Jeonggongno "Death of Voting Office Namwon City Hall Official... Undemocratic Labor Exploitation"

Namwon City Hall Official Dies... Jeonggongno "Passed Away Due to Overwork"
"Working Over 14 Hours... Not Even Guaranteed Meal Time"

A public official affiliated with Namwon City Hall who worked as an early voting staff member has died. In response, the Korean Government Employees' Union (KGEU) claimed that this death was caused by overwork due to long working hours and raised their voices demanding improvements in election administration.

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Photo by Asia Economy, Jo Yongjun

On the 9th, KGEU announced, "A public official from Namwon City Hall who worked as an early voting staff member during the 22nd National Assembly election early voting held on the 5th and 6th of this month has died." The deceased official, Mr. A, was mobilized for early voting and reportedly collapsed on the morning of the 7th after working long hours and passed away on the 8th.

KGEU criticized, "The election, which should be the most democratic, has become a site of the most undemocratic labor exploitation," adding, "Public officials mobilized for election duties work more than 14 hours a day and are not even guaranteed time to eat." They also added, "The election, called the flower of democracy, has bloomed over decades relying on the sacrifices of public officials."

Criticism was also directed at the National Election Commission (NEC). KGEU stated, "The NEC considered granting access rights to ballot boxes and ballots only to public officials during the voting and counting process to enhance the transparency of this general election," and criticized, "Field public officials are already suffering from manpower shortages, yet the government is not only trying to exploit public officials cheaply but also pushing for staff reductions, squeezing the officials on the ground."

They continued, "During the June 1, 2022 local elections, a public official in Jeonju City responsible for early voting also died in the line of duty," and argued, "To prevent further deaths, election administration must be promptly improved, including shortening voting hours to 8 hours." Previously, during the local elections, Mr. B, a public official from Jeonju City, also lost his life. Overwork was pointed out as the main cause of death at that time as well. KGEU also urged for Mr. A’s death to be recognized as a work-related fatality.

Meanwhile, ahead of this early voting, the government amended the law to guarantee rest for public officials engaged in voting and counting duties. However, there is growing criticism that this does not apply to all public officials involved in election-related tasks.