Table of Contents
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-257908
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated July 28, 2021)
THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
€700,000,000 ZERO COUPON GREEN NOTES DUE 2026
US$500,000,000 1.750% NOTES DUE 2031
The €700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of zero coupon green notes due 2026 (the “Euro-denominated Notes”) will mature on October 15, 2026 and the US$500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 1.750% notes due 2031 (the “U.S. dollar-denominated Notes”, and together with the Euro-denominated Notes, the “Notes”) will mature on October 15, 2031. The Euro-denominated Notes will bear no interest and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will bear interest at the rate of 1.750% per year. No interest payments will be made on the Euro-denominated Notes. Interest on the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes is payable on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on April 15, 2022. The Republic will not have any right to redeem the Notes prior to maturity. Except as described in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of the Debt Securities—Global Securities,” the Euro-denominated Notes will be represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of a nominee of the common depositary for Euroclear Bank SA/NV (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”), and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be represented by one or more global notes registered in the name of a nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), as depositary.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these Notes or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Euro-denominated Notes | U.S. dollar-denominated Notes | |||||||||||||||
Per Note | Total | Per Note | Total | |||||||||||||
Public offering price | 100.265 | % | € | 701,855,000 | 99.827 | % | US$ | 499,135,000 | ||||||||
Underwriting discounts | 0.150 | % | € | 1,050,000 | 0.150 | % | US$ | 750,000 | ||||||||
Proceeds to the Republic (before expenses)(1) | 100.115 | % | € | 700,805,000 | 99.677 | % | US$ | 498,385,000 |
(1) | The underwriters have agreed to pay certain expenses of the Republic in connection with this offering. For more information, see “Underwriting” in this prospectus supplement. |
In addition to the public offering price to the public, you will have to pay for interest accrued on the Notes from October 15, 2021, if any.
The Notes will be designated “enhanced collective action debt securities” (as defined in “Description of the Debt Securities—Events of Default—Enhanced Collective Action Debt Securities” and “Description of the Debt Securities—Modifications and Amendments; Debt Securityholders’ Meetings—Enhanced Collective Action Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus). See “Summary” and “Description of the Notes—General.”
Approvals in-principle have been received from the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the “Singapore Stock Exchange”) for the listing and quotation of the Notes on the Singapore Stock Exchange. The Singapore Stock Exchange assumes no responsibility for the correctness of any of the statements made, opinions expressed or reports contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Approval in-principle from, admission to the Official List of, and listing and quotation of the Notes on, the Singapore Stock Exchange are not to be taken as an indication of the merits of the Republic or the Notes. In addition, application for listing of the Euro-denominated Notes will be made to the London Stock Exchange in the International Securities Market. Currently, there is no public market for the Notes.
The underwriters expect to deliver the Euro-denominated Notes to investors only through the book-entry facilities of Euroclear and Clearstream, and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes to investors through the book-entry facilities of DTC, in each case on or about October 15, 2021.
Joint Bookrunners
BofA Securities | Citigroup | Credit Agricole CIB | HSBC | J.P. Morgan | The Korea Development Bank |
The date of this prospectus supplement is October 6, 2021.
Table of Contents
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The Republic has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. The Republic is not making an offer of the Notes in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of each document.
CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to “Korea” or the “Republic” contained in this prospectus supplement are to The Republic of Korea. All references to the “Government” are to the government of Korea.
Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “Euro-denominated Notes” contained in this prospectus supplement are to the €700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of zero coupon green notes due 2026 and all references to “U.S. dollar-denominated Notes” contained in this prospectus supplement are to the US$500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 1.750% notes due 2031. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to the “Notes” are to the Euro-denominated Notes and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes, collectively.
Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “won”, “Won” or “₩” contained in this prospectus supplement are to the currency of Korea, references to “U.S. dollars”, “Dollars”, “dollars”, “$” or “US$” are to the currency of the United States of America and references to “Euro”, “EUR” or “€” are to the uniform currency of the European Union.
All references to the “Singapore Stock Exchange” contained in this prospectus supplement are to the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited.
IMPORTANT NOTICES
MIFID II product governance / Professional investors and ECPs only target market—Solely for the purposes of each manufacturer’s product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the Euro-denominated Notes has led to the conclusion that: (i) the target market for the Euro-denominated Notes is eligible counterparties and professional clients only, each as defined in Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); and (ii) all channels for distribution of the Euro-denominated Notes to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the Euro-denominated Notes (a “distributor”) should take into consideration the manufacturers’ target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Euro-denominated Notes (by either adopting or refining the manufacturers’ target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels.
UK Financial Promotion Legend—This communication is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The Notes are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such Notes will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The information in this prospectus supplement is in addition to the information contained in the Republic’s prospectus dated July 28, 2021. The accompanying prospectus contains information regarding the Republic, as
i
Table of Contents
well as a description of some terms of the Notes. You can find further information regarding the Republic and the Notes in registration statement no. 333-257908, as amended (the “registration statement”), relating to the debt securities of the Republic, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
THE GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT
The Government is responsible for the accuracy of the information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and confirms that, to the best of the Government’s knowledge, the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is in accordance with facts and that the Government has included all facts that should be included not to mislead potential investors. The delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus at any time does not imply that any information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is correct at any time subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement.
The Singapore Stock Exchange assumes no responsibility for the correctness of any of the statements made, opinions expressed or reports contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Approval in-principle from, admission to the Official List of, and listing and quotation of the Notes on, the Singapore Stock Exchange are not to be taken as an indication of the merits of the Republic or the Notes.
NOTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 309B(1)(C) OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES ACT, CHAPTER 289 OF SINGAPORE (THE “SFA”)
The Republic has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A(1) of the SFA), that the Notes are prescribed capital markets products (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 of Singapore) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).
NOT AN OFFER IF PROHIBITED BY LAW
The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the offer of the Notes, may be legally restricted in some countries. If you wish to distribute this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, you should observe any restrictions. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus should not be considered an offer, and it is prohibited to use them to make an offer, in any state or country which prohibits the offering. For a description of some restrictions on the offering and sale of the Notes and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, see “Underwriting—Non-U.S. Selling Restrictions” beginning on page S-23 of this prospectus supplement.
The Notes may not be offered or sold in Korea, directly or indirectly, or to any resident of Korea, except as permitted by Korean law. For more information, see “Underwriting—Non-U.S. Selling Restrictions—Korea” on page S-23 of this prospectus supplement.
CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN SUCH NOTES, AND THE IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE “UNDERWRITING” IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
ii
Table of Contents
Prospectus Supplement
Page | ||||
S-1 | ||||
S-5 | ||||
S-8 | ||||
S-10 | ||||
S-16 | ||||
S-20 | ||||
S-21 | ||||
S-27 | ||||
S-28 |
Prospectus
Page | ||||
CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS AND CONVENTIONS | 1 | |||
USE OF PROCEEDS | 2 | |||
THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA | 3 | |||
Land and History | 3 | |||
Government and Politics | 5 | |||
The Economy | 8 | |||
Principal Sectors of the Economy | 17 | |||
The Financial System | 24 | |||
Monetary Policy | 29 | |||
Balance of Payments and Foreign Trade | 32 | |||
Government Finance | 42 | |||
Debt | 44 | |||
Tables and Supplementary Information | 47 | |||
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES | 50 | |||
General Terms of the Debt Securities | 50 | |||
Payments of Principal, Premium and Interest | 51 | |||
Repayment of Funds; Prescription | 51 | |||
Global Securities | 52 | |||
Additional Amounts | 53 | |||
Status of Debt Securities | 54 | |||
Negative Pledge Covenant | 54 | |||
Events of Default | 55 | |||
Modifications and Amendments; Debt Securityholders’ Meetings | 57 | |||
Fiscal Agent | 63 | |||
Further Issues of Debt Securities | 63 | |||
Governing Law, Jurisdiction, Consent to Service and Enforceability | 63 | |||
LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER DEBT SECURITIES | 65 | |||
TAXATION | 66 | |||
Korean Taxation | 66 | |||
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations | 67 | |||
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION | 76 | |||
LEGAL MATTERS | 78 | |||
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES IN THE UNITED STATES | 78 | |||
OFFICIAL STATEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS | 78 | |||
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | 78 | |||
FURTHER INFORMATION | 80 |
iii
Table of Contents
This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To understand the terms of the Notes, you should carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.
