The CEO of Aricell, a South Korean lithium battery manufacturer, has been arrested in connection with a devastating factory fire that occurred in June, resulting in the deaths of 23 individuals and injuries to nine others. A court granted the arrest warrant for Park Soon-kwan on Wednesday.
Authorities reported that management at Aricell is under investigation for potential workplace safety violations related to the incident, marking it as one of South Korea’s most severe factory disasters in recent years.
Following the tragedy, Park expressed deep sorrow, stating, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and extend our sincerest condolences to the bereaved families.” He emphasized the company’s commitment to take responsibility and provide support to those affected.
Park’s arrest follows findings from the police investigation, which indicated that the factory had been under intense pressure to meet production deadlines. Safety violations were cited, including neglect in addressing quality defects in batteries and employing unskilled workers to manage hazardous materials. Additionally, it has been suggested that Aricell may have falsified quality inspections related to military contracts.
The fire erupted on June 24, triggered by multiple battery cell explosions at the facility. At the time, the factory was reportedly storing approximately 35,000 battery cells on the second floor, designated for inspection and packaging. Firefighters faced significant challenges due to the nature of lithium fires, which react violently with water; they ultimately used dry sand to contain the flames, a process that took several hours.
Among the victims were primarily foreign workers hailing from countries such as China and Laos. South Korea remains a key player in the lithium battery industry, supplying vital components for various technologies, including electric vehicles and laptops.
