Applying for Industrial Accident Compensation 3 Months After Death
Labor Attorney Kwon Donghee: "7 Days Off During 12 Weeks Before Death"
The resting area at Seoul National University College of Engineering where the late Mr. Lee passed away. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] The bereaved family of Lee Mo (59), a deceased cleaning worker at Seoul National University, applied for industrial accident compensation three months after his death.
On the morning of the 30th, Lee’s family and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Democratic General Federation’s National Democratic General Labor Union held a press conference in front of the Gwanak branch of the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service in Guro-gu, Seoul, urging recognition of the industrial accident and submitted the application form, stating, "The death is clearly a work-related accident."
Earlier, on June 26, Lee Mo, who worked as a cleaning worker at Seoul National University, was found dead in a dormitory break room. The family claimed that Lee suffered from stress due to the school’s power harassment, and subsequently, the Ministry of Employment and Labor and Seoul National University Human Rights Center concluded that there had been workplace bullying and human rights violations, including demands to wear formal attire and the administration of written tests.
Lee’s husband appealed, "The Seoul National University authorities again claim that my wife’s death was not an industrial accident caused by overwork," adding, "If the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service approves it as an industrial accident, I hope those authorities will step down to protect Seoul National University’s honor."
Labor attorney Kwon Dong-hee, who is handling the industrial accident case, argued based on analysis of materials related to the deceased Lee and testimonies from colleagues that excessive workload was the cause of death. In particular, it was found that Lee had only 7 days off in the 12 weeks before dying from acute myocardial infarction rupture and had worked continuously for up to 17 days.
Kang Dong-hwa, senior vice chairman of the KCTU Democratic General Federation, said, "This incident happened in June, and I naturally thought the industrial accident application had been made," adding, "The reason it was only applied for at the end of September is because Seoul National University dragged out the time, withheld data, and prevented visits. This is exactly the current situation of cleaning workers."
On the morning of the 30th, Lee Tan-hee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at a press conference for the industrial accident application of the late union member Lee at the Seoul National University cleaning workers, held in front of the Guro-gu Workers' Welfare Corporation Gwanak branch in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
At the press conference, Lee Tan-hee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, also mentioned the recent controversy over Kwak Sang-do, an independent lawmaker, and his son Kwak Byung-chae’s 5 billion won retirement pay.
Lee said, "Today again, I cannot help but think about the value of human life," pointing out, "Some receive 5 billion won in industrial accident consolation money because they are the son of a member of the National Assembly, while others lose their lives in harsh environments and are insulted for applying for industrial accident compensation."
He continued, "We will watch closely with wide-open eyes whether the Republic of Korea treats the value of its citizens’ lives equally and whether this industrial accident case will be handled fairly."
Kim Jin-eok, head of the Seoul Regional Headquarters of the KCTU, raised his voice, saying, "Hwacheon Daeyu paid 5 billion won in retirement pay to a 31-year-old assistant manager who worked for 7 years, of which 4.4 billion won was said to be industrial accident consolation money," adding, "The Seoul National University cleaning worker was ultimately driven to death due to extreme work stress. This is a clear industrial accident."
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