A South Korean hospital is under investigation for allegedly making its nurses perform a “seductive” dance in front of high-ranking officials at a formal event.
Video footage emerged showing groups of woman in skimpy outfits on stage, sparking outrage after it was widely shared online.
Nurses at the Sacred Heart Hospital of Hallym University claim they were forced to take part in the erotic dance in front of more than 1,000 co-workers and hospital officials during an annual sports competition in October.
The footage was uploaded by a whistleblower onto Facebook, who also suggested it is not the first time this has happened.
According to Korea Times, the nurse wrote: “Those forced to dance are usually the newly hired nurses, who are unable to refuse such orders. We are forced to dance in front of high-ranking officials of the firm who sit side-by-side at a long table.
Other nurses have also come forward on social media to claim they were encouraged to make sexually suggestive faces while performing the dance.
“During practice, managers at the Nursing Department would give instructions on making seductive gestures and facial expressions,” one nurse wrote.
Another added: “Some nurses even cried to express their extreme humiliation, but officials would always brush this off, saying they are making a big deal out of something everyone does.
“It is devastating to hear the hospital officials claimed they did not know about the situation after this finally got out.”
The Korean Nurses Association has called for an investigation into what the allegations surrounding Hallym University’s Sacred Heart Hospital.
It said in a statement: “This is a grave challenge to the vocation and self-esteem of nurses.
“There are numerous nurses who endure an intense workload, low paycheck and frequent overtime with their sense of duty and vocation. Considering this, the scandal was defamatory and offensive to these nurses.”
The Ministry of Employment and Labor confirmed an inquiry in under way.
A spokesperson told the Korea Times: “If we find legal problems, we will summon the hospital officials responsible.”