National Cancer Center "Suspected Sexual Offender Suspended from Duty... Will Strictly Punish with Zero Tolerance Policy"

National Cancer Center Exterior (Photo by National Cancer Center)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Amid allegations that a department head at the National Cancer Center, a public institution under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, habitually sexually harassed female employees, the National Cancer Center has formed a Special Committee for Fact-Finding Investigation and decided to remove the accused official from their position.

On the 12th, the National Cancer Center stated in a press release, "As of the 12th, we have taken personnel action to remove the official accused of workplace sexual harassment from their position," adding, "Once the facts are confirmed, we will strictly punish the perpetrator based on a zero-tolerance policy." The center also emphasized, "We will do our utmost to protect the victims so that they do not suffer any disadvantages."

On the 10th, the National Cancer Center branch of the Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters of the Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union issued a statement, saying, "We have secured multiple testimonies regarding sexual harassment and sexual violence using the department head's position," and claimed, "Despite the victims providing detailed statements through resignation letters, the National Cancer Center took no action." They strongly criticized the center for attempting to cover up the incident without any measures, citing the expiration of the disciplinary statute of limitations despite being aware of the issue.

According to the union, the department head forced female employees to dance the blues at drinking parties or engaged in inappropriate physical contact from 2007 until July of last year. They also alleged that the official made remarks such as, "Who among you should be made a regular employee?" directed at non-regular staff.

The National Cancer Center explained that on the 8th, the day after receiving a signed report of the victim's account, an emergency countermeasure meeting was held under the direction of Director Seo Hong-gwan, centered on the Human Rights Center and the Audit Team. They further disclosed that on the 10th, a Special Committee for Fact-Finding Investigation was formed, and on the 12th, an emergency meeting of the Emergency Institutional Management Committee was convened.

Regarding the disciplinary statute of limitations issue raised by the union, the National Cancer Center stated, "Due to the current three-year disciplinary statute of limitations, it is difficult to punish past wrongdoings," and added, "We will push for an extension of the disciplinary statute of limitations to eradicate sexual misconduct in the workplace." They also promised a thorough investigation by forming a Special Committee for Fact-Finding Investigation that includes female external experts.

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