Hyundai BNG Steel CEO punished for abusing chauffeurs

By Ko Dong-hwan

Jeong Il-seon

A court has punished executives from Korean chaebol ― family-controlled conglomerates ― for abusing their chauffeurs and forcing them to work excessive hours.

Hyundai BNG Steel CEO Jeong Il-seon, 46, was fined 3 million won ($2,600) on Jan. 12 for abusing 61 chauffeurs he had hired in the past three years, according to the Seoul Central District Court Tuesday.

Jeong, who is the grandson of Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-young, forced his victims to memorize a 140-page “guidebook for chauffeurs” that he wrote.

He also made them work 80 hours a week, on average, far exceeding the maximum 56 hours. Jeong physically harassed one of the victims.

The Seoul branch of the labor office under the Ministry of Labor and Employment referred the case to the Seoul Central Prosecutors’ Office with a recommendation of indictment on charges of violating labor laws.

Daelim Industrial Vice Chairman Lee Hae-wook, also charged with abuse of his drivers, has been sent to trial after the court determined he deserves a penalty greater than the 10 million won fine imposed last year.

In March 2016, one of two chauffeurs who worked for Lee accused him of abuse. The victim claimed the executive verbally and physically abused him, demanding that he speed with the side mirrors folded. Lee gave no explanation, other than “Because I told you so.”

The following month, MPK Group Chairman Jung Woo-hyun, 68, owner of domestic pizza chain Mr. Pizza, was questioned after surveillance video showed him punching a night watchman twice in the face for locking a building’s front doors while Jung was still inside.