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NAVER CEO Choi Soo-yeon became the first CEO of a Korean IT platform company to receive the Dasan Management Award* as a professional executive, conferred to a management executive who has demonstrated excellence in driving business performance while fostering exemplary corporate culture. The judging committee commended CEO Choi for integrating HyperCLOVA X, NAVER’s own hyperscale AI model, across its core services such as search, maps, and shopping. As a result, NAVER surpassed 3 trillion KRW in quarterly revenue for the first time in Q3 2025, achieving the highest operating profit to date. Below are the highlights from CEO Choi’s acceptance remarks delivered at the award ceremony.

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* Dasan Management Award : an award presented to a management executive who has demonstrated excellence in driving business performance and fulfilling social responsibilities. Established in 1992 by The Korea Economic Daily, the award has continued based on the spirit of Silsagusi (seeking truth based on facts) and Gyeongsejemin (governing the world and saving the people), the core philosophies of Jeong Yak-yong (also known by his pen-name Dasan).

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For the betterment of people and society,

Driving change through technology responsibly developed by NAVER

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NAVER began its journey as a search engine, growing and evolving alongside Korea’s internet ecosystem. Throughout our journey, we have continuously reflected on the value that technology can bring to people and society, striving to create an ecosystem where users, creators, sellers, and business owners can gain access to greater opportunities and grow together.

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As part of the top management that represents NAVER, I have come to deeply understand that technological advancement and growth must always go hand in hand with responsibility. I believe emerging technologies, including AI, should not be an end in themselves, but rather a means to benefit people and industries. NAVER’s continued efforts to build our technological capabilities, from infrastructure to models and services, are an extension of such responsibility.

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Going forward, I will take to heart the meaning and encouragement embodied in the Dasan Management Award, ensuring that technology does not remain in the hands of a select few or specific companies, but instead contributes to the well-being of people while providing equal opportunities and positive changes. Furthermore, I will strive to help our society take greater steps forward by combining NAVER’s advanced technological capabilities with Korea’s robust industrial foundation. Thank you.