[비즈한국] Another fatal accident involving a worker has occurred at the SPC Samlip004350 Sihwa plant. SPC Group has faced controversy in the past due to several workplace deaths. Fatal accidents occurred at the SPL bakery plant in Pyeongtaek in 2022 and at the Shany bakery plant in Seongnam in 2023. Although SPC Group Chairman Hur Young-in promised to prevent recurrences at the time, tragic accidents continue to happen. Chairman Hur Young-in has not issued a specific statement regarding this recent Sihwa plant accident. Consequently, voices from political and civil society circles criticizing Chairman Hur are growing louder.
On the 19th, a worker in their 50s died at the SPC Samlip Sihwa plant in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. The worker was tasked with applying lubricant to ensure the conveyor belt operated smoothly, during which they became trapped in the belt and died.
Immediately after the accident, SPC Samlip CEO Kim Bum-soo stated, "I offer my deepest condolences to the deceased, who passed away in this unfortunate accident, and express my profound apologies and sympathy to the bereaved families," adding, "We are faithfully cooperating with the relevant authorities' investigations and doing our utmost to identify the exact cause of the accident and implement follow-up measures." CEO Kim added, "We halted factory operations immediately after the accident, and we will also strive to provide psychological support for the colleagues who worked alongside the deceased in the same space. I will take heavy responsibility and devote all my efforts to handling the situation and preventing further recurrences."
The Democratic Party’s "Euljiro Committee" held a meeting after visiting the Sihwa plant on the 21st. CEO Kim Bum-soo attended the meeting, saying, "I am deeply sorry that this accident occurred despite our efforts to create a safe industrial site. We are cooperating sincerely with the investigation and will do our best for follow-up measures and prevention."
However, SPC Group head Chairman Hur Young-in remains absent. This stands in contrast to the past. When a fatal worker accident occurred at the SPL bakery plant in October 2022, Chairman Hur attended a press conference to express his apology. At the time, Chairman Hur stated, "I express my deepest condolences and apologies to the deceased and the bereaved family, and I apologize repeatedly for causing concern to the public. It is entirely due to my shortcomings and my failure to properly convey the important values to my employees."
Chairman Hur Young-in is not currently a member of the SPC Samlip board of directors. However, he is actively involved in management. In January of this year, he attended the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, and in February, he attended the completion ceremony of a bakery plant in Malaysia. Consequently, arguments are being made that Chairman Hur should come forward regarding the SPC Samlip accident, at least on moral grounds.
Democratic Party lawmaker Min Byung-duk (Chairman of the Euljiro Committee) heavily criticized him at the meeting on the 21st, saying, "Chairman Hur Young-in has never taken responsibility once," adding, "I believe we must thoroughly investigate whether Chairman Hur Young-in bears responsibility as well." The Citizens' Countermeasure Committee for People's Livelihood recently filed a complaint with the police against Chairman Hur Young-in for violating the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. The committee pointed out, "It is said that at the time of the accident, the factory was in 'full-load' operation, forcing the worker to reach deep inside to apply lubricant because the conveyor belt was creaking. Considering this, the accident was foreseeable."
Now that Chairman Hur Young-in has been reported, there is a possibility he could face punishment beyond moral responsibility. Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung has shown a positive stance toward the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. On May 20, candidate Lee mentioned the Sihwa plant accident on social media (SNS), stating, "The government must initiate a strict and swift investigation," and "Above all, the structural causes of repeated industrial accidents must be clearly identified." At a campaign rally in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, on the same day, he said, "Too many people leave for work to make a living and never return," and "Since the implementation of the (Serious Accidents Punishment Act), fatalities have decreased significantly because business owners now feel that they will be punished if they act wrongly."
However, if People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo is elected, there is a possibility that Chairman Hur Young-in could avoid punishment. Candidate Kim Moon-soo has shown a negative reaction to the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. In a breakfast lecture at the Korea Federation of SMEs on May 15, candidate Kim stated regarding the act, "If I become the decision-maker, I will amend this 'evil law' so that it no longer harasses you."
Some suggest that Chairman Hur Young-in might step back from the front lines of management. If the police investigate the complaint against Chairman Hur, it will be difficult for him to focus on management. Because of this, the business community’s attention is turning to his successor. Chairman Hur has two sons: his eldest, SPC Group President Hur Jin-soo, and his second, Vice President Hur Hee-soo. The shareholders of Paris Croissant, which acts as the holding company for SPC Group, consist of Chairman Hur Young-in (76) at 63.31%, President Hur Jin-soo (48) at 20.33%, Vice President Hur Hee-soo (47) at 12.82%, and the Chairman’s wife, Lee Mi-hyang (71), at 3.54%.
It is difficult to predict the next SPC Group chairman as of yet, given that Chairman Hur Young-in holds a majority stake. While eldest son President Hur Jin-soo leads in shareholding, second son Vice President Hur Hee-soo also plays a certain role within the SPC Group.
However, Vice President Hur Hee-soo has been involved in scandals in the past. In 2018, he was sentenced to 3 years in prison with a 4-year suspended sentence for smuggling and using liquid marijuana. Although SPC Group stated at the time that they would permanently exclude Vice President Hur Hee-soo from management, he eventually returned and currently manages subsidiaries such as BR Korea and Secta9ine. BizHankook inquired about the position of Chairman Hur Young-in’s side to SPC Group, but they did not provide a specific statement.