PUBLISHED ONMarch 15, 2018 4:45 AMSEOUL – Almost a decade ago, Lee Eun-eui was thrust into a lonely battle against her employer Samsung after she reported unwelcome touching by a superior.
Shamed by her supervisors and sidelined by her colleagues, Lee’s career as an international sales representative at the company stagnated.
“No one will be on your side,” Lee says her boss told her.
After two years, Lee won a lawsuit against her employer Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co Ltd, prevailing against part of a conglomerate so large and powerful in South Korea that the country is often referred to as the “Republic of Samsung”.
Lee has since built a new career as a lawyer helping other South Korean women with sex abuse cases.
Haunted by her colleagues’ silence, Lee hopes the #MeToo movement now sweeping the country will inspire more people to stand up for women who might otherwise experience the shame and silence she faced.
“What people need to think about now amid the #MeToo movement is emphasizing with those #MeToo stories that are not personally related to them,” Lee said.
Long Legal Battle in the Spotlight
After a slow start, the global #MeToo movement has swept across South Korea, lighting up recent accusations of sexual assault and harassment against high‑profile politicians, entertainers, and even religious leaders. Seoul is rolling out tougher laws and new safeguards to curb harassment.
Lee’s Personal Struggle
- 2005: Lee reported abuse to her company’s HR department, only to be sidelined.
- Desperation: She turned to Samsung’s chairman, Lee Kun‑hee, but got no response.
- Somber Thought: “If I had been a bit more fragile, I might have jumped off Taepyung Street,” she said about Samsung’s former HQ.
- 2008: She filed a civil suit, claiming her employer failed to protect her and inflicted mental anguish.
- 2010 Verdict: The Suwon District Court ruled in her favor, ordering Samsung Electro‑Mechanics to pay roughly 40 million won (~$37,460).
- Judge’s Rationale: “Although the plaintiff was sexually harassed at work, the defendant didn’t take appropriate measures and even put her at a disadvantage. The mental pain inflicted is undeniable.”
After the case, Samsung Elec‑Mech remained tight‑lipped, refusing to comment even when approached by Reuters.
Aftermath & Impact
- Lee believes her case sparked much-needed reforms at Samsung, which has since handled abuse cases more fairly.
- She cites feedback from former colleagues, noting a shift towards greater sensitivity.
- “Samsung is very sensitive about the problems they faced,” Lee remarked. “We’ve both matured by confronting each other.”
Photo: Reuters
“I HAVE BEEN THERE”
Other lawyers supporting victims say there have been improvements with South Korea’s handling of sexual abuse cases to better help those seeking justice in the courtroom.
“In the legal realm, courts have recently begun to accept victims’ testimonies as direct evidence rather than circumstantial evidence if those testimonies are detailed and consistent,” said Kim Soo-jin, an attorney from the Korean Women Lawyers Association.
Lee has been offering free legal help for victims of sexual violence since 2015, as part of a South Korean government’s programme to support the victims. She says many are still hesitant to take their cases to the court.
“Office workers are still afraid of talking about their stories publicly… There are many loopholes where companies can take minimal actions and get away from it,” Lee said.
“It is not victims’ preference to come out and talk. They are desperate. I know, because I have been there.”
