Naver to invest $134 million on overseas comics business

1 min readJun 26, 20185:08 AM

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Korea’s top portal operator Naver said Monday it will invest 150 billion won in its online comic platform to better penetrate into overseas markets.

Naver said it will make the investment through a paid-in capital increase program and acquire 300,000 additional shares in its wholly-owned affiliate, Naver Webtoon.

Naver Webtoon said it plans to use the cash to expand its presence in foreign markets like the United States and Japan.

The portal operator has been making various efforts to beef up its comic business, also investing some 60 billion won in January in its affiliate.

Naver said it currently has some 5 million active users in the United States, claiming the investment will help Naver Webtoon achieve further growth going forward.

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What this means

This substantial investment shows Naver’s aggressive global ambitions, directly pressuring rivals in the increasingly lucrative digital comic space. Unlike the more traditional retail expansions seen with Tiffany & Co.'s Singapore café or Lego's Seoul flagship, Naver is committing further to digital content, a strategy that offers rapid scalability. Given the prior 60 billion won investment in January and existing US user base, this capital injection is likely to fuel effective market capture rather than simply maintaining status quo. The risk lies in navigating diverse regulatory and cultural landscapes, but Naver's existing US presence suggests a foundational understanding. The next indicator of success will be Naver Webtoon's reported overseas active user growth by year-end.

Aiko Tanaka · Retail News Asia newsroom

Questions & Answers

How will Naver fund this new investment in its online comic platform?

Naver will make the investment through a paid-in capital increase program. It will acquire an additional 300,000 shares in its wholly-owned affiliate, Naver Webtoon, to provide the necessary funding.

What is Naver Webtoon's strategy for using this new capital?

Naver Webtoon plans to use the cash specifically to expand its presence in foreign markets. Key regions mentioned for this expansion include the United States and Japan, aiming for greater market penetration.

Has Naver invested in its comic business previously this year?

Yes, Naver has previously invested in its comic business this year. In January, the portal operator invested approximately 60 billion won into its affiliate to further beef up its comic operations.

What is the current scale of Naver's active user base in the United States?

Naver currently has an active user base of approximately 5 million people in the United States. The company believes this new investment will help Naver Webtoon achieve further growth within this market.

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