Kakao's Chung Shina, Kim Doyoung to Meet Investors in Hong Kong and Singapore, Explain Spin-Off

Holding overseas IR meetings to explain the rationale for the spin-off and growth strategies

Kakao, which is set to undergo a spin-off in early 2027, will meet with global investors in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Kakao said on November 11 that its CEO, Chung Shina, and Kim Doyoung, who has been nominated as CEO of Kakao X, will visit Hong Kong and Singapore through November 12 to hold investor relations meetings with around 10 overseas investors and institutions.

Kakao Pangyo Agit in Seongnam, Gyeonggi. Photo by Kang Jinhyeong aymsdream@

At the overseas IR meetings, Kakao plans to share the background and objectives of the spin-off it is pursuing, as well as the roles and growth strategies of Kakao AI and Kakao X after the split. The company will also hear the views of overseas investors and seek to persuade them of the merits of the spin-off.

When Kakao announced the spin-off in August, it said it planned to promote growth in each business and increase corporate and shareholder value by establishing specialized decision-making systems and capital allocation structures suited to the distinct characteristics of each business. After the spin-off, Kakao AI will focus on AI businesses that connect artificial intelligence (AI), advertising, and commerce, centered on KakaoTalk. Kakao X will support the growth of core businesses, including tech finance, content, and mobility, and identify future growth drivers.

Alongside the spin-off, Kakao is moving ahead with measures to enhance shareholder value. Of the KRW 300 billion in share buybacks and cancellations that Kakao X had originally planned to carry out after the split, Kakao has decided to execute half, or KRW 150 billion, ahead of the spin-off. The move brings forward part of its previously announced shareholder return plan to demonstrate its commitment to enhancing corporate and shareholder value. Kakao X also plans to buy back and cancel the remaining KRW 150 billion in shares by the end of 2027, after the split.

A Kakao representative said, "We expect these meetings to give us a direct understanding of overseas investors' questions and the market's perspective. We will faithfully reflect the diverse views shared at the meetings in our future communications with the market and actively create opportunities for investors to follow the growth strategies and performance of both companies."

Since announcing the spin-off, Kakao has held sessions to explain its rationale and growth strategies to various stakeholders. After holding two meetings with minority shareholders in September and October, the company shared post-spin-off growth plans for each business at a joint analyst meeting attended by executives from key affiliates.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.