South Korea’s Kia halts assembly plant after fatal supplier accident

Kia is checking on alternative sources for Poongki Industrial’s components after a fatal incident at its plant, a Kia spokesperson said. PHOTO: REUTERS

Published Wed, Nov 8, 2023 · 10:57 AM

OPERATIONS at Kia Corp’s assembly plant in South Korea have been suspended due to disruptions in parts supplies, the carmaker said on Wednesday.

Poongki Industrial, a Kia supplier that makes chassis parts, suffered a fatal accident that resulted in the death of one worker on Tuesday and halted its own operations, causing supply disruptions at Kia’s plant, a Kia spokesperson said.

Labour authorities are investigating the accident, putting a halt to forklift truck operations at the Kia supplier’s factory, a labour ministry spokesperson said.

Poongki was not immediately available for comment.

Kia is checking on alternative sources for Poongki’s components, according to the Kia spokesperson.

The plant located in the south-western city of Gwangju produces about 2,000 vehicles a day, according to media reports.

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Kia runs two more plants in South Korea.

“It appears to be a temporary setback for Kia, hence we are not seeing much impact on Kia’s share moves,” said Lee Jae Il, an analyst at Eugene Investment & Securities, adding Kia’s decision to halt operations was probably a precaution after the accident.

Kia shares were trading down just 0.13 per cent at 0222 GMT, in line with the broader market. REUTERS

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