The Webzen branch of the Korean Chemical, Textile & Food Workers' Union (KCTU), led by branch head Noh Young-ho, announced on the 1st that the Supreme Court has issued a final ruling confirming that the disciplinary action and dismissal of its senior deputy branch head by Webzen (CEO Kim Tae-young) constituted unfair dismissal. On the 24th of last month, the Supreme Court dismissed Webzen's appeal, upholding the lower court's decision.

The case began on October 12, 2022, when Webzen held a personnel committee meeting to discipline and dismiss the senior deputy branch head. The company cited reasons such as prolonged negligence of duty resulting from unintentional errors. In response, the union branch filed a complaint with the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission, alleging unfair labor practices and unfair dismissal. In April 2023, the regional commission ruled the dismissal unfair and ordered reinstatement, a decision later upheld by the National Labor Relations Commission in June of the same year.

The company refused to comply with the labor commission's reinstatement order, choosing instead to pursue administrative litigation while paying enforcement fines that could reach up to ₩120 million.

However, in January 2025, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled that the company's disciplinary action lacked social justification and constituted an abuse of discretion. The High Court and the Supreme Court subsequently reached a unanimous decision, confirming that the company had abused its disciplinary authority. While the Supreme Court acknowledged that long-term negligence of duty could be grounds for discipline, it deemed the dismissal to be an excessive measure.

Branch head Noh Young-ho stated, "With the Supreme Court confirming this serious labor crime—an unfair dismissal of a union official following previous unfair labor practices—we urge Webzen's management to promise to prevent recurrence, offer a sincere apology, and have the CEO personally step in to take responsibility in wage negotiations for the corporation."

Oh Se-yoon, head of the KCTU IT Committee, criticized the company's behavior, stating, "It is problematic that the company wasted public corporate funds on litigation costs to discipline a union official rather than using its own resources." He further called for the introduction of labor courts to ensure the swift protection of workers' rights.

Webzen stated, "We respect the court's decision and will verify the company's required follow-up actions in accordance with the ruling."