Park Na-rae [Yonhap]
Park Na-rae [Yonhap]

New details have emerged about the two former managers who threatened broadcaster Park Na-rae by threatening to expose allegations against her.

YouTuber Lee Jin-ho, a former journalist, shared his account of attending the Wednesday trial of former managers Shin and Lee on his YouTube channel "Respect Lee Jin-ho."

Shin and Lee were indicted on charges including joint extortion against Park. Shin in particular faces charges of demanding 250 million won ($184,000) — equivalent to 10 percent of the company's sales — by threatening to expose allegations against Park, as well as embezzling about 44 million won in company funds. She is being tried in detention. Lee was indicted without detention.

Lee Jin-ho said it was his first time seeing the two in person at the courtroom. "Shin appeared in custody, wearing a prison uniform with her hair tied back. The junior manager, Lee, came in wearing a mask. They were both slender women," he said.

Lee Jin-ho said that after the hearing, Shin smiled and approached family members in the gallery. "It was the first time I saw her smile. It was an unsettling sight, but she is also someone's family — someone's daughter," he said.

He added: "The junior manager stood stiffly, like a robot. She was visibly tense and never once took off her mask."

"When the junior manager introduced her occupation, she said she works in sales," Lee Jin-ho said. "It's a sad case — after this incident became public, she left her previous job and is now doing part-time sales work."

Lee Jin-ho also described the atmosphere in the courtroom, saying, "Shin actively raised objections during the hearing, while Lee stayed in the background."

At the hearing, presided over by Judge Kim Su-gyeong of the Seoul Western District Court's Criminal Division 4, Shin denied most of the charges. She argued that demanding money from Park was a legitimate exercise of her rights — specifically to claim severance pay — and that she had no intent to threaten Park or unlawfully obtain money.

Lee's side said it had not yet finished reviewing the investigation records and declined to comment.

The dispute between Park and her former managers surfaced in December last year. At the time, the former managers filed a complaint against Park, alleging gapjil — the abuse of power by a superior — and other illegal conduct. Park denied the allegations and filed a counter-complaint against the former managers on charges including attempted extortion and embezzlement. She has since suspended all broadcasting activities.


paq@heraldcorp.com