NEWS
[Civil] Complete Appellate Victory in K League Medical Trainer’s Severance Pay Case
Successful Defense
We are pleased to report a complete victory in the appellate court for Incheon United FC, a K-League football club for which our firm acts as Legal Counsel.
The plaintiff, a former physical trainer of the club, filed a lawsuit claiming severance pay, arguing that he should be recognized as an employee during his tenure. The defendant, Incheon United FC, maintained that the relationship was based on a service (outsourcing) contract, not an employment contract, and therefore no obligation to pay severance existed.
The key issue in the case was whether the plaintiff could be deemed an employee under Korean labor law.
Our firm argued—based on the Supreme Court’s established precedents—that in such cases, the existence of an employment relationship must be determined by the actual substance of the working relationship, rather than the form of the contract. Specifically, a person qualifies as an employee only if he or she provides labor to a business under the direction and control of the employer for wages.
We presented extensive documentary and testimonial evidence demonstrating the independent nature of the plaintiff’s work and successfully persuaded the appellate court that the plaintiff could not be regarded as an employee. As a result, the court dismissed the entire claim.
We will continue to devote our utmost efforts to protecting our clients’ interests in all future cases.
About SON & Partners
SON & Partners is a Seoul-based litigation and advisory firm handling high-profile disputes across criminal, civil, and commercial law. We are recognized for:
Strategic advocacy in complex, high-stakes litigation
Personalized attention through close collaboration with clients
Cross-border capability in cases with international dimensions
Our mission is simple: to deliver justice with both unparalleled expertise and unwavering commitment.
In addition to our work in Korea, clients from the United States, Canada, England, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Germany, Portugal, Iran, Vietnam, Cambodia, and other jurisdictions regularly entrust SON & Partners with their most critical matters. This global client base demonstrates our capability to deliver effective solutions across borders.
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