Issuer | The Republic of Korea. |
Notes | €700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of zero coupon green notes due 2026 and US$500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 1.750% notes due 2031. |
Maturity Date | The Euro-denominated Notes will mature on October 15, 2026 and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will mature on October 15, 2031. |
Interest | The Euro-denominated Notes will bear no interest and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will bear interest at the rate of 1.750% per year. Interest on the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be computed based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. |
Interest Payment Dates | No interest payments will be made on the Euro-denominated Notes. Interest on the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be paid twice each year on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on April 15, 2022. Interest on the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will accrue from October 15, 2021. |
Denominations | The Euro-denominated Notes will be issued in denominations of €100,000 principal amount and integral multiples of €1,000 in excess thereof and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be issued in denominations of US$200,000 principal amount and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof. |
Redemption | The Republic may not redeem the Notes prior to maturity. |
Form and Settlement | The Republic will issue the Euro-denominated Notes in the form of one or more fully registered global notes, registered in the name of a nominee of, and deposited with the common depositary for, Euroclear and Clearstream. The Republic will issue the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes in the form of one or more fully registered global notes, registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Except as described in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of the Debt Securities—Global Securities” and in this prospectus supplement under “Description of the Notes—Form and Registration—Certificated Notes,” the global notes will not be exchangeable for Notes in definitive registered form and will not be issued in definitive registered form. Financial institutions, acting as direct and indirect participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, as the case may be, will represent your beneficial interests in the global notes. These financial institutions will record the ownership and transfer of your |
S-1
Table of Contents
beneficial interest through book-entry accounts. You may hold your beneficial interests in the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes through Euroclear or Clearstream if you are a participant in such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in such systems. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Euro-denominated Notes will be limited to persons who are participants in Euroclear and Clearstream and persons who hold interests through such participants. Any secondary market trading of book-entry interests in the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will take place through DTC participants, including Euroclear and Clearstream. Any secondary market trading of book-entry interests in the Euro-denominated Notes will take place through Euroclear and Clearstream participants. See “Clearance and Settlement”. |
Listing and Markets | Approvals in-principle have been received from the Singapore Stock Exchange for the listing and quotation of the Notes on the Singapore Stock Exchange. For so long as the Notes are listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and the rules of the Singapore Stock Exchange so require, the Notes, if traded on the Singapore Stock Exchange, will be traded in a minimum board lot size of S$200,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies). Accordingly, the Euro-denominated Notes and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes, if traded on the Singapore Stock Exchange, will be traded in a minimum board lot size of €200,000 and US$200,000, respectively. In addition, application for listing of the Euro-denominated Notes will be made to the London Stock Exchange in the International Securities Market. The Republic will offer the Notes for sale in countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and elsewhere where it is legal to make such offers. |
Status of Notes | The Notes will constitute direct, general, unconditional and unsubordinated External Indebtedness (as defined in “Description of the Debt Securities—Status of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus) of the Republic for which the full faith and credit of the Republic is pledged. The Notes will rank without any preference among themselves and equally with all other unsubordinated External Indebtedness of the Republic. It is understood that this provision shall not be construed so as to require the Republic to make payments under the Notes ratably with payments being made under any other External Indebtedness of the Republic. See “Description of the Notes—Status of the Notes” in this prospectus supplement and “Description of the Debt Securities—Status of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus. |
Negative Pledge | Subject to certain exceptions, if any of the Notes are outstanding, the Republic will not create or permit to subsist any Security Interest (as defined in “Description of the Debt Securities—Negative Pledge Covenant” in the accompanying prospectus) on the Republic’s assets as security for any of the Republic’s Public External Indebtedness (as defined in “Description of the Debt Securities—Negative Pledge |
S-2
Table of Contents
Covenant” in the accompanying prospectus), unless the Notes are secured equally and ratably with such Public External Indebtedness. See “Description of the Debt Securities—Negative Pledge Covenant” in the accompanying prospectus. |
Delivery of the Notes | The Republic expects to make delivery of the Notes, against payment in same-day funds on or about October 15, 2021, which the Republic expects will be the sixth business day following the date of this prospectus supplement, referred to as “T+6”. You should note that initial trading of the Notes may be affected by the “T+6” settlement. See “Underwriting—Delivery of the Notes” in this prospectus supplement. |
Taxation | The Republic will make all payments of principal of and interest on the Notes without withholding or deducting any present or future taxes imposed by the Republic or any of its political subdivisions, unless required by law. In that event, the Republic will pay additional amounts as necessary to ensure that you receive the same amount as you would have received without such withholding or deduction, subject to certain exceptions provided in the accompanying prospectus. See “Description of the Debt Securities—Additional Amounts” in the accompanying prospectus. For a description of certain United States tax aspects of the Notes, see “Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus. |
Fiscal Agent | The Bank of New York Mellon. |
Paying Agent for the Euro-denominated Notes | The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch. |
Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Euro-denominated Notes | The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch. |
Further Issues | The Republic may, without the consent of the holders of the Notes, create and issue additional debt securities with the same terms and conditions as the Notes (except for the public offering price and issue date) and consolidate such additional debt securities to form a single series with the Notes. See “Description of the Debt Securities— Further Issues of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus. |
Use of Proceeds. | The U.S. dollar-denominated Notes: |
The net proceeds from the sale of the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will become part of the Foreign Exchange Stabilization Fund established and managed under the Korean Foreign Exchange Transactions Act. See “Use of Proceeds” in the accompanying prospectus. |
The Euro-denominated Notes: |
The net proceeds from the sale of the Euro-denominated Notes will be allocated to projects that fall under the Eligible Green Asset |
S-3
Table of Contents
Categories in accordance with the Green and Sustainability Bond Framework of the Republic. |
Governing Law | The Notes and the fiscal agency agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York. The laws of the Republic will govern all matters governing the authorization, execution and delivery of the Notes and the fiscal agency agreement by the Republic. |
Enhanced Collective Action Clauses | The Notes will be designated “enhanced collective action debt securities” (as defined in “Description of the Debt Securities—Events of Default—Enhanced Collective Action Debt Securities” and “Description of the Debt Securities—Modifications and Amendments; Debt Securityholders’ Meetings—Enhanced Collective Action Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus) and will contain certain provisions, commonly referred to in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as “enhanced collective action clauses”, regarding acceleration and voting on amendments, modifications and waivers. As such, the Notes will contain provisions under which the Republic may, among other things, amend the payment provisions and certain other material terms of the Notes with the consent of the holders of: (1) with respect to a single series of debt securities, more than 75% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series; (2) with respect to two or more series of debt securities, if certain “uniformly applicable” requirements are met, more than 75% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by the proposed modification, taken in the aggregate; or (3) with respect to two or more series of debt securities, whether or not the “uniformly applicable” requirements are met, more than 66 2/3% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by the proposed modification, taken in the aggregate, and more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the proposed modification, taken individually. See “Description of the Debt Securities—Events of Default—Enhanced Collective Action Debt Securities” and “Description of the Debt Securities—Modifications and Amendments; Debt Securityholders’ Meetings—Enhanced Collective Action Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus. |
S-4
Table of Contents
The U.S. dollar-denominated Notes
The net proceeds from the sale of the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will become part of the Foreign Exchange Stabilization Fund established and managed under the Korean Foreign Exchange Transactions Act. See “Use of Proceeds” in the accompanying prospectus.
