On the 13th, Ador, a subsidiary of HYBE, posted a statement on its official website titled “Ador Announcement”.
Regarding an article citing lawyer Lee Hyun-gon’s criticism of HYBE, Ador said, “We requested that a rebuttal be published,” adding, “This is an exercise of the right of rebuttal to protect the artists’ business value and intellectual property.”
Ador stressed: “The replacement of the CEO by the Ador board of directors was based on its sole authority,” and added: “The board of directors may replace the CEO at any time based on its management judgment.”
The company also expressed regret that “criticism was leveled at one party to the dispute based solely on the statements of a specific attorney, without us being asked for information or being granted the right to rebuttal.”
According to Ador, lawyer Lee Hyun-gon acted as legal representative for filing a petition in support of former CEO Min Hee-jin during an injunction lawsuit. Ador urged that when dealing with company-related matters, the media should “ensure the right of rebuttal for unbiased reporting.”
Previously, on the 12th, lawyer Lee Hyun-gon from Saeol Law Firm expressed his opinion on the internal conflict between HYBE and Min Hee-jin.
Through her personal account, she stated, “HYBE continues to raise legal issues against Min Hee-jin, such as embezzlement, corporate takeover, and sexual harassment cover-up, not to achieve results but to prolong the legal disputes themselves.”
He further criticized HYBE, saying, “They are acting as they want under the guise of being in a state of controversy, without respecting the law. It is a gangster method. I do not see abusing the law like this in a positive way.” Several media outlets later reported on HYBE-Min Hee-jin’s internal conflict based on Lee’s remarks.
Meanwhile, Min Hee-jin, the former CEO of Ador, who had been in conflict with HYBE since April, was fired from her post at a board meeting on the 27th of last month. In response, even members of NewJeans, who had previously stayed out of the conflict, called for her return during a live broadcast.
At the same time, HYBE CEO Lee Jae-sang said at the shareholders meeting on the 12th: “It will take time, but we are responding calmly and principled.”
