South Korea’s ‘pali-pali’ spirit keeps killing its workers

A factory fire at Anjun Industrial, a car parts supplier in Daejeon, South Korea, killed 14 workers on Friday, highlighting the deadly consequences of the country's "pali-pali" (hurry, hurry) culture. The fire occurred in a factory with known safety issues, including excessive oil vapor and grease buildup, which had been repeatedly reported. Nine of the victims died in an illegally constructed rest area with no escape route. Investigations revealed that the factory had undergone unapproved expansions in 2010, 2011, and 2014, which authorities failed to properly address, creating a dangerous environment for workers. The incident underscores how South Korea's rapid industrialization, driven by a focus on speed, continues to compromise worker safety.

A fire at a car parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, killed 14 people and injured nearly 60 others. The fire, reported on Friday afternoon, took firefighters until Saturday afternoon to extinguish. Approximately 170 workers were in the three-story building when the fire started, and some were seen jumping from the first floor to escape. Firefighters faced delays due to concerns about the building's stability and the presence of sodium, which could explode when mixed with water. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but a witness reported hearing an explosion. The incident is the deadliest factory fire in South Korea since the Hwaseong lithium battery plant fire in 2024.

A fire at a car parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, resulted in at least 14 deaths and 25 serious injuries on Friday. The fire, which broke out around lunchtime, was contained late Friday night. In addition to the fatalities and serious injuries, 35 people sustained minor injuries, and 28 were hospitalized, with four requiring surgery. The factory is owned by Anjun Industrial, a supplier of engine valves for companies including Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

A large fire at a car parts plant in Daejeon, South Korea, has resulted in at least 10 fatalities and 59 injuries. The fire, which produced thick smoke and large flames, prompted a challenging response from firefighters who initially couldn't enter the building due to structural concerns. An overnight search operation commenced after the building was deemed safe, but four people remain missing. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which appeared to spread quickly through the plant. The incident occurred in the central city of Daejeon.

A fire at a car parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, injured at least 55 people on Friday, with 24 suffering serious injuries. The National Fire Agency reported the blaze, likely caused by an explosion, broke out around 1:18 pm. Authorities are searching for at least 14 people believed to have been inside the factory when the fire started. The fire destroyed a factory building, hindering firefighting efforts due to concerns about its structural integrity. Firefighters are working to prevent the fire from spreading and to remove approximately 200kg of highly reactive chemicals from the site.

A fire at an auto parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, on Friday, March 20, 2026, injured at least 53 people, 24 seriously. The fire, reported at 1:17 p.m., quickly spread through the factory, reportedly after an explosion, destroying one building. Authorities are searching for 14 people still unaccounted for who are believed to have been inside the facility when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire is currently unknown. Over 250 firefighters and emergency personnel responded to the scene, working to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading. President Lee Jae Myung has called for full mobilization of resources to support the rescue efforts.