Chief Executive Son Joo-hwan, who bowed his head at the memorial altar for employees who died in the Daejeon Safety Industry fire disaster, was accused of making remarks and abusive comments in an internal meeting to the effect that "the people who came out late died."
According to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Safety Industry Union on the 24th, Son was said to have shouted at key executives, including the managing director and vice president, during an employees' meeting held after the fire disaster the previous day.
Son was also reported to have expressed dissatisfaction with media coverage. He said, "Tell me which X is meeting the reporter," and, "They say 'the president shouts and talks to juniors,' but why is there no excuse for that."
In particular, he was reported to have made remarks to the effect that some victims who died in the fire disaster "died while trying to check the factory site where the fire broke out until the end."
Son was said to have said, "At home, a mother looked back, afraid her child would burn to death, and died because she was late," and, "The person who came out late died. Would it be okay to come out late."
The union also claimed there was verbal abuse directed at the bereaved families. When someone advised during the meeting that he should go meet the families, Son reportedly said, "Bereaved families or XX, whatever!"
Son is currently booked and under investigation in connection with the disaster on suspicion of violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.