Dispute rises over alleged sexual assault at Hanssem

By Kim Bo-eun

Controversy is growing over an alleged case of sexual assault at local furniture company Hanssem, after the alleged victim last week posted details of the case online.

The points of contention are whether the case can be defined as sexual assault, whether Hanssem took adequate measures after becoming aware of the incident and whether the police and prosecution proceeded with proper investigations.

In January, the female Hanssem employee in her 20s reported to police she was raped by a male colleague. She was newly recruited at the time the incident took place.

The Bangbae Police Station conducted investigations but in March forwarded the case to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office offering a non-indictment opinion, citing lack of evidence. Hanssem carried out a separate internal investigation, and concluded the case by subjecting both employees to punitive measures.

The male employee had initially been subject to dismissal, but the company alleviated the punitive measure to suspension after his appeal, taking into account that the police and prosecution had closed the case and cleared charges against him.

However, the female employee got a pay cut, inviting controversy over why she was punished. Suspicions were also raised that the company attempted to cover up the case, as the employee stated so in her online post. She has vowed to take legal action.

In response, the male employee also posted on the internet that the two had consensual sex, and that the case was closed after he was acquitted following investigations by the police and prosecution.

Local media raised the possibility that the company may not have provided an adequate environment for its predominantly female staff. Hanssem does not have a labor union or a grievance committee for female employees.