Andong-il, President of Hyundai Steel, "Business trips between sites prohibited... Complacent thinking puts company at risk"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Andong-il, CEO of Hyundai Steel, posted a message urging employees to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). This is interpreted as an effort to strengthen internal vigilance following confirmed COVID-19 cases at the Ulsan Hyundai Motor plant and, more recently, at the Hyundai Construction Equipment factory.

According to industry sources on the 5th, CEO Andong-il recently stated through the internal intranet, "As COVID-19 infections are spreading nationwide, the company is making every effort to prevent further spread," adding, "Complacent thoughts and actions can put yourself, your family, and the company at risk."

He urged, "Please thoroughly manage your own and your family's hygiene and refrain from external activities," and requested all employees to comply with these instructions. In particular, he emphasized, "Business trips between domestic workplaces are prohibited," and "Please strictly refrain from external business trips."

The reason CEO Andong-il strongly recommended 'social distancing' to employees is due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Ulsan area. According to Ulsan City, the first confirmed COVID-19 case occurred on February 22, and as of 7 a.m. the previous day, the number had risen to 23.

The problem is that infections are occurring at production sites. Previously, infections were confirmed at Hyundai Motor's Ulsan Plant 2, and yesterday, three members of a Hyundai Construction Equipment worker's family were diagnosed with COVID-19.

Hyundai Steel has factories in Ulsan producing steel pipes and automotive parts. It takes less than 10 minutes by public transportation to Hyundai Motor's Ulsan plant and about 30 minutes to Hyundai Construction Equipment's Ulsan factory. With confirmed COVID-19 cases occurring at major Ulsan plants, internal tension is reportedly high. Accordingly, Hyundai Steel has implemented a biweekly work-from-home system by dividing employees into two groups since last week.

A Hyundai Steel official stated, "Based on government guidelines, the group is making every effort to prevent and manage COVID-19," adding, "We are strengthening quarantine measures by installing thermal imaging cameras and providing hand sanitizers to prevent confirmed cases within the workplace."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.