Kakao union says strike vote passes at 5 affiliates

Kakao-labor dispute

Kakao union says strike vote passes at 5 affiliates

SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- A labor union of Kakao Corp., the operator of South Korea's popular messenger service, said Wednesday that unionized members across five affiliates have approved a vote to stage a strike amid failed wage negotiations.

Unionized workers across five affiliates of the IT company, including Kakao Pay and Kakao Enterprise, backed the strike authorization vote, and detailed action plans will be announced soon, according to a union official.

The union earlier filed for mediation with the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission after failing to reach an agreement in wage negotiations with management.

But mediation proceedings for Kakao's headquarters were postponed, while those for Kakao Pay, Kakao Enterprise, DK Techin and XL Games ended in failure.

Unionized members of Kakao Corp. hold a rally in Seongnam, south of Seoul, on May 20, 2026. (Yonhap)