What is KT&G's history?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

The history of KT&G traces back to 1883, when the Korean government established a state-run monopoly on tobacco and ginseng production to stabilize the market and generate revenue. For over a century, this monopoly formed the backbone of the country's tobacco industry. In 1989, the Korea Monopoly Corporation was established to oversee these operations. This eventually evolved into the Korea Tobacco & Ginseng Corporation, which was privatized to become KT&G in the early 2000s. Throughout its history, the company has transitioned from a government-controlled entity to a global competitor, expanding its production capacity and entering international markets while maintaining its heritage as the premier provider of Korean tobacco and ginseng products.

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