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Superior reported before firefighter's suicide amid bullying claims
🇰🇷 South Korea /Crime & Justice

Superior reported before firefighter's suicide amid bullying claims

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A South Korean female firefighter who died by suicide was allegedly subjected to workplace bullying by a superior.
  • The superior was reportedly reported through an anonymous internal system three months before her death.
  • The family and union claim the superior forced the subordinate to a drinking session and karaoke, leading to her distress.

A South Korean female firefighter, identified only as A, died by suicide amid allegations of workplace bullying. A superior, B, who was accused of bullying, had been reported through an internal anonymous system called 'Red Whistle' three months prior to her death.

According to the Gwangju Fire Department and the victim's family, B was reported for abusive behavior towards subordinates in July of the previous year. Shortly after learning of the report, B allegedly contacted A and other subordinates, stating, "I'm having a hard time because of Red Whistle. Let's meet."

The family and union claim that A felt unable to refuse the superior's request due to his influence over performance reviews. She eventually went to the drinking session alone and was allegedly forced to accompany him to karaoke. B was subsequently transferred from an internal position to an external one, and then reassigned in January of this year.

I'm having a hard time because of Red Whistle. Let's meet.

— B (superior)Allegedly said by the superior to subordinates, including the victim, after learning about the internal report.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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