal power plants amounting to (Won)11,206 million, which is the difference between the book value and recoverable value considering future cash flows.

 

The Company evaluates the long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management’s judgment, that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. These computations utilize judgments and assumptions inherent in management’s estimate of undiscounted future cash flows to determine recoverability of an asset. If management’s assumptions about these assets change as a result

 

F-19


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

of events or circumstances, and management believes the assets may have declined in value, then the Company may record impairment charges, resulting in lower profits. Management uses its best estimate in making these evaluations and considers various factors, including the future prices of energy, fuel costs and operating costs. However, actual market prices and operating costs could vary from those used in the impairment evaluations, and the impact of such variations could be material.

 

(5) Accounting for Leases

 

Lease agreements that include a bargain purchase option, result in the transfer of ownership by the end of the lease term, have a term equal to at least 75 percent of the estimated economic life of the leased property or where the present value of the minimum lease payments at the beginning of the lease term equals or exceeds 90 percent of the fair value of the leased property are accounted for as financial or capital leases. All other leases are accounted for as operating leases. Assets and liabilities related to financial leases are recorded as property and equipment and long-term debt, respectively, and the related interest is calculated using the effective interest rate method. In respect to operating leases, the future minimum lease payments are expensed ratably over the lease term while contingent rentals are expensed as incurred.

 

(6) Securities other than those Accounted for Using the Equity Method

 

(a) Classification of Securities

 

At acquisition, the Company classifies securities into one of the three categories: trading, held-to-maturity or available-for-sale. Trading securities are those that were acquired principally to generate profits from short-term fluctuations in prices. Held-to-maturity securities are those with fixed and determinable payments and fixed maturity that an enterprise has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. Available-for-sale securities are those not classified either as held-to-maturity or trading securities.

 

(b) Valuation of Securities

 

Securities are recognized initially at cost determined using the weighted average method. The cost includes the market value of the consideration given and incidental expenses. If the market price of the consideration given is not available, the market prices of the securities purchased are used as the basis for measurement. If neither the market prices of the consideration given nor those of the acquired securities are available, the acquisition cost is measured at the best estimates of its fair value.

 

After initial recognition, held-to-maturity securities are valued at amortized cost. The difference between face value and acquisition cost is amortized over the remaining term of the security using the effective interest method. Trading securities are valued at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reflected in current operations. Available-for-sale securities are also valued at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reflected in capital adjustments, until the securities are sold or if the securities are determined to be impaired and the lump-sum cumulative amount of capital adjustments are reflected in current operations. However, available-for-sale equity securities that are not traded in an active market and whose fair values cannot be reliably estimated are accounted for at their acquisition cost. For those securities that are traded in an active market, fair values refer to those quoted market prices, which are measured as the closing price at the balance sheet date. The fair value of non-marketable debt securities are measured at the discounted future cash flows by using the discount rate that appropriately reflects the credit rating of issuing entity assessed by a publicly reliable independent credit rating agency. If application of such measurement method is not feasible, estimates of the fair values may be made using a reasonable valuation model or quoted market prices of similar debt securities issued by entities conducting similar business in similar industries.

 

F-20


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

Securities are evaluated at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any objective evidence of impairment loss. When any such evidence exists, unless there is a clear counter-evidence that recognition of impairment is unnecessary, the Company estimates the recoverable amount of the impaired security and recognizes any impairment loss in current operations. The amount of impairment loss of the held-to-maturity security or non-marketable equity security is measured as the difference between the recoverable amount and the carrying amount. The recoverable amount of held-to maturity security is the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the securities’ original effective interest rate. For available-for-sale debt or equity security stated at fair value, the amount of impairment loss to be recognized in the current period is determined by subtracting the amount of impairment loss of debt or equity security already recognized in prior period from the amount of amortized cost in excess of the recoverable amount for debt security or the amount of the acquisition cost in excess of the fair value for equity security. For non-marketable equity security accounted for at acquisition cost, the impairment loss is equal to the difference between the recoverable amount and the carrying amount.

 

If the realizable value subsequently recovers, in case of a security stated at fair value, the increase in value is recorded in current operations, up to the amount of the previously recognized impairment loss, while for the security stated at amortized cost or acquisition cost, the increase in value is recorded in current operations, so that its recovered value does not exceed what its amortized cost would be as of the recovery date if there had been no impairment loss.

 

If the intent and ability to hold the securities change, transferred securities are accounted for at fair value. In case held-to-maturity securities are reclassified into available-for-sale securities, unrealized gain or loss between the book value and fair value is reported in shareholders’ equity as a capital adjustment. In case the available for sale securities are reclassified into held-to maturity securities, the unrealized gain or loss at the date of the transfer continues to be reported in shareholder’s equity as a capital adjustment, but it is amortized over the remaining term of the security using the effective interest rate method.

 

(7) Securities Using the Equity Method

 

Investments in equity securities of companies in which the Company is able to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investees are accounted for using the equity method. The change in the Company’s share of an investee’s net equity resulting from a change in an investee’s net equity is reflected in current operations, retained earnings, and capital adjustment in accordance with the causes of the change which consist of the investee’s net income (loss), changes in retained earnings and changes in capital surplus and capital adjustments.

 

(8) Intangibles

 

Intangible assets are stated at cost, net of accumulated amortization computed using the straight -line method over the estimated useful lives, from 4 years to 50 years, of related assets.

 

(9) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts based on management’s estimate of the collectibility of individual accounts and prior year collection experience. Smaller-balance homogeneous receivables are evaluated considering current economic conditions and trends, prior charge-off experience and delinquencies.

 

F-21


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(10) Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, cost being determined by the weighted average method for raw materials, moving average method for supplies and specific identification method for other inventories. The Company maintains perpetual inventory records, which are adjusted through physical counts.

 

(11) Convertible Bonds

 

When issuing convertible bonds or bonds with stock purchase warrants, the values of the conversion rights or stock warrants are recognized separately. Considerations for conversion rights or stock warrants are measured by deducting the present value of ordinary or straight debt securities from the gross proceeds of the convertible bonds or bonds with stock purchase warrants received at the date of issuance.

 

The value of the common shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the conversion rights is measured as the sum of the carrying amount at the time of conversion and the amount of consideration received for such rights at the time of issuance of those convertible bonds that are actually related to the exercise. When the conversion rights are exercised during an accounting period, the value of common shares issued pursuant to the exercise is measured based on the carrying amount of the convertible bonds determined on the actual date such rights have been exercised.

 

(12) Discount on Debentures

 

Discounts on debentures issued are amortized over the redemption period of debentures using the effective interest rate method. Amortization of discounts is recognized as interest expense.

 

(13) Accrued Severance Indemnities

 

Employees and directors with more than one year of service are entitled to receive a lump-sum payment upon termination of their service with the Company based on their length of service and rate of pay at the time of termination. The accrued severance indemnities that would be payable assuming all eligible employees were to resign are (Won)520,891 million and (Won)717,917 million as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively. Severance indemnities paid amounted to (Won)15,826 million and (Won)15,084 million in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

Funding of the severance indemnities are not required, however, tax deductions are limited if the liability is not funded. The Company has purchased severance insurance deposits, which meet the funding requirement for tax deduction purposes. These consist of individual severance insurance deposits, in which the beneficiary is the respective employee, with a balance of (Won)66,449 million and (Won)82,771 million as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively, which are presented as a deduction from accrued severance indemnities.

 

The Company and its employees each pay 4.5 percent of monthly pay to the National Pension Fund under the revised National Pension Law of Korea. Before April 1999, the Company and its employees paid 3 percent and 6 percent, respectively, of monthly pay to the Fund. The Company paid half of the employees’ 6 percent portion and is paid back at the termination of service by offsetting the receivable against the severance payments. Such receivables, with a balance of (Won)116 million and (Won)97 million as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively, are presented as a deduction from accrued severance benefits.

 

F-22


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(14) Reserve for Decommissioning Costs and Self-Insurance

 

Under the Korean Electricity Business Act (EBA) Article 94, the Company is required to accrue for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and dismantling of radioactive waste. In addition, under the Korean Atomic Energy Act (AEAC), an entity which constructs and operates a nuclear power reactor and related facilities must obtain permission from the Korean Minister of Science and Technology (MOST).

 

The Company accrues for estimated decommissioning costs of nuclear facilities based on engineering studies and the expected decommissioning dates of the nuclear power plant. The expected decommissioning date is approximately 25 years from initial operation. However, the service period of the nuclear power plant is dependent upon the economy and safety of plant operation and supervision of MOST with periodic safety inspections and safety review.

 

As of December 31, 2002 and 2003, the Company has accrued (Won)4,417,934 million and (Won)5,091,070 million for the costs of dismantling and decontaminating existing nuclear power plants, consisting of dismantling costs of nuclear plant of (Won)1,552,200 million and (Won)1,950,165 million and dismantling costs of spent fuel and radioactive waste of (Won)2,865,734 million and (Won)3,140,905 million, respectively. Annual additions to the reserve are in amounts such that the current costs would be fully accrued for at estimated dates of decommissioning on a straight-line basis, reflecting the inflation rate. The Company accrued (Won)583,372 million and (Won)698,400 million as the reserve for decommissioning costs for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

The Company estimates its reserve for decommissioning costs based on engineering studies provided by a third party and applies it prospectively. As a result of changes of estimates, for the year ended December 31, 2003, the provision for decommissioning costs increased by (Won)72,888 million and operating income and net income decreased by (Won)72,888 million and (Won)52,844 million, respectively.

 

In accordance with SKAS No. 5—“Tangible Assets”, the Company is required to recognize the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation (e.g., dismantlement or restoration costs) in the period in which it is incurred. The fair value could be estimated based on the present value of the estimated future cash outflows required to satisfy the liabilities and would be discounted using a current credit risk-adjusted interest rate. The accretion of the liability due to the passage of time is recognized each period as expense until the settlement of the liability. Upon initial recognition of a liability for an asset retirement obligation, an asset retirement cost shall be capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related tangible asset by the same amount as the liability. That asset retirement cost is allocated to expense using a systematic and rational method over its useful life. As permitted under SKAS No. 5, the Company applies the accounting for asset retirement obligation only to assets acquired after December 31, 2002.

 

In accordance with the Accounting Regulations for Government Invested Enterprises, KEPCO provides a self-insurance reserve for loss from accident and liability to third parties that may arise in connection with KEPCO’s non-insured facilities. Payments made to settle applicable claims and damages are charged to this reserve.

 

(15) Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations

 

KEPCO and its domestic subsidiaries maintain their accounts in Korean won. Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded in Korean won based on the prevailing rates of exchange on the transaction date. Monetary assets and liabilities with balances denominated in foreign currencies are recorded and reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. The

 

F-23


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

balances have been translated using the Bank of Korea basic rate, which was (Won)1,200.40 and (Won)1,197.80 to US$1.00 at December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively. The translation gains or losses are reflected in current operations. Foreign currency assets and liabilities of the Company’s overseas subsidiaries are translated at the rate at the balance sheet date, and income and expenses are translated at the weighted average rate of the reporting period. Gains or losses on translation are offset and the net amount is recognized as an overseas operations translation debit or credit in capital adjustments. Overseas operations translation credit or debit is treated as an extraordinary gain or loss upon closing the foreign subsidiaries.

