Meritz Securities Gives Positive Evaluation on KT&G Chairman Appointment

News by 2FIRSTS.ai

Feb.26.2024

Meritz Securities Gives Positive Evaluation on KT&G Chairman Appointment

Meritz Securities praises KT&G's appointment of Bang Kyung-man as new chairman, anticipating business growth and shareholder rewards under his leadership.

According to a report by the Korean news agency Yonhap on February 26, the securities company Meritz Securities gave a positive evaluation on the appointment of Bang Kyung-man as the new chairman of KT&G. Analysts expect his tenure to bring business growth and strengthened shareholder returns measures.

According to reports, KT&G announced on the 22nd of this month that Bang Kyung-man is expected to succeed as the company's president. Kim Jung-wook from the research department of Meritz Securities analyzed that Bang's extensive industry experience will play a leadership role in the company's mid- to long-term development strategy focusing on e-cigarettes, health functional products, and the global CC core businesses. The KT&G president nomination committee announced on the 22nd that Bang Kyung-man has been selected as the final candidate for the next president and recommended to the board of directors.

The appointment of the next CEO and president will be decided at the annual shareholders meeting scheduled for the end of March. However, activist fund Flashlight Capital Partners (FCP) recently criticized KT&G's president selection process and has written to the National Pension Service urging them to exercise their voting rights in the election. This fund previously prevented the re-election of the CEO of KT Corporation in late 2022 and recently criticized the selection process for the next chairman of POSCO, raising concerns about whether they will exercise their voting rights at the upcoming shareholders meetings of KT&G next month.

References:

[1] 메리츠 " KT&G 방경만 사장 후보 확정으로 주주환원 강화 예상"

Also Read:

[1] KT&G Senior Vice President Bang Kyung-Man Recommended as President

[2] Son Dong-hwan Recommended as Independent Director for KT&G by KDB

[3] KT&G Prepares to Decide New CEO Amid Controversy

#E-cigarettes #Asia #Market #South Korea #Executive appointment

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn

Notice

1. This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2. The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3. This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4. Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

Copyright

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

AI Assistance Disclaimer

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Smoore and EVE Energy Sign Procurement Framework Agreement Covering 2026–2028 Cell Supply

Smoore and EVE Energy have signed a procurement framework agreement for 2026–2028, under which Smoore Group will continue purchasing battery cells and related products. The agreement sets no specific transaction amount; actual figures will be determined by future orders, reflecting both parties’ intention to secure and extend their supply chain cooperation over the next three years.

Nov.21

Canadian Media Investigation: BAT’s Nicotine Pouch ZONNIC Sparks Ongoing Controversy as Regulatory Gaps in Canada Come Under Scrutiny

Canadian outlet Rebel News released a long-form video report examining Canada’s regulatory framework for nicotine pouches, market dynamics, and the approval process of ZONNIC, a product of BAT subsidiary Imperial Tobacco Canada. The report highlights issues involving youth access, regulatory gaps, black-market activity, retailer feedback, and company responses. This article summarizes key points based on the video.

Dec.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai

JT launches half-price Ploom AURA promotion across online and offline channels

Japan Tobacco (JT) has announced a limited-time promotion on selected standard colors of its heated tobacco device Ploom AURA, running from 8 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. During the campaign, the starter kit price will be cut from 2,980 yen (approximately US$19.20) to 1,480 yen (around US$9.53).

Dec.05 by 2FIRSTS.ai

Lawmakers Clash as Mexico Moves to Criminalize Sale and Promotion of Vapes

Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies Health Commission has approved a bill establishing a total ban on vapes and e-cigarettes, with penalties ranging from one to eight years in prison and fines between Mex$11,000 and Mex$226,000 (USD ≈$600–$12,300). The proposal sparked controversy among opposition lawmakers, who argued that the legislation criminalizes users rather than focusing on regulation and prevention.