The Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in South Korea announced its commitment to providing technical support for the investigation into the recent explosion at a Hanwha Aerospace facility. Following the tragic incident that claimed five lives and injured two individuals, DAPA has established a task force to oversee the situation.
DAPA spokesperson Kim Joo-chul stated that they would offer assistance by leveraging the expertise of affiliated bodies such as the Agency for Defence Development and the Defence Agency for Technology and Quality. Concerns regarding safety inspections at defence industry sites have been addressed, with annual inspections being conducted in compliance with relevant regulations.
Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back expressed condolences to the victims and their families, emphasizing the government’s determination to uncover the causes of the explosion and prevent similar accidents. Authorities, including the police, fire service, and labour ministry, have initiated a joint investigation to determine the origin of the explosion and assess safety protocols at the Hanwha Aerospace plant.
Hanwha officials revealed that the explosion occurred while workers were cleaning propellant powder residue from equipment used in propulsion system manufacturing. Although the building sustained partial damage, there is no immediate risk of structural collapse, as confirmed by the police.
