South Korean authorities launched a broad safety accountability push after a boiler tower collapsed at Korea East-West Power’s Ulsan plant, killing several workers and trapping others under heavy debris. This safety accountability push shaped rapid actions across police, ministries and emergency agencies as they worked to uncover the cause.
The Ulsan Metropolitan Police formed a special investigation unit to lead the probe. The team includes more than seventy officers from criminal investigations, scientific analysis and digital forensics. Investigators will examine possible occupational negligence and evaluate the roles of contractors and subcontractors involved in the demolition work. They also plan to review communication records and site procedures used during the dismantling.
Authorities confirmed that the 60-meter tower collapsed on Thursday while demolition crews worked with explosives. Seven workers were trapped initially, and three were later confirmed dead after complex recovery efforts. Fire officials located two more workers under twisted steel and concrete and reported both as presumed dead. Two workers rescued shortly after the incident survived but required immediate medical attention.
Emergency responders faced severe conditions throughout the night. Teams worked through nearly thirty meters of crushed metal and unstable debris. Kim Jeong-sik from the Ulsan Nambu Fire Station said crews attempted to stabilize one worker during extraction, but he later died from cardiac arrest. He noted that rescuers provided pain relief and thermal protection but could not reverse his condition.
East-West Power and local safety officials also began internal reviews. They plan to examine whether demolition procedures followed required standards and whether subcontracted workers faced avoidable risks. Industry observers noted that Korea has experienced repeated industrial accidents involving subcontracting chains, raising renewed concerns about oversight.
The government convened the second meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on Friday morning. Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon and Climate, Energy and Environment Minister Kim Sung-hwan co-chaired the session. Participants included senior officials from interior, transport, emergency services and local governments. They reviewed rescue updates and coordinated ministry-level support.
Minister Kim Young-hoon expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and directed agencies to support victims’ relatives. He also requested the health authorities and the occupational safety agency to deploy trauma counseling teams for injured workers and witnesses. Meanwhile, Minister Kim Sung-hwan urged responders to mobilize all available resources during the crucial rescue window.
Officials said the government will expand inspections at power plant construction and demolition sites nationwide. They believe these checks will strengthen prevention measures and reinforce the broader safety accountability push launched after the incident. Investigators plan to issue preliminary findings once recovery operations conclude and site access becomes fully secure.
