Article 28-2
|
(Share Buyback) In any of the following situations, a company whose stocks are either listed on a stock exchange or traded on the over-the-counter market may, upon the approval of a majority of the directors present at a directors meeting attended by two-thirds or more of directors, buy back its shares from the centralized securities exchange market or over-the-counter market or in accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 43-1, without being subject to the provisions of paragraph 1 of Article 167 of the Company Act: 1. Where the buyback is for transferring shares to its employees; 2. Where the buyback is for equity conversion in coordination with the issuance of corporate bonds with warrants, preferred shares with warrants, convertible corporate bonds, convertible preferred shares, or share subscription warrants; or 3. Where the buyback is required to maintain the company's credit and shareholders' rights and interests, and the shares so purchased are cancelled. The number of shares bought back under the preceding paragraphs may not exceed 10 percent of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of the company. The total amount of the shares bought back may not exceed the amount of retained earnings plus premium on capital stock plus realized capital reserve. Regulations regarding the procedure, price, quantity, method, conversion method, and public announcement to be reported in connection with buyback of shares by a company in accordance with paragraph 1 above shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority The shares bought back by a company in accordance with paragraph 1, except for the portion referred to in subparagraph 3 for which amendment registration shall be effected within six months from the date of buyback, shall be transferred within five years from the date of buyback. The shares not transferred within the said time limit shall be deemed as not issued by the company, and amendment registration shall be processed. The shares bought back by a company in accordance with paragraph 1 shall not be pledged. Before transfer, the shareholder's rights shall not be enjoyed. In the event that a company buys back shares from the centralized securities exchange market or over-the-counter market, the shares held by its affiliated enterprises defined under Article 369-1 of the Company Act or its directors, supervisors, managerial officers, or shareholders holding more than 10 percent of the company’s total shares, shall not be sold during the buyback period. The resolution referred to in paragraph 1 and the implementation thereof shall be reported in the most recent shareholders meeting. This provision shall also apply if the shares are not bought back for any reason. The shares held by persons prohibited from selling their shares as set out in paragraph 6 shall include shares held by their spouses and minor children and those held under the names of other parties.
|