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Woori Financial (WF) confirms high-dividend status and outlines non-taxable payouts

Filing Impact
(Neutral)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
6-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Woori Financial Group Inc. has determined that it qualifies as a “high dividend company” under Article 104-27 of Korea’s Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation, aligning with its 2026 Corporate Value Enhancement Plan. For 2025, the dividend payout ratio was 32.0%, with dividends totaling KRW 998,467,866,200, up from KRW 891,045,067,200 in 2024, a 12.1% dividend growth rate.

The company explains that this determination relies on guidance from the Korea Exchange and the Ministry of Finance and Economy and could change if authorities revise their interpretation. It also notes that, starting with its 2025 year-end dividends, it is paying non-taxable dividends sourced from capital reserves, which are not treated as dividend income for most shareholders under Korean income and corporate tax law. Large Korean resident shareholders may face limits based on the book value of their shares.

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Insights

Woori secures high-dividend status with growing, partly non-taxable payouts.

Woori Financial Group confirms it meets Korea’s “high dividend company” criteria, supported by a KRW 998,467,866,200 dividend for 2025 and a 32.0% payout ratio. The 12.1% dividend increase from 2024 signals a deliberate focus on shareholder returns within its 2026 Corporate Value Enhancement Plan.

The company also highlights that part of its dividends are “non-taxable” under Article 461-2 of the Commercial Act, because they are sourced from capital reserves and transferred to retained earnings. This treatment applies generally, while certain large Korean resident shareholders face limits tied to the book value of their holdings.

The tax position is based on existing Korea Exchange guidelines and a Ministry of Finance and Economy response. If interpretations change, Woori plans to update the market through later disclosures, so subsequent communications will clarify any impact on dividend taxation and perceived attractiveness for income-focused holders.

 
 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of March 2026

Commission File Number: 001-31811

 

 

Woori Financial Group Inc.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

51, Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04632, Korea

(Address of principal executive office)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F ☒   Form 40-F ☐

 

 
 


Determination of Eligibility as a “High Dividend Company”

On March 23, 2026, Woori Financial Group Inc. (the “Company”) disclosed that it has determined that it met the requirements to be eligible as a “high dividend company” under Article 104-27 of the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation, in furtherance of its 2026 Corporate Value Enhancement Plan as disclosed on its website (www.woorifg.com) on February 6, 2026.

Key Details

 

   
Eligibility as a “high dividend company” under Article 104-27 of the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation   Eligible
 

 

Dividend payout ratio for the immediately preceding business year (2025) (%)

  32.0
 

 

Amount of dividends for the immediately preceding business year (2025) (KRW)

  998,467,866,200
 

 

Amount of dividends for the business year prior to the immediately preceding business year (2024) (KRW)

 

891,045,067,200

 

 

 

Dividend growth rate from 2024 to 2025 (%)

  12.1
   
Other important details to be considered for investment decisions  

- The Company has determined whether its dividends (which are sourced from the reduction of capital reserves and subsequently transferred to retained earnings, pursuant to Article 461-2 of the Commercial Act) are subject to the application of Article 104-27 of the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation. Such determination is based on the ‘Corporate Value-up Plan Guideline FAQ’ issued by the Korea Exchange and the ‘Response from the Ministry of Finance and Economy to the Korea Listed Companies Association.’ Should relevant government authorities or related institutions provide a different interpretation in the future, the Company will communicate such changes through subsequent disclosures.

 

- Separately from its eligibility as a “high dividend company,” the Company initiated non-taxable dividends pursuant to Article 461-2 of the Commercial Act since its year-end dividends for the 2025 fiscal year. As such, such dividend payments are not considered to be dividend income under the Income Tax Act and Corporate Tax Act, and are thus not taxable income. However, pursuant to the relevant regulations, in the case of Korean residents who qualify as certain large shareholders, such dividends are excluded from dividend income only up to the limit of the book value of the shares held by such resident.

 

LOGO

The determination that the Company qualifies as a “high dividend company” under Article 104-27 of the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation is based on the Company’s internal assessment.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

   

Woori Financial Group Inc.

    (Registrant)
Date: March 23, 2026    

By: /s/ Seong Min Kwak

    (Signature)
    Name:   Seong Min Kwak
    Title:   Deputy President

FAQ

What did Woori Financial Group (WF) announce about its high dividend company status?

Woori Financial Group announced it has determined it qualifies as a “high dividend company” under Article 104-27 of Korea’s tax law, supporting its 2026 Corporate Value Enhancement Plan and formalizing its position as a bank emphasizing meaningful cash returns to shareholders through dividends.

What were Woori Financial Group (WF)’s 2025 dividend amounts and payout ratio?

For the 2025 business year, Woori Financial Group paid dividends totaling KRW 998,467,866,200 with a dividend payout ratio of 32.0%. This reflects substantial cash distributions relative to earnings and underpins the company’s qualification as a “high dividend company” under Korean tax regulations.

How did Woori Financial Group (WF)’s dividends change from 2024 to 2025?

Woori Financial Group’s dividends increased from KRW 891,045,067,200 for 2024 to KRW 998,467,866,200 for 2025, representing a 12.1% dividend growth rate. This rising dividend trend supports its high dividend company eligibility and fits within its 2026 Corporate Value Enhancement Plan objectives.

How are Woori Financial Group (WF)’s recent dividends treated for Korean tax purposes?

Woori Financial Group states that, starting with its 2025 year-end dividends, it pays non-taxable dividends sourced from capital reserves under Article 461-2 of the Commercial Act. These payments are generally not treated as dividend income under the Income Tax Act and Corporate Tax Act in Korea.

Are all Woori Financial Group (WF) shareholders treated the same for these non-taxable dividends?

No. While the company describes these dividends as non-taxable for income and corporate tax purposes, Korean residents who are certain large shareholders face a limit. For them, exclusion from dividend income applies only up to the book value of the shares they hold under relevant regulations.

On what basis did Woori Financial Group (WF) assess its high dividend eligibility and tax treatment?

Woori Financial Group based its assessment on the Korea Exchange’s “Corporate Value-up Plan Guideline FAQ” and a response from the Ministry of Finance and Economy to the Korea Listed Companies Association. It notes future reinterpretations by authorities could change this assessment and would be communicated later.
Woori Financial Group

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