Comedian Park Narae has faced controversy after allegations that she engaged in sexual activity inside a vehicle, and a practicing lawyer said such conduct could be recognized as workplace harassment.
Attorney Lee Don-ho of Nova Law Office voiced his opinion on the explicit in-vehicle acts that former managers exposed in a video he posted on his YouTube channel on the 5th.
"When asked, 'Park Narae was in the back seat of the car with a manager and did that with her boyfriend, but isn't that a private matter so it's not a problem?' the lawyer replied, 'If she did such acts, sexual harassment and workplace harassment would be issues. Being a manager has particular characteristics. The car driving space can also be seen as a workplace. Forcibly performing sexual acts that are unpleasant to hear or see in a work space—that would likely fall under workplace harassment.'
"When asked, 'Does the level change depending on the skinship?' he said, 'If the skinship is around a 15-rated or 12-rated level, then the degree is lower. There is no sexual harassment crime as such. If you suffered sexual harassment, you can file a civil lawsuit. The reason for examining workplace harassment is that if that doesn't apply, a complaint to the labor office would be dismissed. I think the managers would have filed a damages suit. They are doing this now to clear their grievances, aren't they? Up until now they showed trust and grew together, so it would feel like betrayal. For the former managers, having the conduct recognized is very important, while for Park Narae it is more important to have the conduct judged as not having occurred,' he said.
He added, "Park Narae's image is important. If a court recognizes the explicit acts and orders payment of damages, a comeback would be impossible. If I were Park Narae's representative, I would negotiate. The more the controversy comes out, the more the damage continues."
Park Narae's former managers submitted a petition to the Seoul Regional Office of Employment and Labor's Gangnam branch on the 18th of last month alleging workplace harassment, and the petition asserted that "in the confined space of the vehicle they were forced to visually and audibly perceive unwanted situations," claiming it constituted harassment using a superior position. The petition also included an allegation that Park Narae repeatedly kicked the driver's seat during certain acts and raised the risk of a traffic accident
[Photo] OSEN DB, video capture
[OSEN]