KT (NYSE: KT) maps 2026–2031 AX platform strategy and trillions in AI spend

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

KT Corporation outlines a mid-term growth strategy to transform into an AX (AI + telecommunications) platform company. The plan focuses on strengthening core telecom competitiveness, including a Zero Trust cybersecurity and IT framework and improving customer-perceived network quality while securing future network technologies.

KT plans to secure 1GW of AI data center capacity and 90 Tbps of submarine cable capacity over the next five years to support growing AI demand and global traffic. The implementation timeline runs from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2031, with large-scale investments across cybersecurity, IT systems, network infrastructure, and AX infrastructure.

The company expects these initiatives to help establish an AX hub in Asia and support mid-term growth, while emphasizing that all investment amounts and plans are under review and may change depending on market conditions and the business environment.

Insights

Telecom & Infrastructure Analyst

KT maps out a large, multi-year AI and network buildout with flexible timing.

KT Corporation presents a strategic shift toward becoming an AX platform company, combining core telecom services with AI infrastructure. The plan emphasizes Zero Trust cybersecurity, IT modernization, and better network quality, alongside significant buildout of AI data centers and submarine cable capacity.

The company cites investment plans totaling several trillion KRW across cybersecurity, IT systems, network infrastructure, and AX infrastructure, spread over three- and five-year horizons. These figures aggregate capital expenditure, operating expenses, and related costs, and are explicitly stated as subject to change with market conditions.

The anticipated outcome is creation of an AX hub in Asia and support for mid-term growth. Execution details and phasing remain flexible, with the company noting that specific business details will be disclosed separately if formal obligations arise, so the practical impact will depend on future, more detailed project commitments.

Key Figures

AI data center capacity target: 1GW Submarine cable capacity target: 90 Tbps Cybersecurity and IT investment: KRW 4 trillion +4 more

7 metrics

AI data center capacity target 1GW Capacity to be secured over the next five years

Submarine cable capacity target 90 Tbps Capacity to be secured over the next five years

Cybersecurity and IT investment KRW 4 trillion Planned over three years

Network infrastructure investment KRW 8 trillion Planned over three years

AX infrastructure investment KRW 6 trillion Over next five years; KRW 5T AI data center, KRW 1T submarine cable

Implementation period January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2031 Timeline for mid-term growth strategy

Information provision time July 6, 2026, 10:00 KST Scheduled press briefing time

Key Terms

AX Platform Company, Zero Trust, AI Data Center Capacity, submarine cable capacity, +1 more

5 terms

AX Platform Company financial

"Purpose | Transformation into an AX Platform Company"

Zero Trust technical

"Establishing a 'Zero Trust' based framework for cybersecurity and IT operations"

Zero trust is a security approach that assumes no one, whether inside or outside an organization, should be automatically trusted. Instead, every access request is carefully verified before being granted, much like checking ID at every door rather than trusting someone just because they are known. For investors, it emphasizes the importance of protecting digital assets and data from potential breaches, reducing overall risk.

AI Data Center Capacity technical

"Securing 1GW of AI Data Center Capacity over the next 5 years"

submarine cable capacity technical

"Securing 90 Tbps of submarine cable capacity over the next 5 years"

mid-term growth financial

"Anticipated Impact | Establishment of AX hub in Asia and mid-term growth"

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Form 6-K: How Foreign Companies Report to the SEC →

Available on EDGAR 07/06/2026 - 06:04 AM Accepted by SEC EDGAR 07/06/2026 - 06:04 AM Learn about SEC filing dates

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________

Form 6-K

______________________

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of July 2026

Commission File Number 1-14926

______________________

KT Corporation

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

______________________

90, Buljeong-ro,

Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si,

Gyeonggi-do,

Korea

(Address of principal executive offices)

