HD Hyundai Heavy Industries faces fatal accident and labor strikes

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is facing operational challenges due to a fatal industrial accident and escalating labor disputes. On August 30, a worker was found deceased in a boiler machine room. While the exact cause of death remains unknown, the Busan Regional Employment and Labor Office has issued a partial work stoppage order regarding the use of A-frame ladders at the site.

This safety incident occurs amid a period of high demand for the company, with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering reporting an order backlog of approximately 98.8 trillion won. However, the company is also managing labor unrest. The union has secured the right to strike following a successful vote, seeking wage increases and a larger share of operating profits. The union plans to begin phased partial strikes starting in early September, which could impact production schedules despite the shipyard's complex manufacturing structure.