Hanwha Aerospace CEO Son Jae-il said on the 1st that, in connection with the explosion at the Daejeon plant, "our company must use this accident as a steppingstone to become a far safer company than before."
On the 2nd, Son said on the company bulletin board, "This accident gave us a grave lesson that not even a single moment of complacency can be allowed when it comes to safety."
The accident occurred at 10:59 a.m. on the previous day in the washing room of Building 56 at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon plant in Oesam-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. Seven people were working at the time, and five were found dead inside due to the explosion. Of the two who evacuated, one suffered burns over the entire body and is in critical condition, and the other reportedly sustained minor burns to the neck.
Son said, "We will not stop at mere formal measures but will build a safety system that works substantively on the ground," and urged, "All employees, please actively take part in companywide safety improvement efforts and join forces to create a workplace where such accidents never happen again."
On the cause of the accident, he said, "Please actively participate in and cooperate with the investigation so that the exact cause can be identified," adding, "We will faithfully comply with the inquiries of the relevant agencies and take time to reexamine our safety system from the ground up."
Son said, "We will not neglect support for the bereaved families," adding, "We sincerely hope the injured person makes a swift recovery, and the company will spare no support."
He told employees, "It is a difficult time, but please do your utmost in your respective roles," adding, "All of management will take this accident as a painful lesson to create a safe working environment and ensure the company overcomes the crisis and becomes a stronger and safer organization."