A fire department supervisor who frequently physically and verbally mistreated junior staff, including biting their ears due to poor soccer performance, received a suspended prison sentence.
On the 7th, Judge Lee Jae-wook, head of Criminal Division 3 at the Ulsan District Court, stated that he had sentenced Mr. A, a team leader-level firefighter from a rescue center, who faced trial on charges such as defamation, assault, and coercion, to eight months in prison, with a two-year probation period, and also mandated 120 hours of community service.
Mr. A faced legal charges for repeatedly harassing junior and lower-ranking firefighters, including acts of assault and making offensive comments, during his tenure as a team leader at a rescue center in Ulsan in 2024.
As per the decision, when junior employee Mr. B had difficulty managing the ball during a soccer match as part of physical exercise, Mr. A pulled both of Mr. B’s ears six times, resulting in them being torn, and caused additional injuries. He also ridiculed Mr. B’s body in the presence of other coworkers.
Inquiries found that Mr. A also nibbled the ears, struck the tops of the heads with a racket, or headbutted two other junior staff members when they erred during badminton or soccer matches.
Mr. A is also alleged to have frequently yelled at subordinate firefighter Mr. C in the presence of other staff, stating, “You need to be beaten to regain your senses,” and struck him with his fist. Furthermore, he threatened to keep hitting Mr. C, used offensive language, and instructed him to carry out penalties like the horse-riding position and running around the National Fire Agency building.
With the growing number of firefighters affected, the National Government Employees’ Labor Union Fire Headquarters Ulsan Fire Department organized a press conference in October 2024, calling for Mr. A’s dismissal and strict punishment.
Mr. A contributed money for the victim’s compensation throughout the trial, yet the impacted firefighters declined to take it.
The court remarked, “The defendant’s frequent insults, attacks, and causing harm to coworkers are very unacceptable behaviors,” and noted, “Nevertheless, the defendant’s acknowledgment of the offense and his age were considered.”
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