Clash of values

IT giant Kakao Corp. decided Tuesday to suspend its app-based car-sharing service temporarily. The decision is apparently aimed at appeasing the fierce protests from the taxi industry, while at the same time calling for the latter to come forward for dialogue. Two taxi drivers recently committed suicide by setting themselves on fire, to protest the ride-sharing business.

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea also joined the call for the taxi industry to take part in a social dialogue body now that the pilot car-sharing program had been suspended. The taxi industry, however, remains adamant, threatening to file charges with the prosecution against Kakao Mobility, the transport arm of Korea’s dominant mobile messenger operator.

The “sharing economy” — which seeks to enhance efficient consumption by sharing vehicles, offices and accommodation — has long become a global trend. Conditions are ripe as both supply and demand are high while the optimization technology to link the two sides is well in place. At stake is how to settle conflicts with traditional industries that have long provided similar services.

All parties involved have no other choice but to resolve the conflicts through a dialogue body participated in by not just the taxi industry and Kakao, but experts and consumers as well

During his New Year press conference, President Moon Jae-in said, “The industrial reality is changing amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution, but some sectors of society are sticking to old values.” Moon then cited the car-sharing service as an example of this, and called for a social compromise or consensus among sectors with different ideas and interests.

The taxi industry will soon discuss whether to participate in the dialogue forum. Kakao has come halfway by suspending its pilot service, sending the ball to the taxi industry’s court. We hope the four taxi associations will do likewise with forward-looking and open minds. Getting a taxi during rush hour should no longer be a nightmare for commuters.