Environment and Labor Committee Requests Attendance of Representatives Hani and Kim Ju-young
Addressing Idol Bullying and Workplace Harassment Issues
Group NewJeans member Hani has been requested to appear as a witness at the National Assembly audit. [Source=NewJeans Official X (X, formerly Twitter)]
Hani of the group NewJeans (real name Hani Pham, 19), who said she was told by a manager of another group within the agency to ignore her, has been selected as a reference witness for the National Assembly audit.
On the 30th, the Environment and Labor Committee decided through a plenary session to summon 35 witnesses and reference witnesses for the National Assembly audit, including Hani and Kim Ju-young, CEO of ADOR, the agency representing NewJeans. Regarding the issues of idol bullying and workplace harassment, the committee decided to call Hani as a reference witness for the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Economic and Social Labor Council (ESLC) scheduled for the 25th of next month. CEO Kim was also requested to appear as a witness on the same day due to inadequate response to the idol bullying issue.
Even if selected as a witness or reference witness for the audit, one may not attend if a valid reason for absence is submitted. However, in the case of a witness, if the standing committee deems the reason for absence unjustifiable, it can issue a summons. Failure to comply may result in the standing committee filing a complaint.
Earlier, on the 11th, Hani claimed during a YouTube live broadcast, "While waiting in the hallway of the HYBE building, I greeted members of another group from the same agency, and I heard the manager of that group tell the member to 'ignore her'." In response, a netizen filed a complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, stating, "If the bullying of NewJeans members within HYBE is true, the company may be violating Article 76-2 (Prohibition of Workplace Harassment) and Article 76-3 (Measures for Workplace Harassment) of the Labor Standards Act," and requested a thorough investigation and strict punishment for those involved if illegal acts are found.
Meanwhile, at this plenary session of the Environment and Labor Committee, in addition to Hani and CEO Kim, Koo Young-bae, CEO of Qoo10 Group, was selected as a witness regarding the large-scale unpaid settlement incident involving TMON and WEMAKEPRICE. Also, Yang Jong-hee, Chairman of KB Financial Group; Lee Sang-kyun, CEO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Kim Chang-han, CEO of Krafton; Jung Jong-cheol, CEO of Coupang Fulfillment Services; and Hong Yong-jun, CEO of Coupang CLS, were also requested to appear.
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