By Kim Bo-eun
Park Hyun-jung, former CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO), has filed a damages suit against former SPO director Chung Myung-whun for allegedly spreading false rumors about her.
Park filed the suit with the Seoul Central District Court, March 9, demanding 600 million won in compensation from Chung. Park also filed a complaint with the prosecution against Chung separately for defamation charges.
According to Park, Chung made it appear in media interviews and in letters addressed to SPO members as if allegations of her sexual harassment and verbal abuse of SPO members were facts.
"This issue concerns the human rights of SPO members," Chung said in an interview with a local paper last August.
"As the director, I could not sit back and do nothing when 17 members requested my help, claiming they were insulted by the CEO."
Park claims the SPO members were instructed by Chung’s wife, surnamed Koo, to spread false rumors about Park in order to oust her from the CEO position. Park and Chung were reportedly at odds since the former assumed the post in 2013. Police also support these claims.
Police cleared Park of sexual harassment earlier this month, citing inconsistency in testimonies against her.
Park also filed another damages suit against three Seoul Metropolitan Government officials and two SPO members, demanding 500 million won.
Park stepped down from the CEO post last December, after 17 SPO members claimed she had physically and verbally harassed them, and demanded her immediate resignation.
The three-month police investigation began the same month Park filed a complaint.
Police raided the SPO office three times and questioned 33 SPO members on 85 occasions.
The case has been sent to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office. Police have requested that the prosecution indict 10 SPO members for their alleged involvement in spreading false rumors about Park.
Chung also resigned in December, ending his 10-year tenure with the SPO.