The CEO of 143 Entertainment has written a statement admitting to the harassment of a member of their girl group.
On the morning of the 29th, the Hanbit Media Labor Rights Center (hereinafter referred to as Hanbit Center) held a press conference regarding the sexual harassment complaint against CEO A of 143 Entertainment at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Attending the press conference were Kim Jae-sang, secretary-general of the Cultural Solidarity, lawyer Moon Hyo-jung from the law firm Jeongin, Kim Young-min, director of the Hanbit Media Labor Rights Center, the victim's mother, former 143 Entertainment A&R team leader Heo Yu-jeong, and activist Lee Min-kyung from the group "Moms Who Politicize."
Kim Young-min, director of the Hanbit Media Labor Rights Center, revealed a handwritten statement on-site in which CEO A acknowledged the harassment of the victim.
The statement, written on October 25 of last year, included the phrase, "I (A) sincerely apologize for the sexual harassment of the member," and stated, "In future contractual relationships related to 143 Entertainment, I will take responsibility to ensure that I do not suffer any disadvantages, regardless of my legal status as the representative director, and I will grant the victimized member priority in contract extensions and other contractual relationships."
The victim's legal representative, lawyer Moon Hyo-jung, stated, "This incident is one where CEO A of the agency committed a sexual harassment crime against the will of the victimized idol group member."
She continued, "The victim recently submitted a complaint against A to the local police station. It is expected that a police appearance will take place soon," and emphasized, "Anyone who sexually harasses a minor under the age of 19 can be punished with imprisonment for more than two years or a fine of more than 10 million won under Article 7 of the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth from Sexual Abuse."
The allegations of A's sexual harassment first became known in November of last year when JTBC's "Incident Manager" reported that A had sexually harassed a member of the girl group.
At that time, A denied the allegations, stating to the "Incident Manager" team, "The member suggested, 'Please let me continue to be active in the team. I will be your daily girlfriend,' and also asked to show me a movie first."
143 Entertainment also stated, "There was no sexual harassment or any sexual contact through coercion between the member mentioned in the broadcast and the CEO, and the report is not true."
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today reporter]
