S. Korea: Worker death at Hyundai Industries' shipyard raises CSO concerns over repeated safety violations; co. response provided
On October 26, 2024, a subcontracted employee was found dead at Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea. The incident occurred while the worker was allegedly working on a container ordered by Maersk (hull no. 3338). A civil society organization, Korean Alliance for Responsible Shipbuilding and Human Rights in Supply Chain (KARSH), in a press release, expressed concerns over recurring safety issues at the shipyard, citing a history of fatal argon gas asphyxiation incidents, including previous deaths in confined spaces.
In a separate media interview, a Hyundai Heavy Industries representative expressed condolences to the bereaved family and stated that the company is fully cooperating with the investigation to ensure no doubts remain, promising thorough follow-up measures based on the findings.
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) sought a response from Maersk; response provided.