"Only Lived by Justice" Firefighter Leaves Suicide Note and Takes Extreme Action... "Workplace Bullying as Cause"

Union: "We Will File a Police Complaint Over 'Workplace Power Abuse'"

Daejeon Fire Department. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A firefighter belonging to the Daejeon Fire Headquarters, who was on leave, died by suicide. Colleagues are citing 'workplace bullying' as the cause and are demanding punishment for those responsible.

According to the 'Public Officials Labor Union Loving Firefighting (Union)' and the Daejeon Fire Headquarters on the 6th, around 11 a.m. the previous day, firefighter A (46), affiliated with the Daejeon Fire Headquarters, was found unconscious at home. He was then transported to a nearby hospital following a 119 emergency call by his family but ultimately passed away.

A was a firefighter working in the Fire Headquarters' control room and was the former chairman of the Daejeon Fire Headquarters Workplace Council. It is reported that he had been on sick leave and leave of absence since June.

Before his death, he reportedly left a will stating, "No matter what anyone says, I lived only by justice. Family, mother, I am sorry."

Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, A's colleagues claim that he took the extreme step due to 'workplace bullying.'

Earlier, as the spread of COVID-19 led workers to eat only delivery food, A reportedly requested several times for an 'improvement in meal methods.' However, colleagues testified that "during the process of handling this, some executives and staff bullied A by reprimanding and verbally abusing him."

Colleagues testified, "An executive gathered employees who were about to leave work and asked for their opinions on A's requests." Some employees scolded A, saying they could not leave work because of him, and even said, "Just answer the phone well," which reportedly caused A great shock.

The union held a press conference in front of the funeral hall at 11 a.m. on the 6th, stating, "The deceased fought endlessly to establish justice in the workplace and repeatedly demanded relief for the bullying he suffered. The Fire Headquarters ignored and neglected this, ultimately leading to his tragic choice."

They added, "All bullies, including the colleague who verbally abused the deceased, must be investigated and arrested. We will file a complaint with the police over workplace bullying."

※ If you are struggling with difficult feelings such as depression and need expert help, you can receive 24-hour counseling at the Suicide Prevention Hotline 1577-0199, Suicide Prevention Counseling 1393, Hope Phone 129, Life Phone 1588-9191, Youth Phone 1388, and others.

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