A recent earnings call provided insight into the company’s outlook for the fourth quarter and addressed concerns stemming from a recent hacking incident. Executives revealed a cautious approach to the upcoming quarter, factoring in seasonality, uncertainties regarding customer compensation, and potential fines. Despite these challenges, the company anticipates year-over-year growth for 2025, driven by solid performance up to the third quarter.
In light of the hacking incident, the company has implemented a compensation plan for affected customers, which includes the replacement of USIM cards and discounts. The financial impact of these measures will be recognized in the fourth quarter, although the overall costs remain uncertain pending the results of an ongoing investigation. To bolster its defenses against future incidents, the company plans to invest over KRW1 trillion in information security over the next five years, a strategy that aligns with its historical annual investment of KRW120-130 billion.
The earnings call also touched on the process for appointing a new CEO, which commenced on November 4. This process, managed by a committee of independent directors, includes sourcing candidates through multiple channels. The final candidate will be presented at the 2026 shareholders’ meeting, and the current value plan approved by the Board of Directors will remain intact, unaffected by the leadership transition.
Executives expressed commitment to minimizing the financial impact of the hacking incident while maintaining focus on growth strategies. The company’s share buyback plan of KRW1 trillion will proceed, with flexibility to adjust based on market conditions and overall financial performance, including future dividends.
The emphasis on robust security measures and strategic financial planning reflects the company’s resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges, paving the way for continued progress and growth in the forthcoming year.