Min Hee Jin, the former CEO of ADOR, is facing a new development in her legal battle with a former employee. The damage compensation lawsuit filed by the employee has now been referred to mediation, marking a significant shift in the case.
According to Star News, the Seoul Western District Court's 51st Civil Division decided on November 28 to send the lawsuit filed by former ADOR employee A against Min Hee Jin to mediation. A is claiming around 100 million KRW in damages for defamation through false information and other related accusations. Mediation is a legal process where both sides work with a neutral party to try to reach a mutual agreement and resolve the dispute without going to trial.
This legal clash started back in August when A first filed the lawsuit. On September 23, A obtained a provisional seizure order for Min Hee Jin’s property, equal to the amount of the compensation claim, to secure the possibility of repayment. The employee has made serious allegations, including claims of sexual harassment and an attempt to cover up the misconduct by Min Hee Jin during A’s time at ADOR. In response, A filed a criminal complaint with the Mapo Police Station, accusing Min Hee Jin of defamation and violating the Personal Information Protection Act. A also reported Min Hee Jin and ADOR's deputy CEO to the Seoul Western District Office of the Ministry of Employment and Labor for unfair labor practices and workplace misconduct.
While the provisional seizure order has been granted, it doesn’t mean Min Hee Jin’s property will be immediately taken away. This order allows the court to temporarily freeze her assets in case the plaintiff wins the lawsuit, securing a way to get the compensation if it’s awarded.
During an appearance at the 2024 Hyundai Card Da Vinci Motel event, Min Hee Jin opened up about the ongoing legal expenses, revealing that her legal fees have reached a massive 2.3 billion KRW. She mentioned, “I might have to sell my house because of these expenses. Still, I thought to myself, ‘Maybe I owned this house for this reason.’ If I didn’t have the money, I couldn’t have fought this. I’m also grateful that I don’t have a husband or children to worry about, and my parents are living well, which I’m thankful for.”
As the case moves to mediation, it remains to be seen whether a settlement will be reached or if the legal battle will continue in court. Fans and industry insiders are closely following the situation, wondering how this high-profile dispute will ultimately be resolved.
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