Finance

Shinhan Financial chairman urges bold shift to lead digital ecosystem

Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Okdong says a sweeping transformation in finance has already begun as technology changes the industry’s order. In a New Year address, he points to the rise of digital assets, Web3 wallets and agentic AI, and warns traditional lenders’ influence could decline in deposits, loans and remittances. Jin says Shinhan must prove its purpose, strengthen core competitiveness and secure leadership in the digital asset ecosystem.

Games & Commerce

Kakao Group says 2026 will be year of amplification, with AI and global push at stake

Kakao Group said it has completed more than two years of strengthening fundamentals and will make 2026 the first year of “directional growth,” with artificial intelligence and global expansion as key themes. Chair Chung Shin-a said the group will shift from a period of “condensation” to growth. Kakao outlined two growth pillars: people-centered AI and a global fandom OS, with web3 serving as core infrastructure linking activities such as reservations, payments and fan rewards.