"Pay Our Overdue Wages Before Demanding Non-Prosecution Agreements": Employees of Three Companies Linked to CEO Cha Ga-won Speak Out

Former and current employees of One Hundred Label and its affiliated companies have publicly protested, claiming that CEO Cha Ga-won is using the payment of overdue wages as leverage to demand non-prosecution agreements.

The "Group of Affected Employees from Three Companies," consisting of former and current staff from One Hundred Label, Big Planet Made Entertainment, and INB100, issued a statement on June 16. They expressed deep regret, stating, "Although Cha Ga-won recently released an apology promising to resolve the long-standing issue of unpaid wages, she is secretly demanding non-prosecution agreements and mocking the victims."

They emphasized, "The priority should be paying the overdue wages before asking employees to sign non-prosecution agreements. Wages should not be subject to any conditions. While CEO Cha Ga-won lives a lifestyle driving expensive foreign cars, employees have been suffering from extreme financial hardship for months without receiving their salaries. Non-prosecution agreements must not be used as bait for wage payments."

The group also criticized Cha's legal representatives. They demanded, "Cha's side is making legally baseless claims and misleading the public as if some employees are misunderstanding the situation or making malicious allegations. Stop the deception and mockery of the victims, and apologize."

Furthermore, they urged investigative authorities to conduct a thorough probe, alleging that "tens of billions of won in company funds were transferred to suspicious accounts." They added, "We will actively provide testimony and cooperate with the investigation regarding everything that has transpired."

Previously, the Seoul Gangnam Branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor launched a full-scale investigation and labor inspection into One Hundred Label and its affiliates on June 9. Shortly after this became known, on the night of June 10, CEO Cha sent a text message to employees expressing her apologies.

CEO Cha stated, "I am deeply sorry for the delay in paying the wages you are owed," adding, "I am ashamed that I could not keep even the most basic promise to those of you who trusted and worked hard for the company." She further explained, "I have been making efforts to pay the unpaid wages and will proceed with the payment process."

Following the Ministry of Employment and Labor's recent launch of a full-scale inspection, the Financial Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has applied for an arrest warrant for CEO Cha Ga-won on charges including fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Economic Crimes.



Reported by Kang Kyung-yoon | SBS Entertainment News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.