Discussing complex business situations like management rights disputes requires specific vocabulary. This guide introduces the key Korean term “경영권분쟁” (gyeong-yeong-gwon bun-jaeng) and related expressions frequently used in Korean business contexts, helping you understand and discuss corporate power struggles.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- Expression: 경영권분쟁
Pronunciation: gyeong-yeong-gwon bun-jaeng
Meaning: Management rights dispute (A conflict over control of a company’s management)
Key Terminology
Understanding the components of such disputes is crucial. Here are some essential terms:
- Expression: 주주
Pronunciation: ju-ju
Meaning: Shareholder - Expression: 이사회
Pronunciation: i-sa-hoe
Meaning: Board of Directors - Expression: 대주주
Pronunciation: dae-ju-ju
Meaning: Major shareholder - Expression: 소액주주
Pronunciation: so-aek-ju-ju
Meaning: Minority shareholder - Expression: 적대적 인수합병 (M&A)
Pronunciation: jeok-dae-jeok in-su-hap-byeong (em-ae-en-ei)
Meaning: Hostile takeover (M&A) - Expression: 위임장 대결
Pronunciation: wi-im-jang dae-gyeol
Meaning: Proxy fight - Expression: 경영진
Pronunciation: gyeong-yeong-jin
Meaning: Management team / Executives - Expression: 지분 경쟁
Pronunciation: ji-bun gyeong-jaeng
Meaning: Equity competition / Shareholding competition - Expression: 임시 주주총회
Pronunciation: im-si ju-ju-chong-hoe
Meaning: Extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (EGM) - Expression: 의결권
Pronunciation: ui-gyeol-gwon
Meaning: Voting rights - Expression: 가처분 신청
Pronunciation: ga-cheo-bun sin-cheong
Meaning: Application for provisional disposition / Injunction request - Expression: 소송
Pronunciation: so-song
Meaning: Lawsuit / Litigation
Discussing the Dispute
These phrases help articulate the nature and status of a management rights dispute:
- Expression: 경영권분쟁이 발생했습니다.
Pronunciation: gyeong-yeong-gwon bun-jaeng-i bal-saeng-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A management rights dispute has occurred. - Expression: 두 세력 간의 경영권 다툼이 치열합니다.
Pronunciation: du se-ryeok gan-ui gyeong-yeong-gwon da-tum-i chi-yeol-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: The management rights struggle between the two factions is fierce. - Expression: 현재 경영권 분쟁 중입니다.
Pronunciation: hyeon-jae gyeong-yeong-gwon bun-jaeng jung-im-ni-da.
Meaning: They are currently in the midst of a management rights dispute. - Expression: 누가 회사를 장악할지 지켜봐야 합니다.
Pronunciation: nu-ga hoe-sa-reul jang-ak-hal-ji ji-kyeo-bwa-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to see who will take control of the company. - Expression: 적대적 M&A 시도가 있었습니다.
Pronunciation: jeok-dae-jeok em-ae-en-ei si-do-ga it-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: There was a hostile M&A attempt. - Expression: 주주들 사이에서 의견이 갈리고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ju-ju-deul sa-i-e-seo ui-gyeon-i gal-li-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Opinions are divided among the shareholders. - Expression: 경영진 교체를 요구하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gyeong-yeong-jin gyo-che-reul yo-gu-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: They are demanding a change in management. - Expression: 지분 확보 경쟁이 벌어지고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ji-bun hwak-bo gyeong-jaeng-i beo-reo-ji-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A competition to secure shares is taking place. - Expression: 회사의 미래가 불투명합니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-sa-ui mi-rae-ga bul-tu-myeong-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: The future of the company is uncertain. - Expression: 경영권 방어를 위해 노력하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gyeong-yeong-gwon bang-eo-reul wi-hae no-ryeok-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: They are striving to defend their management rights. - Expression: 양측이 팽팽하게 맞서고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: yang-cheuk-i paeng-paeng-ha-ge mat-seo-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Both sides are confronting each other tensely. - Expression: 분쟁의 결과가 주목됩니다.
Pronunciation: bun-jaeng-ui gyeol-gwa-ga ju-mok-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: The outcome of the dispute is drawing attention.
Legal and Procedural Actions
Disputes often involve formal actions and legal steps:
- Expression: 법원에 소송을 제기했습니다.
Pronunciation: beob-won-e so-song-eul je-gi-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: They filed a lawsuit with the court. - Expression: 임시 주주총회 소집을 요구했습니다.
Pronunciation: im-si ju-ju-chong-hoe so-jib-eul yo-gu-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: They requested the convocation of an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders. - Expression: 의결권 행사 금지 가처분을 신청했습니다.
Pronunciation: ui-gyeol-gwon haeng-sa geum-ji ga-cheo-bun-eul sin-cheong-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: They applied for an injunction to prohibit the exercise of voting rights. - Expression: 이사 해임 안건을 상정할 예정입니다.
Pronunciation: i-sa hae-im an-geon-eul sang-jeong-hal ye-jeong-im-ni-da.
Meaning: They plan to propose an agenda item for the dismissal of a director. - Expression: 위임장 확보 경쟁이 시작되었습니다.
