Hallym University Medical Center has been embroiled in a sexism controversy after video footage emerged showing nurses allegedly being forced to dance in a sexual manner in skimpy outfits for the hospital’s annual talent show.(Image: Activenursing’s Facebook page)
SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — Criticism continues to grow on social media over the controversial treatment of nurses at a South Korean hospital, including sexual dance performances that have been accused of being sexist and abuses of power from the top down.
Hallym University Medical Center has been embroiled in a sexism controversy after video footage emerged showing nurses allegedly being forced to dance in a sexual manner in skimpy outfits for the hospital’s annual talent show.
According to civic group Workplace Power Abuse 119 on Sunday, Hallym University Medical Center has allegedly been forcing nurses to wear revealing clothes for a sexual dance performance during the hospital’s annual event outside their working hours, without additional payment.
Since the revelation came to light, the hospital has been met with a storm of criticism on social media.
On Naver’s news page, one user who goes by ‘goh7****’ wrote in an angry tone, “They turned nurses into cheerleaders. It’s embarrassing that so called angels in white are used for such festivals, instead of helping take care of patients.”
One user said they were left speechless, while another said, “I heard (the nurses) were told to wear raunchy outfits while dancing sexually. I feel for them.”
Another user drew a rather shocking but appropriate comparison with Kippumjo, a group of women in North Korea formed to please and entertain high-ranking officials of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
“It feels like North Korea’s Kippumjo. The design of the outfit is too revealing, and as a fellow woman, I feel humiliated,” Naver user ‘sunh*****’ said.
The outrage was not only among women, as men also flocked to criticize what many see as a bizarre and outdated form of sexism that shouldn’t be allowed in today’s workplace.
“Even from the perspective of a man, it’s using women as nothing but toys. When did it become nurses’ job to entertain doctors and management?” one male user asked, while criticizing the hospital.
Another user who claimed to be a nurse herself shared her take on the shocking controversy, saying it is the reality for a lot of female nurses in South Korea.
Criticism continues to grow on social media over the controversial treatment of nurses at a South Korean hospital, including sexual dance performances that have been accused of being sexist and abuses of power from the top down. (Image: Yonhap)
“This is the reality for South Korean nurses. I’m not sure who it is for. We take care of patients at the expense of our own health, attending workplace events and training sessions even on our days off against our will. Something needs to be done to improve the rights of nurses,” the user said in a plea for help.
With the controversy showing no signs of abating, the Korean Nurses Association has called on the government launch an investigation into the claims of gross misconduct surrounding Hallym University Medical Center.
Hyunsu Yim (hyunsu@koreabizwire.com)
