The Democratic Party Listens to Small Business Support Amid 'Kakao Incident'... Establishing a 'Damage Compensation Platform'

Compensation Agreement Platform
Ruling Party Also Demands Accountability from Kakao Vice President

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] The People Power Party held a meeting on the morning of the 10th at the National Assembly to discuss countermeasures related to the 'Kakao Incident' that occurred last month and listened to the voices of affected small business owners. At this meeting, a plan to establish a compensation platform between Kakao and small business owners was discussed.

Seong Il-jong, the chairman of the Policy Committee, told reporters immediately after the meeting, "We will create a platform where Kakao, the affected small business owners, and the government can consult together with the party to identify the problems and frequently meet to discuss how the affected small business owners will negotiate with Kakao in the future," adding, "The party has also requested that the government take a more proactive role in mediating the damages."

He said, "In the future, Kakao will closely consult with the victims regarding this (compensation) part," and added, "The party's Policy Committee is not discussing the amount of compensation but will act as a mediator to ensure that both sides communicate well and resolve the issue amicably with mutual understanding."

The mediation role will be undertaken by Representative Choi Seung-jae, chairman of the party's Small Business Committee, and Representative Han Mu-gyeong, the ruling party's secretary of the National Assembly's Industry, Resources, Trade, and Small and Medium Venture Businesses Committee. Representative Choi said, "There are various parties involved in the platform's services, and during the resolution process, problems arose related to the communication system," adding, "In such an unprecedented matter, rather than each party voicing their opinions separately, frequent communication and sharing related information through a consultative body are necessary to reach mutual agreements."

During the meeting, as Chairman Seong strongly held Kakao accountable for their lack of sincerity, loud voices were heard outside the meeting room. Representative Han revealed, "Kakao has formed an emergency committee for small business damages, but instead of the chairman, Vice President Hong Seong-cheol of the ESG Support Office attended this meeting, and Chairman Seong strongly held him responsible."

Chairman Seong said, "Kakao is a huge corporation, and the people here are struggling to make a living day by day. The Kakao incident occurred during the COVID-19 recovery phase," adding, "As a large company, they should have taken a responsible attitude, but it seems they failed to show such an attitude, which I see as a problem."

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