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Fundamental View
AS OF 27 Jun 2025KORGAS is Korea’s sole integrated gas utility company and a quasi-sovereign credit, maintaining an effective monopoly over E&P, procurement, storage and production, transmission, and wholesale distribution of natural gas.
Its credit profile is supported by its dominant position in the natural gas and hydrogen utility market, as well as strong government support, which partially offsets the credit impact of delayed and incomplete pass-through of gas procurement costs during periods of natural gas price surges, such as in FY22.
We expect its credit profile to improve in FY25, aided by stabilizing oil and LNG prices, improved tariff adjustments, and ongoing government backing, which should partially mitigate concerns related to its larger planned capex.
Business Description
AS OF 27 Jun 2025- KORGAS is 54.6% owned directly/indirectly by the Korean government (Central Government 26.2%, KEPCO 20.5%, Local Government 7.9%). It is Korea's only fully integrated gas utility, holding an effective monopoly over E&P, procurement, storage, transmission, and wholesale distribution of natural gas. KORGAS plays a key role in Korea’s energy transition, with plans to increase LNG generation capacity by 56% by 2036 from 2022. KORGAS was also designated as Korea’s sole hydrogen distribution agency in 2020.
- The Korean natural gas sector is split into wholesale and retail segments. KORGAS is the exclusive wholesaler, while city gas companies manage retail supply via regional networks. In FY24, 46% of KORGAS's gas sales were to domestic LNG-fired power generation companies (gencos, including KEPCO subsidiaries and IPPs), with the remaining 54% sold to city gas and heating companies.
- KORGAS's operations are heavily regulated, with government oversight on tariffs, investments, and expansion. Besides domestic LNG, KORGAS owns overseas E&P assets to enhance energy security. In line with government policy, KORGAS is investing in hydrogen infrastructure and renewables, using its gas network and expertise to support Korea’s clean energy transition.
Risk & Catalysts
AS OF 27 Jun 2025Risks: (1) delayed tariff adjustments; (2) larger-than-expected debt-funded capex; (3) domestic regulatory and policy risks; (4) overseas E&P volatility, including political, operational and market risks; (5) depreciation of the KRW against the USD; (6) liquidity shortfalls; (7) asset impairment risks due to decline in global oil and gas prices.
Catalysts: (1) stronger-than-expected government support; (2) tariff increases; (3) stabilizing fuel prices; (4) hydrogen and green energy initiatives; (5) regulated city gas operations with a formula-based cost pass-through system.
Key Metric
AS OF 27 Jun 2025| KRW bn | FY20 | FY21 | FY22 | FY23 | FY24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt to Book Cap | 75.7% | 75.8% | 81.3% | 80.7% | 79.0% |
| Net Debt to Book Cap | 74.6% | 74.2% | 79.8% | 79.1% | 77.2% |
| Debt/Equity | 312.4% | 313.3% | 434.4% | 418.0% | 377.0% |
| Gross Leverage | 9.4x | 9.1x | 9.9x | 11.6x | 8.0x |
| Net Leverage | 9.3x | 8.9x | 9.7x | 11.4x | 7.8x |
| Interest Coverage | 3.4x | 4.8x | 5.1x | 2.2x | 3.4x |
| EBITDA Margin | 12.3% | 11.4% | 8.8% | 8.0% | 13.3% |
CreditSight View Comment
AS OF 02 Jul 2025We maintain our O/P recommendation on KORGAS. Its credit profile is supported by its essential policy role as South Korea’s only vertically integrated natural gas utility and a key energy supplier, which results in strong government backing, a dominant market position, and excellent funding access—offsetting its high leverage. We anticipate its credit profile will strengthen in FY25, driven by stable oil and LNG prices, improved tariff adjustments, and continued government support, which should help address concerns over higher planned capex. We find KORGAS attractive relative to lower-rated Chinese SOEs, BBB-rated low beta Korean corporates, and other Korean quasi-sovereigns. We recommend KORGAS to investors seeking ~5% safe carry in the Asia credit space.
Recommendation Reviewed: July 02, 2025
Recommendation Changed: June 27, 2023
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