 

(16) Accounting for Derivative Instruments

 

All derivative instruments are accounted for at fair value with the valuation gain or loss recorded as an asset or liability. If the derivative instrument is not part of a transaction qualifying as a hedge, the adjustment to fair value is reflected in current operations. The accounting for derivative transactions that are part of a qualified hedge based both on the purpose of the transaction and on meeting the specified criteria for hedge accounting differs depending on whether the transaction is a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge. Fair value hedge accounting is applied to a derivative instrument designated as hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability or a firm commitment (hedged item) that is attributable to a particular risk. The gain or loss both on the hedging derivative instruments and on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk is reflected in current operations. Cash flow hedge accounting is applied to a derivative instrument designated as hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows of an asset or a liability or a forecasted transaction that is attributable to a particular risk. The effective portion of gain or loss on a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge is recorded as a capital adjustment and the ineffective portion is recorded in current operations.

 

The effective portion of gain or loss recorded as a capital adjustment is reclassified to current earnings in the same period during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. If the hedged transaction results in the acquisition of an asset or the incurrence of a liability, the gain or loss in capital adjustment is added to or deducted from the asset or the liability.

 

(17) Revenue Recognition

 

KEPCO recognizes revenue from the sale of electric power based on meter readings made on a monthly basis. KEPCO does not accrue revenue for power sold after the meter readings but prior to the end of the accounting period. KEPCO recognizes revenue on long-term contracts, which are related to construction of power plants in North Korea, based on the percentage-of-completion.

 

(18) Income Tax Expense

 

The Company recognizes deferred income taxes arising from temporary differences between pretax accounting income and taxable income. Accordingly, provision for income tax expense consists of the corporate income tax and resident tax surcharges currently payable, and the changes in deferred income assets and liabilities during the period. However, deferred income tax assets are recognized only if the future tax benefits on accumulated temporary differences are realizable. The deferred income tax assets and liabilities will be charged or credited to income tax expense in the period each temporary difference reverses in the future. Deferred income taxes will be recalculated based on the enacted future tax rate in effect at each balance sheet date. The Company assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income, and, to the extent the Company believes that recovery is not likely, such deferred tax assets are reduced by direct write-down. Estimates of future taxable income involve judgments with respect to future economic factors that are difficult to predict and are beyond management’s control. As a result, actual amounts could differ from these estimates and the amount of the deferred tax assets recognized would need to be increased or decreased accordingly.

 

F-24


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(19) Ordinary Income Per Share and Earnings Per Share

 

Ordinary income per share and earnings per share are computed by dividing ordinary income and net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The number of shares used in computing earnings and ordinary income per share is 638,975,080 shares, 639,046,001 shares and 630,372,064 shares for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

3. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

 

(1) Asset revaluation

 

KEPCO has revalued its property, plant and equipment in accordance with the KEPCO Act and the Asset Revaluation Law (the latest revaluation date was January 1, 1999), and the resultant gain from asset revaluation was (Won)12,552,973 million.

 

(2) Publicly announced land prices

 

The published price of the Company’s land as announced by Korean Government is as follows (won in millions):

 

Purpose


   Book value

   Land prices

Sites of utility plant

   (Won) 5,593,520    (Won) 5,322,945

 

(3) Changes in utility plant

 

Changes in utility plant and construction grants for the year ended December 31, 2003 are shown below (won in millions).

 

   

December 31,

2002


    Increase

  Decrease

   

December 31,

2003


 
    Acquisition

    Other

  Depreciation

  Others(*)

   

Land

  (Won) 5,557,943     (Won) 3,970     (Won) 68,439   (Won) —     (Won) 36,832     (Won) 5,593,520  

Buildings

    7,514,099       7,408       292,800     494,856     100,929       7,218,522  

Structures

    22,720,502       1,055       2,203,388     876,301     357,526       23,691,118  

Machinery

    17,470,324       26,110       1,803,353     3,110,784     177,971       16,011,032  

Vehicles

    15,601       11,540       870     9,888     197       17,926  

Nuclear fuel

    1,578,172       427,417       —       388,949     12,927       1,603,713  

Others

    991,826       116,001       14,274     134,581     1,125       986,395  

Construction in-progress

    7,776,506       6,188,492       29,525     —       4,443,872       9,550,651  

Construction grants

    (2,321,219 )     (618,092 )     —       —       (180,522 )     (2,758,789 )
   


 


 

 

 


 


    (Won) 61,303,754     (Won) 6,163,901     (Won) 4,412,649   (Won) 5,015,359   (Won) 4,950,857     (Won) 61,914,088  
   


 


 

 

 


 



(*) Others include the utility plant of Korea Electric Power Industrial Development Co., Ltd as a result of excluding it from consolidation.

 

F-25


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

4. INTANGIBLES:

 

(1) Changes in intangibles as of December 31, 2003 are shown below (won in millions).

 

     Useful lives

   Acquisition
cost


   Accumulated
amortization


  

December 31,

2003


Development cost

   5    (Won) 204,288    (Won) 63,934    (Won) 140,354

Port facility usage right

   20      208,919      48,922      159,997

Water usage right

   10, 5      168,021      46,227      121,794

Dam usage right

   50      7,229      397      6,832

Electricity usage right

   10      63,256      34,558      28,698

Others

   20~40      136,713      78,395      58,318
         

  

  

          (Won) 788,426    (Won) 272,433    (Won) 515,993
         

  

  

 

(2) Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows (won in millions):

 

     2004

   2005

   2006

   2007

   2008

Estimated amortization expense

   (Won) 73,944    (Won) 67,188    (Won) 63,948    (Won) 53,031    (Won) 41,128

 

(3) Ordinary development expenses for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

     2002

   2003

Ordinary development expenses

   (Won) 307,391    (Won) 332,017

 

5. INSURED ASSETS:

 

Insured assets as of December 31, 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

Insured assets


  

Insurance type


   Insured value

Buildings and machinery

   Fire insurance    (Won) 2,845,049

Buildings and machinery

   Construction insurance      1,881,180

Buildings and machinery

   Nuclear property insurance      610,878

Buildings

   General insurance      163,400

Construction in progress

   Construction insurance      97,357

Inventories and machinery

   Shipping insurance      2,688,168

 

In addition, the Company carries compensation and responsibility insurance in relation to the operation of the nuclear power plants and gas accident, construction and other general insurance for its utility plants and inventories, damage insurance for its light water nuclear reactor construction in North Korea, general insurance for vehicles, casualty insurance for its employees and responsibility insurance for its directors.

 

F-26


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

6. SECURITIES:

 

(1) Securities as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

     2002

   2003

Short-term investment securities

             

Available-for-sale-securities

   (Won) 19,881    (Won) 141,585

Held-to-maturity securities

     3,255      20,011
    

  

       23,136      161,596
    

  

Investment securities

             

Available-for-sale-securities

     137,497      230,744

Held-to-maturity securities

     1,540      2,197

Securities subject to equity method

     1,214,271      1,296,179
    

  

       1,353,308      1,529,120
    

  

     (Won) 1,376,444    (Won) 1,690,716
    

  

 

Held-to-maturity securities are debt securities including government and municipal bonds.

 

(2) Available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

    2002

  2003

Company name


 

Ownership

(%)


  Book value

 

Ownership

(%)


  Acquisition
cost


  Book value

Other current assets

                         

Fund for debt securities

      (Won) 19,881       (Won) 137,164   (Won) 141,585

Investment securities

                         

Securities Market Stabilization Fund

  7.57   (Won) 20,744   7.57   (Won) 7,763   (Won) 7,763

Energy Savings Investment Cooperative

  40.6     5,000   40.6     5,000     5,000

Korea Power Exchange

  100.0     99,709   100.0     125,213     125,213

Hwan Young Steel Co., Ltd.

  —       120   —       1,364     120

Investment securities in treasury stock fund

  —       10,772   —       26,295     17,581

Other equity securities

  —       1,152   —       1,051     1,051

Debt securities

  —       —     —       73,412     74,016
       

     

 

          137,497         240,098     230,744
       

     

 

        (Won) 157,378       (Won) 377,262   (Won) 372,329
       

     

 

 

The Company entered into a treasury stock fund, composed of treasury stock and other investment securities, and recorded other investment securities in available-for-sale securities. Losses on valuation of available for sale securities in the treasury stock fund, which are recorded in capital adjustments, amount to (Won)8,509 million and (Won)3,689 million as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

Available-for-sales securities other than investment securities in treasury stock fund are non-marketable equity securities and stated at cost due to the lack of information to determine the fair value.

 

F-27


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(3) Securities subject to the equity method as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

    2002

  2003

Company name


 

Ownership

(%)


 

Book

value


 

Ownership

(%)


 

Acquisition

cost


 

Net asset

value


 

Book

value


Korea Gas Corporation

  24.5   (Won) 690,705   24.5   (Won) 94,500   (Won) 740,280   (Won) 740,280

Korea District Heating Co., Ltd.

  26.1     147,716   26.1     5,660     159,165     159,165

Powercomm Corporation

  44.0     352,235   43.1     323,470     357,318     350,518

Korea Electric Power Industrial Development Co., Ltd.

  —           49.0     7,987     22,072     22,072

YTN

  21.4     23,615   21.4     59,000     24,144     24,144
       

     

 

 

        (Won) 1,214,271       (Won) 490,617   (Won) 1,302,979   (Won) 1,296,179
       

     

 

 

 

In 2003, the Company disposed of a portion of its investments in Korea Electric Power Industrial Development Co., Ltd. and Powercomm Corporation, with a gain on disposal of investments of (Won)45,214 million. In 2002, the Company disposed of a portion of its investments in Powercomm Corporation, with a gain on disposal of investments of (Won)433,335 million.

 

As of December 31, 2003, unrealized profits of (Won)6,800 million arisen from the transactions with Powercomm corporation were eliminated.

 

(4) Details of valuation using the equity method for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

    2002

    2003

Company name


 

Book value

as of
January 1,
2002


  Gain (loss)
on valuation
using the
equity
method of
accounting


    Others (*)

   

Book value

as of
January 1,
2003


 

Gain (loss)
on valuation
using the
equity
method of

accounting


  Others (*)

   

Book value

as of
December 31,
2003


Korea Gas Corporation

  (Won) 710,921   (Won) 50,612     (Won) (70,828 )   (Won) 690,705   (Won) 73,329   (Won) (23,754 )   (Won) 740,280

Korea District Heating Co.

    136,533     12,486       (1,303 )     147,716     13,486     (2,037 )     159,165

YTN

    24,915     (1,287 )     (13 )     23,615     436     93       24,144

Powercomm Corporation

    —       33,042       319,193       352,235     6,508     (8,225 )     350,518

Korea Electric Power Industrial Development Co., Ltd.

    —       —         —         —       3,107     18,965       22,072
   

 


 


 

 

 


 

    (Won) 872,369   (Won) 94,853     (Won) 247,049     (Won) 1,214,271   (Won) 96,866   (Won) (14,958 )   (Won) 1,296,179
   

 


 


 

 

 


 


(*) Others are composed of acquisition (disposal) of investment, dividends and the changes in values in equity due to the capital surplus and gain (loss) on investment securities in capital adjustments.

