Lee orders investigation into alleged concealment of workers’ lead exposure

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on October 12 for a thorough investigation into allegations that DN Automotive workers received injections to remove heavy metals while being told they were getting vitamins.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Lee ordered authorities to establish the level of exposure at the Ulsan battery plant, how the injections were administered and whether medical examination results had been concealed. He also sought checks for similar practices at other production facilities.

Yonhap reported that the Ministry of Employment and Labor had referred the company to police. Kang said Lee criticised the plant’s passing a workplace assessment despite lead levels reaching five times the permitted limit in parts of its production process.

Workers allege that injections were given before medical examinations to lower lead readings. That allegation remains under investigation. According to ChosunBiz, DN Automotive denies describing the injections as vitamins and says employees chose treatment voluntarily.

Lee instructed authorities to take strict action if legal violations are established and to protect workers’ health and rights. The published account did not report a court finding against the company.