This article was displayed on the ChosunBiz RM Report site at 6:01 p.m. on Mar. 17, 2026.
Kim Kyo-tae, chair of Samjong KPMG, where two affiliated accountants died in succession over the past three months, said, "We will prioritize urgent measures to improve the work environment."
According to the industry on the 17th, Kim said, "We are devising concrete measures at the audit headquarters and across the firm," and sent an email with this content to employees.
Two Samjong KPMG accountants in their 30s died on Nov. 22 last year and on the 6th of this month. Both of the deceased accountants were responsible for on-site audit management. Within Samjong KPMG, some claimed that long working hours during the audit period were the cause of death. (☞ [Exclusive] Two accountants died at Samjong KPMG in three months… claims of overwork)
Kim said, "It is heartbreaking to suddenly bid farewell to colleagues with whom we shared years together." He added, "We are working through the funeral process with the bereaved families and doing our utmost to ensure no necessary support is neglected," and explained, "Centered on headquarters heads and partners, we are consoling members of the audit headquarters and communicating face to face to see if there are any difficulties."
Kim also said, "We are thoroughly reviewing our firm's work environment," adding, "We will work with a strong sense of responsibility to bring structural change to the industry."
The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) began a labor inspection of Samjong KPMG on the 12th. It plans to focus on whether Samjong KPMG properly operated the discretionary and flexible working hours systems. Previously, allegations were raised that Samjong KPMG accountants worked more than 80 hours a week but were unable to record overtime hours, among other expedient practices.
In addition, the ministry will conduct an intensive review of the overall labor laws, including whether comprehensive wage pay is being misused and whether leave, breaks, and holidays are being granted. If violations of the law are identified, it plans to take stern action.