Hyundai Motor CSO "Ulsan Plant Accident, Devastating and Tragic... Committed to Prevent Recurrence"

Statement by CEO Lee Dong-seok on the Fatal Accident at Ulsan Plant

Dong-seok Lee, CEO and Chief Safety Officer (CSO) of Hyundai Motor Company, expressed his deep sorrow regarding the employee suffocation accident that occurred at Hyundai Motor's Ulsan plant on the 19th, stating, "I cannot hide my profound and sorrowful feelings," and pledged, "We will do our utmost to establish measures to prevent such accidents from recurring."

On the 20th, Lee released a statement saying, "An accident that should never have happened occurred on the 19th," and added, "I offer my sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to the bereaved families. The company will provide all possible support and measures for the families."

He also promised to investigate the cause of the accident and prepare countermeasures to prevent recurrence. Lee emphasized, "The company is fully cooperating with the police and the Ministry of Employment and Labor's on-site investigation and cause analysis," and stated, "We will improve potential risk factors and do our best to prepare measures to prevent such tragic accidents from happening again."

Finally, he added, "As CEO and CSO, I will continue to strengthen overall on-site safety inspections and focus all efforts on protecting employees' lives and safety through improvements in the safety management system."

Hyundai Motor Company Yangjae Headquarters. Provided by Hyundai Motor Company

On the afternoon of the 19th, at Hyundai Motor's Ulsan Plant 4, an accident occurred in which three employees suffocated and died while testing vehicle performance in a confined space. The three employees received emergency treatment and were transported to the hospital, but all passed away.

Industry sources believe the accident was caused by exhaust gases generated during vehicle driving tests in a confined space that could not escape outside. All the deceased were researchers: two were Hyundai Motor employees, and one was an external partner company employee.

The police and the Ministry of Employment and Labor are investigating the company's compliance with safety regulations and the circumstances of the accident at the site. They are examining whether the exhaust ventilation system was functioning properly and whether there were external monitoring personnel, based on witness testimonies, to determine the accident's details.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor immediately dispatched labor inspectors to the site and ordered a work stoppage for the affected workplace and similar operations. Simultaneously, investigations into violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accident Punishment Act have been initiated. Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor, instructed a swift and thorough investigation to identify the cause of the accident and assign responsibility.

Hyundai Motor stated, "We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and will promptly identify the cause of this accident and actively take necessary measures," adding, "We will do our utmost to establish measures to prevent such tragic accidents from recurring in the future."