The Euro-denominated Notes
The net proceeds from the sale of the Euro-denominated Notes will become part of the Foreign Exchange Stabilization Fund established and managed under the Korean Foreign Exchange Transactions Act, and will be allocated toward the financing and/or refinancing, in whole or in part, of projects that fall under the Eligible Green Asset Categories (as defined below) in accordance with the Green and Sustainability Bond Framework of The Republic of Korea, which was most recently updated in September 2021 (the “Framework”).
Eligible Green Asset Categories have been defined in accordance with the broad categorization of eligibility for Green Projects set out by the International Capital Markets Association (“ICMA”) Green Bond Principles. The eligibility criteria under the Framework are also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 for the year 2030.
“Eligible Green Asset Categories” are those which comprise financing within the Eligible Green Asset Categories set out in the Framework. Such Eligible Green Asset Categories include the following:
• | Green buildings: construction and renovation of new and existing buildings that have received or are expected to receive a recognized green building certification, such as the Green Standard for Energy and Environmental Design; |
• | Waste management and waste-to-energy: prevention, treatment, management and recycling of waste, as well as development of waste-to-energy technologies, such as air emissions abatement technology; |
• | Sustainable water and wastewater management: promotion of sustainable management of water resources, including wastewater prevention, sewage treatment and leakage reduction; |
• | Renewable energy: development, manufacture, installation and operation of renewable energy sources, including wind energy, solar energy and hydro energy; |
• | Clean transportation: development, construction and operation of low-carbon public transportation, including electric rail, urban metro and electric buses, as well as research, development and manufacture of electric vehicles and charging infrastructures; |
• | Energy efficiency: design, construction, installation and operation of energy-efficient buildings and other infrastructures, including district cooling systems and smart meters; |
• | Hydrogen: acquisition, research and development of hydrogen vehicles, as well as manufacture, distribution and storage of hydrogen and hydrogen-based synthetic fuels; and |
• | Climate change adaptation: improvement of energy and water security for vulnerable urban populations, climate-proofing water supply infrastructures, protections against floods, and enhancement of safety of transport infrastructure. |
The examples of the above categories are for illustrative purposes only and no assurance can be provided that disbursements for projects with these specific characteristics will be made by the Republic during the term of the Euro-denominated Notes.
Project Evaluation and Selection Process
The Korea Investment Corporation (“KIC”), the Republic’s sovereign wealth fund, which will manage the net proceeds from the sale of the Euro-denominated Notes, will review eligible projects on a quarterly basis under an investment management agreement (the “IMA”) it entered into with the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Under such agreement, eligible projects will be assessed and identified using the criteria set forth in the Framework. The KIC’s steering committee, its top decision-making body comprised of professionals appointed
S-5
Table of Contents
by the President of the Republic and ex-officio members (including the Ministry of Economy and Finance), will supervise the overall management policy of the IMA. The KIC will not knowingly use the net proceeds from the sale of the Euro-denominated Notes to finance or invest in companies involved in certain specific categories, including child labor, production or trade of alcohol, tobacco and weapons, and conflict minerals.
Management of Proceeds
The KIC will manage the net proceeds from the sale of the Euro-denominated Notes by allocating such funds to eligible projects in the form of (i) direct investment; (ii) investment in funds, trusts or special purpose vehicles that are thematically focused only on the eligible categories; or (iii) investment in private equities in companies that derive at least 90% of its annual turnover from the eligible categories. The use of the net proceeds from the sale of the Euro-denominated Notes will also be monitored by the KIC, which will record the details of each allocation and report them to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which will verify such details against its own records, on an annual basis. Any balance of the proceeds not yet earmarked to eligible projects will be held in accordance with the IMA, and may be temporarily invested in environmental, social and governance funds or liquid money market instruments.
Reporting
The KIC will publish a “KIC Sustainable Investment Report” that will include a summary of the financings during the reporting period, allocation reporting and impact reporting, on an annual basis until the proceeds have been completely allocated and as necessary in the event of material developments. Sustainalytics, an external consultant, issued an opinion dated September 9, 2021 in connection with its independent assessment of the Framework’s alignment with the ICMA Green Bond Principles (the “Second Party Opinion”). The Framework, the KIC Sustainable Investment Report and the Second Party Opinion will be publicly available on the following website: http://www.kic.kr/en/04/04/01.jsp. None of the Framework, the KIC Sustainable Investment Report or the Second Party Opinion is incorporated into, or forms a part of, this prospectus supplement.
Investment Considerations
There is currently no market consensus on what precise attributes are required for a particular project or series of notes to be defined as “green,” and therefore no assurance can be provided to investors that selected projects will meet all investor expectations regarding environmental performance. Although the projects will be selected in accordance with the categories recognized under the Framework, and will be developed in accordance with relevant legislation and standards, there can be no guarantee that the projects will deliver the benefits as anticipated, or that adverse environmental impacts will not occur during the design, construction, commissioning and operation of the projects. In addition, where any negative impacts are insufficiently mitigated, the projects may become controversial and may be criticized by activist groups or other stakeholders.
The Second Party Opinion may not reflect the potential impact of all risks related to the structure, market, additional risks discussed above and other factors that may affect the value of the Euro-denominated Notes. The Second Party Opinion is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and is only current as of the date that the Second Party Opinion was initially issued. In addition, although the Republic has agreed to certain reporting and use of proceeds obligations in connection with certain criteria, the Republic’s failure to comply with such obligations does not constitute a breach or an event of default under the Euro-denominated Notes. A withdrawal of the Second Party Opinion or any failure by the Republic to use an amount equivalent to the net proceeds from the issuance of the Euro-denominated Notes as set forth in the Framework or to meet or continue to meet the investment requirements of certain environmentally focused investors with respect to the Euro-denominated Notes may affect the value of the Euro-denominated Notes and may have consequences for certain investors with portfolio mandates to invest in “green” assets.
S-6
Table of Contents
No assurance can be provided with respect to the suitability of the Second Party Opinion or that the Euro-denominated Notes will fulfil the environmental criteria to qualify as “green” bonds. Each potential purchaser of the Euro-denominated Notes should determine for itself the relevance of the information contained in this prospectus supplement regarding the use of proceeds and its purchase of the Euro-denominated Notes should be based upon such investigation as it deems necessary.
S-7
Table of Contents
This section provides information that supplements the information about the Republic included under the headings corresponding to the headings below in the accompanying prospectus dated July 28, 2021. Defined terms used in this section have the meanings given to them in the accompanying prospectus. If the information in this section differs from the information in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this section.
The Economy
Gross Domestic Product
Based on preliminary data, GDP growth in the second quarter of 2021 was 5.9% at chained 2015 year prices, primarily due to an increase in exports of goods and services by 22.4% and an increase in aggregate private and general government consumption expenditures by 3.6%, which more than offset an increase in imports of goods and services by 1.4%, each compared with the corresponding period of 2020.
Principal Sectors of the Economy
Prices, Wages and Employment
Based on preliminary data, the inflation rate was 1.8% in the first half of 2021 and the unemployment rate was 4.5% in the first half of 2021.
The Financial System
Securities Markets
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index was 3,202.3 on July 30, 2021, 3,199.3 on August 31, 2021 and 3,019.2 on October 1, 2021.
