Frustration Grows Over Insincere Response by Daejeon Employment and Labor Office Inspector

Objection to Delayed Wage Arrears Complaint Met With "No Obligation to Respond"

Exterior view of Daejeon Employment and Labor Office (Photo by Seokbong Mo)

There are allegations that a labor inspector, who is supposed to protect the rights and interests of workers, abused their authority as a special judicial police officer by speaking harshly to a complainant and engaging in power harassment.

Complainant A filed a petition on April 21 via the national civil complaint portal, raising an objection to the way a labor inspector at the Daejeon Employment and Labor Office handled a past wage arrears issue.

The labor inspector at the Daejeon Employment and Labor Office who received the complaint was supposed to provide a response by April 29. However, they failed to do so within the deadline and instead extended the response period to May 12, citing the need for an on-site investigation.

When A did not receive a response by May 12, they called the responsible labor inspector on the morning of May 13 to inquire, and were told, "It is true that the delay in response was my fault."

However, during the call, a labor inspector who identified himself as the team leader interrupted and said, "A delayed response is not a problem. Can't I just send it now? Come here and argue in person," which was an inappropriate reply.

Although the responsible labor inspector admitted their mistake regarding the same issue, the team leader showed a contradictory attitude by saying it was not a problem, leaving the complainant bewildered.

Hoping for a more detailed explanation, A visited the Daejeon Employment and Labor Office around 1 p.m. that day, but the answers received were no different from those given over the phone, and the team leader made even more shocking remarks.

The team leader responded evasively, saying, "We can extend the period for various work-related reasons. Do you think I can remember something from years ago? We have nothing more to say, and once we give you a document, that's the end of it." The team leader also insisted, "We have no obligation to investigate, a delayed response is not a problem, and do not ask the responsible labor inspector any more questions."

When A asked the team leader, "Did you investigate my case?" the team leader replied, "We have no obligation to explain to you what we investigated over the two-week extension. There is no reason for us to respond to you," and added, "I will take full responsibility."

◆ Extension of the period under the pretext of a formal on-site investigation

The response period for the complaint was extended under the pretext of an 'on-site investigation,' but in reality, the labor inspector admitted that there was simply a checkbox for 'on-site investigation' in the computer system and that is why it was selected.

In fact, it was found that the matter was handled only by phone, without any on-site investigation taking place.

◆ Problems with the Ministry of Employment and Labor's work system highlighted

Problems with the work processing system have also come to light.

The day before submitting the petition via the national civil complaint portal, A visited the Daejeon Employment and Labor Office and consulted with the team leader, who said, "Why are you coming here? Go to the audit team," in a dismissive manner.

When A visited the audit team and consulted them, they explained, "If you submit it through the national civil complaint portal, the case will be assigned to the audit team for review."

However, even after submitting the complaint through the portal, the case was not immediately assigned to the audit team, but instead went to the Investigation Division 1. The system appeared to be that only if the complainant remained dissatisfied after Investigation Division 1 handled the case and filed another petition through the portal, would the case then be assigned to the audit team.

Even within the organization, this work process has been causing confusion for complainants.

A expressed frustration, saying, "This is a classic example of backward, third-world administration that makes light of citizens," and added, "I was extremely shocked by the team leader's high-handed handling of the work."

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