The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) and police on the 23rd carried out searches and seizures in connection with the fire at an auto parts manufacturing plant in Daedeok District, Daejeon, that left 74 casualties.
The Daejeon Regional Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) office and the Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency said they deployed about 60 labor inspectors and police officers that day and were conducting searches and seizures of the headquarters and plant of Anjeon Industrial in Daedeok District, Daejeon.
The ministry and police plan to secure officials' personal computers (PCs) and closely examine whether safety measures to prevent fires and ensure evacuation were properly implemented to prevent the accident. They also said they would strictly investigate potential violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
The ministry said, "If a major fatal accident occurs, or if the same type of accident occurs repeatedly because minimum safety rules were not observed, we will actively use compulsory investigations such as searches and seizures and arrests."
Earlier, at about 1:17 p.m. on the 20th, a fire broke out at Anjeon Industrial, an auto parts company in Daedeok District, Daejeon. The accident resulted in 14 deaths, 25 serious injuries, and 35 minor injuries, for a total of 74 casualties.