On August 29 KST, Kim Heon Joon, the leader of the globally acclaimed South Korean b-boy collective, Jinjo Crew, released an extensive statement in response to allegations of sexual misconduct involving a former female crew member, referred to as 'A'.
In the statement, Kim Heon Joon addressed the accusations made by 'A', who asserted that she had experienced sexual assault by a male crew member on November 30, 2019, and later encountered sexual harassment by another male crew member on February 5, 2022.
As of August 27, 2023, the male crew member implicated in the case of sexual harassment had been removed from the group. Additionally, as of August 29, 2023, another male crew member, suspected of engaging in online misconduct against 'A', had also been expelled from the crew.
Apology and Denials: Kim Heon Joon's Formal Regret for Delayed Resolution, While Disputing 'A's Allegations
The crew leader clarified that in the case of the male crew member accused of sexual assault in 2019, prompt action was taken, and he was immediately expelled when 'A' first brought forward her accusations. The matter was resolved without further complications at that time.
Kim Heon Joon took this opportunity to extend a formal apology to 'A' for the inability to resolve the matter promptly.
He denied 'A's claims that Jinjo Crew had "defended" the accused member or that any additional instances of sexual harassment occurred during the crew's team meetings.
Temporary Pause for Reflection: Jinjo Crew Takes Hiatus to Reinforce Commitment to Safe and Respectful Space
Concluding the statement, Kim Heon Joon revealed that Jinjo Crew would be entering a temporary hiatus from their regular activities to engage in self-reflection.
He assured that the crew would enforce a stringent "immediate expulsion" policy in case of any future gender-based discrimination incidents.
This decisive step aims to underscore the commitment of Jinjo Crew to maintaining a respectful and safe environment for its members.
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Madison Cullen wrote this.