[Edaily Reporter Han Kwangbeom ] Hong Min-taek, former Chief Product Officer (CPO) of Kakao(035720), who led the KakaoTalk overhaul before resigning amid controversies over internal leadership and organizational culture, received 2.8 billion won in compensation during the first half of this year.
According to Kakao’s semi-annual report released on the 14th, former CPO Hong, whose resignation was finalized as of May 31, received a total compensation of 2.816 billion won for the first half of this year.
The specific breakdown of his compensation includes a salary of 314 million won, a bonus of 628 million won, severance pay of 318 million won, and other employment income of 1.556 billion won. The bonus reflected his achievements in growing the KakaoTalk business and establishing product and service strategies, as well as a retention bonus. “Other employment income” includes welfare benefits and the portion of executive retirement income that exceeds the limit set by the Income Tax Act.
Hong, the former CPO and ex-CEO of Toss Bank, joined Kakao in February of last year and has overseen the redesign of the KakaoTalk service and the enhancement of AI-based features. However, after pushing for a social media-style redesign last September—including the introduction of a grid-style feed on the “Friends” tab, the app’s home screen—the move drew backlash from users who felt it weakened KakaoTalk’s core role as a messenger. As a result, Kakao reversed some of these changes, such as restoring the friends list to its prominent position on the home screen.
Subsequently, internal dissatisfaction arose over a perceived lack of consideration for frontline staff’s opinions and concerns regarding decision-making processes; the company also underwent an internal audit as part of an investigation by the Ministry of Employment and Labor into organizational culture and working conditions. Following Hong’s resignation, Kakao is considering a reorganization that would split the product organization into separate service and business divisions, rather than appointing a successor CPO.
The executive who received the highest compensation at Kakao in the first half of this year was former CEO Hong Eun-taek, who received a total of 3.282 billion won, including gains from exercising stock options (1.689 billion won). Kwon Dae-yeol, Head of Group ESG at the CA Council, received 1.608 billion won, including gains from exercising stock options (1.036 billion won).
CEO Jeong Shin-ah received a total of 1.209 billion won, consisting of a base salary of 500 million won and a short-term performance bonus of 706 million won. The performance bonus reflected not only financial performance but also non-quantifiable contributions such as new AI business initiatives and the KakaoTalk redesign. In addition, Leader Lee Seong-ho received 900 million won, including gains from exercising stock options, and CFO Shin Jong-hwan received 559 million won.
At Naver (NAVER(035420)), CEO Choi Soo-yeon received a total of 2.667 billion won, including a salary of 550 million won, a bonus of 1.43 billion won, and 655 million won in RSUs (Restricted Stock Units). The bonus took into account quantifiable achievements, such as reaching 12 trillion won in operating revenue, as well as the company’s AI execution capabilities.
Founder and Board Chairman Lee Hae-jin received a total of 1.598 billion won, comprising a base salary of 770 million won and a bonus of 706 million won. In addition, Kim Tae-woong, Leader (1.839 billion won), Kim Kwang-hyun, CDO (1.484 billion won), and Kim Beom-jun, COO (1.479 billion won), recorded the next highest compensation, in that order.
