Democratic Party member Park Hong-bae from Tokkis stated he would cancel HYBE’s designation as a top-tier company

source: https://n.news.naver.com/article/009/0005395180?sid=102

As a petition to revoke the designation of music agency HYBE as a top job creation company has surpassed 50,000 signatures, Rep. Park Hong-bae of the Democratic Party of Korea has formally requested action from Ahn Ho-young, Chair of the Environment and Labor Committee (ELC). Rep. Park stated, “During the last state audit, I highlighted issues with the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s selection of HYBE as a top job creation company, pointing out that it met grounds for cancellation. I requested that the cancellation results be reported to my office. However, the Ministry of Employment and Labor merely responded by stating, ‘A complaint has been filed, and we will investigate and report back,’ yet no report has been provided.”

Rep. Park added, “Not only the Environment and Labor Committee but also the Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee (CSTC) state audit revealed internal documents from HYBE, sparking public concern.” He continued, “According to industry trend review materials, including the ‘HYBE Executive Report,’ there were disparaging comments about artists from other agencies and inappropriate language. This also justifies withdrawing HYBE’s selection as a top job creation company under criteria that address social controversy, lawsuits, or media complaints.”

Rep. Park emphasized, “HYBE has stirred social controversy yet taken no corrective action, while the Ministry of Employment and Labor seems to be stalling and ignoring the issue. This is disappointing for the public to witness.” He urged, “I request that the Chair suggest a review of the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s various ‘Top Company’ programs, including the Best Job Creation Company designation, so that the National Assembly can act on the public’s concerns regarding HYBE and ensure proper cancellation.”

In response, ELC Chair Ahn Ho-young stated, “We will address the matter in line with petition procedures” and “will discuss ways to handle issues related to the selection process for the Best Job Creation Company.”

On the 12th, an Environment and Labor Committee meeting was held at the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul. Rep. Park noted, “Since the last state audit, over 50,000 signatures have been collected on petitions urging the Ministry of Employment and Labor to cancel HYBE’s designation as a top job creation company.”

On September 30, a petition titled “Request for the Cancellation of HYBE’s Selection as a Top Job Creation Company” was posted on the National Assembly’s Petition Bulletin Board. With over 50,000 signatures, the petition now advances to the National Assembly review stage. In September, HYBE was named a “2024 Best Job Creation Company in Korea,” an honor that grants recipients a presidential certificate and benefits, including integrated employment tax credits, preferential immigration cards, deferred tax investigations, higher credit ratings, and extended visa stays. Should HYBE’s designation be canceled, these benefits will also be revoked.