The South Korean Ministry of Labor has initiated an investigation into KPMG following the death of an accountant in his 30s, which has sparked suspicions of overwork. The accountant, who managed on-site audits, was found dead on the 6th of the month, coinciding with a busy audit season that raised concerns about excessive working hours. Reports and social media discussions suggest that his long working hours may have directly contributed to his death, indicating a troubling pattern at the firm, as another similar case occurred last November where a young accountant also died under precarious work conditions.

Allegations have surfaced that the accountant was working over 80 hours a week while the company maintained he should only have recorded 40 hours. KPMG utilized flexible work systems such as discretionary labor and selective working hours, raising questions about their implementation and impact on employee workloads. The Ministry's investigation aims not only to assess the appropriateness of these flexible work arrangements but also to check for potential abuses of wage systems, vacation entitlements, and overall compliance with labor laws. Authorities have indicated that strict measures will be taken if violations are discovered.

In a statement, Deputy Minister Kwon Chang-jun emphasized the need to rectify long working hour practices and assured commitment to ensuring a healthy working environment for all employees, particularly young professionals in demanding sectors like accounting. This incident highlights the urgent need to address labor issues related to excessive workloads in South Korea, especially within highly demanding professions, and may have broader implications for workplace regulations moving forward.