Monetary Policy
Interest Rates
On August 26, 2021, The Bank of Korea raised its policy rate to 0.75% from 0.50% in response to rising levels of household debt and inflationary pressures.
Foreign Exchange
The market average exchange rate between the Won and the U.S. Dollar (in Won per one U.S. Dollar) as announced by the Seoul Money Brokerage Service Ltd. was Won 1,147.4 to US$1.00 on July 30, 2021, Won 1,164.4 to US$1.00 on August 31, 2021 and Won 1,185.2 to US$1.00 on October 1, 2021.
Balance of Payments and Foreign Trade
Balance of Payments
Based on preliminary data, the Republic recorded a current account surplus of US$44.3 billion in the first half of 2021. The current account surplus in the first half of 2021 increased from the current account surplus of US$19.0 billion in the corresponding period of 2020, primarily due to an increase in surplus from the goods account.
Trade Balance
Based on preliminary data, the Republic recorded a trade surplus of US$18.1 billion in the first half of 2021. Exports increased by 26.1% to US$303.2 billion in the first half of 2021 from US$240.5 billion in the
S-8
Table of Contents
corresponding period of 2020, primarily due to an improvement in the domestic economic conditions of the Republic’s major trading partners. Imports increased by 24.0% to US$285.1 billion in the first half of 2021 from US$229.9 billion in the corresponding period of 2020, primarily due to an increase in domestic production and an improvement in consumer sentiment reflecting gradual recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Foreign Currency Reserves
The amount of the Government’s foreign currency reserves was US$463.9 billion as of August 31, 2021.
Government Finance
As part of the Government’s continued efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of the ongoing global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Korean economy, the National Assembly approved the second supplementary budget of 2021 amounting to Won 34.9 trillion in July 2021, following a recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Korea. The second supplementary budget, most of which will be funded through the Government’s excess tax revenue, will be used mainly for the following purposes: (i) provision of relief packages, including support for small businesses and direct payments to eligible individuals, (ii) various forms of financial support for local communities through subsidies, (iii) purchases of vaccines and disease prevention and treatment efforts and (iv) employment support and aid for low-income households. For further information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the Republic’s past supplementary budgets, see “The Republic of Korea—The Economy—Worldwide Economic and Financial Difficulties” and “The Republic of Korea—Government Finance” in the accompanying prospectus.
S-9
Table of Contents
The following is a description of some of the terms of the Notes the Republic is offering. The following description is only a summary. The Republic urges you to read the fiscal agency agreement described below and the form of global note before deciding whether to invest in the Notes. The Republic has filed a copy of these documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission as exhibits to the registration statement.
The Notes are a series of debt securities more fully described in “Description of the Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus. The description in this prospectus supplement further adds to that description or, to the extent inconsistent with that description, replaces it.
General
The Republic will issue the Euro-denominated Notes and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes under the fiscal agency agreement, dated as of April 17, 1998, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated June 3, 2003 and Amendment No. 2 dated July 17, 2018, between the Republic and The Bank of New York Mellon, as fiscal agent.
The Notes will constitute direct, general, unconditional and unsubordinated obligations of the Republic for which the full faith and credit of the Republic is pledged. The aggregate principal amount of the Euro-denominated Notes will be €700,000,000 and will mature on October 15, 2026. The aggregate principal amount of the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be US$500,000,000 and will mature on October 15, 2031. The Euro-denominated Notes will be issued in denominations of €100,000 principal amount and integral multiples of €1,000 in excess thereof. The U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be issued in denominations of US$200,000 principal amount and integral multiples of US$1,000 in excess thereof.
The Notes will be designated “enhanced collective action debt securities” (as defined in “Description of the Debt Securities—Events of Default—Enhanced Collective Action Debt Securities” and “Description of the Debt Securities—Modifications and Amendments; Debt Securityholders’ Meetings—Enhanced Collective Action Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus) and will contain certain provisions, commonly referred to in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as “enhanced collective action clauses”, regarding acceleration and voting on amendments, modifications and waivers. As such, the Notes will contain provisions under which the Republic may, among other things, amend the payment provisions and certain other material terms of the Notes with the consent of the holders of: (1) with respect to a single series of debt securities, more than 75% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series; (2) with respect to two or more series of debt securities, if certain “uniformly applicable” requirements are met, more than 75% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by the proposed modification, taken in the aggregate; or (3) with respect to two or more series of debt securities, whether or not the “uniformly applicable” requirements are met, more than 66 2/3% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by the proposed modification, taken in the aggregate, and more than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the proposed modification, taken individually. See “Description of the Debt Securities—Events of Default— Enhanced Collective Action Debt Securities” and “Description of the Debt Securities—Modifications and Amendments; Debt Securityholders’ Meetings—Enhanced Collective Action Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.
Payment of Principal and Interest
Euro-denominated Notes
The Euro-denominated Notes will bear no interest. No interest payments will be made on the Euro-denominated Notes. Principal of the Euro-denominated Notes will be payable at par. Upon receipt of any
S-10
Table of Contents
payment of principal of the Euro-denominated Notes, the common depositary will credit its participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interest in the principal amount of Euro-denominated Notes as shown on the records of the common depositary. Payments by Euroclear and Clearstream participants to owners of beneficial interests in the Euro-denominated Notes held through such participants will be the responsibility of such participants, as is in the case with securities held for accounts of customers registered in “street name”. The Republic will have no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the Euro-denominated Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Principal of the Euro-denominated Notes will be payable in Euros. In any case where the due date for the payment of the principal of the Euro-denominated Notes will be, at any place from which any check for such payment is to be mailed or where such Euro-denominated Note is to be surrendered for payment or, in the case of payments by transfer, where such transfer is to be made, (i) a day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) System is not operating or (ii) a day on which commercial banks are not open for dealings in Euro deposits in the London interbank market, then such payment need not be made on such date at such place but may be made on the next succeeding day at such place which is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law to close, the TARGET System is not operating or commercial banks are not open for dealings in Euro deposits in the London interbank market, with the same force and effect as if made on the date for such payment, and no interest shall be payable in respect of any such delay.
U.S. dollar-denominated Notes
The U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will bear interest at 1.750% per year from October 15, 2021. Interest on the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on April 15, 2022. Interest payable on the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes on any interest payment date will be payable to the person in whose name such U.S. dollar-denominated Notes are registered at the close of business on the fifteenth day (whether or not a business day) next preceding such interest payment date, which for so long as the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes are in book-entry form will generally be Cede & Co., as DTC’s nominee. Principal of the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be payable at par. Upon receipt of any payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes, DTC will credit DTC participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interest in the principal amount of U.S. dollar-denominated Notes as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by DTC participants to owners of beneficial interests in the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes held through DTC participants will be the responsibility of such participants, as is in the case with securities held for accounts of customers registered in “street name”. The Republic will have no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Principal of and interest on the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be payable in U.S. dollars or in such other coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts. Interest on the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. In any case where the due date for the payment of the principal of or interest on the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be, at any place from which any check for such payment is to be mailed or where such U.S. dollar-denominated Note is to be surrendered for payment or, in the case of payments by transfer, where such transfer is to be made, a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or obligated by law to close, then such payment need not be made on such date at such place but may be made on the next succeeding day at such place which is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law to close, with the same force and effect as if made on the date for such payment, and no interest shall be payable in respect of any such delay.
S-11
Table of Contents
Status of the Notes
The Notes will constitute direct, general, unconditional and unsubordinated External Indebtedness of the Republic for which the full faith and credit of the Republic is pledged. The Notes will rank without any preference among themselves and equally with all other unsubordinated External Indebtedness of the Republic. It is understood that this provision shall not be construed so as to require the Republic to make payments under the Notes ratably with payments being made under any other External Indebtedness of the Republic. See “Description of the Debt Securities—Status of Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.
