[Photo] Memorial service held for nurse who was likely victim of hospital’s “burn” culture

Friends and relatives of an Asan Medical Center nurse who committed suicide by jumping off a building last month held a memorial service for the victim at Gwanghwamun Station on Mar. 3. Holding candles and white chrysanthemums, the mourners called for an investigation into bullying practices at the hospital, stemming from an abusive “taeum” (“burn”) culture among Korean nurses. The “burn” culture refers to the intolerant attitude that nurses at many Korean hospitals take toward junior-level employees and mistakes which they may commit. A petition posted on Feb. 18 on the Blue House website to investigate the exact cause of the nurse’s death received more than 13,000 signatures in the first 24 hours. (by Lee Jung-ah, staff photographer)