Jeonnam Education Office Union Raises Suspicions of Serious Harassment by Abusive Administrative Manager

The Jeonnam Office of Education Branch of the National Public Officials Labor Union claimed on the 5th that an administrative support manager at A Education Support Office engaged in power abuse and urged for a fact-finding investigation. Photo by Jeonnam Office of Education Labor Union

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] The Jeonnam Office of Education branch of the National Public Officials Labor Union strongly urged a thorough investigation on the alleged abuse of power by the head of an administrative support division at A Education Support Office on the 5th.

The union held a press conference in front of the provincial education office on the same day, demanding, “Immediately take personnel action against the abusive administrative support division head who is driving members to death, conduct a fact-finding investigation, and establish measures to prevent recurrence.”

They pointed out, “Due to the abusive division head, employees are experiencing severe fear making normal work difficult, and it has been confirmed that they are enduring each day with psychiatric medication prescribed through mental health treatment due to feelings of self-loathing and suicidal impulses.”

They continued, “The abusive division head was always high-handed and issued coercive work orders. If anyone presented a different opinion or did not give the desired answer, he shouted loudly so all employees could hear and continuously made unthinkable personal insults without hesitation.”

The union stated, “Union members at the education support office were so anxious that just hearing footsteps or voices caused obsessive fears, making normal daily life impossible,” and “A fellow employee shared that there were more than a few times when they wanted to let go of the car steering wheel on the way to and from work out of fear of facing the abusive division head.”

They added, “The education superintendent did not take any action but told the suffering employees to endure and overcome,” and demanded, “Immediately separate the abusive administrative division head from the employees to prevent secondary damage, and establish policies to improve organizational culture and prevent recurrence of abusive violence.”

An employee at A Education Support Office said, “It is true that there are employees claiming abuse of power by the administrative division head, but it is difficult to say that all employees are affected,” and added, “The division head has been on leave since the 5th and has not come to work. Detailed responses will be provided by the provincial education office’s audit department.”

On the day, multiple attempts to contact the administrative support division head for a statement were unsuccessful.

A representative from the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education audit department stated, “We plan to start an audit from the 6th targeting all staff at the relevant education support office regarding the abuse allegations,” and added, “If the abuse is confirmed, disciplinary action will be taken.”