Redemption
The Republic may not redeem the Notes prior to maturity. At maturity, the Republic will redeem the Notes at par.
Purchase of Notes by the Republic
The Republic may at any time purchase or acquire any of the Notes in any manner and at any price. The Notes which are purchased or acquired by the Republic may, at the Republic’s discretion, be held, resold or surrendered to the fiscal agent for cancellation.
Governing Law
The Notes and the fiscal agency agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York. The laws of Korea will govern all matters governing the authorization, execution and delivery of the Notes and the fiscal agency agreement by the Republic.
Notices
Notices will be mailed to holders of the Notes (which will be a nominee of Euroclear and Clearstream for the Euro-denominated Notes and a nominee of DTC for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes as long as the Notes are held in global form) at their registered addresses and shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such mailing. The Republic will ensure that notices are duly given or published in a manner which complies with the rules and regulations of any stock exchange on which the Notes are for the time being listed. The Notes are expected to be listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange. In addition, it is expected that the Euro-denominated Notes will also be listed on the London Stock Exchange in the International Securities Market.
Fiscal Agent
The duties of the fiscal agent will be governed by the fiscal agency agreement. The Republic may maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions in the ordinary course of business with the fiscal agent. The fiscal agent is the agent of the Republic, is not a trustee for the holders of the Notes and does not have the same responsibilities or duties to act for such holders as would a trustee.
For so long as the Notes are listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and the rules of the Singapore Stock Exchange so require, in the event any global notes are exchanged for certificated notes, the Republic will appoint and maintain a paying agent in Singapore, where the certificated notes may be presented or surrendered for payment or redemption. In addition, in the event any global notes are exchanged for certificated notes, an announcement of such exchange will be made by or on behalf of the Republic through the Singapore Stock Exchange. Such announcement will include all material information with respect to the delivery of the certificated notes, including details of the paying agent in Singapore.
S-12
Table of Contents
Form and Registration
General
The Euro-denominated Notes will be represented by one or more fully registered global notes, which will be deposited with the common depositary for, and registered in the name of a nominee of, Euroclear and Clearstream. The U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be represented by one or more fully registered global notes, which will be deposited with a custodian for, and registered in the name of a nominee of, DTC. Except in the limited circumstances described under “—Certificated Notes” below, beneficial interests in the Notes will only be recorded by book-entry and owners of beneficial interests in the Notes will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes representing the Notes.
Euro-denominated Global Notes
Upon the issuance of the global notes for the Euro-denominated Notes, the common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream will credit, on its internal system, the respective principal amounts of the individual beneficial interests represented by such global notes to the accounts of persons who have accounts with Euroclear and Clearstream. Such accounts initially will be designated by or on behalf of the underwriters. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global note for the Euro-denominated Notes will be limited to persons who have accounts with Euroclear and Clearstream (“Euroclear/Clearstream participants”) or persons who hold interests through Euroclear/Clearstream participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global notes for the Euro-denominated Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by Euroclear and Clearstream or its nominee (with respect to interests of Euroclear/Clearstream participants) and the records of agent members (with respect to interests of persons other than Euroclear/Clearstream participants).
So long as the nominee of the common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream is the holder of a global note for the Euro-denominated Notes, the nominee of the common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream will be considered the holder of the Euro-denominated Notes represented by such global note for all purposes under the fiscal agency agreement and the Euro-denominated Notes. No beneficial owner of an interest in a global note for the Euro-denominated Notes will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance with Euroclear and Clearstream’s applicable procedures (in addition to those under the Notes referred to in this prospectus supplement) unless the Republic issues certificated notes as described under “—Certificated Notes” below.
Investors may hold their interests in the global notes for the Euro-denominated Notes directly through Euroclear and Clearstream, if they are Euroclear/Clearstream participants, or indirectly through organizations that are Euroclear/Clearstream participants.
Payments of the principal of the global notes for the Euro-denominated Notes will be made to the nominee of the common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream, as the holder of such global notes. None of the Republic, the underwriters or the fiscal agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made to an account of beneficial ownership interests in the global notes for the Euro-denominated Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
The Republic expects that Euroclear and Clearstream, upon receipt of any payment of principal of a global note for the Euro-denominated Notes held by the common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream, will immediately credit Euroclear/Clearstream participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global note as shown on the records of the common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream. The Republic also expects that payments by Euroclear/Clearstream participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global note held through such Euroclear/Clearstream participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. Such payments will be the responsibility of such Euroclear/Clearstream participants.
S-13
Table of Contents
U.S. dollar-denominated Global Notes
Upon the issuance of the global notes for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes, DTC or its nominee will credit, on its internal system, the respective principal amounts of the individual beneficial interests represented by such global notes to the accounts of persons who have accounts with DTC. Such accounts initially will be designated by or on behalf of the underwriters. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global note for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be limited to persons (including Euroclear and Clearstream) who have accounts with DTC (“DTC participants”) or persons who hold interests through DTC participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global notes for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee (with respect to interests of DTC participants) and the records of agent members (with respect to interests of persons other than DTC participants).
So long as DTC or its nominee is the holder of a global note for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the holder of the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes represented by such global note for all purposes under the fiscal agency agreement and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes. No beneficial owner of an interest in a global note for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures (in addition to those under the Notes referred to in this prospectus supplement and, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream) unless the Republic issues certificated notes as described under “—Certificated Notes” below.
Investors may hold their interests in the global notes for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes directly through DTC, if they are participants, or indirectly through organizations that are DTC participants, including Euroclear and Clearstream. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests in the global notes on behalf of their DTC participants through their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in such global notes in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC.
Payments of the principal of and interest on the global notes for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the holder of such global notes. None of the Republic, the underwriters or the fiscal agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made to an account of beneficial ownership interests in the global notes for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
The Republic expects that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal of or interest on a global note for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes held by it or its nominee, will immediately credit DTC participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such global note as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. The Republic also expects that payments by DTC participants to owners of beneficial interests in such global note held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.
DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes (including the presentation of Notes for exchange as described below) only at the direction of one or more DTC participants to whose DTC account interests in the global notes are credited, and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes as to which such DTC participant or DTC participants has or have given such direction.
Certificated Notes
The Republic will issue certificated notes in exchange for the global notes if:
• | in the case of a global note deposited with or on behalf of DTC, DTC or any successor depositary notifies the Republic that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for such global notes or |
S-14
Table of Contents
ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); or |
• | in the case of a global note deposited directly with, or with a common depositary for, Euroclear or Clearstream, Euroclear or Clearstream or the common depositary for Euroclear and Clearstream notifies the Republic that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary, or is ineligible to act as depositary; or |
• | the Republic, in its sole discretion, executes and delivers to the fiscal agent an order that such global notes will be exchangeable into certificated notes. |
For so long as the Notes are listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and the rules of the Singapore Stock Exchange so require, in the event any global notes are exchanged for certificated notes, an announcement of such exchange will be made by or on behalf of the Republic through the Singapore Stock Exchange. Such announcement will include all material information with respect to the delivery of the certificated notes, including details of the paying agent in Singapore.
The holder of a certificated note may transfer such certificated note by surrendering it at the office maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, which initially will be the office of the fiscal agent.
S-15
Table of Contents
The Republic has obtained the information in this section from sources it believes to be reliable, including from DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream. The Republic accepts responsibility only for accurately extracting information from such sources. DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform the procedures described below, and they may modify or discontinue them at any time. Neither the Republic nor the registrar will be responsible for DTC’s, Euroclear’s or Clearstream’s performance of their obligations under their rules and procedures. Nor will the Republic or the registrar be responsible for the performance by direct or indirect participants of their obligations under their rules and procedures.
