Kim Taek-jin

NCSoft was criticised for years over the presence of Kim's wife, Yoon Song-yee, and his brother, Kim Taek-heon, in senior executive positions. The issue had already featured in Nexon's criticism in 2015 and continued to be raised by industry associations and governance observers. In 2024, the company reorganised its management and both relatives left or reduced several operational roles.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Amid declining performance and an operating loss, NCSoft launched restructuring in 2024 involving spin-offs, business transfers and voluntary departures that reduced its workforce by several hundred employees. The union accused management of shifting the cost of its strategic mistakes onto employees and called for an end to pressure to leave.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Kim appeared as a witness at the 2018 parliamentary audit concerning Lineage M's paid randomised mechanisms. Lawmakers and associations likened the draws to gambling mechanisms and criticised the extremely high amounts needed to obtain certain items. The controversy continued in subsequent years as the proportion of revenue generated by item purchases increased.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

In 2021, NCSoft reduced the cost of an emblem progression system in Lineage M, then reversed the change following reactions from high-spending players who had spent substantial sums under the previous system. Compensation offered mainly in the form of in-game resources triggered a boycott, protests involving trucks and demands for refunds in real money.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Direct responsibility

The launch of Blade & Soul 2 prompted strong reactions from players who felt that the game, marketed as a new experience, actually reproduced Lineage's highly aggressive monetisation mechanisms. NCSoft apologised the following day and modified several progression and monetisation systems.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Employees accused an NCSoft division of allowing sexual harassment, sexual rumours and bullying to develop. Following an internal investigation, six employees were suspended for up to six months, four of them were barred from management duties for at least three years, and the Labour Ministry opened a targeted company inspection.

In January 2015, Nexon, then NCSoft's largest shareholder, changed the declared purpose of its holding to an intention to participate in management. Kim Jung-ju's group subsequently demanded explanations or changes concerning appointments of Kim Taek-jin's relatives, use of assets and the shareholding arrangement with Netmarble, among other matters. NCSoft denounced an attempt at unilateral interference in its management. Nexon ultimately sold its entire stake in October 2015.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

In June 2012, Kim Taek-jin sold 14.7% of NCSoft to Nexon for approximately 804.5 billion won, making Nexon the largest shareholder. Shortly afterwards, NCSoft launched substantial restructuring and a voluntary redundancy programme; approximately 400 employees, nearly 14% of the workforce, ultimately left the company. The contrast between the strategic partnership announcement and workforce reductions caused considerable internal concern.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

No legal proceedings

Attribution

Directly implicated