Toxic employers face jail in South Korea

Walking to work: The new law will subject owners of firms that ‘unfairly demote or dismiss’ workers who allege harassment to three years’ imprisonment or a fine. — AFP

Seoul: After enduring months of harassment at work, office worker Christine Jung confronted her aggressor only to be fired and sued for defamation.

Her case is common in South Korea, where workers traditionally turn a blind eye to abusive behaviour by those in power – a phenomenon called “gabjil”.