The bereaved family of a forklift accident victim in Jeju and the Jeju headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a press conference today at the Jeju Provincial Council's Citizens' Cafe, urging a thorough investigation into the truth and the establishment of preventive measures.

Mr. A (44), who worked for a local logistics company, died on October 23 after being crushed by an overturning forklift while unloading it from a truck at a livestock barn in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City.

It was reported that Mr. A was preparing to transport feed loaded on a truck using a forklift by himself when the accident occurred, and the farm owner later found Mr. A and reported it to 119.

It was confirmed that while Mr. A had acquired a national technical qualification as a forklift operator, he had not separately been issued a construction machinery operator's license for forklifts under 3 tons.

Mr. A was reportedly a father of three young children.Mr. A's older brother stated, "Even though we clearly stated during his job interview that he did not have a forklift license, the company assigned him forklift duties for over a year starting from his employment in August of last year," adding, "My diligent and hardworking younger brother likely worked for his family despite the unfair and dangerous instructions."

He vented his anger, continuing, "On the day of the accident, heavy rain fell in Jeju due to the influence of a typhoon, and he performed forklift work alone without safety manuals being followed, ultimately losing his life in a remote location without even being able to let out a single scream."

He also explained, "The person previously in charge of the area requested additional staff, saying, 'This is not something that can be done alone,' but it was not accepted, and after that person's contract was terminated, my younger brother was put into the role."

Mr. A's brother urged, "In June, an acquaintance of mine was a bereaved family member of a Hanaro Mart forklift accident, and I consoled their sorrow, but a few months later, I became the bereaved family member of the exact same accident and received comfort from that acquaintance. There must never be another case like my younger brother's again. Please investigate the truth and ensure that the responsible parties face due accountability."

Mr. A's wife also shared, "Whenever my husband received work instructions, he would always say things like, 'How am I supposed to do this?' and 'We shouldn't do it this way.'"

Participants in the press conference pointed out, "A similar accident has repeated just four months after a forklift fatality occurred at a local Hanaro Mart in June," adding, "However, the details of the incident remain shrouded in mystery."

They emphasized that investigative authorities must thoroughly investigate and disclose the truth of the incident to the bereaved family and the local community, including determining who ordered the forklift work despite knowing about the lack of a license, whether a work plan was properly drawn up, and whether the risk factors at the site were sufficiently identified.

They urged for effective measures to be established, stating, "Mr. A's death shows the reality of industrial accidents rampant in Jeju. Jeju Island and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, which stepped forward as if to strengthen management and supervision after the Hanaro Mart forklift accident, failed to prevent a recurrence of a similar accident."

(Photo: Yonhap News)