Kakao Labor Union and Management Begin Second Mediation Round
A Kakao Corp. labor union and company management opened a second round of wage mediation on Wednesday after the first round failed to produce agreement. If mediation ends without resolution, five unions will gain the right to strike.
yna.co.krA labor union at Kakao Corp. and the company's management began a second round of mediation with the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission on Wednesday, industry sources said. The mediation procedures came after the two sides failed to narrow differences in the first round of wage talks held May 18, according to sources.
If the regional labor office decides to suspend the mediation, unionized members at Kakao's headquarters will secure their rights to strike, along with unions at four of the company's affiliates. The five labor unions had voted last week in favor of a walkout after wage negotiations with management fell through.
The latest development comes amid broader calls for performance-based bonuses and profit sharing in South Korean companies, sparked by the recent labor-management dispute at Samsung Electronics Co.
Kakao's union is reportedly seeking to include restricted stock unit grants, a form of equity compensation from the company, in the official performance-based incentive pool.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- May 18, 2026
First round of wage talks between Kakao union and management ended without agreement.
1 sourceYonhap - May 20, 2026
Unionized Kakao members staged a demonstration near headquarters in Pangyo.
1 sourceYonhap - May 27, 2026
Second round of mediation began with the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission.
1 sourceYonhap
Potential Impact
- 01
If mediation ends, five Kakao unions will gain the legal right to strike.
- 02
Kakao headquarters operations could face disruption if a strike occurs.
Transparency Panel
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