Does it apply to workplaces with fewer than five employees?

Not currently; extending coverage is under debate.

Workplace harassment (Korea)

⚖️ Law By CampusDown Wiki Editorial Team Last updated October 26, 2026

Workplace harassment in Korea is conduct by an employer or worker who exploits a superior position or relationship, beyond the proper scope of work, to cause another worker physical or mental suffering or to worsen the work environment (Labor Standards Act Art. 76-2).

Contents

1. History
2. Criteria and reporting
3. FAQ
4. References

History

In the 1980s, Swedish psychologist Heinz Leymann coined "mobbing" for repeated hostile acts at work and documented their serious mental-health effects. In Korea, public outrage grew in 2018 over a nurse's suicide linked to taeum hazing and a viral video of a company chairman assaulting staff. The ban took effect on July 16, 2019. Since October 2021, fines of up to ₩10 million apply when an employer or a relative is the perpetrator.

Criteria and reporting

Harassment requires abuse of superiority, which can be rank, numbers, or employment status. The conduct must also exceed the proper scope of work and cause harm. Examples include verbal abuse, exclusion, excessive or personal tasks, and ostracism. Employers must investigate promptly, protect the victim, and discipline the offender. Retaliation is punishable by up to three years in prison. Harassment-induced illness can qualify as an industrial accident.

FAQ

Does it apply to workplaces with fewer than five employees?: Not currently; extending coverage is under debate.
Can a single incident count?: Yes, if it's severe enough.

Sources reviewed: 2026-10-26

References

근로기준법 제76조의2·제76조의3, 국가법령정보센터. https://www.law.go.kr
Leymann, H. (1990). Mobbing and psychological terror at workplaces. Violence and Victims, 5(2), 119–126.
고용노동부. (2019). 직장 내 괴롭힘 판단 및 예방·대응 매뉴얼.
고용노동부. https://www.moel.go.kr

Reports and materials that use this theory (Korean)

There are no materials dedicated to this theory yet, but you can search related reports in the CampusDown library (Korean).

Find more reports · Search '직장 내 괴롭힘' on CampusDown →

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This article was last updated on October 26, 2026. It is based on widely recognized original works and textbooks; when citing it in a paper, please check the original sources listed in the references.