[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] The Kia Motors Sohari plant, which had suspended operations since the 16th due to consecutive confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), will fully resume normal operations tomorrow.
Kia Motors announced on the 22nd that all employees of the Sohari Plant 2, who were classified as close contacts of COVID-19 cases, tested negative, and decided to restart all production lines from the 23rd.
Kia Motors first halted operations at Plant 2 on the 16th after the initial confirmed case, and then suspended operations at both Plants 1 and 2 starting from the 18th. The plant remained closed as the number of confirmed employees increased to 11 by last weekend, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.
Operations at Plants 1 and 2 were also suspended on the 21st after the weekend, with only Plant 1 operating on that day as its employees tested negative. In the afternoon, all employees at Plant 2, who had been classified as close contacts, tested negative, leading to the decision to resume production at Plant 2 starting tomorrow.
As a result, the Kia Motors Sohari plant experienced a temporary production disruption due to the five-day suspension, but it is reported that this will not significantly affect vehicle supply.
Located in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, the Kia Motors Sohari plant employs about 6,000 workers and produces 320,000 vehicles annually. Plant 1 manufactures the Stinger, K9, and Carnival models, while Plant 2 produces the Pride and Stonic models.
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