According to court documents reviewed on November 27, Min Hee-jin allegedly told staff not to vote for the Democratic Party and called employees who did so to scold them.
The remarks, made around December 2020 when Min Hee-jin was HYBE’s Chief Brand Officer, were revealed during ongoing civil litigation over stock purchase options. Employees said they were summoned and berated for hours, initially thinking the warnings were jokes before realizing the gravity of the situation.
Evidence in court included KakaoTalk messages in which Min Hee-jin allegedly wrote to staff: “Why did you vote for the Democratic Party? If there is no party worth voting for, don’t vote, like me… Why vote without knowing? You stood in line even during Covid, what a waste of time.” These statements appear to impose personal political opinions on employees.
Experts point out that such actions could constitute violations of constitutional rights. Articles 24 and 37 of the Korean Constitution protect citizens’ political freedoms, including the right to support any party. Furthermore, Article 237 of the Law on Official Public Elections prohibits using one’s position to influence political decisions.
The allegations have sparked broader concerns about workplace authority and management ethics. Min Hee-jin has faced previous legal scrutiny, including fines for violations of information protection and defamation laws. Ongoing court proceedings continue to examine Min Hee-jin’s actions and their potential impact on her qualifications as a business leader.
Sources: Nate News
Related articles
