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Kurly CEO Kim Seul-ah speaks at the 2023 Kurly Food Festa conference at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul. (Photo=Market Kurly) |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] The husband of Kurly CEO Kim Seul-ah has been indicted on charges of indecent assault involving a trainee employee at the company.
According to industry sources on the 1st, prosecutors have indicted Jung, CEO of Next Kitchen and Kim’s husband, without detention on charges of forcible indecent assault.
Jung is accused of sexually assaulting a trainee employee, identified as A, in June last year. The employee subsequently filed a criminal complaint against him on charges of indecent assault.
Kurly’s 2024 business report shows that Kurly is the largest shareholder of Next Kitchen, holding a 45.23% stake. Next Kitchen develops products supplied to Kurly, and nearly all of its revenue is reportedly generated through transactions with Kurly. In 2024 alone, Kurly purchased approximately KRW 25.3 billion worth of products from Next Kitchen.
Next Kitchen was established in 2019 through the merger of Collins, a former Kurly affiliate, and its subsidiary Central Kitchen.
With Kim Seul-ah’s husband now facing criminal prosecution over allegations involving a Kurly employee, concerns are growing that the case could pose a reputational risk to Kurly as it pursues an initial public offering (IPO).
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
