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Photo: LIG Nex1 |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] The labor union of South Korean defense contractor LIG Nex1 has raised concerns that employees on a business trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) may have been involved in local military operations amid the ongoing Iran-related tensions.
The company has denied the allegations, stating that the claims are groundless and that the safety of its employees is being prioritized.
According to defense industry sources on March 5, the LIG Nex1 union claimed that employees dispatched to the UAE had entered UAE military bases without receiving adequate safety equipment, urging the company to ensure that civilian personnel are not mobilized for military operations.
The employees were reportedly sent to the UAE to provide operational training for the Cheongung-II (KM-SAM Block II) medium-range surface-to-air missile system, which the UAE government recently imported from LIG Nex1 and deployed.
Following recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, Iran reportedly launched missile attacks toward neighboring countries, including the UAE. During the incident, the Cheongung-II system deployed in the UAE was reportedly activated alongside other air defense systems such as the U.S.-made Patriot (PAC) and Israel’s Arrow system to intercept incoming missiles.
However, LIG Nex1 strongly rejected the union’s claims that its employees were involved in military operations.
“The allegations are completely untrue,” the company said in a statement.
LIG Nex1 added that employees stationed in the UAE under contractual obligations were evacuated to a safe area in coordination with local diplomatic missions when the situation escalated.
The company also denied the claim that workers had not been provided with safety equipment during routine duties.
“We place the highest priority on employee safety,” LIG Nex1 said. “Once a safe return route is secured, employees will be brought back to Korea in stages.”
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
