Seoul Police Chief: "We Will Accelerate Investigation of HYBE Min Hee-jin Accusation Case"

Regarding the management rights dispute, the police have expressed their intention to conduct a swift investigation following the entertainment agency HYBE's accusation against its subsidiary ADORE's CEO Min Hee-jin.

Min Hee-jin, CEO of ADOR, is making a statement on the 25th at the Korea Conference Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, regarding the conflict with the parent company HYBE. Earlier, HYBE announced the results of an interim audit on ADOR's management, including CEO Min Hee-jin, and stated that they would file charges against them for breach of duty and other allegations. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Min Hee-jin, CEO of ADOR, is making a statement on the 25th at the Korea Conference Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, regarding the conflict with the parent company HYBE. Earlier, HYBE announced the results of an interim audit on ADOR's management, including CEO Min Hee-jin, and stated that they would file charges against them for breach of duty and other allegations. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

At a press conference on the 7th, Jo Ji-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated, "Since this matter has garnered national interest, we will conduct a more detailed and expedited investigation and provide explanations on the issue."

When asked whether the Seoul Police Agency would directly investigate the case, he responded, "At this stage, I believe it is appropriate for the Yongsan Police Station to handle the investigation."

Amid the management rights dispute and conflicts between HYBE and CEO Min, HYBE filed a complaint with the Yongsan Police Station on the 25th of last month, accusing Min and others of breach of trust in the course of business. The police are reportedly reviewing the complaint and related records.

HYBE alleges that CEO Min instructed ADORE's management to "find a way to pressure HYBE into selling its shares in ADORE." According to HYBE, specific methods were discussed in response to this instruction, including prematurely terminating exclusive contracts with affiliated artists (NewJeans) and invalidating contracts between ADORE's CEO and HYBE.

In response, CEO Min firmly denied the allegations, stating, "There was no plan, intention, or execution of a management rights takeover. It is not that I betrayed HYBE, but rather HYBE betrayed me. This is a frame-up to suppress me after exploiting me to the fullest."