Unionized members at Kakao stage first-ever strike

Unionized employees at Kakao Corp. staged their first-ever strike on June 19, demanding higher bonuses and profit-sharing tied to operating profits, while management rejects the demands as unsustainable. Around 1,500 workers from five units, including Kakao Pay and Kakao Enterprise, participated in a four-hour walkout near the company’s headquarters in Pangyo, south of Seoul, following failed wage negotiations." "article": "Unionized workers at Kakao Corp. conducted their first-ever strike on June 19, walking out from five units including headquarters, Kakao Pay, and Kakao Enterprise. Around 1,500 employees gathered near the company’s Pangyo headquarters, holding white umbrellas during a four-hour protest until 3 p.m., with core services remaining operational due to automation and essential staff coverage. The strike follows two failed rounds of government-mediated wage talks last month, where workers demanded 13–14% of last year’s operating profits as performance-based incentives. They also proposed restructuring bonuses to include restricted stock units, citing a disparity in pay: executives saw average wages rise 32.2% from 2024 to 2025, while general employees received only a 2.9% increase. Management has rejected the demands, warning they would impose a ‘huge burden’ on operations. Despite the walkout, Kakao’s automated systems and retained staff ensure minimal disruption to services like KakaoTalk, according to industry observers. The union announced plans for a second protest, a ‘Log-off day,’ on June 29, emphasizing that ‘true reform at Kakao must come from the employees.’ No further details on the next action were provided.