NewJeans’ workplace bullying claims dismissed by Korea’s Labour Ministry

South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labour has dismissed claims by NewJeans of workplace harassment.

Today (November 20), the Ministry announced the closure of its investigation into workplace bullying claims filed by NewJeans fans on behalf of the band in mid-September, per Yonhap News Agency. The case was dismissed as K-pop idols are not legally classified as employee under the country’s current labour laws.

The petition alleged that member Hanni in particular was subject to workplace bullying within HYBE, the parent company of her label ADOR. Hanni herself made similar claims during her testimony at a National Assembly meeting on October 15. “I came to the realisation that this wasn’t just a feeling. I was honestly convinced that the company hated us,” she said at the time.

The ministry explained that her ineligibility as a employee stems from “the content and nature of the management contract signed by Hanni”. The South Korean government instead classify entertainers as “exceptional entities” instead of employee in an employer-employee relationship, as they operate under exclusive, commission-based contracts with management labels.

The dismissal of NewJeans’ workplace harassment claims comes about a week after the group reportedly warned ADOR about plans to revoke their contracts if “grave contract breaches” were not addressed.

While the details of the group’s demands were not specified, they previously held a surprise livestream in September calling for the reinstatement of Min as ADOR’s CEO. The agency rejected their request two weeks later.

Today (November 20), former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin announced her resignation from the company’s board. After Min publicly claimed her resignation was not her choice, she was eventually reinstated as an internal director on ADOR’s board of directors in late-September.

In her statement, Min stated that she intends to pursue “necessary legal action one by one against the numerous illegal activities committed by HYBE and its affiliates”.