Legal dispute and a trip to the U.S.? Park Na-rae's former manager takes an unusual step, will the conflict be prolonged?
The conflict between broadcaster Park Na-rae and her former managers is not subsiding easily. Having suspended activities amid allegations of abuse of power and illegal medical procedures, the controversy has entered a new phase as reports emerged that a former manager is staying in the United States. Attention is focused on whether the conflict will drag on.
Earlier, the former managers claimed that Park Na-rae repeatedly ordered various errands beyond work duties and in the process demanded substitute prescriptions from an obstetrics and gynecology clinic. They released medical certificates and portions of messenger conversations, emphasizing that the requests were not isolated incidents. The published conversations also included expressions of reluctance about leaving medical records and the psychological burden involved.
The former managers said, "We knew there could be a violation of the Medical Service Act, but it was difficult to refuse because of the employment relationship," and "There was strong pressure to protect the entertainer," they lamented. These claims were made public as legal battles with Park Na-rae intensified, leading to interpretations that it could be a "decisive revelation."
Both sides have already filed complaints and countersuits. The former managers sued Park Na-rae on charges including special injury, defamation by alleging false facts, and violations of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, and also filed a petition with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL). In turn, Park Na-rae filed a countersuit against the former managers for attempted extortion and embezzlement in the course of duty and has taken a hardline response.
In the process, the disclosure of recordings and claims about settlement money added fuel to the dispute, intensifying the battle over the truth. Former manager A refuted allegations raised in some reports with a lengthy statement saying, "The facts have been distorted," and argued that the recordings were only excerpts of the calls.
Meanwhile, multiple media outlets reported that former manager A had already left for the United States and was staying there. A departed for Las Vegas, U.S., on Dec. 22 last year and is said to be staying for health reasons. It was reported that before departing, A underwent a first police interview as a suspect.
However, A's stay abroad has delayed additional investigation schedules and the complainant investigation by the Ministry of Employment and Labor. Investigative agencies are said to be coordinating future schedules considering the timing of return. The overseas stay amid an ongoing legal dispute has drawn attention and various interpretations as an unusual development.
Park Na-rae's side has maintained its previous position that "These issues are not matters to be handled emotionally but should be judged objectively through legal procedures." Park Na-rae is currently suspended from all broadcasting activities.
With police investigations and labor authorities' judgments still pending, observers say that if the former manager's stay in the United States is prolonged, this dispute is likely to become a long-term battle rather than be resolved quickly. Amid conflicting claims, attention is focused on when an official determination to establish the facts will be made.
[Photo] 'OSEN DB'
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