[LOGO]
THE KOREA FUND, INC.
Semiannual Report
December 31, 1997
A closed-end investment company
seeking long-term appreciation of capital
through investment in Korean securities.
<PAGE>
The Korea Fund, Inc.
================================================================================
Investment objective and policies
o long-term capital appreciation through investment in Korean securities
Investment characteristics
o investments in a broad spectrum of Korean industries
o closed-end investment company o first United States investment company
authorized to invest in Korean securities
o a vehicle for international diversification through participation in the
Korean economy
General Information
================================================================================
Executive offices
The Korea Fund, Inc.
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
For Fund Information: 1-800-349-4281
Transfer agent, registrar and dividend
reinvestment plan agent
For account information: 1-800-426-5523
State Street Bank and Trust Company
P.O. Box 8200
Boston, MA 02266-8200
Custodian
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Subcustodian-Citibank, N.A.--Seoul office
Legal counsel
Debevoise & Plimpton
Independent Accountants
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
New York Stock Exchange Symbol -- KF
Contents
================================================================================
In Brief......................................... 3
Letter to Shareholders........................... 3
Other Information................................ 7
Investment Summary............................... 8
Portfolio Summary................................ 9
Investment Performance...........................10
Investment Portfolio.............................12
Financial Statements.............................21
Financial Highlights.............................24
Notes to Financial Statements....................25
Report of Independent Accountants................29
Stockholder Meeting Results......................30
Dividend Reinvestment and
Cash Purchase Plan............................31
Officers and Directors...........................33
2
<PAGE>
The Korea Fund, Inc.
In Brief
================================================================================
o Currency devaluations engulfed Southeast Asia and spread to other Asian
countries, including Korea, causing the won and the stock market to decline
sharply over the six-month period ended December 31, 1997
o The publicly traded stock price of The Korea Fund, Inc. declined 55.51% in
U.S. dollar terms -- significantly less than the 72.08% decline of the
dollar-adjusted unmanaged Korea Stock Price Index ("KOSPI") for the same
six-month period
o To protect the portfolio from this adverse environment, management emphasized
holdings with strong fundamentals including export-oriented companies and
companies with lower-than-average debt ratios
Letter to Shareholders
================================================================================
Dear Shareholders:
With little discrimination, the devastation of the Asian currencies and stock
markets spread to Korea over the six-month report period ended December 31,
1997. The improving market sentiment that briefly buoyed Korean stocks in May
was overwhelmed by the "Asian contagion" which began with the devaluation of the
Thai baht on July 2nd. Declines followed in several other Southeast Asian
markets, with Thailand down 77%, Indonesia down 74%, Malaysia down 68%, and
Japan down 24% in U.S. dollar terms for the six months.
Though one of the strongest countries in the region and the 11th largest
economy in the world, Korea's weaknesses were magnified during the crisis. The
regulated market system, high short-term debt financed by foreign lenders, and a
lack of transparency contributed to Korea's vulnerability as the won continued
to drop. The won declined 45% over the six months, further reducing returns to
U.S. dollar-based investors. During the same period, the KOSPI declined from
745.40 to 376.31 for a 49.5% decline in local terms.
Performance
In this difficult and rapidly changing environment, the Fund's NYSE-listed
shares closed the period at $6.56, down from $14.75 six months ago, for a
decline of 55.53%. The NYSE price -- an indicator of market interest -- was at a
47.7% premium over net asset value as of December 31, 1997. The Fund's net asset
value per share closed the period at $4.44, down from $13.22 six months ago, for
a decline of 66.41% for the period.
While the magnitude of the crisis in Asia was underestimated by many
observers, the worst may be over for Korea. In December an agreement was signed
with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which, combined with several
additional financial reforms, should improve market stability. At the beginning
of 1998 there were signs that the environment was on the mend. The Korean market
rebounded strongly in January. Reflecting on this dramatic period, the obvious
question is: "What caused the crisis?" Investment Environment
As Asian economies have become more integrated into the global economy, they
have had to undergo a wrenching shift away from planned capital allocation
toward a system that is closer to a market-based model. Japan adopted a planned
capital allocation model following World War II as the country's leaders sought
to use limited capital most efficiently. Government ministries, through the
medium of the banks, channeled money to the most crucial industries and
3
<PAGE>
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Letter to Shareholders
================================================================================
projects. This model was widely copied in Asia, including in Korea.
The system worked well in the beginning. However, today it has degenerated
into what many describe as "crony capitalism." The line between providing
capital to the most crucial projects and those run by friends and political
supporters of the government grew increasingly unclear. No real market was ever
established because the government was allocating capital; and more crucially,
there was no bond market to provide discipline. The symptoms of "crony
capitalism" in Asia are well-known: ego projects, overcapacity in manufacturing,
galloping real estate markets, and excessive leverage, particularly in foreign
currencies. Unfortunately, when policymakers and their families and friends are
the beneficiaries, a crisis of this magnitude may be necessary to force changes.
In Korea, the problems date back to the mild recession of 1993 when the then
newly elected president Kim Young-Sam implemented a policy designed to spur
economic growth. Financed primarily by a ballooning debt, the economy boomed in
1994-95. Productive capacity mushroomed and prices fell on many of the country's
main export products, including semiconductors. Chip maker earnings fell
sharply, with similar declines for automotive, shipbuilding, steel and oil
companies. Indicative of the shortage of domestic capital and the country's
closed market policy, domestic interest rates remained high. As a result, Korea
became heavily dependent on foreign borrowing.
One of the first casualties was Hanbo Steel, which collapsed in January 1997
under the weight of a heavy debt burden. Although banks were pressured to bail
out Hanbo, ensuing political scandals lessened the government's ability to
provide assistance. In March, Sami Steel failed, and in July, Kia Motors
experienced a cash crisis. Jinro, a liquor conglomerate, became the third major
failure, prompting the major credit rating agencies to downgrade companies with
exposure to chaebol groups.
Rather than letting Kia Motors fail, Korea's former finance minister decided
to nationalize the company after banks refused to provide loans. Standard and
Poor's Corporation immediately downgraded ratings on government debt. At the
same time, Hong Kong's currency had come under attack and the Hang Seng index
crashed. Foreign capital began to flow out of Korea and the won dropped sharply.
Of particular concern was the unwillingness of foreign banks to roll over
Korea's short-term loans.
By early November, foreign currency reserves were rapidly draining away.
Efforts were made to enlist the support of the United States and Japan to avoid
the strict conditions that would accompany an IMF bailout, but to no avail.
Ultimately, Korea approached the IMF and a plan was designed that included
implementing new laws regarding financial supervision, creating an independent
central bank requiring the chaebol to present consolidated accounts,
accelerating the opening of Korea's financial markets, and easing trading limits
on the won. Initially the IMF's strict requirements were blocked by parliament,
but the won's steady decline forced Korea to agree to the terms of a $55 billion
bailout from the IMF.
Korea's problems did not end there, as it was revealed that the country's
short-term debt was estimated at $100 billion -- double the publicly disclosed
amount. By mid-December the government was running out of funds. At this point,
Korean government debt had fallen to junk bond status and on December 25, $10
billion was advanced from the IMF and eight countries to prevent default.
4
<PAGE>
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Letter to Shareholders
================================================================================
Since the end of 1997 we have begun to see encouraging signs as the
government appears to be taking significant steps to accelerate the development
of a more open market system. Within the country the Korean people are taking
the situation very seriously. Recently, residents turned in large quantities of
gold jewelry in exchange for a new Korean won to help bolster the currency.
While this public contribution is small relative to the size of the IMF package,
it signals the population's willingness to support reforms. The higher
unemployment and lower standard of living resulting from the crisis will be
bitter medicine for Koreans, but public opinion is generally in favor of reforms
to correct imbalances and to get the country back on the right track.
Investment Strategy
Throughout this challenging period, we continued to emphasize intensive
fundamental research to identify well-managed companies with promising long-term
growth prospects. We focused on issues with strong fundamentals and solid
balance sheets. This meant reducing holdings in companies with high debt ratios,
which were at a higher risk. (Korean companies on average have high debt ratios
compared to U.S. companies.) We also emphasized export-oriented companies that
stand to benefit from an improved competitive position as a result of the weaker
won.
