A former public official from Yangyang-gun, who was dismissed for workplace abuse and harassment, including forcing subordinates to play a so-called "martial law game," has had his appeal for reinstatement rejected.

According to Gangwon Province on July 21, the provincial Appeals Commission rejected the appeal filed by the former official, a man in his 40s identified as A, who held a 7th-grade driving position, on July 20.

The Appeals Commission reviews the legality and appropriateness of disciplinary actions and has the authority to reject appeals or, if deemed justified, cancel or modify the disciplinary measures.

Consequently, the dismissal of A, which was executed by Yangyang-gun following a decision by the Gangwon Province Disciplinary Committee in April, remains in effect.

Dismissal is the most severe disciplinary action for public officials and includes a partial reduction in retirement benefits.

However, it is reported that A may still file an administrative lawsuit if he chooses to challenge the results of the appeals review.

A is currently on trial on charges of workplace abuse and harassment, including coercion, assault, intimidation, and insults, against three sanitation workers in their 20s (one permanent employee and two contract workers) under his supervision between July and November of last year.

According to the indictment, A is accused of abusing his authority by intentionally parking garbage trucks far away to make the victims run after them or driving slowly on purpose to delay their work due to petty grievances.

Investigations also revealed that when the price of stocks he owned fell, he engaged in a so-called "martial law game," making remarks such as, "I am declaring martial law until the stock price reaches the level I want," and "If you don't listen, I will offer you as a sacrifice and trample you."

He is also accused of forcing victims to lie on the ground and ordering other victims to step on them, a practice known as "meongseokmari" (rolling in a straw mat), as well as forcibly checking whether they were wearing red underwear, claiming it was necessary for stock prices to rise, and coercing them to buy stocks by saying, "The stock price isn't rising because you aren't buying it."

Furthermore, he was found to have assaulted or insulted the victims dozens of times through various methods, such as throwing cigarette butts and firing BB guns at them.

The Chuncheon District Court's Sokcho Branch, which presided over the first trial, found the defendant guilty on all charges, noting that he had confessed to the crimes, and sentenced him to one year and eight months in prison.

Both the prosecution and A have appealed the sentence, citing it as unfair. The appellate court sentencing is scheduled to take place at the Chuncheon District Court's Gangneung Branch on August 13.

In the appellate trial, the prosecution has again demanded a five-year prison sentence, the same as in the first trial.

While A has admitted to the charges during the trial and submitted multiple letters of apology in hopes of leniency, the victims have petitioned for a strict punishment.

During the first and final hearing of his appellate trial for charges including coercion, habitual intimidation, habitual assault, and insult held on June 25, A identified his occupation as "former public official, currently unemployed," yet he still filed an appeal against his dismissal.

(Photo: Yonhap News)