Changes in carrot organization operations, Korea's third presidential debate and advance voting information

Seoul City Bus Strike Announcement

On May 28, 2025, the Seoul city bus labor union announced a full strike starting from the first bus. This comes as negotiations between labor and management over wages and collective agreements have broken down, leading to significant disruptions for citizens during their commutes. The union and management have held a total of nine rounds of negotiations and two mediation meetings, but they have been unable to bridge their differences regarding the scope of regular wages and the wage increase rate. Management claims that including regular bonuses in the regular wage would result in a wage increase effect of about 25% and has demanded a restructuring of the wage system. In contrast, the union argues that regular wages are a legal right and that negotiations on wage increases should take precedence.

Emergency Transportation Measures of Seoul

The Seoul City has prepared emergency transportation measures in response to the strike. The subway will increase operations by 173 trips a day during peak commuting hours, and the last train will be extended until 2 AM the following day. Additionally, 25 autonomous districts will operate a total of 625 buses on 117 routes providing free shuttle services connecting major hubs and subway stations. Through these measures, efforts are being made to minimize the inconvenience for citizens. Citizens are advised to check alternative transportation options and adjust their commuting times in advance, as disruptions in public transport are expected during the strike.

Situation of Gyeonggi-do Bus Union

The Gyeonggi Province bus union is currently in the negotiation process with management and has not secured the legal right to strike. As a result, it was decided not to participate in the total strike on the 28th. The Gyeonggi Province bus union plans to reflect the results of the wage increase in Seoul in future negotiations. Measures for public transportation are being prepared in the Gyeonggi Province region, and additional response plans may be developed depending on the situation.

21st Presidential Election 3rd TV Debate

The third TV debate for the 21st presidential election is scheduled to take place on May 27, 2025, at 8 PM in Sangam-dong, Seoul. This debate will be held under the auspices of the Central Election Broadcasting Debate Commission, with candidates including Lee Jae-myung from the Democratic Party, Kim Moon-soo from the People Power Party, Lee Jun-seok from the Reform Party, and Kwon Young-guk from the Democratic Labor Party. The debate will focus on the topic of "Measures to Resolve Political Polarization," followed by discussions verifying pledges on "Political Reform and Constitutional Amendment" and "Diplomatic and Security Policies." This debate will be the last TV debate before the election, providing voters with a final opportunity to assess the candidates' policies and positions.

Candidate Schedule During the Debate

The candidates Lee Jae-myung and Lee Jun-seok plan to focus on the debate without scheduling separate events, while candidate Kim Moon-soo will begin preparations for the debate after announcing his pledges in the morning. Candidate Kwon Young-guk intends to participate in the debate after attending a policy agreement ceremony. This debate is expected to be an important opportunity for voters to compare and assess the candidates' policies and visions. There is much interest in what arguments each candidate will present in this debate.

Changes in Organizational Operations of Carrot

On May 27, 2025, the second-hand trading platform Danggeun announced that it will completely abolish remote work starting in October and significantly reduce new hiring. This is a measure in response to the spread of AI technology and the need for improved work efficiency. Currently, a self-directed work system is in place once a week, but starting in October, it will shift to a full in-office attendance system five days a week. This change is in line with management's emphasis on face-to-face communication and swift decision-making. Additionally, among employees, there are growing concerns about increased work burden and related dissatisfaction, leading to worries about a rise in resignations and issues related to work overload caused by delays in recruitment.

Organizational Adaptation in the Age of AI

The company stated that it has not completely frozen or eliminated hiring, but is taking measures to respond flexibly to the rapidly changing technology and market environment. The expansion of in-person work is explained as a way to enhance communication efficiency within the organization. This is being highlighted as an example of how domestic platform companies are adapting their operational methods in the AI era. Many are watching closely to see the impact of these changes on employees and how the company's strategy will develop.

2025 Presidential Election, Early Voting Guide

The early voting for the 21st presidential election in 2025 will take place on May 29 and 30, from 6 AM to 6 PM. Voting can be done anywhere nationwide, regardless of the registered residence, and a government-issued photo ID is required for voting. The main voting will be conducted on June 3, from 6 AM to 8 PM, at designated polling places. I hope many voters actively participate and do not miss the opportunity to exercise their precious rights.