We increased our positions in a number of companies during the period that
met these criteria, including Pohang Iron and Steel, Samsung Fire and Marine,
and Dae Duck Electronics. We also added to Mirae Corp., a new holding and a
producer of devices that are used to test semiconductors. Japanese companies
have been the company's primary competitors, but a lower won has made Mirae's
product more competitive. We also added to holdings of Hyundai Heavy Industries,
the largest shipbuilder in Korea. This company should also benefit from the
weaker won and its relatively low cost of production.
In the financial services sector, we sold many of our bank and securities
firm holdings as well as construction companies. We were already underweighted
in these areas (except for insurance, where we remained overweighted), and our
selling activities reduced holdings further. We also sold shares of several
companies with relatively high debt ratios including a substantial amount of
Hansol Paper, formerly one of our top ten holdings, and Hyundai Engineering and
Construction, as well as some shares of Korea Electric Power. In the banking
sector we sold holdings of Korea Exchange Bank and liquidated our position in
Korea First Bank.
In November and December many companies went bankrupt. Avoiding these
situations was obviously critical. Fortunately, these troubled companies were
largely absent from the portfolio during the six-month period.
Outlook
Korea's model for growth has been unique and has worked well in the past.
However, the crisis will cause the country to make meaningful and necessary
financial reforms. While these changes will be difficult, Korea is fortunate.
Other countries, such as neighboring Japan, have yet to implement significant
changes, which helps to explain the protracted and negative environment there.
With currencies so much lower in many Asian countries, Japan is now at a
competitive disadvantage.
Despite the shocks of the last six months, the height of the crisis appears
to have passed. Korea still has a powerful manufacturing base and very strong
capabilities, but there are still many unprofitable businesses. The reaction of
labor and the possibility of strikes are real concerns as reforms are put into
place. We are hopeful that the new president will have a significantly positive
impact on the economy. This is the first time that a new government was
5
<PAGE>
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Letter to Shareholders
================================================================================
democratically born out of the opposition party. Already this government is
starting to reform many facets of the economy, including allowing hostile
takeovers by foreign investors and encouraging foreign investment. In addition,
the foreign ownership limit was recently further increased to 55%. Without ties
to business groups, the new government does not have the liabilities and
obligations of its predecessor, which should make reforms easier to implement.
Overall, the events of the last six months have increased the competitive
position of Korean companies. As a result, we believe the long-term prospects
for investing in Korea have improved markedly. While the near term is as always
filled with uncertainty for investors, we intend to continue to focus on
companies with solid fundamentals, which we believe will prosper over the long
term in the new environment.
Thank you for your continued support of The Korea Fund, Inc. Please feel free
to call the Fund at 1-800-349-4281 with any questions or comments about your
investment.
Sincerely,
/s/Nicholas Bratt /s/Juris Padegs
Nicholas Bratt Juris Padegs
President Chairman of the Board
6
<PAGE>
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Other Information
================================================================================
Investment Manager
The investment manager and administrator of The Korea Fund, Inc. (the "Fund")
is Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. (the "Adviser") formerly known as Scudder,
Stevens & Clark, Inc. Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc. is one of the largest and
most experienced investment management organizations worldwide, managing more
than $200 billion in assets globally for mutual fund investors, retirement and
pension plans, institutional and corporate clients, and private family and
individual accounts. It is one of the ten largest mutual fund companies in the
United States.
Korean Adviser
Daewoo Capital Management Co., Ltd., registered under the U.S. Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, acts as Korean adviser to Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc., the Fund's investment manager. Daewoo Capital Management Co., Ltd. is a
subsidiary of Daewoo Securities Co., Ltd., the largest Korean securities firm,
and an affiliate of Daewoo Research Institute.
Daewoo Capital Management Co., Ltd. provides investment advice, research, and
assistance to the Adviser. The Daewoo staff makes specific investment
recommendations, which are then evaluated by the Adviser's research department
and portfolio managers in light of their own expertise and information from
other sources in making investment decisions for the Fund.
A Team Approach to Investing
The Korea Fund, Inc. is managed by a team of the Adviser's investment
professionals who each play an important role in the Fund's management process.
Team members work together to develop investment strategies and select
securities for the Fund. They are supported by the Adviser's large staff of
economists, research analysts, traders, and other investment specialists who
work in the Adviser's offices across the United States and abroad. We believe
our team approach benefits Fund investors by bringing together many disciplines
and leveraging its extensive resources.
Lead Portfolio Manager John J. Lee has set Fund investment strategy and
overseen its daily operation since 1991, the year he joined the Adviser's global
equity area. Nicholas Bratt, Portfolio Manager, has been a member of the
Portfolio team since 1984 when the Fund was launched and has over 25 years of
experience in worldwide investing. Mr. Bratt, who has been with the Adviser
since 1976, is the Director of the Adviser's Global Equity Department.
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan
The Fund's Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan offers you a
convenient way to have your dividends and capital gain distributions reinvested
in shares of the Fund. We believe this Plan is attractive for shareholders. Its
features are more fully described on page 31.
Net Asset Value
The Fund's NAV is published every Monday in The Wall Street Journal under the
heading "Closed End Funds." The Fund's NAV is also published in The New York
Times and Barron's.
As a service to overseas shareholders, the Fund's NAV is listed daily in The
Financial Times ("FT"). For your information, the NAV of the Fund and other
Scudder closed-end funds can be found in the "FT Managed Funds Service" section
under the heading "Other Offshore Funds" below the Scudder Kemper Investments,
Inc. banner.
7
<PAGE>
THE KOREA FUND, INC.
INVESTMENT SUMMARY AS OF December 31, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
HISTORICAL
INFORMATION
LIFE OF FUND
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL RETURN (%)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARKET VALUE NET ASSET VALUE (a) INDEX (b) INDEX (c)
------------------- -------------------- ------------------- -------------------
AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE
CUMULATIVE ANNUAL CUMULATIVE ANNUAL CUMULATIVE ANNUAL CUMULATIVE ANNUAL
------------------- -------------------- ------------------- -------------------
CURRENT QUARTER -44.44 -- -62.18 -- -66.89 -- -41.85 --
FISCAL YEAR
TO DATE -55.53 -- -66.41 -- -72.08 -- -49.52 --
ONE YEAR -54.86 -54.86 -66.50 -66.50 -69.64 -69.64 -42.21 -42.21
THREE YEAR -67.20 -31.04 -75.56 -37.47 -81.94 -43.48 -63.37 -28.45
FIVE YEAR -46.36 -11.71 -52.16 -13.71 -72.67 -22.85 -44.53 -11.12
TEN YEAR -38.50 -4.74 -32.24 -3.82 -64.51 -9.84 -28.34 -3.28
</TABLE>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE INFORMATION AND RETURNS (a)
YEARLY PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31
A chart in the form of a bar graph appears here,
illustrating the Fund Total Return (%) with the exact
data points listed in the table below.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE... $15.93 $18.55 $11.10 $10.55 $10.62 $16.64 $20.65 $20.04 $13.55 $ 4.44
INCOME DIVIDENDS.. $ .11 $ .08 $ -- $ .06 $ .04 $ .01 $ -- $ .06 $ -- $ --
CAPITAL GAINS
DISTRIBUTIONS..... $ 1.74 $ 1.88 $ 2.20 $ .34 $ .20 $ -- $ .15 $ .36 $ .60 $ --
TOTAL
RETURN (%)........ 55.97 22.79 -28.36 -2.05 2.71 56.77 24.84 4.26 -30.01 -66.50
</TABLE>
(a) Total investment returns reflect changes in net asset value per share
during each period and assume that dividends and capital gains
distributions, if any were reinvested. These percentages are not an
indication of the performance of a shareholder's investment in the Fund
based on market price.
(b) Korea Stock Price Index ("KOSPI") in U.S. Dollars.
(c) Korea Stock Price Index ("KOSPI") in local terms.
PAST RESULTS ARE NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE
FUND.
