Cargo Solidarity: "Death and Injury of Union Member Is Murder by Police and BGF" ... Calls for Thorough Investigation and Punishment

The Cargo Solidarity of the Public Transport Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) strongly criticized both the police and BGF Retail, claiming that the accident involving a union member at the Jinju CU Logistics Center in Gyeongnam the previous day occurred because of their actions.

On April 21, at a press conference held in front of the main gate of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, the Cargo Solidarity stated, "This accident is an act of murder by BGF capital and state power," adding, "We will not stand by and will hold both BGF capital, which refused dialogue and suppressed the union, and the police, who carried out the suppression, accountable."

The Freight Solidarity Union of the Public Transport Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a press conference yesterday regarding the occupational accident involving union members at the Jinju CU Logistics Center in Gyeongnam.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

They added, "The deceased joined the Cargo Solidarity in 2011 and has served as the local branch's secretary, vice branch manager, and branch manager, taking a leading role in union activities. It is shocking that such a person was crushed to death by a vehicle during the police's excessive crackdown."

The union continued, "We will continue to fight to protect the union rights that the deceased member wished for and to create a safe workplace," urging, "Conduct a thorough investigation into all police officers involved at the time of the accident, strictly investigate and punish the on-site managers from the company."

They also demanded, "The Lee Jaemyung administration must resolve this situation immediately," warning, "If an immediate resolution is not reached, the struggle will expand beyond the Cargo Solidarity to include all KCTU members."

The Cargo Solidarity Division of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' Public Transport Union is confronting at the entrance of the Gyeongnam Police Agency building, demanding a meeting with the Gyeongnam Police Chief immediately after a press conference regarding a fatal accident involving members at the Jinju CU Logistics Center in Gyeongnam.
Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

After the press conference, union members attempted to enter the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency building to request a meeting with the Gyeongnam Police Chief but were stopped by the police.

During the process, there were shouting matches and physical altercations, but no one was seriously injured.

Union members continued their protest in front of the main entrance of the building until 12:30 p.m., chanting slogans demanding that the deceased union member be brought back to life and delivering strong criticism toward the Gyeongnam Police Chief and others.

Later, they held a resolution rally in front of the CU Jinju Logistics Center in Jeongchon-myeon, Jinju City, demanding punishment for those responsible, measures to prevent recurrence, BGF Retail's sincere participation in negotiations and agreement with the Cargo Solidarity, and an agreement with the bereaved family to restore the honor of the deceased union member.

In addition, they set up a memorial altar in the cargo area of a 25-ton truck to mourn the deceased union member.

A memorial altar set up by the Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union to commemorate a union member who died in an industrial accident at the Jinju CU Logistics Center in Gyeongnam. [Photo by Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union]

Previously, on the morning of April 20, at the site of a Cargo Solidarity rally in front of the CU Jinju Logistics Center, a 2.5-ton cargo truck struck union members participating in the rally.

As a result of this accident, one union member in his 50s belonging to the Cargo Solidarity was killed, while two other union members sustained serious and minor injuries, respectively.

The accident is believed to have occurred as union members were blocking the exit of logistics vehicles.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Unit has formed a special team, urgently arrested the truck driver, a man in his 40s identified as Mr. B, on charges of special injury, and is investigating whether there was intent at the time.

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