Kakao Mobility Corp. is threatening to suspend 33 affiliated taxi drivers who told passengers to stop using its taxi-hailing service Kakao T or recommended they use other platforms during the May to July period.
According to industry sources, Kakao Mobility warned the drivers that they would be suspended if similar cases are reported again.
Kakao Mobility is concerned about the unpleasant experiences for Kakao T taxi users who were told to use other taxi apps or stop using Kakao T taxis.
Kakao Mobility, which commands some 80 percent share of the taxi-hailing service market, is facing a backlash for its abuse of power arising from its monopolistic presence.
The emergence of UT, a taxi-hailing joint venture between SK Telecom Co.’s mobility spinoff and Uber Technologies Inc. in April, forced Kakao Mobility to maintain its fleet of affiliated taxis.