▲ Kakao
The Kakao branch of the Korean Chemical, Food and Allied Workers' Union (Kakao Union) raised issues on the 19th regarding the performance compensation gap between management and general employees, based on the disclosure of executive compensation for the first half of 2026 at Kakao and its major affiliates. The union urged management to disclose its compensation criteria and establish principles for fair performance distribution.
In a statement, the Kakao Union said, "The gap between the exorbitant compensation concentrated on management and the performance distribution standards applied to general employees is severe," adding, "Since results were created together, consistent principles for performance distribution must be applied."
According to the disclosed first-half compensation details, former Kakao CEO Hong Eun-taek received 3.282 billion won, including gains from stock option exercises and long-term incentives, while former Chief Product Officer (CPO) Hong Min-taek received 2.816 billion won.
Incumbent CEO Chung Shin-a received 1.209 billion won in compensation.
Additionally, KakaoBank CEO Yoon Ho-young was found to have received 8.175 billion won in the first half, combining salary, bonuses, and gains from stock option exercises (7.29 billion won).
The union specifically mentioned the situation at KakaoBank, where labor-management conflicts surrounding wages and performance compensation continue, stating, "At a time when employees are demanding fair compensation, the fact that massive compensation was realized solely for the CEO makes us question the company's performance distribution standards."
Seo Seung-wook, head of the Kakao Union branch, said, "It is unfair that management's contributions are rewarded with billions of won while employees' contributions are dismissed as mere 'costs,' and the consequences of failure are borne by employees and shareholders."
The union demanded that management disclose the criteria for calculating executive compensation and apply consistent principles for performance distribution to both management and employees.
The Kakao Union does not intend to limit this issue to individual legal entities, and plans to continuously demand responsible management and fair compensation principles through joint negotiations involving major Kakao affiliates at the end of August.
(Photo courtesy of Kakao, Yonhap News)
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