KakaoBank management and its labor union finalized a wage and collective bargaining agreement earlier this month after nine months of negotiations that began in January. The deal provides a 5.6% base-salary increase, a 5 million Korean won settlement incentive, and 100 company shares through a stock grant. Based on KakaoBank's previous-day closing price of 21,350 won, the incentive and shares are worth approximately 7 million won, or about $5,200, equivalent to roughly 2% of last year's operating profit. The union had sought a salary increase in the high 6% range and performance bonuses exceeding 10% of operating profit, but those demands were not accepted. Ratification passed with 53.6% support, compared with 95% approval for authorizing a full-day strike in July. The outcome has been described by industry observers as a decisive victory for management, while some union members reportedly supported it reluctantly. The agreement follows strikes by Kakao and its affiliates over profit-sharing demands and could shape labor negotiations elsewhere in the group, although the narrow ratification margin leaves room for further labor tension.