Kumho Tire Apologizes for Gwangju Fire... All-Out Efforts for Recovery and Safety

A fire helicopter is circling above to extinguish the fire on the 18th, the second day of the fire at Kumho Tire Gwangju Factory. Photo by Yonhap News

On May 18, Kumho Tire issued a statement regarding the fire that broke out at its Gwangju factory the previous day, saying, "We deeply apologize for causing great concern and distress."

The company stated, "Fire authorities are currently making every effort to extinguish the fire, and we are also cooperating closely and mobilizing all available resources." It added, "The exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damage will be determined after the fire is put out and we are able to enter the site for an on-site investigation."

Kumho Tire is currently operating an emergency response system to restore the damage and normalize production. The company is urgently reviewing the possibility of shifting the production of items made at the Gwangju factory to other plants. Regarding the supply of original equipment (OE) tires for new vehicles, Kumho Tire added that it is coordinating supply stabilization measures through consultations with automakers.

Regarding recovery efforts for the local community, the company stated, "We will provide compensation to residents as soon as any damages are confirmed, in cooperation with relevant authorities such as Gwangju City and Gwangsan District." Kumho Tire also said, "We will strive not only for simple restoration, but also for coexistence and mutual growth as a member of the local community."

The company continued, "Our top priority at the moment is extinguishing the fire and ensuring the stability of the local community." It emphasized, "We will strengthen our safety management system to prevent similar incidents from recurring and will conduct company-wide safety inspections."

Finally, Kumho Tire reiterated its apology, stating, "We will do our utmost to prevent recurrence, taking even greater social responsibility and acting with the utmost caution going forward."

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