SPC Boycott Movement Spreads Amid Consecutive Accidents... Voices Opposing Witch Hunt-Style Public Backlash

Finger Amputation Accident at Shani Factory After SPL Fatal Accident
Chairman Huh Young-in's Public Apology and Recurrence Prevention Measures Announced
Substitute Product Lists Shared Online and Offline, University Campuses Display Posters
Franchise Owners Express "Shared Anger... Difficulties in Operation Due to Adverse Issues"

SPC Group Chairman Heo Young-in is making a public apology on the 21st at the SPC headquarters in Seocho-gu, Seoul, regarding the recent employee death accident that occurred at the affiliate SPL. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] The boycott movement against SPC Group is spreading across the board after a worker in his 20s died at a bakery factory affiliated with the SPC Group. On the 23rd, public outrage intensified as another worker in his 40s suffered a finger amputation accident at a different affiliated factory.

According to the industry on the 24th, since last week, both online and offline, boycott movements against products from SPC Group affiliates such as Paris Baguette, Baskin Robbins, Dunkin, Samlip, and Shani have been spreading. Lists of SPC Group affiliate brands and alternative product lists have been shared, encouraging consumers to choose local bakeries or other brand products instead of SPC Group products.

On social networking services (SNS), boycott support posts tagged with hashtags like ‘#SPCbulmae’ (#SPCBoycott) and ‘#StopSPC’ are also spreading.

At universities, posters encouraging the boycott of SPC Group have been posted. Student groups such as ‘Joint Action to Make Seoul National University Free of Irregular Workers’ (Biseogong) at Seoul National University and the ‘Gasi’ group of labor solidarity at Sungkonghoe University recently put up posters on campus urging "Let’s boycott SPC, which drove workers to death." Biseogong claimed, "SPC Group has treated even minimal safety equipment and workforce reinforcement as cost-cutting targets, ultimately taking the lives of young workers."

The heated boycott movement is partly attributed to SPC’s complacent attitude during the accident handling process, which fueled the boycott’s momentum. The day after the fatal accident, the factory continued operations while covering the site with a white tent, and when delivering condolence support items to the bereaved family of the worker who died while making bread, they brought bread, drawing criticism for lacking human respect and consideration.

SPC Group Chairman Heo Young-in held a press conference on the 21st to issue a public apology and announced a recurrence prevention plan to invest 100 billion won over three years to reinforce the safety system, but public outrage did not subside easily. At the press conference, Chairman Heo left without taking any questions, citing an ongoing police investigation, and just two days later, another finger amputation accident occurred at the manufacturing factory of another affiliate, ‘Shani,’ making the apology and safety management promises seem even more hollow.

The damage is directly affecting Paris Baguette franchise owners. Since the fatal accident became known, Paris Baguette franchise owners have been complaining about declining sales. Mr. A, a 50-year-old owner operating Paris Baguette in Jongno-gu, Seoul, said, "Since the accident became known, customers have noticeably decreased. It’s very painful to have the perception of ‘blood-stained bread.’" He added, "It was already difficult to operate due to minimum wage increases and rent hikes, and these incidents keep happening, which is devastating."

The Paris Baguette Franchise Owners Association issued a statement saying, "Franchise owners share the public’s sorrow and criticism regarding the SPL accident. We will urge the company (headquarters) to conduct a thorough cause analysis of this accident, punish those responsible accordingly, and faithfully implement plans to strengthen safety management," attempting to calm the boycott movement.

Some voices of concern argue that the witch hunt should stop since the group head personally visited the mourning site, apologized to the bereaved family, and issued a public apology. If the unique nature of franchise businesses is not understood and a one-sided boycott is carried out, the damage will ultimately fall on franchise owners and employees.

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