Internal board post claims Climate Ministry official found dead suffered workplace harassment
Police and the ministry are investigating the official's death, including whether their supervisor is to blame for claims of excessive workload and abuse.
Workers install a sign for the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment on an exterior wall of Government Complex Sejong in September 2025.YONHAP
A post by someone claiming to be a colleague of a Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment official who was found dead on July 16 said that the late worker had struggled with an excessive workload and may have experienced workplace harassment.
The official, who had been appointed about 10 months earlier, handled climate adaptation and energy policy.The official was found dead at their home in Sejong.
After the official's death, a post written by a person claiming to be their colleague cited the official's workload and mistreatment at work.
“I hope the same thing does not happen again,” read the title of the post on theministry’s internal online bulletin board. “It weighs heavily on me that I overlooked how much the official was struggling, using busyness as an excuse. I believe all colleagues who were close to the official feel the same way,” the post said.
The post continued by saying, “The official said, ‘I was frequently reprimanded while asking questions or seeking advice about work,’ and ‘There were personal attacks and humiliating remarks.’”
The poster also called for an examination of how the ministry responded when the official had expressed difficulties or sought help.
“We need to determine whether any measures were taken to support the deceased when they expressed difficulties or asked for help within the organization,” theycontinued. “We must also avoid treating this solely as a problem involving one manager and examine whether there were problems with the organization’s practices.”
The Sejong Nambu Police Station is examining the official’s records and questioning people close to them, police and the Climate Ministry branch of the Korean Government Employees’ Union(KGEU)said Tuesday.
The ministry’s audit and inspection office is separately investigating and reportedly gathering evidence from the bereaved family related to the harassment allegations.
“After the mourning period ends, we plan to gather opinions from fellow employees to prevent further harm,” a KGEU union representative said. “We will urge the ministry to thoroughly establish the facts and prepare measures to prevent a recurrence.”
Kim Sung-whan, minister of climate, energy and environment, speaks at the Thermal Energy Innovation Forum at Korea Electric Power Corporation’s Gyeongin Construction Headquarters in Jung District, central Seoul, on July 7.YONHAP
Climate Minister Kim Sung-whan offered condolences in an internal notice Friday.
“I pray for the repose of the official who has left us and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family, who must be suffering more than anyone,” Kim said. “If you are experiencing difficult emotions because of your work or the recent tragic news, please do not endure them alone or hesitate to reach out. I will begin by reflecting deeply on myself. I will examine whether any part of the ministry’s working methods or organizational culture has caused difficulties for our colleagues.”
The Climate Ministry separately outlined its response to the allegations involving the official’s supervisor.
“The supervisor identified as the alleged perpetrator has been removed from their current duties,” the ministry said. “Once the police investigation establishes the cause of the official’s death, we will discuss further measures, including possible disciplinary action.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
