ESG Analyst, Who's Good

Heejeong (Hollie) Park

ESG Analyst

ASIA’S FIRST AI-DRIVEN ESG INSIGHT PROVIDER

Who's Good

Using AI technologies and public data, Who’s Good provides objective and up-to-date corporate ESG insights on Asian companies.

WHY WHO'S GOOD

* Time-sensitive: Time is the essence in finance. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can process vast amount of information in a short span of time. Our powerful algorithm offers real-time in-depth corporate ESG analysis with out compromising its quality.
* Objective: We turned to public big data and news big data as source to base our analysis on and to preserve impartiality. We leverage 350 public big data sources and 93 news data sources in Korea to uncover insights.
* Insightful: Who’s Good ESG analysis coverage extends to all listed and non-listed companies in Korea. This allows us to provide a comprehensive insight into the Korean market.
* Global approach to ESG: Our ESG research framework is built on international standards and principles including UN Global Compact, ISO 26000, ICGN and CFA Guidelines on Corporate Governance to meet the global standards.

<ul>
<li>Domestic telecom company faced significant fines for false advertising of 5G, the second-largest penalty ever imposed. </li>
<li>Investigations into the telecom market, dominated by a long-term duopoly, are expanding. </li>
<li>Within KT Group's subcontracting process, allegations of favoritism and manipulation in project allocation are currently under investigation by the prosecution.</li>
</ul>


Domestic telecom company faced significant fines for false advertising of 5G, the second-largest penalty ever imposed. 
Investigations into the telecom market, dominated by a long-term duopoly, are expanding. 
Within KT Group's subcontracting process, allegations of favoritism and manipulation in project allocation are currently under investigation by the prosecution.


KT CORPORATION: Fines, Favoritism, and ESG Risks

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>In our view, the Korean government could allow a fourth major telco in Korea in the next 1-2 years. </li>
<li>The launch of the fourth major telco in Korea would have a significant negative impact on the three existing Korean telcos. </li>
<li>In the local media, the following companies have been mentioned as potential candidates to inject capital into the 4th telecom operator in Korea: Coupang, Naver, Kakao, Viva Republica, and Shinsegae.</li>
</ul>


In our view, the Korean government could allow a fourth major telco in Korea in the next 1-2 years. 
The launch of the fourth major telco in Korea would have a significant negative impact on the three existing Korean telcos. 
In the local media, the following companies have been mentioned as potential candidates to inject capital into the 4th telecom operator in Korea: Coupang, Naver, Kakao, Viva Republica, and Shinsegae.


When Will the Korean Government Allow the Fourth Telco in Korea?

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The Starlink service is expected to be launched in Korea in 2Q/3Q 2023. Starlink gained more than 1 million active subscribers globally as of December 2022.</li>
<li>The launch of the Starlink service in Korea is likely to have a positive impact on  companies such as Hanwha Aerospace, Solu-M, Intellian Technologies, and Satrec Initiative.</li>
<li>We like a pair trade involving long (basket of 8 stocks above that are positively impacted by Starlink launch in Korea) and short (three major Korean telcos).</li>
</ul>


The Starlink service is expected to be launched in Korea in 2Q/3Q 2023. Starlink gained more than 1 million active subscribers globally as of December 2022.
The launch of the Starlink service in Korea is likely to have a positive impact on  companies such as Hanwha Aerospace, Solu-M, Intellian Technologies, and Satrec Initiative.
We like a pair trade involving long (basket of 8 stocks above that are positively impacted by Starlink launch in Korea) and short (three major Korean telcos).


Launch of Starlink Service by SpaceX - Impact on 11 Korean Companies

Private Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>Established in 2020, Rebellions is a leading AI based fabless startup in Korea. In February 2023, Rebellions launched a new artificial intelligence chip, challenging the global leader NVIDIA. </li>
<li>According to the company, its ATOM chip targets specific tasks, allowing the chip to consume only about 20% of the power of an Nvidia A100 chip on those tasks. </li>
<li>Since the company's inception, Rebellions raised 122 billion won in funding including 30 billion won from KT. The company was last valued at 350 billion won in June 2022.</li>
</ul>


Established in 2020, Rebellions is a leading AI based fabless startup in Korea. In February 2023, Rebellions launched a new artificial intelligence chip, challenging the global leader NVIDIA. 
According to the company, its ATOM chip targets specific tasks, allowing the chip to consume only about 20% of the power of an Nvidia A100 chip on those tasks. 
Since the company's inception, Rebellions raised 122 billion won in funding including 30 billion won from KT. The company was last valued at 350 billion won in June 2022.


Rebellions: Challenging Nvidia in the AI-Powered Semiconductor Chips

Kakao Brain Corp / Private Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>One of the most promising projects that Kakao Brain is currently developing includes an AI Korean language model called KoGPT, which would be similar to ChatGPT service. </li>
<li>In February 2023, Kakao Brain created a major magazine cover which was the first time in South Korea that an AI-based artwork has been published on a major magazine cover.</li>
<li>There are five major companies including Kakao Brain, Naver Corp, SK Telecom, KT Corp, and LG AI Research that are actively developing Korean language versions of Chat GPT.</li>
</ul>


One of the most promising projects that Kakao Brain is currently developing includes an AI Korean language model called KoGPT, which would be similar to ChatGPT service. 
In February 2023, Kakao Brain created a major magazine cover which was the first time in South Korea that an AI-based artwork has been published on a major magazine cover.
There are five major companies including Kakao Brain, Naver Corp, SK Telecom, KT Corp, and LG AI Research that are actively developing Korean language versions of Chat GPT.


