'Threatened with a weapon'... Dismissal of a public official who verbally abused a colleague deemed 'justified'

Jeonnam Provincial Government Official Files Administrative Lawsuit to Cancel Dismissal
Habitual Verbal Abuse and Harassment of Colleagues
Court: "Plaintiff's Claim Dismissed... Dismissal Lawful"

A provincial government official who was dismissed for habitually using abusive language, verbal violence, and harassment against colleagues filed an administrative lawsuit seeking to cancel the disciplinary action, but the court dismissed the case. The dismissal was deemed lawful.

On the 17th, the Administrative Division 1 of Gwangju District Court (Presiding Judge Park Sang-hyun) announced that it dismissed the plaintiff’s claim in the administrative lawsuit filed by former Jeonnam Provincial Government official A against the Governor of Jeonnam Province seeking cancellation of the dismissal.

From January to April of last year, A verbally abused colleagues with severe language such as "I will smash your head with an axe" and "I will break your neck." He also engaged in power harassment, including hitting desks and throwing documents, accompanied by remarks like "Where does an administrative level 8 think it can teach? How arrogant."

He even sexually harassed female employees. He was reported to have made inappropriate advances and told dirty jokes, saying "You are my type," and also made comments on their appearances. Additionally, he sent inappropriate messages to a civilian who was a disinfectant product salesperson, leading the victim to petition for A’s transfer to another department.

During his dispatched work period, he was also found to have been absent without leave for three days and left work early without permission for 6 hours and 35 minutes. Colleagues working in the same department as A responded in a survey that "A created an atmosphere of fear in the office, and urgent measures are necessary."

Following these repeated misconducts, A was dismissed in September last year for workplace bullying, power harassment, violation of the duty to maintain dignity, breach of the duty of sincerity, and prohibition of leaving the workplace. Dissatisfied with this, A filed a lawsuit.

The court stated, "A repeatedly used abusive language, insults, and loud voices, violating the duty to maintain dignity and causing fear among colleagues," and pointed out, "Considering the misconduct, its circumstances, and content, the blameworthiness is quite significant." It continued, "A has a history of criminal punishment and disciplinary actions for threatening colleagues, drunk driving, insult, and assault," and ruled, "Even considering the circumstances A presents, the acts of verbal abuse, insults, and loud voices cannot be justified, and the dismissal is lawful."

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