According to the South Korean media News1, South Korean tobacco company KT&G is moving forward with the establishment of a branch in Guatemala, which is its first branch in Central and South America.
According to the information from the electronic public announcement system of the Financial Supervisory Service, the operating committee under the KT&G board of directors has approved the relevant implementation plan on November 6, 2025. Currently, preparations are underway for the office location, personnel allocation, and operation system.
KT&G stated that establishing a branch in Guatemala is aimed at obtaining distribution hubs in Central and South America, enabling it to expand its overseas business more flexibly.
The company previously had legal entities in Indonesia, Russia, Taiwan region of China, etc., and branches in Romania, Mongolia, China, etc. However, there is no operational office in the Americas region. The American legal entity it established in 2010 temporarily ceased operations in 2021.
As KT&G’s cigarette products have been available in the markets of Central and South America, the newly established branch is expected to focus on local channel management and the expansion of new sales channels.