Smoke rises from a car parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, March 20, 2026. Photo: Yonhap via REUTERS
Four other workers were still missing, and the government has activated a centralized disaster management system after President Lee Jae Myung ordered all available resources to be used to deal with the fire and save lives.
One of the dead was found on the second floor of the factory and nine others on the third floor, Yonhap reported, citing authorities.
The safety ministry said on Saturday in a statement the fire had been contained since 11:48 pm (1448 GMT) on Friday.
Fire officials said the car parts supplier that owned the factory was Anjun Industrial, which makes engine valves and is a supplier for Hyundai Motor and Kia Corp, among others, according to its website.
Officials at Anjun were not immediately available for comment.
Smoke rises from a car parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, March 20, 2026. Photo: Yonhap via REUTERS
Firefighters try to extinguish the fire at a car parts factory in Daejeon, South Korea, March 20, 2026. Photo: Yonhap via REUTERS
