[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Park Jaehyun, CEO of Hanmi Pharmaceutical, has spoken publicly about his decision to release an audio recording involving Shin Dong-kuk, chairman of Hanyang Precision and the largest shareholder of Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s holding company, Hanmi Science.
Park previously disclosed to the media a recorded conversation with Shin related to allegations of sexual harassment involving a senior executive at Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s Paltan plant, as well as alleged attempts to downplay or mitigate disciplinary action against the executive. In the recording, Shin is heard making remarks perceived as defending the accused executive, including a statement suggesting that the individual was “not the type of person who would sexually assault a woman.”
According to industry sources on Sunday, Park addressed employees in an internal message sent on February 20, stating that he was aware of the various interpretations and concerns arising from recent media reports. He said that the decision to release the recording had come only after prolonged and serious deliberation.
Park explained that the disclosure was intended to present, without distortion, the difficult circumstances he is facing as CEO, and to encourage all employees to unite in safeguarding and strengthening Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s corporate culture—one that the company has worked to build and protect over more than five decades.
He added that, grounded in the fundamental values of the pharmaceutical industry, he had repeatedly and directly or indirectly requested responsible advice and discussion from a specific major shareholder. However, he said those efforts ultimately resulted in criticism directed at him and pressure that constrained the proper exercise of his authority as chief executive, prompting him to take action.
Park emphasized that while he fully understands the significance and influence of a major shareholder within a company, he firmly believes that there are values that must take precedence. “As a company that researches and develops medicines dealing with human life, those values are incomparable to anything else,” he said.
In his message, Park also reflected on the teachings of the company’s late founder, Lim Sung-ki, recalling his guidance that even in the most difficult and uncertain times, companies must break through challenges with differentiated thinking and bold innovation. Park said that although the path ahead will not be easy, he will fulfill his responsibilities within the scope of his authority to ensure that Hanmi preserves its identity and moves in the right direction.
Concluding his message, Park asked employees to trust him out of respect for the company’s history, Chairman Lim’s philosophy, and the culture they have built together, stating that employees are the future and hope of Hanmi.
Separately, on the same day, division heads and senior executives of Hanmi Pharmaceutical staged a protest and issued a joint statement demanding an apology from Shin and an end to what they described as undue management interference. In the statement, the executives said they felt deep anger and distress over Shin’s alleged remarks defending the executive accused of sexual misconduct and his inappropriate involvement in management, vowing not to remain silent until the matter is properly resolved.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
