Taxi Driver Attempting Self-Immolation Over 'Wage Arrears' Dies While Receiving Treatment

A taxi driver who attempted self-immolation amid wage arrears disputes with his company ultimately died while receiving treatment.

According to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union on the 6th, at around 6:18 a.m. that day, Bang Yeong-hwan, head of the H Transport branch of the Public Transport Workers' Union Taxi Division, passed away while hospitalized at Seoul Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital.

Mr. Bang attempted self-immolation on the road in front of his company in Sinwol-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, on the 26th of last month by pouring a volatile substance on himself. He was transported to the hospital but was in critical condition with third-degree burns covering more than 60% of his body.

It is known that Mr. Bang attempted self-immolation due to wage arrears issues. Having worked as a taxi driver since 2008, he refused the company’s demanded lump-sum payment labor contract in November last year and advocated for a 40-hour workweek. Since February this year, he had been conducting solo protests condemning wage arrears and calling for the implementation of a full salary system.

The Public Transport Workers' Union, the Labor Party, and the Public Transport Workers' Union Taxi Division formed the "Joint Countermeasures Committee for the Implementation of the Full Salary System! Guaranteeing Taxi Workers' Right to Livelihood! Punishment of Those Responsible for Bang Yeong-hwan’s Self-immolation Incident" (Joint Committee) and planned to hold a memorial service for Mr. Bang at Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital at 7 p.m. that day.

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