Broadcaster Park Na-rae. [Yonhap]
Broadcaster Park Na-rae. [Yonhap]

Former managers who allegedly demanded large sums from broadcaster Park Na-rae in exchange for keeping her private life out of the press have shown signs of internal division.

A video titled "'Internal strife has broken out' — the decisive testimony from Park Na-rae's managers' trial" was posted Friday to the YouTube channel "Respect Lee Jin-ho."

In the video, YouTuber Lee Jin-ho said the Park Na-rae case had taken an unexpected turn, describing it as the managers having "split from each other."

The second hearing in the case against former manager Shin and junior manager A — both charged with joint extortion under the Act on Punishment of Violent Acts — was held Tuesday at Seoul Western District Court's Criminal Division 4. Both defendants denied the joint extortion charges in court that day, but their defenses showed subtle differences in tone.

A's defense attorney argued that the client had only sought a fair amount owed after the employment relationship ended, and drew a line against any suggestion of threatening Park Na-rae or conspiring with Shin. When the presiding judge repeatedly asked whether A had never demanded a percentage of sales, A's side reportedly answered "yes" — indicating the client had requested only severance pay, back wages and unpaid allowances.

Lee said the outcome amounted to A cutting ties with sunbae Shin, describing it as "a structure where each is shifting the blame onto the other."

Shin faces charges of demanding 250 million won ($189,000) — equivalent to 10 percent of the company's sales — as an incentive payment from Park Na-rae, and threatening to expose her private life through the media if the money was not paid. Shin is also accused of embezzling about 44 million won in company funds by transferring money from Park Na-rae's corporate account to a separate account Shin operated, without authorization.

Both A and Shin denied the joint extortion charges at trial, with Shin's side also arguing that Park Na-rae had gathered evidence through unlawful means.

The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 1, when the court plans to call Park Na-rae as a witness and question her for about two and a half hours. With Park, who has stepped back from broadcasting activities, set to take the stand in person, attention is focused on what she will say.


min3654@heraldcorp.com