Honorary degree for Mario Outlet CEO causes stir

By Kim Se-jeong

Hong Seong-yeol

Sogang University is drawing criticism for awarding an honorary doctorate to Mario Outlet CEO Hong Seong-yeol, who has been accused of implementing anti-labor policies.

Members of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union have been protesting in front of the university’s Seoul campus and the outlet since Wednesday when Hong received the honorary degree “for his contribution to the economy.”

“We believe Hong doesn’t deserve it,” the union said in a statement. Among them were former Mario Outlet employees. “The recognition should be given to those who have made social and academic achievements. Hong kicked out his employees and didn’t pay wages on time.”

The dispute between management and workers erupted last March when the company hired a third company to manage facility maintenance. While doing so, the management sent the existing maintenance crews a letter asking them to take voluntary redundancy. Some resisted and the company suspended them from working and cut their wages by 30 percent.