Naver·Kakao, Shift from Rotational Work to Full Remote Work (Comprehensive)

IT Companies in Portals, Telecommunications, and Gaming Shift to Remote Work
Returning to Early-Year COVID-19 Pandemic Conditions

As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection reached 330, maintaining the 300s for five consecutive days, the Sinchon area in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, showed a quiet scene on the 22nd. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Bu Aeri and Gu Chae-eun] As the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, many IT companies in portals, telecommunications, and gaming sectors are switching their attendance systems to remote work. With social distancing in the metropolitan area being raised from the current level 1.5 to level 2 starting on the 24th, some companies are either switching entirely to remote work or increasing the proportion of remote workers.

Naver announced on the 23rd that "due to the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in the metropolitan area, the operation will shift from a hybrid work system with two days of office attendance per week to full remote work for the entire company starting on the 24th." This means returning from a 'rotational work system' where employees work from home three days a week and come to the office two days a week, back to a full remote work system. Naver had also switched from rotational work to full remote work in early August when the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reached triple digits daily.

With growing concerns about a third wave of infections in winter, ICT companies' measures resemble those taken during the first and second major COVID-19 outbreaks earlier this year. Prior to this, Kakao also began full remote work for the entire company on the 18th. Both Naver and Kakao plan to adjust their work systems later after monitoring the COVID-19 spread.

Among mobile carriers, LG Uplus conducted 30% rotational remote work from the 17th to the 22nd and increased it to 50% from the 23rd to the 29th. A LG Uplus official explained, "We are refraining from inter-office movement, meetings, and gatherings while closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation." SK Telecom and KT, which are implementing rotational remote work, are currently reviewing the expansion of remote work following the upgrade to social distancing level 2. A KT official stated, "We are currently considering additional quarantine measures in response to the social distancing level upgrade."

The 3N companies (Nexon, NCSoft, and Netmarble) are also making changes to their work systems. Nexon, which had been operating with four days in-office and one day remote per week, switched to three days in-office and two days remote starting today. NCSoft and Netmarble are maintaining normal work systems for now but may change their work policies later today.