Hanmi Group heir sells 2.5% stake, fueling control battle speculation

Lim Jong-hoon, the second son of the late Hanmi Pharmaceutical Group founder Lim Sung-ki, has sold a 2.5% stake in Hanmi Science, the group's holding company. The transaction, valued at approximately 82.07 billion Korean won (about $62 million USD), involves the sale of 1.71 million shares at 48,000 won each.

The shares were sold off-market on March 29 to Now IB No. 22 Fund, according to a filing with the Financial Supervisory Service. This move comes amid ongoing speculation about the future control of the pharmaceutical giant.

Analysts are closely watching the situation, as Lim's stake sale could signal a realignment of power within the group. Attention is focused on the potential dynamics between Shin Dong-guk, a major shareholder, and the founder's daughters, who are also key figures in the company's leadership. The implications of this sale for the group's governance and strategic direction remain a key point of interest.