South Korean Firms Accused of Failing to Curb Workplace Harassment

As of November 2025, South Korea's efforts to address workplace sexual harassment have seen mixed results. In 2018, the country passed a landmark amendment that imposed harsher penalties on employers who failed to prevent or respond to misconduct. This has led to a significant decline, with the percentage of people experiencing harassment falling by half according to a 2024 government survey.

However, the news is not all positive. While companies are now legally obligated to investigate harassment reports, many women say their employers are still not doing enough. In the same 2024 survey, more than one-third of harassment reporters stated their company took "no appropriate action" - a fivefold increase from 2021 findings. This surge in dissatisfaction suggests South Korean firms have not fully met expectations for accountability.

Employees like Baek SongYi, who reported her Salesforce manager for inappropriate comments, have faced frustrating experiences. Despite the company's investigation finding policy violations, Baek was not informed of the disciplinary actions taken, and her former manager remained in the same role. Experts say South Korea's strict defamation laws and difficulty in terminating employees for misconduct contribute to these challenges.

As South Korea continues to grapple with workplace harassment, women like Baek hope for greater transparency and stronger protections. Until then, they warn that the toll on victims will persist.