Setting Goals, Exercising, Becoming an Ace... Memo Pad of Deceased 19-Year-Old Worker Revealed

19-Year-Old Worker Dies at Paper Mill in Jeonju, Jeonbuk
Memo Before Death Includes Work and Self-Development Notes
"Tragic Youth"... Family Demands Truth Investigation

Recently, a worker named A (19) died while inspecting equipment at a paper mill in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do. The late worker's memo book has been revealed, evoking sadness. The memo book, disclosed by the bereaved family during a press conference, contained goals related to work, self-development, and financial management, such as "Becoming the ace of the part" and "Setting future goals."

A part of the memo left by Mr. A before his death. [Image source=MBC news screen capture]

A died around 9:22 a.m. on the 16th while inspecting machinery in the equipment room on the third floor of the factory. He entered the equipment room alone to check machines that had been stopped for about six days and died there. It is known that he was left unattended for at least an hour before being found.

A was a new employee who had been with the factory for six months. He was hired as a full-time employee after completing a three-month field internship at a specialized high school last year. As a young worker just entering society, he passionately set future plans, goals, and resolutions. Under the item "Separating economy and bank accounts," he meticulously categorized accounts such as "living expenses account," "savings account," "transportation expenses account," and "congratulatory and condolence account," calculated his current assets and necessary living expenses, and recorded his monthly savings goals.

He also planned to study English and Japanese, setting detailed plans such as "search for online lectures" and "set self-study period." There were also goals related to hobbies, including learning camera shooting techniques, editing skills, and musical instruments. Among the things he wanted to do, he wrote, "Taking photos of moments while traveling."

A excerpt from a memo left by Mr. A before his death. [Image provided by Jeonbuk Headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions]

He recorded resolutions about his lifestyle habits as well, such as "Don't be scared," "Develop a habit of recording," "Don't speak carelessly about others," and "Don't hesitate to spend money on friends." He also expressed ambition about work, writing, "I will become the ace of the part."

After A's memo was made public, netizens expressed their sorrow. Comments included, "It's so sad that the world of such a bright and lovely person has ended," "He was a friend who tried so hard to live well, it brings tears," and "Such a young person with many dreams, it's heartbreaking."

The bereaved family is demanding a thorough investigation into A's death. They are questioning why a new employee like A was working alone and whether safety manuals were followed. Park Young-min, a labor attorney representing the family, said at the press conference, "This was a site where toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide could be generated due to the decay of paper raw material residue, so we want to know why he went alone to the equipment room and why the principle of working in pairs was not followed."

Kim Hyun-joo, former director of the Jeonnam Youth Labor Rights Center, pointed out, "A usually told his mother that he worked on the first and second floors and that the third floor was worked on by senior workers, so it was safe. However, that day, A went up to the third floor and collapsed while working."

However, the factory side stated that there was no sign of death from overwork and that no hazards such as toxic gases were detected. They said A worked only eight hours a day for ten days before the accident, and toxic gas levels were measured over two days after the accident but none were detected. Regarding A working alone, they explained, "It was not a task that required working in pairs."

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