KaKao

- First collaboration between two competent KDT institutions to strengthen the developer ecosystem

- AI-powered solutions to real-world challenges developed through a two-day hackathon

- Around 90 trainees from both companies, with KRW 15 million in total awarded to five winning teams, including the Minister of Employment and Labor Award

 

[June 15, 2026] Kakao and Samsung Electronics have joined forces to train the next generation of developers equipped to lead in the era of AI, with support from the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

 

Kakao (CEO Shina Chung) announced on June 15 that it co-hosted the “SSAFY X Kakao Tech Bootcamp AI Hackathon” with Samsung Electronics from June 13 to 14 at Kakao AI Campus in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do.

 

The hackathon marked the first collaboration between Kakao Tech Bootcamp and Samsung Software·AI Academy for Youth (SSAFY), the developer training programs each operated by Kakao and Samsung Electronics. Both companies run these programs through the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s K-Digital Training (KDT) initiative and organized the hackathon as the first step toward expanding their partnership beyond talent development and employment support to fostering a broader developer ecosystem. A total of 12 teams, six from each program, comprising around 90 trainees selected through preliminary rounds, took part in the event.

 

The hackathon centered on the government-designated “Top 10 AI Projects for Public Welfare.” Participants selected one of several challenges, including supporting small businesses, combating voice phishing, protecting children and youth, and analyzing maritime risks. Over the two-day, overnight hackathon, they designed AI-powered solutions to these challenges and developed them into working service prototypes.

 

To help participants better understand real-world challenges and develop practical solutions, the event offered hands-on mentoring from experts and special lectures by Kakao developers. Officials from key government agencies overseeing the selected projects, including the National Police Agency, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, also joined as mentors and held in-depth Q&A sessions with participants.

 

Following final presentations and judging, five teams received awards, including the Minister of Employment and Labor Award, Kakao CEO Award, and Samsung Electronics CEO Award. Each team received KRW 3 million, bringing the total prize money to KRW 15 million.

 

The Minister of Employment and Labor Award went to Team Golden Time. The team developed “DRIFT,” an AI-powered service that analyzes various aspects of a maritime distress scene and assists the Korea Coast Guard with rescue operations even when communication is unavailable. The project received high marks for its practical application of AI to maritime emergency response. The Kakao CEO Award went to Team SSAIKA for “Mindam,” an AI-based service designed to streamline the submission and processing of civil complaints. Team Unlock received the Samsung Electronics President & CEO Award, while the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman’s Award went to Team Peanut and the Korea Radio Promotion Association President’s Award went to Team Kavengers.

 

Participants said the hackathon gave them valuable hands-on experience and showed them the importance of collaboration. Daehoon Kim, a Kakao developer who joined the company after completing the Kakao Tech Bootcamp, said, “It was a meaningful experience to tackle social issues that I would not normally encounter in my day-to-day work and explore how AI could help address them. Working with people from diverse backgrounds to plan and develop a service gave me new perspectives and ideas.”

 

Another participant, Yehoon Jang, said, “After serving as an Air Force officer, I wanted to pursue a career where I could solve the problems people encounter in their everyday lives. That led me to join the Kakao Tech Bootcamp and become a developer. Working on a project that uses AI to address a real-world challenge was a valuable opportunity for me to grow as a developer.”

 

Daeyeol Kwon, Head of Sustainability Management at Kakao, stated, “This hackathon is meaningful not only as an example of successful public-private cooperation in talent development, but also as an example of how collaboration between private companies can maximize the impact of education and training. We will continue to expand hands-on projects and opportunities for collaboration and strengthen our support for talent development and the growth of the developer ecosystem in the AI era.” 

 

Meanwhile, Kakao has trained a total of 660 technology professionals since its selection as an operator of the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s KDT Digital Leading Academy in 2022. In 2025, Kakao Tech Bootcamp and SSAFY were featured at the APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting as leading examples of developer training programs in Korea. (E.O.D.)

 

[Reference] Kakao Tech Bootcamp Website https://kakaotechbootcamp.com