On the 16th, regarding the discovery of the last missing person found dead eight days after the collapse at the Ulsan Thermal Power Plant, President Lee Jae-myung said, “As the ultimate person responsible for public safety, I am sincerely sorry.”

Posting on Facebook that day, President Lee stated, “We must now bring an end to the tragedy of workplaces becoming scenes of death,” making these remarks.

President Lee said, “Despite the earnest wishes of all the people, all seven workers who had been trapped returned to their families as cold bodies. My heart is torn,” and wrote, “I pray for the repose of those who were lost, and I extend deep condolences to the bereaved families.”

He said, “This is an accident that must not happen. Work done to live must not become a path to death,” adding, “I will ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.”

President Lee stated, “We will meticulously investigate whether on-site safety management was insufficient and whether risky work was forced in a rush to shorten the schedule,” and added, “Through a thorough and swift investigation, we will clearly identify the cause of the accident and strictly punish those responsible, regardless of rank or position.”

President Lee said, “Relevant ministries must reexamine the safety conditions of all workplaces from zero base (from the starting point),” and, “I ask that safety inspections of dangerous workplaces in the winter season be conducted without the slightest negligence.”

At around 2 p.m. on the 6th, Unit 5 of a boiler tower measuring 25ｍ·15.5ｍ·63ｍ (widthlengthheight) collapsed at the Ulsan Thermal Power Plant. Of the nine workers who were at the site at the time, seven were buried and were all found dead.