Legal Disputes and Allegations against Dog Trainer Kang Hyung-wook and Bodeum Company

1. Summary

• The report titled 'Legal Disputes and Allegations against Dog Trainer Kang Hyung-wook and Bodeum Company' investigates claims of workplace mistreatment and invasive surveillance by Kang Hyung-wook and his wife, Susan Elder, at their company, Bodeum. These allegations, spearheaded by former employees, include verbal abuse and deliberate monitoring through CCTV and internal messaging. The significance of these claims is accentuated by the substantial public and legal attention they have garnered, with debates extending to media platforms. Key elements of the report encompass the nature of the accusations, responses from Kang and his wife, Susan Elder, the reactions from the public and media, and the legal preparations being undertaken with the help of attorney Park Hoon, who is providing pro bono representation to the affected employees. The controversy highlights the extensive implications for the reputations of Kang Hyung-wook and Bodeum Company, including the temporary suspension of Kang's participation in the KBS entertainment program 'Dogs Are Incredible.'

2. Incident Overview

• 2-1. Introduction to the controversy involving Kang Hyung-wook

• The controversy surrounding Kang Hyung-wook, a well-known dog trainer, and his company Bodeum began when former employees accused him and his wife of verbal abuse and invasive surveillance. The situation drew significant public and legal interest, leading to a series of accusations and counterclaims.

• 2-2. Background of Kang Hyung-wook and Bodeum Company

• Kang Hyung-wook is the CEO of Bodeum Company, a business that specializes in dog training. His reputation as a celebrity dog trainer brought attention to the allegations, further complicating the situation. His wife, Susan Elder, is also involved in the company and has been mentioned in the accusations.

• 2-3. Initial accusations from former employees

• Former employees have accused Kang Hyung-wook and his wife of several instances of workplace mistreatment. One significant allegation includes the installation of multiple CCTV cameras purportedly for security but allegedly used to monitor employees. Additional claims involve recorded evidence of verbal abuse, with one incident including Kang shouting 'Get out, you are not even worth the air you breathe' for over 20 minutes. Employees have reported ongoing trauma from these experiences. Kang's wife has also admitted to monitoring internal employee messages, justifying her actions as a response to ridicule of their child. Legal actions are being considered, with some former employees planning to work with attorney Park Hoon, who has offered pro bono representation.

3. Accusations Against Kang Hyung-wook

• 3-1. Details of alleged verbal abuse

• Several former employees have accused Kang Hyung-wook of engaging in verbal abuse. One employee, identified as B, claimed that Kang yelled at a trainer for over 20 minutes, saying things like 'crawl out, you don't even deserve to breathe.' Some former staff members have reportedly retained recordings of these incidents. The employees have described the traumatic lasting effects of these abusive encounters.

• 3-2. Claims of CCTV and messenger surveillance

• Former employees have alleged that Kang Hyung-wook used CCTV and messenger surveillance to monitor their activities. They stated that CCTVs were installed not for security but for surveillance purposes, with specific instances where fake CCTV cameras were placed at the entrance while the offices were fully covered. The accusations include monitoring internal communications, with his wife, Susan Elder, admitting to watching the company messenger due to perceived insults about their son.

• 3-3. Evidence presented by former employees including recordings and statements

• The former employees have presented various pieces of evidence to support their claims. This includes audio recordings of verbal abuse and detailed statements recounting the surveillance and mistreatment. They have sought the assistance of labor attorney Park Hoon, who has offered to provide free legal representation. The lawyer has mentioned his intent to explore these claims, noting the detailed accusations as likely indications of truth against Kang's denials.

4. Responses from Kang Hyung-wook and Involved Parties

• 4-1. Kang Hyung-wook's and his wife's public statements and denials

• Renowned dog trainer Kang Hyung-wook and his wife issued public statements on YouTube denying allegations of workplace mistreatment and abusive behavior. In the video, Kang stated that CCTV installations were for theft prevention and external visitor verification, not for employee surveillance. He also expressed a desire to apologize to any employees who felt wronged, while firmly rejecting allegations of verbal abuse as baseless.

• 4-2. Admission of messenger surveillance by Kang's wife

• Kang's wife, Susan Elder, admitted to monitoring internal company messages, justifying her actions by claiming that derogatory remarks about her son infuriated her. Former employees criticized these explanations, disputing that any such comments were made about her son.

• 4-3. Public and media reaction to the responses

• The public and media have shown significant interest in this controversy. Some media outlets and former employees have expressed skepticism about Kang Hyung-wook's and his wife's denials, especially regarding CCTV usage and verbal abuse allegations. Criticism was directed at the couple for allegedly turning their clarification video into a witch hunt against the accusers. Kang's ongoing appearances in media, particularly the suspension of his show 'Dogs are Incredible,' further fueled public discourse.

