Assemblyman Kim Hoe-jae: "Despite Enforcement of Serious Accidents Punishment Act, 24 Casualties Occurred in Aged Industrial Complexes"

After the Enforcement of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, 9 Deaths and 15 Injuries Occurred Due to Explosions and Other Accidents

242 Serious Accident Casualties in Industrial Complexes Over 20 Years Old from 2017 to Recently

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Despite the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act, it has been revealed that 9 workers lost their lives due to serious accidents in aging industrial complexes.

From 2017 to recently, the number of casualties from serious accidents in aging industrial complexes reached 242.

Due to the aging of industrial complex facilities, explosions and fire accidents have continued, leading to concerns that aging industrial complexes are becoming "powder kegs."

According to the "Status of Serious Accidents by Industrial Complex History" data submitted by Kim Hoe-jae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Yeosu-si Eul, Jeonnam), from the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, about 7 serious accidents including industrial disasters, fire accidents, chemical accidents, and explosions occurred in 64 industrial complexes managed by the Korea Industrial Complex Management Corporation during the approximately five months from the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act (January 27) to recently (June 7).

All 7 serious accidents occurred only in aging industrial complexes that have been established for more than 20 years. In particular, 6 of these accidents, the majority, occurred in aging industrial complexes established for more than 40 years, where aging is more advanced.

The number of casualties from serious accidents in aging industrial complexes during the approximately five months after the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act was 24. Among them, 9 were fatalities and 15 were injured.

The number of deaths in aging industrial complexes established for more than 20 years was 2, while the number of deaths in aging industrial complexes established for more than 40 years was 7.

From 2017 to recently, over six years, the number of casualties from serious accidents in industrial complexes was 246.

Among them, 242 casualties occurred in aging industrial complexes established for more than 20 years, accounting for 98.4% of the total. In contrast, only 4 casualties occurred in industrial complexes established for less than 20 years.

Among the 242 casualties from serious accidents in aging industrial complexes established for more than 20 years, 104 were fatalities and 138 were injured.

Narrowing the scope to aging industrial complexes established for more than 40 years, the number of casualties was 179, accounting for 72.8% of all serious accident casualties.

In aging industrial complexes established for more than 40 years, there were 69 fatalities and 110 injuries from serious accidents.

The actual number of accidents occurring in aging industrial complexes is expected to be higher.

This is because the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation only manages the status of serious accidents such as fatal accidents, accidents causing property damage exceeding 100 million KRW, hazardous chemical leaks, and major accidents reported in the media, due to limitations in investigation capabilities.

Representative Kim Hoe-jae said, "Due to the aging of industrial complex facilities, explosions and fire accidents continue, turning aging industrial complexes into 'powder kegs.' Systematic safety management and safety support measures for aging industrial complexes are necessary."

He added, "We will accelerate fundamental measures such as the enactment of a special law on national industrial complexes to ensure the safety and sustainability of aging national industrial complexes."

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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