The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) has launched a labor inspection into Samjung Accounting Corporation after suspicions arose that an accountant died from overwork.
The ministry said on the 16th that "an accountant affiliated with Samjung Accounting Corporation died on the 6th," and added that "we have been conducting a labor inspection of the firm since the 12th."
According to the ministry, the deceased accountant had been responsible for overseeing the practical aspects of on-site audit work. ChosunBiz reported on the 10th that "a man in his 30s who was an accountant at Samjong KPMG has died," bringing the case to public attention.
☞Related article: [Exclusive] Two accountants died at Samjong KPMG in three months… claims of overwork
Samjung Accounting Corporation currently operates a discretionary working hours system and a selective working hours system. Some have raised suspicions that accountants worked more than 80 hours a week but were unable to enter their actual overtime hours.
In this inspection, the ministry plans to focus on the appropriateness of operating the discretionary and selective working hours systems, while intensively checking the overall labor relations laws, including whether a comprehensive wage system is being misused and whether vacation, breaks, and days off are being granted. If any violations of the law are identified, it said it will take strict action.
Vice Minister Kwon Chang-jun of the ministry said, "We will respond strictly so that excessively long working hours that threaten workers' health and lives are no longer repeated," and added, "We will focus our capabilities on creating a healthy working environment for everyone who works, including young professionals."