National Assembly Member Alleges HYBE Covered Up 2022 Workplace Death, ADOR CEO Responds

A member of the South Korean National Assembly has recently leveled accusations against HYBE, asserting that the entertainment company tried to conceal the death of an employee purportedly caused by workplace overexertion. In a rebuttal, Kim Joo-young, the CEO of ADOR, a subsidiary of HYBE, has firmly rejected these allegations.

On October 15, 2024, Kim Joo-young, who previously served as Chief of Human Resources and is now leading ADOR, appeared before the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee in light of claims regarding the treatment of the K-pop group NewJeans.

According to a report from E Daily, during the assembly session, Progressive Party member Jeong Hye-kyung accused HYBE of attempting to hide details surrounding the death of an employee that occurred in June 2022.

In response, the ADOR CEO acknowledged the employee’s death, clarifying that it happened in September 2022. Kim stated that the employee had fainted at work and was transported to the hospital, but unfortunately, died a few days later due to a pre-existing illness.

The CEO mentioned that “the bereaved family agreed”not to file an industrial accident report. However, Rep. Jeong Hye-kyung alleged that HYBE covered up the situation by failing to notify the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service.

“Indeed. That’s the typical way a cover-up occurs, often after an agreement with the family. We urge you to verify the specifics of the case and provide them to us.”

In light of these accusations, Kim Joo-young asserted:

“HYBE has never concealed anything.”

National Assembly of Environment and Labor Committee Requests Documents Related to Employee’s Death at HYBE

During the session on October 15, 2024, Kim Joo-young was summoned to discuss alleged abuses faced by NewJeans under the management of HYBE. However, another significant point of discussion that drew online attention was the claimed workplace death of a HYBE employee in 2022. E Daily reported that Kim elaborated on the incident, stating:

“In September 2022, the individual mentioned they were taking a brief break in the office and headed to the nap room at around 5 p.m. Unfortunately, they were found collapsed and rushed to the hospital, where they passed away days later due to a personal illness. It’s a tragic situation.”

Nonetheless, Rep. Jeong Hye-kyung argued that this incident should be classified as a work-related fatality from the perspective of the Health and Welfare Committee.

Jeong allegedly stated that the music company had failed to submit an industrial accident report as per the regulations of the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service, further alleging that the agency obscured the details.

“You argue this was due to a personal illness. However, from our viewpoint, it appears to be a case of death from overwork. At that time, HYBE was expanding its subsidiaries while managing various idol groups and international schedules, which often resulted in extensive working hours,” she remarked.

“Upon checking with the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service, I found no records of industrial accident reports. You might insist it was a personal illness, yet it is an issue that warrants further scrutiny, suggesting a case of overwork.”

Kim Joo-young refuted Rep. Jeong’s assertions and was questioned whether an autopsy had been conducted. The CEO replied that such decisions were in the hands of the employee’s family.

Rep. Jeong Hye-kyung has since demanded that the entertainment firm provide the committee with relevant documentation regarding the employee’s passing.

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