The collapse of the Seosomun overpass in Seoul and the explosion at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon facility may appear to be unrelated incidents. One involves aging urban infrastructure, while the other concerns industrial accidents at a high-tech defense company. However, both incidents ultimately raise the same question: How seriously does South Korea take safety?
The Seosomun overpass, completed in 1966, had been flagged for structural risks for several years and received a low rating in a safety inspection. During the demolition process, the structure collapsed, resulting in the tragic loss of lives. The circumstances revealed after the accident are shocking, including controversies over safety management plan approvals and repeated warnings of danger, making it difficult to avoid the label of a preventable disaster.
The Hanwha Aerospace incident is similarly troubling, especially since it is not the first of its kind. In 2018, an explosion at the facility killed five people, and another explosion in 2019 claimed three more lives. Now, seven years later, another explosion has occurred, resulting in five deaths and two injuries. In total, 13 workers have lost their lives in three separate incidents.
In the previous incidents in 2018 and 2019, the courts found the company guilty of negligence in oversight and inadequate safety measures. Hanwha promised to improve safety through automation and remote monitoring. Yet, the recurrence of such a major disaster suggests that these issues cannot be attributed solely to on-site errors or coincidences.
Immediately following the incident, Kim Seung-yeon, chairman of Hanwha Group, expressed condolences and directed the establishment of a special response task force to support the victims' families. Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, also acknowledged the heavy responsibility and promised to investigate the cause of the accident and prevent future occurrences.
Such actions are necessary and expected. It is fundamental for corporate leaders to demonstrate accountability. However, true responsibility does not end with an apology. It lies in thoroughly investigating the causes of the accident, addressing structural issues, and ensuring that similar incidents do not happen again.
This incident also prompts a reevaluation of the unique characteristics of the defense industry. The defense sector is responsible for national security. Recently, South Korea's defense exports have surged, gaining global attention. While production volumes are increasing, safety must not take a backseat. If an industry responsible for national security fails to protect its workers, it undermines its sustainable competitiveness.
The Ministry of Labor's directive for urgent safety inspections in the defense and semiconductor sectors following the incident underscores this point. Both sectors have emerged as key drivers of South Korea's economy. However, as growth accelerates, vigilance regarding safety must also increase. Current safety standards cannot accommodate production levels that were acceptable in times of lower demand.
The Seosomun incident offers a similar lesson. Aging infrastructure is no longer just a local issue. It has shown that collapses can occur even in the heart of Seoul. Across the country, there are bridges, tunnels, and overpasses that have been in service for decades. The practice of delaying repairs and replacements due to budget constraints must come to an end.
As the economy grows, society should become safer. Yet, the reality often reflects the opposite. When safety is sacrificed for growth, inspections are reduced for efficiency, and risks are taken to cut costs, accidents become a foregone conclusion.
Renowned investor Warren Buffett once said, "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it." This applies to corporations, governments, and public institutions alike. Safety is not a cost; it is an asset of trust. Investing in safety is not an expense but an insurance policy that protects lives and trust.
The Seosomun and Hanwha Aerospace incidents illustrate that our society still calculates safety as a cost. The consequences have been devastating. Lives lost cannot be restored by any amount of money.
Each time an accident occurs, promises of special inspections and preventive measures have become a familiar sight. However, the public demands results, not just words. The government must reassess laws and regulations, and companies must prioritize safety investments as a core value of management. Above all, executives must recognize safety not as a concept in opposition to productivity, but as a prerequisite for corporate survival.
Safety is not optional. It is a fundamental duty of the state and a minimum obligation of corporations. The most significant lesson from the Seosomun and Hanwha Aerospace disasters lies here.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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