KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORP | CIK:0000887225 |

ifrs-full:DisclosureOfSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesExplanatory

Except as described in note 2.(5), the Company applied the following significant accounting policies consistently for all periods presented. 

The consolidated financial statements are the financial statements of a group in which the assets, liabilities, equity, income, expenses and cash flows of the parent and its subsidiaries are presented as those of a single economic entity. Subsidiaries are controlled by the Company. The Company controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity.

Income and expense of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income from the effective date of acquisition and up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate. Total comprehensive income of subsidiaries is attributed to the owners of the Company and to the non-controlling interests even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.

When necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies into line with those of the Company.

Transactions within the Company are eliminated during the consolidation.

Changes in the Company’s ownership interests in a subsidiary that do not result in the Company losing control over the subsidiary are accounted for as equity transactions. The carrying amounts of the Company’s interests and the non-controlling interests are adjusted to reflect the changes in their relative interests in the subsidiary. Any difference between the amount by which the non-controlling interests are adjusted and the fair value of the consideration paid or received is recognized directly in equity and attributed to owners of the Company.

When the Company loses control of a subsidiary, the income or loss on disposal is calculated as the difference between (i) the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration received and the fair value of any retained interest and (ii) the previous carrying amount of the assets (including goodwill), and liabilities of the subsidiary and any non-controlling interests. When assets of the subsidiary are carried at revalued amounts or fair values and the related cumulative gain or loss has been recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity, the amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity are accounted for as if the Company had directly disposed of the relevant assets (i.e. reclassified to income or loss or transferred directly to retained earnings). The fair value of any investment retained in the former subsidiary at the date when control is lost is recognized as the fair value on initial recognition for subsequent accounting under IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments’: Recognition and Measurement or, when applicable, the cost on initial recognition of an investment in an associate or a jointly controlled entity.

A business combination is accounted for by applying the acquisition method, unless it is a combination involving entities or businesses under common control.

The consideration transferred in a business combination is measured at fair value, which is calculated as the sum of the acquisition-date fair values of the assets transferred by the Company, liabilities incurred by the Company to the former owners of the acquiree and the equity interests issued by the Company in exchange for control of the acquiree. Acquisition-related costs are generally recognized in income or loss as incurred.

At the acquisition date, the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are recognized at their fair value at the acquisition date, except that:

Goodwill is measured as the excess of the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree, and the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree (if any) over the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. If, after reassessment, net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree and the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held interest in the acquiree (if any), the excess is recognized immediately in income or loss as a bargain purchase gain.

Non-controlling interest that is present on acquisition day and entitles the holder to a proportionate share of the entity’s net assets in an event of liquidation, may be initially measured either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the recognized amounts of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. The choice of measurement can be elected on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Other types of non-controlling interests are measured at fair value or, when applicable, on the basis specified in other IFRSs. When the consideration transferred by the Company in a business combination includes assets or liabilities resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement, the contingent consideration is measured at its acquisition-date fair value and included as part of the consideration transferred in a business combination. Changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration that qualify as measurement period adjustments are adjusted retrospectively, with corresponding adjustments against goodwill. Measurement period adjustments are adjustments that arise from additional information obtained during the ‘measurement period’ (which cannot exceed one year from the acquisition date) about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date.

The subsequent accounting for changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration that do not qualify as measurement period adjustments depends on how the contingent consideration is classified. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is not re-measured at subsequent reporting dates and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. Contingent consideration that is classified as an asset or a liability is re-measured at subsequent reporting dates in accordance with IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’, or with IAS 37 ‘Provisions’, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, as appropriate, with the corresponding gain or loss being recognized in income or loss.

When a business combination is achieved in stages, the Company’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree is re-measured to fair value at the acquisition date (i.e. the date when the Company obtains control) and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognized in income or loss. Amounts arising from interests in the acquiree prior to the acquisition date that have previously been recognized in other comprehensive income are reclassified to income or loss where such treatment would be appropriate if that interest were disposed of.

If the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs, the Company reports provisional amounts for the items for which the accounting is incomplete. Those provisional amounts are adjusted during the measurement period (see above), or additional assets or liabilities are recognized, to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the amounts recognized at that date.

The assets and liabilities acquired under business combinations under common control are recognized at the carrying amounts recognized previously in the consolidated financial statements of the ultimate parent. The difference between consideration transferred and carrying amounts of net assets acquired is recognized as part of share premium.

