Starbucks Korea workers have formed the first labor union at a domestic coffee franchise, joining the Korean Chemical, Textile & Food Workers’ Union (KCTFU), an industrial union affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). According to the KCTFU on Sunday, employees of Starbucks Korea, the local unit of the global coffee chain, joined the union on Thursday and established a Starbucks Korea chapter. Explaining the move, the union said the company had limited communication with employees through an employer-led consultation channel instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue, while addressing workplace issues with temporary fixes rather than fundamental solutions. It also accused the company of ignoring workers’ demands while unilaterally rolling out increasingly burdensome promotions and operating policies. The union’s establishment follows the company’s controversial promotional campaign in May, which evoked memories of the military’s deadly crackdown on the 1980 Gwangju pro-democracy movement. The backlash prompted Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin to issue a pub
Starbucks Korea workers form 1st coffee franchise union
in News
Related Posts
Latest News from Korea
- Starbucks Korea workers form 1st coffee franchise union
Starbucks Korea workers have formed the first labor union at a domestic coffee franchise, joining the Korean Chemical, Textile & Food Workers’ Union (KCTFU), an industrial union affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). According to the KCTFU on Sunday, employees of Starbucks Korea, the local unit of the global coffee chain, joined the union on Thursday and… Read more: Starbucks Korea workers form 1st coffee franchise union - Single-stock leverage: a major policy bungleThe government’s decision not to abolish single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix is understandable. With more than 10 trillion won ($6.7 billion) already invested in these products, an abrupt delisting could trigger severe market disruption and inflict significant losses on investors. Financial markets depend on predictability, and policymakers should not create unnecessary shocks through… Read more: Single-stock leverage: a major policy bungle
- Chip boom puts Korea’s per capita GDP within reach of $40,000Korea’s per capita gross domestic product (GDP) is on track for its largest increase in five years this year amid the global semiconductor boom, bringing the country close to the $40,000 threshold, government data showed Sunday. If the average won-dollar exchange rate declines in the second half of the year, Korea’s per capita GDP could surpass $40,000 for the first… Read more: Chip boom puts Korea’s per capita GDP within reach of $40,000
- Leveraged ETFs and the “Korean discount”Korean retail investors are in the global spotlight due to volatility stemming from the potent mix of the semiconductor sector boom and leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs). After breaking the 9,000-point mark, Korea’s main bourse KOSPI index has now corrected to 6,000, causing much angst among retail investors, with losses likely to be much greater for those invested in leveraged ETFs.… Read more: Leveraged ETFs and the “Korean discount”
- Nearly half of workers say cannot freely take parental leave: pollNearly half of Korean workers are unable to freely take parental leave or use reduced working hours for childcare, a survey showed Sunday. According to the survey conducted on 1,000 office workers aged 19 and older from June 1 to 9, 46.7 percent of respondents said they could not freely take parental leave. The survey was commissioned by Gapjil 119,… Read more: Nearly half of workers say cannot freely take parental leave: poll
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings CollectionPhoto Credits: CHROMOSOME LE’V Illuminates 2026 with “Spotlight Soul” LE’V enters 2026 with a statement that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. His Season’s Greetings “Spotlight Soul” concept photos reveal a striking evolution — one that merges emotional depth with artistic clarity. The project, released as a collector’s visual experience, celebrates not just another year but LE’V’s firm grasp on identity, craft,… Read more: LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings Collection
- KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty CodesPhoto Credits: SPUR Dior Starship Entertainment A New Year, A New Iconic Pairing SPUR Magazine opens 2026 with a collaboration that feels both intimate and electric. The January 2026 Issue Pictorial Preview showcases KiiiKiii Leesol and Haum in a visual dialogue infused with Dior Addict’s luminous rebellion. Titled “Light Moves: The Addict State of Mind”, the spread captures the interplay of motion, reflection, and self-definition—a signal… Read more: KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty Codes
- Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & IdentityPhoto Credits: Hi-Hat Entertainment The Convergence of Vision and Identity The January 2026 Pictorial from ifeye × KITTO Taiwan marks a defining moment in East Asian creative media. Framed as both a celebration and an evolution, the collaboration bridges art direction, fashion narrative, and technological fluidity to capture a new generation’s pulse. More than a photoshoot, this issue acts as a visual manifesto—an exploration of… Read more: Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & Identity
- Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover StoryPhoto Credits: KLAP ENTERTAINMENT Kep1er’s Xiaoting Captures the Moment Kep1er’s Shen Xiaoting steps into 2026 as a muse of modern elegance, fronting the January 2026 Wonderland China cover with an aura that’s both futuristic and fiercely grounded. As one of the brightest stars of her generation, Xiaoting embodies the balance between aspiration and artistry that defines global pop’s next chapter. “Confidence is not just… Read more: Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover Story
- BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional PrecisionPhoto Credits: GQ Korea – Cartier – BigHit Music. – BTS V x Cartier: The Sound of Stillness and Strength For GQ Korea’s February 2026 issue, the cover unfolds like a cinematic confession. BTS’s V (Kim Taehyung)—known for his magnetic duality of mystery and warmth—joins forces with Cartier, the house synonymous with precision, artistry, and legacy. Together, they create a visual symphony that celebrates… Read more: BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional Precision
Learn People & History of Korea
- The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
- The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsIntroduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
- The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
- Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
- Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingIntroduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling
