"Enough Is Enough": Starbucks Takes Special Measures Against Excessive Kagongjok Behaviors Like Desktops and Partitions

Restrictions on Use of Partitions and Desktop Computers
Long Absences from Seats Also Subject to Regulation
Store Partners to Provide Direct Verbal Guidance for Violations

A customer is using a desktop monitor brought to a Starbucks store in Korea. Screenshot from an online community.

As the number of so-called "Kagongjok"?customers who engage in excessive behaviors such as leaving their belongings on tables to reserve seats for extended periods or bringing power strips to charge multiple electronic devices?has increased, Starbucks Korea has made a decisive move. The company has announced restrictions on the use of personal desktop computers, printers, partitions, and power strips, and has instructed all stores nationwide to prevent customers from leaving their seats unattended for long periods.

According to industry sources on August 7, Starbucks Korea headquarters notified all stores nationwide of these new guidelines. Starting today, if a customer uses excessive equipment such as computers or printers via power strips, or sets up partitions on tables in a Starbucks store, store partners will provide verbal guidance to address these behaviors.

A customer is using a printer they brought to a Starbucks store located in Andong, Gyeongbuk. Screenshot from an online community

In addition, actions such as leaving personal belongings on tables and being away for extended periods, or a single person occupying multiple tables, will also be restricted to ensure the convenience of other customers.

It has been reported that Starbucks Korea established these new regulations after internal discussions, in response to a surge in customer complaints about the disruptive actions of Kagongjok. In one recent incident, a customer at a Starbucks store set up a partition to create a study room-like environment, installed a tablet PC and a laptop, and then left the seat unattended for a long time, sparking controversy.

A Starbucks Korea representative stated, "It is true that we have decided to provide guidance to customers in order to offer a pleasant and convenient store experience for all visitors and to prevent the risk of theft or loss of personal belongings when seats are left unattended for long periods."