NewJeans' Hanni has been reported to South Korea's Immigration Office for alleged illegal stay.
An anonymous citizen filed a complaint regarding the idol's visa status to the National Petition, according to SPOTV News.
Seoul Immigration Office's Investigation Division of the Ministry of Justice released a statement on January 10, announcing a plan to take action once Hanni and NewJeans' contract termination proceedings are settled with label ADOR.
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"We plan to take appropriate measures as soon as the employment relationship between the parties is resolved," they said.
Hanni, a dual citizen of Australia and Vietnam, does not possess Korean citizenship and remains in the country because of her E-6 artist visa, which allows her to reside and work in Korea.
In order to continue to reside and work in Korea, the NewJeans member would need to extend her E-6 visa, which is usually granted for a period of a year and is renewed annually through their agency.
Hanni's visa, issued through NewJeans' label ADOR, expired in December, according to a report by TenAsia.
If the girls' claims of contract termination hold up, Hanni will technically have been an illegal resident in Korea since December 14.
Seoul Immigration Office, keeping track of the ongoing cases, explained that the situation regarding Hanni's visa remains convoluted without ADOR's contract resolution.
"It is difficult to answer personal details such as whether or not a specific foreigner violated the Immigration Control Act," they said.
"For foreign entertainers staying in Korea with an E-6 visa, the immigration office determines the domestic residency qualification and period of stay based on employment contracts with domestic agencies, and plans to take corresponding measures once the employment relationship is settled between the parties."
