Mastering Korean M&A: Requesting Due Diligence Data Like a Pro
Hello! Welcome to [Maeil Hangeul], your go-to source for upgrading your Korean skills to the executive level!
Today, we’re stepping into the high-stakes world of corporate boardrooms. Imagine you’re leading a major deal, and you need to scrutinize a company’s financials before an acquisition. How do you make your requests with the precision, formality, and authority required? Lately, the Korean business landscape has been incredibly dynamic, with cross-border M&A deals becoming more common. This means that mastering the specific language of financial due diligence is no longer just a niche skill—it’s a crucial tool for any global professional. Let’s learn how to talk the talk!
Core Expressions for Your M&A Toolkit
Here are three essential expressions that will make you sound like a seasoned professional during any due diligence process.
1. 실사 자료를 요청드립니다 (Silsa jaryoreul yocheongdeurimnida)
- Romanization: Silsa jaryoreul yocheongdeurimnida
- English Meaning: I would like to formally request the due diligence materials.
- Detailed Explanation: This is the foundational phrase for kicking off the due diligence process. Let’s break it down:
- 실사 (實査, Silsa): This is the technical term for “due diligence,” literally meaning “actual investigation.”
- 자료 (Jaryo): This means “materials” or “data.”
- 요청드립니다 (Yocheongdeurimnida): This is a very polite and formal way to say “I request.” It combines “request” (요청) with the humble verb 드리다 (deurida), which elevates the formality far beyond the standard 요청합니다 (yocheonghamnida). This is the standard for formal written and verbal business communication.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- Notice the word 자료를 (jaryoreul). The consonant ‘ㄹ (l/r)’ at the end of 자료 carries over to the next syllable, creating a smooth, linked sound: [jaryoreul], not [jaryo-eul]. This is a key liaison (연음, yeoneum) rule that makes your Korean sound fluid and natural.
2. 추가적인 소명을 부탁드립니다 (Chugajeogin somyeongeul butakdeurimnida)
- Romanization: Chugajeogin somyeongeul butakdeurimnida
- English Meaning: We request additional clarification/explanation.
- Detailed Explanation: You use this phrase when the data you’ve received is unclear, incomplete, or raises red flags.
- 추가적인 (Chugajeogin): “Additional.”
- 소명 (疏明, Somyeong): This is a powerful, formal word that means more than a simple “explanation” (설명, seolmyeong). It implies a need to clarify ambiguity or justify a position, often with supporting evidence. It’s frequently used in legal and financial contexts.
- 부탁드립니다 (Butakdeurimnida): A polite way of saying “we ask for” or “we request.”
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- The particle ‘의’ (ui) in 추가적인 (chugajeogin) can be tricky. While its standard pronunciation is [ɰi], when used as a possessive particle or in a compound word like this, it is often simplified to [에 (e)]. Therefore, you’ll sound more natural pronouncing it as [추가저긴 (chugajeogin)].
3. 해당 항목에 대한 명확한 근거 자료를 제시해 주시기 바랍니다 (Haedang hangmoge daehan myeonghwakhan geungeo jaryoreul jesihae jusigi baramnida)
- Romanization: Haedang hangmoge daehan myeonghwakhan geungeo jaryoreul jesihae jusigi baramnida.
- English Meaning: Please present clear evidentiary materials for the item in question.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a firm, direct, and highly formal request. It escalates the level of inquiry, signaling that a simple explanation will not suffice.
- 해당 항목 (Haedang hangmok): “The relevant item” or “the item in question.”
- 명확한 근거 자료 (Myeonghwakhan geungeo jaryo): “Clear supporting data” or “unambiguous evidentiary materials.”
- 제시해 주시기 바랍니다 (Jesihae jusigi baramnida): A very formal way to say “Please present/submit.” This structure (-아/어 주시기 바랍니다) is common in official documents and requests, carrying a strong tone of expectation.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- Let’s look at 바랍니다 (baramnida). In Korean, a stop consonant like ‘ㅂ (b)’ often changes its sound when it meets a nasal consonant like ‘ㄴ (n)’. This phenomenon is called nasal assimilation. The ‘ㅂ (b)’ sound transforms into an ‘ㅁ (m)’ sound to make pronunciation smoother. So, instead of [barabnida], the correct and natural pronunciation is [바람니다 (baramnida)].
Example Dialogue: In the Virtual Data Room
Here’s how these expressions might play out in a conversation between the acquiring company (A) and the target company (B).
- A: We have completed our initial review of the provided financials. We would now like to formally request the full due diligence materials for the last three fiscal years.
- (재무제표 초기 검토를 마쳤습니다. 이제 지난 3개 회계연도에 대한 실사 자료를 요청드립니다.)
- B: Of course. We will grant you access to the virtual data room by the end of the day.
- (네, 알겠습니다. 금일 중으로 가상 데이터룸(VDR) 접근 권한을 부여해 드리겠습니다.)
- A (A day later): Thank you. While reviewing the documents, we identified some discrepancies in the contingent liabilities section. We request additional clarification on this matter.
- (감사합니다. 자료 검토 중 우발 부채 항목에서 일부 불일치하는 부분을 확인했습니다. 이 점에 대해 추가적인 소명을 부탁드립니다.)
- B: I understand. We will prepare a supplementary report immediately.
- (알겠습니다. 즉시 보충 설명 자료를 준비하도록 하겠습니다.)
- A: To be precise, please present clear evidentiary materials for the item in question, specifically regarding the ongoing litigation mentioned in the footnotes.
- (정확히는, 주석에 언급된 현재 진행 중인 소송과 관련하여, 해당 항목에 대한 명확한 근거 자료를 제시해 주시기 바랍니다.)
Culture Tip & Trend Analysis
In Korean corporate culture, communication is an art of balancing politeness with firmness. The expressions we learned today are perfect examples. Using formal endings like -드립니다 (deurimnida) and -시기 바랍니다 (-sigi baramnida) maintains a respectful tone, which is crucial.
However, the choice of words like 소명 (somyeong) or 근거 자료 (geungeo jaryo) sends a clear, unambiguous message. This isn’t just a casual question; it’s a formal inquiry that requires a documented, defensible response. In the fast-paced world of Korean M&A, where major conglomerates like Samsung or SK are constantly involved in complex deals, this level of linguistic precision is not just preferred—it’s demanded. Using this language shows that you understand the cultural nuances of Korean business and are operating at the same professional level.
Wrap-up & Practice
Today, we’ve added three powerful, high-level expressions to your Korean business vocabulary. You now know how to initiate due diligence, ask for clarification, and demand concrete evidence with professional poise.
Now, let’s put it to the test!
- Fill in the blank: You’ve found a potential risk in the target company’s inventory valuation. To ask for a detailed explanation, you would write: “재고 자산 평가의 잠재적 리스크에 대해 ___________.”
- Sentence Building: You need to formally request the “minutes from the latest board of directors meeting” (최근 이사회 회의록). How would you phrase this request?
Share your answers in the comments below! We’d love to see you put these expressions into practice.
