As the controversy over Chairman Shin Dong-guk of Hanyang Precision, the largest shareholder of Hanmi Science, the holding company of Hanmi Pharmaceutical, allegedly shielding an executive accused of sexual harassment spreads, internal backlash is intensifying. Following the executives, even employees at the Paltan plant have begun relay protests, amplifying the fallout.
On the 24th, employees from the Pyeongtaek and Paltan plants held a rally on the first floor of Hanmi Pharmaceutical's headquarters in Songpa District, Seoul, saying they "could not believe our ears at Chairman Shin Dong-guk's remarks defending sexual harassment" and "will not remain silent until the situation is resolved properly." They went on to "demand a heartfelt apology from the major shareholder."
The controversy erupted after it became known that a senior executive identified as the perpetrator of in-house sexual harassment left the company by voluntary resignation without separate disciplinary action. The executive, who served as head of Hanmi Pharmaceutical's Paltan plant, was reported to a public-interest channel over allegations of inappropriate physical contact with a female employee at a year-end gathering in Dec. last year.
However, internal backlash grew after it was learned that the person continued to report to work as usual after the incident without measures to separate the individual from the victim. Tensions escalated recently as claims emerged via CEO Park Jae-hyeon that Chairman Shin Dong-guk pressured the disciplinary process and shielded the perpetrator.
Employees also raised grievances about the management policy that day. They said, "Excessive cost-cutting pressure that ignores GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) can cause product accidents," adding, "Major shareholder Shin Dong-guk should step away from Hanmi Pharmaceutical's management immediately." They expressed particular concern about a cost-cutting stance centered on the use of low-priced raw materials.
As the controversy over shielding sexual harassment widens, collective action within the organization is continuing. The previous day, Hanmi Pharmaceutical's division heads and each division's executives issued a statement condemning Chairman Shin and held a picket protest. In the statement, they said, "We strongly condemn major shareholder Shin Dong-guk for displaying a horrendous, perpetrator-centered sense of gender awareness," and argued, "Through unjust interference in management, he reneged on his own promise to establish a professional management system."
Meanwhile, the employees' association, an independent decision-making body representing all Hanmi Group employees, also resolved a related statement, suggesting further internal backlash and protests are likely. The labor union at the Paltan plant is also reportedly considering its response.