ADOR's Min Hee-jin says she was 'pushed out' of CEO job against her will

NewJeans producer Min Hee-jin says she was pushed out of her position as CEO of ADOR against her will, in a statement to the Korea JoongAng Daily on Tuesday.

Min Hee-jin during a press conference on May 31 in central Seoul [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

NewJeans producer Min Hee-jin says she was pushed out of her position as CEO of ADOR against her will, in a statement to the Korea JoongAng Daily on Tuesday.

ADOR announced on Tuesday afternoon that Min stepped down as CEO and HYBE's chief HR officer Kim Ju-young will replace Min as the new CEO.

"The board made the decision regardless of the CEO's wishes," Min said. "This is a grave violation of the shareholders' contract."

Min staying on board as the producer of NewJeans, as stated in ADOR's announcement, was also not discussed with Min by the company, she said.

"It was a unilateral decision," Min said.

Min's claims came two hours after ADOR made its leadership announcement at around 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Incoming CEO Kim also sits as a member of ADOR's board of directors along with Min, HYBE's new CEO Lee Jae-sang and Chief Financial Officer Lee Kyung-jun.

ADOR refuted Min's claims in an additional press release on Tuesday evening.

"The board meeting was held according to the law," the company said. "The date was chosen out of the list that Min Hee-jin gave. Min took part in the meeting online and the board made the optimal decision for the future of ADOR and NewJeans."

Update, Aug. 27: Story was updated to include statement from ADOR

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]