Alphabiz - Funeral Services Conclude for Workers Killed in Hanwha Aerospace Explosion as Probe Intensifies

Funeral processions for workers killed in an explosion at the Daejeon facility of Hanwha Aerospace are held at a funeral hall in Yuseong District, Daejeon, on June 7, as bereaved families and colleagues pay their final respects. (Daejeon=Yonhap News Agency)

[Alpha Biz= Ellie Kim] Funeral services for workers killed in an explosion at the Daejeon facility of Hanwha Aerospace were completed on June 7, as bereaved families and colleagues bid their final farewells.

Earlier in the day, funeral processions for three of the five victims were held sequentially at a funeral hall in Yuseong District, Daejeon. The victims lost their lives in an explosion that occurred on June 1 in a cleaning process room at the company’s Daejeon plant.

Family members, who had maintained composure throughout the funeral, broke down in tears as the coffins were carried to hearses. One grieving relative cried out, “How can you leave like this?” and “When will I see you again?” while clinging to the departing vehicle. Another family member, who lost the head of the household, was unable to let go of the coffin until the very last moment.

Company executives, including Vice Chairman Yeo Seung-joo and CEO Son Jae-il, joined employees in paying their respects. Colleagues who had known the victims remained until the end, some wiping away tears as the hearses departed.

A funeral service for another victim was held at the same venue the previous day, while one remaining victim was transported to their hometown for funeral arrangements.

Memorial altars for the victims were set up on June 5, four days after the accident, due to delays in identifying the bodies and coordinating with the families. A joint memorial altar has also been in operation at the Yuseong District Office since June 5.

With funeral proceedings now concluded, authorities have accelerated efforts to determine the cause of the accident. Police and labor authorities conducted search and seizure operations on June 4 at the Daejeon plant and company headquarters, securing approximately 5,400 documents and electronic records, as well as six mobile phones belonging to executives, including the CEO, for analysis.

Investigators are also questioning a manager who sustained minor injuries—the only survivor at the scene—regarding the sequence of events, the operation of the cleaning process room, and overall safety management practices.

The explosion occurred on June 1 at Building 56 of the Daejeon facility, resulting in five fatalities and two additional injuries.

Alphabiz Ellie Kim 인턴기자(press@alphabiz.co.kr)