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POSCO E&C CEO Jung Hee-min bows in apology to colleagues at the company’s headquarters in Songdo, Incheon, on July 29, ahead of a public address regarding a series of fatal workplace accidents. (Photo = Yonhap News) |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] POSCO E&C CEO Jung Hee-min announced his resignation on August 5 following a series of industrial accidents at the company’s construction sites, including a recent serious injury at the Gwangmyeong–Seoul Expressway project.
In an official statement released today, Jung expressed deep regret over the repeated fatalities and safety failures, stating, “As the CEO responsible for POSCO E&C, I take full responsibility for the recurrence of these tragic incidents and hereby offer my resignation.”
Jung specifically referred to an accident that occurred the previous day, where a worker was electrocuted while attempting to retrieve a water pump from a flooded underground tunnel at the Seoul-Gwangmyeong expressway construction site. The worker remains unconscious. “Despite promises to halt all operations and implement thorough safety inspections, another life-threatening accident has occurred. I sincerely apologize to the public,” Jung said.
He added, “POSCO E&C views this not merely as a safety management failure, but as a serious warning that calls for a fundamental overhaul and introspective review of our entire corporate management.”
Reaffirming the company’s commitment to safety, Jung emphasized the need for a “cultural transformation,” highlighting plans to establish an autonomous, field-centered safety culture with participation from all employees and subcontractors. “Our future lies in regaining public trust through making safety the highest management priority,” he said.
Jung also extended condolences to the victims and their families: “Once again, I offer my heartfelt sympathies to those who lost their lives and to the injured and their loved ones.”
The latest incident marks the fifth major accident at POSCO E&C construction sites in 2025 alone. Previous accidents include fatal falls and collapses at sites in Gimhae, Gwangmyeong, Daegu, and Ulsan. Just six days earlier, the company issued a public apology following four worker deaths.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
