XML 21 R8.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.24.1.u1

Material Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2023
Text block [abstract] |
Material Accounting Policies |
2 | Material Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
| 2.1 | Basis of Preparation
The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). The financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for the following:
| • |  | Certain financial assets and liabilities (including derivative instruments)
| • |  | Defined benefit pension plans – plan assets measured at fair value
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires the use of critical accounting estimates. Management also needs to exercise judgement in applying the Group’s accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements are disclosed in Note 3.
| 2.2 | Changes in Accounting Policy and Disclosures
(a) New and amended standards and interpretations adopted by the Group The Group has applied the following standards and interpretations for the first time for their annual reporting period commencing January 1, 2023. - IFRS 17 ‘Insurance Contract’ (Amendment) IFRS 17, which replaces IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts,” establishes principles for recognition, measurement, and disclosure of insurance contracts, and is mainly characterized by measuring the current cost of insurance liabilities, recognizing insurance returns based on accrual accounting assumption, and marking the distinction between insurance gains and losses on investment. The Group does not have any contracts that meet the definition of an insurance contract under IFRS 17. - IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IFRS Practice Statement 2 Making Materiality Judgements – Disclosure of Accounting Policies (Amendment) The amendments change the requirements in IAS 1 with regard to disclosure of accounting policies. The amendments replace all instances of the term ‘significant accounting policies’ with ‘material accounting policy information’. Accounting policy information is material if, when considered together with other information included in an entity’s financial statements, it can reasonably be expected to influence decisions that the primary users of general purpose financial statements make on the basis of those financial statements. The supporting paragraphs in IAS 1 are also amended to clarify that accounting policy information that relates to immaterial transactions, other events or conditions is immaterial and need not be disclosed. Accounting policy information may be material because of the nature of the related transactions, other events or conditions, even if the amounts are immaterial. However, not all accounting policy information relating to material transactions, other events or conditions is itself material. The IASB has also developed guidance and examples to explain and demonstrate the application of the ‘four-step materiality process’ described in IFRS Practice Statement 2. - IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements – Disclosure of financial liabilities with condition to adjust exercise price (Amendment) The amendments require disclosure of valuation gains or losses (limited to those recognized in the profit or loss) of the conversion options or warrants (or financial liabilities including them), if all or part of the financial instrument with exercise price that is adjusted depending on the issuer’s share price change is classified as financial liability as defined in paragraph of IAS 32 – Financial Instrument: Presentation. - IAS 8 Accounting Polices, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors – Definition of Accounting Estimates (Amendment) The amendments replace the definition of a change in accounting estimates with a definition of accounting estimates. Under the new definition, accounting estimates are “monetary amounts in financial statements that are subject to measurement uncertainty”. The definition of a change in accounting estimates was deleted. - IAS 12 Income Taxes – Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction (Amendment) The amendments introduce a further exception from the initial recognition exemption. Under the amendments, an entity does not apply the initial recognition exemption for transactions that give rise to equal taxable and deductible temporary differences. Depending on the applicable tax law, equal taxable and deductible temporary differences may arise on initial recognition of an asset and liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and affects neither accounting nor taxable profit. For example, this may arise upon recognition of a lease liability and the corresponding right-of-use asset applying IFRS 16 at the commencement date of a lease. Following the amendments to IAS 12, an entity is required to recognise the related deferred tax asset and liability, with the recognition of any deferred tax asset being subject to the recoverability criteria in IAS 12. - IAS 12 Income Taxes – International Tax Reform: Pillar 2 Best Regulations (Amendment) The amendment clarifies that IAS 12 Income Taxes ’ is applied to corporations arising from tax laws enacted or practically enacted to implement the Pillar 2 best rules issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). However, by introducing a temporary exception to the deferred tax accounting requirements of IAS 12 Income Taxes , the group does not recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities associated with Pillar 2 Income Taxes and do not disclose information about them. The group also discloses that the exception has been applied in accordance with this amendment, and that the current income tax expense (revenue) related to Pillar 2 corporate tax is disclosed separately. There is no significant impact of the amendments listed above on the consolidated financial statements. (b) New standards and interpretations not yet adopted by the Group The following new accounting standards and interpretations that have been published are not mandatory for December 31, 2023 reporting periods and have not been early adopted by the Group. - IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements – Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current (Amendment to 2020) The amendments clarify that the classification of liabilities as current and non-current is based on rights that are existing at the end of the reporting period, specify that classification is unaffected by expectations about whether an entity will exercise its right to defer settlement of a liability, explain that rights are in existence if covenants are complied with at the end of the reporting period, and