An associate is an entity over which the Company has significant influence and that is neither a subsidiary nor an interest in a joint venture. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but does not control or joint control over those policies.

The results and assets and liabilities of associates are incorporated in these consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. If the investment is classified as held for sale, in which case it is accounted for in accordance with IFRS 5 ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale’, any retained portion of an investment in associates that has not been classified as held for sale shall be accounted for using the equity method until disposal of the portion that is classified as held for sale takes place. If the Company holds 20% ~ 50% of the voting power of the investee, it is presumed that the Company has significant influence.

After the disposal takes place, the Company shall account for any retained interest in associates in accordance with IAS 39 ‘Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’ unless the retained interest continues to be an associates, in which case the entity uses the equity method.

Under the equity method, an investment in an associate is initially recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position at cost and adjusted thereafter to recognize the Company’s share of the income or loss and other comprehensive income of the associate. When the Company’s share of losses of an associate exceeds the Company’s interest in that associate (which includes any long-term interests that, in substance, form part of the Company’s net investment in the associate), the Company discontinues recognizing its share of further losses. Additional losses are recognized only to the extent that the Company has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.

Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the Company’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of an associate recognized at the date of acquisition is recognized as goodwill, which is included within the carrying amount of the investment. Any excess of the Company’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities over the cost of acquisition, after reassessment, is recognized immediately in income or loss. The requirements of IAS 39 ’Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement’, are applied to determine whether it is necessary to recognize any impairment loss with respect to the Company’s investment in an associate. When necessary, the entire carrying amount of the investment (including goodwill) is tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 ‘Impairment of Assets’ as a single asset by comparing its recoverable amount (higher of value in use and fair value less costs to sell) with its carrying amount, any impairment loss recognized forms part of the carrying amount of the investment. Any reversal of that impairment loss is recognized in accordance with IAS 36 to the extent that the recoverable amount of the investment subsequently increases.

Upon disposal of an associate that results in the Company losing significant influence over that associate, any retained investment is measured at fair value at that date and the fair value is regarded as its fair value on initial recognition as a financial asset in accordance with IAS 39. The difference between the previous carrying amount of the associate attributable to the retained interest and its fair value is included in the determination of the gain or loss on disposal of the associate. In addition, the Company accounts for all amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income in relation to that associate on the same basis as would be required if that associate had directly disposed of the related assets or liabilities. Therefore, if a gain or loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income by that associate would be reclassified to income or loss on the disposal of the related assets or liabilities, the Company reclassifies the gain or loss from equity to income or loss (as a reclassification adjustment) when it loses significant influence over that associate.

When the Company transacts with its associate, incomes and losses resulting from the transactions with the associate are recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements only to the extent of interests in the associate that are not related to the Company.

A joint arrangement is an arrangement of which two or more parties have joint control. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. Joint arrangements are classified into two types—joint operations and joint ventures. A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement (i.e. joint operators) have rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement. A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement (i.e. joint ventures) have rights to the net assets of the arrangement.

If the Company is a joint operator, the Company is to recognize and measure the assets and liabilities (and recognize the related revenues and expenses) in relation to its interest in the arrangement in accordance with relevant IFRSs applicable to the particular assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. If the joint arrangement is a joint venture, the Company is to account for that investment using the equity method accounting in accordance with IAS 28 ‘Investment in Associates and Joint Ventures’ (refer to note 3.(3)), except when the Company is applicable to the IFRS 5 ‘Non-current Assets Held for Sale’.

Non-current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable and the non-current asset (or disposal group) is available for immediate sale in its present condition. Management must be committed to the sale, which should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year from the date of classification.

When the Company is committed to a sale plan involving loss of control of a subsidiary, all of the assets and liabilities of that subsidiary are classified as held for sale when the criteria described above are met, regardless of whether the Company will retain a non-controlling interest in its former subsidiary after the sale.

Non-current assets (and disposal groups) classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their previous carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.

The Company measures goodwill which acquired in a business combination at the amount recognized at the date on which it obtains control of the acquiree (acquisition date) less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to each CGU that is expected to benefit from the synergies arising from the business acquired.

The Company assesses at the end of each reporting period and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or a CGU exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss.

Any impairment identified at the CGU level will first reduce the carrying value of goodwill and then be used to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the CGU on a pro rata basis. Except for impairment losses in respect of goodwill which are never reversed, an impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized.

Revenue from the sale of goods, rendering of services or use of the Company assets is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, net of returns, trade discounts and volume rebates, which are recognized as a reduction of revenue. Revenue is recognized when the amount of revenue can be measured reliably and it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Company.

