Kakao Executive Fired Over Unacceptable Conduct at the Workplace, Social Media Activities

Kakao Corp. ousted Kim Jeong Ho just six months after he was appointed as the head of management support at the company's CA consultative body, the Corporate Alignment Council. Ironically, he was brought in to help reform the company, which had faced many scandals and crises since its establishment in 2006.

Allegations of Bad Workplace Conduct

The Kakao executive is also set to vacate his post as chairman and board member of Brian Impact, a private charity foundation set up by the company's founder, Kim Beom Soo. As per Korea Joongang Daily, Kakao already informed the staff that Kim Jeong Ho is stepping down from his management role. The IT giant is now in the process of searching for and selecting someone to succeed the ousted executive.

Kim was dismissed for several reasons, such as bullying at the workplace and spreading baseless rumors that reportedly harmed Kakao Corp. He was also said to have violated the SNS activities and media management guidelines.

"The selection process for a successor as chair and board member of the Brian Impact Foundation is in progress," Brian Impact said in a statement. "As soon as a successor is decided, the handover process will commence."

Ethics Committee's Decision

Maeil Business News reported that the Kakao Ethics Committee fired Kim Jeong Ho after thoroughly reviewing his involvement in issues. The committee shared its assessment and decision through an internal notice on Saturday, March 16.

The group said it is dismissing Kim for abusive language, including swearing and leaking confidential in-house information. The executive was said to have thrown expletives at an employee during a company meeting.

Kakao immediately launched an investigation into the incident, which ultimately led to his dismissal. Kim was said to have accepted the committee's decision.

Photo by: Kakao Corp. Press Room