| Assessment date |
Rating agency |
Rating |
| February 2009 |
Korea Ratings (KR) |
AA- |
| April 2008 |
Korea Ratings (KR) |
AA- |
| April 2007 |
Korea Ratings (KR) |
AA- |
Definition of Commercial Corporate Bond Rating
Corporate bonds are rated according to ten credit grades, ranging from AAA to D, depending on the ability to repay the principle. AAA through BBB are investment grade and the capability to repay the principle is recognized. BB through C are speculation grade, meaning changes in the business environment will affect repayment capability.
| Rating |
Definition |
| AAA |
The ability to pay the principle is the highest possible. |
| AA |
The possibility of principle repayment is excellent but slightly lower than AAA. |
| A |
The possibility of principle repayment is very good, but repayment capability can easily be affected should economic conditions worsen. |
| BBB |
The possibility of principle repayment is good, but the capability is more susceptible to a worsening economic situation than the above grades. |
| BB |
The ability to repay the principle faces no immediate problems, but speculative in its future stability. |
| B |
The ability of principle repayment is poor and speculative. |
| CCC |
This grade is very speculative, as principle payment could be hampered by existing factors and a major risk of default exists. |
| CC |
The destabilizing factors are even worse than those for higher grades. |
| C |
A high probability of default exists and there is no ability to pay the principle. |
| D |
Repayment is impossible. |
The above grades AA through B can be qualified with either a plus (+) or a minus (-) to indicate a finer distinction
