Kakao to spin off chat app-based platform business into KakaoAI, relist in 2027. KakaoAI will focus on AI, advertising, commerce and the KakaoTalk chat app platform Published Fri, Aug 21, 2026 · 11:03 AM * Kakao expects the new entity to relist on the Korea Exchange on Jan 27, 2027, following a planned Jan 1 split. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG [SEOUL] South Korea's dominant chat app operator Kakao Corp said on Friday (Aug 21) it plans to spin off its chat app-based platform business into a new company, tentatively named KakaoAI, while retaining investment operations in a firm renamed KakaoX. With this move, the company is seeking to address a conglomerate discount and strengthen business specialisation, Kakao said in a regulatory filing. The company expects the new entity to relist on the Korea Exchange on Jan 27, 2027, following a planned Jan 1 split. KakaoAI will focus on AI, advertising, commerce and the KakaoTalk chat app platform, while KakaoX will manage and develop holdings in areas including fintech, content and mobility, Kakao said. Kakao set 2030 targets of 6 trillion won (US$4.34 billion) or more in revenue and an operating margin above 30 per cent for KakaoAI, while setting a target of 10 trillion won or more in revenue for KakaoX for the same year. Kakao had reported consolidated revenue of 8.1 trillion won in 2025, according to the company. Asean intelligence. Get insights into businesses across South-east Asia Kakao also pledged 300 billion won of share buybacks and cancellations over three years after the split. REUTERS Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services

Seoul stocks tad higher late Friday morning on chip gains. * Published Aug 21, 2026 9:24 am KST * Updated Aug 21, 2026 11:37 am KST Seoul shares traded slightly higher late Friday morning as gains in major chipmakers on hopes for shareholder returns offset lingering concerns over renewed increases in U.S. Treasury yields. After opening 1.35 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) recovered its earlier losses, rising 42.61 points, or 0.61 percent, to 6,894.69 as of 11:20 a.m. U.S. Treasury yields resumed their upward trend Thursday (U.S. time), reversing much of the previous day's decline following the U.S. Treasury's announcement of an expanded bond buyback plan. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 1.32 percent, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.87 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index fell 1 percent. In Seoul, major chipmakers supported the broader market on continued expectations for shareholder returns. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 3.04 percent on reports that the chip giant could unveil a new shareholder return package worth up to 110 trillion won ($79.7 billion) later in the day. Its chipmaking rival SK hynix rose 3.61 percent, extending its rally after announcing a share buyback program Wednesday. Kakao plunged 10.72 percent after announcing plans to spin off its KakaoTalk-based mobile messaging business into a new company focused on artificial intelligence, while the surviving entity will oversee the group's investment operations. The Korean won was trading at 1,382.7 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., up 13.3 won from the previous session's close. * Q. * Q. * Q.

Kakao Corp reported record quarterly revenue of KRW 2.099 trillion in Q2 2026, marking a 9% year-over-year increase and 8% quarter-over-quarter growth. The South Korean tech company's consolidated operating profit surged 36% year-over-year to KRW 277 billion, with operating margin expanding to 13%, up approximately 3 percentage points from the previous year. Platform revenue reached KRW 1.23 trillion, up 17% year-over-year. Talk Biz advertising and subscription revenue hit a quarterly record of KRW 400 billion, rising 14% year-over-year and 11% quarter-over-quarter. Music revenue grew 8% year-over-year to KRW 558 billion, whilst Talk DA revenue increased 28% year-over-year. Business message revenue rose 20% year-over-year. Commerce gross merchandise value reached KRW 2.7 trillion, up 9% year-over-year, supporting a 10% increase in commerce revenue.