PRESS RELEASE
Korean Alliance for Responsible Shipbuilding and Human Rights in Supply Chain (KARSH)
- Contact: Donghyun Kim
- Email address: dhkim@hopeandlaw.org
- Date : April 15 2025
Page : 4
Deadly Month for
Subcontracted Shipyard Workers
in South Korea
Two Fatalities at Daebul Industrial Complex in March Alone
In one of South Korea’s major shipbuilding and marine industrial clusters — the Daebul National Industrial Complex — two subcontracted workers lost their lives in separate fatal incidents in March 2025
On March 8, a 22-year-old male subcontracted worker (Worker A), employed by a block transport company, was crushed to death against a wall while working as a signalman during a ship block transport operation (see photo above). Later that month, on March 25, a 46-year-old male worker (Worker B) was struck and pinned by falling materials from a crane while welding below. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day, on March 26.
Both incidents appear to reflect serious failures in safety protocols and systems. For example, regarding the March 8 accident, the Korean Metal Workers’ Union pointed out that signalmen were stationed only on either side of the ship block, while the accident occurred from behind. “This clearly indicates a lack of proper safety measures,” the union stated, calling on the Ministry of Employment and Labor to conduct a special labor inspection.
The Korean Alliance for Responsible Shipbuilding and Human Rights in Supply Chain (KARSH), urges the Daebul Industrial Complex, the relevant shipbuilding companies, and their commissioning corporations to take full responsibility for these incidents and immediately implement measures to prevent future tragedies.
In 2024 alone, South Korean shipyards recorded 28 worker deaths across 24 separate incidents. So far in 2025, there have already been two fatal accidents, resulting in two worker deaths. (See annex for details.)
PRESS RELEASE
Korean Alliance for Responsible Shipbuilding and Human Rights in Supply Chain (KARSH)
Page : 4
Deadly Month for
Subcontracted Shipyard Workers
in South Korea
Two Fatalities at Daebul Industrial Complex in March Alone
In one of South Korea’s major shipbuilding and marine industrial clusters — the Daebul National Industrial Complex — two subcontracted workers lost their lives in separate fatal incidents in March 2025
On March 8, a 22-year-old male subcontracted worker (Worker A), employed by a block transport company, was crushed to death against a wall while working as a signalman during a ship block transport operation (see photo above). Later that month, on March 25, a 46-year-old male worker (Worker B) was struck and pinned by falling materials from a crane while welding below. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day, on March 26.
Both incidents appear to reflect serious failures in safety protocols and systems. For example, regarding the March 8 accident, the Korean Metal Workers’ Union pointed out that signalmen were stationed only on either side of the ship block, while the accident occurred from behind. “This clearly indicates a lack of proper safety measures,” the union stated, calling on the Ministry of Employment and Labor to conduct a special labor inspection.
The Korean Alliance for Responsible Shipbuilding and Human Rights in Supply Chain (KARSH), urges the Daebul Industrial Complex, the relevant shipbuilding companies, and their commissioning corporations to take full responsibility for these incidents and immediately implement measures to prevent future tragedies.
In 2024 alone, South Korean shipyards recorded 28 worker deaths across 24 separate incidents. So far in 2025, there have already been two fatal accidents, resulting in two worker deaths. (See annex for details.)