Korea's leading entertainment company HYBE has just been involved in a political scandal when recruiting and quickly let an employee quit for the reason related to Ms. Kim Keon Hee, a former First Lady of Korea being investigated.
According to CBS No Cut News on July 10, HYBE has recruited Mr. Kim - Ms. Cho's husband, a close assistant to Ms. Kim Keon Hee - to work in the External Affairs department since July 2.
However, after only about a week, Mr. Kim quit his job.
Although it was announced as voluntary, many sources said that HYBE took the initiative to fire personnel to avoid involvement.
What attracted attention was the identity of Ms. Cho - who appeared in a controversial video related to the Dior handbag scandal. This is also the incident that led to Ms. Kim Keon Hee being investigated for bribery.
According to teacher Choi Jae Young - who directly delivered the bag at the Covana Contents office (a company run by Ms. Kim Keon Hee), Ms. Cho was involved in giving and receiving the bag.
Later, Ms. Cho stated to the investigation agency that Ms. Kim had requested to return the bag on the day of receipt, but the female assistant forgot because she was busy with work, and the bag was left in the presidential office and had never been used.
Ms. Cho is currently being summoned by the prosecution to clarify her role as a mediator in the case.
Meanwhile, Ms. Cho's husband - Mr. Kim - also raised questions when he was appointed as a policy advisor to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of South Korea in March 2024, despite not having a clear political foundation.
According to a former official in the Yoon Suk Yeol government, this is unusual, because this position is often reserved for those who are experienced or involved in politics.
Yonhap News also reported on July 8 that the special investigation team is stepping up the investigation of the allegations against Kim Keon Hee.
The former First Lady is currently banned from leaving the country.
