What industries sustain South Korea? Few would disagree that semiconductors, defense, batteries, and artificial intelligence (AI) are among them. The government has positioned the development of advanced industries as a national strategy, while companies continue to invest heavily to survive in global competition. However, a series of recent industrial accidents raises an important question: Is the foundation of competitiveness in advanced industries technology or safety?
Two workers at the SK Hynix plant in Cheongju were transported to the hospital after coming into contact with a liquid suspected to be a toxic chemical. This substance is believed to be tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), used in semiconductor processes, although initial tests did not detect any toxic materials. The exact cause and composition must be confirmed through investigations by the relevant authorities. However, TMAH is a highly alkaline substance that can cause severe damage upon skin or respiratory contact, making even minor exposure a serious concern.
The troubling aspect of this incident is that it does not appear to be an isolated case. The SK Hynix Cheongju facility has reportedly experienced a series of safety incidents, including fluoride leaks, equipment fires, and phosphoric acid exposure. If these were isolated accidents, they could be viewed as individual site issues. However, if similar incidents continue to occur, a comprehensive review of the safety management system is necessary.
This is not just a problem for one company. Recently, an explosion at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon facility resulted in fatalities and injuries among workers. This site had also experienced multiple fatalities due to explosions in 2018 and 2019. Following the incident, Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-yeon expressed condolences and promised a thorough review of the group's safety management system. However, public anxiety does not easily dissipate in the face of repeated accidents.
Semiconductors and defense are South Korea's key strategic industries. SK Hynix plays a crucial role in the global semiconductor market by producing high-bandwidth memory (HBM), a key component in the AI era. Hanwha Aerospace is one of the leading companies in K-defense exports. However, if accidents continue to occur in these strategic sectors, the very competitiveness of the industry is at risk.
When we think of advanced industries, we often envision dazzling future technologies like AI, robotics, semiconductors, and space industries. Yet, advanced industries are also inherently hazardous. Semiconductor plants handle a variety of chemicals, while defense facilities deal with explosives, propellants, and high-pressure equipment. As industries advance, the nature of risks does not diminish; rather, it can become more complex.
Even more concerning is the current production environment. With rising demand for AI, semiconductor investments are rapidly increasing. Geopolitical instability is also expanding defense contracts. Companies are under pressure to ramp up production and meet deadlines. However, production speed must not outpace safety checks. As orders and production increase, investments in safety must lead the way.
Common factors exist in workplaces where industrial accidents recur. Often, safety takes a backseat to productivity, deadlines, and cost-cutting measures. Most companies claim that safety is their top priority after an accident occurs. However, true safety management is reflected in preventive investments made before accidents happen, not in apologies issued afterward.
Safety should be viewed as an investment, not a cost. While substantial funds are allocated for expanding production facilities, companies must not be stingy with investments in safety personnel, protective equipment, hazardous materials management systems, and emergency response training. Accidents lead not only to loss of life but also to production disruptions, damage to corporate trust, and harm to the national industrial image. Ultimately, failing to invest in safety becomes the most expensive cost of all.
As we enter the AI era, companies are talking about a productivity revolution. They claim that AI will accelerate development and robots will enhance production efficiency. However, no matter how advanced technology becomes, nothing is more important than the lives of the people working on the ground. Technology exists for the benefit of people, not the other way around.
The government's role is also crucial. The Ministry of Employment and Labor and industrial safety authorities must go beyond conducting special inspections and joint investigations after accidents. A proactive safety management system focused on prevention must be established for national strategic industries such as semiconductors, defense, and batteries. A preemptive inspection system that considers increased production and new investment plans is necessary.
Companies must also change. Safety should not be treated merely as a line item in ESG reports. Safety metrics should be included in CEO performance evaluations, and a culture that values safety as much as production goals must be established. Workers on the ground should be granted the authority to stop work immediately if they perceive danger.
South Korea aims to be a powerhouse in semiconductors and defense. However, true strength is not achieved solely through technological prowess. It requires a world-class safety culture to accompany world-class technology. The competitiveness of advanced industries ultimately stems from the people involved.
The foundation is life. The principle is safety. The common sense is that no industry, no matter how important, can take precedence over human life. The reality of accidents at Hanwha Aerospace followed by incidents at SK Hynix can no longer be dismissed as mere coincidence. The greatest threat to South Korea's advanced industries may not be foreign competitors, but an outdated mindset that views safety as a cost. It is time to prioritize safety as a competitive advantage alongside productivity.
This is the path for South Korea's industries to grow sustainably in the AI era.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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