‘Because I reported elder abuse…’ Yeonpyeong public nursing home faces workplace bullying allegations

Authorities are investigating allegations of workplace bullying at the Yeonpyeong Public Nursing Home, located on Yeonpyeong Island in South Korea. The investigation by the Central Regional Employment and Labor Office centers on claims that the facility director engaged in systematic harassment against staff members.

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Ms. Jo returned to the facility and the director, along with a few caregivers who followed the director, did something like brainwashing us, saying 'Don't befriend Ms. Jo,' and 'Ms. Jo is the source of the problem.' If we were even a little friendly with Ms. Jo, they bullied us together.

Specifically, the facility director is accused of targeting a nurse's aide, identified as Ms. Jo, who had returned to work after a period of absence. According to colleagues, the director allegedly instructed other caregivers to avoid contact with Ms. Jo and spread negative information, portraying her as a "source of problems." One colleague, identified as 'A,' recounted how caregivers who maintained contact with Ms. Jo were also subjected to bullying. 'A' also reported witnessing caregivers photographing Ms. Jo and sending the images to the director.

Ms. Jo believes the harassment campaign is retaliation for her having reported elder abuse at the facility in 2024. She stated that after reporting the abuse, she was unfairly dismissed in July 2025, only to be reinstated in December of the same year. Since her return, she claims to have been subjected to collective bullying.

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They told us not to befriend Ms. Jo, but when I was a little friendly with her, I also experienced gapjil.

Other former and current employees have corroborated these claims. A former employee, 'B,' stated that they also experienced "갑질" (gapjil, a term for abusive power dynamics) from the director after being friendly with Ms. Jo. Another current employee, 'C,' described being subjected to humiliating remarks, including criticisms of their professionalism in front of residents and during staff meetings, and alleged that the director claimed to be acting under the direction of the foundation's chairman.

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They insulted me, pointing out my professionalism in front of the elderly residents and during full staff meetings. They even told me that the foundation's chairman ordered them to do so.

The facility director acknowledged the labor office's investigation and stated they would respond through legal counsel. They pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation and provide a thorough explanation of the facts.

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I reported elder abuse in 2024, and then I was unfairly dismissed in July 2025, but reinstated in December. Since then, I have been subjected to collective bullying.