KT turns to lifer Park Yoon-young for CEO role

KT Corp. has named longtime insider Park Yoon-young as its next chief executive officer candidate, opting for continuity as South Korea’s No. 2 mobile carrier seeks to contain the fallout from recent security breaches and keep its artificial intelligence-led strategy on track.

The board said Tuesday it has selected Park, a former executive vice president who led the enterprise business group, as its final CEO candidate following board interviews.

He is set to formally take office in March, pending approval at the annual shareholders’ meeting.

Park, a KT lifer who spent nearly three decades at the company between 1992 and 2020, is widely described internally as a consensus builder with few detractors.

During his final interview, he emphasized honoring commitments to shareholders and the market and presented concrete plans to address challenges, including cyberattacks, according to people familiar with the matter.

The board described Park as an executive who delivered results in digital transformation and business-to-business services by combining deep operational experience with technology-driven management.

His nomination marks his third attempt at the top job after unsuccessful bids in 2020 and 2023.

A CONTINUITY PICK

Park’s selection reflects the board’s preference for a low-disruption leadership capable of stabilizing the organization and sustaining strategic momentum, people familiar with the decision said.

He is also viewed as closely aligned with the direction set by incumbent CEO Kim Young-shub, who has pushed to reposition KT as an AI-focused company.

That alignment is seen as critical as KT deepens partnerships with US technology firms such as Microsoft Corp. and Palantir Technologies Inc., where consistency of execution has become a top priority.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES AHEAD

As head of the enterprise business group, Park was credited with expanding non-telecom revenue through digital transformation projects, helping diversify earnings as growth in traditional mobile services slowed.

He also oversaw the national disaster communications network project, strengthening KT’s credibility in the public sector, and built experience in overseas markets.

His most urgent task will be addressing hacking incidents tied to KT’s network infrastructure, which have triggered regulatory scrutiny and raised questions over governance and risk controls.

Beyond crisis management, Park faces pressure to deliver tangible progress on KT’s transition into a so-called “AICT” company, particularly through investment in AI data centers and related infrastructure.

Over the longer term, maintaining KT’s technological edge as the industry moves toward 6G, where the company currently holds an advantage with its 5G standalone network, will be central to defending competitiveness and restoring investor confidence.