Korea Zinc Wins Court Battle, Clearing Path for $7.55B Tennessee Refinery

A multi-billion dollar U.S. expansion is back on track. A Seoul court just handed Korea Zinc's chairman a crucial victory in a high-stakes corporate battle, dismissing an injunction that threatened to derail its $7.55 billion (11 trillion won) investment in a Tennessee critical metals refinery.

The Court's Green Light

According to Yonhap, the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday rejected a request from major shareholders Young Poong Corp. and MBK Partners to block Korea Zinc's planned capital increase. The zinc producer intends to fund the project by selling shares worth 2.85 trillion won to a joint venture it plans to create with the U.S. Department of War. The court's decision effectively removes a major obstacle for the landmark U.S. investment.

A Tale of Two Motives

The legal challenge highlights a deepening rift within the company's ownership. Young Poong and MBK Partners argued that the share issuance was primarily aimed at defending the management control of Chairman Choi Yun-beom. In contrast, Korea Zinc countered that the move was essential for stabilizing critical mineral supply chains and forging a strategic partnership with the U.S. government.