[Edaily Reporter Kang Min-koo ] kakaopay(377300)received an overall “A” rating in the “2026 ESG Evaluation” released by the Korea ESG Standards Institute (KCGS), marking the second consecutive year it has achieved this rating.

The Korea ESG Standards Institute is a domestic ESG rating agency that provides services such as corporate governance and ESG-related surveys, evaluations, and proxy advisory services to domestic and international institutional investors and companies.

In this evaluation, kakaopay received an ‘A’ in the environmental category, along with an ‘A+’ in social and an ‘A’ in governance. It consistently maintained the same ratings in each category as the previous year.

In particular, in the environmental category, it received high marks for establishing medium- to long-term climate change goals and detailed strategies, identifying climate-related risks and opportunities, and transparently disclosing the quantitative financial impacts on its business operations.

In the social category, the company was recognized for identifying key risk factors—such as occupational safety and health, human rights, and data protection—and implementing mitigation measures. Additionally, its operation of a regular evaluation and monitoring system for its supply chain was viewed positively.

In the governance category, the company was recognized for its efforts to establish a transparent and accountable governance structure, including the fair operation of the board’s CEO candidate management system and the approval of the executive director compensation structure through the Compensation Committee.

Shinwon, CEO of kakaopay, stated, “This is the result of external recognition once again being given to kakaopay’s sincere efforts in ESG management,” adding, “Going forward, we will continue to develop the areas where we have been recognized—such as responding to climate change, managing the supply chain, and strengthening corporate governance transparency—and enhance our ESG competitiveness through transparent information disclosure and win-win initiatives.”