South Korean law firms Shin & Kim and Yulchon have advised on Hanwha Life Insurance’s KRW440 billion (USD322 million) acquisition of a controlling stake in consumer finance company Acuon Capital from EQT.
“This transaction represents a win-win deal that meets both EQT’s exit objectives and Hanwha Group’s financial market expansion strategy,” Hae Sung Jeong, lead partner at Shin & Kim who advised EQT, told Asia Business Law Journal.
Hanwha Life approved the acquisition during a board meeting on 30 September 2026. The transaction is structured as a joint investment with Centroid Investment Partners. On completion, Hanwha Life will acquire a 50.54% stake in Acuon Capital, while Centroid will hold a 45.52% stake.
“Our work has covered deal structuring, sell-side due diligence and contract negotiations, and we will continue to advise on the transaction through to closing,” said Jeong.
As a result of the acquisition, Hanwha Life will also gain control of Acuon Savings Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Acuon Capital. Jeong worked on the deal with partner Gunwoo Sung and senior foreign attorney Stephanie Kim.
Yulchon advised Hanwha Life, with the team comprising partners Choon Jae Wee and Ji Hye Ryu, as well as foreign attorneys Min Suk Choi and Kyu Jin Jung.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval from financial authorities.
