The Hanwha Aerospace Daejeon business sites, where an explosion on the 1st left seven people dead or injured, is a key establishment that makes precision-guided munitions (PGM). There were also back-to-back fatal explosions here in 2018 and 2019, and scrutiny of its safety management is expected to resurface.
The Hanwha Aerospace business sites in Oesam-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, produces the long-range surface-to-air guided weapon (L-SAM) responsible for upper-tier defense in the Korean missile defense system, the Chunmoo multiple launch rocket, and the Cheongeom air-to-surface guided missile. High-risk processes such as rocket and guided weapon motor development and production, as well as propellant mixing and charging, are carried out here.
The Daejeon business sites, which had been the motor production facility of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), was acquired by Hanwha Co., Ltd. in 1987. It was then operated under Hanwha's defense division and, following Hanwha Group's defense restructuring that began in 2022, it became part of Hanwha Aerospace.
Because this place handles explosives, pyrotechnics, and other fire-vulnerable materials as well as high-risk processes, critics have long noted that any accident is bound to lead to mass casualties.
On May 29, 2018, an explosion occurred on the motor production line of Building 51 at the Daejeon business sites, killing five people including a person surnamed Kim, 33, and injuring four. At the time, Hanwha Co., Ltd. had to shut the plant for 42 days.
On Feb. 14, 2019, an explosion occurred in the motor shaping room of Type 70 at the Daejeon business sites, and three employees, including a person surnamed Kim, 32, were found dead. With a six-month suspension of operations, Hanwha Co., Ltd.'s separate operating profit in the second quarter plunged by more than 48% from a year earlier.
At the time, the Hanwha Group labor union held a press conference in front of group headquarters, saying, "A disaster occurred in which three workers lost their lives again at the Hanwha Daejeon plant, where nine people were killed or injured nine months ago," and, "No matter which region or which plant we work in, we have the right to work safely without dying."
Hanwha Aerospace, which operates the Daejeon business sites, is a core affiliate of Hanwha Group, with Vice Chairman Kim Dong-Kwan, the eldest son of Chairman Kim Seung-youn, serving as head of strategy. The head of the business division is CEO Son Jae-il.
At the site that day, CEO Son said, "First, I bow my head in apology to those who lost their precious lives and to the bereaved families due to the accident that occurred today at the Daejeon business sites, and I extend my deepest condolences to the deceased." He added, "We will take this accident seriously and thoroughly review and rectify our safety system from the ground up so that such an incident is not repeated."