‘Subway engineers vulnerable to panic disorder’

The recent suicide by a subway engineer has shed light on the mental health of those who operate underground trains, as unions and management remain poles apart over the cause of the death.

The union claims subway management has neglected growing signs of mental disorders among train engineers and did nothing to prevent or treat the illness.

However, management argues the latest suicide had nothing to with workplace environment. It claims unionized workers are taking advantage of the tragic incident to press their demands, such as a wage hike.

The union of the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corp. (SMRTC), which operates subway line Nos. 5-8, is urging management to apologize for the death of Lee Jae-min, 43. It says he killed himself due to work-related stress.

Lee was struck and killed by a subway train at Wangsimni Station in Seoul, Monday. He jumped in front of an approaching train after forcing open the screen doors separating the passenger platform and railway line, witnesses said. He died at the scene.

“Lee was suffering from severe panic disorder, an occupational hazard commonly discovered in train engineers,” said Yoon Seung-hun, a union spokesman said. “ Lee had requested a transfer due to stress from work, and treatment for his disease, but the firm didn’t accept his request. Management should be held responsible for his death.”

Train operators normally steer a subway train through a dark tunnel for hours without taking a break. Trains operate underground entirely on line Nos. 5, 6 and 8. Trains operate briefly above ground on line No. 7.

The union held a press conference in front of the Seoul City Hall, Tuesday, demanding the company CEO and executives issue a formal apology and reprimand those “responsible” for Lee’s death. It also asked the firm to hire more engineers and allow more than one to operate a train.

“Lee’s death was clearly work-related. We are worried that more train engineers could follow in Lee’s footsteps,” Yoon said. “What is more troubling is that the CEO and other executives have not properly expressed their condolences over his death. They should hold themselves accountable for the tragedy and make an all-out effort to improve the wellbeing of engineers.”

In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corp. said it is unclear whether Lee’s death was work-related, highlighting that it has introduced counseling and other health improvement programs to help train operators cope with work-related problems.

“We do not know yet whether he committed suicide due to work-related stress. Lee had never been diagnosed with panic disorder,” said Jung Sun-in, a transit spokeswoman said. “The company has expressed condolences over his death and took all possible steps to respect the deceased. But it is too early to conclude the cause of his suicide death. We should wait until the ongoing investigation is completed.”

Engineers in pairs

The SMRTC union has demanded the company introduce a dual engineer system as a means to keep engineers from developing panic disorders.

Unionized engineers have said that the one-man system is the main cause of mental disorders among employees. Seoul Metro has operates a dual engineer system on lines 1-4.

Despite this, the operator of lines 5-8 has said it cannot accept the union’s demand as the trains are built to be run by a single engineer, not two.

Separately, Seoul City said it has started an investigation of the SMRTC to examine working conditions and to determine why the engineer committed suicide. <Korea Times/Lee Hyo-sik>

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