Hybe has addressed the potential attendance of Ador CEO Kim Joo-young at the upcoming National Assembly inspection.
On October 8th, Channel A reported that Hybe responded to inquiries about CEO Kim Joo-young’s selection as a witness for the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee, stating, “We have not received anything yet.”
According to the report, Hybe further commented, “We don’t even know whether he will actually attend or not. Just because someone is selected as a witness or reference person doesn’t mean they must attend, right? So we’re unsure about that.”
Earlier, on September 30th, the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee adopted New Jeans’ Hanni as a reference and requested Hybe's Chief Human Resources Officer as a witness. A motion to "request attendance of witnesses for the state audit" was passed.
On October 25th, the committee plans to question NewJeans member Hanni about workplace bullying, while CEO Kim Joo-young will be questioned about Hybe's inadequate response to the issue.
In the same month, a petitioner filed a petition through the National Petition Center, urging an investigation into the bullying incident within Hybe’s New Jeans and calling for strict punishment if any illegal activity is found. The Ministry of Employment and Labor assigned a labor inspector to investigate the case.
By law, a witness or reference person requested for a state audit must comply, barring special exceptions. Those who fail to appear without a justifiable reason, avoid receiving a summons, or refuse to submit requested documents may face up to three years of imprisonment or a fine between 10 and 30 million won.
Korean netizens reacted strongly to the situation:
- “Stop talking nonsense and get out.”
- “Are you nervous because you have to lie?”
- “Kim Joo-young, don’t cry and come out confidently.”
- “Seriously, these guys want to do everything their way.”
- “If you don’t attend the inspection, you won’t avoid a compulsory escort order.”
- “It’s really a baseless excuse.”
- “Hybe is really arrogant.”
- “These guys are really absurd ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ.”
- “Are you above the law? Haha...”
- “They say if you give false testimony during a state audit, you could be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison, so I hope you only tell the truth.”
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