South Korean public institutions pay wages during misconduct suspensions

Publicly related organizations in South Korea, including the IBK Industrial Bank of Korea and the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), are facing criticism for continuing to pay salaries to employees during periods of suspension for serious misconduct, such as sexual harassment.

Data from Representative Jeon Hyun-hee's office revealed that over the past five years, IBK Industrial Bank of Korea paid more than 600 million won in wages to 35 employees suspended for major misconduct. Some employees received monthly salaries exceeding 10 million won and even utilized company-owned resort memberships during their suspension. Similarly, the FSS paid approximately 43 million won to seven suspended employees over the same period.

Despite a 2022 recommendation from the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission advising public organizations to cease wage payments during suspension periods, these institutions have not implemented changes. IBK and the FSS stated that such adjustments require negotiations with labor unions. Other national research institutes, including the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation and the Korea Labor Institute, were also found to be paying wages to suspended staff.