With endless rumours circulating about a potential sale, staff at the domestic app market ONE store have officially unionised and taken to the streets.

On the 16th, members of the ONE store union gathered in front of the SK Square headquarters to demand fair valuation and transparency in the sale process. Union leader Hwang Soon-gi remarked, "While the deal regarding the major shareholder's sale is in full swing, the company's own staff have been completely frozen out," before announcing, "We are presenting four core demands to the management."

Reports regarding the sale of ONE store have been piling up since late May. According to MTN, the firm expressing interest is NEXUS Co., Ltd., currently doubling down on blockchain and AI development. Born from a partnership between Korea's three major telcos and Naver to counter foreign app stores, ONE store is currently majority-owned by SK Square. Following these reports, the staff formed a union, issuing a statement to insist on transparency regarding corporate valuation and the sale proceedings.

The union's list of demands is as follows: ▲ Guaranteeing employment for all ONE store members ▲ Compensation for damages resulting from transitioning to a non-SK affiliate ▲ Maintaining existing working conditions and welfare benefits ▲ Buybacks of employee-held shares. They are also pushing for a collective agreement to ensure these demands are met even after the acquisition.

Hwang added, "If our demands are not met by SK Square, the majority shareholder, we will continue our collective action in Pangyo (where NEXUS Co., Ltd. is based)."

Meanwhile, in a call with Gamemeca, a representative from ONE store stated they are "currently verifying the facts."