Mr. A had gained national recognition after being featured on SBS’s “Master of Living” and various YouTube channels as the country’s top-earning delivery rider, reportedly making 12 million won per month. His success story had inspired many in South Korea’s competitive job market. (This image is not directly related to the article content. (Yonhap))
SEOUL, Aug. 27 (Korea Bizwire) – A 41-year-old man, once celebrated as South Korea’s highest-earning delivery rider, has died following a month-long hospitalization after a traffic accident. The incident has reignited discussions about the risks faced by the country’s burgeoning gig economy workers.
The rider, identified only by his surname A due to privacy laws, was struck by a city bus in Songdo, Incheon, on July 31 at approximately 2:30 p.m., according to the Yeonsu Police Station. Despite receiving intensive care for nearly a month, Mr. A succumbed to his injuries on August 25 at around 11 p.m.
Investigators report that the bus driver, a man in his 50s identified as Mr. B, allegedly ran a red light at an intersection, colliding with Mr. A’s motorcycle as it proceeded through the intersection.
Mr. A had gained national recognition after being featured on SBS’s “Master of Living” and various YouTube channels as the country’s top-earning delivery rider, reportedly making 12 million won per month. His success story had inspired many in South Korea’s competitive job market.
Last year, Barogo, a prominent delivery platform in South Korea, highlighted Mr. A in its “2022 Delivery Report” as the rider with the highest number of deliveries nationwide. The company noted that he averaged 200-250 kilometers of travel daily, completing 110-120 orders, and was known for willingly sharing his expertise with fellow riders.
Following news of his death, a YouTuber who had previously interviewed Mr. A posted a tribute, recalling how the rider had expressed a desire to inspire hope in others, saying, “If I can do this, you can too.”
The incident underscores the precarious nature of South Korea’s rapidly expanding gig economy, particularly in the food delivery sector, which has seen explosive growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It raises questions about the safety measures and protections in place for these essential workers who often face pressure to maximize deliveries at the cost of their own safety.
Police have charged the bus driver with fatal traffic accident under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents. Initially booked for causing injury, the charge was upgraded following Mr. A’s death.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
