‘Workplace Bullying’ and ‘Free Meal Controversy’ Senior Officials Face ‘Key Positions’ Under Scrutiny in Regular Personnel Reshuffle

Jeju-do Director A Reported for 'Grievance Handling' by Pregnant Employee at Previous Workplace
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[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won] A high-ranking public official in Jeju Province is embroiled in controversy over ‘workplace harassment,’ commonly referred to as gapjil, sparking widespread gossip. In particular, this official was included in Governor Oh Young-hoon’s first regular personnel reshuffle on the 3rd, causing repercussions for the governor’s personnel decisions as well.

According to Jeju Province on the 11th, a grievance report was filed on the 14th of last month alleging that Director A harassed a pregnant employee at his previous workplace, the Jeju International Convention Center.

The incident dates back to the 6th of last month. The complainant, Ms. B, who filed the grievance, was 23 weeks pregnant at the time and it was a legally guaranteed day off for fetal checkups under the Labor Standards Act. At 6:39 p.m. that day, she received a message from a center employee asking her to handle a press release scheduled for the next day.

Since it was late and her day off, Ms. B replied that she would handle it the next day and proceeded with the task immediately upon arriving at work the following day. While waiting for approval, she received a text message from Director A saying, “Timing is important in work. Distribute the press release now.”

Ms. B explained to Director A that the press release could not be issued at that time, but he responded with his usual informal and coercive tone, pressuring her to release it immediately and saying, “If there’s a problem, report it to the Audit Committee.”

Furthermore, Director A reportedly used a commanding informal tone in all communications, from work instructions to conveying opinions, and despite not being the final approver but merely a collaborator, he insisted on his own way and disrupted work, causing Ms. B significant stress.

Ms. B had consulted management about taking early maternity leave due to bleeding during pregnancy a week before the incident, and after the harassment incident, she submitted a medical certificate confirming severe bleeding and hospital treatment.

Regarding this, Director A admitted, “It is true that I said, ‘If there is a problem with the work, report it to the Audit Committee,’” but added, “I had less frequent work interactions with Ms. B compared to other employees and am not sure what the issue is.”

The noise surrounding Director A does not end there.

Since his assignment to the center in December last year until the end of April this year, he reportedly ate meals without paying, and after an investigation by the Jeju Province Audit Committee, it was confirmed that he later made a lump-sum payment for the meals.

According to center regulations, employees who do not pay for meals sign a register placed in the cafeteria before eating. However, as Director A is affiliated with Jeju Provincial Government and receives meal allowances monthly according to public official salary regulations, he is required to purchase meal tickets.

Nevertheless, Director A did not pay for meals, only signed the register like regular employees, and ate for about four months. This was revealed through the provincial audit committee’s investigation, and it is known that he subsequently made a lump-sum payment.

With such controversies surrounding him, Director A’s appointment to an important position in Governor Oh Young-hoon’s first regular personnel reshuffle on the 3rd has sparked strong criticism.

Mr. C, a union official at the center, criticized, “If Director A ate free meals without knowing the regulations despite his 30 years of public service experience, it is a matter of competence; if he knew the rules, it is a matter of conscience. It is incomprehensible that a person who caused internal conflicts during his dispatch to the center is now in charge of Jeju’s integrity, communication, and innovation.”

The Jeju branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions’ National Public Transport and Social Service Labor Union stated, “We plan to determine our response level once the grievance investigation results are released on the 13th. Depending on the fairness of the investigation and the outcome, we intend to hold a press conference and meet with the governor, and we will consider legal action while preparing responses for all possible scenarios.”

In response, Director A said, “I will respond according to administrative procedures once the investigation results are out,” but refrained from further comment.

Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won baekok@asiae.co.kr