Daejeon: President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday issued an apology over a deadly fire at a car parts plant in the central city of Daejeon that left 14 people dead and 60 others injured last week.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee expressed his condolences during a Cabinet meeting, addressing the victims, bereaved families, and those affected by the tragedy. He acknowledged the ongoing issue of workplace accidents and expressed his regret as the person responsible for state affairs.
Lee's apology followed his visit to the site on Saturday, where he met with the families of the victims. He promised a thorough investigation into the fire's cause and emphasized the importance of preparing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
President Lee urged relevant ministries to formulate support measures, including compensation, trauma recovery, and assistance for the families affected by the fire. He also stressed the need for comprehensive safety reviews in workplaces prone to industrial incidents.
"The government should conduct thorough inspections of high-risk workplaces and ensure that safety-related systems are properly functioning," Lee stated.
Investigations are currently underway to determine the fire's cause, with preliminary suspicions pointing to oil residue and accumulated dust inside the factory as factors that contributed to the fire's rapid spread.