Civil servant probed for mocking firefighter who died after reporting workplace harassment

A civil servant is under police investigation for posting a disparaging comment online about a female firefighter in her 20s who died after reporting workplace harassment.

The Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency's cyber crime unit has booked the suspect, identified only as A, a civil servant employed by the Jeonnam-Gwangju integrated special city, on charges of defaming the deceased. A has not been detained.

A is accused of posting a comment on an anonymous civil servants' online forum in response to a post about the deceased firefighter, identified only as B, dismissing her experience with a remark to the effect of "making such a fuss over a few company dinners."

Police received a complaint from B's family in early July and recently identified A before launching an investigation into the circumstances of the post. A was confirmed to be a general civil servant, not a firefighter.

A government probe by the Office for Government Policy Coordination into B's death confirmed that misconduct within the fire department — including coerced drinking and mandatory after-work dinners — had in fact occurred.

The South Jeolla-Gwangju Fire Headquarters convened a disciplinary committee and voted to impose penalties on 15 civil servants: heavy disciplinary action against 12, including removal from office for two, and lighter penalties against three others.