Introduction
The Depository Trust Company
DTC is:
• | a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law; |
• | a “banking organization” under the New York Banking Law; |
• | a member of the Federal Reserve System; |
• | a “clearing corporation” under the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and |
• | a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act. |
DTC was created to hold securities for its DTC participants and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its DTC participants. It does this through electronic book-entry changes in the accounts of its direct DTC participants, eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC is owned by a number of its direct DTC participants and by the New York Stock Exchange Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers Inc.
Euroclear and Clearstream
Like DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream hold securities for their Euroclear/Clearstream participants and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between their Euroclear/Clearstream participants through electronic book-entry changes in their accounts. Euroclear and Clearstream provide various services to their Euroclear/Clearstream participants, including the safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement and lending and borrowing of internationally traded securities. Participants in Euroclear and Clearstream are financial institutions such as underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies. Some of the underwriters participating in this offering are participants in Euroclear or Clearstream. Other banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies have indirect access to Euroclear or Clearstream by clearing through or maintaining a custodial relationship with a Euroclear or Clearstream participant.
Ownership of the Euro-denominated Notes through Euroclear and Clearstream
The Republic will issue the Euro-denominated Notes in the form of one or more fully registered global notes which will be deposited with the common depositary for, and registered in the name of a nominee of, Euroclear and Clearstream. Beneficial interests in the Euro-denominated Notes can only be held in the form of book-entry interests through Euroclear/Clearstream participants in such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are Euroclear/Clearstream participants in such systems.
The Republic and the fiscal agent generally will treat the registered holder of the Euro-denominated Notes, initially The Bank of New York Depository (Nominees) Limited, as the absolute owner of the Euro-denominated Notes for all purposes. Once the Republic and the paying agent for Euroclear and Clearstream make payments to
S-16
Table of Contents
the registered holder, the Republic and the paying agent for Euroclear and Clearstream will no longer be liable on the Euro-denominated Notes for the amounts so paid. Accordingly, if you own a beneficial interest in the global notes, you must rely on the procedures of the institutions through which you hold your interests in the Euro-denominated Notes, including Euroclear, Clearstream and their respective Euroclear/Clearstream participants, to exercise any of the rights granted to holders of Euro-denominated Notes.
Ownership of the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes through DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream
The Republic will issue the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes in the form of one or more fully registered global notes, registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Financial institutions, acting as direct and indirect participants in DTC, will represent your beneficial interests in the global notes. These financial institutions will record the ownership and transfer of your beneficial interests through book-entry accounts. You may hold your beneficial interests in the global notes through Euroclear or Clearstream, if you are a DTC participant in such systems, or indirectly through organizations that are DTC participants in such systems. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold their Euroclear/Clearstream participants’ beneficial interests in the global notes in their customers’ securities accounts with their depositaries. These depositaries of Euroclear and Clearstream in turn will hold such interests in their customers’ securities accounts with DTC.
The Republic and the fiscal agent generally will treat the registered holder of the Notes, initially Cede & Co., as the absolute owner of the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes for all purposes. Once the Republic and the fiscal agent make payments to the registered holder, the Republic and the fiscal agent will no longer be liable on the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes for the amounts so paid. Accordingly, if you own a beneficial interest in the global notes, you must rely on the procedures of the institutions through which you hold your interests in the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes, including DTC, Euroclear, Clearstream and their respective participants, to exercise any of the rights granted to holders of Notes. Under existing industry practice, if you desire to take any action that Cede & Co., as the holder of the global notes, is entitled to take, then Cede & Co. would authorize the DTC participant through which you own your beneficial interest to take such action. The DTC participant would then either authorize you to take the action or act for you on your instructions.
DTC may grant proxies or authorize its DTC participants, or persons holding beneficial interests in the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes through such DTC participants, to exercise any rights of a holder or take any actions that a holder is entitled to take under the fiscal agency agreement or the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes. Euroclear’s or Clearstream’s ability to take actions as holder under the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes or the fiscal agency agreement will be limited by the ability of their respective depositaries to carry out such actions for them through DTC. Euroclear and Clearstream will take such actions only in accordance with their respective rules and procedures.
The fiscal agent will not charge you any fees for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes, other than reasonable fees and indemnity satisfactory to the fiscal agent for the replacement of lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed U.S. dollar-denominated Notes. However, you may incur fees for the maintenance and operation of the book-entry accounts with the clearing systems in which your beneficial interests are held.
Transfers Within and Between DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream
Trading Between DTC Purchasers and Sellers
DTC participants will transfer interests in the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes among themselves in the ordinary way according to DTC rules. DTC participants will pay for such transfers by wire transfer. The laws of some states require certain purchasers of securities to take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global notes to such purchasers. DTC can act only on behalf of its direct DTC participants, who in turn act on behalf of indirect DTC participants and certain banks. Thus, your ability to pledge a beneficial interest in the global notes to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, and to take other actions, may be limited because you will not possess a physical certificate that represents your interest.
S-17
Table of Contents
Trading Between Euroclear and/or Clearstream Participants
Euroclear/Clearstream participants will transfer interests in the Notes among themselves according to the rules and operating procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream.
Trading Between a DTC Seller and a Euroclear or Clearstream Purchaser
When the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes are to be transferred from the account of a DTC participant to the account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant, the purchaser must first send instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream through a participant at least one business day prior to the settlement date. Euroclear or Clearstream will then instruct its depositary to receive the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes and make payment for them. On the settlement date, the depositary will make payment to the DTC participant’s account, and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes will be credited to the depositary’s account. After settlement has been completed, DTC will credit the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes to Euroclear or Clearstream, Euroclear or Clearstream will credit the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes, in accordance with its usual procedures, to the participant’s account, and the participant will then credit the purchaser’s account. These securities credits will appear the next day (European time) after the settlement date. The cash debit from the account of Euroclear or Clearstream will be back-valued to the value date, which will be the preceding day if settlement occurs in New York. If settlement is not completed on the intended value date (i.e., the trade fails), the cash debit will instead be valued at the actual settlement date.
Participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will need to make funds available to Euroclear or Clearstream to pay for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes by wire transfer on the value date. The most direct way of doing this is to pre-position funds (i.e., have funds in place at Euroclear or Clearstream before the value date), either from cash on hand or existing lines of credit. Under this approach, however, participants may take on credit exposure to Euroclear and Clearstream until the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes are credited to their accounts one day later.
As an alternative, if Euroclear or Clearstream has extended a line of credit to a participant, the participant may decide not to pre-position funds, but to allow Euroclear or Clearstream to draw on the line of credit to finance settlement for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes. Under this procedure, Euroclear or Clearstream would charge the participant overdraft charges for one day, assuming that the overdraft would be cleared when the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes were credited to the participant’s account. However, interest on the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes would accrue from the value date. Therefore, in many cases the interest income on the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes which the participant earns during that one-day period will substantially reduce or offset the amount of the participant’s overdraft charges. Of course, this result will depend on the cost of funds (i.e., the interest rate that Euroclear or Clearstream charges) to each participant.
Since the settlement will occur during New York business hours, a DTC participant selling an interest in the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes can use its usual procedures for transferring global securities to the depositories of Euroclear or Clearstream for the benefit of Euroclear or Clearstream participants. The DTC seller will receive the sale proceeds on the settlement date. Thus, to the DTC seller, a cross-market sale will settle no differently than a trade between two DTC participants.
