On the 22nd, former CEO Min’s legal representative, Shin Law Firm, issued a statement and said, “On this day, former CEO Min filed a complaint with the Yongsan Police Station against Belif Lab CEO Kim Tae-ho and executives on charges of defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act.” “I am filing a lawsuit seeking damages worth billions of won,” he said.
The legal representative said, “CEO Kim Tae-ho ‘unrepresented’ that former CEO Min delayed the civil suit filed by Belif Lab, which is clearly false,” and added, “The counterclaim filed by former CEO Min Hee-jin in the first argument to be held in January next year is also “We expect that a hearing will be held together, so we hope that Belif Lab will work sincerely,” he asserted.
In addition, “CEO Kim Tae-ho and others spread numerous false facts through a YouTube video on June 10 and a statement on October 7,” he said. “I hope so,” he said.
Meanwhile, former CEO Min, who left the company by resigning from his position as an executive director of Adore on the 20th, is scheduled to file a lawsuit against Belif Lab for damages on January 10th next year. Former CEO Min has consistently claimed that ‘Aillet (of Belipp Lab) plagiarized New Genes.’
However, Belif Lab filed a lawsuit for 2 billion won in damages, claiming that former CEO Min’s claims were false.
In addition, former CEO Min is also being sued by Source Music, the agency of Le Seraphim and Hive Label, for 500 million won in damages.
Source Music filed a lawsuit for damages against former CEO Min last July. Source Music did not disclose the specific amount of the lawsuit, but it is known that it filed a lawsuit against former CEO Min, demanding compensation of 500 million won for damages suffered due to charges of defamation, obstruction of business, and insults. The first hearing date for the trial is January 10th next year.
Former CEO Min has been claiming that Le Seraphim’s launching strategy copied New Genes’ strategy, but Source Music said, “CEO Min’s claim that Source Music copied his launching strategy is false,” and “Source Music is Min Hee-jin.” “We have never copied CBO’s launching strategy at the time, and we have never acknowledged the contents of Min CBO’s complaint,” he counters.
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What are the potential legal implications for beauty industry executives involved in defamation lawsuits?
Title: Unraveling the Tensions in the Beauty Industry: A Conversation with Legal Expert Dr. Sarah Lee
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Lee. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent legal developments involving Heejin Min, the former CEO of Adore. As you know, Min has filed a defamation suit against Kim Tae-ho, the CEO of Belif Lab. Can you give us some context on why this situation has escalated to legal action?
Dr. Sarah Lee: Thank you for having me. This case is indeed significant. Heejin Min’s allegations center around defamation claims against Kim Tae-ho for supposedly making untrue statements regarding the legal proceedings between the two parties. In the beauty sector, where branding and reputation are everything, such accusations can have profound implications for a company’s image and business.
Time.news Editor: This really captures the competitive climate of the beauty industry. What legal grounds does Min have for her defamation suit?
Dr. Sarah Lee: The primary legal framework here is the Information and Communications Network Act, which governs online speech and protects individuals from false statements made through digital platforms. If Min can prove that Kim Tae-ho made untrue and damaging statements that affected her reputation or business standing, she could have a strong case for defamation.
Time.news Editor: In the press release from Min’s legal team, they mentioned seeking damages in the “billions of won.” How realistic is this figure in cases of defamation?
Dr. Sarah Lee: Such high claims for damages aren’t uncommon in high-stakes business disputes, especially in lucrative sectors like cosmetics. However, actual awarded damages typically depend on the specifics of the case, including the demonstrable impact of the defamatory statements on Min’s career and company. It’s quite a challenge to quantify reputation damage in monetary terms, but courts do take such claims seriously.
Time.news Editor: What do you think the implications of the outcome of this case might be for the broader beauty industry?
Dr. Sarah Lee: A ruling in favor of Min could set a precedent for how defamation is treated in the beauty industry, encouraging more emphasis on truthful communication among executives. Conversely, if Kim Tae-ho is found innocent, it might embolden other industry leaders to voice their criticisms more freely. In either case, the focus will likely shift to how companies handle conflict through legal avenues rather than public disputes, which could reshape industry dynamics.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like we’re at a pivotal moment for corporate behavior in the beauty sector. How should companies navigate these waters to avoid similar legal troubles?
Dr. Sarah Lee: Proactive communication and transparency are key. Companies should have clear internal policies on public statements and ensure their executives are trained on the legal implications of their words. Legal safeguards along with a strong emphasis on ethical competition can go a long way to prevent disputes from escalating into legal battles like we’re seeing here.
Time.news Editor: Very insightful, Dr. Lee. Lastly, as we look forward to the January hearing that you mentioned, how should we expect the public and industry stakeholders to react as the situation develops?
Dr. Sarah Lee: The public is always keenly interested in high-profile cases, especially when involving well-known figures in the beauty world. Observers will look to see how each party handles media communications and public relations in light of ongoing legal proceedings. Industry stakeholders may take a cue from this situation in terms of managing their own reputations, emphasizing the importance of strategic legal and PR planning in today’s interconnected landscape.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lee, for your valuable insights into this complex scenario. We’ll be keeping an eye on how this all unfolds.
Dr. Sarah Lee: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss these important matters with you.