Last month, a government employee in his 40s from the Seoul Jung-Gu Office resumed his duties after being investigated for entering a women's changing room at a swimming pool disguised as a woman. The investigation centered on allegations that he did so to observe naked women in the locker room without their consent.
The Jung-gu Office took disciplinary action by reducing the employee's salary after the prosecution opted to suspend charges against him, noting that this incident was his first violation of the rules.
According to an investigation by media outlet The Kyunghyang Shinmun, the government employee was reinstated as a public official on January 17. Last year, on February 14, 2023, this employee was accused of cross-dressing and entering the women's changing room at the swimming pool in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. The police notified the Jung-gu office at the start of the investigations on the same day, and he was dismissed from his position right away.
The employee admitted to his crime. However, the prosecution suspended the indictment on November 10, 2023, under the condition that he complete a sexual violence treatment program. Additionally, Prosecutors took into consideration that this was his first offense, his history of psychiatric treatment, the agreement with the victim's families, and that he showed remorse for his actions.
The Jung-gu Office convened a dedicated disciplinary committee, which resulted in a one-month salary reduction for the employee. This disciplinary measure, being less severe than suspension, demotion, removal, or dismissal, is classified as a minor disciplinary action. According to the Disciplinary Rules for Local Government Employees, minor disciplinary actions can be implemented in sex crime cases if the "degree of misconduct is minor and it is caused by slight negligence."
Following his disciplinary action, the employee was reassigned to a role devoid of public interaction. An official from the Jung-gu Office clarified, "He was not demoted but rather placed in a position where he has no contact with residents or other employees." He further explained, "The prosecution's decision to suspend the indictment prompted us to take all necessary measures under the State Public Officials Act, including disciplinary action. Mr. A has been subjected to appropriate discipline and has been held accountable under the law."
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First offence and he's in his 40s? First time he was caught anyway. Seems like a bit of a smack on the wrist, but if the victims and their families are happy, who are we to judge?
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