HYBE executives have been cleared of workplace harassment claims after the Ministry of Employment and Labor closed the accusing case.
The claims were filed in September by former ADOR deputy representative "L," an associate of former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin, and accused the company of conducting illegal audits by forcibly collecting information assets, labeling it as workplace harassment by several HYBE executives.
Korean outlet Chosun Biz revealed screenshots suggesting that Min Hee Jin was involved in orchestrating L's complaint to the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
Min is currently entangled in legal conflict over an alleged attempt to take control of ADOR and alleged attempted poaching of NewJeans, for which she was terminated in November.
According to Chosun, industry sources stated that the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office ruled last month that "HYBE's actions do not constitute workplace harassment," closing the case related to L's claims.
L had named five executives in July, accusing key players ADOR CEO Kim Joo Young and ADOR internal director and HYBE CFO Lee Kyung Joon, of workplace harassment.
According to reports, in March last year, an employee (referred to as "A") filed an internal report claiming that L had forced them to attend a drinking session according to their status as a "young female staff member," leaving the employee unaccompanied with an outsider, as well as accusations of offensive remarks towards A.
During the initial investigation of this case, then-CEO Min allegedly advised L to pursue legal action for A's claims, in screenshots acquired by Chosun.
Min allegedly sent consultative texts: "Shouldn't you countersue 'A' for false accusations?" and "Teach her a lesson (lit. 'life is a battlefield')!" as well as allegedly sending instructions over email on how to respond to the investigation.
Upon learning about Min's involvement, employee A requested a reinvestigation in August, claiming that their initial complaint was compromised due to Min's interference.
ADOR announced it would conduct a reinvestigation and reportedly carried it out using an unbiased third-party agency. However, during this reinvestigation, Min allegedly advised L again on how to handle the situation.
According to Telegram messages obtained by Chosun Biz, Min Hee Jin instructed L to respond to the reinvestigation by filing a workplace harassment complaint against the HYBE and ADOR executives leading the reinvestigation.
"Filing a workplace harassment complaint will act as a countermeasure and an indirect pressure to ensure both investigations are fair," Min allegedly sent via text.
"That makes sense. Filing the complaint seems worthwhile. To make it effective, I guess I need to stay connected to the company," replied L.
On top of legal guidance, Min advised L to use their vacation and sick leave allowances strategically, reserving the days off for September in order to delay the reinvestigation process.
According to Min's alleged instructions, L reportedly filed the workplace harassment report with the Ministry of Employment and Labor in September.
Outlet Chosun Biz stated that they attempted to contact Min and her agency, Macoll Consulting Group, several times to obtain comment but received no response.
Employee A reportedly filed a follow-up complaint in August last year with the Seoul Western District Labor Office, accusing both Min and L of unfair labor practices and negligence.
A has also filed a police report accusing Min of violating labor laws, breaching privacy by leaking their conversation without consent via social media, spreading false information, and filing a lawsuit seeking 100 million KRW (approximately $68,100) in damages.
Min's legal team denied A's claims at a recent mediation session at the Seoul Western District Court, with the case to proceed to a formal trial.
