Kang Hunsik, Chief of Staff to the President, is talking with Um Gilyong, chairman of the Public Transport Union, bereaved families, and officials from the accident response committee regarding the late Kim Choonghyun, a victim of the Taean Thermal Power Plant accident, in front of the War Memorial near the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 6th. Photo by Yonhap News
On June 6, Kang Hunsik, Chief of Staff to the President, received a formal request for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the late Kim Choonghyun, a victim of the Taean Thermal Power Plant accident, and stated that the Serious Accidents Punishment Act should be enforced strictly. He also announced that workplace measures equivalent to special labor supervision would be implemented.
Chief of Staff Kang made these remarks after receiving the investigation request from the "Committee for Countermeasures on the Death of Non-Regular Worker Kim Choonghyun at Taean Thermal Power Plant" (the Committee) in front of the War Memorial in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the same day. Earlier, the Committee held a memorial cultural event for Kim Choonghyun, a non-regular worker, near Seoul Station and marched to the Presidential Office. Kim died on June 2 at the Taean Power Plant in South Chungcheong Province after being caught in an industrial lathe machine while working alone.
Kang met with Um Gilyong, chairman of the Public Transport Union, who had marched to the Presidential Office, and said, "We must deal strictly with the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and similar matters," adding, "We also believe that workplace measures equivalent to special labor supervision should be taken."
Kang continued, "Above all, the Lee Jaemyung administration believes that the safety and lives of workers and the public are of utmost importance," and promised, "We will ensure that follow-up measures are properly implemented." He also said, "I believe that those working at partner companies are also experiencing significant trauma," and added, "We will spare no effort in providing trauma support."
Kang further stated, "It is very distressing and regrettable that such an incident has occurred again at the same site where the late Kim Yonggyun lost his life seven years ago," and continued, "It is especially heartbreaking to learn that the deceased's work clothes became entangled in the machinery, leading to the accident." He added, "This was an accident that could have been fully prevented had proper safety measures been in place, and the Lee Jaemyung administration deeply regrets that these measures were not properly followed."
Kang emphasized, "As far as I know, this is the first time the Chief of Staff to the President has come out to personally receive such a letter," and asked, "Please understand that this demonstrates the strength of our resolve." He explained, "There were various opinions, such as having the police chief receive it since appointments have not yet been made, but both the President and I agreed that this was not appropriate. As Chief of Staff, I felt it was right to come out and receive it in person."
Meanwhile, Kang also met and spoke with the mother of the late Kim Yonggyun on the same day. In response to her request to "please resolve this properly," Kang replied, "I will do my utmost."
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