Min Hee-jin, former ADOR CEO, is expected to file an objection to the workplace harassment fines, as public sentiment worsens. There are concerns about whether this will affect the actions of NewJeans, a group considering leaving ADOR, trusting Min Hee-jin.
According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor on the 25th, the Seoul Western District Office of the Labor Ministry recently notified Min Hee-jin that it would impose fines for failing to properly investigate workplace harassment as both a perpetrator and an employer.
The Seoul Western District Office stated that it reached this decision after acknowledging that Min Hee-jin did not objectively investigate the workplace harassment she committed as an employer. Article 76-3 of the Labor Standards Act stipulates that an employer who receives or recognizes a workplace harassment report must conduct an objective investigation to verify the facts without delay.
On the same day, A, a former employee of ADOR who claimed workplace harassment by Min Hee-jin, shared the results notification from the labor office on social media, stating, "Min Hee-jin's violation of the obligation for an objective investigation has been acknowledged and fines will be imposed. Min Hee-jin's workplace harassment (such as verbal abuse) has been recognized, and fines will be imposed on her."
Furthermore, A stated, "I clearly offered at least four opportunities to apologize to resolve all these matters, but she did not and instead filed a lawsuit against me. An apology is no longer needed," and expressed the intention to vigorously respond to remaining civil and criminal cases. A later reiterated in a media interview that Min Hee-jin's level of 'verbal abuse' is not light.
Regarding Deputy B, it was conveyed that "the external investigation into workplace harassment and sexual harassment found that workplace harassment was acknowledged, but there was difficulty in determining sexual harassment. The labor office also has no objections, and there are no separate fines imposed."
In response, Min Hee-jin's side noted through Monthly Chosun that "the facts surrounding the statements judged as workplace harassment were misrecognized, and there were parts where the interpretation of the Labor Standards Act related to workplace harassment and the obligation for objective investigation was misunderstood," adding, "We will sequentially proceed with formal objection procedures, including submitting our opinions to the administrative agency promptly. We intend to reveal the accurate truth of the complaint case and clear our name."
Previously, A claimed in August of last year that she was subjected to workplace harassment by Min Hee-jin during her tenure at ADOR. At the time, she reported Executive B for workplace sexual harassment and workplace harassment, and there are suspicions that Min Hee-jin coached B's response strategy, helping him evade charges.
In relation to this, Min Hee-jin rebutted by revealing mobile messenger conversations with A, and A subsequently filed a lawsuit against Min Hee-jin for defamation and violations of the Personal Information Protection Act. In January, the first mediation session for a damage compensation lawsuit of around 100 million won related to defamation was held, but Min Hee-jin's side stated, "We cannot acknowledge the entire facts," resulting in a breakdown of the mediation.
As the damage compensation lawsuit heads to trial, public sentiment against Min Hee-jin worsens as the Ministry of Employment and Labor acknowledges workplace harassment and decides on fines. Moreover, NewJeans was also blocked from independent activities after a decision was made to grant an injunction against ADOR's request for 'preservation of agency status and prohibition of advertising contract signing.' In this situation, with Min Hee-jin embroiled in negative issues, fans are also expressing concerns about NewJeans's future actions. Although Min Hee-jin has stated her intention to 'object' to the Ministry of Employment and Labor's decision, it is believed that it will take considerable time to shed the 'workplace harassment' label placed on her.
[Photo] OSEN DB.
[OSEN]