BEYOND THE KDRAMA - S Korean workplace violence

 

Workplace violence in South Korea is a significant social issue that has led to major legislative changes in recent years. While extreme physical assault is less common, many Koreans workers face psychological harassment and verbal abuse rooted in rigid hierarchical structures. 

Prevalence and Types

A high percentage of Korean employees report experiencing workplace harassment. Studies indicate that between 30% and over 70% of workers have faced some form of bullying. 

• Common Behaviors: Verbal abuse (52.1%), ostracism/gossip (45.1%), coercion (31.6%), and unfair personnel actions.
• Perpetrators: Supervisors are the most common perpetrators (38.2%), followed by colleagues and executives.
• Vulnerable Groups: Young adults, women, and migrant workers are particularly at risk. Migrant workers, in particular, have seen a sharp rise in reported abuse cases. 

Cultural and Structural Drivers

• Gapjil (갑질): This term describes the "power trip" behavior of people in superior positions toward those in subordinate positions. It is often cited as a "leading workplace evil".
• Confucian Hierarchy: Cultural values emphasizing seniority and group harmony can make it difficult for victims to speak out against superiors.
• Risk Factors: Long working hours, job insecurity, and night shift work are strongly associated with higher rates of workplace violence. 

Legal Protection and Recourse

South Korea has implemented several laws to combat these issues: 

• Workplace Anti-Bullying Act (2019): Prohibits harassment defined as an abuse of authority that causes physical or mental suffering. Employers who fail to investigate allegations or who retaliate against whistleblowers can face up to three years in prison or fines up to 30 million KRW.
• Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance (IACI) Act: This law now recognizes mental stress caused by workplace harassment as an occupational accident, allowing victims to receive compensation more quickly.
• Action for Victims: Individuals can seek damages for emotional distress and medical expenses through legal channels in Korea. Organizations like Kang Nam Labor Law Firm and institutional centers like the POSTECH Human Rights Center provide specific guidance and counseling for victims. 

The 2014 "Nut Rage" incident involving Korean Air heiress Cho Hyun-ah is the most famous example of gapjil—a Korean term for the abuse of power by superiors. Since then, several other high-profile scandals have exposed similar behavior across various industries. 

Notable Corporate Scandals

• The "Water Rage" Incident (2018): Cho Hyun-ah's sister, Cho Hyun-min, allegedly threw water in the face of an advertising agency employee during a meeting. This second scandal within the same family led to international media adopting the word gapjil to describe this cultural phenomenon.
• Yang Jin-ho Assault (2018): The chairman of Hankook Mirae Technology, a file-sharing company, was filmed physically assaulting an employee in the office. He was later accused of forcing employees to perform bizarre and violent acts, such as killing chickens with crossbows, as "discipline".
• Naver Suicide (2021): An employee at the tech giant Naver took their own life, citing long-term workplace bullying and overwork. This case forced a major public apology and leadership changes at one of Korea’s most prominent modern companies. 

Other High-Profile "Gapjil" Incidents

• The Ramyeon Executive (2013): An executive at a major corporation physically assaulted a flight attendant because he was dissatisfied with how his ramyeon (instant noodles) was cooked.
• Department Store Kneeling (2015): A wealthy customer in Incheon made department store clerks kneel and beg for forgiveness after they refused to provide a free repair on a product.
• The Forklift Abuse (2025): In a recent extreme case, a migrant worker from Sri Lanka was tied up with plastic wrap and lifted into the air by a forklift by a coworker while others filmed and mocked him. 

Political and Professional Harassment 

• Lawmaker Verbal Abuse: In 2026, allegations surfaced against a political nominee, Lee Hye-hoon, who was recorded shouting at an intern, reportedly asking, "Is your IQ in the single digits?" and saying, "I really wish I could kill you".
• "Gapjil" Professors: On various university campuses, students have used public placards to accuse professors of using their authority for sexual harassment and personal errands.