Nightlong clashes erupt in Jinju after worker killed in truck accident
Clashes between union members and police continued late into Monday night in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, after a serious accident at a logistics center left one worker dead and two others injured. The incident involved a 2.5-ton truck that struck protesters outside a facility operated by BGF Retail, the company behind CU convenience stores.
The protest was organized by members of the Cargo Truckers Solidarity, which is part of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. The group had been holding a sit-in since April 16. They were calling for collective bargaining, which means negotiating working conditions and wages with the company as a group.
Authorities said the accident happened when protesters tried to physically block trucks from leaving the facility. However, the union claimed that police had removed some protesters to allow trucks to pass, which they believe led to the fatal crash. Police denied this claim and said they were managing traffic and safety at the scene.
After the accident, tensions increased quickly. A union member later drove a vehicle into a police barricade, injuring a police officer. Police arrested two union members for obstructing official duties. More union members arrived later, and small fights broke out as police blocked access to the site.
By night, the area remained tense, with a strong police presence and protesters still gathered. Both sides accused each other of responsibility. The Labor Minister visited the site and called for calm and dialogue, expressing sadness over the death and urging both sides to resolve the conflict through negotiation.
Edited using generative AI tools.
Source : https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10721701?fbclid=IwY2xjawRTqYRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhYjZLc |
