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Police seek arrest warrant for driver accused of fatally hitting union member during protest

Published: 22 Apr. 2026, 10:09

Police cordone off the site as a CU logistics center in Jinju, South Gyeongsang, on April 20 after a truck crashed into three people during a protest by the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers’ Union. [NEWS1]

An arrest warrant has been requested for a driver accused of driving a vehicle into a truckers’ union protest, killing one person and injuring two others, police said Wednesday.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Police initially detained the driver, a nonunion member, at the scene on charges of aggravated injury, but said it changed the charge to murder after determining there was intent behind the action.

“The suspect struck the victims who were blocking the way while driving a truck and continued driving without stopping,” a police official said.

The suspect reportedly told police, “The scene was chaotic, and I was just trying to get out quickly, not intending to harm anyone.”

The incident occurred on Monday, in front of a CU logistics center in Jinju, South Gyeongsang, where members of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union, affiliated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, were holding a protest demanding negotiations with BGF Logis.

BGF Retail operates the CU convenience store chain, and BGF Logis, its logistics and transport affiliate, handles delivery and distribution for CU.

A 2.5-ton truck reportedly struck three union members after they stepped in front of the vehicle. One man was transported to a hospital while unresponsive and later died. The other two members suffered injuries.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JEONG HYE-JEONG [[email protected]]