Kumho Tire Union Urges Management to Take Action on Fire Countermeasures

"Urgent Need for Citizen Compensation and Employment Stability"
Investigation Needed, Including Inspection of Fire Safety Facilities

Amid concerns over the livelihood insecurity of employees and the health risks to citizens caused by the Kumho Tire Gwangju factory fire, the labor union has called on management to come up with responsible countermeasures.

On the morning of the 20th, debris cleanup work is being carried out to demolish the building that caught fire at Kumho Tire Gwangju Factory in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

On May 20, the Kumho Tire branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union issued a press release stating, "This disaster occurred because management failed to take thorough preventive measures in advance," and urged, "Immediate measures must be taken to protect employees' livelihoods and ensure the safety of citizens."

The union emphasized, "A thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and verification of the operation of fire safety facilities must be conducted to clearly identify responsibility. If responsibility is confirmed, we will hold management fully accountable." The union also added, "Relevant authorities must rigorously investigate whether there were any violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act or other related laws."

In addition, the union demanded, "Compensation measures must also be established for citizens who suffered from dust and toxic gases," and stated, "Since it may take up to three years to fully restore the factory, long-term measures to ensure employment stability and livelihood security for employees are also necessary."

On the second day of the Kumho Tire Gwangju factory fire on the 18th, the urban area around Sochon-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju was covered in black smoke. Photo by Yonhap News

The Kumho Tire Gwangju factory fire began at 7:11 a.m. on May 17 in the compounding process where raw rubber and chemical agents are mixed. The main fire was extinguished after approximately 31 hours, and complete suppression was expected within the day. However, it was determined that one of the two main factory buildings was almost entirely destroyed. As a result, more than ten major production processes have all come to a halt, and anxiety over job security is growing among employees.