'20 Years of KT Privatization' CEO Koo Hyun-mo: "From Digico to Leading Digital Transformation Company"

KT Presents '4 Major Future Directions', Economic Management Research Institute Publishes 'Special Report'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-sun] KT CEO Koo Hyun-mo celebrated the successful transition to a Digital Platform Company (Digico) on the 20th anniversary of privatization and presented a future vision to emerge as a leading company in digital transformation (DX). From a business perspective, KT plans to grow into a platform company providing consulting, education, and marketing services, and will also expand into global markets including Southeast Asia.

At the '20th Anniversary of Privatization Ceremony' held on the 30th at the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel, CEO Koo announced KT's 'Four Future Visions.' He said, "KT will accelerate growth as a Digital Platform Company (Digico) and emerge as a leading company in digital transformation (DX). We will build infrastructure suited to the digital industry and grow as a company that provides it."

The event was made more meaningful by the gathering of KT’s past, present, and future key figures, including current and former executives, board members, National Assembly members, and current and former government officials.

The infrastructure secured by KT will be invested in creating and expanding the digital ecosystem. KT is already leading initiatives such as the AI One Team and Cloud One Team, striving to spread and evolve the digital ecosystem across various fields. KT is also accelerating its entry into global markets. Instead of telecommunications, which faces regulatory challenges overseas, KT is focusing on IPTV platforms and content.

KT has successfully entered the Uzbekistan data center (IDC) business and exported its Internet TV (IPTV) platform to Thailand’s 3BB TV. It is also laying the groundwork for a global leap by discussing content cooperation with global online video services (OTT). CEO Koo stated, "We plan to secure overseas strategic bases, promote cooperation with leading local partners, and simultaneously enter markets alongside domestic companies to share growth opportunities."

Additionally, KT aims to establish a 'digital civic consciousness' and spread the values of digital safety, communication, and information utilization. KT has focused on creating social value that overcomes generational and class divides through initiatives like 'IT Supporters' and 'Online Night School.' It positions 'digital civic consciousness,' which addresses the dysfunctions of the digital era and centers on people, as a banner for its ESG management activities.

Through this event, KT shared its achievements over the past 20 years. Since privatization, KT has invested a total of 63 trillion won in information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, covering high-speed internet, wireless communication, satellites, and submarine cables, leading South Korea’s telecommunications industry.

Business achievements have also been significant. In 2020, KT launched 'KT Enterprise,' a B2B business brand, to actively support B2B DX and expanded the application of AI Contact Centers (AICC). Alongside this, KT created business results by establishing a group portfolio centered on core growth businesses. In particular, last year, KT focused on building a media content business value chain centered on KT Studio Genie and aims to establish 1,000 original intellectual properties (IP) and over 100 drama IPs by next year. This bold move in the content business led to the unprecedented success of the drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo."

KT’s DIGICO transition strategy, pursued over the past three years, is bearing fruit. In the first half of this year, consolidated sales rose 4.4% year-on-year to 12.5899 trillion won, marking the highest first-half performance ever. On the 11th, KT’s stock price reached 39,300 won intraday, doubling from 19,700 won on March 30, 2020. KT’s market capitalization surpassed 10 trillion won for the first time in nine years since June 2013.

CEO Koo said, "Under KT’s leadership, wireless communication services such as 3G and 5G were activated, IPTV and smartphones were introduced, and world-class services in digital areas like cloud and AI continued. Despite changes in the era, we have transformed daily life and provided the foundation for new industries through differentiated technology and services."

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