Kakao appointed Chung Shin-a as its first female, chief while it is facing urgent challenges in revamping its corporate culture and management. The announcement was made as she gained a nod from shareholders during the annual meeting and a separate approval from the board of directors earlier in the day at the company?s headquarters in Jeju Island. After being named as the CEO nominee in December, Chung has served as the head of the company?s innovation task force and chair of its strategy committee, seeking ways to reform Kakao.

She also engaged with over 1,000 employees more than 20 times before taking the helm to come up with implementation plans. Hong Eun-taek, stepped down from the CEO post. Meanwhile, Chung?

s official term will last until the regular general shareholders meeting in March 2026.