KORAIL Employee Who Violated BTS’ RM’s Privacy Has Been Reinstated

The Korean Railway Corporation (KORAIL) has found itself in the midst of controversy as reports emerge of the reinstatement of an employee, referred to as “A,” who had been dismissed for illegally accessing personal data about BTS leader RM.

KORAIL Reinstates Employee Who Violated BTS RM’s Privacy

According to Dispatch, the decision to reinstate “A” came after a second review of the offense by the Central Labor Relations Commission. The employee, previously in charge of IT development at KORAIL, reportedly accessed RM’s personal information, including ticket details, address, and mobile phone number, over a period of three years starting in 2019.

It was revealed that “A” admitted to accessing RM‘s reservation information with the intention of seeing him in person. Furthermore, they shared details about the BTS leader’s seat with a friend to allow them to reserve a nearby seat. KORAIL acknowledged that “A” was a fan and characterized the actions as stemming from curiosity rather than malice.

Why The KORAIL Employee’s Reinstatement Might Be A Bad Move

The breach of privacy raised serious concerns as it violated the Personal Information Protection Act, which stipulates that customer information should only be accessed for necessary service processing. Unauthorized access to personal data, especially for non-business purposes, is strictly prohibited.

In addition to accessing RM’s information, “A” reportedly engaged in similar unauthorized access to personal data belonging to other KORAIL employees. The breach was brought to light during an internal audit, leading to the termination of “A’s” employment.

Despite the severity of the privacy breach, the reinstatement decision has sparked controversy and raised eyebrows. The initial dismissal of “A’s” application for a review highlighted the gravity of the situation. However, the subsequent reversal of this decision by the Central Labor Relations Commission has left many questioning the ethics and principles governing the protection of individuals’ private information.

This incident sheds light on the challenges organizations face in balancing the rights of employees with the need to maintain a secure and respectful work environment. The decision to reinstate “A” emphasizes the importance of a thorough examination of privacy breaches and calls for a reevaluation of the existing legal framework governing personal data protection in the workplace. The controversy surrounding KORAIL’s decision serves as a reminder of the ongoing discussions and efforts needed to safeguard individuals’ privacy in an increasingly digitalized world.