"Violence Including Physical Assault"... Bereaved Family Files Complaint Against National Institute of Fisheries Science Researcher’s Superiors

Researcher in Their 30s Leaves Note Alleging "Verbal Abuse and Unfair Treatment"

Ministry of Employment and Labor Launches Special Inspection at Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has launched a planned inspection in connection with the death of a researcher in their 30s, who was working at a research institute under the National Institute of Fisheries Science, under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, after reporting workplace harassment. According to reports, the deceased stated in a suicide note that they had repeatedly suffered verbal abuse, physical violence, and unfair treatment from their superiors.

Yonhap News reported on May 20 that the Daejeon Regional Employment and Labor Office’s Regional Labor Standards Supervision Division began a labor inspection on the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, which is overseen by the National Institute of Fisheries Science, starting on this day.

The deceased, referred to as Mr. A, had worked as a fixed-term researcher at the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute. According to the bereaved family, in the suicide note left before their death, Mr. A complained of verbal abuse and unfair treatment from certain workplace superiors.

In particular, the suicide note reportedly detailed that a superior had struck the researcher four times and grabbed their hair so forcefully that the head was jerked backward, indicating repeated acts of violence. So far, two superiors have been identified as having engaged in such abusive behavior toward Mr. A.

The bereaved family has submitted a complaint to the authorities based on these details, and the police have also initiated an investigation.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor stated that it plans to investigate all allegations of workplace harassment that occurred at the institute through this inspection, and will also check whether there have been other cases of victimization. In addition, the ministry said it is set to conduct a thorough review of the workplace culture, work hour management, and potential discrimination against non-regular workers, intensively examining any violations of labor laws. The ministry announced that it will respond strictly if any illegal conduct is identified through the investigation.

The National Institute of Fisheries Science has removed the director of the Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute from their duties following the controversy. A representative from the National Institute of Fisheries Science stated, "Regarding any further personnel measures, the director general is currently in discussions with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries." The representative added, "Separate from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, our headquarters' audit team is also conducting an investigation and we will faithfully participate in clarifying the facts and fully cooperate with the investigation concerning this incident."

Vice Minister of Employment and Labor Kwon Changjun said, "We express our condolences for the unfortunate death of this worker in their 30s," adding, "We will provide thorough guidance so that such incidents do not happen again through a clear investigation and strict measures."

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