‘Verbal Abuse Controversy’ Women Entrepreneurs Association Vice President Dismissed... Ministry of SMEs and Startups Launches Special Inspection

Jung Yoon-sook, President of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, is delivering a New Year's address at the 2020 Women Entrepreneurs New Year's Meeting held on January 17th at the Western Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] The Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association (hereinafter referred to as KWEA), embroiled in controversy over Chairman Jeong Yunsuk's 'verbal abuse and power harassment,' has come under scrutiny again after suddenly dismissing its vice president. The Ministry of SMEs and Startups has launched a special inspection of KWEA.

According to KWEA on the 4th, the association held a board meeting on the 3rd of this month and resolved to dismiss Executive Vice President Lee Euijun.

The reason for dismissal was reportedly that he "neglected his role to assist the chairman and failed to reach an agreement with the staff."

In response, the vice president's side immediately protested. They stated, "The dismissal agenda was not included in the notice for the 126th board meeting, and on the day of the meeting, the chairman applied Article 22 (Additional Agenda) of the meeting regulations to raise the issue on the spot. When the dismissal was proposed, neither the person concerned nor the attending executives were given specific reasons for the dismissal, and the association's executives interrupted the explanation, effectively denying the opportunity to defend."

The vice president's side also argues that this dismissal violates the articles of association, which stipulate that "executive officers must be appointed or dismissed with the chairman obtaining the board's consent and consulting with the competent authority." They claim that KWEA did not consult with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups when dismissing the vice president.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is reportedly conducting a special inspection since the 31st of last month to thoroughly examine various controversies related to KWEA raised in the media. The ministry conducts on-site regular audits of affiliated organizations such as the Korea Federation of SMEs and KWEA every three years. Although KWEA's regular audit was originally scheduled for late September to early October this year, the ministry initiated a special inspection following the recent verbal abuse controversy involving Chairman Jeong.

A ministry official said, "If related matters are reported to the ministry, we will proceed with 'consultations' with KWEA according to the articles of association."

Jeong, who served as a Saenuri Party (now the United Future Party) lawmaker during the 19th National Assembly, was earlier embroiled in controversy this year for allegedly verbally abusing staff with phrases such as "Hey, you XX, get it right," "You XX who answer like that, do you keep them? If I were a man, I would have disciplined them with my fists." This controversy came to light after KWEA employee A recently filed a complaint against Chairman Jeong with the police. A is reported to be on paid leave and currently receiving psychiatric treatment. The police sent the case to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment on the 29th of last month.