DN Automotive (007340.KS) issued a public apology over allegations that it administered injections to workers to accelerate the removal of lead from their bodies, saying it had caused concern over conditions at its workplace.
In a statement released on the 12th under the name of Chief Executive Kim In-hwan, the company said, "We bow our heads in apology for causing deep concern among the public and our employees over the working environment and health management issues at our Ulsan plant." It added, "We deeply regret that we failed to thoroughly uphold the principle that employee safety and health come first."
DN Automotive, a maker of automotive batteries, has faced allegations that it told workers they were receiving "vitamin injections" while in fact administering chelation, a treatment that accelerates the removal of lead from the body. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has referred the company to police for investigation on suspicion of obstruction of business.
The presidential office also issued a sharp criticism the same day, saying, "For a company that should protect the lives and health of workers to have them injected while concealing the risk of side effects, and to cover up their exposure to hazardous substances, is a grave human rights violation that can never be tolerated."
DN Automotive did not offer a detailed explanation of the allegations, instead stating that it would fully cooperate with investigations going forward. Kim said, "We will cooperate thoroughly and actively with all procedures, including investigations by government agencies that are under way or will be conducted in the future, health examinations by experts, safety and health diagnoses, and epidemiological surveys." He added, "If the findings show there are areas for which the company must be held responsible, we will accept that responsibility in full without any evasion."
The CEO also said, "We humbly acknowledge that the company's efforts alone are not enough. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, we will actively support the committee launched with nine outside experts recommended by labor, management and the government to improve the working environment, and we will accept the outcome of its discussions." He stressed, "Beyond making proactive investments of our own, we will strengthen health measures for employees and work with the labor union, the government and expert groups to fundamentally improve the working environment inside the plant and swiftly implement measures to prevent a recurrence."
Kim closed by saying, "We will re-establish the health and safety of workers as the top priority of our management and do our utmost to create a workplace where people can feel secure."