Kakao Brain: Leading Provider of AI Based Text-To-Image Service & Launch of KoGPT in 2H 2023

South Korea

LG Uplus Corp., an affiliate of LG Group, provides a wide range of personal communications services (PCS) using code division multiple access (CDMA) technology.  The Company offers call forwarding, call and data transfer, call waiting, voice mail, Internet-phone, prepaid call, and authentication text-to-speech (TTS) services.

KINX INC is the Internet linkage and line adapter service providing firm.  The Company provides IX and Internet Data Center service to the network service providers to reduce the traffic and to contruct Internet infrastructure.  KINX also provides VoIP service.

Sejong Telecom, Inc. develops and provides various telecom service.  The Company's main service include international phone call, Internet phone call, and long distance call.

SK Telecom Co., Ltd. is a Korean mobile and telecommunications operator. The Company provides cellular voice, wireless data, and wireless internet services. SK Telecom also offers fixed line services and platform services.

ECS Telecom Co.,Ltd. is a provider of communication products and services.  The company offers private branch exchange (PBX), IP telephony, contact center solution, and trading system.

HYBE Co., Ltd. operates as an entertainment company. The Company provides music production, album distribution, entertainers management, publicity, planning, training, and other services. HYBE also makes television shows.

Netmarble Corporation develops and publishes mobile games. The Company develops and publishes casual games, action, sports games, strategy, simulation games, and social casino games. Netmarble offers services worldwide.

Pearl Abyss Corp. operates as a computer games making company. The Company offers games development, games exporting, and other services. Pearl Abyss serves customers worldwide.

KRTnet Corporation provides radio relay services for mobile phone companies by building and maintaining relay station.  The Company also manufactures telecommunication equipment used for radio relay station.

Kakao Games Corp. operates as a multiply platform gaming company. The Company provides mobile games, computer games, virtual reality games, and other related products. Kakao Games markets its products worldwide.

Telekom Malaysia Berhad establishes, provides, and maintains telecommunication and related services. Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides payphone network, mobile telecommunication, public telephone, and leasing of optical fiber telecommunication system services. Telekom also manages and operates Kuala Lumpur Tower and provides intelligent security services.

Tata Communications Limited provides telecommunications services. The Company provides international telephone, telex and telegraphy services, international maritime mobile communications, INTELSAT business service and bureau fax and t-fax services. Tata Communications also provides internet access, electronic mail and electronic data interchange services.

Telecom Italia S.p.A., through subsidiaries, offers fixed line and mobile telephone and data transmission services in Italy and abroad.  The Company offers local and long-distance telephone, satellite communications, Internet access, and teleconferencing services.

Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG provides telecommunications services in Germany. The Company offers fixed-line and mobile telephone, Internet, and data transmission services to residential and corporate customers.

Telekom Austria AG offers telecommunications services.  The Company offers fixed -line and mobile telephone, Internet access, and data transmission services. Telekom Austria also offers Internet access and mobile services in Liechtenstein , Slovenia, Bulgaria, Belarus and Croatia.

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization S.A. (OTE S.A.) provides telecommunications services. The Company offers fixed-line television and mobile telecommunication services including voice, broadband, data and leased lines. OTE S.A. serves the audio-visual, communications, industrial, and residential industries as well as public customers.

Turk Telekomunikasyon A.S. is an integrated telecommunications services provider for businesses and individuals. The Company offers land and mobile telecommunications solutions, as well as Internet services.

True Corporation PCL is an integrated telecommunications provider. The Company offers a wide range of voice, video, and data services, including dial-up and broadband Internet services, pay television, fixed-line phone, online games, and mobile phone services.

HKT Trust and HKT Ltd trade together as a stapled security.  HKT Ltd provides telecommunications services.  The Company's business provides telecommunications products and services including local telephony services, local data and broadband services, international telecommunications services, and other services.

Spark New Zealand Limited (formerly Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited) provides digital communications, entertainment and IT services over its networks and the Cloud to New Zealanders and businesses. The Company's strategy is focused on mobility, data and effortless service, and cost.

KT Corporation provides telecommunication services including local, long distance, and international calling, satellite communication, data transmission, and wireless telephone services in South Korea.  The Company also offers network portal and high-speed Internet access services using asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSLs).

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KT Corp (030200 KS)

KT CORPORATION: Fines, Favoritism, and ESG Risks

Examining ESG Risks: KT CORPORATION (030200 KS), a leading Korean telecom company, under scrutiny for false 5G ads and favoritism investigation

Heejeong (Hollie) Park

When Will the Korean Government Allow the Fourth Telco in Korea?

The Korean government could allow a fourth major telco in Korea in the next 1-2 years which would have a significant negative impact on the three...

Douglas Kim

Launch of Starlink Service by SpaceX - Impact on 11 Korean Companies

The launch of the SpaceX's Starlink service in Korea in 2Q/3Q 2023 is likely to have a positive impact on companies such as Hanwha Aerospace, Solu...

Douglas Kim

Rebellions: Challenging Nvidia in the AI-Powered Semiconductor Chips

Established in 2020, Rebellions is a leading AI based fabless startup in Korea. In February 2023, Rebellions launched a new artificial intelligence...

Douglas Kim

Kakao Brain: Leading Provider of AI Based Text-To-Image Service & Launch of KoGPT in 2H 2023

One of the most promising projects that Kakao Brain is currently developing includes an AI Korean language model called KoGPT, which would be...

Douglas Kim

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