Will claims of 'sexual exploitation' and 'labor exploitation' against Hwang Jung-min hold up? W200m mediation hearing draws attention

A court mediation hearing is being held Friday in a 200 million won ($141,000) damages lawsuit filed against actor Hwang Jung-min by a woman, identified only as A, who has raised allegations about his private life.

Senior Judge Lee Seong-jin of Seoul Central District Court's Civil Division 42 is presiding over the mediation session in the case A filed against Hwang.

In civil proceedings, mediation is a system designed to resolve disputes peacefully and swiftly through agreement between the parties.

A filed the 200 million won damages suit against Hwang in February, claiming she suffered emotional, sexual and labor exploitation during her interactions with him beginning in 2023. She alleges that at Hwang's request she handled branding work for a soju product and wrote more than 30 pieces of writing, including fiction containing sexual content.

Judge Lee referred the case to mediation in June. If no settlement is reached, the case returns to the court.

Hwang, meanwhile, filed a stalking complaint against A in August last year, and criminal proceedings against her are ongoing. Prosecutors initially sought a summary indictment with a fine of 3 million won, but A requested a full trial, which is now underway.

At a hearing held Tuesday before Senior Judge Kim Yeong-a of the Goyang Branch of Uijeongbu District Court's Criminal Division 4, prosecutors sought a fine of 10 million won against A on the stalking charges.

A has denied the stalking allegations outright, arguing that the relationship involved mutual contact rather than one-sided pursuit. Hwang, however, contends that despite clearly expressing his refusal, A continued to contact him, threatened to take her own life, and even reached out to his minor children.

A verdict on the stalking charges against A is expected Sept. 8.