"Surge in Contract Volumes"... Government to Conduct Emergency Safety Inspections of Semiconductor and Defense Industries

Central Accident Response Headquarters Meeting Held on June 2 at Hanwha Aerospace
Strict Measures to Be Taken for Any Violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act

Following a recent explosion accident at Hanwha Aerospace that resulted in five fatalities, the Ministry of Employment and Labor has announced an urgent safety inspection focusing on semiconductor and defense manufacturers, which are currently experiencing a business boom.

Kim Younghoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, visited the Hanwha Aerospace Daejeon Plant in Oesam-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, where an explosion accident occurred on the 1st, to inspect the accident site. Ministry of Employment and Labor

On June 2, Kim Younghoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, convened the second meeting of the Central Industrial Accident Response Headquarters regarding the explosion accident that occurred in the cleaning room at Hanwha Aerospace.

Minister Kim ordered that the joint investigation scheduled for 10 a.m., involving the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, and the National Forensic Service, be conducted safely and that the cause of the accident be thoroughly identified. He also instructed that, based on the results of the joint investigation, appropriate follow-up measures be taken to prevent future accidents.

Furthermore, since this incident constitutes a major industrial accident subject to the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, Minister Kim directed that investigations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act be carried out promptly and rigorously, and that any legal violations be dealt with strictly.

In addition, considering factors such as a recent surge in contract volumes and the occurrence of a recent fluorine gas leak accident with multiple injuries at SK hynix, Minister Kim instructed that a comprehensive urgent safety inspection be conducted, focusing on industries currently experiencing strong demand, including semiconductor and defense manufacturers.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to hold a nationwide meeting of agency heads, presided over by the minister, on June 4. At this meeting, local office heads will be urged to actively guide and inspect workplaces to raise awareness and vigilance about workplace safety.

Previously, Minister Kim stated on his Facebook page that a thorough investigation would be conducted into the Hanwha Aerospace incident. He wrote, "There is no such thing as a less dangerous site when it comes to making weapons," and added, "During my time as an engineer, I always remembered a senior's words: 'Even a minor contact can result in serious injury.' I will do my utmost to fulfill my duty to the living through a thorough investigation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.