As the special investigation into former First Lady Kim Keon Hee intensifies, entertainment company HYBE is facing scrutiny after briefly hiring and then abruptly canceling the employment of the husband of a close aide to Kim.
According to reporting by CBS No Cut News on July 10, HYBE hired Mr. Kim, the husband of presidential secretary Ms. Cho, to join its External Affairs Team around July 2. However, the company reversed the decision within a week, leading to speculation about potential political influence behind the hiring.
A HYBE representative told CBS, "Mr. Kim was hired in early July and began working in the External Affairs Team, reportedly distributing his business card at the National Assembly. I heard he left the company shortly after joining." Another HYBE official added, "He worked here for about a week. Once media inquiries started regarding his potential links to Kim Keon Hee, it seems the matter was resolved as a voluntary resignation."
Although officially described as a voluntary departure, it is effectively seen as HYBE retracting its decision shortly after the hire.
Mr. Kim previously served as a Policy Advisor to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport. He held a Grade 3 civil service position until recently. The Ministry of Personnel Management confirmed that he passed the post-retirement employment review last month, allowing him to join HYBE at the beginning of July.
However, questions have emerged about whether his appointment and subsequent employment were influenced by his wife, Ms. Cho, a long-time associate of Kim Keon Hee. Critics have pointed out that it is unusual for someone without notable political experience to be appointed as a ministerial advisor.
A former high-ranking official from the Yoon Suk Yeol administration remarked, "These roles are typically filled by individuals with political backgrounds. It is unusual that someone without such credentials was appointed, and I have never heard of him before."
Further controversy surrounds Ms. Cho, who was previously seen in a video connected to the widely publicized 'Dior Bag' incident. She formerly worked as an aide to lawmakers from the Liberty Korea Party.
Reverend Choi Jae Young, who went undercover to investigate the alleged misconduct of the presidential couple, recalled that he visited the Covana Contents office in Seocho-dong to deliver a Dior handbag to Kim Keon Hee. He said Ms. Cho was the individual holding an eco bag at the office entrance during the exchange. He added that Ms. Cho served as a liaison between Kim and various government departments from her position within the presidential office in Yongsan.
Choi stated, "When I discussed issues with Kim Keon Hee, Ms. Cho connected me with officials at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. She was stationed at the presidential office to carry out Kim’s instructions related to government matters."
Meanwhile, financial authorities have announced their intention to file criminal charges against HYBE Chairman Bang Si Hyuk for alleged fraudulent trading under the Capital Markets Act.
In 2020, prior to HYBE's IPO, Bang reportedly misled investors by suggesting there were no plans to go public, encouraging them to sell shares to a private equity fund. Following the IPO, the fund sold the shares and is said to have delivered approximately 400 billion KRW (about $290 million) in proceeds to Bang.
HYBE, which was named a 'Top Job-Creating Company' by the Ministry of Employment and Labor in 2023, is now under increasing pressure as concerns grow over its possible political connections and alleged financial misconduct.
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