Subcontracted Worker in His 50s Dies After 5.6-Meter Fall During Chuseok Holiday
Union Urges Main Contractor to Take Responsibility and Prevent Recurrence
The Jeonbuk branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has demanded a thorough investigation and punishment of those responsible for the fatal fall of a worker at Hyundai Motor’s Jeonju plant in Wanju, Jeonbuk, during the Chuseok holiday.
On October 5, the Jeonbuk branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions issued a statement, saying, “On the afternoon of October 3, a subcontracted worker in his 50s fell to his death from a 5.6-meter-high opening while dismantling an upper duct at the Hyundai Motor Jeonju plant’s paint shop. It appears that the demolition contractor created a new opening at their discretion without installing any safety devices, which led to the accident.”
The union also pointed out structural problems at industrial sites and called for a responsible response from the government. The Jeonbuk branch stated, “Although the president said that ‘falls that are sufficiently foreseeable are close to murder by willful negligence,’ the lack of safety awareness at industrial sites remains unchanged. The government must take decisive action in response to this incident.”
In particular, the union strongly criticized the tendency to shift all responsibility onto subcontractors. The group stated, “The main contractor must not evade responsibility by labeling this as a subcontractor’s accident or pressure the bereaved family into a hasty settlement. The main contractor must fully recognize its responsibility and actively cooperate in uncovering the truth and preparing measures to prevent recurrence.”
The accident occurred at around 9:28 p.m. on October 3 at the Hyundai Motor Jeonju plant’s paint shop in Bongdong-eup, Wanju County, Jeonbuk. Worker A, a 55-year-old sub-subcontracted laborer, fell while removing plywood from the second floor. He fell 5.6 meters, sustained serious injuries, and was transported to the hospital, but ultimately passed away.
Following the accident, all related work at the plant was suspended. Police and fire authorities are currently investigating the exact circumstances of the incident by questioning on-site workers and safety managers. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has also been dispatched to the site to examine whether there were violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
Hyundai Motor expressed its official position, stating, “We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate accident. We offer our deepest condolences to the deceased and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family.” The company added, “We will fully cooperate with the investigation.”
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