Controversy Over SME CEO's Verbal Abuse and Assault on Yeonsuon University Student Saying "I'll Scratch Your Eyes Out"

Controversy Over Verbal Abuse and Assault by CEO of a Small Gyeonggi Company
University Student Worker Kicked in the Side and Poked Under the Eye
Assaulted Visiting Parents as Well... CEO Claims "I Didn't Hit Them"

The CEO of a small and medium-sized enterprise in Gyeonggi Province has been accused of verbally abusing and assaulting a college student worker.

According to JTBC's 'Sageon Banjang' on the 21st, informant A received a message from his 20-year-old son B on June 10th stating that he had been "assaulted by the company CEO." A's son is a junior college student who participated in a school-linked corporate program starting in March. This program allows students to earn academic credits by living in the company's dormitory and working there, with the contract period lasting until the end of this month.

Mr. C roughly pushing Mr. A away. [Image source=JTBC 'Sageonbanjang' broadcast screen capture]

At the time, B claimed that after finishing his work attendance check and going outside to empty the trash bin under the direction of another executive, company CEO C suddenly approached and kicked him in the side while wearing safety shoes. C also reportedly poked under B's eyes with his finger and pushed him while telling the employees, "I just need to handle industrial accident claims. As long as I get the money, that's enough," using abusive language. C's assault did not end there. He headbutted B's chest, grabbed his collar, and threatened to hit his face. Additionally, he threw an ashtray at other employees in anger.

A was unable to sleep after hearing his son's complaints. Eventually, feeling that the situation was unbearable, he called the company to secure the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage. Initially, the company said they would prepare the CCTV and arranged to meet A in the company’s reception room. However, on the day of the appointment, C suddenly refused, saying, "It's company property, so I can't show it," and denied the assault allegations.

When A said he would seek police assistance and report the incident, C pushed A down a sloped staircase and roughly dragged him, tearing his clothes. Even after A fell to the ground, the CEO did not stop his actions. A video filmed by B shows C unilaterally using violence against A, who had his hands behind his back, seemingly to avoid mutual conflict.

Ultimately, A filed a complaint against the CEO for assault, and the CEO counter-sued for mutual assault but later withdrew it and then filed a complaint against A for refusing to leave the premises. Regarding this, C told 'Sageon Banjang,' "I didn’t kick him; I just slightly lifted my foot," and said, "If the company's CEO curses, points fingers, or does whatever, but the employees do their jobs well and follow procedures properly, this wouldn’t happen. Sometimes I got so frustrated that my eyes rolled back, but I never hit anyone." He also refused the 'Sageon Banjang' team’s request for CCTV footage.

The small and medium-sized enterprise operated by C reportedly received two complaints in the first half of this year alone, including sexual harassment, wage arrears, and verbal abuse. B also filed a petition with the Ministry of Employment and Labor regarding unpaid wages and non-compliance with working hours, and an investigation is currently underway.