Kakao Restructures CA Council... Strengthening Investment and Finance (Comprehensive)

Removing Committees, Centering on Three Offices
Accelerating Decision-Making and Execution
Kim Doyoung, CEO of Kakao Investment, Also Heads Investment Office
Group’s Mid- to Long-Term Investment and Financial Strategies at the Forefront

Kakao is restructuring its CA Council into a "division-based" system focused on investment, finance, and human resources, thereby strengthening group-level investment and financial control functions. The company aims to accelerate its growth strategy by moving away from a committee-based structure and transitioning to an execution-oriented organization.

According to Kakao on January 23, the CA Council will be reorganized from the existing structure of "four committees, two general divisions, and one unit" into a streamlined system centered around "three divisions and four departments." The organization will be downsized, with an emphasis on more quickly connecting group-level decision-making and on-the-ground execution. The new organizational structure will take effect starting February 1.

A Kakao representative stated, "The past two years since the launch of the CA Council have been a process of laying the groundwork by establishing the management system and standards for the entire group," adding, "We have determined that now is the time for these established standards to be implemented rapidly at the partner companies' operational sites."

The core of this restructuring lies in shifting from a committee-centric structure to an execution-driven organization. While the CA Council previously led or recommended decision-making, the new structure is designed so that each partner company will take a more proactive role in driving its own growth and execution.

The Kakao representative explained, "Previously, the council played a significant role in leading decision-making, but now the aim is for the partner companies to take the initiative in executing group growth. The intention is to streamline the organization to increase the speed and effectiveness of decision-making and execution."

The newly established divisions are the Group Investment Strategy Division, Group Financial Strategy Division, and Group HR Strategy Division. The Kakao representative explained, "We retained these three divisions because investment, finance, and HR are areas that require group-level decision-making and implementation." These divisions will continue to be responsible for areas that require group-level judgment, such as establishing mid- to long-term investment directions, developing financial strategies, and advancing HR systems. The Group Investment Strategy Division will be concurrently led by Kim Doyoung, CEO of Kakao Investment; the Group Financial Strategy Division will be headed by Shin Jonghwan, Chief Financial Officer (CFO); and the Group HR Strategy Division will be overseen by Hwang Taeseon.

In particular, CEO Kim is recognized as an expert in investment strategy. He graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering, earned an MBA from the same university, began his career as an IT consultant at Samsung SDS, served as Head of M&A and Head of Corporate Finance Group 2 at Samsung Securities, and was CFO at Kolon Mobility Group, gaining extensive practical experience. He has also participated as a member of the Strategy Committee under the CA Council, contributing to the establishment of group-level mid- to long-term investment directions and financial strategies.

Director Hwang's role is also an extension of the functions he performed in the previous CA Council's general organization. He has been responsible for building and supporting the group's HR systems, and will continue to oversee HR strategy and the advancement of these systems after the restructuring.

In contrast, group-level functions such as ESG, PR, PA, and compliance management have been reorganized into four "departments." These departments have been transferred to Kakao headquarters, where they will be tasked with more closely linking group-level principles to on-the-ground execution.

Industry observers interpret this reorganization as a sign that Kakao has completed its organizational preparations to move into a growth phase. It is seen as a shift away from a control-oriented council, with a focus on selective investment and execution. The Kakao representative commented, "Through the past two years of operation, we believe that the roles and standards of the council have been largely internalized throughout the organization," adding, "This restructuring is an adjustment focused on strengthening execution."