National Assembly Audit: Environment and Labor Committee
Rep. Jeong Hye-kyung:
Asked, “Is it true that a HYBE employee collapsed while working at the office in February 2022 and was taken to a hospital where they died?”
CEO Kim Ju-young:
“To my knowledge, it occurred in September 2022. Regrettably, they collapsed and were discovered and taken to the hospital, but unfortunately passed away a few days later from a personal illness—a very tragic incident.”
Rep. Jeong Hye-kyung:
“From the perspective of Environment and Labor Committee members, this appears to be death from overwork. At the time, HYBE’s subsidiaries were rapidly expanding, with each employee simultaneously managing multiple idol groups. Particularly when handling overseas schedules simultaneously, there were many cases of working around the clock.”
Rep. Jeong Hye-kyung:
“When I checked with the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service, there was no industrial accident claim filed, and they say it was a pre-existing condition. But this should have been verified, and it appears to be death from overwork. I would like to ask whether there was an attempt to cover up this death from overwork.”
CEO Kim Ju-young:
“There was no cover-up. The decision not to perform an autopsy was made by the parents.”
Rep. Jeong Hye-kyung:
“That is how cover-ups happen. Cover-ups happen through settlements with the bereaved family. Please verify and report to us the exact details of the incident and circumstances.”