Minister Kim Young-hoon of the Labor Ministry said on the 19th that "as of 1 p.m., the CEO of HL Mando has been booked on suspicion of violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act." This follows the death of a subcontracted worker in his 20s, who was crushed by a machine while inspecting metal processing equipment at HL Mando's Pyeongtaek plant on the 22nd of last month.
The Minister attended a full meeting of the National Assembly's Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee that day and said, "(At HL Mando) outsourced subcontracted workers are unable to refuse work, and the chain of command is dualized." The Minister added, "There is also a structural problem in which a primary contractor's worker operates machinery without even recognizing that subcontracted workers are working," and noted, "We are also looking into the issue of illegal dispatch."
After the accident last month, the Labor Ministry booked five people, including the head of the HL Mando Pyeongtaek site center and the head of the subcontractor, on suspicion of occupational negligence causing death. As of that day, the CEO of HL Mando was additionally booked on suspicion of violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
Regarding the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) signaling its willingness to join social dialogue, the Minister said, "There are a few preconditions, but the fact that talks have begun is highly commendable." He continued, "There is an opinion to maximize a unanimous decision-making method to activate the dialogue itself," adding, "We are also reviewing such a change in the operating method."
The Minister said, "As discussions on social dialogue proceed, the mega special zone issue has arisen and could pose various obstacles," adding, "I appeal that we instead use this as an opportunity to promote social dialogue." The Minister added, "It is said that the mega special zone is an issue tied to the nation's fortune, but productivity rises and success is possible only when workers participate."