introduce a definition of ‘settlement’ to make clear that settlement refers to the transfer to the counterparty of cash, equity instruments, other assets or services. - IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements – Non-current liabilities with agreements (Amendment to 2023) The amendments regulate that only certain conditions in the borrowing arrangement (referred to as the “Agreement”) that must be observed before the end of the reporting period affect the right of the entity to defer repayment of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. Even if compliance with the agreement is assessed only after the reporting period, these arrangements affect the existence of the right as of the end of the reporting period. It also regulates that arrangements that must be observed only after the reporting period do not affect the right to defer settlement. However, if the Group’s right to defer settlement of a liability depends on the agreement that complies with within 12 months of the reporting period, disclosing the information to help users of financial statements understand the risk that the liability could be repaid within 12 months of the reporting period. This information includes information about the agreements (including the nature of the agreements, when the Group is required to comply), the carrying amount of the relevant liabilities, and the facts and circumstances indicating that they may be difficult to satisfying with. The above amendments are applied retrospectively for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024, with early application permitted. - IAS 7 ‘Cash Flow Statement’ and ‘Financial Instruments Disclosure’- Supplier Financial Agreement(Amendment) The amendment adds the purpose of disclosure in IAS 7 ‘Cash Flow Statement’, users of financial statements should disclose information about supplier financial agreements so that they can assess the affect of them on the Group’s liabilities and cash flows. In addition, supplier financial agreements were added as an example of the requirement to amend IAS 7 to disclose information about exposure to liquidity risk concentration. The term ‘supplier financial agreements’ is not defined; instead, the amendment presents the nature of the arrangement that should be informed. For achieving the purpose of disclosure, the following information on supplier financial agreements must be disclosed in an integrated manner.
| • |  | the terms and conditions of an agreement
| • |  | The carrying amount of financial liabilities corresponding to the supplier’s financial agreement and the items displayed in the statement of financial position in relation to the financial liabilities
| • |  | The carrying amount corresponding to the portion of the financial liabilities that the supplier has already received from the financial provider and the items displayed in the statement of financial position in relation to the financial liabilities
| • |  | The scope of payment date for financial liabilities corresponding to supplier financial agreements and the scope of payment date for comparable purchase liabilities not corresponding to supplier financial agreements
| • |  | Types of non-cash changes in the carrying amount of financial liabilities corresponding to supplier financial agreements and their impact
| • |  | Liquidity risk information
The above amendments are applied retrospectively for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024, with early application permitted. - IFRS 16 ‘Lease’ – Lease liabilities arising from leaseback (Amendment) The amendment adds a follow-up measurement requirement for leaseback that is accounted for as sales by applying IFRS 15 ‘revenue from contracts with customers’. The amendment requires the seller to calculate a ‘lease fee’ or an ‘modified lease fee’ in such a way that the seller-less user does not recognize any difference or gain for the right to use that the seller-less user continues to hold after the lease commencement date. The above amendments are applied retrospectively for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024, with early application permitted. - IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (revised in 2023) – Disclosure of Virtual Assets The amendments, in addition to the disclosure requirements required by other Standards for transactions related to virtual assets, define the requirements for disclosure in each case: 1) holding virtual assets; 2) holding virtual assets on behalf of customers; and 3) issuing virtual assets. If a virtual asset is held, information on the general information of the virtual asset, the applied accounting policy, the acquisition path, acquisition cost, and fair value of each virtual asset should be disclosed. In addition, when a virtual asset is issued, the performance status related to the issued virtual asset, the moment and the exposure of revenue recognition of the sold virtual asset, the quantity of virtual assets held after issuance, and important contract details should be disclosed. The above amendments are applied retrospectively for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024, with early application permitted. - IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in financial statements (Amendment) The purpose of the amendment is to set out requirements for the presentation and disclosure of information in general purpose financial statements (financial statements) to help ensure they provide relevant information that faithfully represents an entity’s assets, liabilities, equity, income and expenses. IFRS 18 applies to all financial statements that are prepared and presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and replaces IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements. The key changes included in the amendments include (1) an introduction of a defined structure for the statement of profit or loss including categories for classifying incomes and expenses, subtotals for operating profit and profit before financing and income taxes, (2) an introduction of specific disclosure requirements related to the statement of profit or loss which include but are not limited to management-defined performance measures, (3) enhanced guidance on the principles of aggregation and disaggregation which focus on grouping items based on their shared characteristics and (4) some other limited changes to presentation and disclosures in the financial statements. The above amendments are applied retrospectively for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2027, with early application permitted. The Group is reviewing the impact of the above-listed amendments on the consolidated financial statements.
