[2021 National Audit] "Sorry for Workplace Harassment"... Naver's Han Seong-suk Bowing Her Head (Summary)

Intense Scrutiny on Workplace Bullying at the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee's Audit on the 6th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Nahum Kang, Aeri Boo, Chaeseok Moon] Han Seong-sook, CEO of Naver, formally apologized to the bereaved families and employees regarding the case in which an employee made an extreme choice due to workplace harassment during the National Assembly’s audit. She promised to make every effort to improve the company culture and system, stating, "We will change all the parts that need to be changed."

At the Ministry of Employment and Labor audit held by the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee at the Government Complex Sejong on the 6th, CEO Han said, "No matter how I say it, I was deeply shocked by many aspects related to the deceased’s irreversible death, and I believe we must change all the parts that need to be changed."

This was in response to Rep. Lee Su-jin of the Democratic Party of Korea’s criticism that Naver had dismissed five related reports since the implementation of the Workplace Harassment Act in July 2019, and that workplace harassment was widespread, including an employee who took their own life last May.

When Rep. Lee asked, "Are you willing to create measures such as conducting joint investigations with the labor union or forming a committee to decide on disciplinary actions?" CEO Han replied, "We are internally reviewing various matters including that issue, and after the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s special inspection, Naver will also prepare a plan according to several recommendations."

Regarding the question, "There have also been harassment reports at the subsidiary Happybean; how will you change the working environment there?" she said, "Since the legal entities are different, it is difficult for me to speak directly, but I believe Naver is changing and the subsidiaries will undergo corresponding changes as well. For now, we are focusing most on changing Naver as a whole."

Criticism also followed regarding the lack of disciplinary action against Choi In-hyuk, CEO of Naver Financial, who was the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company when the employee died. Rep. Noh Woong-rae of the Democratic Party pointed out that "Instead of disciplining COO Choi, he was transferred to the affiliate Naver Financial," criticizing Naver’s inadequate post-incident response.

When CEO Han said, "COO Choi resigned from all his positions at Naver," Rep. Noh rebuked, "He should have been fired. Responsible measures should have been taken, but no action was taken."

There was also an issue raised about the perpetrator of workplace harassment being reinstated. Rep. Lim E-ja of the People Power Party criticized, "The perpetrator resigned but Naver brought him back," adding, "Tears can be wiped away with a handkerchief, but how do you heal the emotional wounds of the bereaved families?"

When Rep. Lim demanded a sincere apology to the bereaved families, CEO Han said, "I sincerely apologize to the bereaved families and employees for this incident, and also apologize to the members of the National Assembly present here for causing controversy."

Rep. Lim argued that special labor inspections are necessary for all of Naver’s affiliates, including Happybean. In response, Minister of Employment and Labor Ahn Byung-deok said, "A special labor inspection of Naver has already been conducted, and an investigation is currently underway for Happybean as well. If problems are confirmed, strict measures will be taken."

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