HYBE Denies Alleged Ties to Former First Lady Kim Keon-hee Amid Hiring Controversy

The controversy gained momentum after Pastor Choi Jae-young and former professor Shin Yong-han discussed the situation on the Maebul Show YouTube channel on July 14. According to Pastor Choi, the husband of a close aide to former First Lady Kim Keon-hee was hired by HYBE shortly after President Yoon Suk-yeol’s 2022 election victory. “He was placed in a public affairs role and resigned on July 10,” Choi said. Shin added that the couple had both worked in a lawmaker’s office before marrying.

The two commentators suggested the hire may be linked to the First Lady’s unofficial visit to HYBE last September and alleged political favors—pointing to HYBE’s unexpected inclusion in a Ministry of Employment and Labor “Top Company” list as a possible outcome of such influence.

HYBE confirmed that Mr. Kim, the aide’s husband, had joined the company’s external affairs team but stressed he was not in an executive position. The company also clarified that Kim had recently served as a policy advisor for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport and passed the required post-employment review before joining HYBE. His resignation followed soon after public attention focused on his spouse’s identity.

“There was no benefit from hiring someone associated with the former administration,” HYBE said. “He voluntarily resigned once scrutiny arose.” As for the First Lady’s visit to HYBE, the company explained it was part of an unofficial itinerary for Japan’s First Lady Yuko Kishida, who requested a K-pop-related stop during her South Korea visit.

Despite the company’s denial, the incident has raised serious questions about potential political favoritism and the blurred lines between business and governance. Netizens and commentators continue to scrutinize the sequence of events as the controversy unfolds.