| 2.3 | Consolidation
The Group has prepared the consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements . (a) Subsidiaries Subsidiaries are all entities (including special purpose entities (“SPEs”)) over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are deconsolidated from the date that control ceases. The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for business combinations by the Group. The consideration transferred is measured at the fair values of the assets transferred, and identifiable assets acquired, and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. The Group recognizes any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the acquired entity’s net identifiable assets. All other non-controlling interests are measured at fair values, unless otherwise required by other standards. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. The excess of consideration transferred, amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity and acquisition-date fair value of any previous equity interest in the acquired entity over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired is recoded as goodwill. If those amounts are less than the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the business acquired, the difference is recognized directly in the profit or loss as a bargain purchase. Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions among group companies are eliminated. Unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the transferred asset. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group. (b) Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries without loss of control Any differences between the amount of the adjustment to non-controlling interest that do not result in loss of control and any consideration paid or received is recognized in a separate reserve within equity attributable to owners of the Controlling Company. (c) Disposal of subsidiaries When the Group ceases to have control over a subsidiary, any retained interest in the subsidiary is remeasured to its fair value with the change in carrying amount recognized in profit or loss. (d) Associates Associates are entities over which the Group has significant influence but does not possess control or joint control. Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, after initially being recognized at cost. Unrealized gains on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associates. If the Group’s share of losses of an associate equals or exceeds its interest in the associate (including long-term interests that, in substance, form part of the Group’s net investment in the associate), the Group discontinues recognizing its share of further losses. After the Group’s interest is reduced to zero, additional losses are provided for, and a liability is recognized, only to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate. If there is an objective evidence of impairment for the investment in the associate, the Group recognizes the difference between the recoverable amount of the associate and its book amount as impairment loss. If an associate uses accounting policies other than those of the Group for transactions and events in similar circumstances, if necessary, adjustments shall be made to make the associate’s accounting policies conform to those of the Group when the associate’s financial statements are used by the Group in applying the equity method. (e) Joint arrangements A joint arrangement, wherein two or more parties have joint control, is classified as either a joint operation or a joint venture. A joint operator recognizes its direct right to the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses of joint operations and its share of any jointly held or incurred assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. A joint venture has rights to the net assets relating to the joint venture and accounts for that investment using the equity method.
| 2.4 | Segment Reporting
Information of each operating segment is reported in a manner consistent with the business segment reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker (Note 34). The chief operating decision-maker is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments.
| 2.5 | Foreign Currency Translation
(a) Functional and presentation currency Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which each entity operates (the “functional currency”). The consolidated financial statements are presented in Korean won, which is the Controlling Company’s functional and presentation currency. (b) Transactions and balances Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at year end exchange rates are generally recognized in profit or loss. They are deferred in other comprehensive income if they relate to qualifying cash flow hedges and qualifying effective portion of net investment hedges, or are attributable to monetary part of the net investment in a foreign operation. Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to financial instruments are presented in the statement of profit or loss, within finance costs. All other foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in the statement of profit or loss within ‘other income’ or ‘other expense’. Non-monetary items that are measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value was determined. Translation differences on assets and liabilities carried at fair value are reported as part of the fair value gain or loss. For example, translation differences on non-monetary assets and liabilities, such as equities held at fair value through profit or loss, are recognized in profit or loss as part of the fair value gain or loss and translation differences on non-monetary assets, such as equities classified as available-for-sale financial assets, are recognized in other comprehensive income .
