K-pop girl group NewJeans have announced they will end their contract with their agency, ADOR, citing the company's dispute with its former CEO and breach of contract with the artists.

Members of the band held a news conference late Thursday, and said neither ADOR nor the parent firm HYBE have shown any intent to improve matters or accept their demands. 

Speculation had mounted that the five-member group may leave the company to support their executive producer and former ADOR CEO, Min Hee-jin, who was dismissed from her position by the board of HYBE for allegedly trying to wrestle control of ADOR.

ADOR on Friday issued a statement in response to the previous day’s statement by NewJeans, saying it did not violate the terms of its contract with the band and contended that the agreement is valid until July 31, 2029, and denied responsibility for many of the issues the artists identified as contract violations. 

ADOR said the contract does not require that a specific person serve as CEO and that the decision falls within the purview of the board of directors.

ADOR said it intends to fulfill its role as the group’s management agency and will seek to hold a meet-and-greet event, release the group’s new album and arrange a world tour next year.