Police open preliminary inquiry into nurses who boasted of bullying colleague who died by suicide

Police have launched a preliminary inquiry into the workplace bullying death of a nurse in her 20s who took her own life after enduring "taeum" — a hazing practice in Korean nursing culture.

The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency's Serious Crime Investigation Unit said Wednesday it had formed a dedicated 20-member task force to investigate the case.

The team is led by Senior Superintendent Heo Tae-gyu, head of the serious crime unit, and includes 10 investigators, three medical investigation specialists and two victim protection officers, along with legal support, public affairs and administrative staff.

Police plan to interview the deceased nurse's family members and colleagues and examine her mobile phone and other devices to determine whether taeum actually took place.

Taeum is a slang term for the practice and culture of senior nurses tormenting junior nurses under the guise of training. It is said to derive from the expression "burn until nothing but ash remains."

The nurse, identified only as A, was found dead at her home on June 2.

A had quit a hospital in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province in March last year and filed a workplace harassment complaint with labor authorities immediately after leaving.

She had been forced to endure a sunbae's verbal abuse in front of colleagues — including the remark "I can burn you until you kill yourself" — and reportedly broke down in tears recounting the ordeal to her mother.

Labor authorities acknowledged that some of A's claims were substantiated and ordered the hospital to take corrective action. But critics said the measures fell short because the scope and implementation of any corrections were left entirely to the hospital's discretion, leaving the victim without meaningful protection and doing little to prevent a recurrence.

The swift move to open the inquiry reflects the government's strong policy resolve on the issue.

President Lee Jae-myung shared a news report on A's death on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, calling taeum "horrific violence that can never be justified" and ordering that it be dealt with severely.

If you're thinking about self-harm or suicide, contact the Ministry of Health and Welfare's helpline 1393, available 24/7. Please request a translator for English-language services.