Seoul National University Launches Investigation into Alleged Workplace Bullying Following Death of Cleaning Worker

The National Democratic General Labor Union held a press conference on the 7th regarding the death of Mr. Lee, a cleaning worker at Seoul National University, urging Seoul National University to take measures and punish those responsible. Photo by So Young Kim sozero815@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Seoul National University has decided to launch an investigation into allegations of workplace bullying following the discovery of a cleaning worker found dead on campus.

On the 8th, Seoul National University announced, "Regarding the death of the cleaning worker at Gwanak Student Dormitory, the university president has ordered the Human Rights Center to conduct an objective investigation into whether there was any human rights violation due to workplace bullying."

During this period, the dormitory safety management team leader, who was the manager of the deceased Mr. Lee (59) and is suspected of bullying, will be reassigned to other duties. Disciplinary actions will be decided after the Human Rights Center completes its investigation.

In addition, Seoul National University professors have called for a thorough fact-finding and measures to prevent recurrence. The Seoul National University Professors’ Council for Democratization (MinGyohyeop), consisting of about 40 professors including Professor Jung Yongwook from the Department of Korean History, stated in a press release that "It must be thoroughly investigated whether the death of the cleaning worker can be considered workplace harassment."

The council added, "Demands for workers’ safety, requirements for neat attire unrelated to work, and unnecessary tests are behaviors that are difficult to accept," and urged, "A joint fact-finding committee should be formed to determine whether this was workplace bullying or an industrial accident."

Earlier, on the 26th of last month, cleaning worker Mr. Lee was found dead in the cleaning workers’ break room at the university dormitory. The bereaved family and labor union claimed that he had suffered from workplace bullying, stating that after the appointment of a new safety management team leader last month, cleaning workers were subjected to workplace bullying.

On the 7th, the National Democratic General Labor Union (Minju No Chong) and the bereaved family held a press conference in front of the administrative building at Seoul National University’s Gwanak Campus, condemning President Oh Se-jung and demanding measures to prevent recurrence. They also delivered a protest letter to President Oh Se-jung.

At the event, the union stated, "They established weekly meetings and instructed workers to wear neat clothing such as suits, pressured those who came in work clothes or without carrying pens or notebooks by deducting points that affect performance evaluations," and claimed, "They made workers write 'Gwanak Student Dormitory' in English or Chinese characters and asked unnecessary questions such as the dormitory’s first opening year."

It was also revealed that the Gwanak Student Dormitory, which Mr. Lee was solely responsible for, had no elevator and was large in scale, resulting in a high workload. Mr. Lee reportedly carried 6 to 7 fully packed 100ℓ garbage bags alone every day in this four-story building without an elevator.