'Height Over 168cm and Aviation Department Graduates'... Controversy Over Baseball Stadium Female Part-Time Job Recruitment Announcement

Suspicions of Equal Employment Act Violation Raised
KIA Tigers Explain: "Outsourced to an External Company"

At Gwangju Kia Champions Field, the home stadium of the professional baseball team KIA Tigers, a part-time job recruitment notice specifying qualifications such as 'height of 168 cm or taller and currently enrolled in an aviation department' sparked controversy and was later revised. On the 18th, a post titled '2025 Kia Champions Field Baseball Stadium Fixed Workers Recruitment' was uploaded on a recent online job search site. The post stated that they were recruiting special positions and fixed workers to work together during the Champions Field home games (71 games).

There has been a suspicion of violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Act regarding the part-time job recruitment requirements at Gwangju Kia Champions Field, the home stadium of the professional baseball team KIA Tigers. On the 18th, a post titled "2025 Kia Champions Field Baseball Stadium Fixed Workers Recruitment" was uploaded on a recent online job search site. KIA Tigers official website

Initially, the announcement specified conditions such as ▲security personnel: males with a height of 175 cm or taller and a robust physique, females 168 cm or taller ▲information desk (info) staff: females currently enrolled in or graduated from the aviation department ▲children's playroom staff: females currently enrolled in or graduated from the early childhood education department. However, online criticism arose claiming that this recruitment notice violated the Act on Equal Employment Opportunity and Work-Family Balance for Men and Women (commonly known as the Equal Employment Act), which guarantees equal opportunities and treatment for men and women in employment. The law states that 'employers shall not discriminate against men and women when recruiting or hiring workers,' and 'physical conditions such as appearance, height, weight, or marital status that are not necessary for job performance shall not be presented or required.'

The announcement specifies conditions such as ▲ Safety personnel: males with a height of 175 cm or taller and a sturdy build, females 168 cm or taller ▲ Information desk (Info): female students or graduates of the Department of Aviation ▲ Infant playroom: female students or graduates of the Department of Early Childhood Education. However, claims have arisen online that this job posting violates the Act on Equal Employment Opportunity and Work-Family Balance for Men and Women (commonly known as the Equal Employment Opportunity Act), which guarantees equal opportunities and treatment for men and women in employment. Online community

The public opinion on the notice was divided. Many netizens strongly criticized, saying, "Why must the information desk staff be female and from the aviation department?" and "It’s obvious that the person who wrote the announcement just wants to use pretty women as eye candy." On the other hand, some netizens responded, "It might be better to have such clear announcements to avoid false hopes or wasted efforts," and "I’m not sure if it violates the law, but nowadays job postings are often written too ambiguously."

As the controversy spread, the KIA Tigers explained, "This recruitment is not conducted by the team but outsourced to an external company," and "The team only commissioned the service, and the recruitment numbers and qualification requirements are entirely managed by the external company, so the team has no involvement." After the issue was raised, the external company proceeded to revise the announcement.

The recruitment manager explained, "We set major restrictions to enhance service expertise. Regarding the gender restrictions, it was only posted that way because no males have worked in those fields so far," and added, "We will revise the male/female requirements stated in the recruitment announcement and official documents."