Kakao Games has achieved the highest AAA rating in the latest ESG evaluation conducted by global financial index provider Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), marking a two-tier upgrade from its previous rating.
The company announced on the 5th that it ranked among the top 2% of the global media and entertainment industry in this year’s assessment. This milestone comes just two years after Kakao Games first received an MSCI ESG evaluation in 2022. Notably, it remains the only Korean gaming company to have ever secured an AAA rating.
MSCI, recognized as one of the world’s leading ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) evaluation bodies, has been assessing over 8,500 publicly listed companies worldwide annually since 1999. The firm assigns ratings from CCC to AAA based on critical ESG factors such as environmental management, human capital development, and corporate governance. Kakao Games received high marks in several key areas, including carbon emissions reduction, workforce development, information security, and governance.
As part of its environmental initiatives, Kakao Games has obtained international certification for its environmental management system and actively participates in the group-wide Active Green Initiative, aimed at reducing carbon emissions. In cybersecurity, the company has strengthened user data protection by acquiring the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Cross-Border Privacy Rules (APEC CBPR) certification. Additionally, it has reinforced internal compliance and transparency by implementing the Compliance and Trust Committee, launched by its parent company, Kakao.
A Kakao Games representative highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, "Since our first MSCI evaluation in 2022, we have consistently improved our rating by two levels each year, culminating in an AAA rating—the highest within our industry—within just two years. This recognition affirms our commitment to ESG management, and we will continue to develop and expand ESG and CSR initiatives that are unique to Kakao Games."
Beyond its ESG rating, Kakao Games has been actively involved in social contribution initiatives. These include the Traveling Friends Game Land project, which leverages Kakao Friends characters to offer gaming experiences to diverse communities, support programs for improving gaming accessibility for people with disabilities, donation campaigns involving both users and employees, and the annual publication of an ESG report detailing its sustainability efforts.
Kakao Games has also been recognized domestically for its ESG performance. The company received an A rating for two consecutive years from the Korea ESG Standards Institute (KCGS), making it the highest-rated gaming company in Korea’s ESG assessments.
Sayart / Jack Lee, wangjb77@gmail.com
Courtesy of Kakao Games
Kakao Games has achieved the highest AAA rating in the latest ESG evaluation conducted by global financial index provider Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), marking a two-tier upgrade from its previous rating.
The company announced on the 5th that it ranked among the top 2% of the global media and entertainment industry in this year’s assessment. This milestone comes just two years after Kakao Games first received an MSCI ESG evaluation in 2022. Notably, it remains the only Korean gaming company to have ever secured an AAA rating.
MSCI, recognized as one of the world’s leading ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) evaluation bodies, has been assessing over 8,500 publicly listed companies worldwide annually since 1999. The firm assigns ratings from CCC to AAA based on critical ESG factors such as environmental management, human capital development, and corporate governance. Kakao Games received high marks in several key areas, including carbon emissions reduction, workforce development, information security, and governance.
As part of its environmental initiatives, Kakao Games has obtained international certification for its environmental management system and actively participates in the group-wide Active Green Initiative, aimed at reducing carbon emissions. In cybersecurity, the company has strengthened user data protection by acquiring the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Cross-Border Privacy Rules (APEC CBPR) certification. Additionally, it has reinforced internal compliance and transparency by implementing the Compliance and Trust Committee, launched by its parent company, Kakao.
A Kakao Games representative highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, "Since our first MSCI evaluation in 2022, we have consistently improved our rating by two levels each year, culminating in an AAA rating—the highest within our industry—within just two years. This recognition affirms our commitment to ESG management, and we will continue to develop and expand ESG and CSR initiatives that are unique to Kakao Games."
Beyond its ESG rating, Kakao Games has been actively involved in social contribution initiatives. These include the Traveling Friends Game Land project, which leverages Kakao Friends characters to offer gaming experiences to diverse communities, support programs for improving gaming accessibility for people with disabilities, donation campaigns involving both users and employees, and the annual publication of an ESG report detailing its sustainability efforts.
Kakao Games has also been recognized domestically for its ESG performance. The company received an A rating for two consecutive years from the Korea ESG Standards Institute (KCGS), making it the highest-rated gaming company in Korea’s ESG assessments.
