Government: "If Violations Are Found in Hwaseong Factory Fire, Strict Action Will Be Taken"

Announced at the Ministry of Employment Minister-led 'Central Accident Countermeasures Headquarters' Meeting
"Best Efforts to Ensure No Difficulties for Bereaved Families of Foreign Fatalities"

The government has stated that it will take strict action if any legal violations are confirmed following the investigation into the battery factory fire accident in Jeongok-ri, Seosin-myeon, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do.

On the 25th, Lee Jeong-sik, Minister of Employment and Labor, emphasized this during the 'Central Accident Countermeasures Headquarters' meeting held at Hwaseong City Hall.

Lee Jeong-sik (second from left), Minister of Employment and Labor, is discussing measures to manage the fire at the Hwaseong Jeongok-ri battery factory during the Central Accident Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at Hwaseong City Hall on the 25th. [Asia Economy]

In his opening remarks at the meeting, Minister Lee stressed, "The Ministry of Employment and Labor, the National Police Agency, and other related agencies must thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and clearly identify the parties responsible," and requested, "If any legal violations are found as a result of the investigation, please handle them strictly according to the law and principles."

He also said, "Since the majority of the victims are presumed to be foreign workers, we must do our best to ensure that the bereaved families do not face difficulties such as delays in entering the country," adding, "We will actively listen to their concerns."

He added that through the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Gyeonggi Province, and Hwaseong City, support will be provided to ensure that funeral assistance for the bereaved families and negotiations between the families and employers proceed smoothly. In particular, he announced that a 'Industrial Accident Compensation Task Force' will be formed centered on the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service at the site to ensure that immediate counseling and guidance are provided when bereaved families or victims apply for industrial accident compensation.

He also revealed measures to prevent recurrence of the accident. A joint task force called the 'Electricity and Fire Risk Prevention Task Force (TF)' will be formed by related ministries to promptly establish preventive measures to avoid large-scale fire accidents at workplaces. Along with this, the safety management status of primary and secondary battery manufacturers will be assessed, and joint inspections by related ministries will be conducted at workplaces with fire and explosion risks.

Minister Lee stated, "The government recognizes the situation seriously and will do its best to manage the aftermath of the accident," adding, "We will thoroughly identify the cause of the fire and make every effort to conduct safety inspections and establish recurrence prevention measures for similar companies."