 

F-28


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

Summarized financial information regarding affiliated companies accounted for using the equity method as of and for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 is shown in the following table (won in millions):

 

     Korea Gas Corporation

   Korea District Heating Co.

     2002

    2003

   2002

   2003

Current assets

   (Won) 2,402,093     (Won) 2,873,293    (Won) 252,415    (Won) 349,702

Other assets

     6,919,256       6,784,825      756,941      775,744
    


 

  

  

       9,321,349       9,658,118      1,009,356      1,125,446
    


 

  

  

Current liabilities

     2,279,699       2,295,394      103,035      98,918

Other liabilities

     4,217,272       4,335,624      339,761      416,055
    


 

  

  

       6,496,971       6,631,018      442,796      514,973
    


 

  

  

Net assets

   (Won) 2,824,378     (Won) 3,027,100    (Won) 566,560    (Won) 610,473
    


 

  

  

Net sales

   (Won) 7,270,976     (Won) 8,195,272    (Won) 373,331    (Won) 441,234

Gross profit

     778,120       777,094      104,630      95,741

Net earnings

     298,329       288,318      49,185      51,725
     YTN

   Powercomm Corporation

     2002

    2003

   2002

   2003

Current assets

   (Won) 48,889     (Won) 53,296    (Won) 80,928    (Won) 177,392

Other assets

     80,833       79,953      1,367,413      1,231,144
    


 

  

  

       129,722       133,249      1,448,341      1,408,536
    


 

  

  

Current liabilities

     8,448       10,118      421,030      366,706

Other liabilities

     11,069       10,421      226,692      213,350
    


 

  

  

       19,517       20,539      647,722      580,056
    


 

  

  

Net assets

   (Won) 110,205     (Won) 112,710    (Won) 800,619    (Won) 828,480
    


 

  

  

Net sales

   (Won) 52,155     (Won) 59,605    (Won) 491,897    (Won) 526,824

Gross profit

     5,905       7,123      88,201      131,614

Net earnings

     (6,005 )     2,073      23,393      30,640
     Korea Electric Power Industrial
Development Co., Ltd.


         
     2002

    2003

         

Current assets

   (Won) 40,471     (Won) 37,424              

Other assets

     69,707       68,284              
    


 

             
       110,178       105,708              
    


 

             

Current liabilities

     19,289       13,033              

Other liabilities

     50,185       47,630              
    


 

             
       69,474       60,663              
    


 

             

Net assets

   (Won) 40,704     (Won) 45,045              
    


 

             

Net sales

   (Won) 152,079     (Won) 163,676              

Gross profit

     17,143       22,505              

Net earnings

     8,099       6,340              

 

F-29


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(5) Loss on valuation using the equity method, which are recorded in capital adjustment as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

     2002

   2003

Loss on valuation using the equity method

   (Won) 30,079    (Won) 25,560

 

7. LOANS TO EMPLOYEES:

 

The Company has provided housing and tuition loans to employees as follows (won in millions):

 

     2002

   2003

Short-term loans

   (Won) 14,661    (Won) 16,284

Long-term loans

     228,124      251,788
    

  

     (Won) 242,785    (Won) 268,072
    

  

 

8. INVENTORIES:

 

Inventories as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 consist of the following (won in millions):

 

     2002

   2003

Raw materials

   (Won) 243,198    (Won) 261,497

Supplies

     422,508      519,727

Other

     55,850      123,709
    

  

     (Won) 721,556    (Won) 904,933
    

  

 

9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

(1) Capital

 

The Company has 1,200,000,000 authorized shares of (Won)5,000 par value common stock, of which 640,748,573 shares are issued as of December 31, 2003. In 2003, the Company’s capital was increased by (Won)3,238 million (647,697 shares) in the form of fixed asset injection by the government of the Republic of Korea.

 

(2) Capital Surplus

 

Capital surplus as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 is as follows (won in millions):

 

     2002

   2003

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

   (Won) 799,876    (Won) 811,301

Reserves for asset revaluation

     12,552,973      12,552,973

Other capital surplus

     1,130,272      1,180,246
    

  

     (Won) 14,483,121    (Won) 14,544,520
    

  

 

KEPCO revalued its property, plant and equipment in accordance with the KEPCO Act and Asset Revaluation Law, and recorded revaluation gain of (Won)12,552,973 million as reserves for asset revaluation. The reserves for asset revaluation may be credited to paid-in capital or offset against any accumulated deficit by resolution of the shareholders.

 

F-30


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(3) Appropriated retained earnings

 

Appropriated retained earnings as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 consist of the following (won in millions):

 

     2002

   2003

Legal reserve

   (Won) 1,600,252    (Won) 1,600,252

Reserve for business expansion

     8,556,873      10,925,338

Reserve for investment on social overhead capital

     4,892,449      5,012,449

Reserve for research and human development

     60,000      120,000
    

  

     (Won) 15,109,574    (Won) 17,658,039
    

  

 

The KEPCO Act requires the Company to appropriate a legal reserve to at least 20 percent of net income for each accounting period until the reserve equals 50 percent of common stock. The legal reserve is not available for cash dividends; however, this reserve may be credited to paid-in capital or accumulated deficits by resolution of the stockholders.

 

Prior to 1990, according to the KEPCO Act, at least 20 percent of net income in each fiscal year was required to be established as a reserve for business expansion until such reserve equals common stock. Beginning in 1990, no percentage was specified in respect to this reserve and appropriations became optional.

 

The reserve for the investment on social overhead capital and the reserve for research and human development are appropriated by the Company to avail of qualified tax credits to reduce corporate tax liabilities. These reserves are not available for cash dividends for a certain period defined in the Tax Incentive Control Law. As of December 31, 2003, the amounts of reserve for investment on social overhead and reserve for research and human development allowable under the Korean tax law for tax benefits are (Won)807,610 million and (Won)175,885 million, respectively.

 

(4) Capital adjustments

 

Capital adjustments as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

     2002

    2003

 

Treasury stock

   (Won) (16,669 )   (Won) (195,379 )

Losses on valuation of available for sale securities

     (8,509 )     (3,689 )

Losses on valuation using the equity method

     (30,079 )     (25,560 )

Overseas operations translation

     (82,971 )     (97,939 )

Valuation gain on currency and interest rate swaps

     255       (2,817 )
    


 


     (Won) (137,973 )   (Won) (325,384 )
    


 


 

The Company has its own shares held as treasury stock, amounting to (Won)16,669 million and (Won)195,379 million as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively, for the purpose of stock price stabilization. The number of shares held as treasury stock by the Company is 913,375 shares and 10,713,050 shares as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

F-31


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

10. DIVIDENDS:

 

Dividends for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

     Outstanding
stocks


  

Dividend

rate


   

Dividend

per share


   Total
dividend


2002:

                        

Outstanding shares other than treasury shares

   639,187,501    16 %   (Won) 800    (Won) 511,350

Treasury shares

   913,375    —         —        —  
    
               

     640,100,876                 (Won) 511,350
    
               

2003:

                        

Outstanding shares other than treasury shares

   630,035,523    21 %   (Won) 1,050    (Won) 661,537

Treasury shares

   10,713,050    —         —        —  
    
               

     640,748,573                 (Won) 661,537
    
               

 

11. BORROWINGS AND DEBENTURES:

 

(1) Short-term borrowings as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

Financial institution


   Type

  

Annual

interest rate (%)


   2002

   2003

Local currency loan

                       

National Agricultural Cooperative Federation and others

   General    3.00~4.10    (Won) —      (Won) 53,245

Foreign currency loan

                       

Korea Exchange Bank and others

   Usance and
others
   Libor+0.25~0.35      157,733      156,924
              

  

               (Won) 157,733    (Won) 210,169
              

  

 

F-32


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(2) Long-term borrowings as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

Financial institution


   Type

  

Annual interest

rate (%)


   2002

    2003

 

Local currency loan

                          

Korea Development Bank

   Industrial facility    4.50~9.00    (Won) 5,007,813     (Won) 4,951,239  

Kookmin Bank

   General    6.07~6.16      85,714       —    

Chohung Bank

   Industrial facility    5.50      1,455       —    

Koram Bank

   Rural area
development
   4.00      50,000       50,000  

National Agricultural Cooperative Federation

   Rural area
development
   4.00      —         50,000  

Korea Exchange Bank

   Energy
rationalization
   3.00      —         6,000  

Others

   General    5.50~6.00      37       29,935  
              


 


                 5,145,019       5,087,174  
              


 


Foreign currency loan

                          

Japan Bank of International Cooperation

   Facility    6.2~8.2      286,226       260,712  

Barclays International Financial Services (Ireland) Ltd.

   Commercial    6M Libor-1.00      376,482       187,851  

Kredit Anstalt Fur Wieder Aufbau

   Facility    6.00      180       —    

Asia Development Bank

      6.00      1,415       —    

National Agricultural Cooperative Federation

      Libor+1.30      18,006       12,833  

Korea Development Bank

   General    Libor+0.30~1.50      429,761       283,823  

The Export-Import Bank of Korea

   Purchase of
nuclear fuel
   Libor+0.70~1.03      260,074       202,454  

Korea Exchange Bank

   Facility    Libor+0.15      34,255       17,090  

Kookmin Bank

      Libor+1.40      22,407       15,970  

Norinchukin Bank

      Libor+0.19      42,015       41,923  

Nippon Life Insurance

      Libor+0.19      98,439       98,226  

US-EXIM

      Govco+0.25~0.30      155,038       141,219  

Others

      10.00      —         1,199  
              


 


                 1,724,298       1,263,300  
              


 


                 6,869,317       6,350,474  

Less: Current portion

               (1,771,805 )     (1,633,841 )
              


 


               (Won) 5,097,512     (Won) 4,716,633  
              


 


 

F-33


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(3) Debentures as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

    

Annual

interest rate (%)


   2002

    2003

 

Domestic debentures

                     

Electricity bonds

   4.79~12.43    (Won) 7,125,700     (Won) 6,334,359  

Others

   4.32~7.75      2,558,703       3,039,030  
         


 


            9,684,403       9,373,389  
         


 


Foreign debentures

                     

FY-93

   7.75      2,043,899       419,230  

FY-95

   3.4~4.15      420,342       464,634  

FY-96

   3.8~8.278      629,745       660,547  

FY-97

   6M Libor+0.31~1.65      1,159,764       1,176,117  

FY-99

   5.75      31,664       37,839  

FY-00

   2.10~8.25      663,981       695,220  

FY-01

   1.18~1.27    (Won) 607,722     (Won) 671,760  

FY-02

   6M Libor+0.75, 4.625      1,260,420       1,257,690  

FY-03(*)

   1.33~4.75      —         1,149,610  
         


 


            6,817,537       6,532,647  
         


 


            16,501,940       15,906,036  

Less: Discount on debentures issued

          (52,474)       (76,533 )

 Current portion

          (3,881,623 )     (4,987,425 )
         


 


          (Won) 12,567,843     (Won) 10,842,078  
         


 



(*) In 2003, the Company sold to KEPCO Cayman Company Limited foreign debentures of US$ 250,000,000 and the right to exchange than it into shares of Powercomm Corporation held by the Company. Based on these assets, KEPCO Cayman Company Limited issued foreign debentures of US$ 250,000,000, the details of which are as follows:

 

  Maturity date: November 26, 2008.