8
<PAGE>
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY as of December 31, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVERSIFICATION
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stocks 74%
Cash Equivalents 11%
Convertible Bonds 9%
Bonds 3%
Preferred Stocks 3%
- --------------------------------------
100%
- --------------------------------------
A graph in the form of a pie chart appears here,
illustrating the exact data points in the above table.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTORS
Sector breakdown of the Fund's equity securities
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Communications 22%
Financial 20%
Technology 13%
Manufacturing 7%
Metals & Minerals 6%
Consumer Staples 6%
Durables 5%
Utilities 5%
Health 4%
Other 12%
- --------------------------------------
100%
- --------------------------------------
A graph in the form of a pie chart appears here,
illustrating the exact data points in the above table.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEN LARGEST EQUITY HOLDINGS
(50% OF PORTFOLIO)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SK TELECOM CO., LTD.
Mobile telecommunication services
2. SAMSUNG FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE CO.
Insurance company
3. SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Major electronics manufacturer
4. POHANG IRON & STEEL CO., LTD.
Leading steel producer
5. KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CO.
Electric utility
6. YUKONG, LTD.
Korea's leading oil refiner
7. SAMSUNG DISPLAY DEVICES CO.
Leading manufacturer of CRT and picture tubes
8. KOOKMIN BANK
Major commercial bank
9. KOREA LONG TERM CREDIT BANK
Major commercial bank
10. HANKOOK TIRE MANUFACTURING CO. LTD.
Major tire manufacturer
9
<PAGE>
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Investment Performance
================================================================================
KOREA FUND INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
History (in terms of N.Y.S.E. Value) of a $10,000 Investment in Fund Shares
vs. the S&P 500 Index*
THE PRINTED DOCUMENT CONTAINS A BAR CHART HERE:
BAR CHART DATA:
WITH INCOME WITH CAPITAL CHANGE IN SHARE S&P 500
DISTRIBUTIONS GAINS DISTRIBUTION VALUE OF INITIAL TOTAL RETURN
REINVESTED REINVESTED INVESTMENT ($79,766)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
10942 10942 10942 10000
11983 11983 11983 9972
11875 11875 11875 10159
11458 11458 11458 11095
12292 12292 12292 11906
11787 11250 11250 11422
15393 14692 14692 13395
20632 19692 19692 15286
29440 27817 27817 16186
32537 30709 30625 15054
30103 28411 28333 15905
56221 53061 52917 19304
62087 58597 58438 20265
67523 63039 62396 21689
51016 47628 45938 16801
73921 69011 66563 17755
65476 61127 58958 18925
59075 54750 50000 18993
80516 74621 65625 19608
108121 100205 88125 21000
97003 89900 79063 22837
133542 123540 105000 25283
111177 102850 85938 25801
73983 68442 57188 25017
71557 66198 55313 26571
44506 41173 30625 22930
48402 44777 31250 24976
56630 52389 36563 28611
54694 50598 35313 28520
57251 52736 36250 30052
50380 46407 31563 32576
47387 43650 29688 31761
45392 41813 28438 32345
49876 45787 30625 33368
57001 52328 35000 35054
52421 48123 32188 36585
61073 56066 37500 36763
59037 54197 36250 37711
97766 89706 60000 38587
78417 71951 48125 37122
89619 82230 55000 37277
107003 98181 65313 39097
93227 85541 56875 39091
87592 80371 53438 42897
84754 73790 49063 46995
96871 84340 55313 50730
96850 84082 55000 53785
92448 80261 52500 56670
92999 80738 52813 59211
83103 72148 45625 60998
67735 58805 37188 66080
65548 56829 35938 67903
68716 59657 36875 79766
55020 47766 29525 85740
30561 26532 16400 88205
10
<PAGE>
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Investment Performance
================================================================================
KOREA FUND INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE (Cont'd)
History (in terms of Net Asset Value) of a $10,000
Investment in Fund Shares*
THE PRINTED DOCUMENT CONTAINS A BAR CHART HERE:
BAR CHART DATA:
WITH INCOME WITH CAPITAL CHANGE IN SHARE
DISTRIBUTIONS GAINS DISTRIBUTION VALUE OF INITIAL
REINVESTED REINVESTED INVESTMENT
---------- ---------- ----------
10000 10000 10000
10072 10072 10072
10269 10269 10269
10197 10197 10197
10305 10305 10305
10083 9624 9624
12599 12025 12025
16796 16030 16030
21224 20054 20054
23020 21726 21667
23315 22004 21944
31873 30082 30000
31788 30001 29919
31515 29422 29122
33685 31447 30332
38620 36055 34776
41695 38926 37545
40580 37609 34346
52539 48693 42823
62236 57679 50726
55541 51474 45269
65403 60505 51425
64511 59679 49866
60372 55851 46667
50252 46489 38844
42973 39754 29570
46216 42755 29839
45050 41676 29086
42760 39558 27608
45385 41806 28737
45269 41699 28360
54323 50039 34032
46127 42489 28898
42992 39467 26398
46494 42683 28548
46844 43004 28763
49909 45817 30645
50128 46018 30780
72887 66877 44731
74814 68646 45914
81735 74996 50161
94468 86679 57661
90991 83489 55511
91123 83610 55591
92364 80416 53468
104044 90585 59409
94862 82356 53871
93916 81535 53333
87667 76110 49785
80692 70054 44301
66394 57642 36452
64093 55644 35188
66274 57537 35565
58810 51057 31559
22242 19310 11935
The data set forth in these graphs should not be construed as an indication of
the record of a shareholder's investment in the Fund based on market prices; nor
should it be construed as a representation of the future performance of the
Fund's net asset value.
* The Korea Fund, Inc. performance charts make the following key
assumptions:
1. The data have been adjusted to reflect a 200% stock dividend paid in
October 1988.
2. Investment income and capital gains reinvested at the greater of the
following on the valuation date:
(a) Net asset value per share or
(b) 95% of the mean market price per share.
3. No adjustments have been made for U.S. income taxes. Korean taxes are
reflected.
4. Initial $10,000 investment was made at initial public offering price and
at initial net asset value price.
The Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index is a widely followed, unmanaged index of
500 industrial, transportation, utility and financial companies widely regarded
as representative of the equity market in general.
11
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================================
Principal Market
Amount (d) Value ($)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT 11.1%
U.S.$ $21,376,000 Repurchase Agreement with Donaldson, Lufkin &
Jenrette dated 12/31/97 at 6.5% to be repurchased
at $21,383,719 on 1/2/98, collateralized by a
$13,587,000 U.S. Treasury Bond, 12.5%, 8/15/14
(Cost $21,376,000)................................... 21,376,000
-------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CORPORATE BONDS 3.3%
Metals & Minerals 3.3% 10,000,000,000 Korea Tungsten Exchange Bond, Zero Coupon with
36.03% bonus interest at maturity, 11/11/98 (b) (e)
(Cost $15,845,648)................................... 6,249,920
-------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONVERTIBLE BONDS 8.8%
CONSUMER STAPLES 0.8%
Food & Beverage 0.6% 2,000,000,000 Haitai Confectionery Co. 1% with 12.69% bonus
interest at maturity, 6/30/98 (b) (e)............... 1,156,819
-------------
Textiles 0.2% U.S.$ 1,000,000 Kolon Industries, Inc., 0.25%, 12/31/04............... 300,000
-------------
DURABLES 0.6%
Telecommunications
Equipment 0.3% 2,000,000,000 ENK Telecom Company Zero Coupon with 35.114%
bonus interest at maturity, 12/31/00 (b) (e)........ 668,001
-------------
Tires 0.3% 1,890,000,000 Hankook Tire Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Zero Coupon with
5.83% bonus interest at maturity, 12/31/02 (b) (e).. 552,674
-------------
MANUFACTURING 0.9%
Containers & Paper 4,000,000,000 Hansol Paper Manufacturing Co., Ltd. 3% with 28.24%
bonus interest at maturity, 12/31/99 (b) (e)........ 1,788,150
-------------
TECHNOLOGY 1.8%
Electronic Components/
Distributors 0.9% 5,000,000,000 Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Zero Coupon with
35.54% bonus interest at maturity, 12/31/00 (b) (e). 1,675,318
-------------
Miscellaneous 0.6% 3,000,000,000 Kasan Electronics, 5%, with 9% bonus interest at
maturity, 12/31/00 (b) (e).......................... 1,183,312
-------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
12
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Investment Portfolio
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================================
Principal Market
Amount (d) Value ($)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Semiconductors 0.3% 1,604,800,000 D.I. Corporation 3% with 31.44% bonus interest at
maturity, 12/31/00 (b) (e).......................... 570,519
-------------
ENERGY 0.8%
Oil & Gas Production 3,000,000,000 Yukong, Ltd. 1% with 13.92% bonus interest at
maturity, 12/31/98 (b) (e).......................... 1,522,434
-------------
METALS & MINERALS 0.5%
Steel & Metals 3,000,000,000 Dong Yang Steel Pipe Company, Zero Coupon with
20.13% bonus interest at maturity, 12/31/00 (b) (e). 890,907
-------------
CONSTRUCTION 0.3%
Miscellaneous 1,580,000,000 Dae Ho Construction, 4%, with 23.79% bonus
interest at maturity, 12/31/00 (b) (e).............. 547,967
-------------
TRANSPORTATION 0.7%
Marine Transportation 2,000,000,000 Hanjin Shipping Company, with 35.25% bonus
interest at maturity, 0.125%, 12/31/99 (b) (e)...... 894,088