| 2.6 | Financial Assets
(a) Classification The Group classifies its financial assets in the following measurement categories:
| • |  | those to be measured at fair value through profit or loss
| • |  | those to be measured at fair value through other comprehensive income
| • |  | those to be measured at amortized cost
The classification depends on the Group’s business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows. For financial assets measured at fair value, gains and losses will either be recorded in profit or loss or other comprehensive income. For investments in debt instruments, this will depend on the business model in which the investment is held. The Group reclassifies debt investments when, and only when, its business model for managing those assets changes. For investments in equity instruments that are not held for trading, this will depend on whether the Group has made an irrevocable election at the time of initial recognition to account for the equity investment at fair value through other comprehensive income. Changes in fair value of the investments in equity instruments that are not accounted for as other comprehensive income are recognized in profit or loss. (b) Measurement At initial recognition, the Group measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. Transaction costs of financial assets carried at fair value through profit or loss are expensed in profit or loss. Financial assets with embedded derivatives are considered in their entirety when determining whether their cash flows are solely payment of principal and interest. A. Debt instruments Subsequent measurement of debt instruments depends on the Group’s business model for managing the asset and the cash flow characteristics of the asset. The Group classifies its debt instruments into one of the following three measurement categories:
| • |  | Amortized cost: Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows where those cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest are measured at amortized cost. A gain or loss on a debt investment that is subsequently measured at amortized cost and is not part of a hedging relationship is recognized in profit or loss when the asset is derecognized or impaired. Interest income from these financial assets is included in ‘finance income’ using the effective interest rate method.
| • |  | Fair value through other comprehensive income: Assets that are held for collection of contractual cash flows and for selling the financial assets, where the assets’ cash flows represent solely payments of principal and interest, are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. Movements in the carrying amount are taken through other comprehensive income, except for the recognition of impairment loss (and reversal of impairment loss), interest income and foreign exchange gains and losses which are recognized in profit or loss. When the financial asset is derecognized, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified from equity to profit or loss. Interest income from these financial assets is included in ‘finance income’
| using the effective interest rate method. Foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in ‘finance income’ or ‘finance costs’ and impairment loss in ‘finance costs’ or ‘operating expenses’.
| • |  | Fair value through profit or loss: Assets that do not meet the criteria for amortized cost or fair value through other comprehensive income are measured at fair value through profit or loss. A gain or loss on a debt investment that is subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss and is not part of a hedging relationship is recognized in profit or loss and presented net in the statement of profit or loss within ‘finance income’ or ‘finance costs’ in the period in which it arises.
B. Equity instruments The Group subsequently measures all equity investments at fair value. Where the Group’s management has elected to present fair value gains and losses on equity investments in other comprehensive income, there is no subsequent reclassification of fair value gains and losses to profit or loss following the derecognition of the investment. Dividend income from such investments continue to be recognized in profit or loss as ‘finance income’ when the Group’s right to receive payments is established. Changes in the fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are recognized in ‘finance income’ or ‘finance costs’ in the statement of profit or loss as applicable. Impairment loss (reversal of impairment loss) on equity investments, measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, are not reported separately from other changes in fair value. (c) Impairment The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis the expected credit losses associated with its debt instruments carried at amortized cost and fair value through other comprehensive income. The impairment methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk. For trade receivables and lease receivables, the Group applies the simplified approach, which requires expected lifetime credit losses to be recognized from initial recognition of the receivables. (d) Recognition and derecognition Regular way purchases and sales of financial assets are recognized or derecognized on trade-date, the date on which the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset. Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership. If a transfer does not result in derecognition because the Group has retained substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the transferred asset, the Group continues to recognize the transferred asset in its entirety and recognizes a financial liability for the consideration received. (e) Offsetting of financial instruments Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the statements of financial position where there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or realize the assets and settle the liability simultaneously. The legally enforceable right must not be contingent on future events and must be enforceable in the normal course of business and in the event of default, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Group or the counterparty.
