The fierce battle of 'Min Hee-jin vs. HYBE,' which heated up 2024, is expected to continue this year. Although the police determined there was 'no charge' regarding former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin's alleged breach of duty, HYBE immediately announced they would file an objection with the prosecution.
On the 15th, the former CEO's side stated, 'In April last year, HYBE reported former CEO Min Hee-jin for breach of duty. As a result of over a year of police investigation, it was found that there was no illegality on the part of former CEO Min, and we inform you that today the police decided not to prosecute both cases filed by HYBE against her due to 'no charge.'
Earlier, HYBE conducted an urgent audit after concluding that former CEO Min Hee-jin attempted to seize control of ADOR and the affiliated girl group NewJeans in April of last year. They subsequently reported her to the police for alleged breach of duty.
In response, former CEO Min Hee-jin held a press conference denying the allegations of attempting to usurp control and NewJeans. Although she admitted to harboring resentment against the management of HYBE, the major shareholder, and to having discussions with the deputy heads of ADOR about it, she claimed she had never executed such actions.
However, in August of the same year, the ADOR board, comprising personnel from HYBE, dismissed Min Hee-jin from her CEO position, and she voluntarily stepped down from her role as an inside director of ADOR in November, leaving HYBE. She is currently engaged in legal disputes with HYBE and its affiliated labels.
In the meantime, upon the police's conclusion that there was no charge regarding former CEO Min Hee-jin's alleged breach of duty, HYBE immediately protested.
HYBE stated, 'In response to the decision not to prosecute the breach of duty case raised against former CEO Min Hee-jin and others last year, we will promptly file an objection with the prosecution today.' HYBE's side noted, 'Since new situations, such as the declaration of contract termination by NewJeans members, have arisen following the police investigation, and numerous new evidences have been submitted in related trials, the court has judged former CEO Min's actions very severely.'
In this regard, HYBE stated, 'Since the panel of the appellate court (Seoul High Court) found that former CEO Min is in a position of 'intentionally destroying the integrated structure that constitutes the basis of the exclusive contract,' we would like to contest the decision not to prosecute in the objection procedure.'
Moreover, HYBE stated, 'Additionally, regarding the case where former CEO Min Hee-jin and others filed complaints against five HYBE executives in July last year for obstruction of business and violations of the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation), the authorities concluded there was no charge. They found that the claims made by HYBE were 'hard to see as falsehoods,' 'since they relate to public interest, the purpose of defamation is not recognized,' and that 'the KakaoTalk conversations were obtained through lawful authority during the audit process.'
Finally, HYBE stated, 'We inform you that the cases filed indiscriminately by former CEO Min and her associates against HYBE and the executives of our affiliated companies have all been concluded with no charges', and added, 'The cases where former CEO Min Hee-jin reported the management of Belift Lab and creative directors for defamation and false charges; where Timberwolves reported the management of Belift Lab for violations of the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation); and where Shin Woo-seok, the representative of the Dolphin Kidnapping Group, filed a complaint against the current ADOR management for violations of the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation) have all been concluded with no charges or dismissed.'
Meanwhile, as HYBE has filed an objection, the conflict between Min Hee-jin and HYBE is expected to continue.
[Photo] OSEN DB, Provided by HYBE
[OSEN]