-------------
1,500,000,000 Hyundai Merchant & Marine Co., Zero Coupon with
34.13% bonus interest at maturity, 12/31/00 (b) (e). 497,367
-------------
1,391,455
-------------
UTILITIES 2.4%
Electric Utilities 2,300,000,000 Korea Electric Power Co. Zero Coupon with 30.5%
bonus interest at maturity, 12/31/98 (b) (e)........ 1,325,440
9,951,000,000 Korea Electric Power Co. #6, 5% with 12.85% bonus
interest at maturity,12/31/00 (b) (e)............... 3,283,223
-------------
4,608,663
-------------
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE BONDS (Cost $54,247,883)................ 16,856,219
-------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREFERRED STOCKS 2.9% Shares
------
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY 0.0%
Apparel & Shoes 50,000 Shin Won Corporation....................................... 41,593
-------------
Hotels & Casinos 12,070 Hotel Shilla Co.* ......................................... 14,527
-------------
CONSUMER STAPLES 0.7%
Food & Beverage 0.2% 100,670 Cheil Jedang Co. .......................................... 350,415
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements
13
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Investment Portfolio
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================================
Market
Shares Value ($)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1,160 Nam Yang Dairy Products* .................................. 16,425
----------
366,840
----------
Package Goods/Cosmetics 0.1% 118,570 Pacific Chemicals Corp. .................................... 258,825
----------
Textiles 0.3% 13,580 BYC Co., Ltd. (b)........................................... 188,196
225,910 Kolon Industries, Inc. ..................................... 234,573
181,980 Sun Kyong Industries, Ltd.* ................................ 231,904
----------
654,673
----------
HEALTH 0.1%
Pharmaceuticals 6,700 Korea Green Cross Corp. .................................... 79,056
1,029 Korea Green Cross Corp. (New) .............................. 13,781
13,300 Shin Poong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (b)..................... 0
----------
92,837
----------
FINANCIAL 1.1%
Insurance 1.0% 23,385 Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co. (f)..................... 1,834,929
----------
Other Financial Companies 0.1% 137,310 Shin Young Securities ...................................... 279,481
----------
SERVICE INDUSTRIES 0.1%
Miscellaneous Commercial
Services 76,000 Sunkyong Ltd. .............................................. 122,407
----------
DURABLES 0.1%
Automobiles 0.0% 12,914 Mando Machinery Corp. (b)................................... 13,257
----------
Telecommunications
Equipment 0.1% 11,280 Sungmi Telecom Electronics Co. ............................. 107,143
406 Sungmi Telecom Electronics Co. (New) ....................... 3,761
----------
110,904
----------
MANUFACTURING 0.2%
Chemicals 31,700 Hanwha Co., Ltd. ........................................... 21,507
84,800 LG Chemical Co., Ltd. ...................................... 155,091
116,380 Oriental Chemical Industries Co., Ltd. ..................... 288,375
----------
464,973
----------
TECHNOLOGY 0.4%
Electronic Components/
Distributors 14,318 Samsung Display Devices* .................................. 76,870
120,000 Samsung Electromechanics Co., Ltd. ........................ 346,903
48,201 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. ............................. 329,871
----------
753,644
----------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
14
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Investment Portfolio
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================================
Market
Shares Value ($)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CONSTRUCTION 0.2%
Building Materials 0.1% 29,300 Sung Shin Cement Co., Ltd. ................................ 37,165
50,000 Tong Yang Cement Co., Ltd. ................................ 64,897
----------
102,062
----------
Miscellaneous 0.1% 95,000 Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. .................... 177,109
13,390 Tae Young Corporation ..................................... 56,009
----------
233,118
----------
TRANSPORTATION 0.1%
Airlines 0.1% 80,320 Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd.* ............................... 121,783
----------
Trucking 0.0% 25,500 Global Enterprise Co., Ltd. ............................... 69,504
----------
TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost $26,403,655)................. 5,535,357
----------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCKS 73.9%
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY 0.9%
Department & Chain Stores 0.7% 92,003 Hwa Sung Industrial ...................................... 128,641
119,014 Shinsegae Department Store ................................ 877,684
225,328 Taegu Department Stores Co. ............................... 364,247
----------
1,370,572
----------
Hotels & Casinos 0.2%
170,000 Hotel Shilla Co.* ......................................... 354,041
----------
CONSUMER STAPLES 3.9%
Alcohol & Tobacco 0.0% 20,000 Chosun Brewery Co., Ltd. .................................. 82,596
----------
Food & Beverage 2.0% 120,000 Dongwon Industries Company* ............................... 346,195
43,390 Nam Yang Dairy Products (g)................................ 1,576,887
76,164 Nhong Shim Co., Ltd. ...................................... 1,276,140
98,000 Pulmuone Co., Ltd. ........................................ 641,770
----------
3,840,992
----------
Package Goods/Cosmetics 0.1% 50,000 Hankook Cosmetics Co. ..................................... 201,180
----------
Textiles 1.8% 22,530 BYC Co., Ltd. ............................................. 990,259
90,000 Choong Nam Spinning Co., Ltd.* ............................ 116,283
10,000 Dae Ha Fashion Co.* ....................................... 117,994
2,610 Daehan Synthetic Fiber Company ............................ 59,899
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
15
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND INC., LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Investment Portfolio
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================================
Market
Shares Value ($)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
48,240 Hankook Synthetics Inc. ................................... 489,515
40,192 Hyosung T&C Co., Ltd. ..................................... 161,716
40,969 Kolon Industries, Inc. .................................... 160,009
5,459 Sun Kyong Industrial* ..................................... 19,839
5,040 Tae Kwang Industrial Co., Ltd. ............................ 921,770
15,000 Vivien Corp ............................................... 351,327
----------
3,388,611
----------
HEALTH 3.2%
Medical Supply & Specialty 0.5% 30,000 Medison Co., Ltd. ......................................... 987,611
----------
Pharmaceuticals 2.7% 95,105 Chong Kun Dang Co., Ltd.* ................................. 830,415
39,527 Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. ............................... 359,124
245,830 Dong-A Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd. ....................... 977,519
25,770 Korea Green Cross Corp.* .................................. 653,752
3,092 Shin Poong Pharmaceutical Co. (b) ......................... 0
169,604 Yuhan Corporation ......................................... 2,401,473
----------
5,222,283
----------
COMMUNICATIONS 18.9%
Cellular Telephone 18.7% 111,192 SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (c) (f)............................... 32,695,040
11,998 SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (f)................................... 3,149,917
----------
35,844,957
----------
Telephone/Communications 0.1% 12,000 Sam Woo Communications Co. ................................ 225,133
----------
Miscellaneous 0.1% 20,000 Communication Network Interface Co. ....................... 266,667
----------
FINANCIAL 16.4%
Banks 7.9% 438,120 Bank of Cheju* ............................................ 568,651
159,786 Daegu Bank ................................................ 360,108
200,000 Hana Bank ................................................ 1,112,684
320,570 Hanil Bank ................................................ 601,423
236,879 Housing & Commercial Bank ................................. 1,593,169
144,885 Housing & Commercial Bank (GDR) ........................... 1,104,748
783,814 Kookmin Bank .............................................. 4,138,723
261,044 Korea Exchange Bank ...................................... 608,333
655,532 Korea Long Term Credit Bank (New) ......................... 4,022,143
257,660 Shin Han Bank ............................................. 1,147,689
----------
15,257,671
----------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
16
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Investment Portfolio
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================================
Market
Shares Value ($)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Insurance 7.9% 48,984 Daehan Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd. .................. 372,799
44,656 Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co.* ...................... 410,993
