The union at Naver Z, operator of metaverse platform Zepeto, began a one-day full walkout on Sept. 23 in protest at a wage freeze.

The Naver branch of the KCTU’s chemical and food workers union (Joint Declaration) said about 120 union members at Naver Z joined the full walkout. The union said that represents about 70 percent of its total membership.

The strike is the second collective action following a four-hour partial strike held on Sept. 9. The union is demanding the company withdraw the wage freeze and raise pay by 5.3 percent.

The union claimed the company did not respond over the two weeks after the partial strike, either with a wage increase proposal or to a request that Naver Z CEO Kim Chang-wook explain the business situation. It said it therefore escalated the strike to a one-day full work stoppage.

Naver Z has previously said, during the earlier partial strike, that it would be difficult to accept the proposed 5.3 percent pay rise due to the company’s business situation.

Instead of a separate large-scale rally, the Sept. 23 strike combined picketing on the way to work and online actions. Union members used a morning YouTube livestream to demand an end to the wage freeze and an explanation from management about the company’s business situation.

The union claimed annual pay at Naver Z and Cake employees was frozen while Kim serves as co-CEO of four Naver affiliates: Snow, Naver Z, Kream and Cake.

It also said that since Kim took charge of the Zepeto business, companywide town hall meetings were held only twice, in April 2024 and February last year, and it is also demanding an explanation of the business situation and future business direction.

Oh Se-yoon (오세윤), head of the Naver branch, said, "The demand to withdraw the annual pay freeze and hold a no-holds-barred debate with CEO Kim Chang-wook about Jet’s future remains valid." Oh said, "After the Chuseok holiday ends, I will send an open inquiry to CEO Kim Chang-wook and Chairman Lee Hae-jin."

The union said it plans additional collective action, including a five-day consecutive strike starting Oct. 19, if there is no progress in talks after this full walkout.