At Kyungpook National University National Audit, Criticism to "Resolve Laboratory Explosion Accident Issues"

On the morning of the 19th, at Kyungpook National University in Daegu, various university officials held placards urging the resolution of campus issues as they appealed to the members of the National Assembly's Education Committee entering the hearing room for the national audit of Kyungpook National University, Kangwon National University, and others. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] On the 19th, during the National Assembly Education Committee’s audit of Kyungpook National University, issues regarding the non-payment of medical expenses for students injured in the laboratory explosion accident that occurred last December and the subsequent follow-up measures were brought to the forefront.

In December of last year, an explosion accident occurred in a laboratory on the first floor of the Chemistry Building at Kyungpook National University while mixing and treating sample waste liquid. Four research students were injured in the accident, two of whom suffered severe burns.

During the audit, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties criticized Kyungpook National University for inadequate follow-up measures related to the accident.

Democratic Party lawmaker Kwon In-sook pointed out, "One of the injured students suffered third-degree burns over 80% of their body and was on the brink of life and death, yet the university president has not visited even once." She added, "Although the school should take practical and moral responsibility, it is trying to avoid accountability by including a subrogation clause in the regulations for medical expense payments."

According to the support status and countermeasure data related to the laboratory explosion accident victims submitted by Kyungpook National University to lawmaker Kwon, the total accumulated medical expenses for the injured students amount to 920 million KRW, of which 420 million KRW remains unpaid.

For Mr. A, who sustained serious injuries in the accident, 200 million KRW out of the total 600 million KRW in medical expenses has not been paid. Kyungpook National University delayed payment citing the absence of budget and related regulations after disbursing 500 million KRW from the contingency fund in February last year (covering accumulated medical expenses at that time).

However, lawmaker Kwon argued that Kyungpook National University’s explanation is inconsistent with the facts after reviewing the 2020 budget status. She stated that a main budget of 200 million KRW, which could be executed starting from March this year, was allocated. Additionally, the university secured an extra 100 million KRW through a supplementary budget in April and 270 million KRW through a second supplementary budget in October. On top of this, they received 100 million KRW from the Education Facilities Disaster Mutual Aid Association insurance, totaling 670 million KRW secured this year alone.

In other words, despite securing the budget, the university has delayed payment by taking time to establish payment regulations.

People Power Party lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae stated, "It is not solely the university’s responsibility," and mentioned the government’s accountability. He emphasized, "The establishment entity of national universities is the state and the government. Therefore, the government should take responsibility. Leaving it solely to the university is a very irresponsible approach." He continued, "Former President Moon Jae-in said that the state has unlimited responsibility for safety. Accordingly, this issue should not be left only to the university but the government should actively step in to find a solution."

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Tan-hee highlighted the need to apply industrial accident insurance to graduate students at universities under the Ministry of Education, stating, "While graduate research students under the Ministry of Science and ICT are covered by industrial accident insurance, those under the Ministry of Education are not. It is necessary to revise related laws to apply industrial accident insurance to graduate students."

In response, Kyungpook National University President Kim Sang-dong said, "In fact, all laboratories and practice rooms at national universities are in poor condition. From that perspective, the Ministry of Education and the government should pay attention to safety." He explained, "Regional universities should not be fixated only on the educational justification but should be equipped with research facilities like specialized science and technology universities such as KAIST, which can conduct core research."

President Kim also stated, "I am well aware that the families were further hurt by the follow-up measures after the Chemistry Building explosion accident. I would like to take this opportunity to offer my condolences and apologies to the injured students and their families." He requested, "I ask the National Assembly to support so that the university is not legally restricted in implementing follow-up measures going forward."

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