"Men Should Have Three Women" Center Director's Controversial Remark... Over 50 Resignations in 4 Years

Repeatedly Making Inappropriate Remarks Such as Criticizing Employees' Appearance

A KBS news video on the 25th reporting that the director of a women's family welfare center in Seoul repeatedly used abusive language towards staff. / Photo by KBS Broadcasting Screen Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Allegations have been raised that the director of a women and family welfare center in Seoul, operated under the commission of a local government, repeatedly made offensive remarks belittling women and people with disabilities.

According to a KBS report on the 25th, employees working at the women and family welfare center claimed that Director A, who took office in 2017, frequently made inappropriate comments such as criticizing employees' appearances and belittling people with disabilities. The welfare center conducts projects such as childcare and family counseling.

In a recording released by the employees, Director A said, "If you were born looking like OOO, I wouldn’t say anything," criticizing an employee’s appearance.

He also instructed employees to secure budgets by emphasizing femininity, saying things like, "Have teacher OOO ask cutely, 'What should we buy?'"

According to employees who worked at the center, Director A also made disparaging or prejudiced remarks about women, such as, "Maybe it’s because our employees haven’t experienced in-law family life," and "Brunch is something that moms who have nothing to do eat after sending their kids to school because they’re too lazy to prepare breakfast."

Employee B stated, "(Director A) also said things like, 'Bring me a proper pen, not one like this broken disabled person’s pen,' while using a broken pen."

It was also reported that at a past event, Director A made remarks such as, "A man should have three women: a woman to walk on a forest path, a woman for household chores, and a woman to share a bed with," which drew protests from local residents.

Due to such offensive remarks, it is understood that over 50 employees resigned during the four years Director A held the position.

Meanwhile, the local government stated that Director A has currently been placed on standby leave and that a labor law firm has been appointed to investigate the incident.