20 Lotte affiliates meet IPO requirements

The conglomerate has pledged to simplify its governance structure and boost its managerial transparency through a set of measures, including initial public offerings (IPOs), after a bitter family feud over control of the retail conglomerate. Currently, Lotte has eight publicly traded affiliates here, with the key units being linked through unlisted Japanese units.

According to the data compiled by the Korea Exchange, a total of 20 out of 73 Lotte subsidiaries are eligible for IPOs in the country. The candidates include Hotel Lotte, Lotte Card Co., Lotteria and Lotte Capital.

Under local regulations, a firm seeking to be listed is required to have a capital base of more than 30 billion won (US$26.5 million), average annual sales exceeding 70 billion won for the previous three consecutive years and a return on equity surpassing 5 percent.

After the squabble over control of the sprawling business empire, which has a cobweb-like governance structure, Lotte chairman Shin Dong-bin in August expressed his desire to push for the listing of Hotel Lotte, a key affiliate, as part of its reform plan.

The listing on the local stock market requires stricter regulatory filings while allowing it to seek capital increases, issue more non-voting stocks and reap other benefits that translate into greater business opportunities.

“As a South Korean company, we will have more of our affiliates go public with a strong will to contribute to the Korean economy,” a Lotte official said.