Kakao Union Launches Petition Against Mobility Sale... Requests Meeting with Kim Beom-su

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The Kakao labor union, opposing the private equity sale of Kakao Mobility, has requested a meeting with Kim Beom-su, the founder of Kakao. As Kakao's management remained silent on the sale issue, causing growing confusion among employees, the union demanded a direct explanation and resolution.

The Kakao branch of the National Chemical, Textile, and Food Industry Labor Union announced on the 24th that it will start a signature campaign among all affiliates' employees to express opposition to the sale of Kakao Mobility. Along with this, the union also requested a meeting with founder Kim.

The union stated, "Even the CEO of Kakao Mobility consistently claims ignorance regarding specific details of the sale, provoking employees' outrage," adding, "Mobility employees generally feel that management's explanations are insufficient and that the opaque sale process makes it difficult to focus on their work."

Lee Jeong-dae, a staff member of the Kakao Mobility branch, said, "We are outraged that the process has been conducted solely for the benefit of management, with employees left behind," and criticized, "What is different from the Kakao Pay block deal incident last December? Since the IPO is effectively blocked, isn't this an attempt to exit (recover investment) by other means?"

Seo Seung-wook, head of the Kakao labor union branch, also raised his voice, saying, "The management's declaration last September, which promised social responsibility, faded before the ink dried due to the private equity sale. I am worried about how to explain this sale to shareholders who invested seeing the future value of Kakao's mobility platform. Kakao, which pulled out the sale card just three months after announcing shareholder-friendly policies following the Kakao Pay block deal incident, should no longer bear the stigma of being a 'hit-and-run group.'"

He added, "We request a meeting with Kim Beom-su, head of the Future Initiative Center and Kakao's largest shareholder," and said, "Let's put our heads together between labor and management to find wisdom for the coexistence of the mobility platform."

The union plans to conduct a signature campaign targeting about 15,000 employees working at affiliates on the 27th, then deliver it to Namgoong Hoon, CEO of Kakao, and founder Kim, who are the main parties involved in the sale. On the following day, the 28th, they will also hold a press conference opposing the sale of Kakao Mobility in front of the Kakao Ajit entrance at Exit 1 of Pangyo Station.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.