Overview
- The Seoul Central District Court ruled the exclusive agreements remain in force, keeping NewJeans under ADOR through 2029.
- Judges said ADOR’s removal of former CEO Min Hee-jin did not breach the contract and did not create a management vacuum.
- The court rejected claims of workplace harassment and other breaches, finding insufficient evidence, and said Min’s public campaign was not to protect the group.
- Existing injunctions stand alongside indirect enforcement that fines each member 1 billion won per unauthorized activity without ADOR’s approval.
- NewJeans said they cannot return to the label and will appeal immediately; ADOR welcomed the decision and signaled readiness to resume activities as HYBE’s market value rose by about 915 billion won.