KT’s process to appoint its next chief executive is passing the halfway point as the field narrows to seven candidates, drawing attention from the telecom industry.

According to industry sources on Dec. 8, the board’s nominating committee will hold online interviews with the seven candidates on Dec. 9. A shortlist of three to four finalists could emerge later that afternoon.

The committee cut the pool from 33 candidates to 16 last month, then reduced it to seven on Dec. 2.

The seven remaining contenders are former Skylife President Kim Cheol-soo, former Seoul Metro President Kim Tae-ho, former KT CS President Nam Gyu-taek, former KT Enterprise Division President Park Yun-young, KT Customer Division Executive Vice President Lee Hyun-seok, former SK Communications CEO Joo Hyung-chul, and former SK Shieldus CEO Hong Won-pyo.

Industry watchers expect Park Yun-young, Lee Hyun-seok, Kim Tae-ho and Joo Hyung-chul to have strong chances of making the shortlist. The list could change depending on the interview results.

Once the shortlist is set, KT is expected to select a final candidate during a board meeting on Dec. 16 for recommendation to the shareholders meeting. The chosen nominee will be confirmed as KT’s new CEO at the regular shareholders meeting in March 2026.