NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION,
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC
OF IRELAND OR SOUTH AFRICA
OR TO
U.S. PERSONS
Weiss Korea Opportunity Fund
Ltd.
(“WKOF” or the
“Company”)
(a closed-ended investment
scheme incorporated with limited
liability
under the laws of Guernsey with registration
number 56535)
LEI
Number: 213800GXKGJVWN3BF511
PROPOSED MANAGED WIND-DOWN
OF THE COMPANY
Weiss Korea Opportunity
Fund Ltd. announces that after extensive consultation with its
advisers and shareholders evaluating the future strategy of the
Company, and having received a number of proposals from third
parties, the Board has decided to put forward proposals for a
managed wind-down of the Company (the “Managed
Wind-Down”) for the reasons set out
below.
As previously announced,
the Company was notified by its investment manager, Weiss Asset
Management LP (the “Investment Manager”), that it
believes that the opportunity set and strategy for the fund
continuing in its current form is less attractive than it has been
in the past, including at the Company’s inception in 2013, and that
it does not think that circumstances are likely to improve in the
foreseeable future. As a result, the Board announced a
strategic review in November
2024.
The Board assessed a
number of proposals, regarding a change of investment mandate
and/or a potential combination of WKOF’s assets with another
suitable investment company or fund, as an alternative to a managed
wind-down. The Board confirms that the short-listed proposals
were thoroughly assessed and meetings were held with interested
parties in late January 2025, with
further detailed discussions continuing with one preferred party
through February 2025.
However, due to the
complexities associated with the short-listed proposals that came
to light in the detailed discussions, combined with differing views
received from shareholders, the Board reached the decision that a
managed wind-down was the fairest proposal and would be in the best
interests of shareholders as a
whole.
Shareholder approval of
the Managed Wind-Down will not result in an immediate liquidation
of the Company, rather an orderly realisation of the Company's
portfolio, with capital returned to shareholders once the Company's
underlying investments are realised by the Investment Manager in a
manner that seeks to maximise shareholder
value.
Accordingly, the Board
intends to publish a shareholder circular by the end of
March 2025 to convene a general
meeting, at which it will seek approval from shareholders for the
Managed Wind-Down and any related matters required to facilitate an
orderly realisation.
For the avoidance of doubt
the Company's listing on AIM will be maintained during the
realisation period. Shareholders should note, however, that,
if approved, the Managed Wind-Down will supersede the Company’s
2025 Realisation Opportunity.
The Board will continue to
keep shareholders informed of progress as and when
appropriate.
For further information,
please contact:
Singer Capital Markets
Limited
James Maxwell/ James
Fischer – Nominated Adviser
James Waterlow –
Sales |
+44 20 7496
3000 |
Northern Trust International Fund
Administration Services(Guernsey)
Limited
Company
secretary |
+44 1481
745001 |