Sim Sang-jung on Construction Workers' Union Self-Immolation Death: "A Victim of Yoon's Construction Violence Crackdown"

Facebook Post "Regrettable and Frustrating... Heartbreaking"

An executive of the Construction Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), who was under prosecution investigation, attempted self-immolation and died while receiving treatment. Sim Sang-jung, a Justice Party lawmaker, raised her voice saying he was a "victim of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's crackdown on construction site violence" and expressed her deep sorrow and frustration.

On the 2nd, Sim posted on her Facebook, "Yesterday, the 133rd Labor Day, a construction worker comrade who attempted self-immolation in protest against the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's labor oppression passed away a short while ago," and added, "I sincerely pray for the deceased's soul."

Sim Sang-jung, a member of the Justice Party, is speaking at the plenary session of the National Assembly held on the afternoon of the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News

She said, "(The deceased) left his last words saying that he could not accept being accused of obstructing business and extortion for legitimate union activities, as his pride would not allow it," and added, "My heart breaks thinking about how much dreadful loneliness he must have endured before making this decision, leaving behind a wife who is a supermarket worker and two middle school children."

Furthermore, she stated, "The Justice Party and I will deeply contemplate how to respond to the death of the deceased," and "I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved family."

Meanwhile, on Labor Day, the 1st, A, an executive of the KCTU Construction Union Gangwon Branch who attempted self-immolation, died on the 2nd while receiving hospital treatment. Before the self-immolation, A reportedly left a letter in the form of a will stating, "I engaged in union activities legitimately and without guilt, yet the charges are not even a violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act but obstruction of business and extortion. My pride does not allow this."

Previously, A and three other members of the Construction Union Gangwon Branch had arrest warrants requested on charges of joint extortion and obstruction of business under the Act on the Punishment of Violent Crimes. They were accused of forcing the hiring of union members and demanding salaries for site executives at construction sites in the Gangwon region from April last year to February this year, extorting about 80 million won from construction companies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.