Hyundai Motor Special Labor Inspection Finds Violations of 62 Clauses... Fine of 545.28 Million KRW

Ministry of Employment and Labor Takes Legal Action on 40 Violations
Related to Suffocation Deaths of Three Researchers at Ulsan Plant

As a result of a special labor inspection conducted by the employment authorities regarding the suffocation accident at Hyundai Motor's Ulsan plant that occurred in November last year, violations were found in 62 clauses. Legal action was taken on 40 violation clauses, and a fine of 545.28 million KRW was imposed on 22 violation clauses.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 11th that from November 29 to December 19 last year, it conducted a special labor inspection targeting Hyundai Motor's headquarters, Ulsan plant, Namyang Research Center, and Gil & S (a partner company). They checked safety and health measures related to the automobile performance testing facility (chamber) and examined whether preventive measures were taken regarding other workplace hazards.

The inspection revealed that Hyundai Motor violated 62 clauses of the Industrial Safety and Health Act. They neglected measures such as prohibiting entry into confined spaces and failed to implement fall protection measures at hazardous locations such as the ends of work platforms and passageways. There were also violations such as not installing covers on dangerous parts like rotating machine shafts and chains.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor took legal action on 40 violation clauses. A fine of 545.28 million KRW was imposed on 22 violation clauses. Additionally, corrective actions were taken on 49 clauses that required improvement. Beyond legal violations, to prevent recurrence of similar accidents, they also recommended installing gas alarm devices and automatically recording gas concentration levels.

An official from the Ministry of Employment and Labor explained, "An investigation is ongoing regarding the suffocation accident," adding, "No results have been released yet."

The Ministry also conducted planned inspections of 14 workplaces, other than Hyundai Motor, that possess chambers. After allowing a voluntary improvement period in January, a planned inspection was conducted in February, resulting in 7 workplaces receiving corrective actions and recommendations.