Nakdonggang Environment Agency Suspends Operations and Reports to Prosecutors Over Ulsan Hydrochloric Acid Leak Company

Panoramic view of Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Sharon] The Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office announced on the 30th that it has ordered the suspension of operations at a chemical pharmaceutical distribution company in Ulju-gun, Ulsan, where a hydrochloric acid leak recently occurred, and has reported the company to the prosecution for violating the Chemical Substances Control Act.

At Company A, around 11:48 PM on the 16th, approximately 5.5 tons of hydrochloric acid leaked due to poor management of a 100-ton hydrochloric acid storage tank on the premises.

Company A delayed reporting the incident to 119 until around 12:50 AM on the 17th, about an hour after the leak occurred.

According to the Ministry of Environment's immediate chemical accident reporting regulations, if a chemical accident involving the leakage of 50 kg or more of hydrochloric acid occurs, it must be reported to the relevant local government, environmental, and fire authorities within 15 minutes.

Following an investigation, the Nakdong River Office found that Company A violated this immediate reporting obligation and leaked hydrochloric acid due to poor management, and thus reported the case to the prosecution.

Director Lee Hojung stated, "To prevent recurrence of chemical substance leakage accidents, we have taken measures to ensure that the hydrochloric acid storage tank and related facilities undergo frequent inspections by specialized inspection agencies for hazardous chemical handling facilities."