[Infostock Daily=Reporter Park Sang-in] The suicide of Lee Ji-won (alias), a car designer who worked at Hyundai-Kia Motors Namyang Research Institute last year, was found to have direct correlation with shifting the blame, abusive language, and bullying. 

"Leaders at the Namyang Institute Design Center were careful not to upset Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun or EVP Luke Dongkervolke," a Hyundai Motor official told Infostock Daily on the 8th. He added, "When top management dislikes the design and look for the responsible party, mid-management blames the designers of the project. The designers were forced to work extended hours for revision." 

During the revision process, mid-managment changed the design spontaneously or asked the designers to plagiarize design from other car makers. It was confirmed that mid-management verbally abused and ridiculed responsible designers in the process of questioning. Designers were required to work overtime repeatedly. 

Executive Director Lee Sang-yeop, who is know as the Chairman Chung Eui-sun's closest aide, has led the design center since 2015. 

The deceased Lee Ji-won was not acknowledged for his contribution to the 4th generation Tucson project even if he completed the project with one team leader and another staff. At the time, team members of the project demanded a rightful recognition for Lee to the head of the design center. 

The late Lee displayed abnormal behavior at the office on January 20th. He shout, "My name is Lee Ji-won. I have a lot to improve. I will do better." in front of his coworkers and managers. Other coworkers suspected that his eccentric behavior was driven by severe stress.

Hyundai Motor immediately ordered Mr. Lee to receive psychiatric evaluation. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, severe depression, and panic disorder. He asked for a leave of absence in April of that year. However, he committed suicide 1 moth before returning to the work. 

"From interviewing employees shortly after the incident, no verbal abuse and violence were found. The alleged story is completely fabricated," Hyundai Motor said. "The design for new models are done at other design centers in U.S. and Europe concurrently. We choose the best one. So, one particular designer cannot be responsible for the project."

Reporter Park Sang-in si2020@infostock.co.kr


 

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