KaKao

- Independent corporation to be established two years after CIC launch with the designation of current head of content CIC Joo-il Yang as CEO

- Aiming to enhance operational efficiency and business competitiveness through an independent management structure—business transfer to be completed by year-end

 

[May 22, 2025] Kakao Corporation (CEO Shina Chung) announced on May 22 that it has spun off its content business company-in-company (CIC) responsible for operating the Daum portal, and established a new corporate entity of Daum. Current head of content CIC Joo-il Yang has been named the CEO of the newly established corporation.

 

Kakao’s board of directors approved the spin-off during a meeting held earlier the same day. With this move, the Daum business unit—launched as Kakao’s CIC in May 2023—becomes a standalone corporation after two years. Daum’s new corporate entity is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kakao.

 

The new corporation aims to streamline operations and boost competitiveness by operating under an independent management structure. It will utilize Daum’s key assets, including short-form content, media, and community platforms, to pursue a wide range of innovations, while also continuing to build strategic synergy with Kakao in areas such as AI and content.

 

Services being transferred to the new company include Daum Mail, Daum Cafe, Daum Search, Daum News, and Daum Shopping, all of which are currently operated under the content CIC. These services will continue to be operated by the new entity, with a full business transfer scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.

 

Kakao’s new affiliate is also on a hiring spree, seeking talents in areas such as planning, development, infrastructure, and security to strengthen its organizational capabilities.

 

Designated CEO Joo-il Yang of Daum’s new corporate entity commented, “This marks our first step toward creating an environment that can respond swiftly to intensifying market competition. Under a faster, more flexible decision-making structure, we will focus on new experiments and bold challenges to pave the way for Daum’s next chapter.” (E.O.D.)