Kakao Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Kakao has 4 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, technology architecture, and group fiscal management.

Focused on building a seamless mobile lifestyle, Kakao delivers integrated messaging services that connect millions of users across South Korea and beyond through innovative digital platforms.

Leadership Roles at Kakao

  • Chief Executive Officer - Ki-jun Kim
  • Chief Financial Officer - Heyryung Choi
  • Group Chief Financial Officer - Shin Jong-hwan
  • Chief Technology Officer - Jaeha Song
  • Ki-jun Kim - Chief Executive Officer

    Ki-jun Kim, the Chief Executive Officer at Kakao, directs the overarching corporate strategy for the mobile messaging ecosystem. By prioritizing user engagement and platform scalability, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the company maintains a competitive edge within the South Korean mobile market. Ki-jun Kim manages high-level partnerships and aligns internal departments with long-term growth objectives. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of market trends to refine the mobile lifestyle platform offerings. Through rigorous oversight of organizational performance, the Chief Executive Officer drives operational excellence across all business units. The strategic vision provided by Ki-jun Kim fosters a culture of innovation, enabling the company to expand its reach into new digital service sectors. By balancing rapid product development with sustainable business practices, the Chief Executive Officer secures the future trajectory of the organization while delivering consistent value to stakeholders and users alike.

    Heyryung Choi - Chief Financial Officer

    Heyryung Choi, the Chief Financial Officer at Kakao, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the mobile messaging platform. Overseeing financial planning and analysis, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the company maintains robust liquidity to support ongoing product innovation. Heyryung Choi directs the budgeting processes and monitors revenue streams generated from diverse mobile services. This leadership role requires close collaboration with the board to optimize capital structure and mitigate financial risks. By implementing rigorous cost-control measures, the Chief Financial Officer improves operational efficiency across the organization. Heyryung Choi provides critical insights into market performance, enabling data-driven decision-making for future investments. Through the management of investor relations and financial reporting, the Chief Financial Officer maintains transparency and trust with shareholders. The fiscal discipline enforced by Heyryung Choi supports the long-term sustainability of the mobile lifestyle platform in a highly competitive industry.

    Shin Jong-hwan - Group Chief Financial Officer

    Shin Jong-hwan, the Group Chief Financial Officer at Kakao, manages the consolidated financial operations and investment strategies across the entire corporate group. Overseeing the fiscal integration of various business units, the Group Chief Financial Officer ensures alignment with the broader organizational mission. Shin Jong-hwan directs the allocation of resources to support expansion into new mobile lifestyle sectors. This leadership role involves analyzing group-wide performance metrics to identify opportunities for revenue growth and operational synergy. By coordinating financial reporting across multiple subsidiaries, the Group Chief Financial Officer maintains high standards of corporate governance. Shin Jong-hwan provides strategic guidance on mergers and acquisitions, strengthening the company's market position. Through the oversight of group-level financial health, the Group Chief Financial Officer supports the long-term stability of the organization. Shin Jong-hwan ensures that all financial activities contribute to the overarching goal of delivering seamless mobile services to a diverse user base.

    Jaeha Song - Chief Technology Officer

    Jaeha Song, the Chief Technology Officer at Kakao, architects the technical infrastructure supporting the mobile messaging and lifestyle platform. Overseeing software engineering and data security, the Chief Technology Officer ensures the reliability and speed of services for millions of users. Jaeha Song directs the development of scalable cloud solutions and integrates emerging technologies to enhance user experience. This leadership role involves managing large-scale engineering teams and fostering a culture of technical excellence. By prioritizing system stability and innovation, the Chief Technology Officer drives the evolution of the platform's core features. Jaeha Song collaborates with other executives to align technical roadmaps with business goals, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of mobile technology. Through the implementation of advanced algorithms and robust backend systems, the Chief Technology Officer secures the integrity of the digital ecosystem. Jaeha Song maintains a focus on continuous improvement to meet the demands of a dynamic global market.
    Jaeha Song

    Explore Leadership Teams in Media & Internet

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Kakao Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Kakao?
    Kakao is led by Ki-jun Kim (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Heyryung Choi (Chief Financial Officer) and Shin Jong-hwan (Group Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of Kakao’s executive team?
    The executive team of Kakao includes leaders such as Ki-jun Kim (Chief Executive Officer), Heyryung Choi (Chief Financial Officer), Shin Jong-hwan (Group Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Kakao have?
    Kakao has 4 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Kakao’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Kakao includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Group Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer.