Extortion or legitimate rights?… Comedian Park Na-rae, who has suspended activities, faces former managers in court [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Comedian Park Na-rae is set to face two managers with whom she has been embroiled in a bitter dispute in court.

On the morning of the 20th, Criminal Division 4 (Judge Kim Su-gyeong (Director)) at the Seoul Western District Court held the second hearing for former managers Shin and Lee, who were indicted on charges including violation of the Act on Punishment of Violent Acts, etc. (joint extortion).

Shin, who is in custody, appeared in court wearing a light green prison uniform, while Lee, who is not in custody, wore a mask.

Lee's attorney stated, "The defendant (Lee) merely demanded the appropriate amount he was entitled to receive after his employment relationship with the victim ended. He has never threatened the victim (hereinafter Park Na-rae) to extort money, and there is no fact that he conspired with Shin," fully denying the charges.

Shin's side also argued, following the first hearing, that Park Na-rae had illegally collected evidence. During the first hearing held last month, Shin's side had claimed, "(Park Na-rae) obtained and listened to a recording of a consultation with an attorney after filing the complaint. She did not uphold the right of participation specified in the warrant."

Additionally, like Lee's side, Shin's side also stated, "We do not admit the charges. The defendant (Shin) has the right to receive money under the name of severance pay and other reasons from (Park Na-rae), and there is no fact that he demanded 500 million won," denying the charges.

The court adopted witness examination of Park Na-rae. As a result, Park Na-rae will appear in court as a witness at the third hearing scheduled for December 1. The court plans to conduct approximately two and a half hours of witness examination, including one hour of questioning by the Prosecution Service and cross-examination by attorneys for Shin and Lee.

The biggest issue at the next hearing where Park Na-rae will appear as a witness is the disagreement over money. Currently, the former managers are arguing that they "exercised their legitimate right to settlement." On the other hand, Park Na-rae's side maintains that she was threatened by the former managers using the exposure of her private life as leverage.

According to the Prosecution Service, the two are suspected of demanding 250 million won, which corresponds to 10% of the company's sales in 2024, while claiming that "Park Na-rae used company funds privately for her ex-boyfriend and others." However, it was investigated that they did not actually receive the money, so the crime is considered an attempted offense.

Currently, Park Na-rae has suspended all activities amid controversy over unfair treatment by managers. The former managers filed complaints against Park Na-rae on charges including special injury and defamation through false statements, raising suspicions of unfair treatment and illegal acts. In response, Park Na-rae filed counter-complaints against the former managers on charges including attempted extortion and embezzlement in the course of business.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original