韩国进出口银行选定AT Kearney做航天航空竞争力咨询，市场重燃其出售KAI股权给韩华的猜测

The Export-Import Bank of Korea has selected AT Kearney as the preferred bidder for a consulting project that will map out ways to strengthen the competitiveness of the country's space and aviation industry. Observers say the findings could pave the way for the state lender to sell its stake in Korea Aerospace Industries, where it is the largest shareholder.
Korea Eximbank is carrying out follow-up procedures with AT Kearney on the "consulting project to strengthen the competitiveness of the space and aviation industry," which it tendered in August, financial industry sources said on the 26th. The final contract is expected to be signed as early as this week.
The study must be completed within three months of the contract date, with a budget of 1.8 billion won ($1.3 million). According to the request for proposals, the core tasks are to analyze major domestic space and aviation companies individually and to draw up plans for nurturing a global anchor company.
Industry officials expect the project to feed into discussions on restructuring the sector. One scenario under discussion is privatization, in which Korea Eximbank would sell its KAI stake to Hanwha. If the consulting work wraps up early next year, a full-scale sale process could begin in the first half or, at the latest, in the second half, according to projections circulating in the market.
Korea Eximbank is KAI's largest shareholder with a 26.41% stake as of the 23rd. Hanwha Group became the second-largest shareholder in August after raising its holding to 15.89%. Hanwha Aerospace (012450) holds 9.90%, while Hanwha Systems (272210) and Hanwha Aerospace USA hold 4.98% and 1.01%, respectively. Hanwha had changed the stated purpose of its holding from simple investment to management participation in May.
Hanwha has also bolstered its strategic staff in the space and aviation business. Kim Sun, head of Hanwha Aerospace's aviation business division, who was recruited last year as head of the space team at the group's strategy office, previously worked at AT Kearney, Boston Consulting Group and STIC Investments. He currently serves concurrently as head of space business at both Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems.