[Edaily Reporter Han Kwangbeom ] Kakao(035720) The labor union is launching a company-wide campaign in response to Kakao’s announcement of a corporate spin-off. In line with the company’s decision to split off a division, the union has stated, “The company may split, but its responsibility cannot be split,” and is strongly demanding the disclosure of information regarding changes in employment and working conditions, as well as prior consultation.
The Kakao Branch of the National Chemical, Textile, and Food Industry Labor Union (Crew Union) will hold a “KakaoBank Corp. Strike Resolution Rally” and a “Declaration Ceremony for Joint Negotiations Against the Kakao Split” at 1:00 p.m. on the 26th at Pangyo Station Plaza in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. This is the first large-scale rally to be held since Kakao unveiled its plan to split the company into “Kakao AI” and “Kakao X.”
While management has cited enhancing corporate value and streamlining decision-making and capital allocation as reasons for the split, the union points out that the decline in corporate value is not simply due to issues with the business structure. The union maintains that a rigorous evaluation and accountability must first be established regarding repeated failures in executive appointments, workplace harassment, and controversies over corruption and preferential treatment.
Critics also argued that a mere promise of employment continuity is insufficient. They pointed out that there are no concrete measures in place to protect employees’ working conditions during potential restructuring, divestitures, mergers, or spin-offs that may follow the split. The union explained that the majority of employees were not provided with employment-related information during the planning process for the personnel split, nor were there any prior consultations.
Previously, on the 21st, Seo Seung-wook, chairman of the Kakao branch, stated in a press release, “While splitting Kakao into two may be the company’s decision, the company cannot unilaterally determine the changes in employment and working conditions resulting from that decision,” adding, “Even if the company is split, it cannot divide its responsibility for past management failures and its obligations to employees.”
The union believes that since major investments, personnel decisions, and business restructuring are decided at the corporate group level, joint bargaining—rather than negotiations with individual legal entities—is essential. Accordingly, the union plans to address issues such as responsible management, employment stability, and prior consultation during organizational restructuring as agenda items for joint bargaining.
Meanwhile, the rally will also include a resolution for a general strike at KakaoBank Corp. due to the prolonged negotiations over wages and performance-based compensation. KakaoBank Corp. union members, who have already staged two short-term strikes, plan to launch a five-day consecutive general strike starting on the 31st and continuing through the 4th of next month. The union is urging management to disclose the impact the corporate spin-off will have on employment and to engage in substantive consultations before the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting scheduled for December.
