Police Seek Arrest Warrant on Murder Charge in Cargo Truckers Union Death

A truck involved in a crash the previous day is parked near the BGF Logistics Jinju Center in Jeongchon-myeon, Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, on the afternoon of the 21st, as a rally calls for a fact-finding probe and punishment of those responsible for a deceased Cargo Truckers Solidarity Division member. [Photo=Yonhap]

Police have launched a full investigation into a fatal incident at a rally by the Cargo Truckers Solidarity Division of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions’ Public Transport Workers’ Union.

South Gyeongsang Provincial Police said Tuesday that its major crimes unit applied for an arrest warrant for a nonunion man in his 40s, identified as A, on suspicion of murder after he drove a cargo truck into the crowd during a rally on April 20 in front of the CU Jinju Logistics Center (BGF Logistics Jinju Center) in Jinju’s Jeongchon-myeon. Police said one union member died and two others were injured.

A was initially arrested on an emergency basis on suspicion of aggravated assault. Police later applied the murder charge after concluding there was implied intent, according to the report. Investigators reviewed video from the scene and analyzed the truck’s digital tachograph (DTG) data, it said.

In questioning, A was quoted as saying the scene was chaotic and he drove to get out quickly, and that he did not intend to injure anyone.

Police also applied for arrest warrants for two union members, identified as B, in his 60s, and C, in his 50s, on suspicion of offenses including obstructing official duties with violence.

B is accused of driving a van during the rally and injuring some police officers. C is accused of using a weapon at the same rally site on April 19 to attempt self-harm or of threatening police by saying he would harm unspecified people.

* This article has been translated by AI.

KWONKYUHONG