President Lee Addresses Death of Female Firefighter: "Do Not Seat Young Women Next to You"

President Lee Jae-myung instructed public officials today (July 15), saying, "Drinking and socializing are all fine, but do not seat young members of the opposite sex next to you."

This is interpreted as a call for improving organizational culture within the public sector, following the recent death of a female firefighter in her 20s reported by SBS.

Previously, in October of last year, allegations of workplace harassment were raised regarding a female firefighter in her 20s, identified as A, who was affiliated with the Gwangju Gwangsan Fire Station. It was alleged that she had been forced to attend drinking parties and sit next to male superiors during her lifetime.

An investigation by the Office for Government Policy Coordination revealed that the superiors of the deceased firefighter A had forced her to sit next to male superiors, such as the fire chief and department heads, during drinking gatherings and even pressured her to call them "oppa" (a term used by women to address older males).

While concluding the work report for ministries including the Ministry of Economy and Finance at the Blue House Yeongbingwan on this day, President Lee began by saying, "I hope all public officials in the Republic of Korea will hear this," and pointed out, "Young people of the opposite sex are not playthings, and the very fact that they are treated as such is a situation that should cause immense outrage."

He further explained, "Such attitudes and mindsets are themselves an insult to one's character, and such ways of thinking must now be eradicated," adding, "I am saying this because it seems such an incident occurred not long ago."

He also emphasized, "In the past, it was not considered a problem, but these days, it is a major issue," and added, "I would like you to pay special attention to this point for the sake of your own lives and the happy lives of your families."

President Lee repeatedly urged, "What may seem trivial to you is not the case in the real world. It is a problem so serious that it is cruel," and added, "Change your way of thinking entirely."

(Photo: Blue House Photo Press Corps, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.