Two Voices Surrounding the Lane Accident at Machang Bridge Tollgate

Minnochoong, Withdraw the Opinion Letter on Industrial Accident at Machang Bridge

Machang Bridge, Labor Attorney Organized the Facts

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Gyeongnam Headquarters has once again addressed the lane accident at the Machang Bridge tollgate that occurred on January 7, condemning both the Machang Bridge authorities and Gyeongnam Province.

At around 3:08 a.m. on January 7, a car accident caused by driver negligence occurred in the Machang Bridge tollgate lane heading toward Masan, where the passenger car collided with the shock absorber before entering the toll booth.

On January 19, the Gyeongnam Headquarters held a press conference claiming that “although the toll booth cashier lost consciousness due to the impact of the accident, the Machang Bridge authorities left the employee unattended for over an hour and interfered with the hospital treatment.”

At that time, the Machang Bridge side rebutted, stating, “We immediately checked the cashier for any external injuries and took measures to ensure psychological stability. We tried to call 119, but the cashier repeatedly refused, asking to call their spouse instead. Only after the spouse arrived were we able to request hospital transport via 119.”

Although the cashier wished to receive treatment at a small private hospital, the Machang Bridge safety and health manager, with whom they had a contract, recommended treatment at a health management hospital capable of professional care, where the cashier is currently undergoing treatment and on sick leave.

Cho Hyung-rae, head of the Gyeongnam branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, is reading a press statement.
[Photo by Lee Se-ryeong]

On the 20th, the KCTU Gyeongnam Headquarters held a press conference at the provincial government press room, urging, “Machang Bridge must stop secondary victimization, and Gyeongnam Province must cease acting as the perpetrator’s spokesperson.”

They claimed that “Machang Bridge denied the fact that the cashier suffered an industrial accident to the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service, submitting a statement arguing that the cashier did not witness the accident and that the noise was not severe enough to cause fear or anxiety, effectively lying,” calling this ‘secondary victimization.’

They also stated that Gyeongnam Province refused to meet with the KCTU but met with Machang Bridge and conveyed their logic to the KCTU.

Gyeongnam Province expressed its position on the KCTU’s claims through explanatory materials.

The province said, “We held a meeting to mediate negotiations between the KCTU and Machang Bridge,” and reported that the KCTU has filed a complaint with the province after Machang Bridge refused to withdraw their statement.

According to the explanatory materials, Machang Bridge stated, “The statement was submitted in response to a request from the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service regarding the industrial accident application,” adding, “The statement was prepared by a labor attorney summarizing the facts, and the decision on the industrial accident is to be made by the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service,” refusing to withdraw the statement.

Grooving to prevent speeding before entering the tollgate.
[Photo by Machang Bridge]

The province said, “The industrial accident statement requested for withdrawal by the KCTU is basic data for the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service to determine the industrial accident, so the province cannot request Machang Bridge to withdraw it.”

It added, “We are actively requesting matters related to the management and operation of Machang Bridge, such as reinforcing safety facilities for the safety of residents and establishing worker safety protection measures.”

Machang Bridge plans to expand and reinforce tollgate safety facilities this month, including ▲supplementary installation of booth collision protection facilities ▲extension of Hi-Pass guide lines ▲additional installation of speed prevention facilities ▲additional installation of lane identification markers.