A, a well-known variety show producer who made a popular entertainment series for years, has been sued on charges of sexual assault.
According to a media outlet on the 31st, B, who had participated in a new season program with A, filed a complaint with the Seoul Mapo Police Station in August alleging sexual assault. B completed a victim summons interview and reportedly submitted evidence such as CCTV footage.
According to the report, B told police that after a company dinner A made unwanted physical contact, and when B refused, B was subjected to demeaning remarks and was unilaterally told to leave the show.
B also said that they had been involved from the program planning stage through casting, production, and pre-recording up until just before broadcast, but after the incident were told to leave the show about two months before it aired.
In relation to this, B reportedly filed complaints with the company about sexual harassment and workplace bullying in addition to the sexual assault complaint, but a recent company investigation reportedly concluded that only part of A's sexual assault allegations were substantiated and that there was no evidence of bullying.
B's legal representative told the media, "As a result of this, the victim suffered psychological shock and professional harm, and B's sudden removal created a work gap that increased confusion among other production staff," adding that B did not want to harm the program and had requested comprehensive measures from the HR team, including investigation and judgment, actions, consideration of disciplinary measures, prevention of recurrence, and relief for the victim.
B's side explained the reason for filing the complaint, saying, "We wanted to resolve this internally within the company, but because those measures were inadequate, we had no choice but to take other actions."
However, A is reported to deny all allegations. A and B both filed appeals, rejecting even the sexual assault findings partially acknowledged by the company.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]