"Martial Law Play" Against Environmental Workers... Dismissal of Grade 7 Official for Abuse of Power

Yangyang County to Enforce Disciplinary Actions Within This Month

Two Manager-Level Officials Receive Caution

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province has decided to dismiss a Yangyang County official who was found to have committed so-called "martial law play" and other forms of workplace harassment against sanitation workers.

According to Yonhap News Agency and Yangyang County on April 24, Gangwon Province held a disciplinary committee meeting on April 21 and resolved to dismiss Mr. A, a man in his 40s serving as a Grade 7 driver for Yangyang County. Disciplinary actions for public officials include dismissal, removal, demotion, suspension, and salary reduction, with dismissal being the most severe measure.

Yangyang County Office, Gangwon Province. Provided by Yangyang County.

Mr. A was indicted on charges of workplace abuse and harassment against three sanitation workers in their 20s (one permanent and two temporary employees) between July and November last year. The charges include 60 counts of coercion, 60 counts of assault, 10 counts of intimidation, and 7 counts of insult. It was revealed that Mr. A engaged in "martial law play," committing acts of violence, and would deliberately drive off early during dawn shifts without picking up the cleaners who were supposed to ride with him, forcing them to run after the vehicle. He also forced the victims to use items only in a specific color—red—and even inspected their underwear before work, assaulting them on the spot if they were not wearing red underwear. Furthermore, the victims reported that whenever Mr. A incurred losses in stock trading, the person who lost at rock-paper-scissors would be assaulted by Mr. A, and they were forced to purchase stocks worth several million won in which Mr. A had invested.

On April 15, the Sokcho Branch of the Chuncheon District Court’s Criminal Division 1 (Judge Ju Cheol-hyun presiding) held a sentencing hearing for Mr. A’s charges of coercion, habitual intimidation, habitual assault, and insult, and sentenced him to one year and eight months in prison. Both Mr. A and the prosecution have filed appeals.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety recommended a light disciplinary action of "reprimand" for two supervisory-level officials for their failure to manage and supervise. However, the province opted for an even lighter measure, a "written warning," which is not considered formal disciplinary action under the law but may result in certain disadvantages in personnel matters. The county plans to execute the dispositions for Mr. A and the supervisory officials within this month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.