[News Today] NEWJEANS HANNI TESTIFIES IN PARLIAMENT

[LEAD]
NewJeans member Hanni appeared at the National Assembly yesterday, testifying as a witness regarding allegations of a workplace bullying incident. We have the details.

[REPORT]
Last month girl group NewJeans raised the allegation of workplace bullying during a live YouTube broadcast.

Hanni / Member of NewJeans (Sept. 11)
The manager of another group told others to ignore us.

One of the group members, Hanni, appeared in the parliamentary labor committee’s inspection at the National Assembly.

She provided her testimony as a witness.

Hanni/ Member of NewJeans
I decided to testify in parliament because otherwise this issue would be covered up and someone else could fall victim.

Hanni said one of the agency's high-ranking executives never responded to the group's greetings and acted disrespectfully toward NewJeans members.

However, her agency ADOR said no evidence had been found to support the accusation.

Kim Ju-young/ ADOR CEO
Each side is making contradictory claims. We are trying to find evidence, but unfortunately we haven't been able to find anything.

Hanni rebutted that as well.

Hanni/ Member of NewJeans
I don't think you've tried hard enough. You have to fight this battle to protect us.

The controversial point is whether or not idol music groups and other entertainers can be subject to workplace bullying outlawed by the Labor Standards Act.

Kim Yu-jin / Ministry of Employment, Labor
Applying workplace bullying charges under the current Labor Standards Act would be difficult.

Hanni shed tears when saying that workplace bullying and ostracization can be prevented if people are treated with decency and respect as humans.