The Korean government approves the utility rates charged to customers by the Company’s power transmission and distribution division. The Company’s utility rates are designed to recover the Company’s reasonable costs plus a fair investment return.

The Company recognize revenue from electricity sales revenue based on power sold (transferred to the customer) up to the reporting date and the corresponding utility rate charged to customers. To determine the amount of power sold, the Company estimates daily power volumes of electricity for residential, commercial, general, etc. The differences between the current month’s estimated amount and actual (meter-read) amount, is adjusted for (trued-up) during the subsequent month.

Revenue from services rendered is recognized in profit or loss in proportion to the stage of completion of the transaction at the reporting date. The stage of completion is assessed by reference to surveys of work performed or services performed to date as a percentage of total services to be performed or the proportion that costs incurred to date bear to the estimated total costs of the transaction or other methods that reliably measures the services performed.

Dividend income is recognized in profit or loss on the date that the Company’s right to receive payment is established, which in the case of quoted securities is the ex-dividend date.

Interest income is recognized as it accrues in profit or loss, using the effective interest method. Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset’s net carrying amount on initial recognition.

The Company’s policy for recognition of revenue from operating leases is described in note 3.(9) below.

The Company provides services related to the construction of power plants related to facilities of its customers, mostly in foreign countries.

When the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, revenue and costs are recognized based on the stage of completion of the contract activity at the end of the reporting period, measured based on the proportion of contract costs incurred for work performed to date relative to the estimated total contract costs, except where this would not be representative of the stage of completion. Variations in contract work, claims and incentive payments are included to the extent that the amount can be measured reliably and its receipt is considered probable.

When the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated reliably, contract revenue is recognized to the extent of contract costs incurred when it is probable the revenue will be realized. Contract costs are recognized as expenses in the period in which they are incurred. When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognized as an expense immediately.

When contract costs incurred to date plus recognized income less recognized losses exceed progress billings, the surplus is presented as amounts due from customers for contract work. For contracts where progress billings exceed contract costs incurred to date plus recognized income less recognized losses, the surplus is presented as the amounts due to customers for contract work. Amounts received before the related work is performed are included in the consolidated statements of financial position, as a liability, as advance received. Amounts billed for work performed but not yet paid by the customer are included in the consolidated statements of financial position as accounts and other receivables.

The Company classifies and accounts for leases as either a finance or operating lease, depending on the terms. Leases where the Company assumes substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Amounts due from lessees under finance leases are recognized as receivables at the amount of the Company’s net investment in the leases. Finance lease income is allocated to accounting periods so as to reflect a constant periodic rate of return on the Company’s net investment outstanding in respect of the leases.

Rental income from operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are initially recognized as assets of the Company at their fair value at the inception of the lease or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the statement of financial position as a finance lease obligation.

Lease payments are apportioned between finance expenses and reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance expenses are recognized immediately in income or loss, unless they are directly attributable to qualifying assets, in which case they are capitalized in accordance with the Company’s general policy on borrowing costs. Contingent rentals are recognized as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.

Operating lease payments are recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, except where another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed. Contingent rentals arising under operating leases are recognized as an expense in the period in which they are incurred.

In the event that lease incentives are received to enter into operating leases, such incentives are recognized as a liability. The aggregate benefit of incentives is recognized as a reduction of rental expense on a straight-line basis, except where another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.

At inception of an arrangement, the Company determines whether the arrangement is or contains a lease.

At inception or on reassessment of an arrangement that contains a lease, the Company separates payments and other consideration required by the arrangement into those for the lease and those for other elements on the basis of their relative fair values. If the Company concludes for a finance lease that it is impracticable to separate the payments reliably, then an asset and a liability are recognized at an amount equal to the fair value of the underlying asset.

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the respective functional currencies of the Company entities at exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated to the functional currency using the reporting date’s exchange rate. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are measured at fair value are retranslated to the functional currency at the exchange rate at the date that the fair value was determined.

Exchange differences are recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they arise except for:

Derivative financial instruments, including hedge accounting); and

For the purpose of presenting financial statements, the assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are expressed in Korean won using exchange rates prevailing at the end of the reporting period. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates for the period, unless exchange rates fluctuated significantly during that period, in which case the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions are used. Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity.

