In a remarkable turn of events, a petition has emerged calling for the prosecution of Kim Joo-young, the CEO of Ador and Chief Human Resources Officer of HYBE, for alleged perjury.
The National Assembly confirmed on the 22nd that they received a petition urging the Environmental Labor Committee to investigate Kim for perjury, which was submitted on the 12th. As part of the ongoing discussions, this petition will be addressed alongside a request for the revocation of HYBE’s status as a leading employer. The matter was brought to light when petitioner A claimed that Kim had provided false testimony during a National Assembly audit on October 15.
A argued that Kim, despite being aware of an internal document titled “Weekly Music Industry Report,” failed to acknowledge it during the proceedings. The document allegedly included references to the treatment of Hani from NewJeans, who attended the hearing as a witness herself. This accusation has intensified public scrutiny regarding the treatment of artists and transparency within the industry.
In addition, a separate petition with over 50,000 signatures was filed on the 9th, requesting the Ministry of Employment and Labor to revoke HYBE's designation as a top employer. This ongoing situation highlights the delicate balance between celebrity culture and regulatory oversight in South Korea’s entertainment industry.