Ulsan Coast Guard announced on the 13th that it has filed criminal charges against four individuals, including Kim Hyung-gwan, CEO of HD Hyundai Mipo, in connection with the death of a diver in his 20s at the HD Hyundai Mipo shipyard.
The Ulsan Coast Guard stated that they are investigating Kim and the representatives of the subcontractor and two safety managers from HD Hyundai Mipo on charges of professional negligence leading to death. They are accused of failing to fulfill their duty of care during the diving work of subcontractor diver Kim, resulting in his death.
Kim reportedly entered the water twice on the day of the incident for an underwater inspection of a vessel. During the first dive at 10:14 a.m., he returned to land after working to remove impurities for about an hour with a colleague. However, an accident occurred during the second dive alone, which began around 11:28 a.m. Kim entered the water with an air tank capable of providing 30 minutes of air, but when he was not seen, a colleague notified the primary contractor around 1:11 p.m. Emergency services from Ulsan Fire Department and Ulsan Coast Guard, responding to the report, found Kim using an underwater camera at 3:34 p.m. and rescued him at 4:03 p.m. He was transported to the hospital but succumbed.
The Coast Guard and the Ministry of Employment and Labor are investigating why the two-person work requirement was not observed during the second dive. It is also reported that they are looking into why the safety manager from HD Hyundai Mipo was not present at the site. While one supervisor from the subcontractor was stationed, it is said that the safety manager from HD Hyundai Mipo left just after Kim re-entered the water.
HD Hyundai Mipo commented on the incident, stating, "We sincerely extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and will actively cooperate with the investigation by the relevant authorities while doing our utmost in managing the aftermath of the incident."