A petition urging the revocation of Hybe’s selection as a “Top Job Creator” by the Ministry of Employment and Labor has reached 100% support.
The petition titled “Petition to Revoke Hybe’s Top Job Creator Selection,” posted on the National Assembly’s online petition board on October 30, gained approximately 50,000 signatures within ten days, surpassing the 100% mark on November 9.
The petition’s author explained, “The purpose of the petition is to ensure the integrity and sustainability of systems aimed at fostering talent and establishing a cooperative workplace culture by revoking the selection of Hybe, where workplace bullying issues have surfaced, as a Top Job Creator.”
The author continued, “During the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee audit on October 15, 2024, National Assembly member Park Hong-bae called for the revocation of Hybe’s Top Job Creator designation due to issues of workplace bullying. However, the Ministry of Employment and Labor has not disclosed details on the investigation’s progress or timeline, citing a complaint received by the local labor office. This lack of transparency seems like negligence in response to the National Assembly’s demand for system integrity.”
The author further mentioned that the cancellation of the Top Job Creator status due to workplace bullying has precedent, citing a similar case in April 2022, and requested a swift investigation and resolution by the National Assembly.
Hybe was recognized as a “Top Job Creator of 2024” in September, an honor that provides companies with benefits including a presidential certificate, tax credits, expedited immigration cards, deferred tax audits, enhanced credit ratings, and visa advantages. If Hybe’s status is revoked, it will lose these privileges.
With the petition reaching 50,000 supporters, the issue will now proceed to the relevant committee and subcommittee for review and may be referred to the plenary session of the National Assembly. The outcome for Hybe remains uncertain.
Besides, on November 9, an individual filed a petition with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, urging collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) to fully investigate Hybe’s report and quickly revoke its designation as a “Top Job Creator” by the Republic of Korea. The petitioner asserted that the report should be categorized as “workplace harassment without reasonable cause”, claiming it inflicted mental distress on employees, even if it appeared job-related.
In the petition, the complainant emphasized the need for both a comprehensive investigation and the establishment of a task force to address such issues, urging the Ministry of Employment and Labor to consider “extraordinary measures to prevent recurrence”. The petition further requested the revocation of Hybe’s “Top Job Creator” designation, citing that the report’s content constitutes “unacceptable workplace conduct” by societal standards.
This call for action has garnered public support, with 50,000 people signing the petition in favor of canceling Hybe’s award. The National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee is expected to address the matter, as the petition has met the required support threshold.
Meanwhile, Hybe has faced a challenging 2024, beginning with conflicts involving Min Hee-jin, CEO of Hybe’s subsidiary ADOR, in April. In addition, NewJeans member Hanni disclosed on October 15 that a manager from another Hybe group had told the group to “ignore” her, sparking attention as she testified in the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee hearing on workplace harassment. Later, on October 24, it was revealed during the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee audit that Hybe had prepared industry trend documents containing controversial comments on many artists’ appearance, adding to the public’s shock.
Source: Daum, nate
