Korea, known for its rich culinary heritage, fascinating history, and renowned hospitality, has long rendered Seoul a favored travel destination. Today, it stands not only as a cultural and historical beacon but also as a vibrant hub for global business, mergers, and acquisitions. With a deep base of well-established and diversified global industrial conglomerates, Seoul is a hotbed for outbound and inbound business, with many countries jostling for its attention. In particular, there has been a noticeable surge in Korean M&A activity in recent years.
According to Bloomberg data, the value of M&A involving Korean companies in 2024 rose by an extraordinary 60 percent year-on-year, reaching approximately $29 billion. This growth significantly outpaced the global increase of 20 percent, making Korea a prime target for international investment.
Several of us visited Seoul in the fall of 2024 to check out what’s happening, and here is what we saw on the scene.
Main Drivers of M&A Activity in Korea
Several key factors are driving this rise in M&A activity in the region:
Calculated Acquisitions
Korean companies are strengthening their global presence through strategic acquisitions. They know this move gives them access to advanced technologies, new markets, and skilled talent, which is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and driving corporate growth in the global market.
Foreign Investment
Recent regulatory changes in Korea make it easier for international investors to enter the market. The Korean Financial Services Commission has introduced measures to streamline investment processes and improve disclosure requirements for listed companies. This helps reduce language barriers and makes the market more accessible to international investors.
Private Equity Involvement
Global private equity firms, which hold substantial capital, continue to shape market dynamics in Korea. Medium and large Korea-focused private equity sponsors are poised to deploy approximately $25 billion and beyond in 2025. These firms have been particularly active in sectors such as infrastructure and bio-pharma, indicating strong interest in these high-growth areas.
A Favorable Economy
Until recently, the M&A market in Korea benefited from low benchmark interest rates, which assisted leveraged buyout activity. However, a series of recent interest rate hikes in 2022 has dampened M&A activity, leading to delayed or abandoned deals.
Sectoral Trends
Some industries have weathered the current economic climate better than others in Korea. The food and beverage and franchise sectors saw increased M&A activity as pandemic restrictions were lifted and consumer spending started moving northwards. The biopharma and beauty-tech sectors remained steady, with several notable transactions involving private equity firms.
Influence of Technological Advancements on M&A Strategies in Seoul
With a declining birth rate and a rapidly growing middle class of information workers, we are seeing increased interest, investment, and activity around automation and the future of work. One cannot help noticing around Seoul the number of automated machines that have replaced workers in cafes and shops.
Technological advancements strongly influence M&A strategies in Seoul, echoing global market trends. Several factors highlight technology’s impact on these strategies and play a role in shaping deal-making processes.
These factors demonstrate how technology transforms traditional approaches to mergers and acquisitions, making them more dynamic and forward-looking.
Access to Innovation
Companies in Seoul are increasingly seeking acquisitions to access innovative technologies and capabilities. This trend can be seen in sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and biotechnology, where rapid advancements demand continuous innovation to stay competitive. Partnering with firms possessing state-of-the-art technologies, these companies can improve their product offerings and optimize their operations.
Product Synergies and Integration
In the technology sector, M&A activity is often driven by the potential for product synergies. Companies aim to offer more comprehensive solutions to customers by combining their technologies. However, realizing these synergies demands meticulous planning and execution. The successful integration of product portfolios is important to achieving the expected acquisition benefits.
Market Expansion and Diversification
Technological advancements empower companies to explore new market segments and diversify their offerings. For instance, South Korean firms proactively acquire startups and established companies in emerging tech fields to broaden their market presence. This strategy reduces risks linked to market fluctuations and positions them to seize new opportunities.
Regulatory and Competitive Pressures
With technology evolving, regulatory frameworks are becoming more stringent. This is impacting M&A strategies in South Korea. Companies have to deal with complex regulations related to data privacy, cybersecurity, and antitrust laws. These factors often necessitate strategic acquisitions that align with compliance requirements. They also have to address competitive pressures in evolving sectors.
Investment in R&D and Talent Acquisition
Mergers and acquisitions are also a strategic approach to strengthening research and development capabilities. By acquiring niche expertise and talent, companies are able to significantly bolster their innovation pipelines and accelerate the development of new products. This strategy is evident in high-tech industries, where the competition for skilled professionals is exceptionally high.
Legal Issues
While the Korean M&A market and legal system broadly align with global standards, foreign investors should be aware of particular idiosyncrasies:
- Employment Laws: Korean employment laws differ from those of some other jurisdictions, as employee termination is on a for-cause rather than an at-will basis. This is a key consideration for active investors planning corporate restructuring or human resources changes post-transaction.
- Foreign Exchange Regulations: Korea has strict foreign exchange regulations. Certain transactions, such as receiving foreign currency-denominated loans or providing payment guarantees in favor of overseas parties, require filings or approvals under foreign exchange laws.
- Regulation of Foreign Investments: While most sectors are unregulated, government approval may be required for foreign investments in certain controlled sectors, such as defense and strategic high-tech industries (e.g., semiconductors, battery technology, biotech, and AI).
Recent M&A Developments
South Korea’s mergers and acquisitions market faced a challenging first half of 2024 but is set to recover smartly. Dealmakers are forecasting superior performance in the second half of 2024, with green sprouts shooting up all around.
Private equity firms and major business groups are intensifying their efforts to divest assets. This renewed activity is driven by a buoyant stock market that has improved asset valuations and reduced the disparity between buyers’ and sellers’ expectations.
Conclusion
The Korean market for global business, mergers, and acquisitions is witnessing a notable activity surge driven by domestic and international factors. South Korean investors are increasingly pursuing global expansion through strategic acquisitions to access new technologies, markets, and talent. A prominent trend is the rise of cross-border transactions. Local companies are looking for opportunities abroad, and foreign investors are showing heightened interest in South Korean sectors such as technology and healthcare. Government incentives for corporate restructuring and macroeconomic factors such as strong economic growth and low interest rates should further propel M&A activity in the region.
After spending a week in Seoul, we are bullish on the opportunities to do inbound and outbound business and will be back for more.