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The death toll from the explosion at Hanwha Aerospace’s Daejeon plant rose to six, and Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae visited the site to demand a full investigation and measures to prevent a recurrence.
On June 1, Jeong visited Hanwha Aerospace’s Daejeon facility in Oesam-dong, Yuseong-gu, to mourn the victims and console their families.
Those who attended included Jo Seung-rae; Yun Geon-yeong, the ruling party’s member on the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee and chair of the Disaster Response Task Force; Park Jeong-hyun, Daejeon party chair; lawmakers Park Yong-gap, Jang Jong-tae and Hwang Jeong-ah; Heo Tae-jeong, the Daejeon mayoral candidate; and Jeong Yong-rae, the candidate for Yuseong District head.
Police and fire officials reported that a blast and fire broke out at the Hanwha Aerospace Daejeon plant at about 10:59 a.m. that morning. Authorities initially said five of seven workers on site died, one was critically injured and one suffered minor injuries. The critically injured worker later died during treatment, raising the death toll to six. The worker with minor injuries remains under care.
Jeong said, “This facility handles hazardous materials, so every possible safety precaution should have been in place. It is deeply saddening that such a large-scale tragedy occurred. I extend my condolences to the victims and offer my deepest sympathy to their families.”
He added, “I urged the labor minister, who was on site, to conduct a thorough investigation and to carry out strict measures. I also called on Hanwha to provide wholehearted support to the bereaved families and the injured and to actively cooperate with any necessary actions.”
He emphasized that colleagues who worked at the same facility must have suffered severe shock and stressed that the company needs to provide substantial assistance and psychological support.
Yun Geon-yeong, chair of the Democratic Party’s Disaster and Safety Special Committee, also visited and said, “Given that accidents occurred here in 2018 and 2019 as well, we must thoroughly determine whether there are systemic problems and whether safety manuals were properly followed. We will do our utmost to ensure that the families’ demands are fully addressed.”
The accident’s fallout prompted both the ruling and opposition parties to immediately adjust their campaign schedules.
The Democratic Party instructed its candidates nationwide to halt on-site rallies and related events immediately after the accident. The party suspended campaign vehicle operations and advised candidates to conduct subdued campaigning until further notice.
The People Power Party, under party leader and standing campaign chair Jang Dong-hyeok’s orders, told candidates and campaign offices nationwide to refrain from using party jingles and choreographed routines and to pursue restrained campaign activities.
Jang, who had planned to campaign in Jeju, Seogwipo and Ulsan—areas where his support was weaker—canceled public events and changed his schedule to make an urgent trip to Daejeon at 7 p.m. that day.
In a statement issued immediately after the accident, he said, “I pray for the souls of those who tragically lost their lives in the Hanwha Aerospace explosion in Daejeon, and I offer my sincere condolences to the bereaved families. I wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
He added, “The government must do everything possible to manage the aftermath and restore what was lost. It should pay close attention to supporting the victims’ families and the injured. The People Power Party will also provide necessary support.”
Candidates running for Daejeon superintendent of education likewise announced plans to scale back or suspend campaign activities, and the local political community broadly joined in mourning and response efforts.
Police and fire authorities said they will work with related agencies, including the National Forensic Service, to conduct a joint on-site investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and whether safety regulations were followed.
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