Labor authorities are investigating whether a farm owner complied with heat-related illness prevention measures following the death of a foreign worker who collapsed while working in a field amid a heatwave.

According to the Gwangju Regional Employment and Labor Administration today (July 28), authorities are examining the working conditions at the time by questioning the farm owner and fellow workers regarding A, a Thai national in their 30s who died in Haenam on July 25.

The labor office is focusing on whether adequate rest breaks were provided based on the perceived temperature, working hours, and the timeframe during which the work took place.

Investigators are also looking into whether A stopped working immediately after complaining of dizziness and whether emergency measures, such as calling 119, were taken in a timely manner.

Under the Rules on Occupational Safety and Health Standards, employers are required to implement preventive measures against heat-related illnesses during heatwaves, such as providing cooling and ventilation, adjusting working hours, and granting rest breaks.

When the perceived temperature reaches 33°C (91°F) or higher, employers must provide at least 20 minutes of rest every two hours or supply cooling facilities.

Violations of health and safety obligations can carry a prison sentence of up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million won. If a worker dies due to such a violation, the penalty can increase to up to 7 years in prison or a fine of up to 100 million won.

The police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

Police conducted an autopsy on A today to determine the exact cause of death, with the results expected in about a month.

Based on the autopsy results, authorities plan to examine the causal relationship between the measures taken by the farm owner and A's death to decide whether to apply charges of professional negligence resulting in death.

A was found collapsed on a field path in Hwangsan-myeon, Haenam-gun, South Jeolla Province, at 3:15 PM on July 25 and was transported to a hospital, but ultimately passed away.

Reports indicate that A complained of dizziness while working in the field and collapsed on the way home to rest.

At the time, a heatwave warning was in effect for Haenam, and the highest daytime temperature reached 33.7°C (93°F).

(Photo provided by Gwangju Regional Employment and Labor Administration, Yonhap News)