“Lawmaker Park Hong-bae: “Kim Joo-young, while holding dual roles at Hybe and Ador, denies responsibility by citing ‘different entities’” 17 October 2024

During a recent National Assembly audit regarding allegations of workplace harrassement involving NewJeans, a K-pop girl band, Kim Joo-young, the CEO of Ador [subsidiary of Hybe Corporation], and Hani Pham from NewJeans appeared as witnesses.

…Park Hong-bae, a member of the National Assembly, stated, “Hybe’s short-term revenue has exceeded 1 trillion won this year, and it is a multinational company with dozens of subsidiaries in Japan, China, and the United States. It plays a significant role in promoting Korean K-pop culture globally.” He added, “If such a company fails to adhere to OECD guidelines and continues to violate human rights, it must not be neglected.”

…Park also urged Nam Ho-jae, the head of the Employment and Labour Ministry’s Development Cooperation Support Team, who serves as a permanent member of the Korean National Contact Point (NCP), to take proactive measures regarding this issue. …

…The NCP is responsible for ensuring that multinational companies effectively implement the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. These guidelines emphasise responsible management for multinational companies, the protection of human rights, and the necessity for responses when human rights violations occur.

…In response, Kim Joo-young, the CEO of Ador, acknowledged ongoing mediation efforts but noted that “internal relationships have led to conflicting claims.”

…Park Hong-bae further commented, “Despite these entertainment companies share spaces … they have divided themselves into multiple legal entities. It is unacceptable to operate a company with the attitude that “this is a different entity, so we can’t assist with the problem.”