At a rally held by the CU chapter of the convenience store branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Cargo Union, a union member and a cargo truck collided, leaving one person dead and two injured.
According to police and others on the 20th, at about 10:32 a.m. that day, a 2.5-ton (t) box truck hit three union members in front of CU's logistics center in Jinju, South Gyeongsang. Union members were staging a sit-in to block vehicles from leaving the center when the box truck tried to exit and the crash occurred, according to reports.
A union member in his 50s went into cardiac arrest and was taken to a hospital but died. Two other union members were seriously and moderately injured.
The CU chapter has been continuing strikes and rallies, demanding direct negotiations with BGF Logistics over improving working conditions for delivery drivers. The crash was reported to have occurred as a replacement cargo truck was leaving the center.
Police urgently arrested the truck driver on suspicion of aggravated assault and are currently investigating.
Clashes between police and the union also broke out in front of the CU logistics center that afternoon. At about 1:33 p.m., a union vehicle charged toward police, injuring one officer.
Police also arrested two union members at the scene on suspicion of obstructing official duties, and the case is under investigation.