When a foreign operation is disposed of, the relevant amount in the translation is transferred to profit or loss as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

The Company capitalizes borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset as part of the cost of that asset. Other borrowing costs are recognized in expense as incurred. A qualifying asset is an asset that requires a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale.

Investment income earned on the temporary investment of specific borrowings pending their expenditure on qualifying assets is deducted from the borrowing costs eligible for capitalization.

All other borrowing costs are recognized in income or loss in the period in which they are incurred.

Government grants are not recognized unless there is reasonable assurance that the Company will comply with the grant’s conditions and that the grant will be received.

Benefit from a government loan at a below-market interest rate is treated as a government grant, measured as the difference between proceeds received and the fair value of the loan based on prevailing market interest rates.

Government grants whose primary condition is that the Company purchase, construct or otherwise acquire long-term assets are deducted in calculating the carrying amount of the asset. The grant is recognized in profit or loss over the life of a depreciable asset as a reduced depreciation expense.

Government grants which are intended to compensate the Company for expenses incurred are recognized as other income (government grants) in profit or loss over the periods in which the Company recognizes the related costs as expenses.

The Company recovers a substantial amount of the cost related to its electric power distribution facilities from customers through the transfer of assets, while the remaining portion is recovered through electricity sales from such customers in the future. As such, the Company believes there exists a continued service obligation to the customers in accordance with IFRIC 18 ‘Transfer of Assets from Customers’ when the Company receives an item of property, equipment, or cash for constructing or acquiring an item of property or equipment, in exchange for supplying electricity to customers. The Company defers the amounts received, which are subsequently recognized as other income on a straight-line basis over the estimated service period which does not exceed the transferred asset’s useful life.

When an employee has rendered service to the Company during a period, the Company recognizes the contribution payable to a defined contribution plan in exchange for that service as a liability (accrued expense).

For defined benefit pension plans and other post-employment benefits, the net periodic pension expense is actuarially determined by “Pension Actuarial System” developed by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid and that have terms to maturity approximating the terms of the related pension liability. However, if there is not a deep market, market yields on government bonds are used.

Net defined benefit liability’s measurement is composed of actuarial gains and losses, return on plan assets excluding net interest on net defined benefit liability, and any change in the effect of the asset ceiling, excluding net interest, which are immediately recognized in other comprehensive income. The actuarial gains or losses recognized in other comprehensive income which will not be reclassified into net profit or loss for later periods are immediately recognized in retained earnings. Past service cost will be recognized as expenses upon the earlier of the date of change or reduction to the plan, or the date of recognizing termination benefits.

The retirement benefit obligation recognized in the statement of financial position represents the present value of the defined benefit obligation as adjusted for unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and unrecognized past service cost, and as reduced by the fair value of plan assets. Any asset resulting from this calculation is limited to unrecognized actuarial losses and past service cost, plus the present value of available refunds and reductions in future contributions to the plan.

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax. Current tax and deferred tax are recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to a business combination, or items recognized directly in equity or in other comprehensive income.

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable profit or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years. The taxable profit is different from the accounting profit for the period since the taxable profit is calculated excluding the temporary differences, which will be taxable or deductible in determining taxable profit (tax loss) of future periods, and non-taxable or non-deductible items from the accounting profit.

Deferred tax is recognized, using the asset-liability method, in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. A deferred tax liability is recognized for all taxable temporary differences. A deferred tax asset is recognized for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which they can be utilized. However, deferred tax is not recognized for the following temporary differences: taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill, or the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting profit or loss nor taxable income.

The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Company expects, at the end of the reporting period, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets or deferred tax liabilities on investment properties measured at fair value, unless any contrary evidence exists, are measured using the assumption that the carrying amount of the property will be recovered entirely through sale.

The Company recognizes a deferred tax liability for all taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates, and interests in joint ventures, except to the extent that the Company is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The Company recognizes a deferred tax asset for all deductible temporary differences arising from investments in subsidiaries and associates, to the extent that it is probable that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilized.

The carrying amount of a deferred tax asset is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and reduces the carrying amount to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow the benefit of part or all of that deferred tax asset to be utilized.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Company expects, at the end of the reporting period to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only if there is a legally enforceable right to offset the related current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority and they intend to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis.

Current and deferred tax are recognized in income or loss, except when they relate to items that are recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case, the current and deferred tax are also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively. Where current tax or deferred tax arises from the initial accounting for a business combination, the tax effect is included in the accounting for the business combination.

Property, plant and equipment are initially measured at cost and after initial recognition, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. The cost of property, plant and equipment includes expenditures arising directly from the construction or acquisition of the asset, any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management and the initial estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located.

