Police raid hospital over nurse's death from alleged workplace bullying

Police have initiated a full-scale investigation into a hospital in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, following the death of nurse Kang Soo-bin, who had alleged severe workplace bullying. The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency's specialized investigation team is currently conducting searches and seizures at the hospital and of three individuals involved.

Investigators are collecting evidence such as internal messenger conversations and records of interviews with victims. The police have formally charged three individuals accused of bullying Kang. The seized materials will be analyzed to confirm the extent of the bullying Kang experienced. "Taeum," a term for workplace bullying in the nursing profession, refers to a senior nurse's harsh training methods for new nurses, implying a culture where "souls are burned to ashes."

Kang, who joined the hospital in March 2023, resigned in March of the following year after reporting the bullying to labor authorities. While the authorities partially recognized the bullying and ordered corrective measures, the hospital only issued a reprimand to the alleged perpetrators. Kang was found dead at her home on June 2nd.

The investigation gained momentum after President Lee Jae-myung ordered a strict crackdown on workplace bullying on June 1st, following media reports on Kang's death. The specialized team has been interviewing Kang's family and acquaintances, and analyzing her diary, laptop, and related documents concerning the bullying.