Hanwha Aerospace CEO booked over deadly explosion at Daejeon factory

DAEJEON, June 8 (Yonhap) -- The chief executive officer of Hanwha Aerospace has been booked over a deadly explosion at one of the company's plants last week, labor authorities said Monday.

Sohn Jae-il is suspected of violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act in connection with the June 1 explosion that killed five workers and injured two others in the central city of Daejeon, according to the Daejeon Regional Employment and Labor Office.

The Daejeon police said they have separately booked Ga Jae-woong, the head of the Daejeon plant, over alleged professional negligence resulting in death and injury.

Ga was earlier booked by the labor office on suspicion of violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Three Hanwha Aerospace officials, including Sohn and Ga, have been banned from leaving the country, police said.

"We will do our best to clearly determine the cause of the accident and who was responsible through a meticulous investigation," a police official said.

Sohn Jae-il, chief executive officer of Hanwha Aerospace, visits a joint memorial altar in the central city of Daejeon on June 5, 2026, to pay his respects to the victims of an explosion at the defense company's plant in the city that left five workers killed and two others injured. (Yonhap)