A Korean civil rights group is likely to file a lawsuit against Korean entertainment agency JYP for a human rights violation, calling its decision to make a young Taiwanese artist apologize on the Web “ignorant.”

Park Jin-young (left, JYP Entertainment) and Twice's Tzuyu (MBC)

In the statement Monday, the Center for Multicultural Korea, a Seoul-based nonprofit organization, blasted JYP for “coercing a Taiwanese starlet to apologize” and “infringing human rights of its artists,” referring to an apology given Friday by its starlet Tzuyu, member of girl group Twice, who waved a Taiwanese flag on the Korean entertainment show “My Little Television.”

“There is nothing wrong with a Taiwanese starlet’s behavior of waving two flags (on the show): the Korean flag, respecting the home country of her agency JYP, and a flag of the Republic of China, her place of birth,” the CMCK said. “JYP turned a blind eye to the young talent.”

The organization, designed to assist foreign residents settle into Korean life, aims to file a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. If any misgivings or signs of coercion by JYP are found in the NHRCK’s investigation, the CMCK will consider suing the agency and seeking a criminal charge, it added Monday.

On Friday, the Taiwanese singer expressed an apology for making a “mistake” that “damaged” her company and said she is “proud of being Chinese.” The video of her reading a statement of apology was posted via JYP’s official YouTube account.

(OSEN)

The controversy surrounding the 16-year-old Tzuyu ignited nationwide furor in Taiwan, especially those in favor of independence from China. The video of Tzuyu’s apology posted one day before Taiwan election reportedly drew the ire of many Taiwanese, triggering a boost in support for the opposition Democratic Progressive Party and its victorious presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen.

Some observers say the flag flap was the reason behind the party's resounding victory, which led to the ruling Kuomintang’s defeat and pro-China leader Ma Ying-jou’s abdication.

The CMCK hoped the incident would be watershed for correcting management agencies’ poor treatment of young trainees.

“We would like to take a more comprehensive approach, by looking further into the cases of entertainment agencies exploiting underage trainees.”

By Son Ji-hyoung (json@heraldcorp.com)