79,912 L.G. Insurance Co., Ltd. .................................. 1,513,378
111,857 Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co. (f) (g) ............... 12,868,504
----------
15,165,674
----------
Investment 0.3% 150,000 Dongwon Securities Co. .................................... 664,602
----------
Other Financial Companies 0.3% 22,802 Hyundai Securities* ...................................... 86,096
105,000 Shinyoung Securities ...................................... 470,796
----------
556,892
----------
SERVICE INDUSTRIES 1.0%
Miscellaneous Commercial
Services 1.0% 6,700 S1 Corporation ............................................ 671,976
287,721 Samsung Co., Ltd. ......................................... 899,659
54,595 Sun Kyong Ltd. ............................................ 245,758
----------
1,817,393
----------
DURABLES 3.9%
Automobiles 2.0% 16,209 Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd. ................................... 178,825
478,369 Hyundai Motor Services Co., Ltd. .......................... 1,834,453
3,780 Mando Machinery Corp ...................................... 17,239
35,000 Sam Lip Industrial Company ................................ 297,345
90,000 Yoosung Enterprise Company ................................ 1,454,867
----------
3,782,729
----------
Leasing Companies 0.1% 93,000 Korea Development Leasing Co. ............................. 160,212
----------
Telecommunications
Equipment 0.2% 12,848 Sungmi Telecom Electronics Co. ............................ 363,837
----------
Tires 1.6% 275,481 Hankook Tire Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (g) .................. 3,087,988
----------
MANUFACTURING 4.5%
Chemicals 1.4% 71,440 Korea Chemical Co. ........................................ 1,188,559
240,009 LG Chemical Co., Ltd. ..................................... 1,104,466
65,762 Oriental Chemical Industries Co., Ltd. .................... 318,141
----------
2,611,166
----------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
17
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Investment Portfolio
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================================
Market
Shares Value ($)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Containers & Paper 0.6% 137,333 Asia Paper Manufacturing Co. .............................. 333,812
50,934 Dae Young Packaging Company................................ 414,684
189 Hansol Paper Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ...................... 832
29,214 Korea Export Packaging Industries ......................... 68,942
55,000 Shin Poong Paper Manufacturing Co., Ltd. .................. 308,260
----------
1,126,530
----------
Diversified Manufacturing 0.2% 142,339 Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.* ....................... 315,749
----------
Electrical Products 0.2% 114,086 Kyungwon Century Co., Ltd. ................................ 372,210
----------
Industrial Specialty 0.1% 122,937 Hankuk Glass Industries Co. (GDR)*......................... 144,451
----------
Machinery/Components/
Controls 1.4% 38,000 Mirae Co. ................................................. 2,679,056
----------
Miscellaneous 0.7% 100,000 Hyundai Heavy Industries* ................................. 1,303,835
----------
TECHNOLOGY 9.2%
Edp Peripherals 0.2% 41,240 Chung Ho Computer Co. ..................................... 304,130
----------
Electronic Components/
Distributors 8.5% 40,000 Dae Duck Electronics Co. .................................. 1,111,504
232,050 Samsung Display Devices Company ........................... 4,380,885
296,280 Samsung Electromechanics Co., Ltd. ........................ 1,922,761
395,432 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. ............................. 8,958,459
----------
16,373,609
----------
Electronic Data Processing 0.1% 87,817 Trigem Computer Inc. ...................................... 267,337
----------
Miscellaneous 0.4% 30,270 Daou Technology Inc.* ..................................... 687,549
----------
ENERGY 1.8%
Oil & Gas Production 1.8% 445,264 Yukong, Ltd. .............................................. 3,546,350
----------
METALS & MINERALS 4.9%
Coal Mining 0.0% 20,000 Dong Won Company Ltd.* .................................... 88,378
----------
Steel & Metals 4.9% 223,199 Inchon Iron & Steel Co. ................................... 954,686
310,640 Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. ............................. 8,412,022
----------
9,366,708
----------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
18
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Investment Portfolio
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=========================================================================================================================
Market
Shares Value ($)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CONSTRUCTION 2.2%
Building Materials 1.3%
10,000 Asia Cement Manufacturing Co. ............................. 47,788
26,400 Hanil Cement Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ...................... 233,628
234,337 Keum Kang Co., Ltd. ....................................... 2,156,730
-----------
2,438,146
-----------
Miscellaneous 0.9%
35,141 Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co.* ................... 223,907
205,350 LG Construction Co. ....................................... 525,793
70,000 Tae Young Corp. ........................................... 1,094,395
-----------
1,844,095
-----------
TRANSPORTATION 1.2%
Airlines 0.9% 419,946 Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd.* ............................... 1,764,021
-----------
Marine Transportation 0.3% 137,930 Hyundai Merchant & Marine Co.* ............................ 569,622
-----------
UTILITIES 1.8%
Electric Utilities 0.8% 70,900 Korea Electric Power Co. .................................. 656,714
91,000 Korea Electric Power Co. (ADR) ............................ 915,688
-----------
1,572,402
-----------
Natural Gas Distribution 1.0% 36,179 Daehan City Gas Co. Ltd. .................................. 747,059
61,287 Daesung Industrial Co. Ltd. ............................... 733,998
31,504 Samchully ................................................. 423,771
-----------
1,904,828
-----------
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $311,212,257) .................. 141,921,813
-----------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO -- 100.0%
(Cost $429,085,443) (a) ................................. 191,939,309
===========
</TABLE>
* Non-income producing security
(a) The cost for federal income tax purposes was $430,561,139. At December 31,
1997, net unrealized depreciation for all securities based on tax cost was
$238,621,830. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for
all securities in which there was an excess of market value over tax cost of
$22,760,079 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities
in which there was an excess of tax cost over market value of $261,381,909.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
19
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Investment Portfolio
===============================================================================
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Securities valued in good faith by the Valuation Committee of the Board of
Directors at fair value amounted to $23,007,592 (10.4% of net assets). Their
values have been estimated by the Board of Directors in the absence of
readily ascertainable market values. However, because of the inherent
uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may differ significantly
from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the
securities existed, and the difference could be material. The cost of these
securities at December 31, 1997 aggregated $70,363,130. These securities may
also have certain restrictions as to resale (See Note A to the Notes to
Financial Statements).
(c) Certain investments in Korean equity securities that have met the limit for
aggregate foreign ownership and for which premiums to the local stock
exchange prices are offered by prospective foreign investors. The aggregate
premium of $3,503,805 over the local share price of $29,191,235 for these
securities valued by the Valuation Committee was approximately 1.58% of the
Fund's net assets at December 31, 1997. The cost of these securities at
December 31, 1997 was $12,514,031 (See Note A to the Notes to Financial
Statements). Their values have been estimated by the Board of Directors in
the absence of readily ascertainable market values or other market factors,
respectively. However, because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation,
those estimated values may differ significantly from the values that would
have been used had a ready market for the securities existed, and the
difference could be material.
(d) Principal amount stated in Korean won unless otherwise noted. U.S.$ United
States Dollar.
(e) Bonus interest represents the amount available to be paid to the holder at
maturity in lieu of conversion.
(f) At December 31, 1997, 26% of the Fund's net assets were invested in SK
Telecom Co., Ltd. and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Company.
(g) Affiliated issuers (See Notes to Financial Statements).
