Explosion at South Korean defence company factory kills five

An explosion rocked a factory belonging to South Korea’s leading defence company, Hanwha Aerospace, in Daejeon on Monday (1 June) local time, killing at least five people.

The explosion, reported by AFP on Monday (1 June 2026), shook the Hanwha facility in Daejeon, approximately 150 kilometres south of Seoul, and was reported to authorities around 11:00 local time on Monday (1 June).

A representative from Daejeon Fire Headquarters told AFP that at least five people were killed and two others injured in the incident.

No further details were provided by local authorities.

The cause of the deadly explosion remains unclear.

According to Yonhap news agency, citing local authorities, the explosion is believed to have occurred inside the factory.

Hanwha Aerospace, the owner of the affected facility, is South Korea’s leading defence manufacturer, producing weapons, artillery systems, and aerospace components.

The Daejeon facility focuses on research and development, including advanced weapons technology and space-related systems.

A Hanwha Aerospace representative, who was not named, told AFP that fire caused by the explosion was still burning at the site.

‘The actual situation and extent of damage are not yet fully known. The fire has not been fully extinguished,’ the Hanwha Aerospace representative said.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, according to the presidential office, has ordered relevant officials to deploy all available resources to control the fire.