Kakao Bets on Spin-Off to Accelerate AI Growth, Pledging 300 Billion Won in Shareholder Returns

Kakao announced a split into Kakao AI (AI, advertising, commerce based on KakaoTalk) and Kakao X (subsidiaries and investments). Kakao AI targets 6 trillion won in revenue by 2030, Kakao X targets 10 trillion; 300 billion won will be allocated for share buybacks.

• Kakao AI plans to double revenue from 2.7 to 6 trillion won in five years
• Kakao X targets 10 trillion won revenue with 13.3% annual growth
• 300 billion won (30% of Dunamu sale proceeds) to go to buyback
• Union opposes the deal and is ready to block it in December