Fifteen South Korean firefighters have been disciplined following a government investigation into the workplace treatment of a female firefighter who took her own life in October 2025.

The 28-year-old firefighter assigned to Gwangsan Fire Station, had complained about being pressured to attend after-hours gatherings, consume alcohol, and perform personal tasks for superior officers. Her death and her family’s unsuccessful efforts to obtain an internal investigation were previously discussed here.

The allegations drew the attention of South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung, who directed the Office for Government Policy Coordination to investigate both the treatment of the female firefighter, and the fire service’s handling of her family’s requests for an investigation. The President ordered investigators to determine the causes and circumstances surrounding her death, including the allegations of coerced drinking, and to impose “the maximum level of accountability” if the allegations were substantiated.

The government inspection concluded that victim had been pressured to attend 24 work-related drinking gatherings during the 15 months preceding her death. Some reportedly continued until 2 a.m. at bars, nightclubs, and karaoke rooms.

Investigators found that supervisors required her to participate in drinking games and consume mixed soju-and-beer drinks. She was also instructed to sit beside senior male officers and told, “Sit between the station chief and the section chief,” “Greet the station chief and accept a drink from him,” and “Call them ‘oppa,’” an informal Korean term used by a woman when addressing an older male.

The victim was also required to purchase alcohol and coffee for supervisors while traveling abroad, prepare a retirement ceremony for the Station Chief, perform errands associated with supervisors’ family events, and drive supervisors’ personal vehicles.

The investigation also examined the response to the family’s request for an internal review. Gwangsan Fire Station closed the matter after approximately one week, concluding that there were no unusual circumstances. According to the government’s findings, an officer identified in the harassment allegations was responsible for the office conducting the review.

Investigators further concluded that officials improperly shared confidential counseling information about the victim. Information relating to anxiety she experienced with regard to her fiancé who was upset about her treatment, was reportedly disclosed and used in an official personnel document in a manner that suggested that it was relationship problems that contributed to her death, and not the underlying harassment.

The Office for Government Policy Coordination requested disciplinary action against 17 fire officials: nine assigned to Gwangsan Fire Station, six assigned to the regional fire headquarters, and two assigned to the National Fire Agency.

A fire service disciplinary committee subsequently considered the cases of the 15 regional and station-level firefighters. Twelve received major discipline, including two who were dismissed from the fire service. Three received minor discipline. The committee concluded that the forced attendance at gatherings, pressure to consume alcohol, improper response to the family’s request for an investigation, and violations involving the handling of confidential personal information violated disciplinary rules.

The two National Fire Agency officials were referred to the National Fire Agency for separate disciplinary proceedings. More on the story.