Seoul: Korea Zinc Co. announced plans to hold a shareholder meeting in January to vote on the appointment of new board members recommended by its largest shareholder, Young Poong Corp. This announcement comes amid an ongoing battle for control involving Young Poong and the private equity firm MBK Partners Ltd. According to Yonhap News Agency, the decision to hold the extraordinary shareholder meeting on January 23 was made during a board meeting held at the request of the Young Poong camp. This meeting is a significant step in the ongoing management struggle that began on September 13 when the Young Poong alliance launched a tender offer to acquire an additional stake in Korea Zinc, the world's largest refined zinc smelter. In response to the takeover bid, Korea Zinc, with backing from Bain Capital, initiated a substantial stock buyback and successfully petitioned the government to classify its high-nickel precursor manufacturing as a national core and high-tech strategic technology. This designation was gr anted last month, bolstering Korea Zinc's position. Currently, the Young Poong camp holds a 39.83 percent stake in Korea Zinc, while Korea Zinc's Chairman Choi Yun-beom and related parties control 35.4 percent of the company. To strengthen its position, Korea Zinc aims to win over institutional investors, including the National Pension Service, as well as small shareholders. Korea Zinc is expected to leverage its newly recognized strategic technology status to secure further support at the upcoming shareholders' meeting. Chairman Choi, who took office in 2022, has expressed intentions to invest significantly in renewable energy, electric vehicle battery materials, and recycling-a vision opposed by Young Poong, which favors strong dividend payouts.