3 COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in One Day at Kia Gwangju Plant... Factory Faces 'Shutdown' Crisis

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] On the 29th, three COVID-19 cases related to Kia Motors Gwangju Plant were confirmed in Gwangju Metropolitan City within a single day, prompting health authorities and Kia Motors management to enter discussions regarding the operation of the plant.

According to Gwangju Metropolitan City on the 29th, two additional positive cases were confirmed among coworkers and contacts of a production worker at the Gwangju plant (Gwangju case number 686) who tested positive that morning.

These additional confirmed cases emerged from a comprehensive investigation conducted by health authorities targeting about 70 contacts of case number 686, including employees of the Gwangju plant.

The confirmed cases are understood by health authorities to have dined together. Among them, case 686 is also a contact of case 676, who works at a large supermarket in Seo-gu.

Case 676’s infection route is unclear, and the number of related confirmed cases is rapidly increasing, causing health authorities to closely monitor the situation.

The total number of confirmed cases related to case 676 has risen to seven, including case 686.

This is the first time confirmed cases have been reported at the Kia Motors Gwangju Plant, and with three cases emerging in one day, the future operation of the plant has become uncertain.

Kia Motors labor and management immediately convened an emergency meeting to discuss follow-up measures to prevent further damage.

Health authorities plan to identify additional contacts of the confirmed cases at the Gwangju plant and conduct testing and quarantine measures accordingly.