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
20
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Financial Statements
<TABLE>
============================================================================================================================
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
DECEMBER 31, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Investments, at market:
Unaffiliated issuers (identified cost $404,904,737) .................. $ 174,405,930
Affiliated issuers (identified cost $24,180,706) ..................... 17,533,379
-------------
Total investments, at market (identified cost $429,085,443) ....... $ 191,939,309
Won at market (identified cost $41,663,623) ............................ 31,038,991
Receivables:
Dividends and interest ............................................... 373,623
Other assets ........................................................... 29,821
------------
Total assets ...................................................... 223,381,744
LIABILITIES
Payables:
Accrued management fee ............................................... 481,101
Other payables and accrued expenses .................................. 1,035,749
-------------
Total liabilities ................................................. 1,516,850
-------------
Net assets, at market value ............................................ $ 221,864,894
=============
NET ASSETS
Net assets consist of:
Undistributed net investment income .................................. $5,198
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments ....................................................... (237,146,134)
Won ............................................................... (10,624,632)
Won related transactions .......................................... (16,837)
Accumulated net realized loss ........................................ (85,692,128)
Paid-in capital ...................................................... 555,339,427
-------------
Net assets, at market value ............................................ $ 221,864,894
=============
NET ASSET VALUE per share ($221,864,89449,999,999 shares of common stock
issued and outstanding, 200,000,000 shares authorized, $.01 par) $4.44
======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Financial Statements
<TABLE>
=============================================================================================================================
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME
Income:
Dividends (net of withholding taxes of $83,769) ..................... $ 92,329
Interest (net of withholding taxes of $491,642) ..................... 3,489,497
-------------
3,581,826
Expenses:
Management fee ...................................................... $ 2,672,062
Custodian and accounting fees ....................................... 603,888
Directors' fees and expenses ........................................ 69,000
Legal ............................................................... 51,152
Auditing ............................................................ 53,728
Reports to shareholders ............................................. 36,616
Services to shareholders ............................................ 35,328
Other ............................................................... 54,854 3,576,628
------------- -------------
Net investment income .................................................. 5,198
-------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Net realized loss during the period on:
Investments - Unaffiliated issuers .................................. (69,789,432)
Investments - Affiliated issuers .................................... 825,526
Won related transactions ............................................ (8,735,073) (77,698,979)
-------------
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) during the period on:
Investments ......................................................... (350,865,386)
Won ................................................................. (10,657,769)
Won related transactions ............................................ (13,877) (361,537,032)
------------- -------------
Net loss on investment transactions .................................... (439,236,011)
-------------
NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS ..................... $(439,230,813)
=============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
22
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Financial Statements
<TABLE>
==============================================================================================================================
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIX MONTHS YEAR
ENDED ENDED
DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30,
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS 1997 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Operations:
Net investment income (loss) ........................................... $ 5,198 $ 2,759,009
Net realized gain (loss) from investment transactions .................. (77,698,979) (13,461,174)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment transactions
during the period ................................................... (361,537,032) (146,389,055)
------------- -------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations .......... (439,230,813) (157,091,220)
------------- -------------
Distributions to shareholders from net realized gains on investment
transactions ........................................................... -- (22,312,637)
------------- -------------
Fund share transactions:
Net Proceeds of shares issued in connection with the Fund's rights
offering, net of broker and dealer manager fees of $3,254,988 and
expenditures and offering costs of $757,113 ......................... -- 145,136,895
Reinvestment of distributions .......................................... -- 6,675,083
------------- -------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions ..... -- 151,811,978
------------- -------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS ........................................ (439,230,813) (27,591,879)
Net assets at beginning of period ........................................ 661,095,707 688,687,586
------------- -------------
NET ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD (INCLUDING UNDISTRIBUTED NET INVESTMENT
INCOME OF $5,198 AT DECEMBER 31, 1997) ................................. $ 221,864,894 $ 661,095,707
============= =============
OTHER INFORMATION
INCREASE IN FUND SHARES
Shares outstanding at beginning of period ................................ 49,999,999 37,188,528
Shares issued in connection with the Fund's rights offering ............ -- 12,429,083
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions ......... -- 382,388
------------- -------------
Net increase (decrease) in Fund shares ................................... -- 12,811,471
------------- -------------
Shares outstanding at end of period ...................................... 49,999,999 49,999,999
============= =============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
23
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Financial Highlights
<TABLE>
====================================================================================================================================
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FOLLOWING TABLE INCLUDES SELECTED DATA FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH PERIOD AND OTHER PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
DERIVED FROM THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND MARKET PRICE DATA.
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIX MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
DECEMBER 31, --------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
Net asset value, beginning of period .............. $13.22 $18.52 $19.89 $18.66 $11.40 $10.75
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Income from investment operations (a):
Net investment income (loss) ..................... .00 .07 .02 (.02) (.03) .02
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
investment transactions ......................... (8.78) (4.48)(c) .97 2.42 7.13 .86
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total from investment operations ................. (8.78) (4.41) (0.95) 2.40 7.10 .88
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less distributions:
From net investment income ....................... -- -- (.02) -- (.01) (.04)
In excess of net investment income ............... -- -- (.04) -- -- --
From net realized gains on investment transactions -- (.60) (.36) (.15) -- (.20)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total distributions .............................. -- (.60) (.42) (.15) (.01) (.24)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Antidilution (dilution) resulting from the rights
offering (1997 and 1995), fourth tranche (1994),
and reinvestment of distributions for shares at
market value.................................... -- (.29) -- (1.02) .22 .01
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Underwriting expenditures and offering costs..... -- -- -- -- (.05) --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net asset value, end of period .................. $4.44 $13.22 $18.52 $19.89 $18.66 $11.40
===== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Market value, end of period ..................... $6.56 $14.75 $21.13 $19.63 $22.00 $15.00
===== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
TOTAL RETURN
Per share market value (%)....................... (55.53)* (26.11) 9.73 (5.43) 46.74 34.54
Per share net asset value (%) (b)................ (66.41)* (24.40) (5.09) 13.00 63.77 8.20
RATIOS AND SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)........... 222 661 689 735 550 258
Ratio of operating expenses to average net
assets (%)..................................... 1.43** 1.28 1.28 1.32 1.37 1.52
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average
net assets (%).................................. .00(e) .46 .10 (.10) (.18) .15
Portfolio turnover rate (%)...................... 25.7** 12.9 32.6 10.5 14.3 14.3
Average commission rate paid (d)................. $.0596 $.1065 $.1254 -- -- --
(a) Based on monthly average of shares outstanding during each period.
(b) Total investment returns reflect changes in net asset value per share during each period and assume that dividends and capital
gains distributions, if any, were reinvested. These percentages are not an indication of the performance of a shareholder's
investment in the Fund based on market price.
(c) Due to the timing and magnitude of the rights offering, the amounts reported herein are not proportional to the aggregate
value reported in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.
(d) Average commission rate paid per share of common and preferred stocks is calculated for fiscal years ending on or after
June 30, 1996.
(e) The ratio for the six months ended December 31, 1997 has not been annualized since the Fund believes it would not be
appropriate because the Fund's dividend income is not earned ratably throughout the fiscal year (Note A).
* Not annualized ** Annualized
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
24
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
================================================================================
A. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Korea Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended, as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment
company.
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles which require the use of management estimates.
The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the
preparation of its financial statements.
SECURITY VALUATION. Portfolio securities which are traded on the Korean, U.S.,
or foreign stock exchanges are valued at the most recent sale price reported on
the exchange on which the security is traded most extensively. If no sale
occurred, the security is then valued at the calculated mean between the most
recent bid and asked quotations. If there are no such bid and asked quotations,
the most recent bid quotation is used.
Short-term investments having a maturity of sixty days or less are valued at
amortized cost.
All other securities are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the
Valuation Committee of the Board of Directors. See notes (b) and (c) of the
notes to the Investment Portfolio.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with
certain banks and broker/dealers whereby the Fund, through its custodian,
receives delivery of the underlying securities, the amount of which at the time
of purchase and each subsequent business day is required to be maintained at
such a level that the market value, depending on the maturity of the repurchase
agreement, is equal to at least 100.5% of the repurchase price.
DIVIDEND INCOME. Korean-based corporations have generally adopted calendar
year-ends, and their corporate actions are normally approved by their boards of
directors and shareholders in the first quarter of each calendar year.
Accordingly, dividend income from Korean equity investments is earned and
received by the Fund primarily in the first calendar quarter of each year. As a
result, the Fund, which has a June 30 year end, receives substantially less
dividend income in the first half of its year than in the second half of such
year.
INCOME TAXES. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders. The
Fund, accordingly, paid no federal income taxes and no federal income tax
provision was required. In addition, from November 1, 1996 through June 30,
1997, the Fund incurred approximately $5,831,000 of realized long-term capital
losses. As permitted by tax regulations, the Fund intends to elect to defer
these losses and treat them as arising in the year ending June 30, 1998.
Under the United States-Korea Income Tax Treaty, as presently in effect, the
government of Korea imposes a nonrecoverable withholding tax and resident tax
aggregating 16.5% on dividends and 13.2% on interest earned by the Fund from
Korean issuers. Under the United States-Korea Income Tax Treaty, there is no
Korean withholding tax on realized capital gains.
DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME AND GAINS. Distribution of net investment income is made
annually. It is expected that net realized gains from investment transactions
during any particular year in excess of available capital loss carryforwards
which, if not distributed, would be taxable to the Fund, will be distributed to
shareholders. An additional distribution may be made to the extent necessary to
avoid the payment of a four percent federal excise tax.
25
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
================================================================================
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gains
distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations
which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These
differences relate primarily to foreign denominated investments and certain
securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net
realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may
differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the
Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital
accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
The Fund uses the identified cost method for determining realized gain or loss
on investments for both financial and federal income tax reporting purposes.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATIONS. The books and records of the Fund are maintained
in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency transactions are translated into U.S. dollars
on the following basis:
(i) market value of investment securities, other assets and liabilities at
the daily rates of exchange, and
(ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest
income and certain expenses at the rates of exchange prevailing on the
respective dates of such transactions.
The Fund does not isolate that portion of gains and losses on investments which
is due to changes in foreign exchange rates from that which is due to changes in
market prices of the investments. Such fluctuations are included with the net
realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments.
Net realized gain (loss) from won related transactions includes net currency
gains and losses between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions,
gains and losses arising from the sales of won and gains and losses between the
ex and payment dates on dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes. At
December 31, 1997 the exchange rate for Korean won was U.S. $0.002657 to W 1.
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR NEW SHARES. As part of their annual corporate action matters,
certain Korean companies offer rights to their shareholders to subscribe to new
shares which are eligible for a portion of the dividends paid on existing shares
in the year of subscription. The Fund follows a policy of subscribing to new
share offerings by Korean companies.
OTHER. Investment security transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis.
Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the
ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. All original
issue and acquisition discounts are accreted for both tax and financial
reporting purposes.
B. PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
For the six months ended December 31, 1997, purchases and sales of investment
securities (excluding short-term investments) aggregated $56,761,638 and
$67,487,722, respectively.
C. RELATED PARTIES
Effective December 31, 1997, Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc. ("Scudder") and The
Zurich Insurance Company ("Zurich"), an international insurance and financial
services organization, formed a new global investment organization by combining
Scudder's business with that of Zurich's subsidiary, Zurich Kemper Investments,
Inc. As a result of the transaction, Scudder changed its name to Scudder Kemper
Investments, Inc. ("Scudder Kemper" or the "Manager"). The transaction between
Scudder and Zurich resulted in the termination of the Fund's Investment
Management Agreement with Scudder. However, a new Investment Management
Agreement (the
26
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
================================================================================
"Management Agreement") between the Fund and Scudder Kemper was approved by the
Fund's Board of Directors and by the Fund's Shareholders. The Management
Agreement, which is effective December 31, 1997, is the same in all material
respects as the corresponding previous Investment Management Agreement, except
that Scudder Kemper is the new investment Manager to the Fund.
Under the Management Agreement the Fund agrees to pay the Manager a monthly fee
at an annual rate equal to 1.15% of the Fund's month-end net assets up to and
including $50,000,000, 1.10% of such net assets on the next $50,000,000, 1% of
such assets on the next $250,000,000, 0.95% of such net assets on the next
$400,000,000, and 0.90% of such net assets in excess of $750,000,000. For the
six months ended December 31, 1997, the fee pursuant to such agreement amounted
to $2,672,062 which was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 1.07% of the
Fund's average month-end net assets.
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Manager pays the Korean Adviser a monthly fee,
equal to an annual rate of 0.2875% of the first $50,000,000 of the Fund's
month-end net assets, 0.275% of such net assets on the next $50,000,000, and
0.25% of such net assets on the next $250,000,000, 0.2375% of such net assets on
the next $400,000,000, and 0.225% of such net assets in excess of $750,000,000.
For the six months ended December 31, 1997, brokerage commissions on investment
transactions amounting to $28,980 were paid by the Fund to Daewoo Securities
Co., Ltd., the parent company of the Korean Adviser.
Scudder Service Corporation ("SSC"), a subsidiary of the Manager, provides
shareholder communications services for the Fund. For the year ended December
31, 1997 the amount charged by SSC aggregated $7,500, of which $1,250 is unpaid
at December 31, 1997.
Scudder Fund Accounting Corporation ("SFAC"), a subsidiary of the Manager, is
responsible for determining the daily net asset value per share and maintaining
the portfolio and general accounting records of the Fund. For the six months
ended December 31, 1997, the amount charged to the Fund by SFAC aggregated
$141,371, of which $14,975 is unpaid at December 31, 1997.
The Fund pays each Director not affiliated with the Manager or the Korean
Adviser $6,000 annually plus specified amounts for attended board and committee
meetings. For the six months ended December 31, 1997, Directors' fees and
expenses amounted to $69,000.
D. FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND EXCHANGE CONTROLS IN KOREA
The Foreign Exchange Management Act, the Presidential Decree relating to such
Act and the regulations of the Minister of Finance and Economy issued thereunder
impose certain limitations and controls which generally affect foreign investors
in Korea. The Fund has obtained from the Minister of Finance and Economy a
license to invest in Korean securities and to repatriate income received from
dividends and interest earned on, and net realized capital gain from, its
investments in Korean securities and, upon termination of the Fund or for
payment of expenses in excess of income, to repatriate investment principal. The
Minister of Finance and Economy may, when it deems it to be in the public
interest, modify the Fund's license to invest in Korean securities or, according
to the terms of the license, revoke it in the event of the Fund's noncompliance
with conditions of the license or a material violation of Korean law. The
Minister of Finance and Economy or the Securities and Exchange Commission of
Korea ("KSEC") may issue orders imposing additional restrictions, when deemed in
the public interest, for the protection of investors or in the interest of
maintaining an orderly securities market. Under the Foreign Exchange Management
Act, the Minister of Finance and Economy has the power, with prior public
27
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
================================================================================
notice of scope and duration, to suspend all or a part of foreign exchange
transactions when emergency measures are deemed necessary in case of radical
change in the international or domestic economic situation. The Fund could be
adversely affected by delays in, or the refusal to grant, any required
governmental approval for such transactions.
Under current regulations of the Minister of Finance and Economy and the KSEC,
foreigners are subject to certain restrictions with respect to investing in
equity securities of Korean companies listed on the Korea Stock Exchange. Total
foreign investment is limited generally to 55% of each class of a company's
outstanding shares, while a single foreign investor can only invest up to 50% of
each class of outstanding shares. Pursuant to its license, however, the Fund may
invest in shares representing 50% of each class in general.
E. INVESTING IN THE KOREAN MARKET
Investing in the Korean market may involve special risks and considerations not
typically associated with investing in the United States. These risks include
revaluation of currency, high rates of inflation, Korean taxes, repatriation
restrictions on income and capital, and future adverse political and economic
developments.
Moreover, securities issued in this market may be less liquid, subject to
government ownership controls, delayed settlements, and their prices more
volatile than those of comparable securities in the United States.
F. TRANSACTION IN SECURITIES OF AFFILIATED ISSUERS
An affiliated issuer is a company in which the Fund has ownership of at least 5%
of the voting securities. A summary of the Fund's transactions during the period
with companies which are or were affiliates are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Purchases Sales Dividend Market
Affiliate Cost ($) Cost ($) Income ($) Value ($)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Hankook Tire Manufacturing Co. 966,541 -- -- 3,087,988
Nam Yang Dairy Products 2,266,317 -- -- 1,576,887
Samsung Fire and Marine Ins. Co. 9,906,279 -- -- 12,868,504
Sewon Co. Ltd. -- 12,276,484 -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13,139,137 12,276,484 -- 17,533,379
</TABLE>
28
<PAGE>
[KOREA FUND, INC. LOGO]
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Report of Independent Accountants
================================================================================
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE KOREA FUND, INC.:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of The
Korea Fund, Inc. including the investment portfolio, as of December 31, 1997,
and the related statement of operations for the six months then ended, the
statements of changes in net assets for the six months then ended and for the
year ended June 30, 1997, and the financial highlights for the six months ended
December 31, 1997 and for each of the five years in the period ended June 30,
1997. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility
of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of
December 31, 1997 by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The
Korea Fund, Inc. as of December 31, 1997, the results of its operations for the
six months then ended, the changes in its net assets for the six months then
ended and for the year ended June 30, 1997, and the financial highlights for the
six months ended December 31, 1997 and for each of the five years in the period
ended June 30, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Boston, Massachusetts COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
February 24, 1998
29
<PAGE>
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Stockholder Meeting Results
================================================================================
A Special Meeting of Stockholders (the "Meeting") of The Korea Fund ("Fund") was
held on October 21, 1997, at the offices of Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
(formerly Scudder Stevens & Clark, Inc.), 25th Floor, 345 Park Avenue (at 51st
Street), New York, New York 10154. At the Meeting, as adjourned and reconvened,
the following matters were voted upon by the stockholders (the resulting votes
for each matter are presented below). With regard to these proposals, it was
recommended that the Meeting be reconvened in order to provide stockholders with
an additional opportunity to return their proxies. The date of the reconvened
meeting at which the matters were decided is noted after the proposed matter.
