LG Chem India Gas Leak Accident Support Team, Restricted from Leaving for 3 Weeks Due to Travel Ban

Published 15 Jun.2020 17:17(KST)

On the 7th of last month (local time), a gas leak accident occurred at the LG Polymers India factory in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, southern India. (Visakhapatnam AP=Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] LG Chem's on-site support team for the gas leak accident in India has been unable to return home for three weeks due to travel restrictions imposed by the local state government.

According to industry sources on the 15th, the LG Chem on-site support team, which was stopped by the state police while trying to leave Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh in southern India on the 26th of last month, has not been able to depart for over three weeks.

Earlier, on the 7th of last month, a styrene gas leak accident occurred at LG Polymers, LG Chem's Indian subsidiary factory, and the support team was dispatched on the 13th of the same month. The team of eight, led by Noh Guk-rae, head of the Petrochemical Business Division, engaged in discussions with affected residents and government officials to manage the accident and devise countermeasures.

Subsequently, as the local court ordered partial restrictions on factory access and a resident support system was somewhat established, the team decided to leave the country. However, on the 26th of last month, the team was prevented from departing by the state police. The police and state government reportedly did not provide specific reasons for the travel restrictions.

The Korean Embassy in India has dispatched staff to contact the state government. Requests for resolution have also been made to the federal government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior, but the state government is said to be maintaining a firm stance. LG Chem is also reportedly exploring various channels to find a way for the support team to return home.