Comedian Park Na-rae has been accused of engaging in sexual acts with a man in the back seat of a vehicle driven by her manager, and legal experts have analyzed that this matter could constitute workplace harassment.
Lee Don-ho, the representative lawyer of Nova Law Office, discussed the legal issues surrounding this incident in a broadcast interview on the 5th. He explained that considering the unique nature of the manager's profession, the vehicle's driving space can be clearly regarded as a work environment. He added that if someone is forced to witness or hear unwanted sexual acts in a work environment, it could be subject to sexual harassment and workplace bullying laws.
The crux of the matter will likely be the truth of the allegations and the severity of the sexual acts. The lawyer expressed concern that for celebrities like Park Na-rae, their image is akin to their lifeline, and if a court rules for damages, a return to the entertainment industry could become virtually impossible. Accordingly, it was analyzed that Park Na-rae's side should focus on proving that the alleged acts did not occur.
Additionally, the lawyer mentioned the necessity of negotiation from a practical standpoint. He pointed out that as the controversy continues, the financial losses due to damage to her image, such as advertising contract penalties, could amount to tens or hundreds of millions of won, suggesting that a swift resolution may be more advantageous than pursuing litigation to the end.
Currently, Park Na-rae is facing a lawsuit for damages amounting to 100 million won and a request for real estate provisional seizure from her two former managers due to allegations of workplace harassment. The Seoul Western District Court has already granted the provisional seizure request, and Park Na-rae's side has counter-sued her former managers for extortion and is taking legal action.
In this situation, the recent disclosure of the contents of a complaint filed by the former managers with the Gangnam branch of the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office has further intensified the controversy. The complaint claims that they suffered mental distress due to specific actions of a man who was with Park Na-rae, suggesting that the results of the labor office's investigation may become a significant turning point in this case.
