SPC Group bowed its head in the National Assembly over repeated industrial accident fatalities.
Do Se-ho, CEO of SPC, attended an emergency meeting jointly hosted by the Democratic Party's National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee and the "Real Korea Central Election Headquarters Labor Headquarters" in the National Assembly member's building on the 29th, and officially apologized, saying, "I offer my condolences for the unfortunate accident that occurred at our affiliate site and express my deep sympathy and apology to the bereaved families."
He also expressed his deep sense of responsibility for not leading to fundamental changes despite presenting safety enhancement measures every time an accident occurred. CEO Do noted, "Since the accident at SPL in 2022, all affiliates have been diligently working to enhance safety, but I deeply reflect on our failure to achieve fundamental changes and am closely examining the causes of this failure and what has been lacking."
He also promised to bring about substantial changes. He announced plans to expand and extend the three-year, 100 billion won investment plan for safety management initiated in 2022. CEO Do stated, "We will secure additional funds for each affiliate and focus our investments on equipment automation and strengthening safety management personnel to fundamentally prevent accidents."
SPC Group plans to significantly bolster its Safety Management Committee with external industrial safety experts, expanding it into an organization with effectiveness and independence. CEO Do remarked, "We will ensure that the management of all affiliates takes joint responsibility to eradicate incorrect work practices," adding, "With the desperate mindset that this is our last chance, we will strive to become a trusted corporation once again."
On the 19th, an incident occurred at the SPC Samlip Siheung factory in Gyeonggi Province, where a worker in their 50s died after becoming caught in a conveyor belt. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, there have been a total of 572 industrial accidents at SPC affiliates from 2020 to the first half of last year.
In particular, starting with an incident in October 2022, where a worker in their 20s died after being caught in a sauce mixer (a device used to mix or stir solids, liquids, and gases) at the SPL bakery factory in Pyeongtaek, there have been three fatal accidents and five injury cases at SPC affiliate factories over the past three years.