S. Korean listed firms' debts surge 39 pct in 2008

SEOUL, April 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's listed firms saw their debts soar 39
percent in 2008 from a year earlier as they struggled to secure cash amid an
economic slump, the bourse operator said Monday.

The combined debts of 552 listed companies reached 188.36 trillion won (US$141.5
billion) as of the end of December, up 38.7 percent from the previous year, the
Korea Exchange (KRX) said in a statement.
The sharp increase came as listed companies expanded borrowing amid poor earnings
due to the global economic downturn.
Bonds accounted for 49.7 percent of their total liabilities with loans and other
debts taking up the remainder, KRX said.
pbr@yna.co.kr
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