Ministry of Employment and Labor Launches Investigation into Recruitment Procedures Act Violations
Results to Be Announced Within 30 Days After Completion of Investigation
An executive of Theborn Korea, led by CEO Baek Jong-won, is under suspicion of calling a female applicant to a drinking party under the pretext of an interview and making inappropriate remarks, prompting the Ministry of Employment and Labor to launch an investigation into the interview.
On the 12th, the Cheonan branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that an investigator had been assigned to the investigation related to Theborn Korea's drinking party interview. One official will investigate whether there was a violation of the Recruitment Procedures Act, and one labor inspector will examine whether workplace harassment occurred.
Earlier, on the 8th, the Gangnam branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor in Seoul received a complaint alleging that Theborn Korea violated the Recruitment Procedures Act during the hiring process and that workplace harassment had occurred. The Ministry confirmed that Theborn Korea also has a business site in Yesan-gun, Chungnam, where the incident took place, and on the 10th, transferred the complaint to the Cheonan branch, which has jurisdiction over the area. Upon receiving the complaint, the Cheonan branch immediately assigned an investigator. In cases involving violations of the Recruitment Procedures Act and workplace harassment, the investigation must be completed and results notified within 30 days. However, if there are many matters to review, the investigation period may be extended beyond this timeframe.
Earlier, on the 5th, a video titled "Baek Jong-won Theborn Korea's Female Drinking Party Interview Recording" was uploaded to the YouTube channel 'Baksuik.' The video contained statements made by Manager A to female applicant B, who applied to become a store owner at 'Yesan Permanent Market' in Yesan-gun, Chungnam, operated by Theborn Korea. After the formal interview ended, Manager A reportedly contacted B personally and said, "You can consider this the second interview," and held a private drinking party.
Manager A showed a video featuring himself and other employees on CEO Baek's YouTube channel and said, "This is how I introduce you to CEO (Baek Jong-won)," adding, "I begged and pleaded to get her hired, and I did it with my full authority." He also emphasized his position and role by saying, "Our employees complained a lot about why I gave special treatment," and "You may not know, but I was the one who hired her." Manager A is also reported to have asked personal questions about her boyfriend and other matters.
As the controversy grew, Theborn Korea excluded Manager A from work on the 8th and began a formal investigation. Regarding this, Theborn Korea stated, "We are taking the current matter very seriously," and "We will thoroughly investigate through an external investigation agency to determine if there are any illegal facts and take strict measures."
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