Investigation Launched Under Serious Accident Punishment Act for Yeocheon NCC Explosion Incident

Police and Ministry of Labor On-Site Investigation

At around 9:26 a.m. on the 11th, an explosion occurred during a heat exchanger leak test at Yeocheon NCC Plant 3 in Hwachi-dong, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do National Industrial Complex, resulting in 4 deaths and 4 serious injuries so far.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Following an explosion accident at a chemical plant within the Yeosu National Industrial Complex in Jeollanam-do that resulted in 4 deaths and 4 injuries, the Ministry of Employment and Labor has formed a Central Industrial Accident Response Headquarters and launched an investigation into violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and the Industrial Safety and Health Act. The police have also organized a dedicated investigation team and are investigating charges including professional negligence resulting in death.

According to relevant ministries and the police on the 11th, the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency has formed a dedicated investigation team of 61 members to begin investigating charges such as professional negligence resulting in death. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has dispatched labor inspectors to the site to investigate allegations against the management responsible at Yeocheon NCC within the Yeosu National Industrial Complex for violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, and the safety and health management officer for violating the Industrial Safety and Health Act.

The Serious Accidents Punishment Act, which came into effect on the 27th of last month, stipulates that if a serious industrial accident such as a death occurs at a workplace with 50 or more regular employees, the business owner or management responsible will be punished if it is confirmed that they violated their obligations to ensure safety and health. For workplaces with 5 to 49 employees, the law will apply after a grace period starting from January 27, 2024.

On the same day in the afternoon, the police conducted a joint on-site investigation with the National Forensic Service and others to accurately determine the cause of the accident. Subsequently, autopsies will be performed to confirm the causes of death of the victims, and investigations will be conducted into the deployment of safety managers at the site and compliance with safety regulations.

The explosion occurred at approximately 9:26 a.m. at the Yeosu Plant 3 of Yeocheon NCC. As a result of the accident, 4 of the 8 workers near the explosion site died, and 4 were injured and transported to the hospital. The explosion did not lead to a fire.

The accident is presumed to have occurred while subcontractor employees were conducting a test run to check for gas leaks after cleaning the heat exchanger, a cooling facility.

Investigative authorities are examining whether the cover of the heat exchanger was properly secured after cleaning and whether the test run was conducted properly, as well as whether safety management was adequately carried out at the site.

Meanwhile, following the accident, Yeocheon NCC’s co-CEOs Choi Geum-am and Kim Jae-yul visited the accident site and issued an apology. In their apology, the two co-CEOs stated, "We offer our deepest condolences and apologies to the bereaved families and victims who are in deep sorrow," adding, "We will do our utmost to manage the accident response, take all possible measures for the healing of the injured, and fulfill our legal and moral responsibilities to support the bereaved families."

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