Press Conference at National Assembly Communication Center with Jinbo Party Lawmaker Son Sol
KPGA Delays Disciplining Abusive Executive, Punishes Whistleblowers
Union Requests Special Labor Inspection of KPGA by Ministry of Employment and Labor
The labor union of the Korea Professional Golfers' Association (KPGA) has demanded a special audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and a special labor inspection by the Ministry of Employment and Labor regarding the association, which is accused of protecting executives who committed workplace harassment.
On July 15, the KPGA union held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Center in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, together with Son Sol, a lawmaker from the Jinbo Party and a member of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee. They announced their position on the workplace abuse that occurred within the KPGA and the retaliatory disciplinary actions imposed on the victimized employees.
Jinsol Jinbo, a lawmaker from the Jinbo Party (center), and KPGA union members are demanding a special audit by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and a special labor inspection by the Ministry of Employment and Labor regarding the association that protects executives who committed workplace harassment. Photo by Yonhap News
The problems within the KPGA became public in December of last year. It was revealed that a senior executive, referred to as Mr. A, had for a long period committed human rights violations and abuse against employees, including habitual verbal abuse and offensive language, public outbursts, personal attacks involving employees' families, forcing employees to write statements and take annual leave, unfair pressure to resign, excessive demands for written explanations, and coercing union members to withdraw from the union.
This case was investigated by the police and then forwarded to the prosecution. The Ministry of Employment and Labor also recognized it as workplace harassment and imposed a fine. In addition, the Sports Ethics Center under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recommended disciplinary action against Mr. A to the KPGA.
The KPGA union stated, "Although the association placed Mr. A on indefinite suspension in December of last year, this was not an official disciplinary measure but rather a temporary administrative leave. Moreover, just last week, the association issued a series of retaliatory disciplinary actions against employees who exposed Mr. A's behavior to the outside." The union further emphasized, "This incident is not simply an internal dispute, but a serious social issue involving the lack of human rights awareness in a public institution, entrenched workplace harassment, and the oppression of victims. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, which oversee this institution, must actively intervene in this matter."
Last week, the KPGA held a disciplinary committee for nine employees, dismissing two, issuing warnings to four, and giving a caution to one. Disciplinary action for two employees was put on hold. The KPGA union pointed out, "Eight out of the nine employees had testified during the internal investigation that they were victims of Mr. A's harassment," and asserted that these were clearly retaliatory disciplinary actions.
Heo Jun, head of the KPGA union, stated, "We will request a retrial regarding the retaliatory disciplinary actions, and if the result remains the same, we plan to take the case to the Labor Relations Commission as an unfair disciplinary action. Regarding the disciplinary action against senior executive Mr. A, we request active intervention from government agencies." He added, "The disciplinary committee that issued the retaliatory actions was composed of board members who had postponed disciplinary action against Mr. A for several months, which means it has lost its impartiality. We ask for continued attention so that the voices of victims who suffered unfair disciplinary actions under organizational silence, connivance, and the protection of the perpetrator are not ignored."
Regarding this issue, the KPGA stated on July 11, "The indefinite suspension of executive Mr. A is a clear disciplinary measure. We are faithfully following legal and reasonable procedures in accordance with the disciplinary process, which requires board approval, and will handle the matter without any external pressure or protection." The association also argued, "Regardless of their status as whistleblowers, the disciplinary actions were objectively determined based on clear violations of regulations and serious professional misconduct. Being a whistleblower cannot exempt someone from internal regulation violations."
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