Trading Between a Euroclear or Clearstream Seller and a DTC Purchaser
Due to time-zone differences in their favor, Euroclear and Clearstream participants can use their usual procedures to transfer U.S. dollar-denominated Notes through their depositaries to a DTC participant. The seller must first send instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream through a participant at least one business day prior to the settlement date. Euroclear or Clearstream will then instruct its depositary to credit the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes to the DTC participant’s account and receive payment. The payment will be credited in the account of the Euroclear or Clearstream participant on the following day, but the receipt of the cash proceeds will be back-valued to the value date, which will be the preceding day if settlement occurs in New York. If settlement is not completed on the intended value date (i.e., the trade fails), the receipt of the cash proceeds will instead be valued at the actual settlement date.
S-18
Table of Contents
If the Euroclear or Clearstream participant selling the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes has a line of credit with Euroclear or Clearstream and elects to be in debit for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes until it receives the sale proceeds in its account, then the back-valuation may substantially reduce or offset any overdraft charges that the participant incurs over that period.
Settlement in other currencies between DTC and Euroclear and Clearstream is possible using free-of-payment transfers to move the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes, but funds movement will take place separately.
Finally, day traders who use Euroclear or Clearstream and who purchase U.S. dollar-denominated Notes from DTC participants for credit to Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants should note that these trades will automatically fail unless one of three steps is taken:
• | borrowing through Euroclear or Clearstream for one day, until the purchase side of the day trade is reflected in the day trader’s Euroclear or Clearstream account, in accordance with the clearing system’s customary procedures; |
• | borrowing the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes in the United States from DTC participants no later than one day prior to settlement, which would allow sufficient time for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes to be reflected in the Euroclear or Clearstream account in order to settle the sale side of the trade; or |
• | staggering the value dates for the buy and sell sides of the trade so that the value date for the purchase from the DTC participant is at least one day prior to the value date for the sale to the Euroclear or Clearstream participant. |
S-19
Table of Contents
Korean Taxation
For a discussion of certain Korean tax considerations that may be relevant to you if you invest in the Notes, see “Taxation—Korean Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
Stated interest on the Notes is expected to be treated as qualified stated interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to you if you invest in the Notes, see “Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus.
S-20
Table of Contents
Relationship with the Underwriters
The Republic and the underwriters named below have entered into a Terms Agreement dated October 6, 2021 (the “Terms Agreement”) with respect to the Notes relating to the Underwriting Agreement—Standard Terms (Debt Securities) (together with the Terms Agreement, the “Underwriting Agreement”) filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Merrill Lynch International, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and The Korea Development Bank are acting as representatives of the underwriters for the Euro-denominated Notes. BofA Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and The Korea Development Bank are acting as representatives of the underwriters for the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, the Republic has agreed to sell to each of the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has severally agreed to purchase, the following principal amounts of the Notes set out opposite its name below:
Names and addresses of underwriters | Principal Amount of Euro-denominated Notes | |||
Merrill Lynch International | € | 116,667,000 | ||
Citigroup Global Markets Limited | 116,667,000 | |||
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank | 116,667,000 | |||
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited | 116,667,000 | |||
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC | 116,666,000 | |||
The Korea Development Bank | 116,666,000 | |||
|
| |||
Total | € | 700,000,000 | ||
|
|
Names and addresses of underwriters | Principal Amount of U.S. dollar-denominated Notes | |||
BofA Securities Inc | US$ | 83,334,000 | ||
Citigroup Global Markets Inc | 83,334,000 | |||
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank | 83,333,000 | |||
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited | 83,333,000 | |||
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC | 83,333,000 | |||
The Korea Development Bank | 83,333,000 | |||
|
| |||
Total | US$ | 500,000,000 | ||
|
|
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the Notes if any are purchased. The Underwriting Agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitment of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering of the Notes may be terminated.
The underwriters initially propose to offer the Notes at the public offering price described on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. After the offering of the Notes, the underwriters may from time to time change the public offering price and other selling terms. The underwriters may offer the Notes in various jurisdictions through certain of their respective affiliates. The offering of the Notes by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.
Any underwriter who is not registered as a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission will not engage in any transaction related to the Notes in the United States except as permitted by the Exchange Act. Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited will offer the Notes in the United States through their respective registered broker-dealer affiliates in the United States, Crédit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc. and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., respectively. Any offers or sales of any Notes by The Korea Development Bank will be effected only outside the United States.
S-21
Table of Contents
The Notes are a new class of securities with no established trading market. Approvals in-principle have been received from the Singapore Stock Exchange for the listing and quotation of the Notes on the Singapore Stock Exchange. For so long as the Notes are listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and the rules of the Singapore Stock Exchange so require, the Notes, if traded on the Singapore Stock Exchange, will be traded in a minimum board lot size of S$200,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies). Accordingly, the Euro-denominated Notes and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes, if traded on the Singapore Stock Exchange, will be traded in a minimum board lot size of €200,000 and US$200,000, respectively. In addition, application for listing of the Euro-denominated Notes will be made to the London Stock Exchange in the International Securities Market. The underwriters have advised the Republic that they intend to make a market in the Notes. However, they are not obligated to do so, and they may discontinue any market-making activities with respect to the Notes at any time without notice. Accordingly, the Republic cannot assure you as to the liquidity of any trading market for the Notes.
The Republic has agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or to contribute with respect to certain payments which the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any such liabilities.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell Notes in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, covering transactions, stabilizing transactions and penalty bids. Over-allotment involves sales of Notes in excess of the principal amount of Notes to be purchased by the underwriters in this offering, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Covering transactions involve purchases of the Notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of Notes made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Notes while the offering is in progress. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the Notes originally sold by such dealer are purchased in a stabilizing transaction or a covering transaction to cover short positions. Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Notes. They may also cause the price of the Notes to be higher than the price that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the Singapore Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time, and must discontinue them after a limited period.
The amount of net proceeds of the Euro-denominated Notes and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes is €700,805,000 and US$498,385,000, respectively, after deducting underwriting discounts but not estimated expenses. The total of the Republic’s expenses for this offering are estimated to be approximately US$200,000. The underwriters have agreed to pay certain of the expenses incurred in connection with the offering of the Notes.
In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, some of the underwriters and/or their respective affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in investment banking, commercial banking, advisory or other services for the Republic for which customary compensation and expense reimbursement has been or will be received.
Delivery of the Notes
The Republic expects to make delivery of the Notes against payment for the Notes in same-day funds on or about October 15, 2021, which will be the sixth business day following the date of this prospectus supplement. Under Rule 15c6-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act, U.S. purchasers are generally required to settle trades in the secondary market in two business days, unless they and the other parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if you wish to trade in the Notes on any day prior to the second business day from the settlement, because the Notes will initially settle in T+6, you may be required to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of your trade to prevent a failed settlement. Purchasers in other countries should consult with their own advisors.
S-22
Table of Contents
Non-U.S. Selling Restrictions
No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the Notes, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other material relating to us or the Notes in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the Notes may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and none of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the Notes may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with any applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.
If a jurisdiction requires that an offering of the Notes be made by a licensed broker or dealer and the underwriters or any affiliate of the underwriters is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, such offering shall be deemed to be made by the underwriters or such affiliate on behalf of the Republic in such jurisdiction.
Korea
Each underwriter has severally represented and agreed that the Notes have not been offered, sold or delivered, and will not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, to, or for the account or benefit of, any resident of Korea, except as permitted by applicable Korean laws and regulations. Any securities dealer to whom the Notes are sold will agree that it will not offer any Notes, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea, except as permitted by applicable Korean laws and regulations, or to any dealer who does not so represent and agree.
