A press conference was held to urge a thorough investigation into the death of the late worker No Chi-mok. Photo by Ryeong Lee ryeong@
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Se-ryeong] “My eldest son and eldest grandson, my son whom I relied on greatly as a disciple taught by his father and as a business partner, is no longer by my side. They say they will give consolation money, but I do not need money. I want the truth to be revealed!”
The mother of the late No Chi-mok, a 28-year-old worker who lost his life after being crushed by an excavator, made this plea.
According to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Gyeongnam Headquarters, the late Mr. No was involved in an accident on June 19 last year at a construction site in Gyeongnam commissioned by the Korea Fisheries Infrastructure Public Corporation, where the ground collapsed and his abdomen was pressed by an excavator.
He complained of breathing difficulties and pain to his colleagues and begged for help, but the report was delayed, resulting in late rescue, and Mr. No died from multiple injuries caused by hemoperitoneum.
On that day, the bereaved family stated that they confirmed from the 119 rescue team’s call recording that the company did not report the accident immediately after it occurred.
They said, “Based on the statements of witness A, who was at the accident scene and helped move the victim to the truck, and several other witnesses, it was revealed that the report was made only about 50 minutes after the estimated time of the accident. Even then, they claimed he had fallen while taking a walk, and the opinion that emergency rescue was needed and that he should be transported by helicopter was practically ignored.”
“We received a response from the Gyeongnam Fire Headquarters that emergency helicopter dispatch was possible at the time of the accident,” they added. “Most excavator crush accidents are classified as severe emergency cases, and they check whether rescue is possible, the duration of being trapped, and the affected area.”
The bereaved family emphasized, “The doctor who reviewed the CT scan testified that if appropriate emergency measures had been taken just a little sooner, he could have survived. This is a clear case of omission murder that occurred during the concealment of the industrial accident itself.”
They further demanded ▲ a full reinvestigation of the accident circumstances ▲ legal measures to eradicate concealment of industrial accidents ▲ an apology from the company.
According to the Gyeongnam Headquarters, under the current Industrial Safety and Health Act, simply reporting that an industrial accident occurred is not considered concealment of an industrial accident, and even if it is hidden, only a fine is imposed without criminal punishment.
The bereaved family filed a complaint adding charges of professional negligence causing death and omission murder against the site manager and others, and they are discussing with the late Kim Yong-gyun Foundation to enact the so-called “No Chi-mok Act,” which criminalizes delayed reporting, underreporting, and concealment of industrial accidents, to be applied together with the Serious Accident Punishment Act.
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