• 4-4. Legal representation and support for former employees

• Former employees have sought legal representation and support from attorney Park Hoon, who offered his services pro bono. Park expressed serious doubts about the truthfulness of Kang's and his wife's denials, highlighting detailed and consistent allegations from multiple former employees. He stated his resolve to assist any former employees who felt unjustly treated without seeking any success fee.

5. Legal Implications and Preparations

• 5-1. Potential Legal Actions and Litigations

• Former employees of Kang Hyung-wook's Bodeum Company are preparing legal actions against Kang Hyung-wook and his wife, disputing their denial of accusations related to workplace mistreatment. The former employees have engaged in consultations with lawyer Park Hoon, who has offered pro bono representation. The legal allegations include claims of verbal abuse and surveillance through CCTV and company messengers.

• 5-2. Role of the Pro Bono Legal Representation by Lawyer Park Hoon

• Lawyer Park Hoon, known for his previous involvement in high-profile cases, has offered to represent the former employees of Bodeum Company without charge. Park Hoon expressed disbelief at the denial from Kang Hyung-wook and his wife and decided to provide free legal assistance and waive any success fees. Park Hoon confirmed that he has been contacted by one of the alleged victims and is in the process of understanding the details of the case.

• 5-3. Impact on Bodeum Company and Kang Hyung-wook's Professional Standing

• The allegations have significantly impacted Bodeum Company's public image and Kang Hyung-wook’s professional standing. Despite Kang Hyung-wook's attempt to refute the accusations through a YouTube video on his channel, the controversy has grown with former employees coming forward to provide counter-evidence. These ongoing disputes may lead to further reputational damage and potential business repercussions for Bodeum Company.

• 5-4. Status of Kang Hyung-wook's Involvement in KBS Entertainment Program

• Kang Hyung-wook's participation in the KBS entertainment program 'Dogs Are Incredible' has been temporarily suspended. The program had not aired episodes as scheduled on the 20th and the 24th of the month. It remains uncertain if and when Kang Hyung-wook will return to the broadcast, as the controversy around his workplace conduct continues to make headlines.

6. Conclusion

• The allegations against Kang Hyung-wook and Bodeum Company underscore vital issues of workplace ethics and corporate responsibility. The key findings, including accusations of verbal abuse and extensive surveillance, question the employment practices at Bodeum and the personal conduct of Kang and his wife, Susan Elder. The involvement of Park Hoon in providing legal representation gives significant weight to the former employees' claims and accentuates the public's and legal system's interest in addressing workplace wrongdoings. However, these conclusions are not without their limitations—the report remains based on allegations that are yet to be tested thoroughly in a legal setting. Moving forward, the resolution of this controversy hinges on the judicial examination of evidence and testimonies, which will set important precedents for similar future disputes. For workplace environments at large, this case stresses the importance of transparency, ethical conduct, and the legal mechanisms available to address grievances. Practical applicability ensures that organizations must review their own practices to prevent similar issues, promoting a work culture based on respect and legal compliance. The future prospects suggest sustained public and media scrutiny, further impacting the professional and personal life of Kang Hyung-wook and affecting Bodeum Company's operations and public image.

7. Glossary

• 7-1. Kang Hyung-wook [Person]

• Kang Hyung-wook is a renowned dog trainer and the central figure accused of verbal abuse and invasive surveillance towards his employees. His explanations and denials are scrutinized in light of the claims made by former employees.

• 7-2. Bodeum Company [Company]

• Bodeum Company, co-managed by Kang Hyung-wook and his wife, is implicated in allegations of workplace abuse. These accusations entail serious concerns regarding company practices and employee treatment.

• 7-3. Park Hoon [Person]

• Park Hoon is the lawyer who has volunteered to represent the accusing former employees of Bodeum Company pro bono. His involvement adds a legal dimension to the ongoing controversy.

• 7-4. CCTV and Messenger Surveillance [Issue]

• Accusations of CCTV and messenger surveillance contribute to the seriousness of the workplace mistreatment claims. These practices are central to the employees' allegations against Kang Hyung-wook and his wife.

• 7-5. KBS Entertainment Program [Event]

• Kang Hyung-wook's involvement in this program has been affected by the allegations, raising concerns about his public image and professional engagements.

8. Source Documents

• "강형욱 20분 넘게 폭언, 녹취 있다"… 추가 폭로에 법정다툼 이어지나https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/A2024052713570004574
• “강형욱 20분 폭언, 녹취 있다”…전 직원들, 법정 갈까https://v.daum.net/v/20240527161742652
• 강형욱 사과·해명에 前 직원 반박...박훈 변호사는 무료 변론 자청https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/A2024052514210004524