European Economic Area
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom (each, a “Relevant State”), each underwriter has severally represented and agreed that the Notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been and will not be offered to the public in any Relevant State, except that an offer to the public of any Notes in that Relevant State may be made at any time under the following exemptions under Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “Prospectus Regulation”):
(a) | to legal entities which are qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; |
(b) | to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Regulation); or |
(c) | in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation, |
provided that no such offer of Notes shall require the Republic or each of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of Notes to the public” in relation to any Notes in a Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Notes.
United Kingdom
Each underwriter has severally represented and agreed that it:
(a) | has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of |
S-23
Table of Contents
Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of any Notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Republic; and |
(b) | has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom. |
Japan
Each underwriter has severally represented and agreed that the Notes have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan. Accordingly, it has not offered or sold, and it will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any of the Notes in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any “resident” of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or re-sale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any resident of Japan except (i) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan and (ii) in compliance with the other relevant laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time.
Hong Kong
Each underwriter has severally represented and agreed that it:
(a) | has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell in Hong Kong, by means of any document, any Notes other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong (the “SFO”) and any rules made under that Ordinance, or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong (the “C(WUMP)O”) or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the C(WUMP)O; and |
(b) | has not issued or had in its possession for the purposes of issue, and will not issue or have in its possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the Notes, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the Notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made under the SFO. |
Singapore
Each underwriter has acknowledged that this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”). Accordingly, each of the underwriters has severally represented, warranted and agreed that it has not offered or sold the Notes or caused the Notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell the Notes or cause the Notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Notes, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA and (where applicable) Regulation 3 of the Securities and Futures (Classes of Investors) Regulations 2018 of
S-24
Table of Contents
Singapore, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
Where the Notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:
(a) | a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or |
(b) | a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, |
securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:
i. | to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA; |
ii. | where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer; |
iii. | where the transfer is by operation of law; |
iv. | as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or |
v. | as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018 of Singapore. |
Republic of Italy
The offering has not been cleared by the Commissione Nazionale per la Società e la Borsa (“CONSOB”) (the Italian securities exchange commission), pursuant to Italian securities legislation and will not be subject to formal review by CONSOB. Accordingly, each underwriter has severally represented and agreed that any offer, sale or delivery of the Notes or distribution of copies of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other document relating to the Notes in the Republic of Italy will be effected in accordance with all Italian securities, tax and exchange control and other applicable laws and regulation.
Any such offer, sale or delivery of the Notes or distribution of copies of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any other document relating to the Notes in the Republic of Italy must be:
(a) | made by soggetti abilitati (including investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries, as defined by Article 1, first paragraph, letter r), of the Italian Financial Act), to the extent duly authorized to engage in the placement and/or underwriting and/or purchase of financial instruments in the Republic of Italy in accordance with the relevant provisions of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, CONSOB Regulation No. 20307 of 15 February 2018, as amended, Italian Legislative Decree No. 385 of September 1, 1993, as amended (the “Italian Banking Act”), the Issuer Regulation and any other applicable laws and regulations; |
(b) | in compliance with Article 129 of the Italian Banking Act, as amended, pursuant to which the Bank of Italy may request information on the issue or the offer of securities in the Republic of Italy and the relevant implementing guidelines of the Bank of Italy issued on 25 August 2015 (as amended on 10 August 2016); and |
(c) | in compliance with all relevant Italian securities, tax, exchange control and any other applicable laws and regulations and any other applicable requirement or limitation that may be imposed from time to time by CONSOB, the Bank of Italy or any other relevant Italian competent authorities. |
S-25
Table of Contents
Switzerland
The offering of the Notes in Switzerland is exempt from the requirement to prepare and publish a prospectus under the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”). The Notes will not be admitted to trading on any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. This prospectus supplement does not constitute a prospectus pursuant to the FinSA, and no such prospectus has been or will be prepared for or in connection with the offering of the Notes.
S-26
Table of Contents
The validity of the Notes is being passed upon for the Republic by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, New York, New York, and by Bae, Kim & Lee LLC, Seoul, Korea. Certain legal matters will also be passed upon for the underwriters by Linklaters LLP, and by Kim & Chang, Seoul, Korea. In giving their opinions, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and Linklaters LLP may rely as to matters of Korean law upon the opinions of Kim & Chang and Bae, Kim & Lee LLC, and Kim & Chang and Bae, Kim & Lee LLC may rely as to matters of New York law upon the opinions of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and Linklaters LLP.
S-27
Table of Contents
The issue of the Notes has been authorized by the National Assembly pursuant to a resolution adopted on December 2, 2020. Other than as disclosed in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, there has been no material adverse change in the financial position or affairs of the Republic since December 31, 2020 and the Republic is not a party in any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding that is material in the context of the issue of the Notes and is not aware of any such litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding whether pending or threatened.
For so long as the Notes are listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and the rules of the Singapore Stock Exchange so require, in the event any global notes are exchanged for certificated notes, the Republic will appoint and maintain a paying agent in Singapore, where the certificated notes may be presented or surrendered for payment or redemption. In addition, in the event any global notes are exchanged for certificated notes, an announcement of such exchange will be made by or on behalf of the Republic through the Singapore Stock Exchange. Such announcement will include all material information with respect to the delivery of the certificated notes, including details of the paying agent in Singapore. So long as the Notes are listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange and the rules of the Singapore Stock Exchange so require, the Notes, if traded on the Singapore Stock Exchange, will be traded in a minimum board lot size of S$200,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currencies). Accordingly, the Euro-denominated Notes and the U.S. dollar-denominated Notes, if traded on the Singapore Stock Exchange, will be traded in a minimum board lot size of €200,000 and US$200,000, respectively.
The registration statement with respect to the Republic and the Notes has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. under the Securities Act. Additional information concerning the Republic and the Notes is contained in the registration statement and amendments to such registration statement, including their various exhibits, which may be inspected at the public reference facilities maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at Room 1024, 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
The Notes have been accepted for clearance through DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream:
Common Code | ISIN | |||||||
Euro-denominated Notes | 237682025 | XS2376820259 | ||||||
CUSIP | ISIN | |||||||
U.S. dollar-denominated Notes | 50064F AU8 | US50064FAU84 |
S-28
Table of Contents
ISSUER
The Republic of Korea
Ministry of Economy and Finance
Sejong Government Complex
477 Galmae-ro
Sejong-si 30109
The Republic of Korea
LEGAL ADVISERS TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA | ||
as to matters of Korean law | as to matters of United States law | |
Bae, Kim & Lee LLC | Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP | |
Centropolis B 26 | c/o 19th Floor, Ferrum Tower | |
Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu | 19 Eulji-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu | |
Seoul 03161 | Seoul 04539 | |
The Republic of Korea | The Republic of Korea | |
LEGAL ADVISERS TO THE UNDERWRITERS | ||
as to matters of Korean law | as to matters of United States law | |
Kim & Chang | Linklaters LLP | |
39, Sajik-ro 8 gil | 22nd Floor, Center One Building 26 | |
Jongno-gu | Eulji-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu | |
Seoul 03170 | Seoul 04539 | |
The Republic of Korea | The Republic of Korea |
FISCAL AGENT
The Bank of New York Mellon
240 Greenwich Street
New York NY 10286
United States of America
PAYING AGENT FOR THE EURO-DENOMINATED NOTES | REGISTRAR & TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE EURO-DENOMINATED NOTES | |
The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch | The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Luxembourg Branch | |
One Canada Square | Vertigo Building – Polaris | |
London E14 5AL | 2-4 rue Eugène Ruppert | |
United Kingdom | L-2453 Luxembourg |
SINGAPORE LISTING AGENT
Shook Lin & Bok LLP
1 Robinson Road
#18-00 AIA Tower
Singapore 048542
Table of Contents