Return of CEO Lee Hae-jin: "In the AI Era, Naver's Fundamentals Remain Unchanged"

Appointed as Inside Director at Shareholders' Meeting on the 26th
"Supporting and Encouraging Bold Challenges by Management"

Chairman Lee Hae-jin of Naver is seen interviewing with reporters after the shareholders' meeting on the 26th.

Lee Hae-jin, the founder of Naver and Global Investment Officer (GIO), has returned to the forefront of management, stating that "Naver's fundamentals in the AI era remain unchanged."

On the 26th, Lee was appointed as an inside director at Naver's shareholders' meeting held at Green Factory in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. This marks his return after stepping down from the chairman position in 2017, eight years ago.

He said, "Following the internet and mobile eras, numerous companies are embracing generative AI as a new technological milestone and preparing to change everything. I deeply thank the shareholders who trusted me and appointed me as an inside director at this time when Naver is facing new challenges."

He continued, "The core reason Naver, which started in the internet era, successfully overcame the waves of the mobile environment is the passion to transform innovative technology into services most needed by users and Naver's unique tenacity in competing differently against companies with larger markets and capital."

Lee emphasized, "Naver's fundamentals in facing the AI era remain unchanged."

He added, "CEO Choi Soo-yeon and the new leadership team are talents equipped with the capabilities to provide the best technology and services that users living in the AI era need most." He also expressed his determination, saying, "I will encourage and support the young leaders to boldly try and confidently challenge, keeping users and technology at the center."

When asked by a shareholder how he plans to lead the board of directors, Lee replied, "My role is to support and cheer on the management team to take bold challenges at the board. I will do my best to ensure that Naver shows an active presence as much as expected."

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