▲ President Lee Jae Myung (R) attends a defense strategy committee meeting in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, on May 26, 2026. (Yonhap)
▲ Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (Yonhap)

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(LEAD) Lee calls for all-out efforts for rescue operations after Hanhwa Aerospace factory explosion

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SEOUL, June 1 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Monday instructed government officials to mobilize all available resources for rescue efforts after an explosion at a Hanwha Aerospace factory in the central city of Daejeon left at least five people dead and two others injured.

Lee ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion and called for measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said, amid concerns that the number of casualties could rise.

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok also ordered the interior ministry, the fire agency, police and the Daejeon city government to mobilize all available equipment and personnel to put out the fire and rescue victims so as to ensure no additional casualties occur.

The labor ministry, the science ministry, the aerospace agency, and other related ministries and agencies should also provide full cooperation for rescue efforts, Kim said.

Authorities received a report of the explosion at 10:59 a.m. and were working to confirm the exact number of casualties.

Police and fire officials believe the explosion occurred on the first floor of the factory and plan to investigate the exact cause of the incident once the blaze is put out.

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