NAVER Appoints Three New C-Level Leaders to "Enhance AI Competitiveness"

Kim Kwanghyun Appointed as CDO, Yoo Bongseok as CRO, and Hwang Soonbae as CHRO
Overseeing Data, Responsibility Management, and Human Resources, Respectively

On January 20, NAVER announced that it will appoint three new C-level leaders effective February 1 to integrate Team NAVER’s capabilities and enhance its artificial intelligence (AI) competitiveness.

With this executive reshuffle, Kim Kwanghyun, Head of the Search Platform Division, will become Chief Data and Content Officer (CDO); Yoo Bongseok, Head of Policy/RM Division, will be appointed as the new Chief Responsibility Officer (CRO); and Hwang Soonbae, Head of HR Division, will serve as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO).

NAVER announced on the 20th that it will appoint three new C-level leaders to integrate and synergize Team NAVER's capabilities. (From left) Newly appointed Kim Kwanghyun, Chief Data and Content Officer (CDO), Yoo Bongseok, Chief Responsibility Officer (CRO), and Hwang Soonbae, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Provided by NAVER

Previously, NAVER was led by Choi Sooyoun as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kim Beomjun as Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Kim Heechul as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

CDO Kim Kwanghyun will accelerate the application of AI agents to NAVER’s major services and drive the integration and advancement of the search and data technology platforms. Kim plans to merge NAVER’s user data and content to deliver AI agent experiences across the NAVER app and all major services.

CRO Yoo Bongseok will oversee the company’s overall policy and risk management systems. He will be responsible for operating relevant policies and establishing a stable service environment to ensure NAVER fulfills its role as a socially responsible platform.

CHRO Hwang Soonbae will be in charge of the company’s overall HR strategy and organizational management systems, leading mid- to long-term HR policies and strengthening organizational competitiveness.

NAVER stated, “With a C-level leadership-centered responsible management system, we will organically combine Team NAVER’s capabilities across various business and technology areas such as shopping, finance, cloud, and AI,” adding, “We will further enhance our AI competitiveness with Agent N at the core.”

Meanwhile, NAVER plans to sequentially implement detailed organizational restructuring in line with the new leadership system.