Nursing Assistant Poses with 'Uterus Model' on Abdomen for Photo... Oriental Medicine Doctor Says "Don't Remember Clearly"

Employment and Labor Office Receives Reports of Workplace Bullying and Sexual Harassment

[Photo by Getty Images Bank]

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Yeeun] A Korean medicine doctor (director) who inserted acupuncture needles into the abdomen of a nursing assistant working at a Korean medicine clinic without consent, or placed a uterus model on her abdomen and took photos to upload online, has sparked public outrage.

According to YTN, nursing assistant A, who works at a Korean medicine clinic in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, filed a complaint against clinic director B, who caused bruising by inserting acupuncture needles into her abdomen and took photos of it for promotional purposes.

The photos released by A clearly showed bruises below the navel where the needles had been inserted.

A said, "When I asked (B) if she was going to insert needles now, she did not respond or say anything and just told me to keep lying down," adding, "My human rights were disregarded. It hurt my pride and was humiliating."

The director, a Korean medicine doctor, placed a uterus model on the nurse assistant's abdomen, took a photo, and uploaded it to the internet.
/Photo by YTN Broadcast Capture

B also took photos placing a uterus model on A’s abdomen and posted them online along with the other photos.

Additionally, employees were forced to sign pledges stating they would accept resignation if they caused disturbances, and when a mistake by an employee caused the herbal decoction machine to overflow, most employees had 50,000 won deducted from their monthly salary for six months.

When asked by YTN whether B had obtained consent before taking promotional photos, B said, "I don’t remember exactly," but added, "There was no coercion."

Regarding forcing employees to sign pledges and arbitrarily deducting salaries, B claimed, "It was intended to raise awareness."

Meanwhile, the Employment and Labor Office has received reports of workplace harassment and sexual harassment, and plans to investigate the director and others after hearing the nursing assistant’s testimony.