LG Chem India Field Support Team Stranded Due to State Government's 'Travel Restriction' Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Park So-yeon] LG Chem's on-site support team for the gas leak accident in India has found itself stranded due to a sudden travel restriction imposed by the local state government.

In particular, there are criticisms that the Indian side's measures lack legality, raising expectations of future controversy.

According to officials and local media on the 28th, LG Chem's on-site support team attempted to depart on the 26th from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh in southern India using the company's private plane but was stopped by local police.

The support team was reportedly authorized by aviation authorities and had no issues with departure, but the state police raised objections and blocked them. The state police reportedly acted under the state government's instructions.

Ultimately, the support team could not leave, and the private plane returned to Korea empty. However, the support team was neither detained nor had their passports confiscated.

LG Chem dispatched the on-site support team on the 13th after a styrene gas leak accident occurred on the 7th at LG Polymers India, its Indian subsidiary factory in Visakhapatnam.

The eight-member on-site support team, led by No Guk-rae, head of the Petrochemical Business Division, consisted of technical personnel and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activity officials.

During this visit, they focused on accident recovery and countermeasure planning by meeting directly with affected residents and holding discussions with local government officials.

In particular, they also promoted support activities such as providing free meals and setting up medical camps for residents near the factory.

However, due to recent local court orders partially restricting factory access and the establishment of a certain level of resident support systems, the support team was reportedly planning to depart on this day.

Nevertheless, the Indian state government is reportedly concerned that LG Chem might try to avoid responsibility for the accident after the support team's departure.

In response, the Korean Embassy in India urgently dispatched staff on the 27th to the local area to persuade the state government and is currently working to resolve the situation.

Regarding this, LG Chem stated, "The on-site support team has completed its mission of stabilizing the factory and establishing a damage recovery system for accident recovery and is scheduled to return home. Procedures with relevant agencies for their return are currently underway."