Lead

South Korean telecommunications operator KT Corp. said Monday it plans to invest around 18 trillion won (US$11.8 billion) to transform itself into a platform company for artificial intelligence (AI) transformation. The announcement was made by CEO Park Yoon-young at a press conference in central Seoul, his first such event since taking the role in March.

Coverage Comparison

Both reports from Yonhap News — English provide consistent details of the investment plan, with one account carrying additional specifics from the press conference. The core figures and strategic objectives are reported identically across the two articles, reflecting a single, unified corporate announcement.

Key Claims

  • KT Corp. will invest approximately 18 trillion won to become an AI transformation platform company.
  • 12 trillion won will be allocated to cybersecurity, IT, and networks over the next three years.
  • Of that, 4 trillion won will go toward revamping cybersecurity capabilities under a zero-trust principle, as well as IT innovation.
  • 5 trillion won will be invested in building AI data centers with a total capacity of 1 gigawatt, aimed at supporting ultra-low latency, real-time inference for physical AI and autonomous driving.
  • An additional 1 trillion won will be spent on submarine cables with a capacity exceeding 90 terabits per second to handle growing data traffic.
  • KT will partner with a global big tech company to raise capital for the submarine cable project.
  • KT will establish a "token factory" by combining its AI data centers with token optimization engines, and will enter stable coin-related businesses.
  • The company plans to expand its AI transformation business to Southeast Asia, targeting 1 trillion won in global sales by 2030.
  • Park emphasized the goal of leveraging core telecom growth to help Korea become a leading AI transformation (AX) nation.