The Supreme Court ruled against Webzen on the 24th, dismissing the company's appeal and siding with the labor union regarding the dismissal of the Webzen Union's chief deputy head. This confirms the initial ruling by the local labor committee that Webzen's actions constituted an unfair dismissal and that the individual must be reinstated.

The saga began back in 2021, when deteriorating industrial relations during collective bargaining made it impossible for the union to provide personal data. At the time, the chief deputy head was juggling union duties while working, eventually reporting long-standing work issues to a superior due to personal circumstances. A disciplinary committee was convened, and the dismissal was handed down that very same day.

The Webzen Union filed a complaint for unfair labor practices and wrongful dismissal with the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission, which ruled in April 2023 that the dismissal was indeed unfair and ordered reinstatement. The National Labor Relations Commission upheld this decision on June 14, 2023. Failure to comply with these reinstatement orders within the mandated period typically triggers hefty fines.

Webzen took the matter to administrative court. On January 24, 2025, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled that the primary disciplinary grounds—an unintentional, long-term neglect of duties—along with partial secondary charges were insufficient to warrant termination. The court concluded that the dismissal was a clear abuse of the disciplinary authority's discretion, exceeding what is socially acceptable for maintaining an employment relationship.

Webzen attempted an appeal, but on February 6, 2026, the High Court dismissed the challenge, further clarifying that the primary disciplinary ground was an act of negligence without malice. The Supreme Court eventually reached a unanimous decision to reject the appeal, sealing the original verdict.

Webzen Union head Noh Young-ho stated, "Following the previous ruling on unfair labor practices, this Supreme Court confirmation of unfair dismissal against a union official marks a serious labor crime. The Webzen management must now offer a sincere apology, commit to preventing recurrence, and have the CEO personally step in to take responsibility for the ongoing 2026 wage negotiations."

Webzen responded by saying, "We respect the court's judgment. While the court recognizes that long-term neglect of duty is a valid cause for discipline, it deemed dismissal an excessive measure. We will now review the necessary steps to comply with the court's decision."

The Webzen Union is part of the Korean Chemical, Textile & Food Workers' Union. It operates under the IT Committee alongside other major tech unions, including Naver, Kakao, Hancom, Nexon, Smilegate, NC, NHN, Yanolja/Interpark, Netmarble, Woowa Brothers, and Altibase One.