A company CEO and director who repeatedly demeaned a colleague in a group chat — including calling the employee a "blockhead" — have been fined after a court found them guilty of insult.
Judge Song In-cheol of Ulsan District Court's Criminal Division 9 sentenced the CEO, identified only as A, and the director, identified as B, each to a fine of 1 million won ($730) on charges of insult, the court said Wednesday.
In November 2022, A called employee C a "blockhead" and hurled profanity at him in a KakaoTalk group chat shared by company staff. Over roughly two years, A humiliated C in the same manner on 32 separate occasions.
B similarly used comparable language in the group chat about 20 times, causing C feelings of humiliation and shame.
Unable to endure the abuse any longer, C filed a complaint with police against both men.
"The nature of the language used and the duration of the offenses indicate poor conduct," the court said in explaining its sentencing, adding that the victim appeared to have suffered considerable psychological distress and wanted the defendants punished.
However, the court said it took into account that A and the others showed remorse and that neither had any prior criminal record.
betterj@heraldcorp.com