 

  Qualifying Public Offering (QPO): the QPO is defined as the first listing on the Korea Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange or National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) meeting certain requirements. It is not required that Powercomm Corporation execute a QPO prior to the maturity of the debentures.

 

  Shares to be exchanged: Powercomm Corporations shares or Deposit Receipt (DR).

 

  Exchange period: From 10th day after the QPO of Powercomm Corporation to 10th day before its maturity.

 

  Exchange price: 120 % of lower amount of market price on the QPO day or weighted average price for 10 days after QPO.

 

  Early redemption: When certain conditions are met or after 3 years from the QPO, outstanding debentures are redeemable at the guaranteed return of 2.88% (102.74% of issuance amount).

 

  Repayment at the maturity: Repayment will be made with the guaranteed return of 3.68% (109.13% of issuance amounts).

 

F-34


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

The Company has provided the payment guarantees to KEPCO Cayman Company Limited for the principal and interest of the above foreign debentures.

 

(4) Convertible bonds as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

Description


  

Annual

interest rate (%)


       2002    

       2003    

 

Overseas convertible bonds

   0.00    —      277,256  

Plus: Premium on debentures issued

        —      20,987  

Less: Conversion right adjustment

        —      (43,817 )
         
  

          —      254,426  
         
  

 

On November 4, 2003, the Company has issued overseas convertible bonds of JPY 28,245,468,400 with the premium value. The details of the bonds are as follows:

 

  Maturity date: November 4, 2008

 

  Amount to be paid at maturity: JPY 25,935,061,000

 

  Exchange period: From December 15, 2003 to 10th day prior to its maturity

 

  Shares to be exchanged: Common stock held by the Company or its equivalent Deposit Receipt (DR).

 

  Exchange price: (Won)30,000 per share

 

  Put option: Bond holders have the put option that they can request redemption at JPY 26,834,000,000 on November 6, 2006.

 

(5) Foreign currency debt, by currency, as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 is as follows (won in millions):

 

     2002

   2003

     Foreign currencies

   Won equivalent

   Foreign currencies

   Won equivalent

Short-term borrowings

   US$ 131,400,198    (Won) 157,733    US$ 131,011,984    (Won) 156,924
           

         

Long-term borrowings

   US$ 1,421,141,288      1,724,118    US$ 953,128,672      1,151,340
     EUR 143,104      180    JPY 10,000,000,000      111,960
           

         

              1,724,298             1,263,300
           

         

Debentures

   US$ 4,130,542,219    (Won) 4,965,644    US$ 3,552,030,395    (Won) 4,258,819
     JPY 175,060,000,000      1,773,130    JPY 195,060,000,000      2,183,892
     EUR 25,183,000      31,664    EUR 25,183,000      37,839
     GBP 24,467,000      47,099    GBP 24,467,000      52,097
           

         

              6,817,537             6,532,647
           

         

Convertible bonds

            —      JPY 25,935,061,000      277,256
           

         

            (Won) 8,699,568           (Won) 8,230,127
           

         

 

F-35


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(6) Aggregate maturities of the Company’s long-term debt as of December 31, 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

Year ended

December 31


 

Local

currency

borrowings


 

Foreign

currency

borrowings


 

Local

currency

debentures


 

Foreign

currency

debentures


 

Convertible

bonds


  Total

2004

  (Won) 1,254,049   (Won) 379,792   (Won) 3,987,273   (Won) 1,002,750   (Won) —     (Won) 6,623,864

2005

    1,261,767     271,531     1,841,433     1,277,043     —       4,651,774

2006

    1,212,845     217,703     1,429,673     348,656     —       3,208,877

2007

    776,669     89,068     865,010     1,421,769     —       3,152,516

    Thereafter

    581,844     305,206     1,250,000     2,482,429     277,256     4,896,735
   

 

 

 

 

 

    (Won) 5,087,174   (Won) 1,263,300   (Won) 9,373,389   (Won) 6,532,647   (Won) 277,256   (Won) 22,533,766
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

12. LEASES:

 

(1) The Company entered into financial lease agreements with Korea Development Leasing Corp. and others for certain computer systems, of which the acquisition cost is (Won)35,655 million as of December 31, 2002 and 2003. Depreciation of the leased assets amounted to (Won)10,804 million and (Won)1,091 million for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

(2) Annual payments of the Company under these lease agreements as of December 31, 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

     Amount

Year


   Financial lease

    Operating lease

2004

   (Won) 4,799     (Won) 1,850

2005

     375       92

2006

     —         68
    


 

Total

   (Won) 5,174     (Won) 2,010

Less: Interest

     (152 )     —  

Current portion

     (4,650 )     —  
    


 

     (Won) 372     (Won) 2,010
    


 

 

F-36


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

13. FOREIGN CURRENCY DENOMINATED ASSETS AND LIABILITIES:

 

Significant assets and liabilities of the Company (excluding foreign subsidiaries) denominated in foreign currencies other than those mentioned in Note 11 as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

     2002

   2003

Account


  

Foreign

currencies(*)


  

Equivalent

Korean Won


  

Foreign

currencies(*)


  

Equivalent

Korean Won


Assets:

                           

Cash and cash equivalents

   US$ 20,051,047    (Won) 24,069    US$ 5,616,964    (Won) 6,728
                   JPY 653,143      7

Short-term financial instruments

   US$ 616,908      741      —        —  

Trade receivables

   US$ 5,711,200      6,855    US$ 7,549,016      9,041

Accounts receivable-other

   US$ 21,013,291      25,224    US$ 1,289,865      1,545

Other non-current assets

   US$ 322,203      387    US$ 43,413      52
     JPY 5,859,783      59    JPY 5,859,783      66
           

         

            (Won) 57,335           (Won) 17,439
           

         

Liabilities:

                           

Trade payables

   US$ 112,475,105    (Won) 135,016    US$ 122,962,932    (Won) 147,285

Accounts payable-other

   US$ 2,125,135      2,551    US$ 1,510,269      1,809
     EUR 433,907      546    EUR 321,484      483

Accrued expenses

                 US$ 695,932      833

Other current liabilities

            —      US$ 144,972      173
           

         

            (Won) 138,113           (Won) 150,583
           

         


(*) Foreign currencies other than US$, JPY and EUR are converted into US$.

 

F-37


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

14. SWAP TRANSACTIONS:

 

The Company had entered into the following currency and interest rate swap transactions with various financial institutions as of December 31, 2003.

 

(1) Currency swap contracts as of December 31, 2003 are as follows:

 

    

Contract

Year


  

Settlement

Year


   Contract amounts in millions

   Contract interest rate per annum

           Pay

   Receive

   Pay (%)

   Receive (%)

The Sumitomo Bank Ltd.

   1995    2005    US$ 286    JPY 27,000    7.68    4.15

Mizuho Co., Ltd. (formerly The Fuji Bank, Ltd.)

   1995    2005    US$ 149    JPY 14,425    Libor+0.155    3.40

Union Bank of Switzerland

   1995    2005    US$ 82    JPY 7,000    Libor+0.19    3.102

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

   1996    2006    US$ 97    JPY 10,000    Libor+0.13    3.80

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank

   1996    2006    US$ 200    JPY 21,000    Libor+0.14    4.00

Deutsche Bank

   1998    2004    JPY
EUR
CHF
CAD
1,705
13
20
20
   US$ 55    6.41    7.11

Deutsche Bank

   1998    2004    JPY
EUR
CHF
CAD
2,945
22
35
34
   US$ 95    6.36    7.05

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank & Deutsche Bank (*)

   2002    2007    JPY 76,700    US$ 650    1.18    4.25

Barclays Bank PLC, London

   2002    2007    JPY 30,400    US$ 250    1.04    3M Libor+0.75

ABN AMRO (***)

   2002    2008    (Won) 181,500    US$ 150    5.95    4.625

Deutsche Bank(**)

   2003    2013    (Won) 178,350    US$ 150    CD+3.3    7.75

Union Bank of Switzerland(**)

   2003    2013    (Won) 148,625    US$ 125    CD+3.3    7.75

Credit Swiss First Boston(**)

   2003    2013    (Won) 89,175    US$ 75    CD+3.3    7.75

ABN AMRO & Deutsche Bank(****)

   2003    2008    (Won) 185,550    US$ 150    5.30    4.25

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank & Deutsche Bank

   2003    2008    JPY 23,770    US$ 200    1.28    4.25

Credit Swiss First Boston

   2003    2013    (Won) 177,720    US$ 150    5.12    4.75

(*) If the Republic of Korea declares a default on its debts, KEPCO is to receive Korean government bonds instead of cash. Valuation for these embedded derivatives is reflected in the valuation of the currency swap.
(**) The Company has purchased call options in addition to these swaps, under which the Company can exchange each (Won) 5,945,000,000 into the amounts of (Won) 5,000,000 multiplied by Spot FX (US$/(Won)) until December 22, 2004, and the valuation for this call option is considered in the valuation of the swaps.
(***) The swaption has an interest pay rate of CD+0.5% and an interest receive rate of 5.95%, of which an exercise date is January 2006.
(****) The swaption has an interest pay rate of CD+0.15% and an interest receive rate of 5.30%, of which an exercise date is January 2006.

 

F-38


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(2) Interest rate swap contracts as of December 31, 2003 are as follows:

 

    

Notional amount

in millions


  

Contract interest rate per annum


   Term

     

Pay (%)


  

Receive (%)


  

J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd.

   US$ 149    6.91    Libor+0.155    1995-2005

Korea Development Bank

   US$ 97    6.10    Libor+0.13    1997-2004

Barclays Bank PLC, London

   US$ 150    6M Libor-1    Libor+0.45    1997-2004

Shinhan Bank

   US$ 100    6.50    6.75    1997-2004

Deutsche Bank

   US$
JPY
EUR
CHF
CAD
55
1,705
13
20
20
   6.93   

6.41

6.41

6.41

6.41

   1998-2004

Deutsche Bank

   US$
JPY
EUR
CHF
CAD
95
2,945
22
35
34
   6.87   

6.36

6.36

6.36

6.36

   1998-2004

Deutsche Bank

   US$ 100    Max (6.074-Libor, 0)    Max (Libor-6.074, 0)    1998-2007

Deutsche Bank

   US$ 100    Max (Libor-6.074,0)    Max (6.074-Libor, 0)    1998-2007

Deutsche Bank

   (Won) 178,350    5+2 x (JPY/(Won)-11.03)    CD+3.3    2003-2013

Union Bank of Switzerland

   (Won) 148,625    5+2 x (JPY/(Won)-11.03)    CD+3.3    2003-2013

Credit Swiss First Boston

   (Won) 89,175    5+2 x (JPY/(Won)-11.03)    CD+3.3    2003-2013

Union Bank of Switzerland

   US$ 35    Libor+0.19    Libor+0.155    2000-2005

Credit Swiss First Boston

   (Won) 100,000    3M CD+0.35    3Y CMT+0.06    2002-2004

Deutsche Bank

   (Won) 100,000    6.09    3M CD+0.35    2002-2004

Credit Swiss First Boston

   (Won) 50,000    6.89    (5Y CMT-CD) x 2+4.3    2002-2007

Credit Swiss First Boston

   (Won) 50,000    6.89    7.30    2002-2007

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank

   (Won) 50,000    CD-0.3   

3 year : 7.75

3 year : 14.65-CD

   2002-2008

Deutsche Bank

   (Won) 50,000    4.98    CD-0.3    2002-2005

Credit Swiss First Boston

   (Won) 30,000    6.09   

1 year : 7.25

2 year : (5Y CMT-CD)

x 5+1.5

   2002-2005

Citibank

   (Won) 50,000    CD-0.3    7.65/2.50(*)    2002-2005

Koram Bank

   (Won) 10,000    CD-0.3    7.65/2.50(*)    2002-2005

Deutsche Bank

   (Won) 20,000    CD-0.31    7.65/2.50(*)    2002-2005

Deutsche Bank

   (Won) 40,000    CD-0.37    7.65/2.50(*)    2002-2005

Kookmin Bank

   (Won) 20,000    5.995    CD-0.325    2002-2005

Deutsche Bank

   (Won) 100,000    5.995    CD-0.325    2002-2005

(*) If CD rate is equal or lower than 6.75%, then 7.65% will be applied, otherwise, 2.50% will be applied.

