People bring desktop computers to Starbucks in South Korea? There are indeed some who do, and they take up too much space in the store. To address this issue, South Korean Starbucks recently posted notices banning customers from using desktop computers, printers, and multiple outlet power strips in all of their branches, urging customers not to treat the store as their personal office.
According to the Korean newspaper “Hankook Ilbo,” on August 7th, South Korean Starbucks confirmed that they had posted the aforementioned notices in all branches nationwide. The notice also requires customers to take their personal belongings when leaving for an extended period and to free up space at shared tables for others to sit.
This action is aimed at the minority group of “cagongjok” that has emerged in South Korea in recent years. This term is composed of three Korean words, including “coffee shop,” “study,” and “tribe,” referring to a group that works or studies for extended periods in coffee shops.
While most “cagongjok” only use laptops, Starbucks mentioned that some customers have set up desktop computers, monitors, and printers in-store, even creating personal partitions on tables. Photos of such elaborately set up workspaces have been widely circulated on social media in South Korea.
A spokesperson for South Korean Starbucks stated that this decision was made to ensure all customers feel comfortable in the store. The company also pointed out the risk of theft or loss if customers leave their items unattended.
According to the “Korea Times,” “cagongjok” are also known as “cafe squatters,” a term that has sparked ongoing controversies in South Korea. The issue goes beyond brief work or study sessions, involving customers occupying tables for extended periods—sometimes exceeding 5 hours—using power outlets to charge personal devices, leaving personal items unattended when dining out, and disrupting other customers.
This is the first time Starbucks has officially imposed restrictions on cafe users in South Korea. This decision was made by the Korean headquarters and is not a global company policy, applying only to its South Korean branches. It is currently unclear whether South Korean Starbucks will legally penalize customers who disrupt the order in this manner.
In theory, long-term occupation of seats may be deemed as seriously disrupting cafe operations and could even constitute a business obstruction. However, there is currently no clear legal precedent proving that such penalties have been enforced.
As South Korean Starbucks becomes the first major franchise coffee chain to address the issue of cafe squatters, attention turns to whether other chains will follow similar regulations.
The franchise coffee chain market in South Korea has become highly saturated, with over 100,000 branches as of the end of 2022. Brands face fierce competition and increasing challenges such as price wars and ongoing battles for customer loyalty.
Apart from introducing the new regulations mentioned above, South Korean Starbucks opened a branch near the border with North Korea in November last year, attracting public interest.
As previously reported by “Epoch Times,” this branch is located in the Imjingak Peace Ecology Park in Paju City within the Korean Demilitarized Zone, only 1.4 kilometers from North Korea’s Kaepung County, allowing customers to enjoy coffee while overlooking North Korea.
The branch also features an observation deck that provides clear views of North Korea’s fields, villages, and buildings through telescopes.
Citing data from South Korean Starbucks, the “Korea Times” reported that this branch attracted over 120,000 customers, including domestic and international visitors, within 7 months of opening. On average, more than 600 people visited the branch daily, with weekend visitor numbers often exceeding 1,000.
Due to its unique geographical location, the store operates limited hours daily from 10 AM to 4:30 PM, and visitors must pass through military checks, reducing the likelihood of impulse purchases.