Kakao union members hold a “2026 Wage and Collective Bargaining Victory Rally” at Pangyo Station Plaza in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on May 20. Yonhap News
Kakao (035720.KS) and its labor union, which had clashed over performance bonuses, have reached a tentative agreement. The Kakao union had staged a strike last month, demanding a bonus of about 10 million won, equivalent to 13% of the company’s operating profit. Labor and management agreed not to disclose specific terms, including the wage increase rate, until a final accord is reached.
According to the information and communications technology (ICT) industry on the 29th, Kakao’s labor and management reached a tentative wage agreement that day. The Kakao union (Crew Union, the Kakao branch of the Chemical, Textile and Food Workers’ Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions) plans to hold a briefing session for members based on the tentative agreement and share the details, according to sources. It will then decide whether to accept the agreement through a member vote.
Kakao’s labor and management had been at odds over issues such as the wage increase rate and compensation standards. The Kakao union demanded a bonus of about 10 million won, equivalent to 13.6% of last year’s operating profit of 732 billion won, but management said it was difficult to accept, calling it a burden on management. The union protested, staging a half-day strike on the 10th of last month, and carried out a full-day strike on the 29th. According to the union, about 1,500 members participated in the half-day strike, and about 2,100 members took part in the full-day strike.
Following the tentative agreement, if the member vote passes, labor and management plan to hold a signing ceremony and conclude this year’s wage negotiations.