A National Assembly petition requesting the removal of HYBE from the Ministry of Employment and Labor's list of the "leading company and workplace” has garnered over 50,000 signatures, and discussions regarding the potential revocation are expected to begin soon.

A representative from the Ministry’s Corporate Job Support division told Ilgan Sports, “HYBE is cooperating with local offices, and the findings from the investigation should be released soon. Based on these findings, we will promptly decide on whether to revoke their title as 'a leading company'.”

As of 9 AM on November 11, 51,102 people had signed the petition on the National Assembly’s e-petition website, meeting the threshold. It’s reported that the petition surpassed the required number of supporters in the early hours of November 9, just ten days after being posted on October 31.

The National Assembly’s e-petition system reviews petitions that gather 50,000 signatures within 30 days. These petitions are referred to the appropriate standing committee for review, and depending on the outcome, they may be brought to a general assembly vote or dismissed. If accepted, the National Assembly or government is required to take necessary actions.

However, the Job Support division noted that acknowledging the petition’s validity in the committee and passing it through a general assembly vote can be lengthy. Thus, they believe a decision based on the local office’s investigation results may be faster regarding HYBE’s potential revocation of its title.

If HYBE’s designation is officially revoked, all associated benefits will be removed immediately. "Leading companies" receive a presidential plaque, preferential credit evaluations, loan support with favorable interest rates, procurement score bonuses, and priority access cards, among other perks.

HYBE was named one of the Ministry’s top 100 leading companies in September, but following bullying allegations involving NewJeans member Hanni, NewJeans fans led calls for the revocation of this designation.

SEE ALSO: Comedian Park So Young and former baseball player Moon Kyung Chan tie the knot