Jinju Logistics Center Tragedy: Hankyoreh Blames Corporate Irresponsibility and Police Complicity

The Hankyoreh's editorial on the Jinju logistics center tragedy is a powerful indictment of corporate irresponsibility and the perceived complicity of authorities in suppressing labor rights. The newspaper frames the death of the cargo union member not as an accident, but as a direct consequence of BGF Logistics (the operator of CU) refusing to engage in good-faith negotiations with its drivers. The editorial emphasizes that the drivers, despite being contracted through intermediaries, are heavily dependent on BGF Logistics for working conditions, including delivery guidelines, holidays, and fees, thus establishing a strong 'original employer dependency.'

Hankyoreh criticizes BGF Logistics for using the lack of a formal 'employer' determination by the labor relations commission or courts as an excuse to avoid dialogue. The company's actions, including reducing delivery volumes for striking drivers and filing for approximately 200 million won in damages against 11 union members, are portrayed as aggressive tactics to break the union. This approach, the editorial argues, directly contravenes the spirit of the 'Yellow Envelope Act,' which aims to hold 'real employers' accountable and limit excessive damage claims against workers during labor disputes.

The editorial also points a finger at the police for assisting in the deployment of replacement vehicles, thereby facilitating the company's efforts to undermine the strike and disregard worker safety. Hankyoreh calls for BGF Logistics to apologize, withdraw the lawsuits, and engage in dialogue, while also demanding a thorough investigation and accountability for those involved, including the police. This piece reflects Hankyoreh's consistent advocacy for labor rights and its critical stance towards large corporations that allegedly exploit loopholes to suppress worker demands, highlighting a perspective deeply rooted in social justice and the protection of the vulnerable.