"Relationship Started in a State of Intoxication… Why Am I the Only One to Take Responsibility?"

A woman, identified as A, who was ordered to pay compensation after engaging in an inappropriate relationship with her married workplace superior, has expressed her feelings of injustice and is considering legal action. A appeared recently on YTN Radio's "Consultation Room with Lawyer Join-seop," where she shared, "I feel like I’m shouldering all the responsibility alone."

According to her, after losing her father in a car accident during her childhood, she had to endure the battlefield of the workplace solo and came to understand the feeling of "having to rely on a strong man." It was during this time that A was approached by her married superior at work.

A stated, "He expressed his interest first, and our initial relationship started when I was drunk. During a company dinner, he took me to a motel while I was intoxicated, and thereafter, our relationship continued naturally with ongoing contact."

However, the situation drastically changed when this information reached the superior's wife. A's superior's spouse filed a lawsuit against her for damages, and the court ruled that A must pay 20 million won in compensation.

A recalled, "I even took out a loan to pay the compensation, interest on delayed payments, and legal fees. Yet, my superior hasn’t even divorced his wife and has not taken any legal responsibility. I feel like I am the only one being punished."

She continued, "I believe 20% of the fault lies with me while the remaining 80% falls on my superior," and inquired, "Is it possible to hold him responsible as well? Can I also get back the 6.6 million won I spent on legal fees?"

Regarding this, attorney Ahn Eun-kyung from Shinsegae Law Firm explained, "If they are joint wrongdoers, it is possible to seek recourse based on the proportion of fault." She indicated that even though A paid the damages initially, she could claim back a portion equivalent to her superior's share through civil litigation.

However, she clarified that legal fees are not chargeable in this situation. Attorney Ahn stated, "Legal costs are already included in the cost determination process of the damages lawsuit, so they cannot be claimed separately."

Additionally, she mentioned, "Even if the other party approached A first, it is difficult to argue that one side bears greater responsibility considering A's continued involvement in the wrongdoing. In actual rulings, it is common to divide the fault ratio around 40:60."

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