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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Young Taek] SEOUL, June 1, 2026 — A deadly explosion at a defense manufacturing facility operated by Hanwha Aerospace has killed five workers and left two others critically injured, reigniting concerns over long-standing safety issues at the site.
According to police and fire authorities, the explosion occurred at approximately 10:59 a.m. on June 1 at the company’s plant in Daejeon. Emergency services responded after receiving reports of a blast followed by flames at the facility.
Five workers were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others sustained severe burns and were transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
The incident marks the latest in a series of fatal accidents at the same site, which has a history of explosions linked to the handling of rocket propellants and guided missile components.
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In May 2018, an explosion during a solid fuel charging process killed five workers, destroying an entire production building. Less than a year later, in February 2019, another blast during a rocket component separation process claimed three additional lives. Investigations at the time pointed to possible ignition sources such as heat, shock, or static electricity.
Following those incidents, multiple company officials were prosecuted for safety violations, and the company pledged to overhaul high-risk processes, including expanding automation and strengthening safety systems.
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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
Despite those measures, the recurrence of a fatal explosion has raised questions about whether safety improvements were sufficient or properly implemented.
Authorities, including police, fire officials, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, have launched a full-scale investigation to determine the exact cause of the latest accident. Investigators are examining all possibilities, including static electricity risks and potential defects in newly introduced automated systems.
The incident is also expected to trigger scrutiny under South Korea’s Serious Accidents Punishment Act, as public criticism intensifies over workplace safety standards in the defense manufacturing sector.
Alphabiz 김영택 기자(sitory0103@alphabiz.co.kr)
