Taxi Drivers Take the Streets in Seoul – A Tale of Heat, Hoodies, and Hard Times
In a dramatic display, tens of thousands of South Korean taxi drivers decided to quit their shifts and gather in front of the National Assembly on Thursday, December 20. Their goal? To shout loud and proud that the new Kakao Mobility car‑pooling service is a recipe for disaster.
From the Bottom to the Front Row
At the rally, driver Yoon Woo‑seok, 62, wearing a black headband and a ribbon that murmurs “in memory of a fallen soul,” sighed, “If this service kicks in, my earnings will slash in half. I’ll hit rock bottom.”
Other protestors, like 67‑year‑old Lee Nam‑soo, shared the same angst: “I pull in between 80,000 and 90,000 won a day. If Kakao starts, my family’s wheels will spin in the gutter.” He smiled grimly and added, “There’s no way I can survive if they operate.
Why the Resistance?
- Long hours that total more than a season of binge‑watching.
- Rents that eat up most of the meagre’mounted income.
- Fear of a paradoxical double‑dip – Kakao takes a slice from the already stomach‑churning cash flow.
What Kakao Mobility Isn’t All That Sweet
The service is a side project of Kakao Corp, the same powerhouse behind the popular mobile messenger. While Uber and Lyft have seen mixed success in other Asian markets, Korea’s taxi union is not just grumpy – they’re firmly united in the belief that extra competition will make their jobs a lesser dream.
After a tragic loss
Just days before the protest, an igniting act of despair – a driver’s self‑immolation – sent shockwaves. A driver who sought to protest the new service literally set himself aflame. Eun Byun, a veteran team‑leader, said on Tuesday the mood remained nervous and that the incident should be seen as a horror showcase.
From the Government’s Table to the Street’s Stage
The ruling party has already assembled an official task force, promising that they’ll “continue consultations with the industry, parliament, and government.” But like a stalled elevator, no one can leap past the “escalator” and reach a mutually agreeable high‑speed zone.
In short, the boss’s data‑rich plan remains, despite being compared to a maze of ever‑changing traffic lights in an bustling city. The battle between employment and growth continues, with taxi drivers standing tall and demanding that their bread be served fresh, not pooled.