Subsequent costs are recognized in the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment at cost or, if appropriate, as separate items if it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. The costs of the day-to-day servicing are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Property, plant and equipment, except for land, are depreciated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives that appropriately reflect the pattern in which the asset’s future economic benefits are expected to be consumed. For loaded nuclear fuel related to long-term raw materials and spent nuclear fuels related to asset retirement costs, the Company uses the production method to measure and recognizes as expense the economic benefits of the assets.

The estimated useful lives of the Company’s property, plant and equipment are as follows:

A component that is significant compared to the total cost of property, plant and equipment is depreciated over its separate useful life.

Depreciation methods, residual values and useful lives of property, plant and equipment are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and if change is deemed appropriate, it is treated as a change in accounting estimate. As a result of such annual review, useful lives of certain machinery were changed during 2016. Depreciation expenses increased by ￦160,985 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Depreciation expenses increased by ￦160,985 million and ￦130,514 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Depreciation expenses are expected to increase by ￦91,197 million for the year ending December 31, 2018, and to decrease by ￦382,696 million for the years after December 31, 2018.

Property, plant and equipment are derecognized on disposal, or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Gains or losses arising from derecognition of a property, plant and equipment, measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, are recognized in income or loss when the asset is derecognized.

Property held for the purpose of earning rentals or benefiting from capital appreciation is classified as investment property. Investment property is initially measured at its cost. Transaction costs are included in the initial measurement. Subsequently, investment property is carried at depreciated cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

Subsequent costs are recognized in the carrying amount of investment property at cost or, if appropriate, as separate items if it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Company and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying amount of the replaced part is derecognized. The costs of the day-to-day servicing are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.

Investment property except for land, are depreciated on a straight-line basis over 8 ~ 40 years as estimated useful lives.

The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate accounted for on a prospective basis.

An investment property is derecognized upon disposal or when the investment property is permanently withdrawn from use and no future economic benefits are expected from the disposal. Any gain or loss arising on derecognition of the property (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset) is included in income or loss in the period in which the property is derecognized.

Intangible assets with finite useful lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses. Amortization is recognized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful life and amortization method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate being accounted for on a prospective basis. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

Expenditure on research activities is recognized as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.

An internally-generated intangible asset arising from development (or from the development phase of an internal project) is recognized if, and only if, all of the following have been demonstrated:

The amount initially recognized for internally-generated intangible assets is the sum of the expenditure incurred from the date when the intangible asset first meets the recognition criteria listed above. When the development expenditure does not meet the criteria listed above, an internally-generated intangible asset cannot be recognized and the expenditure is recognized in income or loss in the period in which it is incurred.

Internally-generated intangible assets are reported at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses.

The estimated useful lives and amortization methods of the Company’s intangible assets with finite useful lives are as follows:

Intangible assets that are acquired in a business combination are recognized separately from goodwill are initially recognized at their fair value at the acquisition date (which is regarded as their cost).

Subsequent to initial recognition, intangible assets acquired in a business combination are reported at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses, on the same basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately.

An intangible asset is derecognized on disposal, or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal. Gains or losses arising from derecognition of an intangible asset are measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, and are recognized in income or loss when the asset is derecognized.

In connection with Enforcement of Allocation and Trading of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Allowances, the Company applies the following accounting policies for greenhouse gas emissions rights and obligations.

Greenhouse gas emissions rights consist of the allowances received free of charge from the government and the ones purchased. The cost of the greenhouse gas emissions rights includes expenditures arising directly from the acquisition and any other costs incurred during normal course of the acquisition.

Greenhouse gas emissions rights are held by the Company to fulfill the legal obligation and recorded as intangible assets. To the extent that the portion to be submitted to the government within one year from the end of reporting period, the greenhouse gas emissions rights are classified as current assets. Greenhouse gas emissions rights recorded as intangible assets are initially measured at cost and substantially remeasured at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

Greenhouse gas emissions rights are derecognized on submission to the government or when no future economic benefits are expected from its use or disposal.

Greenhouse gas emissions obligations are the Company’s present legal obligation to submit the greenhouse gas emissions allowances to the government and recognized when an outflow of resources is probable and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. Greenhouse gas emissions obligations are measured as the sum of the carrying amount of the allocated rights that will be submitted to the government and the best estimate of expenditure required to settle the obligation at the end of the reporting period for any excess emission.

