Agency supports bereaved family from arrival to repatriation, covering compensation guidance, funeral arrangements and transport of remains

KWCWS President Park Seung-heup offers condolences at Incheon Airport memorial

Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service President Park Seung-heup lays flowers before a portrait of the late Jisrael, a Filipino worker who died in an industrial accident, at a memorial set up inside Incheon International Airport on Thursday. [Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service]
Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service President Park Seung-heup lays flowers before a portrait of the late Jisrael, a Filipino worker who died in an industrial accident, at a memorial set up inside Incheon International Airport on Thursday. [Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service]

The Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service accompanied a Filipino worker killed in an industrial accident on his final journey home, supporting his family from their arrival in Korea through the repatriation of his remains.

The agency announced Friday that it had assisted with the repatriation of the late Jisrael, a Filipino national who died in an explosion and fire at a paint raw-material manufacturing factory in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, on Aug. 28.

The worker's family traveled to Korea to bring his remains home. The agency guided them through the industrial accident compensation process from the moment they arrived and helped with funeral arrangements and the procedures required to transport the remains back to the Philippines, ensuring they did not face difficulties navigating an unfamiliar country's language and systems.

A memorial ceremony was held Thursday at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport, attended by KWCWS President Park Seung-heup and a labor attaché from the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, who offered condolences and comforted the bereaved family.

Park delivered a letter of condolence on behalf of agency staff and a consolation payment drawn from its social contribution fund. He then personally saw the family off at the departure gate.

This was the third time the agency has carried out its bereaved-family support project for migrant workers who die in industrial accidents, a program it launched in March. The agency has been steadily refining a support system that covers the family's arrival, compensation guidance, memorial services, funeral arrangements and the full repatriation process.

The agency plans to strengthen cooperation with foreign missions in Korea and other relevant organizations to build a family-centered support system ensuring bereaved families of migrant workers killed on the job receive the help they need.

"I offer my deepest condolences to the deceased, who worked diligently in Korea before his life was cut tragically short, and extend my heartfelt sympathy to the family who lost someone they love," Park said.

"Anyone who works should be protected by the social safety net when they need it, regardless of nationality," he added. "We will do our utmost to ensure that all workers — including migrant workers — and their families are treated with respect."


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