Seoul National University Cleaning Workers Taking the 'Written Exam'... Jang Hye-young Furious, "They Should Even Be Taught What Abuse of Power Is"

On the 9th of last month, cleaning workers at Seoul National University taking a written exam. / Photo by Joint Action for Making Seoul National University Free of Irregular Workers Facebook

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Jang Hye-young, a member of the Justice Party, strongly criticized the photo of Seoul National University (SNU) cleaning workers taking a 'written exam,' calling it "an exam that will remain a dark chapter in SNU's history for generations."

On the 18th, after sharing a related article on Facebook, Representative Jang said, "The level of power abuse by SNU, which is gradually being revealed, is truly astonishing."

She continued, "Is it really that difficult to say we shouldn't live doing such things? We might even need to take an exam to learn what constitutes power abuse. Would that make things any better?" she questioned.

Regarding the incident last month where a cleaning worker at SNU, Mr. Lee, was found dead in a dormitory lounge, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' National Democratic Union (the union) released photos on the 17th showing cleaning workers taking a written exam.

The photos show eight cleaning workers writing something on paper in a conference room. On the PPT screen hanging on the conference room wall, the phrase "1st Cleaning Work Written Exam" is displayed, along with explanations such as "Full score 100 points, 1 to 9 questions, 10 points each," and "Scores will be actively reflected in work performance evaluations."

PPT screen from last month on the 9th when cleaning workers at Seoul National University took the 'written exam.' The text reads, "Scores will be actively reflected in the work performance evaluation." / Photo by Joint Action for Making Seoul National University Free of Irregular Workers Facebook

According to the union, the exam was held without prior notice around 3:30 p.m. on the 9th of last month in the conference room of Dormitory Building 900. The exam included questions unrelated to their duties, such as when the dormitory opened and when specific buildings were constructed. There was also a question requiring the writing of 'Gwanak Student Dormitory' in English or Chinese characters.

Earlier, SNU explained that the question about writing the dormitory name in English or Chinese characters was intended to help cleaning workers assist international students if necessary, given the large number of foreign students.

The union refuted SNU's explanation as false based on the photos. The union stated, "It was revealed that exam scores are 'planned to be actively reflected in work performance evaluations,'" and argued, "The real reason for tormenting cleaning workers with this exam, which they do not need, was to humiliate them through the vulnerable method of a 'written exam' and to control workers in a typical manner by reflecting it in work evaluations."

Meanwhile, Mr. Lee, who had worked as a cleaning worker at SNU for about one year and six months, was found dead in the lounge on the 26th of last month. The cause of death was determined to be acute myocardial infarction, and he was reportedly free of any chronic illnesses. His family and colleagues claim that he had been suffering from excessive workload and power abuse by supervisors.

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