SisaWeek reporter Kim Yun-hyeok The session opened with a moment of silence and closed with calls for accountability. The National Assembly’s Committee on Climate, Energy and Labor convened a plenary session on the 25th to consider bills under the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s jurisdiction and to question officials on current issues. Before the meeting, Committee Chair Ahn Ho-young delivered solemn remarks about the Daejeon Safety Industry fire that occurred on the 20th. The committee observed a brief moment of silence for the victims, and the session then proceeded in a subdued atmosphere.
◇ “Daejeon Safety Industry disaster shows Ministry failed to prevent it”
The factory fire at Daejeon Safety Industry dominated the day’s questioning. Committee members directed sharp inquiries at Minister Kim Seong-hwan. In particular, Rep. Park Hyung-su (People Power Party) demanded to know why authorities had not identified problems at Safety Industry—a plant classified as an ultra-high-risk workplace. He accused the ministry of conducting “inadequate safety inspections,” saying it is unacceptable to claim now that “inspections should have been carried out then.”
Lawmakers pressed for a clear explanation of the cause, measures to prevent recurrence, and punishment for those responsible. They also urged the ministry to lead a nationwide workplace inspection to establish a stronger industrial safety system.
Minister Kim responded to the criticism with an acknowledgement of responsibility, saying, “As minister, I feel responsible for failing to prevent deaths at worksites.” Maintaining a solemn demeanor throughout, he pledged to investigate the facts and to work to prevent future accidents.
One lawmaker voiced sorrow that the incident bore many similarities to the Arisel disaster. The Arisel incident was a series of explosions at the Arisel plant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, on June 24, 2024, that killed 23 people and injured nine. Rep. Kim Hyeong-dong (People Power Party) criticized lawmakers in the 21st National Assembly for prioritizing partisan advantage over addressing causes and prevention, and he called for bipartisan cooperation between the parties and the government to reform laws such as the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and the Industrial Safety Act.
There was a moment when Minister Kim’s composure appeared to waver. Rep. Kim So-hee (People Power Party) demanded that he “take responsibility and submit your resignation,” a reference to last year’s criticism after the minister vowed he would “stake his position” to eradicate industrial accidents. Kim sighed deeply and said he felt a heavy responsibility.
Meanwhile, the committee also addressed youth employment policy and contentious bills, including Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act (the so-called “Yellow Envelope” law). The committee plans to continue these discussions with a legislative hearing on the 26th.
