5 Shocking Violations by Lee Byung-kyun at Korean Job World: What You Need to Know

Lee Byung-kyun | 2026.04.28

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Lee Byung-gyun, Chairman of Korea Job World[Yonhap News file photo][Yonhap News file photo]
The Ministry of Employment and Labor’s special audit found multiple instances of misconduct by Lee Byung-gyun, chairman of Korea Job World, including attempts to influence personnel decisions and improper use of operating funds.According to the ministry’s Office of Audits in its “Korea Job World Special Audit Report,” auditors identified five violations: soliciting personnel favors, interfering in personnel evaluations, improper disbursement of operating expenses, improperly ordering donations of unused items, and breaching guidelines on reporting work-related crimes.The audit confirmed allegations that Lee instructed staff to appoint a personal acquaintance who had been involved in President Yoon Suk-yeol’s presidential campaign as a non-executive director at Job World or Job World Partners. Auditors also found that he summoned evaluators responsible for a specific employee’s personnel review and chastised them, asking, “Why are you giving a D grade?”Investigators determined that he misused operating funds while dining with private acquaintances and falsified attendee numbers to keep per-person spending below the 50,000 KRW limit (about $37.50). Separately, the ministry’s Seongnam branch concluded on April 16 that five acts — including calling an employee during their spouse’s parental leave in a way that interfered with legitimate leave and tearing up report materials in front of an executive assistant — constituted workplace harassment and ordered corrective measures.The Job World labor union called for Lee’s immediate removal, saying the harassment findings combined with the audit confirm widespread misconduct. With multiple violations established, Lee is now subject to disciplinary proceedings; Job World’s disciplinary committee will determine the specific penalty.Lee was appointed on July 31, 2023, under the Yoon administration to a three-year term that is set to expire on July 30.#LeeByung-gyun #KoreaJobWorld #Misconduct #Wrongdoing #Harassment #SpecialAudit #MinistryOfEmploymentAndLaborYonhap News TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23; Kim Tae-uk (tw@yna.co.kr)