Seoul: The head of POSCO E and C, the construction branch of South Korea's prominent steelmaker POSCO Group, has announced his resignation, citing responsibility for a succession of deadly industrial accidents.
According to Yonhap News Agency, POSCO E and C President and CEO Jeong Hee-min expressed a deep sense of accountability for the recurring fatal safety incidents during his tenure. The announcement came shortly after a Myanmar national in his 30s was critically injured in a suspected electrocution accident at an expressway construction site in Gwangmyeong, located 20 kilometers south of Seoul. This incident was the fourth fatal accident this year at construction sites managed by POSCO E and C.
In a statement, Jeong emphasized that POSCO E and C views the incident not as a mere safety management lapse, but as a significant warning necessitating fundamental reform and thorough reflection on all operational aspects. He advocated for a comprehensive shift towards a site-focused, self-regulating safety culture involving all employees and subcontractors, aiming to regain public trust and ensure sustainable growth.
The recent accident occurred just a week after the company indefinitely halted all construction activities on July 29, following the death of a worker at a highway project in Uiryeong, approximately 300 kilometers south of Seoul. The worker, a man in his 60s, perished after being trapped in a drilling machine during slope reinforcement work.
In response to the recurring accidents, POSCO Group initiated a company-wide special safety task force on Friday to enhance safety management across all its operations. The task force is set to conduct a thorough review of safety protocols and practices across the group's steel, energy materials, and infrastructure businesses.
During a Cabinet meeting on July 29, President Lee Jae Myung addressed the recent incidents, labeling fatal workplace accidents as "murder by willful negligence" and urged Cabinet members to develop strategies to prevent further industrial accidents.