NewJeans Hani, Seoul Immigration's Response to "Illegal Immigrant" Report

"Measures Will Be Taken Once the Employment Relationship Is Resolved"

The Seoul Immigration Office responded to the illegal stay report filed against Hani, a foreign member of the girl group NewJeans, stating that "measures will be taken once the employment relationship is resolved."

NewJeans' Hani is appearing as a witness at the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee audit, making a statement.

Previously, an anonymous citizen reported Hani, who holds dual citizenship of Australia and Vietnam, as an illegal resident through the National Police Agency's online portal. Among the five members, Danielle holds dual citizenship of Korea and Australia, so there is no issue, but Hani, with dual citizenship of Australia and Vietnam, must renew her visa annually.

It was notified that NewJeans members, including Hani, had their exclusive contracts with their agency ADOR terminated as of November last year. According to current law, foreigners must have an agency to work as entertainers in Korea and must obtain an E-6 (Arts and Performance) visa issued under the agency's sponsorship. This visa is usually renewed annually by the agency. The visa is known to have expired earlier this year, and if the exclusive contract ended as the members claim, Hani would be without an agency, so the visa issued through ADOR would lose its validity upon expiration.

On the 10th, the Investigation Division of the Seoul Immigration Office under the Ministry of Justice responded to the anonymous complaint regarding Hani's illegal stay report by saying, "It is difficult to provide details about whether a specific foreigner has violated the Immigration Control Act." However, they added, "The Immigration Office determines the stay status and duration of foreign entertainers holding E-6 visas based on their employment contracts with domestic agencies, and once the employment relationship is resolved, appropriate measures will be taken accordingly."

Previously, ADOR stated that contrary to the members' claims, the exclusive contracts are still valid. Regarding Hani's visa, they also said, "We are preparing documents for visa renewal according to the procedures." The original exclusive contract period between ADOR and NewJeans is until July 31, 2029.

Meanwhile, on the 9th, a new controversy arose when Park Jung-kyu, chairman of Davolink, revealed past meetings with former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin through the media. Park claimed that at the end of September last year, he met with former CEO Min and discussed an investment of 5 billion won, during which Min allegedly asked, "Can you bring NewJeans?" This revelation caused a significant stir in the industry, but former CEO Min has yet to make an official statement regarding the matter.