74 Gathered for Assembly... March to Management Office Front
Some Residents Hang Support Banners
About 70 colleagues of a security guard who left a suicide note exposing the 'gapjil' (abuse of power) by the manager and took an extreme step held a rally demanding the resignation of the management office chief.
On the 20th, 74 security guards of an apartment complex in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, gathered in front of the apartment main gate in the morning and raised their voices, saying, "We will resolutely act by any means until the residents' representative meeting accepts our demand to dismiss the management office chief." They then marched toward the management office chanting slogans such as "The management office chief who drove the team leader to an unjust death must apologize to the bereaved family and step down immediately." The management office chief came to work that day but ultimately did not show up.
More than 70 fellow security guards held a rally on the 20th in front of an apartment in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where a security guard who left a will exposing the manager's 'gapjil' and took an extreme measure had worked, demanding the manager's resignation. [Photo by Yonhap News]
On the morning of the 14th, Park (74), who had worked as a security guard at this apartment for 11 years, took his own life by jumping from the 9th floor after sending a suicide note via mobile phone to his colleagues, stating that he was struggling due to the 'gapjil' of the person responsible for management. His colleagues claim that the management office chief, protected by the chairman of the residents' representative meeting, subjected Park to unfair personnel measures and personal insults, which led to his death.
The security guards have suffered from job insecurity due to short-term three-month contracts and restructuring. In fact, after the management office's outsourcing company changed in December last year, 13 security guards were not retained and left their jobs. After Park's death, six security guards submitted resignation letters citing unfair work orders and job insecurity, and about ten others have expressed their intention to resign.
Meanwhile, a new banner appeared at the back gate of the apartment reading, "The chairman of the residents' representative meeting and the management office chief who left death to the staff and an indelible scar to the residents must step down immediately. From all residents." A resident living in this apartment said, "Residents who share the same will united to put up the banner," adding, "The management office chief is currently protesting to have it taken down."
Previously, right after Park's death, a memorial banner stating, "A security guard left a suicide note and died by jumping due to the gapjil of the management office chief and the chairman of the residents' representative meeting. From all security guards and cleaners," was hung in the apartment. However, due to residents' protests fearing a drop in property prices, the banner at the main gate was removed.
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