[Edaily Reporter LEE YOU-RIM ] A former manager, who was indicted on charges of demanding money by using the disclosure of TV personality Park Na-rae’s private life as leverage, denied most of the charges during his first court hearing.

On the 29th, the 4th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court held the first hearing for Mr. Shin and Mr. Lee, Park’s former managers, who were indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts (joint extortion).

According to prosecutors, the two are accused of attempting—but failing—to extort money by threatening to expose allegations regarding Park’s private life and her company.

The prosecution stated, “Defendant Shin demanded an incentive of approximately 250 million won—equivalent to 10% of the company’s annual revenue—from the victim’s labor attorney and threatened, ‘If you don’t pay, I don’t know what to do about workplace harassment, personal insults, and sexual misconduct.’”

They further explained, “When the victim refused, the defendant, Mr. Lee, pressured him again via text message, threatening to expose allegations of sexual harassment, proxy prescriptions, and lewd acts in a vehicle, and attempted—but failed—to extort a large settlement by tipping off the media.”

Separately, Mr. Shin is also charged with embezzling approximately 44 million won from Mr. Park’s company (embezzlement in the course of business and computer fraud).

On that day, Mr. Shin’s defense attorney denied the major charges, with the exception of a few. The attorney argued, “Regarding the charge of joint extortion, it was a legitimate exercise of his right to claim money he was rightfully owed after retirement, and there is no truth to the claim that he linked a tip-off to the media to the payment of money or demanded 500 million won.”

Regarding the charges of fraud involving the use of computers and other devices, the defense countered, “The money was paid in accordance with a performance-based bonus agreement, and the defendant never transferred the funds personally.” Regarding the embezzlement of event expenses, the defense added, “The transfers were made with the victim’s prior consent, so there is no evidence of intent to unlawfully appropriate the funds.”

Previously, former managers filed a criminal complaint against Ms. Park on charges including defamation and violations of the Information and Communications Network Act, alleging abuse of power and illegal acts. Ms. Park, in turn, filed a counter-complaint against them on charges including extortion and embezzlement in the course of business. Since the controversy erupted, Ms. Park has suspended all broadcasting activities.