At the end of each reporting period, the Company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets with definite useful lives to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. Where a reasonable and consistent basis of allocation can be identified, corporate assets are also allocated to individual cash-generating units, or otherwise they are allocated to the smallest group of cash-generating units for which a reasonable and consistent allocation basis can be identified.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and intangible assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment at least annually, and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or a cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or the cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

When an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or a cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, to the extent the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost of inventories for inventories in transit are measured by using specific identification method. Cost of inventories, except for those in transit, are measured under the weighted average method and consists of the purchase price, cost of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.

Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and selling expenses. The amount of any write-down of inventories to net realizable value and all losses of inventories are recognized as an expense in the period the write-down or loss occurs. The amount of any reversal of any write-down of inventories, arising from an increase in net realizable value, are recognized as a reduction in the amount of inventories recognized as an expense in the period in which the reversal occurs.

Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The risks and uncertainties that inevitably surround many events and circumstances are taken into account in reaching the best estimate of a provision. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are determined at the present value of the expected future cash flows.

Where some or all of the expenditures required to settle a provision are expected to be reimbursed by another party, the reimbursement shall be recognized when, and only when, it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received if the entity settles the obligation. The reimbursement shall be treated as a separate asset.

Provisions are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted to reflect the current best estimates. If it is no longer probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, the provision is reversed.

The Company determines the provision for employment benefits as the incentive payments based on the results of the individual performance evaluation or management assessment.

The Company records the fair value of estimated decommissioning costs as a liability in the period in which the Company incurs a legal obligation associated with retirement of long-lived assets that result from acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the assets. Accretion expense consists of period-to-period changes in the liability for decommissioning costs resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows.

Under the Radioactive Waste Management Act, the Company is levied to pay the spent nuclear fuel fund for the management of spent nuclear fuel. The Company recognizes the provision of present value of the payments.

Under the Radioactive Waste Management Act, the Company recognizes the provision for the disposal of low and intermediate radioactive wastes in best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation.

Under the regulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants Management Act, enacted in 2007, the Company is required to remove PCBs, a toxin, from the insulating oil of its transformers by 2025. As a result of the enactments, the Company is required to inspect the PCBs contents of transformers and dispose of PCBs in excess of safety standards under the legally settled procedures. The Company’s estimates and assumptions used to determine fair value can be affected by many factors, such as the estimated costs of inspection and disposal, inflation rate, discount rate, regulations and the general economy.

Power plant regional support programs consist of scholarship programs to local students, local economy support programs, local culture support programs, environment development programs, and local welfare programs. The Company recognizes the provision in relation to power plant regional support program.

The Company has present obligation to conduct transmission and transformation facilities-neighboring areas support program under Act on assistance to transmission and transformation facilities-neighboring areas. The Company recognizes the provision of estimated amount to fulfill the obligation.

RPS program is required to generate a specified percentage of total electricity to be generated in the form of renewable energy and provisions are recognized for the governmental regulations to require the production of energies from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass.

The Company recognizes and measures non-derivative financial assets by the following four categories: financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, held-to-maturity investments, loans and receivables and available-for-sale financial assets. The Company recognizes financial assets in the statement of financial position when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Upon initial recognition, non-derivative financial assets are measured at their fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the asset’s acquisition or issuance.

A regular way purchase or sale of financial assets shall be recognized and derecognized, as applicable, using trade date accounting or settlement date accounting. A regular way purchase or sale is a purchase or sale of a financial asset under a contract whose terms require delivery of the asset within the time frame established generally by regulation or convention in the marketplace concerned.

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a debt instrument and of allocating interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts (including all fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) through the expected life of the debt instrument, or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition. Income is recognized on an effective interest basis for debt instruments other than those financial assets classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss.

A financial asset is classified as financial assets are classified at fair value through profit or loss if it is held for trading or is designated as such upon initial recognition. Upon initial recognition, transaction costs are recognized in profit or loss when incurred. A financial assets its acquired principally for the purpose of selling it in the near term are classified as a short-term financial assets held for trading and also all the derivatives including an embedded derivate that is not designated and effective as a hedging instrument are classified at the short-term trading financial asset as well. Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value, and changes therein are recognized in profit or loss.

