Netmarble’s controlling shareholder has strengthened his grip. Netmarble said in a regulatory filing on Thursday that Netmarble and Coway chairman Bang Jun-hyuk (방준혁) has decided to buy 13.4 percent of Netmarble for 374 billion won from Tencent affiliate Han River Investment, which holds 18.1 percent of the company.

The deal was made as Tencent sought to sell part of its stake. Bang’s decision to acquire the shares directly is seen as aimed at pre-emptively preventing potential share price uncertainty if a large block were to be sold in the market.

Once the transaction is completed, Bang’s stake in Netmarble will rise to 38.34 percent from 24.93 percent. It also shows his intention to take responsibility for management by directly buying the stake with 374 billion won raised on his own.

Separately from the stake change, business cooperation between Netmarble and Tencent will be maintained. The two companies plan to continue cooperation based on their existing partnership, including in the global games business.

A Netmarble official said, "This stake acquisition is meaningful in that Chairman Bang Jun-hyuk directly raised funds worth 374 billion won to clearly demonstrate his commitment to responsible management as the founder and controlling shareholder, while pre-emptively easing market uncertainty stemming from a large stake change."