'Union Member Casualty' Cargo Solidarity Urges Police to Apologize for Excessive Force and Punish Those Responsible

After concluding collective bargaining negotiations with BGF Logis, the Freight Solidarity Headquarters of the Public Transport Workers' Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions called for the punishment and an apology from police officials regarding the accident involving casualties among union members during a strike rally.

On Labor Day, May 1, the Cargo Solidarity division held a press conference in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, declaring, "We strongly urge a thorough investigation into the excessive use of force by the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, punishment of those responsible, and a sincere apology."

At around 10:32 a.m. on April 20, at the site of a Cargo Solidarity rally in front of the CU Jinju Logistics Center (BGF Logis Jinju Center) in Jeongchon-myeon, Jinju, Gyeongnam Province, a man in his 40s who was not a union member drove a 2.5-ton truck into three union members. As a result, one union member in his 50s died and two others were injured.

The Cargo Solidarity claimed that this fatal accident occurred due to "excessive force by the police" and the "reckless enforcement of vehicle departures."

The Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Union is holding a press conference urging the punishment and apology of police officials responsible for the casualties and accidents involving union members that occurred during the strike rally.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

They stated, "The primary role of the police at a strike site, where tensions are already extremely high, is to protect the lives and safety of workers and citizens. However, instead of stopping the reckless departure of replacement vehicles that were illegally deployed, the police at the scene forcibly pushed away Cargo Solidarity members engaged in a sit-in, dispersing them."

They continued, "As a result of forcing vehicles to depart in an unsafe environment, workers collapsed and were injured, and a martyr (the deceased union member) lost his life. This is not a simple accident but a violent and murderous act that betrays the police's duty."

They also warned, "If responsibility for this deadly crackdown is not pursued, authorities will once again resort to excessive measures at strike sites, and incidents where workers lose their lives while fighting for their right to livelihood may be repeated."

Accordingly, they demanded the dismissal of the head of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency, a thorough investigation into the entry process and punishment of those responsible, and an apology to the bereaved family of the deceased union member.

Immediately after the press conference, approximately 20 Cargo Solidarity broadcast vehicles played labor songs toward the entrance of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency to express their protest.

Kim Dongguk, Chairman of the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union, a member of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, is speaking.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

Kim Dongguk, Chairman of the Freight Solidarity Headquarters, stated, "If the police had maintained even a minimal neutral stance, and if the lives of workers had been prioritized over replacement vehicles, the martyr would not have died. We will hold those responsible to account to the end, seek justice for the deceased, and continue to fight for a society without further unjust deaths."

Prior to the press conference, Cargo Solidarity held a memorial rally in front of the CU Jinju Logistics Center to honor the deceased union member.

The blockade of major CU logistics centers, including those in Jinju and Jincheon—which had been shut down due to the strike—was lifted after BGF Logis, the logistics subsidiary of BGF Retail, which operates CU convenience stores, signed a collective agreement at the Jinju branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor on April 30.

The agreement included: ▲ a 7% increase in freight charges; ▲ an additional paid leave day per quarter separate from the existing one paid weekly day off; ▲ immunity from civil and criminal liability related to the strike; ▲ cancellation of the application for a provisional injunction prohibiting interference with business, and other provisions.

It also stipulated guarantees for Cargo Solidarity activities and a commitment not to treat union members disadvantageously because of their union status.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union Cargo Solidarity Headquarters is holding a memorial rally in honor of a union member who died in an accident during a strike assembly. [Photo by Cargo Solidarity]

At around 3 p.m. on the same day, Cargo Solidarity will hold a "World Labor Day Rally" in front of the CU Jinju Logistics Center, laying flowers and burning incense in memory of the deceased union member and reading a resolution demanding the defense of basic labor rights.

In accordance with the wishes of the bereaved family, the funeral of the deceased union member will be held at a funeral hall in Suncheon and is planned as a "labor and civil society funeral."

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