After more than a year of high-profile legal confrontation, former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has been cleared of occupational breach of trust charges filed by K-pop giant HYBE.
The Yongsan Police Station in Seoul announced on July 15 that the case would not be forwarded to prosecution, citing no suspicion of criminal activity.
HYBE had lodged a criminal complaint in April 2024, accusing Min Hee-jin of attempting to unlawfully seize control of ADOR, a subsidiary under HYBE, where it holds an 80% stake. However, after extensive investigation, police found no evidence supporting HYBE’s claims.
Following the verdict, Hee-jin’s legal representative released a statement:
“It has been determined that there was no illegality on the part of former CEO Min Hee-jin. The police concluded there is no suspicion of a crime and will not refer the case to the prosecution.”
Meanwhile, HYBE announced it will file an objection to the police decision, claiming that new evidence had emerged during ongoing civil proceedings. In a statement, HYBE referenced the Seoul High Court, which had earlier ruled that Hee-jin appeared to be “intentionally disrupting the integrated structure” under the original exclusive contract.
HYBE also noted that the authorities declined to pursue a separate case filed by Hee-jin last year against five HYBE executives. Investigators found that HYBE’s counterclaims were not false or defamatory, as they appeared to address matters of public interest, and that internal messages presented as evidence were legitimately obtained during an audit.
The legal battle between HYBE and Min Hee-jin has captured the attention of the Korean entertainment industry since it began in 2024. While Min Hee-jin has emerged legally unscathed for now, HYBE’s challenge signals that the corporate drama is far from over.
