Vice Chairman Yeo Seung-joo to lead special task force; CEO Son Jae-il coordinates at scene; company issues formal apology, launches safety review

The Hanwha Aerospace factory in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, where an explosion killed five people Sunday. [Yonhap]
The Hanwha Aerospace factory in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, where an explosion killed five people Sunday. [Yonhap]

Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn has personally ordered the conglomerate to mobilize all available resources to manage the fallout from an explosion at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon factory that killed five workers.

Hanwha Group and Hanwha Aerospace issued a joint statement Sunday apologizing to the victims' families and the public. "We bow our heads in apology to the employees who lost their lives in the Daejeon factory accident, their bereaved families, the injured workers, and residents and citizens," the group said. "We will extend every courtesy to those who have died and spare no effort in supporting the recovery of those who were injured."

Kim said he was "unable to contain his grief" upon learning that employees had been killed and injured while on the job. "I offer my deepest condolences and words of comfort to the bereaved families," he said. He also directed the company to "treat those who have died with the utmost respect and swiftly carry out all measures to support the bereaved families and care for the injured."

Kim further ordered the group to marshal its full capabilities and establish a special response task force. Vice Chairman Yeo Seung-joo will lead the task force and oversee all aspects of the emergency response and support operations.

Hanwha Aerospace CEO Son Jae-il has set up a crisis management center at the scene and is working with the fire department, police and other relevant authorities. "I feel the weight of full responsibility for this accident as CEO," Son said. "I will remain by the side of the bereaved families, provide all necessary support, and take responsibility for the treatment and recovery of the injured workers through to the end."

The company believes the explosion occurred while workers were washing propellant, an explosive substance used in launch vehicles. The precise cause is expected to be determined through an investigation by the relevant authorities once access to the scene is secured.

Hanwha Group pledged to "thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident to ensure such a devastating incident never happens again," adding that it would conduct a comprehensive review of safety management across the entire group and commit all available resources to creating a safe workplace.

The explosion occurred at 10:59 a.m. Sunday at the Hanwha Aerospace factory in Oesamdong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, killing five people and injuring two others.


psj@heraldcorp.com