[2025 Audit] Ruling and Opposition Parties Criticize Repeated SPC Fatal Accidents... CEO Do Seho Admits "It Was Human Error"

Ruling Party: "The Commonality Was That the Machines Couldn't Be Stopped"
Opposition: "SPC Overlooked Safety"

Both the ruling and opposition parties criticized SPC Group's inadequate safety management in relation to three fatal machine entrapment accidents. Lawmakers from the ruling party pointed out that none of the workers involved in the incidents were able to press the emergency stop button, while the opposition party criticized the low rank of SPC's safety managers. Do Seho, CEO of SPC, acknowledged that all three accidents were due to human error and pledged to make improvements where deficiencies exist.

Do Seho, CEO of SPC, is attending the National Assembly inspection of the Ministry of Employment and Labor held at Yeouido, Seoul on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News

The National Assembly Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor Committee conducted a parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Employment and Labor at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on October 15. Assemblyman Kim Taeseon from the Democratic Party cited a report from this newspaper (Reference article: The Core of the SPC Accident...There Was Not Even a Chance to Stop) and pointed out to Minister Kim Younghoon of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, "There was no emergency stop button on the machine where the worker was standing," adding, "All three victims had the commonality that they could not stop the machine at the moment of death." He further stated, "Under the current Occupational Safety and Health Act, only certain machines are subject to safety certification and are inspected every two years, but SPC's machines are only subject to voluntary safety confirmation reporting, which simply requires companies to submit a report."

Assemblyman Kim asked Minister Kim, "After the accident, the operation of the specific machine was halted, but I confirmed that machines of the same or similar models are still in operation. Have you received any reports on what measures were taken regarding the same or similar models after the accident?" Minister Kim replied, "I have not yet been able to confirm the relevant actions. I will check whether any measures have been taken for similar models after the accident." Assemblyman Kim responded, "It has been five months since the accident. President Lee Jaemyung visited the site, and measures to prevent recurrence must be established. The Ministry of Employment and Labor adds new items to the safety inspection list each time an accident occurs, but this approach cannot keep up with the pace of changes in the manufacturing process," he criticized.

Kim Younghoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, is responding to questions from lawmakers during the 2025 National Assembly audit of the Ministry of Employment and Labor held on the 15th at the National Assembly Climate, Energy, Environment, and Labor Committee. Photo by Yonhap News

There were also criticisms that SPC's investment in safety was insufficient. Assemblyman Kang Deukgu from the Democratic Party told CEO Do, "SPC claims to have invested funds in safety, but professors and other experts say the investment was made from a production efficiency perspective, not for industrial safety. Aside from the change in working hours after President Lee's visit, nothing else has changed. Workers say their situation has actually become more difficult in many areas, and this shows that the leadership of domestic corporate owners remains stuck in the mindset of the 1970s and 1980s."

Assemblyman Park Haecheol from the Democratic Party also emphasized, "When you look at SPC's safety-related investments, it is merely replacing outdated equipment that obviously should have been replaced." CEO Do responded, "We will focus our efforts on making improvements and work to establish a culture of safety."

The opposition party also continued to criticize SPC for industrial accidents. Assemblywoman Kim Sohee from the People Power Party pointed out, "The fatal accident in May of this year occurred around 2:50 a.m. In the past, when machines made squeaking noises, workers would go in to apply lubricant, which shows that the company has been condoning unsafe situations." In response, CEO Do said, "I believe the accident was due to human error."

Assemblywoman Kim further stated, "If accidents occur even when there is a safety manager present, it is clearly due to human error. The rank of safety managers is low, so their ranks should be elevated to ensure that workers on site follow their instructions." CEO Do replied, "I agree. We will continue to make efforts to hire experienced personnel."

In the past three years, three workers have died in machine entrapment accidents at SPC factories. On May 19 of this year, a fatal accident occurred at the 'spiral cooling conveyor' at the SPC Samlip factory in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. In August 2023, a worker died in a machine entrapment accident involving a 'dough lift' at the Shany factory in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. In October 2022, another worker died in a machine entrapment accident involving a 'sauce mixer' at the SPL factory in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province.