| 2.7 | Derivative Instruments
Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured to their fair value at the end of each reporting period. The accounting treatment for subsequent changes in fair value depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged. The Group has hedge relationships and designates certain derivatives as:
| • |  | hedges of a particular risk associated with the cash flows of recognized assets and liabilities and highly probable forecast transactions (cash flow hedges)
At inception of the hedge relationship, the Group documents the economic relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items including whether changes in the cash flows of the hedging instruments are expected to offset changes in the cash flows of hedged items. The fair values of derivative financial instruments designated in hedge relationships are disclosed in Note 37. The full fair value of a hedging derivative is classified as a non-current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is more than 12 months; it is classified as a current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months. A non-derivative financial asset and a non-derivative financial liability is classified as a current or non-current based on its expected maturity and its settlement, respectively. The effective portion of changes in fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognized in the cash flow hedge reserve within equity to the limit of the cumulative change in fair value (present value) of the hedge item (the present value of the cumulative change in the future expected cash flows of the hedged item) from the inception of the hedge. The ineffective portion is recognized in ‘finance income (costs)’. Amounts of changes in fair value of effective hedging instruments accumulated in equity are recognized as ‘finance income (costs)’ for the periods when the corresponding transactions affect profit or loss. When a hedging instrument expires, or is sold, terminated, exercised, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any accumulated cash flow hedge reserve at that time remains in equity until the forecast transaction occurs, resulting in the recognition of a non-financial asset such as inventory. When the forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cash flow hedge reserve and deferred costs of hedging that were reported in equity are immediately reclassified to profit or loss.
| 2.8 | Trade Receivables
Trade receivables are recognized initially at the amount of consideration that is unconditional, unless they contain significant financing components when they are recognized at fair value. Trade receivables are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less loss allowance. See Note 6 for further information about the Group’s accounting treatment for trade receivables and Note 2.6 (c) for a description of the Group’s accounting policy on impairment.
| 2.9 | Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the moving average method, except for inventories in-transit (specific identification method).
| 2.10 | Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditures that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Depreciation of all property and equipment, except for land, is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost, net of their residual values, over their estimated useful lives as follows:
|  | Useful Life
Buildings |  | 5 – 40 years
Structures |  | 5 – 40 years
Machinery and equipment (Telecommunications equipment and others) |  | 2 – 40 years
Vehicles |  | 4 – 10 years
Tools |  | 2 – 6 years
Office equipment |  | 2 – 8 years
The depreciation method, residual values, and useful lives of property and equipment are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and, if appropriate, accounted for as changes in accounting estimates.
| 2.11 | Investment Property
Real estate held for rental income or investment gains is classified as investment property and right-of-use asset. An investment property is measured initially at its cost. After recognition as an asset, investment property is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Investment property, except for land, is depreciated using the straight-line method over their useful lives from 5 to 40 years.
| 2.12 | Intangible Assets
(a) Goodwill Goodwill is measured as explained in Note 2.3 (a) and goodwill arising from acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses is included in intangible assets. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment and carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses on the disposal of subsidiaries and business include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the subsidiaries and businesses sold. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is allocated to each of the CGUs, or group of CGUs, that is expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination. Goodwill is monitored at the operating segment level. (b) Intangible assets excluding goodwill Intangible assets, except for goodwill, are initially recognized at its historical cost, and carried at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses. Membership rights (condominium membership and golf membership), subscription rights, broadcast license, facility-use rights, and transportation rights that have indefinite useful life are not subject to amortization because there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which the assets are expected to be utilized . The Group amortizes intangible assets with a limited useful life using the straight-line method over the following periods:
|  | Useful Life |
Development costs |  |  | 3 – 10 years |
Software |  |  | 3 – 10 years |
Frequency usage rights |  |  | 5 – 10 years |
Others 1 |  |  | 1 – 50 years |
| 1 | Membership rights (condominium membership and golf membership), subscription rights, broadcast license, facility usage rights and transportation license included in others are classified as intangible assets with indefinite useful life.
| 2.1 3 | Borrowing Costs
General and specific borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset are capitalized during the period of time that is required to complete and prepare the asset for its intended use or sale. Investment income earned on the temporary investment of specific borrowings on qualifying assets is deducted from the borrowing costs eligible for capitalization. Other borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.
| 2.1 4 | Government Grants
Grants from the government are recognized at their fair value where there is a reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and the Group will comply with all attached conditions. Government grants related to assets are presented in the statement of financial position by setting up the grant as deferred income that is recognized in profit or loss on a systematic basis over the useful life of the asset. Grants related to income are deferred and are presented as a credit in the statement of profit or loss within ‘other income’.
