KT Embarks on Innovative Growth, "27 Trillion KRW Investment and 28,000 Direct Hires Within 5 Years"

On the 20th Anniversary of Privatization
Announcement of Large-Scale Investment Strategy
Largest Investment Since Inception
Direct Employment of 28,000 Talents

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-sun] KT Group, marking the 20th anniversary of its privatization, announced that it will invest 27 trillion KRW by 2026 in the fields of networks, Digico (digital platform companies), and venture startups, and directly hire 28,000 talents. This is the largest investment scale since the launch of KT Group.

On the 9th, KT announced its future plan for innovative growth. It plans to accelerate Digico growth and lead the national digital transformation through large-scale investments.

27 Trillion KRW Investment Over 5 Years

KT Group will invest 12 trillion KRW over five years in telecommunications business areas such as network infrastructure. It will enhance network reliability by building additional DR centers outside the metropolitan area, which were previously concentrated in areas like Guro and Hyehwa. It will strengthen network stability by expanding alternative routes for core services such as high-speed internet, IPTV, and wireless services. KT will also advance digital infrastructure by proactively researching and developing next-generation infrastructure combined with 5G networks and core 6G technologies.

In the Digico sector, including artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, cloud, and media, KT will invest 12 trillion KRW. Based on AI, big data technologies, and Korea’s largest call center operation experience, KT is conducting new businesses such as the Artificial Intelligence Contact Center (AICC). It is also promoting a robotics business combined with GiGA Genie service data. KT plans to invest 1.5 trillion KRW in these core new businesses to discover ultra-large AI projects and expand the robotics platform business. Approximately 1.7 trillion KRW will be invested in cloud and other areas to secure global-level AI infrastructure competitiveness.

To strengthen media competitiveness and foster K-content, about 2.6 trillion KRW will be invested in the media and content sectors. Investments will be made for content production and intellectual property (IP) acquisition, along with consideration of investments to expand the media value chain, including planning, production, distribution, and services. KT also plans to invest 3 trillion KRW over five years in ventures and startups to secure Digico capabilities and share future growth opportunities.

Direct Employment of 28,000 People

KT announced that it will directly hire 28,000 people over the next five years. Currently, KT has about 143,000 employees. It will promote regional balanced development by giving preferential treatment to local talent recruitment and pursue competency-centered hiring regardless of credentials by establishing a new recruitment track for software developers. Through the AI talent development program Able School, KT plans to intensively nurture about 5,000 digital talents nationwide. Along with direct hiring, KT aims to contribute to solving social challenges such as youth unemployment and IT workforce shortages by linking recruitment with promising startups and small and medium-sized enterprises. Additionally, KT has set a goal to develop the AI practical competency qualification exam into an AI competency certification system and achieve 50,000 certifications over five years.

KT has been operating ‘BizCollabo,’ a joint business program with startups possessing innovative technologies, for six years, and newly established ‘KT Bridge Lab’ this year, selecting 10 startups annually and supporting them with up to 200 million KRW each. Separate from the 27 trillion KRW investment, KT plans to spend about 6 trillion KRW for content procurement. KT will also take the lead in solving social problems driven by companies using Digico-based technologies and strengthen R&D for green new technologies to address carbon neutrality and climate change.

KT CEO Koo Hyun-mo stated, "We will become the foundation for strengthening the competitiveness of the nation’s core industries through proactive future investments in hyper-connected infrastructure and Digico areas, digital talent development, and job creation." He added, "We will propose new businesses in various industrial fields, develop ecosystems, and establish ourselves as a leading company in digital transformation."

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