Explosion at Korean defense plant kills five

At least five people died and two were injured in an explosion at a facility belonging to South Korean defense contractor Hanwha Aerospace in the city of Daejeon. The blast occurred Monday morning in the plant, located approximately 150 kilometers south of Seoul. Local firefighters reported the fatalities and injuries.

The explosion was reported at 10:59 a.m. local time. Police and firefighters suspect the blast originated on the first floor of the complex. The fire at the site was not yet fully extinguished, and the exact circumstances of the explosion and the extent of the damage remain unknown, according to a Hanwha Aerospace spokesperson.

An investigation into the cause of the accident will commence once the fire is completely put out. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok have directed the mobilization of all available resources to extinguish the fire and conduct rescue operations. The Prime Minister urged the Ministry of the Interior, firefighters, police, and local government to ensure no further casualties result from the incident.

Hanwha Aerospace is one of South Korea's largest manufacturers of weapons, artillery systems, and aerospace components. The Daejeon plant focuses on research and development, particularly for advanced weapon technologies and systems applicable in space.