Costco Korea under heavy scrutiny over cart pusher’s death

Costco has come under heavy scrutiny after a 29-year-old cart pusher at one of its outlets near Seoul died after working in scorching heat in June, for which South Korea’s labor ministry is investigating any violation of new laws to protect employees against poor working conditions.

The cart worker, Kim Dong-ho, reportedly was found collapsed at 7 p.m. local time on June 19 during his shift at the parking garage of a Costco outlet in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, 20 km east of Seoul.

Kim was moved to a nearby general hospital, but died two hours later due to a pulmonary embolism and excessive hydration from the heat, according to the medical certificate of his death

On the day of his death, the city of Hanam, where the Costco store is located, was the hottest area in South Korea, with its temperature soaring to 35.8 degrees Celcius, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.

Kim’s death came two days after the country issued its first heat wave warning this year.