Former Manager of Narae Park, Who Demanded 10% of Revenue, Claims "Exercising Legitimate Rights" at First Trial

Demanded Hundreds of Millions by Threatening to Expose Private Life

"Severance Pay and Other Rightful Compensation"

The former manager of broadcaster Narae Park (41), who was indicted and detained on charges of blackmailing her, denied most of the allegations at the first hearing.

Broadcaster Narae Park. Photo by Yonhap News

On the afternoon of September 29, the Criminal Division 4 Single Judge Panel at Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Sukyung) held the first hearing for Shin, former manager of Park, and another individual, Lee, who are both facing charges of violating the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts (joint blackmail).

Shin is accused of demanding 250 million won, equivalent to 10% of the company's revenue, from Park under the pretext of an incentive. He allegedly threatened that unless the payment was made, he could disclose claims about Park's acts of character defamation, sexual harassment, and suspicions of proxy drug prescriptions—thus exposing her private life to the media.

According to the prosecution, in November of last year, Shin met with a labor attorney at a coffee shop in Gangnam District, Seoul, and insisted he should receive a 250 million won incentive, equivalent to 10% of company revenue. It is reported he stated that if litigation proceeded, related information would become news and Park would suffer significant harm. After Park's side refused to provide money, Shin reportedly tipped off the media regarding the allegations, then again demanded money from Park's side, but ultimately did not receive any payment.

Shin's legal counsel denied most of the charges except for a portion of the occupational embezzlement accusation. Regarding the joint blackmail charge, the attorney argued, "There was no demand for 500 million won. The actions were to claim legitimate rights such as severance pay and incentive bonuses." The counsel further asserted, "There was never a demand for money in exchange for not reporting to the media, thus there was no execution or intent of blackmail, and the requirements for joint blackmail are not met."

Shin is also accused of transferring funds from Park's corporate account to the account of a corporation he operates without authorization, or receiving contract payments due to Park into his own company's account, thereby allegedly embezzling about 44 million won from Park's company funds (occupational embezzlement and computer fraud).

Shin argued that he did not personally perform the transfers or that they were done with Park's consent, and denied these allegations. However, he admitted to the charge of occupational embezzlement involving the transfer and unauthorized use of some of Park's company funds into his own account in June last year.

The legal counsel for Lee, another former manager who was indicted without detention on charges of participating in the joint blackmail, did not state a specific position regarding the charges during the hearing. Lee's counsel plans to review evidence and present a position at the next trial.

Meanwhile, the court scheduled the next hearing for 10:20 a.m. on October 20.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.