Coast Guard Officer Returns to Station Where Victim Works Two Years After Sexual Harassment Disciplinary Action

▲ Pyeongtaek Korea Coast Guard

A coast guard officer who was disciplined for making sexual harassment remarks has sparked controversy by returning to the police station where the victim works two years later.

According to the Pyeongtaek Korea Coast Guard on July 29, Inspector A, who had previously received a three-month pay cut for sexual harassment remarks, returned to the coast guard station where the victim belongs last May.

Inspector A was transferred to another region after receiving disciplinary action for making sexual harassment remarks to a junior colleague, the victim, in 2022.

However, it was learned that Inspector A later expressed a desire to return to the original workplace and returned after two years in accordance with personnel procedures.

Under internal coast guard regulations, the restriction period for a sexual misconduct perpetrator and victim to work at the same police station is two years, and Inspector A returned as soon as this period ended.

In response, criticism has emerged over whether the return was appropriate in terms of protecting the victim, even if the regulatory restriction period was observed, and the victim is also reportedly strongly protesting.

The Coast Guard stated, "We made every possible effort to separate the perpetrator and the victim within the limits permitted by internal regulations."

They further explained, "Considering that working in the same building or the same department is restricted for 10 years, we thoroughly separated their workplaces and took measures to ensure there are no work-related contacts."

In addition, they added, "There are only 21 coast guard stations nationwide, making indefinite separation of affiliations practically difficult," and "We will carefully monitor the situation to ensure the victim is not placed in unfair circumstances in the future."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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