Protesting Allegations of 'Vote Rigging, Tax Evasion, Minimum Wage Violations'
Accuser's Bitter History Demanding 1.3 Billion Won from Mr. Park in the Past
Hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo has recently been embroiled in controversy over allegations of 'hanbok label switching' (trademark switching) and tax evasion. The accuser is a person who demanded 1.3 billion won from Park over 20 years ago.
Recently, banners reading "Park Sul-nyeo is a nationwide fraud," "Claimed to be a house that makes hanbok very well but it's a lie," "Label switching by buying from the market," and "We help refund counterfeit hanbok sold with switched labels" were hung in front of the hanbok shop operated by Park.
On the 10th, on MBC's 'True Story Expedition,' Park said, "I have worked hard with sweat and tears to get here. I have lived with pride, but I cry in the early morning and in the evening," expressing, "My pride is shattered."
The person who installed the label switching allegation banners is So Mo, the director of the civic group 'Preparing for a Just World.' On the group's website, So questioned, "Do you think Park Sul-nyeo, who packages hanbok she did not make as if she made it herself, is correct?" and is currently receiving tips about Park.
Regarding the label switching allegations, Park stated, "Absolutely, I swear, such a thing never happened," and added, "If I were to do label switching, I would not be running a hanbok shop."
So did not stop at installing banners but also held a one-person protest in front of Park's hanbok shop. So said, "While working as a taxi driver, I heard from a passenger about 'Park Sul-nyeo label switching'." That is the only evidence he has.
So also claimed that Park committed tax evasion and violated the Minimum Wage Act. Regarding this, he said he heard it from acquaintances of market merchants or people who worked at Park's business, without concrete evidence.
What is the industry's reaction? The consensus is that label switching is impossible. The industry responded lukewarmly to So's claims, saying, "Park Sul-nyeo does not buy finished products," and "It's custom-made; how could that be possible?"
The merchant who allegedly told So about the 'label switching' in the taxi also denied it, saying, "I never said such a thing," and "I have only seen Park Sul-nyeo occasionally; how would I know about that?"
Person Claiming Label Switching Has a 20-Year Grudge with Park Sul-nyeo
Hanbok designer Park Sul-nyeo personally gifted hanbok she designed to the team of the movie "Barbie," who visited Korea last month. [Photo by Yonhap News]
The grudge between designer Park and So has lasted for over 20 years. In 2001, So was a tenant of a building that went bankrupt, and although Park purchased the building, So refused to leave and demanded 1.3 billion won as a key money payment. Park filed an eviction lawsuit demanding So vacate the premises.
At that time, So also organized protests in front of Park's hanbok shop by mobilizing disability groups. Eventually, it is reported that Park borrowed money and gave him 230 million won.
Park's legal representative stated, "We have filed a criminal complaint for defamation. Since it takes a long time for the results, we have filed a provisional injunction to stop the posting of banners on the street and to halt online activities as well."
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