HYBE Faces Allegations of Concealing Employee Death Linked to Overwork

On the afternoon of October 15, during an environmental and labor audit by the National Assembly, Representative Jung Hye-kyung from the Progressive Party highlighted a 2022 employee fatality while questioning ADOR’s CEO, Kim Joo-young, who had been called to discuss various labor-related matters, including workplace bullying.

Representative Jung inquired, “I received reports indicating that a HYBE employee collapsed at their desk in June 2022 and subsequently died in the hospital. Can you confirm this?” CEO Kim responded, “In September 2022, an employee mentioned they were taking a short break and went to the nap room around 5 PM. Tragically, they were later found unconscious and died in the hospital a few days afterward due to a pre-existing health condition.”

However, Representative Jung contested, “You describe it as a personal illness, but we believe this was a case of death from overwork. HYBE has been aggressively expanding its subsidiaries and managing numerous idol groups simultaneously, requiring employees to work extensive hours, often around the clock. According to the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service, no claim for industrial accident compensation was filed, and while you attribute it to personal health issues, we think this warrants a thorough investigation as it likely stems from overwork. Is there an attempt to obscure a work-related fatality by HYBE?”

CEO Kim refuted the claims, stating, “HYBE would never conceal such an incident.” When Representative Jung pressed, “Wasn’t an autopsy conducted?” , Kim replied, “That decision was made by the employee’s family.”

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Representative Jung then responded, “Indeed, that’s how cover-ups occur, often through agreements made with grieving families. We request a comprehensive report on this incident.”

During the same audit, discussions also arose regarding internal workplace bullying at HYBE, with NewJeans member Hanni called to speak about the recent “NewJeans outcast controversy.” Responding to questions in her less proficient Korean, she emotionally shared, “I have reflected deeply on this situation. I believe that mutual respect among individuals would eliminate problems like workplace harassment or bullying.”

In conclusion, CEO Kim affirmed, “We will take the concerns raised seriously and commit to greater attentiveness moving forward. We pledge to listen more carefully to artists such as Hanni and ensure their rights are safeguarded, allowing them to pursue their dreams and ambitions.”

Source: Nate

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