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Netmarble Chairman Bang Jun-hyuk Acquires 13.4% Stake from Tencent
Technology Services · Internet Software/Services · yonhap_finance · 2026-08-21
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Netmarble Chairman Bang Jun-hyuk has purchased a 13.4% stake from Tencent to strengthen his control and mitigate market uncertainty regarding share overhang.
What Happened
Stake Acquisition: Netmarble Chairman Bang Jun-hyuk has agreed to acquire a 13.4% stake in the company from Han River Investment, a Tencent affiliate, for approximately 374 billion KRW. This transaction increases Bang's total ownership in Netmarble from 24.93% to 38.34%.
Mitigating Uncertainty: The company stated that the move is intended to proactively address potential market volatility caused by a large-scale sell-off of Tencent's holdings. By personally financing the purchase, Chairman Bang aims to demonstrate his commitment to responsible management.
Partnership Continuity: Despite the shift in shareholding structure, Netmarble emphasized that its strategic partnership with Tencent remains intact. Both companies intend to continue collaborating on global gaming initiatives and other business ventures.
Strategic Rationale: The acquisition is viewed as a strategic step to stabilize the company's governance and reassure investors. Netmarble continues to focus on long-term growth and maintaining its strong operational ties with its Chinese partner.