Gyeonggi Labor Commission Rules All Three KPGA Dismissals Unfair

Final Hearing Concludes Dismissals Were Unjust
Workplace Harassment by Former Executive A Sparked the Case
Compulsory Performance Fine Imposed for Failure to Reinstate Dismissed Employees

The Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) has received a ruling from the Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission (Gyeonggi Labor Commission) that all three dismissed employees were unfairly dismissed.

According to the Service General Labor Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions on January 5, "The Gyeonggi Labor Commission, at its final hearing on January 2, concluded that KPGA's dismissal actions lacked justification and notified the parties of its decision of unfair dismissal."

KPGA union officials are holding a picket protest in front of the KPGA Awards Ceremony venue last November. Provided by KPGA Labor Union

This unfair dismissal incident originated from workplace harassment by former senior executive A, who is a former player. In December 2024, A committed acts of workplace harassment against employee B, including threats to personal safety, personal attacks involving family members, coercion to write statements, pressure to resign, and urging withdrawal from the union. These actions led to a criminal trial, and in December of last year, A was sentenced to eight months in prison in the first trial.

KPGA was criticized for its handling of disciplinary procedures against A. While it delayed action for eight months after the initial report, it dismissed the victimized employees just 48 hours after convening a disciplinary committee. The dismissal of the three employees took place on July 10 last year, while A was dismissed on July 25.

The KPGA union filed for relief from unfair dismissal with the Gyeonggi Labor Commission in September last year, and the commission ruled that all the dismissed employees were unfairly dismissed. The KPGA union stated, "The wrongfully dismissed employees must be reinstated immediately," and urged, "KPGA should no longer evade responsibility and must take practical steps to restore sound management and normalize the organization."

The detailed ruling from the Gyeonggi Labor Commission is expected to be delivered in about a month. The specific grounds and legal basis for the decision will also be released early next month. According to Articles 30 and 33 of the Labor Standards Act, if the three dismissed employees are not reinstated after the ruling is delivered, the employer will be subject to a maximum enforcement fine of 120 million won per person.