By Ryu Jin
Staff Reporter


A South Korean civilian worker died in Iraq after a 40-liter steel can containing paint exploded within the compound of the Zaytun Unit in the northern city of Irbil on Monday. No sign of terrorism has been found so far, according to officials Tuesday.

``Chong Myong-nam, a 52-year-old paint worker, was killed in an accident in Iraq,’’ Lee Joon-kyu, head of the ministry’s Overseas Residents and Consular Affairs Bureau, said in a press briefing in Seoul. ``I regret to have to announce this bad news.’’

According to officials in Seoul and Irbil, Chong was working with a couple of fellow workers within the South Korean military base when the lid of a 1 meter by 0.6 meter container, connected to a compressor, hit him on the head.

``He was moved immediately after the injury but died in about 30 minutes,’’ Lee said. ``So far we believe the accident has nothing to do with any terrorist act.’’

South Korea has a 2,800-strong military unit, named Zaytun, in the Kurdish-controlled region, and is scheduled to dispatch 800 more soldiers. The unit has been on alert due to the possibility of terrorist attacks since early August.

Chong worked for Taehwa Co., a Korean electrical engineering firm constructing facilities and offices needed by the Zaytun Unit.

Officials said they were trying to determine the cause of the accident, and are also discussing necessary measures with the bereaved families for bringing his body home.

jinryu@koreatimes.co.kr