South Korean President Slams 'Worst Abuse of Power' in Firefighter Bullying Case

President Lee Jae-myung has strongly condemned what he described as the 'worst-ever abuse of power' following allegations that a female firefighter in her 20s died by suicide due to workplace bullying, including forced drinking. Speaking at a joint State Council and Emergency Economic Review meeting at the Blue House, Lee stated that such behavior turns colleagues into mere 'playthings' for superiors.

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People go to work to make a living, only to be used by their superiors as if they were playthings, as entertainment targets for drinking.

"People go to work to make a living, only to be used by their superiors as if they were playthings, as entertainment targets for drinking," Lee said, emphasizing the severity of workplace bullying. He noted a concerning tendency to downplay such actions, with some believing that subordinates should tolerate such demands. Lee recalled past practices, like being taken to karaoke bars, and questioned how such behavior could persist in recent times.

Lee detailed disturbing practices allegedly occurring within organizations, such as intentionally seating female employees next to superiors, forcing them to pour drinks, compelling them to attend after-parties, and pressuring them to consume alcohol rapidly. "Why force a shot if they say they don't like alcohol? They should drink it themselves," he admonished.

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Why force a shot if they say they don't like alcohol? They should drink it themselves.

Previously, on June 11, Lee had directed the Ministry of Government Policy Coordination to investigate the firefighter's cause of death, the circumstances surrounding it, and whether the family's request for an audit was ignored. He revealed that the investigation confirmed the allegations as true. The Gwangju Fire Department had initially cited the firefighter's relationship difficulties as the cause of death in an official document. However, her fiancé contested this, providing text messages as evidence of her distress over forced drinking. The department reportedly delayed its audit for over five months before initiating it last month after the family visited the Fire Agency.

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The Gwangju Fire Department had initially cited the firefighter's relationship difficulties as the cause of death in an official document.