Labor Ministry Takes Strong Action on 'POSCO Sexual Assault' Case: "Strict Measures Including Criminal Investigation"

Ministry of Employment Launches Ex Officio Investigation into 'POSCO Sexual Assault'... Firm Response Policy
POSCO Employment Equality Investigation Also Initiated... Special Supervision Expected

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] The labor authorities have launched an ex officio investigation into POSCO, which has recently been embroiled in controversy over an internal sexual assault case. The authorities plan to take strict measures, including criminal charges, if violations of the law by POSCO are confirmed.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 27th that it has been conducting an ex officio investigation since the 21st of this month into the workplace sexual harassment and sexual assault case at POSCO Pohang Steelworks. The ministry views that the incident has seriously infringed on the environment where female workers at POSCO can work with peace of mind. The Ministry of Employment and Labor intends to establish a close cooperative investigation system with the police and verify whether POSCO has violated the provisions of the Act on Gender Equality in Employment through the ex officio investigation.

The ministry also announced a strict response to the POSCO sexual assault case. A ministry official stated, “If it is confirmed through a swift and fair investigation that the employer (POSCO) has violated the law, we plan to take strict measures such as criminal charges and fines.” According to the Act on Gender Equality in Employment, employers have the obligation to promptly investigate workplace sexual harassment cases, protect victims during the investigation process, and discipline perpetrators if sexual harassment is confirmed.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has also started diagnosing the workplace employment equality organizational culture targeting POSCO workers. This is to check whether there are additional risk factors that may cause sexual harassment or employment discrimination within POSCO. The ministry plans to conduct focused inspections through occasional or special supervision if it suspects a high possibility of violations related to employment equality laws, such as employment discrimination, during the investigation process.

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