South Korean Lithium Battery CEO Arrested Following Fatal Factory Fire

Park Soon-kwan, CEO of South Korean lithium battery maker Aricell, has been arrested for allegedly violating industrial safety laws after a factory fire that killed 23 people. The court approved the detention warrant, and investigations revealed lapses in safety and hiring practices causing the tragedy.

Park Soon-kwan, the CEO of South Korean lithium battery maker Aricell, has been arrested following a court-approved warrant on charges of violating industrial safety laws. This comes in the wake of a devastating factory fire in June that resulted in 23 fatalities.

The Suwon District Court, overseeing Hwaseong where the factory is located, approved Park's detention, as reported by Yonhap. Attempts to reach court officials and Park's lawyer for confirmation and comment were unsuccessful.

Upon entering the court for his hearing, Park apologized but refrained from addressing the charges. Investigations pointed to rushed production schedules and safety lapses, including hiring inadequately trained temporary workers, as primary factors in the incident.

(With inputs from agencies.)