| 2.1 5 | Impairment of Non-Financial Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful life are tested annually for impairment at the end of each reporting period. If certain assets are deemed to be impaired, their recoverable amount is estimated in order to determine the impairment loss. The Group estimates the recoverable amount for each asset, and, in cases when the recoverable amount cannot be estimated for an asset, the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit to which the asset belongs is estimated. Corporate assets are allocated to individual cash generating units on a reasonable and consistent basis and if they cannot be allocated to individual cash generating units, they are allocated to the smallest group of cash generating units on a reasonable and consistent basis. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount (higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and value in use). Impairment loss on non-financial assets other than goodwill are evaluated for reversal at the end of each reporting period.
| 2.1 6 | Trade and Other Payables
These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of reporting period which are unpaid. Trade and other payables are presented as current liabilities, unless payment is not due within 12 months after the reporting period. They are recognized initially at their fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.
| 2.1 7 | Financial Liabilities
(a) Classification and measurement The Group’s financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are financial instruments held for trading. A financial liability is held for trading if it is incurred principally for the purpose of repurchasing in the near term. Derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments or derivatives separated from financial instruments containing embedded derivatives are also categorized as held for trading. The Group classifies non-derivative financial liabilities, except for financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, financial guarantee contracts and financial liabilities that arise when a transfer of financial assets does not qualify for derecognition, as financial liabilities carried at amortized cost and present as ‘trade payables and other payables’, ‘borrowings’ and ‘other financial liabilities’ in the statement of financial position. Borrowings are initially recognized as the amount obtained by subtracting the transaction cost incurred from the fair value and is then measured as amortized cost. The difference between the consideration received (net of transaction cost) and the redemption amount is recognized as profit or loss over the period using the effective interest rate method. Fees paid to receive the borrowing limit are recognized as transaction costs for loans to the extent that they are likely to be borrowed as part or all of the borrowing limit. In this case, the fee will be deferred until the draw-down occurs. There is a high possibility that borrowings will be executed as part or all of the borrowing limit agreement (relevant fees to the extent that there is no evidence) are recognized as assets as advance payments for liquidity services and amortized over the relevant borrowing limit period. Preferred shares that require mandatory redemption at a particular date are classified as liabilities. Interest expenses on these preferred shares using the effective interest method are recognized in the statement of profit or loss as ‘finance costs’, together with interest expenses recognized from other financial liabilities. Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the reporting period. (b) Derecognition Financial liabilities are removed from the statement of financial position when it is extinguished; for example, when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged or cancelled or expired or when the terms of an existing financial liability are substantially modified. The difference between the carrying amount of a financial liability extinguished or transferred to another party and the consideration paid (including any non-cash assets transferred or liabilities assumed) is recognized in profit or loss. The Group’s financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are financial instruments held for trading and financial liabilities designated as at fair value through profit or loss. A financial liability is held for trading if it is incurred principally for the purpose of repurchasing in the near term. A derivative that is not a designated as hedging instruments and an embedded derivative that is separated are also classified as held for trading. Financial liabilities designed as at fair value through profit or loss are structured financial liabilities containing embedded derivatives issued by the Group.
| 2.18 | Financial Guarantee Contracts
Financial guarantee contracts are recognized as a financial liability at the time the guarantee is issued. The liability is initially measured at fair value, subsequently at the higher of the following amount, and the related liability is recognized as ‘other financial liabilities’ in the consolidated statement of financial position:
| • |  | the amount determined in accordance with the expected credit loss model under IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
| • |  | the amount initially recognized less, where appropriate, the cumulative amount of income recognized in accordance with IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
| 2. 1 9 | Compound Financial Instruments
Compound financial instruments are convertible notes that can be converted into equity instruments at the option of the holder. The liability component of a compound financial instrument is recognized initially at the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an equity conversion option, and subsequently measured at amortized cost until extinguished on conversion or maturity of the bonds. The equity component is recognized initially on the difference between the fair value of the compound financial instrument as a whole and the fair value of the liability component. Any directly attributable transaction costs are allocated to the liability and equity components in proportion to their initial carrying amounts.
