Disciplinary Action Against Police Official for Inappropriate Meeting with Case-Related Person

Posco Gwangyang Steelworks explosion accident site. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] As the police investigate the explosion accident at POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks, a police officer who had an inappropriate drinking party with steelworks officials has reportedly been disciplined with a pay reduction.

On November 24 last year, a fire broke out along with an explosion while cutting off oxygen pipes to dismantle aging oxygen generation equipment at Blast Furnace No. 1 of POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks, resulting in three deaths.

According to the police on the 14th, the National Police Agency imposed a one-month pay reduction and double disciplinary fines on former Gwangyang Police Station Investigation Division Chief Superintendent A last month for having an inappropriate meeting with parties involved in the incident.

On January 25, former Chief Superintendent A had a drinking party at a samgyeopsal specialty restaurant in Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do, with B, the head of external affairs at POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks, and C, an executive of a partner company, with C reportedly paying for the meal.

At the time, former Chief Superintendent A was responsible for investigating compliance with safety management obligations and possible negligence at POSCO Gwangyang Steelworks and was prohibited from contacting parties involved in the incident.

He did not report meeting with Head B and, when the issue arose, claimed that he did not know a steelworks employee would join the meal with his acquaintance.

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