By Jung Min-ho



Protesters gathered in front of LG Uplus' customer care center in Seoul, Wednesday, demanding an investigation into the suicide of one of its employees last month.



Members of the Youth Community Union, an independent workers group, claimed the telecommunications company's excessive workload and unfair treatment led the man to kill himself on Oct. 21.



The man, who is only known by his surname Lee, worked as a counselor at its customer center in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, the union said.



"LG Uplus did not allow him to leave the office until he met certain sales quotas, which was not supposed to be his job," the union said. "As a result, he suffered an enormous amount of stress."



According to a suicide note found by police, the company forced Lee to sell Internet phones and IPTVs up to 10 p.m. most nights, while not paying him for his extra work. The union said he was contracted to work from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.



The union also accused LG Uplus of hiding its poor labor conditions.



"Before the labor ministry came to the office on an inspection, the company educated its employees about what to say and what not to say," the union said.



Lee had also written in his final note that his situation was not at all different in most of the company's offices across the country.



"We want a thorough investigation into this case," the union said. "Until then, we will continue to hold campaigns and press conferences to let people know what happened to Lee."



"The government should do something about it and LG Uplus should be held accountable."



LG Uplus said in a statement that it will try to improve labor conditions for its employees.



