The Ministry of Employment and Labor excluded Hanni’s claims against HYBE.

On November 20, Korean news outlet Sports Chosun reported that the ministry concluded that Hanni’s allegations about HYBE’s alleged bullying do not count as workplace harassment.

The Western District Office also shared several points that made the case difficult to review, stating: “Due to the nature of the management contract signed by Hanni, it is difficult to consider her an employee under the Labor Standards Act, which provides work for the purpose of remuneration in a customary employment relationship.”

The statement continues: “It is difficult to say that direction and oversight was provided by the company, as they were simply fulfilling their contractual obligations in an equal position of contractual parties.”

He also mentioned the absence of work-related factors such as fixed working hours and income mechanisms.

“The company does not implement internal rules or systems that apply to employees in general,” the ministry said.

Hanni previously recounted his experience at the HYBE building, where NewJeans had said goodbye to another group from the multi-label. However, he recalled that the unnamed group’s manager had ordered the idols to ignore NewJeans.

This incident ignited anger among fans online, who protested NewJeans’ fair treatment and denounced workplace harassment within HYBE. This was also followed by Hanni’s powerful testimony at the South Korean National Assembly hearing.