 

F-39


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(3) The gains and losses on swaps for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

     Other income (expense)

 
     2001

    2002

    2003

 

Currency swaps

                        

Gains

   (Won) 79,913     (Won) 118,247     (Won) 78,302  

Losses

     (157,109 )     (35,890 )     (158,995 )
    


 


 


       (77,196 )     82,357       (80,693 )
    


 


 


Interest rate swaps

                        

Gains

     7,534       9,216       13,975  

Losses

     (62,346 )     (25,345 )     (27,374 )
    


 


 


       (54,812 )     (16,129 )     (13,399 )
    


 


 


Swaptions

                        

Gains

     —         —         602  

Losses

     —         (2,220 )     —    
    


 


 


       —         (2,220 )     602  
    


 


 


     (Won) (132,008 )   (Won) 64,008     (Won) (93,490 )
    


 


 


 

(4) The gains on interest swap contract of (Won)255 million and the losses on interest swap contract of (Won)2,817 million, classified as cash flow hedge derivatives, are reflected in capital adjustments for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

15. POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION EXPENSES:

 

Power generation, transmission and distribution expenses for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

     2001

   2002

   2003

Fuel

   (Won) 4,838,318    (Won) 4,405,750    (Won) 4,849,387

Depreciation and amortization

     4,660,383      4,777,277      4,921,585

Utility plant removal cost

     281,490      256,010      245,974

Maintenance

     1,573,065      1,522,221      1,587,488

Labor

     969,559      1,098,389      1,241,052

Reserve for decommissioning costs

     424,092      583,372      698,400

Research and development

     276,629      278,691      296,348

Others

     661,976      483,333      551,410
    

  

  

     (Won) 13,685,512    (Won) 13,405,043    (Won) 14,391,644
    

  

  

 

F-40


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

16. SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:

 

Selling and administrative expenses for years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

     2001

   2002

   2003

Labor

   (Won) 347,535    (Won) 409,744    (Won) 437,907

Employee benefits

     43,422      49,343      56,116

Sales commission

     235,311      253,040      280,051

Compensation for damages

     2,367      2,107      716

Depreciation and amortization

     76,586      57,644      53,914

Promotion

     51,085      18,971      19,301

Commission-others

     111,194      127,068      109,023

Bad debts

     14,883      8,379      23,178

Maintenance

     23,573      15,904      26,644

Others

     212,399      218,401      229,380
    

  

  

     (Won) 1,118,355    (Won) 1,160,601    (Won) 1,236,230
    

  

  

 

17. INCOME TAX:

 

The statutory corporate income tax rates (including resident surtax) applicable to the Company are approximately 30.8 percent for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 29.7 percent for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003. Income tax and effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

     2001

    2002

    2003

 

Income tax currently payable

   (Won) 535,831     (Won) 928,844     (Won) 577,750  

Changes in deferred income taxes

     211,749       339,634       205,870  
    


 


 


       747,580       1,268,478       783,620  

Income tax of subsidiaries

     545,553       835,314       979,651  
    


 


 


Income tax

   (Won) 1,293,133     (Won) 2,103,792     (Won) 1,763,271  
    


 


 


Effective tax rate

     44.1 %     40.7 %     42.9 %
    


 


 


 

F-41


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

18. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

 

(1) Significant transactions between KEPCO and related parties for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows. These were eliminated in the consolidation (won in millions):

 

Transaction


        2002

   2003

Sales and other income:

                  

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power
Co., Ltd.

   Sales of electricity and others    (Won) 138,270    (Won) 92,380

Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.

        41,148      49,124

Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.

        21,734      26,749

Korea Western Power Co., Ltd.

        38,022      34,025

Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd.

        17,788      18,604

Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.

        42,586      35,817

Others

        72,095      86,327
         

  

          (Won) 371,643    (Won) 343,026
         

  

Purchases and others:

                  

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.

   Purchase of electricity    (Won) 4,636,130    (Won) 5,065,317

Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.

        1,449,355      1,454,157

Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.

        1,598,036      1,781,897

Korea Western Power Co., Ltd.

      (Won) 2,011,776    (Won) 2,122,901

Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd.

        1,785,817      2,048,591

Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.

        1,844,336      1,867,833

Korea Power Engineering Co., Inc.

   Designing of the power plant      41,399      40,396

Korea Plant Service & Engineering
Co., Ltd.

   Utility plant maintenance      38,744      40,251

Korea Electric Power Data Network
Co., Ltd.

  

 

Maintenance of computer system

     153,301      203,074

Others

   Maintenance service      154,349      168,552
         

  

          (Won) 13,713,243    (Won) 14,792,969
         

  

 

(2) Receivables arising from related parties transactions as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows. These were eliminated in the consolidation (won in millions):

 

Related party


  

2002

Total


   2003

      Trade receivables

   Others

   Total

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.

   (Won) 8,020    (Won) —      (Won) 319    (Won) 319

Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.

     3,639      1,778      367      2,145

Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.

     382      1,107      2,232      3,339

Korea Western Power Co., Ltd.

     3,145      1,940      248      2,188

Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd.

     1,647      1,157      360      1,517

Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.

     4,518      1,978      213      2,191

Others

     10,603      1,990      9,607      11,597
    

  

  

  

     (Won) 31,954    (Won) 9,950    (Won) 13,346    (Won) 23,296
    

  

  

  

 

F-42


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(3) Payables arising from related parties transactions as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 are as follows. These were eliminated in the consolidation (won in millions):

 

Related party


 

2002

Total


  2003

    Trade payables

  Others

  Total

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.

  (Won) 368,509   (Won) 379,121   (Won) 1,954   (Won) 381,075

Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.

    124,031     117,954     4,411     122,365

Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.

    168,410     145,548     9,387     154,935

Korea Western Power Co., Ltd.

    176,816     167,876     140     168,016

Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd.

    130,181     179,803     93     179,896

Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.

    142,017     142,776     223     142,999

Korea Power Engineering Co., Inc.

    7,108     —       5,909     5,909

Korea Plant Service & Engineering Co., Ltd.

    6,845     —       5,509     5,509

Korea Electric Power Data Network
Co., Ltd.

    25,502     —       56,334     56,334

Others

    22,593     4,363     19,619     23,982
   

 

 

 

    (Won) 1,172,012   (Won) 1,137,441   (Won) 103,579   (Won) 1,241,020
   

 

 

 

 

19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

 

(1) The Company is engaged in 299 lawsuits as a defendant and 47 lawsuits as a plaintiff. The total amount claimed from the Company is (Won)202,315 million and the amount claimed by the Company is (Won)18,500 million as of December 31, 2003. The outcome of these lawsuits cannot presently be determined.

 

(2) The Company has been provided a credit (overdraft) line amounting to (Won)1,468,000 million by banks including the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation as of December 31, 2003.

 

(3) The debt repayment guarantees, which KEPCO has provided for its related parties in connection with the related parties’ borrowings as of December 31, 2003 are as follows:

 

Loan type


  

Guaranteed Company


  

Financial institutions


   Amount

Foreign currency loan

   KEPCO International Hong Kong Ltd.    Nippon Life Insurance    US$ 82,006,000
      Norinchukin Bank    US$ 35,000,000
      Korea Development Bank    US$ 9,272,000
   KEPCO Philippines Corporation    Korea Development Bank    US$ 45,435,000
              

               US$ 171,713,000
              

 

(4) KEPCO Ilijan Corporation, which is a subsidiary of KEPCO International Philippines Inc., is engaged in the power generation business in the Philippines. KEPCO Ilijian Corporation has borrowed US$ 393,458,586 by project financing from Japan Bank of International Cooperation and others. In relation to these borrowings, KEPCO has provided repayment guarantees for some of the borrowings of KEPCO Ilijan Corporation. In addition, KEPCO has provided Japan Bank of International Cooperation and others with a performance guarantee for the power generation business of KEPCO Ilijan Corporation.

 

F-43


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(5) KEPCO’s debts of (Won)17,646,157 million, including borrowings of (Won)13,825,884 million, were transferred to the power generation subsidiaries at the time of spin-off. KEPCO and power generation subsidiaries are jointly and severally liable for the liabilities as of spin-off date, under the Commercial Code of the Republic of Korea. Details of these borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2003 by the debtor are as follows (won in millions):

 

Debtor


   Amounts

KEPCO

   1,203,052

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.

   1,501,535

Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.

   307,825

Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.

   163,470

Korea Western Power Co., Ltd.

   186,759

Korea Southern Power Co., Ltd.

   537,449

Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.

   751,917
    
     4,652,007
    

 

(6) Korea Development Bank has provided the repayment guarantees of US$151,263,250 for the Company’s commercial borrowings. In addition, Korea Development Bank has also provided the repayment guarantee for some of foreign currency debentures of the Company, which existed at the time of spin-off, but not redeemed as of December 31, 2003, instead of the collective responsibilities of the power generation subsidiaries to facilitate the Restructuring Plan. Guarantee amounts by currency are as follows:

 

     USD

   JPY

   EUR

   GBP

Guaranteed amounts (including interest)

   2,234,611,791    44,126,200,000    26,634,989    32,785,780

 

(7) The Company has provided 1 promissory note of (Won)1,771 million to Hyundai Heavy Industry, Co., Ltd. as a guarantee for performance of contract.

 

(8) The Company entered into a turnkey contract with the Korea Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO) on December 15, 1999, to construct two 1,000,000 KW-class pressurized light-water reactor units in North Korea. The contract amount is US$ 4,182 million and subject to adjustment to cover any changes in the price level. As of December 31, 2003, the construction projects are temporarily suspended due to the political environments surrounding the Korean peninsula.

 

(9) The Company entered into the Power Purchase Agreement with LG Energy Co., Ltd. and other independent power producers for power purchases in accordance with the Electricity Business Act and power purchased from those companies amounted to (Won)987,272 million, (Won)1,140,810 million and (Won)1,055,081 million for the years ended December 31, 2001 ,2002 and 2003, respectively.

