Fire at SK Hynix Cheongju Plant; 11 Employees Taken to Hospital

A fire erupted at SK Hynix's Cheongju plant on June 1st, leading to the evacuation of thousands of employees due to a leak of toxic gas. Eleven employees were transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure after potential exposure to the gas, though they reportedly showed no serious symptoms.

The fire started around 10:32 a.m. in the gas room connecting the M15 and M15X factories within SK Hynix's Cheongju 4 Campus. The blaze was extinguished within approximately 10 minutes thanks to the building's sprinkler system. However, a small quantity of hydrogen fluoride, a toxic substance, was released within the gas room.

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We suspect the problem originated from a gas pipe and are investigating the exact cause.

Employees experiencing symptoms such as eye irritation were taken to the company's on-site clinic for examination. SK Hynix confirmed that all 3,600 employees within the M15 and M15X factories were evacuated immediately after the fire alarm. Air quality was measured, and employees were permitted to return to their workstations after about 1.5 hours.

An SK Hynix representative indicated that the issue is believed to have originated from a gas pipe and that the precise cause is currently under investigation. The company assured that production operations remain unaffected, as equipment is functioning normally. The incident highlights the safety protocols in place at the facility and the ongoing efforts to ensure employee well-being during emergencies.

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There is no problem with equipment operation, so there is no disruption to production.