[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Regarding the fire at Hyundai Premium Outlet Daejeon Branch at the end of last September that resulted in 8 casualties, three individuals including Kim Hyung-jong, President of Hyundai Department Store, have been booked on charges of violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
On the 3rd, the Daejeon Employment and Labor Office announced that it had booked President Kim and two others, including the head of the subcontractor responsible for the outlet's disaster prevention and security facilities, on charges of violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
Since around September 29, labor authorities have been investigating Hyundai Department Store safety managers and subcontractor personnel regarding violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act, such as failure to implement safety measures for their workers. As some violations by the subcontractor were confirmed, the primary contractor, Hyundai Department Store, which holds responsibility for safety management and supervision, also became subject to the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
Going forward, labor authorities plan to change the status of the three individuals, including President Kim, to suspects and proceed with summons and full-scale investigations. If the investigation confirms Hyundai Department Store’s violation of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, it will be the first case in the distribution industry.
The police have booked and are investigating 13 people, including safety managers of Hyundai Outlet Daejeon Branch and subcontractor officials, since the 27th of last month. It is known that the police focused on whether disaster prevention facilities such as underground sprinklers operated during the fire, and whether there were any issues with safety facilities like evacuation guidance lights and evacuation routes. However, the operation of firefighting facilities and the cause of the fire have not yet been determined.
The Serious Accidents Punishment Act applies to workplaces with 50 or more regular employees where at least one death has occurred or where two or more injuries require treatment for six months or longer.
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