Pronunciation: wi-im-jang hwak-bo gyeong-jaeng-i si-jak-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The competition to secure proxies has begun. - Expression: 법적 대응을 준비하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: beop-jeok dae-eung-eul jun-bi-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: They are preparing a legal response. - Expression: 주주총회에서 표 대결이 예상됩니다.
Pronunciation: ju-ju-chong-hoe-e-seo pyo dae-gyeol-i ye-sang-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: A vote showdown is expected at the shareholders’ meeting. - Expression: 법원의 판단을 기다리고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: beob-won-ui pan-dan-eul gi-da-ri-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: They are waiting for the court’s decision. - Expression: 양측 변호인단이 치열하게 다투고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: yang-cheuk byeon-ho-in-dan-i chi-yeol-ha-ge da-tu-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The legal teams from both sides are fiercely arguing. - Expression: 합의점을 찾기 위해 협상 중입니다.
Pronunciation: hap-ui-jeom-eul chat-gi wi-hae hyeop-sang jung-im-ni-da.
Meaning: They are negotiating to find a point of agreement. - Expression: 분쟁 해결까지 시간이 걸릴 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: bun-jaeng hae-gyeol-kka-ji si-gan-i geol-lil geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It seems like it will take time to resolve the dispute. - Expression: 감사 선임 문제로 갈등이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa seon-im mun-je-ro gal-deung-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: There is conflict over the issue of appointing an auditor.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding management disputes in Korea involves recognizing certain cultural and structural elements:
- Chaebol Influence: Many large Korean companies are part of chaebol (재벌 – jae-beol), large family-controlled conglomerates. Disputes often involve succession issues or conflicts between family members or factions within the controlling family.
- Shareholder Activism: While traditionally less common, shareholder activism by minority shareholders and institutional investors is increasing, leading to more frequent challenges to existing management.
- Public Perception: Public opinion and media coverage can significantly influence the dynamics of a management dispute, especially for well-known companies. Reputational damage is a major concern.
- Role of the Board: The composition and independence of the Board of Directors are often central points of contention in these disputes.
- Government and Regulatory Scrutiny: High-profile disputes can attract attention from government bodies and financial regulators, adding another layer of complexity.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two colleagues are discussing recent news about a well-known company facing internal conflict.
Roles:
* A: Min-jun (민준)
* B: Ji-hye (지혜)
- Expression: A: 지혜 씨, 뉴스 봤어요? ABC 회사가 지금 경영권분쟁 때문에 시끄럽네요.
Pronunciation: ji-hye ssi, nyu-seu bwat-seo-yo? ei-bi-ssi hoe-sa-ga ji-geum gyeong-yeong-gwon bun-jaeng ttae-mun-e si-kkeu-reom-ne-yo.
Meaning: Ji-hye, did you see the news? ABC Company is noisy right now because of a management rights dispute. - Expression: B: 네, 봤어요. 대주주랑 현 경영진 사이에 갈등이 심각한 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ne, bwat-seo-yo. dae-ju-ju-rang hyeon gyeong-yeong-jin sa-i-e gal-deung-i sim-gak-han geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I saw it. It seems the conflict between the major shareholder and the current management team is serious. - Expression: A: 기사를 보니까 적대적 M&A 시도 이야기도 있더라고요.
Pronunciation: gi-sa-reul bo-ni-kka jeok-dae-jeok em-ae-en-ei si-do i-ya-gi-do it-deo-ra-go-yo.
Meaning: Looking at the article, there was also talk of a hostile M&A attempt. - Expression: B: 맞아요. 곧 임시 주주총회를 연다고 하던데, 위임장 대결이 치열할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ma-ja-yo. got im-si ju-ju-chong-hoe-reul yeon-da-go ha-deon-de, wi-im-jang dae-gyeol-i chi-yeol-hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: That’s right. They say they’re holding an EGM soon, so the proxy fight will likely be intense. - Expression: A: 소액주주들은 누구 편을 들까요? 회사 미래가 어떻게 될지 걱정이네요.
Pronunciation: so-aek-ju-ju-deu-reun nu-gu pyeon-eul deul-kka-yo? hoe-sa mi-rae-ga eo-tteo-ke doel-ji geok-jeong-i-ne-yo.
Meaning: Whose side will the minority shareholders take? I’m worried about how the company’s future will turn out. - Expression: B: 그러게요. 법적 소송까지 갈 수도 있다고 하니, 분쟁이 길어질 수도 있겠어요.
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ge-yo. beop-jeok so-song-kka-ji gal su-do it-da-go ha-ni, bun-jaeng-i gil-eo-jil su-do it-get-seo-yo.
Meaning: I know. They say it might even go to a lawsuit, so the dispute could drag on.
Practice Tips
Mastering terms related to 경영권분쟁 takes practice! Try following Korean business news outlets (like 매일경제 – mae-il gyeong-je or 한국경제 – han-guk gyeong-je) online~ Pay attention to headlines about corporate governance or shareholder meetings. Discussing hypothetical or real case studies with language partners can also be very helpful! Good luck with your studies!