| 2.20 | Employee Benefits
(a) Post-employment benefits The Group operates both defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. The contributions are recognized as employee benefit expenses when an employee has rendered service. A defined benefit plan is a pension plan that is not a defined contribution plan. Generally, post-employment benefits are payable after the completion of employment, and the benefit amount depended on the employee’s age, periods of service or salary levels. The liability recognized in the statement of financial position in respect of defined benefit pension plans is the present value of the defined benefit obligation at the end of the reporting period less the fair value of plan assets. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by independent actuaries using the projected unit credit method. The present value of the defined benefit obligation is determined by discounting the estimated future cash outflows using interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds that are denominated in the currency in which the benefits will be paid, and that have terms approximating to the terms of the related obligation. Remeasurement gains and losses arising from experience adjustments and changes in actuarial assumptions are recognized in the period in which they occur, directly in other comprehensive income. Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation resulting from plan amendments or curtailments are recognized immediately in profit or loss as past service costs. (b) Termination benefits Termination benefits are payable when employment is terminated by the Group before the normal retirement date, or whenever an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits. The Group recognizes termination benefits at the earlier of the following dates: when the entity can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits or when the entity recognizes costs for a restructuring. (c) Long-term employee benefits Certain entities within the Group provide long-term employee benefits that are entitled to employees with service period for ten years and above. The expected costs of these benefits are accrued over the period of employment using the same accounting methodology as used for defined benefit pension plans. The Group recognizes service cost, net interest on other long-term employee benefits and remeasurements as profit or loss for the year. These liabilities are valued annually by an independent qualified actuary.
| 2.2 1 | Share-Based Payments
Equity-settled share-based payment is recognized at fair value of equity instruments granted, and employee benefit expense is recognized over the vesting period. At the end of each period, the Group revises its estimates of the number of options that are expected to vest based on the non-market vesting and service conditions. It recognizes the impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, in profit or loss, with a corresponding adjustment to equity. The acquiree may have outstanding share-based payment transactions that the acquirer does not exchange for its share-based payment transactions. If vested, those acquiree share-based payment transactions are part of the non-controlling interest in the acquiree and are measured at their market-based measure. If unvested, the market-based measure of unvested share-based payment transactions is allocated to the non-controlling interest on the basis of the ratio of the portion of the vesting period completed to the greater of the total vesting period and the original vesting period of the share-based payment transaction. The balance is allocated to post-combination service.
| 2.22 | Provisions
Provisions for service warranties, recoveries, litigations and claims, and others are recognized when the Group presently hold legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, and when it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and the amount can be reliably estimated. Provisions are measured at the present value of management’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period, and the increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognized as interest expense.
| 2.2 3 | Leases
(a) Lessee The Group leases various repeater server racks, offices, communication line facilities, machinery, cars, and others. Contracts may contain both lease and non-lease components. The Group allocates the consideration in the contract to the lease and non-lease components based on their relative stand-alone prices. Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present value of the following lease payments:
| • |  | Fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable
| • |  | Variable lease payment that are based on an index or a rate, initially measured using the index or rate as at the commencement date
| • |  | Amounts expected to be payable by the Group (the lessee) under residual value guarantees
| • |  | The exercise price of a purchase option if the Group (the lessee) is reasonably certain to exercise that option, and
| • |  | Payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the Group (the lessee) exercising that option
Measurement of lease liability also includes payments to be made in optional periods if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend the lease. The Group determines the lease term as the non-cancellable period of a lease, together with both (a) periods covered by an option to extend the lease if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and (b) periods covered by an option to terminate the lease if the lessee is reasonably certain not to exercise that option. When the lessee and the lessor each has the right to terminate the lease without permission from the other party, the Group should consider a termination penalty in determining the period for which the contract is enforceable. The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. If that rate cannot be determined, the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate is used, which is the rate that the lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value in a similar economic environment with similar terms and conditions. The Group is exposed to potential future increases in variable lease payments based on an index or rate, which are not included in the lease liability until they take effect. When adjustments to lease payments based on an index or rate take effect, the lease liability is reassessed and adjusted against the right-of-use asset. Each lease payment is allocated between the liability and finance cost. The finance cost is charged to profit or loss over the lease period in order to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. Right-of-use assets are measured at cost comprising the following:
| • |  | the amount of the initial measurement of lease liability
| • |  | any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received
| • |  | any initial direct costs (leasehold deposits)
| • |  | restoration costs
The right-of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the asset’s useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis. If the Group is reasonably certain to exercise a purchase option, the right-of-use asset is depreciated over the underlying asset’s useful life. Payments associated with short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognized on a straight-line basis as an expense in profit or loss. Short-term leases are leases with a lease term of 12 months or less, such as vehicles, machinery, and others. Low-value assets are comprised of tools, office equipment, and others. (b) Lessor Lease income from operating leases where the Group is a lessor is recognized in income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Initial direct costs incurred in obtaining an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the underlying asset and recognized as expense over the lease term on the same basis as lease income. The respective leased assets are included in the statement of financial position based on their nature. (c) Extension and termination option Extension and termination options are included in a number of property and equipment leases across the Group. These terms are used to maximize operational flexibility in terms of managing contracts. The majority of extension and termination options held are exercisable only by the Group and not by the respective lessor. Information on critical accounting estimates and assumptions related to the determination of the lease term is presented in Note 3.
