CHANGWON, South Korea, April 21 (Yonhap) — Unionized cargo workers on Tuesday denounced the police and BGF Retail Co., the operator of the CU convenience store chain, blaming them for the death of a union member hit by a truck that ran into a group of rallygoers this week.
On Monday, the 2.5-ton truck struck participants of a cargo worker rally under the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union near a CU logistics center in Jinju, about 290 kilometers southeast of Seoul, killing a 50-something man and injuring two others.
Authorities believe the collision happened as people tried to block the vehicle from exiting the site. Union members have accused police of recklessly facilitating trucks’ exit from the area at the time of the rally, which was calling for negotiations with BGF Retail.
The unionized cargo workers gathered outside the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency’s headquarters in the nearby city of Changwon earlier in the day, calling for a thorough investigation into the accident.
“(We) will not overlook BGF that refused dialogue and oppressed the union and police,” the union said, accusing them of committing a “murderous act.”
Some 40 union members attempted to enter the police headquarters, demanding to meet the agency’s chief, but were blocked by police. They were locked in a standoff with police until 12:30 p.m.
Police have detained the truck driver behind the accident, a man in his 40s, to investigate whether he intentionally drove into the rallygoers.
Members of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union hold a press conference outside the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency’s headquarters in Changwon, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on April 21, 2026, over the death of a union member in a truck accident. (Yonhap)
yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr
(END)
