Kim Seung-youn, chair of Hanwha Group, said on the 1st, regarding the fatal accident at the Hanwha Aerospace Daejeon Plant, "I extend my deepest condolences and words of comfort to the bereaved families."
Kim said in a statement that afternoon, "I cannot contain my grief at the news that employees who were doing their utmost at work have died and been injured," and stated accordingly.
Kim said, "Extend the highest respect to the employees who passed away, and carry out with utmost care and speed the relief efforts, including support for the bereaved families and treatment for the injured."
Kim ordered the formation of a group-level special response task force (TF), with Vice Chair Yeo Seung-ju as Head of Team, mobilizing the full capabilities of the group for accident response.
The accident occurred at about 10:59 a.m. that day due to an explosion in the cleaning process room at the Hanwha Aerospace Daejeon Plant in Oesam-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon.
Five people were killed and two were injured in the accident. Among the injured, one was a site manager who briefly stepped out of the workshop at the time and escaped harm with minor injuries, while the other reportedly suffered full-body burns and is in critical condition.
Hanwha Aerospace in Gyeongsang believes the explosion occurred during the process of cleaning tools used in the rocket propellant production line.
Hanwha Group issued a joint statement with Hanwha Aerospace immediately after the accident, but later released another statement conveying Kim's condolences.
Hanwha Group said, "We bow our heads in apology to the employees who died in the accident and their bereaved families, the injured employees, and to local residents and the public."
It continued, "Hanwha Group and Hanwha Aerospace express deep condolences to the employees who died and offer our sincere words of comfort to the bereaved families."
It added, "We will do everything to honor those who passed away," and "We will make sure there is no neglect in support for the recovery of the injured employees."
Hanwha Group said, "We will thoroughly determine the cause of the accident to ensure that such a tragic incident never happens again," adding, "We will conduct a comprehensive review of safety management measures across all group companies from the ground up and invest all resources in creating a safe workplace."
Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, who held an emergency meeting immediately after the accident and moved to the site, said, "As the company's CEO, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility for this accident," adding, "The company will provide every necessary support to the bereaved families and will take full responsibility to the end for the treatment and recovery of those who were injured."