Heeji Jini's side refutes labor exploitation controversy: "All employees voluntarily resigned; no obstruction of workers' compensation claims" [Official Statement]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The side of kids' content creator Heeji Jini (real name Kang Hye-jin) issued a statement regarding the labor exploitation controversy.

On the 27th, Kids Work stated through Heeji Jini's YouTube channel, "We are issuing a statement regarding the claims made by a former colleague who worked with us in the past." The company added, "The company is taking that person's pain seriously. We sincerely feel sorry and apologize for the fact that a person we worked with lost their health and has been going through a difficult time, regardless of the factual circumstances."

Kids Work explained, "The colleague in question worked for about one year from September 2017 to December 2018 before taking leave, and voluntarily resigned in May 2019 during their leave period according to their own will."

They continued, "In the early days of our founding, we operated by consulting with the colleague every time regarding the content and methods of their assigned duties, granting broad autonomy over work schedules and execution methods. We allowed them to adjust working hours or choose remote work depending on the situation." The company also noted, "To reduce the burden of commuting, we supported the security deposit for a residence near the company."

Regarding allegations that they obstructed workers' compensation claims, Kids Work clarified, "The company did not obstruct workers' compensation claims. At the end of 2018, respecting the colleague's opinion that they wanted to apply for workers' compensation, we introduced an external certified labor consultant to help them receive direct counseling and ensured they received clear guidance on the application process."

Additionally, Kids Work stated, "Some content spreading online differs from the factual circumstances confirmed by our company, so we wish to correct it. We earnestly ask that you refrain from damaging the reputation of our company and creator with unverified information and speculation."

Kids Work added, "Taking this incident as an opportunity, we will review our working environment and improve any areas where we fell short. Above all, we sincerely hope for the colleague's recovery."

Meanwhile, a person identified as A, who introduced themselves as a former employee of Kids Work, Heeji Jini's company, exposed their past working environment and experiences during the workers' compensation application process through an online community.

A, who claimed to have been a long-time friend of Heeji Jini, stated that they began working after receiving a proposal in December 2012 to join as a creator for a Chinese-language channel. However, A claimed that they were essentially solely responsible for the entire production and operation of the channel, including writing video scripts, translation, voice actor recruitment, dubbing direction, video editing, and uploading.

A explained that after signing a contract with an annual salary of 20 million won, it was raised to 21 million won, but they worked up to 16 hours a day without separate overtime pay. A also claimed that in November 2018, they visited the emergency room due to shortness of breath during overtime work and were subsequently diagnosed with panic disorder, depression, and social anxiety, sparking controversy.

The following is the full text of Kids Work's official statement:

안녕하세요. 키즈웍스입니다.

Hello. This is Kids Work.

We are issuing a statement regarding the claims made by a former colleague who worked with us in the past.

보도를 통해 전해진 과거 근무했던 동료의 아픔에 대해, 회사는 그 고통을 무겁게 받아들이고 있습니다. 함께 일했던 분이 건강을 잃고 힘든 시간을 보내오신 것에 대해 사실관계를 떠나 진심으로 안타깝고 송구한 마음입니다.

Regarding the pain of a former colleague conveyed through reports, the company is taking that person's suffering seriously. We sincerely feel sorry and apologize for the fact that a person we worked with lost their health and has been going through a difficult time, regardless of the factual circumstances.

당사는 한 개인의 건강과 사생활에 관한 민감한 사안이라는 점에서 당사자 보호를 위해 구체적 경위를 설명드리는 것을 주저해왔습니다. 하지만 현재 온라인상에서 당시 경위와 관련해 확인되지 않은 내용이 확산되고 뉴스 보도 또한 이어지고 있습니다. 언론에서 당사의 공식 입장을 요청하는 상황을 고려, 불가피하게 회사가 설명드릴 수 있는 부분에 한해 입장을 전달드립니다.

Given that this is a sensitive matter concerning an individual's health and privacy, we have hesitated to explain specific details in order to protect the person involved. However, currently, unverified content regarding the circumstances at the time is spreading online, and news reports are continuing. Considering that the media has requested our official statement, we are unavoidably conveying our position only on the parts that the company can explain.

해당 동료분은 2017년9월부터 2018년12월 까지 1년여 간 근무한 뒤 휴직하였으며, 2019년5월에 휴직 중 본인의 의사에 따라 자진퇴사 했습니다. 9년 전 입사당시 임금체계에 문제없이 연봉을 지급했고 그 후 알려진 사실과 다르게 25% 연봉을 인상하였으며, 휴직 중에도 별도로 상여금을 지급하였습니다.

The colleague in question worked for about one year from September 2017 to December 2018 before taking leave, and voluntarily resigned in May 2019 during their leave period according to their own will. At the time of joining nine years ago, we paid an annual salary without issues regarding the wage system, and subsequently raised the annual salary by 25%, contrary to what has been reported. We also separately paid bonuses during the leave period.

창립 초기 당사는 담당업무의 내용과 진행방식을 동료분과 매번 협의하며 운영하였으며, 업무일정과 수행방식의 자율성을 폭넓게 드렸습니다. 상황에 따라 근무시간을 조율하거나 재택근무를 선택 할 수 있도록 했습니다.

In the early days of our founding, we operated by consulting with the colleague every time regarding the content and methods of their assigned duties, granting broad autonomy over work schedules and execution methods. We allowed them to adjust working hours or choose remote work depending on the situation.

건강에 부담이 된다면 근로시간을 줄이고, 업무 일정을 멈춰도 무방하니 휴가/휴직을 통해 쉬도록 지속적으로 요청했습니다. 또한 출퇴근의 부담을 줄이기 위해 회사 인근 주거지의 임차보증금도 지원했습니다.

If it was a burden on their health, we continuously requested that they reduce working hours, pause work schedules if necessary, and rest through vacation or leave. Additionally, to reduce the burden of commuting, we supported the security deposit for a residence near the company.

당사는 산재신청을 방해하지 않았으며, 2018년도 말 산재를 신청하고 싶다는 해당 동료분의 의견을 존중하여 외부 공인노무사를 소개하여 직접 상담받으실 수 있도록 도왔고 신청 절차를 명확히 안내받게 하였습니다.

The company did not obstruct workers' compensation claims. At the end of 2018, respecting the colleague's opinion that they wanted to apply for workers' compensation, we introduced an external certified labor consultant to help them receive direct counseling and ensured they received clear guidance on the application process.

당사는 당시 상황에 대한 서로 다른 기억과 인식이 존재할 수 있다는 점을 이해하고 있습니다. 다만 온라인상에서 확산되는 일부 내용은 당사가 확인한 사실관계와 차이가 있어 이를 바로잡고자 합니다. 확인되지 않은 정보와 추측으로 당사와 크리에이터의 명예가 훼손되지 않도록 간곡히 부탁드립니다.

We understand that different memories and perceptions regarding the situation at the time may exist. However, some content spreading online differs from the factual circumstances confirmed by our company, so we wish to correct it. We earnestly ask that you refrain from damaging the reputation of our company and creator with unverified information and speculation.

만약 동료분이 원하신다면 직접 또는 대리인을 통해 편하신 방식으로 말씀을 듣고, 회사가 해야 할 일이 있다면 적극적으로 논의하겠습니다. 대화 여부와 방식은 전적으로 동료분의 의사를 존중하겠습니다.

If the colleague wishes, we will listen to their account directly or through a representative in a manner convenient for them, and if there are things the company should do, we will actively discuss them. Whether and how to engage in dialogue will be entirely respected according to the colleague's will.

당사는 공인노무사의 자문을 받아 노동환경과 관련 제도를 지속적으로 정비하고 있습니다. 이번 사안을 계기로 근무환경을 돌아보고, 부족했던 부분이 있다면 개선해 나가겠습니다.

The company is continuously organizing labor environment-related systems by receiving advice from certified labor consultants. Taking this incident as an opportunity, we will review our working environment and improve any areas where we fell short.

무엇보다 동료분의 회복을 진심으로 기원합니다.

Above all, we sincerely hope for the colleague's recovery.

키즈웍스 올림

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original