Tragic Death Of Korean Teenager During Working Hours Sparks Public Outrage
A heartbreaking incident occurred on the morning of June 16 at a manufacturing plant in Jeonju’s Palbok Industrial Complex, where a young worker lost his life under tragic circumstances.
The victim — a 19-year-old recently employed at a paper mill — collapsed and later succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.
The young man, who had joined the workforce after completing a specialized high school program in Suncheon, was reportedly working alone at the time of the accident. His family disclosed that he had been left unattended for about an hour following the incident, contrary to safety protocols requiring that tasks be performed in pairs.
The deceased was working alone on Sunday when the accident happened. He was left unattended for about an hour after the incident. The principle that work should be performed in pairs was not followed. Additionally, the emergency response was inadequate.
— The victim’s family
In a public statement, the Jeonbuk branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions voiced their anger over the incident. They highlighted the vulnerability of the teenager, who was just six months into his job and had barely begun his career. The union demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to his death, insisting that the management at Jeonju Paper take full responsibility and issue a formal apology.
The deceased had joined the manufacturing plant through on-site training after graduating from a specialized high school in Suncheon. It’s infuriating that a 19-year-old, new to society and only six months into his job, has died.
We demand that the truth behind this young worker’s unjust death be revealed. Jeonju Paper should apologize for the death and take full responsibility. We call on the Jeonju branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor to thoroughly investigate the accident site and conduct a special labor inspection immediately.
— KCTU
The outcry was echoed by family members and civil society organizations, who are urging for the incident to be officially recognized as a workplace accident. During a press conference held outside the Jeonju branch of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, there were calls for an immediate and comprehensive labor inspection at the plant to uncover any potential safety lapses.
