The Koreas

Korean Merger Takes Instant Messaging Competition to New Level

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The Koreas

Korean Merger Takes Instant Messaging Competition to New Level

The merger of Kakao and Daum Communication signals the start of a content for global dominance.

Korean Merger Takes Instant Messaging Competition to New Level
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

South Korea’s Kakao Corp, operator of the nation’s dominant mobile messaging service KakaoTalk, announced on May 26 a merger with internet portal Daum Communication in an all-stock deal that values the messaging app operator at $3 billion. The merged company will operate under the name “DaumKakao.”

The announcement has attracted international attention, since the merger is expected to have powerful implications for competition among messaging services, which include WeChat, Whatsapp and Line, all eager to expand their influence around the globe.

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