Hanwha’s KAI Stake Set to Rise Above 15%, Reviving Privatization Talk

Hanwha Group's combined stake in Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) rose to 11.21% as of June 30 — counting Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Aerospace USA — and is set to climb above 15%, reviving speculation that Hanwha is positioning for a potential privatization of Korea's largest aircraft manufacturer. Hanwha had overtaken the National Pension Service in June to become KAI's second-largest shareholder behind the Export-Import Bank of Korea (26.41%). Analysts interpret the steady accumulation as a move to preemptively secure shares and take an active role in KAI management, building toward an integrated air-land-sea defense ecosystem. The stake-building runs parallel to a newly formalized Hanwha–KAI business partnership.