On July 29, the Jeju branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a press conference outside Coupang’s logistics center in Aewol-eup, Jeju City, calling for a probe into recent worker deaths and special labor inspections. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
JEJU, Jul. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – The recent launch of Coupang’s late-night Rocket Delivery service on Jeju Island has been marred by tragedy, prompting labor unions to demand a thorough investigation and increased oversight of working conditions.
On July 29, the Jeju branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a press conference outside Coupang’s logistics center in Aewol-eup, Jeju City, calling for a probe into recent worker deaths and special labor inspections.
According to the KCTU, a man in his 50s, identified only as Mr. A, collapsed while sorting packages at the Coupang logistics center on July 18 at approximately 7:50 a.m.
Despite being rushed to the hospital by emergency services, he was pronounced dead. Mr. A had been working as a day laborer since May and had started his shift at 7 a.m. on the day of the incident.
In a separate incident on the same day, a delivery driver, Mr. B, was found unconscious in his truck at 1:40 a.m., suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage after his vehicle had apparently struck a utility pole.
The KCTU pointed out that both incidents occurred within a week of Coupang’s introduction of its overnight Rocket Delivery service on Jeju Island.
During the press conference, a KCTU spokesperson stated, “Coupang workers complain that they don’t even have a minute or second for a break. We question whether the long hours, high-intensity labor, and poor working conditions are driving workers to their deaths.”
The union also highlighted the potential impact of weather conditions on worker safety.
“On the day of the fatality, temperatures in Aewol-eup, where the logistics center is located, approached 34 degrees Celsius. The temperature inside the center was likely even higher,” the spokesperson said.
“There’s a strong possibility that this death was an accident caused by the hot, humid environment and unbearable work intensity.”
The KCTU has called on Coupang to take responsibility for the incidents by disclosing details of the work environment, investigating the circumstances of the accidents, and implementing measures to protect workers.
Additionally, the union has urged the Ministry of Employment and Labor to issue a work stoppage order for Coupang’s logistics center and night delivery operations, and to conduct special labor inspections.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
