ITUC-Asia Pacific has called on the Government of the Republic of Korea to undertake immediate and comprehensive reforms to uphold what it describes as “the right not to die at work,” following a deadly industrial fire in Daejeon.
The regional trade union confederation expressed its profound condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the fire at an automobile parts factory in Anjeon Industrial Complex on 20 March 2026. The tragic incident reportedly claimed the lives of 14 workers, seriously injured 25 and wounded more than 30 others.
According to initial reports, the factory, constructed with sandwich panel materials vulnerable to fire, had no sprinklers. The factory also stored sodium, a highly hazardous material that reacts explosively with water, but it reportedly lacked proper storage arrangements and emergency response measures in place.
Apparently, trade union at the factory had repeatedly raised safety concerns, including the fire hazard, with management. However, the management systematically ignored these warnings.
“This tragedy is not an isolated accident. It reflects systemic failures in ensuring safe and healthy working environments,” said Shoya Yoshida, General Secretary of ITUC-Asia Pacific. “A safe and healthy workplace is a fundamental workers’ right, as recognised under the International Labour Organization (ILO) Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.”
Despite its advanced economy, the Republic of Korea continues to record industrial fatality rates far higher than the average of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, highlighting persistent gaps in occupational safety and health enforcement.
ITUC-Asia Pacific noted that while the Serious Accidents Punishment Act (SAPA), enacted in January 2022, was intended to strengthen corporate accountability, its implementation has been limited. Only 121 cases out of 2,986 reported incidents were indicted by prosecutors. As of early 2026, 26 first-instance verdicts out of 27 found the management responsible. Yet, with lenient punishments, the majority walked free with suspended sentences.
The organisation also underscored the role of supply chains, noting that the factory was linked to Hyundai Motor Group subsidiaries. ITUC-Asia Pacific stressed that responsible business conduct must extend across supply chains, with stronger due diligence and accountability mechanisms.
While acknowledging the government’s swift response in launching rescue operations and initiating an investigation, ITUC-Asia Pacific urged authorities to match these efforts with decisive policy action.
“We note President Lee Jae-myung’s pledge to introduce a comprehensive policy framework that will protect workers from industrial accidents and diseases under the principle of ‘the right not to die at work.’ This commitment must now be translated into concrete and enforceable measures because nothing is worth more than a human life,” Yoshida added.
ITUC-Asia Pacific also strongly demands the Korean government to:
ITUC-Asia Pacific reaffirmed its solidarity with Korean trade unions, including the Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), in their continued efforts to advance occupational safety and health protections for all workers.
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