______________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

Form 20-F ☒   Form 40-F ☐

Future Business and Management Plan

※ The information below concerns future plans and is subject to change
1. Future Plan									KT Mid-term Growth Strategy
2. Key Contents and Expected Timeline			Purpose						Transformation into an AX Platform Company
			Key Details						Strengthening core telecommunication competitiveness –Establishing a 'Zero Trust' based framework for cybersecurity and IT operations –Enhancing fundamental competitiveness through improvements in customer-perceived network quality and securing future technologies Expansion of AX Infrastructure –Securing 1GW of AI Data Center Capacity over the next 5 years to respond to growing demand for AI –Securing 90 Tbps of submarine cable capacity over the next 5 years to respond to increasing global AI traffic
			Implementation Timeline			From			January 1, 2026
						To			December 31, 2031
			Expected Investment Amount						KRW 4 trillion investment in cybersecurity and IT systems, and KRW 8 trillion investment in network infrastructure over 3 years KRW 6 trillion in AX infrastructure over the next 5 years(KRW 5 trillion for AI Data Center, KRW 1 trillion for submarine cable) ※ The investments amounts set forth above represent the aggregate of capital expenditure, operating expenses and other related costs, and are subject to change depending on market conditions and changes in the company's business environment.
			Anticipated Impact						Establishment of AX hub in Asia and mid-term growth
3. Provision of Information			Provider						KT Corporation Public Relations Office
			Target Audience						Media correspondents and the public
			(Expected) Time and Date of Provision						July 6, 2026, 10:00(KST)
			Name of Event(Location)						Press briefing on "Transformation into an AX Platform Company"
4. Point of Contact (Department/Telephone Number)									KT IR / +82-70-4193-4036
5. Other Matters Relating to Investment Decision –The foregoing plan is under review based on current market conditions and is subject to change in light of future market conditions and changes in the Company's business environment –In the event that specific business details are finalized in the future and a related disclosure obligation arises, the Company will make a separate disclosure accordingly –The reason the start date of the aforementioned 'Implementation Timeline' is indicated as January 1, 2026 is that a portion of the investments related to cybersecurity, IT, and network infrastructure had already been executed as of such date

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

			Dated: July 6, 2026
			KT Corporation
			By:			/s/ Sun Wook Kim
			Name: Sun Wook Kim
			Title: IRO
			By:			/s/ Sanghyun Cho
			Name: Sanghyun Cho
			Title: IR Team Leader

FAQ

What is KT (KT) announcing in this Form 6-K filing?

KT is outlining a mid-term growth strategy to transform into an AX platform company. The plan emphasizes stronger telecom competitiveness, Zero Trust cybersecurity, IT modernization, and major AI data center and submarine cable investments to support future growth and AI-driven services.

How much does KT (KT) plan to invest under the AX strategy?

KT plans KRW 4 trillion for cybersecurity and IT systems and KRW 8 trillion for network infrastructure over three years. It also plans KRW 6 trillion for AX infrastructure over five years, including KRW 5 trillion for AI data centers and KRW 1 trillion for submarine cables.

What capacity targets are included in KT (KT)'s AX infrastructure plan?

KT aims to secure 1GW of AI data center capacity and 90 Tbps of submarine cable capacity over the next five years. These targets are designed to handle rising AI computing demand and growing global AI-related data traffic across its network footprint.

What is the implementation timeline for KT (KT)'s mid-term growth strategy?

The implementation timeline runs from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2031. KT notes some cybersecurity, IT, and network investments were already underway as of January 1, 2026, and future details may be disclosed as specific projects are finalized.

How does KT (KT) expect this plan to impact its business?

KT anticipates the plan will help establish an AX hub in Asia and support mid-term growth. Management highlights that all investment amounts and details remain under review and may change with market conditions and the company’s evolving business environment.

Who is KT (KT) targeting with this announcement and how is it communicated?

Information is provided by KT’s Public Relations Office to media correspondents and the public. A press briefing titled “Transformation into an AX Platform Company” is scheduled for July 6, 2026 at 10:00 KST to explain the strategy and investment plans.