Battery Factory CEO Arrested in Connection with Fatal Fire in South Korea
Suwon, South Korea – The CEO of ARICELL, a battery factory inHwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, has been arrested in connection with a deadly fire that killed 23 people in June. Park Sun-gwan, along with other company officials, was apprehended on August 28th, marking the first time a company representative has been arrested under the Serious Disaster Punishment Act since its implementation in 2022.
The Suwon District Court issued the arrest warrant, citing serious violations of the Serious Disaster Punishment Act and other relevant laws. The court also issued an arrestwarrant for Park Joong-eon, the factory’s general manager and Park Sun-gwan’s son, on charges of violating the Industrial Safety Act, Dispatch Act, and causing death by professional negligence.
The court, however, declined to issue arrest warrants for Jeong, the operator of the manpower supply company Han Shin DIA, and Park, the head of ARICELL’s safety management team, citing insufficient evidence of evidence tampering and flight risk.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor had previously requested arrest warrants for Park Sun-gwan, Park Joong-eon, and Jeong on August 23rd, alleging violations of the Industrial Safety Act and Dispatch Act. The police also requested arrest warrants for Park Joong-eon and Park on charges of causing death by professional negligence.
The prosecution, deeming the charges and groundsfor arrest valid, submitted the requests to the court.
The fire at the ARICELL battery factory occurred on June 24th at around 10:30 AM, resulting in the tragic loss of 23 lives and injuries to eight others. Investigations revealed that the factory, in a rush tomeet delivery deadlines, had illegally employed unskilled workers on its production lines. This resulted in the production of defective batteries, which contributed to the explosion and subsequent fire.
The investigation also uncovered serious safety flaws in the factory’s design and procedures. The emergency exit door opened in the opposite direction of the evacuation route, anda security device was installed on a door that should have remained open, hindering the evacuation process. Furthermore, the factory failed to provide adequate safety training for its employees during the hiring process and when adjusting work assignments.
The incident has sparked widespread public outrage and calls for stricter safety regulations in South Korea’s manufacturing industry.The government has vowed to implement stricter measures to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
The arrest of the ARICELL CEO and other officials underscores the seriousness of the charges and the government’s commitment to holding those responsible accountable. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in all workplaces, particularly in industries with inherent risks.
【source】https://cn.yna.co.kr/view/ACK20240829000300881?section=society/index&input=rss
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