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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SEOUL, May 27 — Labor tensions at Kakao are intensifying as both sides head into a crucial second mediation session on May 27, with the possibility of a strike looming.
According to industry sources, the outcome of the meeting at the regional labor commission will determine whether Kakao’s headquarters secures the legal right to strike, potentially paving the way for coordinated industrial action across the group.
Several affiliates—including Kakao Pay and others—have already met the legal requirements for strike action after mediation breakdowns and union votes in favor of a walkout.
The dispute centers on wage increases and performance-based compensation structures. However, insiders suggest deeper issues are at play, including transparency in bonus calculations, inclusion of stock-based incentives, and broader concerns over working conditions and trust in the negotiation process.
If mediation fails, the conflict could escalate into a group-wide strike, raising concerns about potential disruptions to Kakao’s services, including its widely used messaging platform.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