 

F-44


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

20. SEGMENT INFORMATION:

 

(1) The following table provides information for each operating segment as of and for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 (won in millions).

 

     2001

 
     Electric business

    All other

    Consolidation
adjustments


    Consolidated

 
     Transmission &
distribution


    Power
generation(*1)


       

Unaffiliated revenues

   (Won) 18,863,802     (Won) —       (Won) 1,361,186     (Won) —       (Won) 20,224,988  

Intersegment revenues

     589,201       9,615,336       1,044,766       (11,249,303 )     —    
    


 


 


 


 


Total revenues

     19,453,003       9,615,336       2,405,952       (11,249,303 )     20,224,988  

Cost of goods sold

     (16,645,119 )     (7,827,444 )     (1,745,215 )     11,099,972       (15,117,806 )

Selling and administrative expenses

     (891,024 )     (106,387 )     (120,867 )     (77 )     (1,118,355 )
    


 


 


 


 


Operating income

     1,916,860       1,681,505       539,870       (149,408 )     3,988,827  

Interest income

     31,475       42,620       19,018       (4,686 )     88,427  

Interest expense

     (805,688 )     (353,237 )     (48,940 )     4,686       (1,203,179 )

Gain on valuation using the equity method of accounting (*)

     1,309,848       —         —         (1,212,300 )     97,548  

Other income, net

     28,088       153,054       (28,094 )     (192,947 )     (39,899 )
    


 


 


 


 


Earnings before income tax

     2,480,583       1,523,942       481,854       (1,554,655 )     2,931,724  

Income tax expense

     (747,580 )     (520,027 )     (34,280 )     8,754       (1,293,133 )
    


 


 


 


 


Segment earning before minority interests

     1,733,003       1,003,915       447,574       (1,545,901 )     1,638,591  

Utility and non-utility plant

     27,158,901       32,364,535       2,398,339       (198,047 )     61,723,728  

Total assets

     30,145,577       37,416,984       3,963,388       (963,806 )     70,562,143  

Capital expenditures

     4,790,219       2,322,810       247,884       (62,189 )     7,298,724  

(*) Power generation represents the result of operations for the period from April 2, 2001 to December 31, 2001.

 

F-45


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

    2002

 
    Electric business

    All other

    Consolidation
adjustments


    Consolidated

 
   

Transmission

& distribution


    Power
generation


       

Unaffiliated revenues

  (Won) 20,406,404     (Won) —       (Won) 959,271     (Won) —       (Won) 21,365,675  

Intersegment revenues

    309,893       13,404,975       841,006       (14,555,874 )     —    
   


 


 


 


 


Total revenues

    20,716,297       13,404,975       1,800,277       (14,555,874 )     21,365,675  

Cost of goods sold

    (17,897,871 )     (10,348,054 )     (1,481,333 )     14,568,967       (15,158,291 )

Selling and administrative expenses

    (940,016 )     (153,324 )     (81,905 )     14,644       (1,160,601 )
   


 


 


 


 


Operating income

    1,878,410       2,903,597       237,039       27,737       5,046,783  

Interest income

  (Won) 23,710     (Won) 46,982     (Won) 22,233     (Won) (1,996 )   (Won) 90,929  

Interest expense

    (627,954 )     (360,606 )     (29,858 )     1,996       (1,016,422 )

Gain on valuation using the equity method of accounting

    2,178,492       —         18,566       (2,102,205 )     94,853  

Other income, net

    871,284       101,946       (1,622 )     (16,893 )     954,715  
   


 


 


 


 


Earnings before income tax

    4,323,942       2,691,919       246,358       (2,091,361 )     5,170,858  

Income tax expense

    (1,268,478 )     (792,863 )     (39,685 )     (2,766 )     (2,103,792 )
   


 


 


 


 


Segment earning before minority interests

    3,055,464       1,899,056       206,673       (2,094,127 )     3,067,066  

Utility and non-utility plant

    28,157,412       32,145,415       1,200,843       (199,916 )     61,303,754  

Total assets

    31,792,880       36,933,338       2,604,890       (818,989 )     70,512,119  

Capital expenditures

    3,461,673       3,146,396       97,103       (52,106 )     6,653,066  
    2003

 
    Electric business

    All other

    Consolidation
adjustments


    Consolidated

 
   

Transmission

& distribution


    Power
generation


       

Unaffiliated revenues

  (Won) 21,834,288     (Won) —       (Won) 940,306     (Won) —       (Won) 22,774,594  

Intersegment revenues

    253,167       14,348,938       956,299       (15,558,404 )     —    
   


 


 


 


 


Total revenues

    22,087,455       14,348,938       1,896,605       (15,558,404 )     22,774,594  

Cost of goods sold

    (19,285,025 )     (11,138,278 )     (1,429,265 )     15,538,002       (16,314,566 )

Selling and administrative expenses

    (992,116 )     (167,479 )     (90,120 )     13,485       (1,236,230 )
   


 


 


 


 


Operating income

    1,810,314       3,043,181       377,220       (6,917 )     5,223,798  

Interest income

    38,780       34,585       27,663       (1,131 )     99,897  

Interest expense

    (583,557 )     (207,374 )     (39,488 )     676       (829,743 )

Gain on valuation using the equity method of accounting

    2,123,518       —         23,616       (2,050,268 )     96,866  

Other income, net

    (291,991 )     (145,207 )     (588 )     (43,143 )     (480,929 )
   


 


 


 


 


Earnings before income tax

    3,097,064       2,725,185       388,423       (2,100,783 )     4,109,889  

Income tax expense

    (783,620 )     (948,458 )     (35,865 )     4,672       (1,763,271 )
   


 


 


 


 


Segment earning before minority interests

    2,313,444       1,776,727       352,558       (2,096,111 )     2,346,618  

Utility and non-utility plant

    29,271,047       31,735,423       1,111,682       (204,064 )     61,914,088  

Total assets

    33,723,731       37,249,382       2,664,538       (1,910,379 )     71,727,272  

Capital expenditures

    3,624,453       3,103,081       105,508       (51,049 )     6,781,993  

 

F-46


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(2) The following summary shows the details of revenues from the sale of electric power for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 (won in millions).

 

     2001

   2002

   2003

Industrial

   (Won) 8,312,651    (Won) 8,922,547    (Won) 9,518,541

Commercial

     5,123,306      5,895,673      6,198,741

Residential

     4,787,878      5,081,424      5,494,326

Others

     639,967      506,760      622,680
    

  

  

     (Won) 18,863,802    (Won) 20,406,404    (Won) 21,834,288
    

  

  

 

21. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS:

 

(1) Cash in the statements of cash flows represents cash and cash equivalents in the balance sheets.

 

(2) Transactions not involving cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 are as follows (won in millions):

 

    2001

  2002

  2003

Reclassification of long-term loans to current portion of long-term loans

  (Won) 19,881   (Won) 10,905   (Won) 11,255

Reclassification of construction in progress to utility plant

    6,593,638     8,776,599     4,443,872

Reclassification of property, plant and equipment to inventories

    178,945     —       —  

Reclassification of long-term debt to current portion of long-term debt

    4,735,632     4,440,013     6,623,864

 

22. RECONCILIATION TO UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES:

 

Accounting practices used by the Company in preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements conform with generally accepted accounting principles in the Republic of Korea (“Korean GAAP”), but do not conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The significant differences are described below. Other differences do not have a significant effect on either consolidated net earnings or stockholders’ equity.

 

(1) Asset Revaluation and Depreciation

 

Under U.S. GAAP, property, plant and equipment must be stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The revaluation of property, plant and equipment and the resulting depreciation of revalued amounts are not included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. When assets are sold, any revaluation surplus related to those assets under Korean GAAP would be reflected in income as additional gain on sale of assets under U.S. GAAP. Additionally, special depreciation recognized through December 31, 1995 for certain energy saving and anti-pollution facilities and equipment is not recognized under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, related depreciation costs would be reversed under U.S. GAAP.

 

F-47


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(2) Accounting for Regulation

 

Regulations for the establishment of electric rates consider, in certain cases, certain income and expenses to be recognized in different years than they are recognized for financial reporting. In accordance with SFAS No. 71—“Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation” for regulated enterprises, a regulatory liability or regulatory asset is recognized on the consolidated balance sheet by a charge or credit to operations to match revenues and expenses. These assets or liabilities relate to the adjustments for foreign currency translation, reserve for self-insurance and deferred income taxes described below.

 

The following table shows the components of regulated liabilities as of December 31, 2002 and 2003.

 

     Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. Dollars (Note 2)

2003


 
     2002

    2003

   
     (In millions)     (In thousands)  

Foreign currency translation

   (Won) 1,042,643     (Won) 972,903     $ 816,193  

Reserve for self-insurance

     (82,536 )     (87,926 )     (73,763 )

Deferred income taxes

     (1,796,994 )     (1,550,939 )     (1,301,123 )
    


 


 


     (Won) (836,887 )   (Won) (665,962 )   $ (558,693 )
    


 


 


 

As discussed below, such adjustments exclude those relating to the non-regulated subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company.

 

As discussed in Note 1, on April 2, 2001, six new power generation subsidiaries were established in accordance with the Restructuring Plan. Since the power generation subsidiaries’ rates are determined by a competitive system that is not cost based, they no longer meet the criteria for application of SFAS No. 71. The power transmission and distribution divisions of KEPCO continue to meet the criteria for application of SFAS No. 71.

 

The accompanying financial statements reflect the elimination effects of regulations that have been recognized as regulatory assets and liabilities pursuant to SFAS No 71. The effect of this change has been recognized in current operations, resulting in the increase in net income under U.S. GAAP of (Won)423,146 million, in accordance with SFAS No. 101—“Accounting for the Discontinuation of Application of SFAS No 71”. However, in accordance with SFAS No. 101, the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment measured and reported pursuant to SFAS No. 71 were not adjusted since they were not impaired under the provisions of SFAS No. 121—“Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of”.

 

The Government of the Republic of Korea approves the rates that KEPCO charges to its customers. KEPCO’s utility rates are designed to recover its reasonable costs plus a fair investment return. In June 2001, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy announced the revised guidelines for utility rate setting, stating that non-operating expenses should be excluded from reasonable costs while income tax expense (including deferred income taxes), instead of income tax payables, should be included for rate-making purposes. As a result of this guideline change and the deregulation of the power generation subsidiaries, only deferred income taxes of KEPCO caused by the difference between Korean GAAP and U.S. GAAP are subject to SFAS No. 71, to the extent that tax benefits or obligation will affect future allowable costs for rate making purpose.

 

Regulatory assets and liabilities are established based on the current regulations and rate-making process. Accordingly, these assets and liabilities may be significantly changed due to the potential future deregulation or changes in the rate-making process.

 

F-48


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(3) Foreign Currency Translation

 

As discussed in Note 2, under Korean GAAP, the Company capitalizes certain foreign exchange transaction and translation gains and losses on the borrowings associated with property, plant and equipment during the construction period. Under U.S. GAAP, all foreign exchange transaction gains and losses (referred to as either transaction or translation gains (losses) under Korean GAAP) are included in the results of operations for the current period. The amounts of foreign exchange transaction and translation gains and losses included in property, plant and equipment under Korean GAAP are reversed into results of operations for the current period under U.S. GAAP.

