Hankook Issues Statement Regarding Court Finding

In an August 18 news story, it was revealed that Hankook Tire Co. and some of its manufacturing plant managers were found guilty of failing to prevent a series of work-related deaths at Hankook facilities.

Hankook corporate officials issued the following statement regarding the court’s findings:

“A recent ruling of a provincial court in South Korea that certain executives of Hankook Tire are responsible for violation of the industrial safety and health law is stemmed from some findings during the Department of Labour (DOL)’s inspection of the Hankook Tire’s workplaces between Oct. 22 and Dec. 5, 2007.

Hankook Tire, however, has taken all necessary measures to improve the working conditions in its workplaces upon the DOL’s recommendations despite the fact that the epidemiological study by the Industrial Disease Research Center from the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) found no conclusive link between the chronic onset of cardiovascular disease and the working environment at Hankook Tire’s two plants and R&D centre in Korea.

Hankook Tire has implemented all of the suggestions and recommendations by the Department of Labor and KOSHA and continues to fulfill all its responsibilities, both legally and in principle.

The health and welfare of all employees is a priority for Hankook Tire. Hankook Tire’s facilities and employee management practices are in full compliance with all Korean government regulations and are benchmarked against international best practice. Other measures being taken by Hankook Tire include strengthening its employee medical screening program and identifying ways to improve the working environment further.

Hankook Tire is currently examining the details of the court statement for the consideration of a possible appeal of the court ruling.” (Tire Review/Akron)