Kakao executive sets Facebook account private after critical outburst
Published: 06 Dec. 2023, 15:34
- LEE JAE-LIM
- lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr
Kakao executive Kim Jeong-ho turned his Facebook account private on Tuesday after his recent outburst about the company’s internal conflicts and opaque decision-making system.
The move appears to be an effort to hide the executive's critical opinions from the public.
His move is seen as his determination to not to spill any more beans related to the company.
“I broke Kakao’s bedrock principle,” Kim reportedly told Kakao employees through the company's internal communication system. “I personally requested the ethics committee for my penalization [about my conduct]. I will oblige the outcome that comes out of the procedure.”
The principle refers to “sharing 100 percent of the information about the company within and protecting them from the outsiders.”
Kim took to Facebook last week to defend himself after media reports claimed that he had verbally abused another Kakao executive.
In a post on the platform, Kim defended his use of profanity and blasted Kakao's corporate culture, highlighting previous allegations related to the company's real estate projects.
Kim said his behavior was the result of frustration over Kakao's obscure decision-making processes when choosing a builder for a Jeju construction project with a price tag of 70 to 80 billion won ($61 million).
Kim also criticized the company’s corporate golf membership program, which some departments were abusing for their own needs.
Kakao is currently probing into allegations that it favored certain construction companies for its real estate projects in Jeju — as well as its data center in Ansan and Seoul Arena, its upcoming K-pop performance venue in Dobong District, northern Seoul — with its internal compliance committee and outside attorneys from law firm Kim & Chang participating.
BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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