 

(4) Deferred Income Taxes

 

As discussed in Note 2, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded in the financial statements prepared in accordance with Korean GAAP, which is substantially the same as for U.S. GAAP. For U.S. GAAP purposes, the Company is required to recognize the deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from differences between Korean GAAP and U.S. GAAP.

 

(5) Reversal of Eliminated Profit on Transactions with Subsidiaries and Affiliated Companies

 

Under Korean GAAP, KEPCO’s share of the profit on transactions between KEPCO and its affiliated companies is eliminated in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. No elimination of such profit is required in accordance with U.S. GAAP for regulated enterprises, where the sales prices is reasonable and it is probable that, through the rate making process, future revenues approximately equal to the sales price will result from KEPCO’s use of the utility plant. KEPCO meets both of these criteria, and no elimination of profit is necessary for reporting under U.S. GAAP.

 

(6) Impairment Loss on Fixed Assets

 

Under Korean GAAP, the Company assesses any possible recognition of impairment loss when there is an indication that expected future economic benefits of a tangible asset is considerably less than its carrying amount as a result of technological obsolescence or rapid decline in market value. When it is determined that a tangible asset may have been impaired and that its estimated total future cash flows from continued use or disposal is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of a tangible asset is reduced to its recoverable amount and the difference is recognized as an impairment loss. Under U.S. GAAP, the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset while an impairment loss shall be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. As discussed in Note 2, due to stoppage of two power plants in Youngwol and Busan in 2001, the Company’s Korean GAAP financial statements reflect an impairment loss determined as discussed in the preceding paragraph. The Korean GAAP impairment loss was based on the recoverable value of the power plants. The impairment loss under U.S. GAAP is substantially the same as under Korean GAAP.

 

(7) Asset retirement obligation

 

Under SFAS No. 143—“Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”, the Company is required to recognize an estimated liability for legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets. The Company measures the liability at fair value when incurred and capitalize a corresponding amount as part of the book value of the related long-lived assets. The increase in the capitalized cost is included in determining

 

F-49


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

depreciation expense over the estimated useful life of these assets. Since the fair value of the asset retirement obligations is determined using a present value approach, accretion of the liability due to the passage of time is recognized each period as expense until the settlement of the liability. The Company records a gain or loss when the liability is settled after retirement.

 

This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002 and it is to be applied to all existing long-lived assets including those acquired before January 1, 2003. Accounting for asset retirement obligations under Korean GAAP is substantially the same as SFAS No. 143, except that those assets acquired before January 1, 2003 can be excluded from the application of the accounting for asset retirement obligation under Korean GAAP. Accordingly, the Company’s assets acquired before January 1, 2003 were excluded from the application of the accounting for asset retirement obligation under Korean GAAP.

 

As explained in Note 2 (14) “Reserve for Decommissioning Costs and Self-Insurance”, the Company has accrued (Won)4,417,934 million and (Won)5,091,070 million for the cost of dismantling and decontaminating existing nuclear power plants as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 in accordance with the Korean Electricity Business Act.

 

As a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 143, the Company recognized (Won)1,775,306 million additional pretax gain as a cumulative effect of accounting change on January 1, 2003.

 

Capitalized asset retirement cost additionally recognized and asset retirement obligation liability additionally subtracted under U.S. GAAP as of December 31, 2002 and 2003 is as follows:

 

     Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. Dollars (Note 2)

2003


 
     2002

    2003

   
     (In millions)     (In thousands)  

Capitalized asset retirement cost, net of accumulated depreciation

   (Won) 997,710     (Won) 1,751,755     $ 1,469,593  

Asset retirement obligation

     (777,596 )     (478,140 )     (401,124 )
    


 


 


     (Won) 1,775,306     (Won) 2,229,895     $ 1,870,717  
    


 


 


 

As of December 31, 2002 and 2003, asset retirement obligation amounted to (Won)3,640,337 million and (Won)4,612,930 million under U.S. GAAP, respectively.

 

A reconciliation of the Company’s asset retirement obligation liability (after adoption of SFAS No. 143) for the year ended December 31, 2003 under U.S. GAAP is as follows:

 

     Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. Dollars
(Note 2)


 
     (In millions)     (In thousands)  

January 1, 2003

   (Won) 3,640,337     $ 3,053,974  

Liabilities incurred

     39,350       33,012  

Liabilities settled

     —         —    

Revision to estimate

     732,012       614,104  

Accretion expense

     226,494       190,012  

Payments

     (25,263 )     (21,194 )

Asset retirement obligation

   (Won) 4,612,930     $ 3,869,908  
    


 


 

F-50


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(8) Derivatives

 

Under SFAS No. 133—“Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended by SFAS No. 138, the Company is required to recognize all derivatives on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through current operations. If derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of derivatives will either be offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitment through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s changes in fair value will be immediately recognized in current earnings. The Company recorded all derivatives on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value by Korean GAAP. The ineffective portion of a derivate’s change in fair value will be immediately recognized in current earnings. The Company believes that there is no material impact on net income and stockholders’ equity under U.S. GAAP since derivatives accounting under Korean GAAP is substantially the same as SFAS No. 133.

 

(9) Convertible bonds

 

Under US GAAP, no portion of the proceeds from the issuance of convertible debt securities shall be accounted for as attributable to the conversion feature, while under Korean GAAP, the value of the conversion rights are recognized as capital surplus.

 

(10) Principles of Consolidation

 

Minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries are disclosed within the shareholder’s equity section of the balance sheet. Under U.S. GAAP, minority interests are presented between the liability section and the stockholders’ equity section in the consolidated balance sheet.

 

(11) Reserve for self-insurance

 

The Company accrues a reserve for self-insurance for non-insured facilities in accordance with Accounting Regulations for Government Invested Enterprises. U.S. GAAP considers accidental damage to be a contingency that is only provided for when asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred.

 

F-51


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(12) Comprehensive Income

 

Effective January 1, 1998, the Company adopted the provision of SFAS No. 130—“Reporting Comprehensive Income”, which requires the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components (revenues, expenses, gains and losses) for each period presented. Such a presentation is not required under Korean GAAP. Comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002, and 2003 is summarized as follows:

 

     Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. Dollars (Note 2)

2003


 
     2001

    2002

    2003

   
     (In millions)     (In thousands)  

Net income as adjusted in accordance with U.S. GAAP

   (Won) 3,287,192     (Won) 3,572,790     (Won) 4,551,923     $ 3,818,727  

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

                                

Overseas operations translation

     (2,342 )     (22,264 )     (10,522 )     (8,827 )

Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities

     19,969       (50,122 )     6,565       5,508  

Deferred gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

     2,410       179       (2,159 )     (1,811 )
    


 


 


 


Comprehensive income as adjusted in accordance with U.S. GAAP

   (Won) 3,307,229     (Won) 3,500,583     (Won) 4,545,807     $ 3,813,597  
    


 


 


 


Accumulated other comprehensive balances, net of tax:

                                

Overseas operations translation

   (Won) (36,065 )   (Won) (58,329 )   (Won) (68,851 )   $ (57,761 )

Unrealized gains (losses) on investments

     22,995       (27,127 )     (20,562 )     (17,250 )

Deferred gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

     —         179       (1,980 )     (1,661 )
    


 


 


 


     (Won) (13,070 )   (Won) (85,277 )   (Won) (91,393 )   $ (76,672 )
    


 


 


 


 

(13) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments in which it is practicable to estimate that value:

 

(i) Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, trade receivables, short-term borrowings, and trade payables:

 

The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the nature or short maturity of those instruments.

 

(ii) Investments.

 

The fair value of market-traded investments is estimated based on quoted market prices for those or similar investments. For other investments for which there are no quoted market prices, a reasonable estimate of fair value could not be made without incurring excessive costs.

 

(iii) Long-term debt

 

The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered for debt of the same remaining maturities.

 

F-52


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2002 and 2003 are summarized as follow (won in millions):

 

    2002

    2003

 
   

Carrying

Amount


    Fair value

   

Carrying

Amount


    Fair value

 

Cash and cash equivalents

  (Won) 1,997,480     (Won) 1,997,480     (Won) 2,050,636     (Won) 2,050,636  

Short-term financial instruments

    137,852       137,852       119,000       119,000  

Trade receivables and account receivables-other

    1,845,344       1,845,344       2,063,715       2,063,715  

Investments:

                               

Practicable to estimate fair value

    12,312       12,312       19,778       19,778  

Not practicable

    126,725       N/A       213,163       N/A  

Short-term borrowings

    (157,733 )     (157,733 )     (210,169 )     (210,169 )

Trade payables and accounts payable-other

    (1,666,329 )     (1,666,329 )     (1,626,167 )     (1,626,167 )

Long-term debt, including current portion

    (23,385,808 )     (24,141,001 )     (22,536,190 )     (22,990,590 )

Currency and interest swaps, net

    (152,982 )     (152,982 )     (83,671 )     (83,671 )

Other

    (2,220 )     (2,220 )     (1,617 )     (1,617 )

 

(14) Recent changes in U.S. GAAP

 

In April 2003, the FASB issued Statement No. 149—“Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” This statement amends and clarifies accounting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under Statement 133. The new guidance amends statement 133 regarding implementation issues raised in relation to the application of the definition of a derivative, particularly regarding the meaning of an underlying and the characteristics of a derivative that contains financing components. The amendments set forth in statement 149 improve financial reporting by requiring that contracts with comparable characteristics be accounted for similarly. In particular, this statement clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristic of a derivative as discussed in statement 133. In addition, it clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component that warrants special reporting in the statement of cash flows. The Company does not believe that the impact will be significant.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150-“Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity”. SFAS No. 150 provides guidance on how an entity classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into, or monitored after, May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this statement will have a significant impact on its financial condition or result of operations.

 

In January and December 2003, the FASB issued and then revised FIN No. 46-“Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”, which is effective immediately for all variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. FIN No. 46 must be applied for the first fiscal year or interim period ending after March 15, 2004 for variable interest entities or the first quarter of 2004. FIN No. 46 requires existing unconsolidated variable interest entities to be consolidated by their primary beneficiaries if the entities do not effectively disperse risks among the parties involved. A primary beneficiary absorbs the majority of the entity’s losses or receives a majority of the entity’s residual returns, if they occur, or both. Where it is reasonably possible that the information about the variable interest entity relationships must be disclosed or consolidated, the Company must disclose the nature, purpose,

 

F-53


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

size and activity of the variable interest entity and the maximum exposure to loss as a result of the Company’s involvement with the variable interest entity in all financial statements issued after January 31, 2003. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this statement will have a significant impact on its financial condition or result of operations.

