Naver and Kakao are joining the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF). This decision seems driven by the need for domestic companies to collaborate in response to the intensifying global competition for dominance in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. According to the IT industry on the 18th, KEF plans to hold a general meeting on the 20th and approve the agenda for new memberships. Companies applying for membership this time reportedly include IT platform companies like Naver and Kakao, as well as HYBE, and Dunamu.
KEF, which includes over 420 members, has been making efforts to recruit IT companies as members. Its predecessor, the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI), faced a difficult period when member companies withdrew during the 2017 political scandal concerning collusion between government and businesses. Although many have since returned, its status as the leading business group diminished when the four major groups—Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SK, and LG—left. In response, FKI rebranded itself as the Korea Enterprises Federation in 2023, launching a major image overhaul. As part of this revamp, they sought to expand by securing growing IT companies as members, sending membership requests to Naver, Kakao, and others.
Naver and Kakao decided to join after more than a year of consideration. Industry analysts believe this decision was significantly influenced by changes in the internal and external environment. Internally, they have become major targets of regulations like the Online Platform Fairness Act (OPFA). Externally, they must compete with global big tech companies, necessitating a platform to support their activities and amplify their voices. A Naver representative stated, “As global industrial trends shift due to AI and policy changes continue with the Trump administration’s potential return to power, we believe it’s now more crucial than ever for domestic companies to collaborate.”