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Officials Say Blast Likely Tied to Propulsion Components
President Lee Orders Full Mobilization for Rescue and Recovery
Political Campaigning Paused Ahead of Local Elections
An explosion at Hanwha Aerospace’s Daejeon plant in Yuseong-gu killed five people, officials confirmed.
Fire authorities said the blast struck at about 10:59 a.m. on the 1st at the company’s facility in Oesam-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. Five people were killed and two others were transported to hospitals with serious and moderate injuries. Officials found the five deceased inside the workplace; two others evacuated on their own. Fire authorities initially reported six fatalities but later revised the count to five.
Early calls to the fire department—about 30 at first, rising to roughly 40—noted a loud explosion and heavy smoke. At 11:17 a.m., firefighters declared a Level 1 response and deployed 85 personnel and 25 pieces of equipment, including fire engines. Crews brought the main blaze under control by about 11:40 a.m., roughly 50 minutes after the blast. Firefighters are now removing debris and conducting final searches for any remaining victims.
Police and fire investigators said they suspect the explosion involved a propulsion-related component. Authorities plan a detailed probe into the exact cause once the fire is fully extinguished.
Hanwha Aerospace’s Daejeon plant produces large propulsion systems and tactical weapons. The company has faced similar accidents in the past: a May 2018 explosion killed two workers on site and three others later died of their injuries, and a February 2019 blast in a propulsion-component workshop killed three employees.
President Lee Jae-myung was briefed on the incident and ordered that all available resources be mobilized for rescue and recovery. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok urged the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Fire Agency, the National Police Agency and Daejeon city officials to concentrate on life-saving operations. He also requested that the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Space and Aviation Agency, and the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment provide necessary personnel and equipment. Yoon Ho-jung, minister of the Interior and Safety, issued emergency orders to the Fire Agency, Police Agency, Daejeon City Hall and the Yuseong District Office.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor moved immediately. Minister Kim Young-hoon dispatched Ryu Hyun-chul, head of the ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Bureau, to the scene and ordered a rapid response. Officials at the Daejeon Regional Employment and Labor Office halted operations at the facility. The ministry set up a Central Industrial Accident Response Headquarters at its headquarters and a regional response center at the Daejeon office.
Hanwha Group and Hanwha Aerospace issued statements expressing sorrow and offering condolences. Hanwha said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of five valued employees. We extend our sincere condolences to their families and will spare no support for the treatment and recovery of those injured.” Hanwha Aerospace held an emergency meeting at its Seoul headquarters chaired by CEO Son Jae-il; Son then traveled to the Daejeon site and established a task force to coordinate response efforts with authorities.
With nationwide local elections approaching, political parties called for restrained campaigning. Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae ordered candidates and campaign teams nationwide to stop using campaign jingles and choreographed routines. Jeong Won-oh, the Democratic Party’s Seoul mayoral candidate, said he would suspend campaigning after learning of the incident. People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk likewise urged campaigns to refrain from jingles and routines and to conduct sober, low-key activities.
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