Construction Worker who Set Fire to Himself on Labor Day Died

Bring Him Back: Kim Hyun-woong, secretary-general of the Gangwon construction chapter of the Korean Construction Workers Union, an affiliate of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, holds an emergency press conference on May 2 in front of Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, where an executive of the Gangwon construction chapter who set himself on fire on Labor Day (May 1) had been receiving treatment. Jo Tae-hyeong

A construction worker who set himself ablaze on Labor Day protesting the government’s pressure on the Korean Construction Workers Union died the next day. Labor announced a fierce protest claiming that the government’s excessive investigation caused the latest death. Conflict between labor and the government is expected to escalate.

On May 2, the Korean Construction Workers Union, an affiliate of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, announced, “A, an executive of the Gangwon construction chapter of the Korean Construction Workers Union who set himself on fire while condemning the oppression of the union on May 1, passed away at 1:09 p.m. this day.”

At 9:35 a.m. May 1, A set himself on fire in front of the Gangneung branch of the Chuncheon District Court in Gangneung-si. A was prosecuted for asking the construction company to hire union members and for demanding the company pay for full-time unionists and was scheduled for a warrant review at the Gangneung branch. A suffered burns throughout his body after he lit himself up. He received emergency treatment in a nearby hospital and was later transported by helicopter to Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital in Seoul, where he underwent treatment.

In a letter A wrote to his colleagues before the incident, A said, “I legitimately engaged in union activities without any crimes, but they accuse me of obstruction of work and blackmail, not just a violation of the Assembly and Demonstration Act.” He added, “My pride cannot accept this.”

The Construction Workers Union argued that the latest death was the result of the government’s oppression labeling legitimate union activities with criminal charges, such as blackmail and threats. They claim that the government accused A of criminal activity for asking the company to hire union members and to pay the wages of full-time union executives during negotiations. According to the construction union, so far nearly 950 union members were called in for questioning and fifteen were arrested.

On Tuesday, the Korean Construction Workers Union held a press conference in front of Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul and said, “The government and the police determined labor-management relations as illegal and conducted an oppressive investigation unilaterally arguing that union activities were illegal,” and argued, “Eventually, a construction worker complained of unfairness and was driven to take his own life.”

The union further said, “In the past, the construction union argued that in order to end irregularities in construction sites, the government should put an end to illegal activities in the construction industry, such as illegal subcontracting and delayed payment of wages instead of suppressing the union.” They argued, “Nevertheless, the government continued to designate the union as its enemy and attempted to knock us down, so we have no choice but to protest.”

Kim Hyun-woong, secretary-general of the Gangwon construction branch of the Korean Construction Workers Union, who exchanged messages with A up until the suicide, said, “A repeatedly said that everything else was okay but that he wished they wouldn’t mention the words blackmail and threats,” and added, “As a union, we fairly demanded the recruitment of workers in the negotiation and suggested we stop irregularities for safety, but they made it look like we were shameless criminals engaging in blackmail.”

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions also warned of a fierce protest. Yang Kyung-soo, the head of the confederation held an emergency press conference at the union office in Jung-gu, Seoul and said, “The Yoon Suk-yeol government’s oppression of the construction union is so fierce, it’s hard to find a similar precedent. And the cruel suppression of labor has driven a worker to his death.” He argued, “We will engage in an all-out struggle against a government that is killing workers.”

The government also released its position on Tuesday. Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, who had fiercely criticized the construction union as “a toxic parasite living off of the economy” said, “Personally, I feel it (A’s death) is very regrettable.” He also said, “Since now is a time to focus on mourning, I feel it is inappropriate to mention anything else.”

The Ministry of Employment and Labor canceled the announcement of a special inspection on illegal labor-management practices of forcing recruitment in construction sites, which was scheduled for May 3 and also postponed the inspection schedule.