"What's Not Abuse of Power?"... Seoul National University 'Team Leader Supporter' Was Former Advisor

On the 7th, members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a banner and hand placards with related content at the "Press Conference Condemning Seoul National University President Oh Se-jung Regarding the Death of a Seoul National University Cleaning Worker Union Member" held in front of the Seoul National University Administration Building.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] It has been revealed that a professor who supervised Team Leader A, who was suspected of power abuse in the death case of a cleaning worker at Seoul National University, posted a supportive message about A on social media (SNS).

On the 8th, Professor B of Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration wrote a private post on his SNS stating, "There is no basis to conclude that the death of cleaning worker Lee was caused by power abuse." The post included content along the lines of, "If encouraging workers to improve product quality, maintaining dignity as employees, and experiencing stress from work are all considered power abuse, then what actions by employers would not be considered power abuse?"

According to a report by Kukmin Ilbo on the 11th, Professor B, who posted this message, is known to have had a connection with Team Leader A, who is under suspicion of power abuse. In 2014, when A wrote a thesis at Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration, B served as his thesis advisor. Additionally, A was hired as a staff member while B was involved in the dormitory work that became controversial this time.

Earlier, on the 9th, Koo Min-gyo, the Director of Administration at Seoul National University, also posted on his Facebook, "It is disgusting to see people pretending to be victims one after another over the tragic death of one person." Following criticism, Director Koo changed the post to private on the 10th and explained, "The part about victim cosplay being disgusting was directed at the political circles. It was not about the bereaved family or other cleaning workers," and "Even if the bereaved family's situation is pitiful, one cannot turn another non-regular contract worker in middle management into a perpetrator based solely on one-sided claims to receive industrial accident recognition."

However, there is also criticism that it is inappropriate for professors to defend Team Leader A before the school’s detailed investigation results are released. Seoul National University stated, "The remarks by the professors are personal opinions and do not represent the official stance of Seoul National University," and added, "We will view the situation objectively until the Human Rights Center’s investigation results are announced."