A financial asset is classified as held for trading if:

A financial asset other than a financial asset held for trading may be designated as at financial assets at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition if:

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are stated at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on re-measurement recognized in income or loss. The net gain or loss recognized in income or loss incorporates any dividend or interest earned on the financial asset and is included in the ‘finance income and finance expenses’ line item in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

A non-derivative financial asset with a fixed or determinable payment and fixed maturity, for which the Company has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity, are classified as held-to-maturity investments. Subsequent to initial recognition, held-to-maturity investments are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Available-for-sale financial assets are those non-derivative financial assets that are designated as available-for-sale or are not classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, held-to-maturity investments or loans and receivables.

Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the valuation reserve. However, impairment losses, interest calculated using the effective interest method, and foreign exchange gains and losses on monetary assets are recognized in income or loss. Unquoted equity investments which are not traded in an active market, whose fair value cannot be measured reliably are carried at cost.

When a financial asset is derecognized or impairment losses are recognized, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified from equity to profit or loss.

Dividends on an available-for-sale equity instrument are recognized in profit or loss when the Company’s right to receive payment is established.

The fair value of available-for-sale monetary assets denominated in a foreign currency is determined in that foreign currency and translated at the spot rate at the end of the reporting period. The foreign exchange gains and losses that are recognized in income or loss are determined based on the amortized cost of the monetary asset. Other foreign exchange gains and losses are recognized in other comprehensive income.

Loans and receivables are financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. Subsequent to initial recognition, loans and receivables are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method except for loans and receivables of which the effect of discounting is immaterial.

Financial assets, other than those at financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of each reporting period. Financial assets are considered to be impaired when there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows of the investment have been affected.

For listed and unlisted equity investments classified as available-for-sale financial asset, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost is considered to be objective evidence of impairment in addition to the criteria mentioned below.

For all other financial assets, objective evidence of impairment could include:

For certain categories of financial asset, such as trade receivables, assets that are assessed not to be impaired individually are, in addition, assessed for impairment on a collective basis. Objective evidence of impairment for a portfolio of receivables could include the Company’s past experience of collecting payments, an increase in the number of delayed payments in the portfolio past the average credit period and, as well as observable changes in national or local economic conditions that correlate with default on receivables.

For financial assets recorded at amortized cost, the amount of the impairment loss recognized is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate.

For financial assets carried at cost, the amount of the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the current market rate of return for a similar financial asset. Such impairment loss will not be reversed in subsequent periods.

The carrying amount of the financial asset is reduced by the impairment loss directly for all financial assets with the exception of trade receivables, where the carrying amount is reduced through the use of an allowance account. When a trade receivable is considered uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against the allowance account. Changes in the carrying amount of the allowance account are recognized in income or loss.

When an available-for-sale financial asset is considered to be impaired, cumulative gains or losses previously recognized in other comprehensive income are reclassified to income or loss in the period.

For financial assets measured at amortized cost, if, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized, the previously recognized impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss to the extent that the carrying amount of the investment at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortized cost would have been had the impairment not been recognized.

In respect of available-for-sale equity securities, impairment losses previously recognized in profit or loss are not reversed through profit or loss. Any increase in fair value subsequent to an impairment loss is recognized in other comprehensive income. In respect of available-for-sale debt securities, impairment losses are subsequently reversed through profit or loss if an increase in the fair value of the investment can be objectively related to an event occurring after the recognition of the impairment loss.

The Company derecognizes a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows on the financial asset in a transaction in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred. Any interest in transferred financial assets that is created or retained by the Company is recognized as a separate asset or liability. If the Company retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the transferred financial assets, the Company continues to recognize the transferred financial assets and recognizes financial liabilities for the consideration received.

On de-recognition of a financial asset in its entirety, the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the sum of the consideration received and receivable and the cumulative gain or loss that had been recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity is recognized in income or loss.

On de-recognition of a financial asset other than in its entirety (e.g. when the Company retains an option to repurchase part of a transferred asset), the Company allocates the previous carrying amount of the financial asset between the part it continues to recognize under continuing involvement, and the part it no longer recognizes on the basis of the relative fair values of those parts on the date of the transfer. The difference between the carrying amount allocated to the part that is no longer recognized and the sum of the consideration received for the part no longer recognized and any cumulative gain or loss allocated to it that had been recognized in other comprehensive income is recognized in income or loss. A cumulative gain or loss that had been recognized in other comprehensive income is allocated between the part that continues to be recognized and the part that is no longer recognized on the basis of the relative fair values of those parts.

Debt and equity instruments are classified as either financial liabilities or as equity in accordance with the substance of the contractual arrangement.

