HYBE Retains Prestigious Company Title Despite NewJeans Hanni’s Workplace Bullying Accusations

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has ruled that allegations of workplace bullying and industrial accident concealment toward HYBE are unfounded, allowing the company to retain its “Top Company” certification.

The decision followed a review committee meeting held on October 27, during which the Ministry evaluated whether HYBE should lose its certification after thousands of netizens signed a petition.

Korean Netizens Start Viral Petition To Revoke HYBE’s “Top Company” Status

Ministry Of Employment And Labor Responds To Petition To Revoke HYBE’s “Leading Company” Status

In September, HYBE was named one of the “2024 Top Enterprises for Job Creation” in South Korea, an annual initiative recognizing 100 companies that excel in creating quality jobs and improving work environments. The designation offers several benefits, including tax incentives, expedited immigration processing, deferred tax audits, and preferential credit evaluations.

According to the Ministry, removing a company from the program requires proof of labor law violations or similar issues. However, the committee found no such evidence in HYBE’s case, including claims related to workplace bullying or industrial safety concerns. Allegations of mistreatment toward subcontractors also failed to meet the criteria for revocation.

The controversy arose after NewJeans member Hanni shared claims of workplace bullying within the company. Further scrutiny followed during a National Assembly hearing, where concerns about an employee’s death potentially linked to overwork were raised. All these incidents led to calls for HYBE’s certification to be revoked.

After thorough investigations, the Ministry concluded that Hanni did not meet the legal definition of an employee under the Labor Standards Act, meaning the bullying claims did not breach any laws. Similarly, there was no evidence of industrial accident filings or work-related illnesses, leading authorities to rule out violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act.

Ministry Of Employment And Labor Dismisses NewJeans Hanni’s Bullying Case

Under the program’s rules, a company’s certification can be revoked if it causes significant public controversy, faces lawsuits, or violates labor-related regulations. However, with no violations confirmed, the Ministry upheld HYBE’s ‘Top Enterprise’ status.