1(A). To approve the new Investment Management, Advisory and Administration
Agreement between the Fund and Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
(Approved on October 22, 1997.)
Number of Votes:
For Against Abstain Broker Non-Votes*
26,479,273 176,474 89,868 0
1(B). To approve the new Research and Advisory Agreement between the Fund's
investment manager and Daewoo Capital Management Co., Ltd. (Approved on
October 22, 1997.)
Number of Votes:
For Against Abstain Broker Non-Votes*
26,470,572 188,819 86,224 0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Broker non-votes are proxies received by the Fund from brokers or nominees
when the broker or nominee neither has received instructions from the
beneficial owner or other persons entitled to vote nor has discretionary
power to vote on a particular matter.
30
<PAGE>
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan
================================================================================
The Plan
The Fund's Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (the "Plan") offers
you an automatic way to reinvest your dividends and capital gains distributions
in shares of the Fund. The Plan also provides for cash investments in Fund
shares of $100 to $3,000 semiannually through State Street Bank and Trust
Company, the Plan Agent.
Automatic Participation
Each shareholder of record is automatically a participant in the Plan unless
the shareholder has instructed the Plan Agent in writing otherwise. Such a
notice must be received by the Plan Agent not less than 10 days prior to the
record date for a dividend or distribution in order to be effective with respect
to that dividend or distribution. A notice which is not received by that time
will be effective only with respect to subsequent dividends and distributions.
Shareholders who do not participate in the Plan will receive all
distributions in cash paid by check in dollars mailed directly to the
shareholder by State Street Bank and Trust Company, as dividend paying agent.
Shares Held by a Nominee
If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other
nominee as the shareholder of record, please consult your nominee (or any
successor nominee) to determine whether it is participating in the Plan on your
behalf. Many nominees are generally authorized to receive cash dividends unless
they are specifically instructed by a client to reinvest. If you would like your
nominee to participate in the Plan on your behalf, you should give your nominee
instructions to that effect as soon as possible.
Pricing of Dividends and Distributions
If the market price per share on the payment date for the dividend or
distribution (the "Valuation Date") equals or exceeds net asset value per share
on that date, the Fund will issue new shares to participants at the greater of
the following on the Valuation Date: (a) net asset value, or (b) 95% of the mean
market price. The Valuation Date will be the dividend or distribution payment
date or, if that date is not a New York Stock Exchange trading date, the next
preceding trading date. If the net asset value exceeds the market price of Fund
shares at such time, participants in the Plan are considered to have elected to
receive shares of stock from the Fund, valued at market price, on the Valuation
Date. In either case, for Federal income tax purposes, the shareholder receives
a distribution equal to the market value on Valuation Date of new shares issued.
State and local taxes may also apply. If the Fund should declare an income
dividend or net capital gains distribution payable only in cash, the Plan Agent
will, as agent for the participants, buy Fund shares in the open market, on the
New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants' account on, or
shortly after, the payment date.
Voluntary Cash Purchases
Participants in the Plan have the option of making additional cash payments
to the Plan Agent, semiannually, in any amount from $100 to $3,000, for
investment in the Fund's shares. The Plan Agent will use all such monies
received from participants to purchase Fund shares in the open market on or
about February 15 and August 15. Any voluntary cash payments received more than
30 days prior to these dates will be returned by the Plan Agent, and interest
will not be paid on any uninvested cash payments. To avoid unnecessary cash
accumulations, and also to allow ample time for receipt and processing by the
Plan Agent, it is suggested that participants send in voluntary cash payments to
be received by the Plan Agent approximately ten days before February 15, or
August 15, as the case may be. A participant may withdraw a voluntary cash
payment by written notice, if the notice is received by the Plan Agent not less
31
<PAGE>
than 48 hours before such payment is to be invested.
Participant Plan Accounts
The Plan Agent maintains all participant accounts in the Plan and furnishes
written confirmation of all transactions in the account, including information
needed by participants for personal and tax records. Shares in the account of
each plan participant will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form in
the name of the participant, and each participant will be able to vote those
shares purchased pursuant to the Plan at a shareholder meeting or by proxy.
No Service Fee to Reinvest
There is no service fee charged to participants for reinvesting dividends or
distributions from net realized capital gains. The Plan Agent's fees for the
handling of the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions will
be paid by the Fund. There will be no brokerage commissions with respect to
shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of dividends or capital gains
distributions payable either in stock or in cash. However, participants will pay
a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan
Agent's open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of any
dividends or capital gains distributions payable only in cash.
Costs for Cash Purchases
With respect to purchases of Fund shares from voluntary cash payments, the
Plan Agent will charge $0.75 for each such purchase for a participant. Each
participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with
respect to the Plan Agent's open market purchases of Fund shares in connection
with voluntary cash payments made by the participant.
Brokerage charges for purchasing small amounts of stock for individual
accounts through the Plan are expected to be less than the usual brokerage
charges for such transactions, because the Plan Agent will be purchasing stock
for all participants in blocks and pro-rating the lower commission thus
attainable.
Amendment or Termination
The Fund and the Plan Agent each reserve the right to terminate the Plan.
Notice of the termination will be sent to the participants of the Plan at least
30 days before the record date for a dividend or distribution. The Plan also may
be amended by the Fund or the Plan Agent, but (except when necessary or
appropriate to comply with applicable law, rules or policies of a regulatory
authority) only by giving at least 30 days' written notice to participants in
the Plan.
A participant may terminate his account under the Plan by written notice to
the Plan Agent. If the written notice is received 10 days before the record day
of any distribution, it will be effective immediately. If received after that
date, it will be effective as soon as possible after the reinvestment of the
dividend or distribution.
If a participant elects to sell his shares before the Plan is terminated, the
Plan Agent will deduct a $2.50 fee plus brokerage commissions from the sale
transaction.
Plan Agent Address and Telephone Number
You may obtain more detailed information by requesting a copy of the Plan
from the Plan Agent. All correspondence (including notifications) should be
directed to: The Korea Fund Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan, c/o
State Street Bank and Trust Company, P.O. Box 8200, Boston, MA 02266-8200,
1-800-426-5523.
32
<PAGE>
The Korea Fund, Inc.
Officers and Directors
================================================================================
JURIS PADEGS*
Chairman of the Board and Director
CHANG HEE KIM
Vice Chairman of the Board and Director
ROBERT J. CALLANDER
Director
WILLIAM H. GLEYSTEEN, JR.
Director
DR. SANG C. LEE
Director
TAI HO LEE
Director
WILSON NOLEN
Director
HUGH T. PATRICK
Director
ROBERT W. LEAR
Emeritus Founding Director
SIDNEY M. ROBBINS
Emeritus Founding Director
NICHOLAS BRATT*
President
BRUCE H. GOLDFARB*
Vice President and Assistant Secretary
JUDITH A. HANNAWAY*
Vice President
JERARD K. HARTMAN*
Vice President
KUN-HO HWANG
Vice President
YOUNG H. KIM
Vice President
JOHN J. LEE*
Vice President
DONG WOOK PARK
Vice President
THOMAS F. McDONOUGH*
Vice President, Secretary and Assistant Treasurer
EDWARD J. O'CONNELL*
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
KATHRYN L. QUIRK*
Vice President and Assistant Secretary
* Scudder Kemper Investments, Inc.
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34
