“Significant Secondary Damage Due to Lawsuit Involving Min Hee-jin” Ex-ADOR Employee Seeks Equitable Reinvestigation

B, a former ADOR employee who resigned after alleging workplace sexual harassment and bullying, revealed that she is experiencing secondary harm from Min Hee-jin‘s statement that denies covering up sexual harassment allegations. B has recently initiated legal action against Min Hee-jin and A, articulating her motivations for filing the lawsuit and her sentiments regarding the ongoing situation.

The public became aware of B’s civil and criminal lawsuits, as well as her complaint with the Labor Office against Min Hee-jin and A, on August 23rd. Previously, B reported her experiences of sexual harassment and workplace bullying to HYBE’s internal ethics team (RW) while working under A. Following an investigation, HYBE’s HR team determined that it was challenging to definitively establish sexual harassment or workplace bullying warranting disciplinary measures. However, they did find A’s conduct inappropriate and recommended a formal warning.

However, Min Hee-jin declined to issue the recommended warning to A. B later discovered that Min had interfered with the investigation process to protect A, raising suspicions regarding a potential cover-up of the sexual harassment case. In light of the mounting controversy, Min Hee-jin released a lengthy statement on social media denying any involvement in a cover-up. In contrast, B countered Min Hee-jin’s assertions, insisting that the cover-up was legitimate and contributing to heightened tensions. Min Hee-jin subsequently suggested that B’s allegations were retaliatory and unfounded.

In a recent phone interview, B articulated that Min Hee-jin’s statements have inflicted severe secondary damage upon her. B stated, “If Min Hee-jin’s interference in my RW report was the first harm, the second arose from her public statement. Her comments forced me to resign, and I’m now perceived as someone who lodged a false, retaliatory claim. Despite receiving positive evaluations from 4 out of 5 supervisors, A—who I worked with for just a month—provided an unfavorable review. This is unmistakable defamation through misinformation. Moreover, they disclosed private discussions and my salary without consent, compounding the issues.”

B also noted the rapid dissemination of information within the closely-knit industry, sharing, “People in the industry swiftly recognized my involvement, and even international clients reached out to me about the situation. I became known as the employee who was dismissed after filing a false report,” highlighting that hateful comments accusing her of incompetence have increased following Min Hee-jin’s statement.

B explained that she made the decision to pursue civil and criminal action against Min Hee-jin and A to safeguard her interests. She shared, “Min Hee-jin has a considerable following, akin to a celebrity’s, due to her connection with NewJeans. It seemed almost reckless to issue a statement or file a lawsuit, as others warned me that it could backfire. Initially, I sought merely to rectify the facts and obtain an apology, but after Min Hee-jin’s follow-up statement, it became evident that an apology was not forthcoming.”

B’s lawsuits against Min Hee-jin and A were filed at the end of last month, and her complaint with the Labor Office is also currently under review. She expresses hope for a fair investigation and transparent outcomes this time, as she believes the initial investigation was biased.

In response to the situation, ADOR’s new CEO Kim Joo-young announced plans for a reinvestigation into the workplace sexual harassment and bullying claims in order to unveil the truth and prevent similar occurrences. B conveyed her relief that an external organization would be conducting the investigation, expressing optimism for a fair process.

Despite the ongoing reinvestigation by ADOR, B plans to continue with her lawsuit against Min Hee-jin and A without withdrawing any charges. She reiterated that taking legal action was her last resort in seeking justice and accountability, stating, “If Min Hee-jin had admitted the truth and offered an apology earlier, this situation would not have escalated. This predicament arises from her poor judgment and leadership.”

When approached for a comment, Min Hee-jin’s representatives declined to provide further remarks, indicating they await the outcomes of the legal investigation.

Source: naver