 

(15) Effect on Net Income and Stockholders’ Equity

 

The effects of the significant adjustments to net income and stockholders’ equity that are required if U.S. GAAP were applied instead of Korean GAAP are summarized as follows:

 

     Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. dollars (Note 2)

2003


 
     2001

    2002

    2003

   
    

(In millions, except

per share data)

    (In thousands, except
per share data)
 

NET INCOME UNDER KOREAN GAAP

   (Won) 1,634,850     (Won) 3,048,105     (Won) 2,323,425     $ 1,949,182  

ADJUSTMENTS:

                                

OPERATING INCOME

                                

Asset revaluation

     614,035       511,787       449,971       377,492  

Special depreciation

     (28,676 )     (24,246 )     (21,033 )     (17,645 )

Regulated operations

     899,357       175,783       170,925       143,393  

Capitalized foreign currency translation

     227,884       164,037       246,531       206,821  

Reversal of eliminated profit on transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates

     (111,546 )     (44,772 )     (17,083 )     (14,331 )

Asset retirement obligation

     —         —         454,589       381,366  

Reserve for self-insurance

     4,861       5,465       6,400       5,369  

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)

                                

Asset revaluation

   (Won) 352,575     (Won) 130,210     (Won) 117,795     $ 98,821  

Capitalized foreign currency translation

     (64,237 )     43,633       (20,589 )     (17,273 )

Reserve for self-insurance

     73,382       (1,172 )     (1,010 )     (847 )

Convertible bonds

     —         —         1,344       1,130  

EXTRAORDINARY ITEM

                                

Deregulation effect

     423,146       —         —         —    

CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE

                                

Asset retirement obligation

     —         —         1,775,306       1,489,349  

INCOME TAX EXPENSES

                                

Deferred income taxes

     (738,439 )     (436,040 )     (934,648 )     (784,100 )
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME AS ADJUSTED UNDER U.S. GAAP

   (Won) 3,287,192     (Won) 3,572,790     (Won) 4,551,923     $ 3,818,727  
    


 


 


 


 

F-54


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

     Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. dollars (Note 2)

2003


 
     2002

    2003

   
     (In millions)     (In thousands)  

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY UNDER KOREAN GAAP

   (Won) 36,073,138     (Won) 37,781,936     $ 31,696,255  

ADJUSTMENTS:

                        

UTILITY PLANT

                        

Asset revaluation

     (8,902,992 )     (8,355,176 )     (7,009,376 )

Capitalized asset retirement cost

     —         1,751,755       1,469,593  

Special depreciation

     59,305       38,272       32,107  

Capitalized foreign currency translation

     (2,242,663 )     (2,016,721 )     (1,691,880 )

Reversal of eliminated profit on transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates

     120,454       103,371       86,721  

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

                        

Asset revaluation

     (141,927 )     (121,977 )     (102,330 )

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     3,187,609       2,252,961       1,890,067  

LIABILITIES

                        

Asset retirement obligation

     —         478,140       401,124  

Regulated operation

     (836,887 )     (665,962 )     (558,693 )

Reserve for self-insurance

     82,536       87,926       73,763  

Convertible bonds

     —         (43,828 )     (36,769 )

MINORITY INTERESTS

     (108,073 )     (127,569 )     (107,021 )
    


 


 


STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY UNDER U.S. GAAP

   (Won) 27,290,500     (Won) 31,163,128     $ 26,143,561  
    


 


 


 

The reconciliation of operating income from Korean GAAP to U.S. GAAP for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 is as follows:

 

     Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. dollars (Note 2)

2003


 
     2001

    2002

    2003

   
     (In millions)     (In thousands)  

Operating income under Korean GAAP

   (Won) 3,988,827     (Won) 5,046,783     (Won) 5,223,798     $ 4,382,381  

Asset revaluation

     614,035       511,787       449,971       377,492  

Special depreciation

     (28,676 )     (24,246 )     (21,033 )     (17,645 )

Regulated operation

     899,357       175,783       170,925       143,393  

Capitalized foreign currency translation

     227,884       164,037       246,531       206,821  

Reversal of eliminated profit on transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates

     (111,546 )     (44,772 )     (17,082 )     (14,331 )

Asset retirement obligation

     —         —         454,589       381,366  

Reserve for self-insurance

     4,861       5,465       6,400       5,369  
    


 


 


 


Operating income under US GAAP

   (Won) 5,594,742     (Won) 5,834,837     (Won) 6,514,099     $ 5,464,846  
    


 


 


 


 

F-55


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

The reconciliation of utility plant and non-utility plant from Korean GAAP to U.S. GAAP at December 31, 2002 and 2003 is as follows:

 

     Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. dollars (Note 2)

2003


 
     2002

    2003

   
     (In millions)     (In thousands)  

Utility plant, net under Korean GAAP

   (Won) 61,303,754     (Won) 61,914,088     $ 51,941,349  

Asset revaluation

     (8,902,992 )     (8,355,176 )     (7,009,376 )

Capitalized asset retirement cost

     —         1,751,755       1,469,593  

Special depreciation

     59,305       38,272       32,107  

Capitalized foreign currency translation

     (2,242,663 )     (2,016,721 )     (1,691,880 )

Reversal of eliminated profit on transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates

     120,454       103,371       86,721  
    


 


 


Utility plant, net under U.S. GAAP

   (Won) 50,337,858     (Won) 53,435,589     $ 44,828,514  
    


 


 


 

The tax effects of temporary differences that resulted in significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2002 and 2003, computed under U.S. GAAP, and a description of the financial statement items that created these differences as follows:

 

     Korean Won

  

Translation into
U.S. dollars (Note 2)

2003


     2002

    2003

  
     (In millions)    (In thousands)

Deferred tax assets adjustment:

                     

Asset revaluation

   (Won) 2,522,334     (Won) 2,179,523    $ 1,828,459

Convertible bond

     —         12,053      10,112

Regulated operation

     248,556       183,140      153,641

Capitalized foreign currency translation

     666,071       554,598      465,267

Decommissioning costs

     1,312,126       1,400,318      1,174,763

Others

     163,305       244,811      205,377
    


 

  

Total deferred tax assets adjustment

     4,912,392       4,574,443      3,837,619
    


 

  

Deferred tax liabilities adjustment:

                     

Special depreciation

   (Won) 17,614     (Won) 10,525    $ 8,831

Reversal of eliminated profit on transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates

     35,775       28,427      23,848

Asset retirement obligation, net

     —         613,221      514,446

Investment in social overhead capital

     408,387       222,093      186,320

Reserve for self insurance

     24,513       24,180      20,285

Long-term investment securities

     1,151,274       1,517,157      1,272,782
    


 

  

Total deferred tax liabilities adjustment

     1,637,563       2,415,603      2,026,512
    


 

  

Net deferred tax asset

   (Won) 3,274,829     (Won) 2,158,840    $ 1,811,107
    


 

  

Allowance for deferred tax assets

     (171,450 )     —        —  

Deferred tax liabilities under Korean GAAP

     84,230       94,121      78,960
    


 

  

U.S. GAAP adjustments

   (Won) 3,187,609     (Won) 2,252,961    $ 1,890,067
    


 

  

 

F-56


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

Effectively January 1, 2005, the statutory tax rate, including resident surcharge, will be changed from 29.7 percent to 27.5 percent. Enacted future tax rate of 27.5 percent was applied to calculate the deferred income tax liabilities of which the tax effect will be realized after 2005.

 

Earning per share for the year ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 under U.S. GAAP are as follows:

 

    Korean Won

   

Translation into

U.S. dollars (Note 2)
2003


 
    2001

  2002

  2003

   
   

(In millions, except

per share data)

    (In thousands, except
per share data)
 

Income before extraordinary item and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle under U.S.
GAAP (a)

  (Won) 2,989,721   (Won) 3,572,790   (Won) 3,264,827     $ 2,738,949  

Extraordinary item, net of tax

    297,471     —       —         —    

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of tax

    —       —       1,287,096       1,079,778  
   

 

 


 


Net income under U.S. GAAP (b)

    3,287,192     3,572,790     4,551,923       3,818,727  

Effect of dilutive Securities

    —       —       (448 )     (376 )
   

 

 


 


Adjusted net income (c)

  (Won) 3,287,192   (Won) 3,572,790   (Won) 4,551,475     $ 3,818,351  
   

 

 


 


Weighted-average shares (d)

    638,975,080     639,046,001     630,327,064       630,327,064  

Effect dilutive securities

    —       —       1,589,015       1,589,015  
   

 

 


 


Adjusted weighted average shares (e)

    638,975,080     639,046,001     631,916,079       631,916,079  
   

 

 


 


Basic earnings per share before extraordinary item and cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle under U.S. GAAP
(a)/(d)

  (Won) 4,678   (Won) 5,591   (Won) 5,179     $ 4.34  
   

 

 


 


Basic earnings per share under U.S. GAAP (b)/(d)

  (Won) 5,144   (Won) 5,591   (Won) 7,221     $ 6.05  
   

 

 


 


Diluted earnings per share under U.S. GAAP (c)/(e)

  (Won) 5,144   (Won) 5,591   (Won) 7,202     $ 6.04  
   

 

 


 


 

F-57


Table of Contents

KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

DECEMBER 31, 2001, 2002 AND 2003

 

(17) Segment Information

 

Under U.S. GAAP, companies report segment information based on the management disaggregates the company for making operating decisions. Each of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries is an operating segment in accordance with SFAS No. 131—“Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”. Operating segments that have similar economic characteristics and are similar in terms of the nature of their products and services, the nature of the production process, the type or class of customer, and methods of distribution have been aggregated into two reportable segments: transmission and distribution of electricity, and power generation, which are engaged in the transmission and sales of electricity, and production of electricity, respectively. Prior to the spin-off of the power generation division (see Note 1), the Company did not disaggregate the information for transmission and distribution of electricity, and power generation. Therefore, the reportable segment in 2000 is combined into one operating segment, the electric business. Operating segments that do not meet the quantitative thresholds of SFAS No. 131 have been combined and disclosed in an “all other” category. All other revenues consist primarily of the revenues from the engineering and maintenance for utility plant, information services, sales of nuclear fuel, communication line leasing and others.

 

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 22—Reconciliation to United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The Company evaluates performance based on net income. There are no revenues from transactions with a single external customer that amount to 10 percent or more of the consolidated revenues of the Company.

 

F-58


Table of Contents

INDEX OF EXHIBITS

 

1.1    Articles of Incorporation (in Korean and English)*
2.1    Form of Deposit Agreement**
12.1    Certifications of our Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act (Certifications under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
12.2    Certifications of our Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act (Certifications under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
13.1    Certifications of our Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) (Certifications under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
13.2    Certifications of our Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350) (Certifications under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
15.1    Consent of Anjin Deloitte LLC, a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
15.2    Consent of KPMG Samjong Accounting Corp., a member firm of KPMG International (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.)
15.3    Consent of Ahn Kwon & Co., a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Korea South-East Power Co., Ltd.)
15.4    Consent of Young Wha Corporation, a member firm of Ernst & Young International (Korea Midland Power Co., Ltd.)
15.5    Consent of Ahn Kwon & Co., a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Korea East-West Power Co., Ltd.)
15.6    The Korea Electric Power Corporation Act (in English)***
15.7    Enforcement Decree of the Korea Electric Power Corporation Act (in Korean and English)****
15.8    Government-Invested Enterprise Management Basic Act of 1983, as amended (in Korean and English)****
15.9    Enforcement Decree of the Government-Invested Enterprise Management Basic Act of 1983, as amended (in Korean and English)****

* A fair and accurate translation from Korean to English.
** Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-6 with respect to the ADSs, registered under Registration No. 33-84612.
*** Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
**** Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 filed on March 8, 2000, registered under Registration No. 333-9180.

 

E-1