Metal union demands severe punishment for Hanwha Aerospace after third factory explosion

The Metal Workers' Union has called for stringent punishment against Hanwha Aerospace after a recent explosion at its factory claimed seven lives, marking the third such incident at the facility. The union argues that the company's repeated safety failures stem from a lack of severe penalties for previous accidents, allowing a cycle of worker deaths to continue.

During an emergency press conference held outside Hanwha's headquarters in Seoul, union officials condemned the company's practices. Lee Sang-eun, vice president of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), stated that the company has not faced adequate repercussions, leading to a "death procession" of workers. She also accused the company of concealing safety management conditions under the guise of national security facilities.

“

The company has not faced adequate repercussions, leading to a 'death procession' of workers.

Kim Myung-ki, head of the Hanwha Changwon branch of the Metal Workers' Union, described the gunpowder handling factory as a "war zone," despite the company's claims that the work was not high-risk. He noted that his request to meet with company officials was only partially met, limiting the union's ability to gather information. Kim asserted that the incident was not a mere accident or individual mistake but a "clear man-made disaster" and "murder by a malicious company that prioritizes profit over safety."

“

The gunpowder handling factory is like a war zone.

The union demanded not only strict punishment for those responsible but also full participation of labor unions in the investigation into the accident's cause. They believe that workers, with their intimate knowledge of the site and processes, are crucial for a thorough investigation. The union also called for a special labor inspection of the Daejeon plant and a complete safety reassessment of all company facilities.

This latest explosion occurred at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon plant, resulting in five fatalities, one severe injury, and one minor injury. This incident follows two previous explosions at the same site in 2018 and 2019, for which the company received relatively minor fines of 30 million and 50 million won, respectively. The union also pointed to a broader pattern of safety issues across the Hanwha Group, citing ten worker deaths due to industrial accidents reported and disclosed by the Korea Exchange this year alone, affecting various subsidiaries like Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Solutions, and its construction division.

“

This is a clear man-made disaster and murder by a malicious company that prioritizes profit over safety.