| 2.24 | Share Capital
The Controlling Company classifies ordinary shares as equity. Where the Controlling Company purchases its own shares, the consideration paid, including any directly attributable incremental costs, is deducted from equity until the share are cancelled or reissued. When these treasury shares are reissued, any consideration received is included in equity attributable to the equity holders of the Controlling Company.
| 2.25 | Revenue Recognition
(a) Identifying performance obligations The Group mainly provides telecommunication services and sells handsets. The Group identifies performance obligations with a customer such as providing telecommunication services, selling handsets, and others. Revenue from handsets is recognized when a performance obligation is satisfied by transferring promised goods to customers, and the revenue from telecommunication services is recognized over the estimated contract periods of each services by transferring promised services to customers. (b) Allocation the transaction price and revenue recognition The Group allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation identified in the contract based on a relative stand-alone selling prices of the goods or services being provided to the customer. To allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative stand-alone price basis, the Group determines the stand-alone selling price at contract inception of the distinct good or service underlying each performance obligation in the contract and allocate the transaction price in proportion to those stand-alone selling price. The stand-alone selling price is the price at which the Group would sell a promised good or service separately to the customer. The best evidence of a stand-alone selling price is the observable price of a good or service when the Group sells that good or service separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers. The Group recognizes the allocated amount as contract assets or contract liabilities, and amortizes it through the remaining period which is adjusted in operating income. (c) Incremental contract acquisition costs The Group pays commission fees when new customers subscribe to telecommunication services. The incremental contract acquisition costs are those commission fees that the Group incurs to acquire a contract with a customer that would not have been incurred if the contract had not been acquired. The Group recognizes the incremental contract acquisition costs as an asset and amortizes it over the expected period of benefit. However, as a practical expedient, the Group may recognize the incremental contract acquisition costs as an expense when it is incurred if the amortization period of the asset is one year or less. (d) Commission fees Commission fees are recognized when it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity and these benefits can be reliably measured. Revenues are measured at the fair value of the consideration received.
| 2.26 | Current and Deferred Income Tax
The tax expense for the period consists of current and deferred tax. Current and deferred tax is recognized in profit or loss, except to the extent that it relates to items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively. The current income tax expense is measured at the amount expected to be paid to taxation authorities, using the tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulation is subject to interpretation, and considers whether it is probable that a taxation authority will accept an uncertain tax treatment. The Group measures its tax balances either based on the most likely amount or the expected value, depending on which method provides a better prediction of the resolution of the uncertainty. Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred tax assets are recognized only if it is probable that future taxable amount will be available to utilize those temporary differences and losses. The Group recognizes a deferred tax liability all taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates, and interests in joint arrangements, except to the extent that the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. In addition, the Group recognizes a deferred tax asset for all deductible temporary differences arising from such investments to the extent that it is probable the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and when the deferred tax balances relate to the same taxation authority. Current tax assets and liabilities are offset when the Group has a legally enforceable right to offset and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realize the assets and settle the liability simultaneously.
| 2.2 7 | Dividend
Dividend distribution to the Group’s shareholders is recognized as a liability in the financial statements in the period in which the dividends are approved by the Group’s shareholders.
| 2.28 | Approval on Issuance of the Consolidated Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements of 2023 were approved for issuance by the Board of Directors on April 11, 2024 and are subject to change with the approval of shareholders at their Annual General Meeting.

X
- Definition The entire disclosure of material accounting policy information applied by the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2023-01-01 -Paragraph 117 -URI https://taxonomy.ifrs.org/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2023-en-r&anchor=para_117&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2023-03-23 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DisclosureOfMaterialAccountingPolicyInformationExplanatory
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Text block [abstract] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | kt_TextBlockAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | kt_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration