After 15 months of legal disputes, the conflict between HYBE and former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin has entered a new chapter. Police officials in Seoul announced on Tuesday (July 15) that they will drop two criminal complaints filed by HYBE against Min for alleged breach of duty.
However, the decision represents a “non-indictment disposition,” meaning the case has been closed at the police level without being forwarded to prosecutors — so it does not signify a final resolution.
HYBE responded swiftly, stating, “We will file an objection with the prosecution today regarding the non-indictment decision in the breach of duty case.” The company also emphasized that “new developments have occurred since the investigation, including the NewJeans members’ declarations to terminate their contracts, along with newly submitted evidence in related court proceedings.”
Min stepped down from her position as an internal director at ADOR in November 2024 and officially left the company after her request for reinstatement as the label’s CEO was denied.
A third hearing in a separate civil lawsuit filed by HYBE for damages is scheduled to take place on Friday (July 18).
The police’s decision not to indict stands in contrast to the court’s rejection of NewJeans’ request to overturn an injunction, filed by ADOR in January, that barred the five NewJeans members from signing independent deals without the label’s approval. The NewJeans members effectively ended their independent activities under the name “NJZ” following their appearance at ComplexCon in Hong Kong this past March.
The legal battle between HYBE and Min Hee-jin, the implications of the police decision on NewJeans’ future, and the evolving tensions between the group and their label ADOR are shaping up to be one of year’s defining storylines in the K-pop world.
This story has been updated.
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