The KB Financial Group Chairman Candidate Recommendation Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Recommendation Committee) has officially initiated the management succession process for the appointment of the next chairman. This process focuses on enhancing transparency and fairness, with the Recommendation Committee newly establishing detailed guidelines, such as extending the candidate evaluation period to more than three months and expanding the interview preparation period for shortlisted candidates to two months.

In particular, preliminary briefings for external candidates were introduced to foster a fair competitive environment. Standards applied to external candidates include in-depth background checks, the provision of internal information, two interview opportunities, and extended interview times. Furthermore, a preparation period of approximately two months will be granted after the shortlist is finalized. Additionally, separate preliminary briefings will be held between the recommendation committee members and external candidates. If an external candidate wishes, their name will be anonymized on the shortlist.

The specific candidate selection schedule for appointing the next chairman is as follows:

• April: A longlist of 20 candidates confirmed, comprising 10 internal and 10 external candidates (following two meetings) • Present: Narrowed down to a total of 12 candidates, comprising 6 internal and 6 external candidates • The 3rd of next month: 6 candidates from the 12 will be selected for the primary shortlist • August 27: Narrowed down to 3 candidates after primary interviews and screenings • September 11: A single final candidate will be determined by vote through secondary interviews and in-depth evaluations

Once the selected final candidate completes the qualification verification, they will receive a recommendation from the Recommendation Committee and the Board of Directors on October 2. Subsequently, the candidate is scheduled to be officially appointed as the next chairman following an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders in November. The final candidate will be elected through at least three prior meetings.

Recommendation Committee Chairman Cho Hwa-jun emphasized that the management succession process will be operated more transparently and fairly in order to advance governance structures within the financial sector. He stated, "We will do our utmost to appoint the right person who can lead the enhancement of shareholder value and the sustainable growth of KB Financial Group."