"Forced to Undress and Shamed... A 30-Year-Old Worker's Will Hoping No One Else Suffers Like Me"

Harassed by Seniors at Work
"There is More Evidence on Company PC, Please Investigate Thoroughly"
Left a Will and Photos on Phone, Took Extreme Measures

The appearance of senior colleagues at the workplace who are known to have bullied Mr. A / Photo by MBC Broadcasting Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The suicide note of a man in his 30s who ended his life by suicide in 2018 was revealed belatedly. According to the note, the worker was continuously harassed by seniors at his workplace.

On the 24th, MBC's 'News Desk' reported that Mr. A (36), who worked at a domestic steel company, was found dead in his car parked in an empty lot in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, on November 25, 2018. Three days prior, on the 22nd of the same month, he left home saying he was "going to his rented room" and then lost contact.

A cellphone found with Mr. A's body contained about 25 minutes of video footage capturing his last moments, along with a suicide note titled "A Letter."

In the note, Mr. A mentioned seniors at his company, Mr. B and Mr. C, claiming that since joining the company, he had been continuously sexually harassed and bullied by them.

Mr. A stated, "In April 2012, when Mr. B joined, he asked if I had tattoos. He made me wear only underwear, inspected my body, and humiliated me in front of several people." He added, "I couldn't speak up because I didn't want to be targeted. I feel deeply resentful and heartbroken."

He also added, "On December 10, 2016, around 4:30 PM at a restaurant, he kissed me on the cheek, and again at 5:40 PM at the karaoke entrance. I really hated those actions."

Before ending his life by an extreme choice, Mr. A left a will, photos, and videos on his mobile phone. / Photo by MBC Broadcasting Capture

Mr. A's work department was a noisy environment, and he reportedly suffered from hearing loss due to this. He requested a department transfer, but it was not granted. He detailed the incidents he endured over his six years at the company in his note and urged juniors not to suffer because of "filthy insects like those."

Mr. A's cellphone also contained photos taken with colleagues. In the photo, among nine men, only two were clothed, while the others were naked, covering their private parts with their hands.

Regarding the photo, Mr. A said, "This is a photo that (the company seniors) consider a source of pride," and urged, "There must be more on the company PC, so please investigate thoroughly so that victims like me do not appear again."

The bereaved family, who disclosed Mr. A's note and photos in an interview with MBC, said, "(Mr. A) usually did not share detailed circumstances with family but only said things like 'It's too hard' and 'They insult and harass me.'"

Meanwhile, the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service recognized in January last year that Mr. A's death was an industrial accident caused by workplace harassment. Although the family reported seniors Mr. B and Mr. C to the police on charges including sexual harassment, the investigation agency concluded that "the statute of limitations has expired due to the time elapsed, and there is insufficient evidence," so they could not be punished.

The family recently filed an appeal with the prosecution requesting reinvestigation and also filed a lawsuit for damages against the perpetrators.

※ If you have difficult feelings such as depression or know family or acquaintances experiencing such difficulties, you can receive 24-hour professional counseling through suicide prevention hotline ☎ 1393, mental health counseling ☎ 1577-0199, Hope Call ☎ 129, Lifeline ☎ 1588-9191, Youth Hotline ☎ 1388, youth mobile counseling app 'Da Deureojul Gae,' KakaoTalk, and others.