An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Company are recognized at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Repurchase of the Company’s own equity instruments is recognized and deducted directly in equity. No gain or loss is recognized in income or loss on the purchase, sale, issue or cancelation of the Company’s own equity instruments.

Financial liabilities are recognized when the Company becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instruments. Financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction cost that are directly attributable to the issue of financial liabilities are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transaction cost directly attributable to acquisition of financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recognized immediately in profit or loss.

Financial liabilities are classified as either financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss or other financial liabilities.

Financial liabilities are classified as at financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss when the financial liability is either held for trading or it is designated as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss.

A financial liability is classified as held for trading if:

A financial liability other than a financial liability held for trading may be designated as at FVTPL upon initial recognition if:

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are stated at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on re-measurement recognized in income or loss. The net gain or loss recognized in income or loss incorporates any interest paid on the financial liability and is included in ‘finance income and finance expenses’.

Other financial liabilities, including borrowings, are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs.

Other financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, with interest expense recognized on an effective yield basis. The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability, or (where appropriate) a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

Financial guarantee contract liabilities are initially measured at their fair values and, if not designated as at FVTPL, are subsequently measured at the higher of: (a) the amount of the obligation under the contract, as determined in accordance with IAS 37 ‘Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets; or (b) the amount initially recognized less, cumulative amortization recognized in accordance with IAS 18 ‘Revenue’.

The Company derecognizes financial liabilities when, and only when, the Company’s obligations are discharged, canceled or they expire. The difference between the carrying amount of the financial liability derecognized and the consideration paid and payable is recognized in income or loss.

The Company recognizes revenues from construction services and operating services related to service concession arrangements in accordance with IAS 11 ’Construction Contracts’ and IAS 18 ‘Revenue’, respectively. If the Company performs more than one service under a single contract or arrangement, consideration received or receivable is allocated by reference to the relative fair values of the services delivered, when the amounts are separately identifiable.

The Company recognizes a financial asset to the extent that it has an unconditional contractual right to receive cash or another financial asset for the construction services and an intangible asset to the extent that it receives a right (license) to charge users of the public service. Borrowing costs attributable to the arrangement are recognized as an expense in the period in which they are incurred unless the Company has a contractual right to receive an intangible asset (a right to charge users of the public service). In this case, borrowing costs attributable to the arrangement are capitalized during the construction phase of the arrangement.

The Company enters into a variety of derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign exchange rate risk, including foreign exchange forward contracts, interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps and others.

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value. The resulting gain or loss is recognized in income or loss immediately unless the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in such case the timing of the recognition in income or loss depends on the nature of the hedge relationship.

A derivative with a positive fair value is recognized as a financial asset; a derivative with a negative fair value is recognized as a financial liability. A derivative is presented as a non-current asset or a non-current liability if the remaining maturity of the instrument is more than 12 months and it is not expected to be realized or settled within 12 months. Other derivatives are presented as current assets or current liabilities.

Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or other host contracts are treated as separate derivatives when their risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of the host contracts and when the host contracts are not measured at FVTPL.

An embedded derivative is presented as a non-current asset or a non-current liability if the remaining maturity of the hybrid instrument to which the embedded derivative is part of, is more than 12 months and it is not expected to be realized or settled within 12 months. All other embedded derivatives are presented as current assets or current liabilities.

The Company designates certain hedging instruments, which include derivatives, embedded derivatives and non-derivatives in respect of foreign currency risk, as either fair value hedges or cash flow hedges. Hedges of foreign exchange risk on firm commitments are accounted for as cash flow hedges.

At the inception of the hedge relationship, the entity documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, along with its risk management objectives and its strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Furthermore, at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the Company documents whether the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recognized in income or loss immediately, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk. The changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument and the change in the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk relating to the hedged items are recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the Company revokes the hedging relationship, when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or when it no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. The fair value adjustment to the carrying amount of the hedged item arising from the hedged risk is amortized as income or loss as of that date.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognized in other comprehensive income. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized immediately in income or loss, and is included in the ‘finance income and expense’.

Amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity are reclassified to income or loss in the periods when the hedged item is recognized in income or loss, in the same line of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as the recognized hedged item. However, when the forecast transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or a non-financial liability, the gains and losses previously accumulated in equity are transferred from equity and included in the initial measurement of the cost of the non-financial asset or non-financial liability.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the Company revokes the hedging relationship, when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or it no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. Any gain or loss accumulated in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognized when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognized in income or loss. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the gain or loss accumulated in equity is recognized immediately in income or loss.