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An explosion at Hanwha Aerospace’s Daejeon plant in Yuseong District resulted in fatalities and injuries. With the June 3 local elections imminent, political parties have suspended or scaled back campaign activities.
On June 1, Jeong Cheong-rae, the Democratic Party’s senior campaign chair, immediately ordered all party candidates and campaign teams nationwide to halt rallies and to suspend the use of campaign jingles and coordinated routines.
In a written statement, senior Democratic Party spokesman Kang Jun-hyun said, “Public safety must come first.” He urged police and fire authorities to prioritize rescue operations and swift extinguishing of the blaze, and called on the central government, Daejeon city, Yuseong District, and other relevant agencies to mobilize all available resources to respond.
Jung Won-oh, the Democratic candidate for Seoul mayor, suspended a planned daytime rally at Guro Digital Complex. He apologized to those who had attended and said he “earnestly hopes there are no casualties.”
After the accident was reported, the People Power Party canceled public events scheduled for the day for senior campaign chair Jang Dong-hyuk and co-chair and floor leader Song Eon-seok.
Park Seong-hoon, communications chief for the People Power Party’s central campaign, said that with the government directing the immediate deployment of all available resources, the priority must be rapid incident response, treatment of the injured, and prevention of further loss of life. He also urged special attention to the safety of firefighters and rescue personnel working at the scene.
Oh Se-hoon’s campaign postponed an afternoon press briefing. The People Power Party’s Seoul branch asked campaign teams to suspend jingles and choreographed routines on campaign vehicles while rescue and recovery operations are underway, and to focus on subdued campaigning via phone and text outreach.
Hanwha says it is still confirming the exact cause and extent of damage from the explosion
Hanwha Group and Hanwha Aerospace said they are still verifying the exact circumstances and extent of damage from the explosion. In a statement, Hanwha Group said, “We are heartbroken and deeply saddened that five valued employees died in the accident at the Daejeon plant. Hanwha Group and Hanwha Aerospace extend our deepest condolences.”
The company said Hanwha Aerospace immediately convened an emergency meeting at its Seoul headquarters chaired by CEO Son Jae-il, who then traveled to the site. Hanwha Aerospace has established a response command post at the scene and is coordinating with fire and police authorities as it mobilizes all resources to manage the incident.
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