One Reddit user, quoted by the BBC, said, “If you can’t afford an office space and Starbucks is silly enough to let you run your office there for the price of their less-than-mediocre sugary caffeine beverage, go for it.”

The reaction to Starbucks’s updated policy has been swift.

“Good job,” one Korean social media user wrote.

Another customer commented they stopped visiting the chain because of remote workers monopolising seats, describing the move as a “measure against those who’ve crossed the line with their bad manners.”

One post read, “It feels like there are way too many people without common sense these days.”

According to the BBC, a Starbucks spokesperson said, “Starbucks Korea has updated its policy so all customers can have a pleasant and accessible store experience. While laptops and smaller personal devices are welcome, customers are asked to refrain from bringing desktop computers, printers, or other bulky items that may limit seating and impact the shared space.”

The ‘cagongjok’ debate is not unique to South Korea. Similar frustrations have been voiced in coffee shops elsewhere, including in the UK, where some establishments have set time limits or introduced rules to discourage customers from “hogging” tables during peak hours, the BBC report added.