POSCO on the 21st issued an official apology over an accident in which workers cleaning sludge at the Pohang steel mill inhaled gas.
POSCO on this day released an apology in the name of President Lee Hee-geun, saying, "Yesterday at the Pohang steel mill site, during cleaning work, an unfortunate accident occurred, and a regrettable event befell employees of POSCO and its affiliates," and added, "On behalf of all executives and employees, we bow our heads and offer a deep apology to those who suffered the accident and their families."
It continued, "Immediately upon the occurrence of the accident, we activated an accident countermeasure team and are doing our utmost to identify the precise cause in coordination with relevant agencies, and above all, we are promptly carrying out every support and measure so that those affected by the accident can recover their health as soon as possible."
It went on, "As CEO, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility for causing concern to many people due to a series of safety accidents this year," and said, "We will conduct thorough reflection and establish fundamental measures to prevent recurrence, and focus all of the company's capabilities to ensure such accidents never happen again."
On the previous day at POSCO's Pohang Steelworks STS4 steelmaking plant, two contract workers in their 50s who were cleaning sludge and one POSCO employee in his 40s who was at the site inhaled toxic gas and were transported to a hospital in cardiac arrest.
Of them, two achieved return of spontaneous circulation but remain in critical condition, and one is in serious condition with impaired consciousness. Three members of POSCO's fire brigade disaster prevention team also inhaled toxic gas during the rescue operation but were assessed to have minor symptoms.