Broadcaster Park Na-rae offered an explanation over accusations of unpaid wages for managers, but criticism is spreading.
On the 14th, Park Na-rae said in an interview with Ilgan Sports regarding the managers' claims of unpaid wages, "Because I run a one-person agency, I paid salaries directly, but when all-night shoots or company dinners overlapped, there were situations where same-day transfers were difficult," and added, "When the salary issue came up, I calculated it on a monthly basis and deposited it the next day."
But online users reacted coldly. On online communities, a post titled "Park Na-rae who united all office workers" drew support.
Online users criticized, saying, "The very structure where you have to ask to get your salary is the problem," "Having to ask for it is really stressful," "If a salary is delayed even by a day, it's unpaid wages," and "Do you not even know how to set up an automatic transfer?"
Regarding former managers' claims that they worked long hours including personal errands, Park Na-rae explained, "The time spent on personal tasks was about two hours a day, and after that there was rest time."
But online users pointed out that it was unclear whether that time was "rest" or "standby." Previously, former managers claimed they were "on standby 24 hours a day."
Park Na-rae is recently facing allegations that she received illegal medical treatment from a woman known as a "gapjil" and "injection aunt." Two former managers filed for provisional seizure of real estate worth 1 billion won with the Seoul Western District Court on the 3rd of last month, alleging workplace bullying, proxy prescriptions, and unpaid operating expenses against Park Na-rae. They also filed a complaint with the Seoul Gangnam Police Station accusing Park Na-rae of aggravated assault, defamation by spreading false information, and violation of the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection.
Park Na-rae countersued the two managers on charges of blackmail and additionally accused them of embezzlement. Meanwhile, Park Na-rae has halted all activities and stepped down from the shows she hosted.