Rep. Jung Hye-kyung of the minor progressive Jinbo Party, second from right, inspects the scene of a fatal industrial accident at Hanwha Ocean's shipyard on Geoje Island, South Gyeongsang Province, Sept. 23, two weeks after a subcontracted worker died after falling from the spot, which is 32 meters above the ground. Courtesy of Jinbo Party

Subcontracted shipyard workers are protesting a decision by lawmakers to reject the testimonies of laborers regarding industrial accidents during a National Assembly audit of the Economic, Social, and Labor Council on Oct. 15.

While requesting lawmakers from the Environment and Labor Committee to explain their refusal, the workers criticized the National Assembly for silencing their voices despite the continuous deaths of their colleagues. Most of the 24 workers who died from accidents at local shipyards this year were subcontracted employees.

Last month, Rep. Jung Hye-kyung of the minor progressive Jinbo Party tried to summon Hanwha Ocean CEO Kim Hee-cheul as a witness to testify about frequent accidents at the company's shipyard on Geoje Island, South Gyeongsang Province.

She also requested to allow one of the subcontracted workers to discuss the shipyard's working environment following her inspection of the facility, where four workers have been killed this year alone.

However, a subcontracted worker's attendance was rejected for unknown reasons following negotiations between the standing committee's vice chairpersons — Rep. Kim Ju-young of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea and Rep. Kim Hyung-dong of the ruling People Power Party.

Additionally, the standing committee decided to summon Hanwha Ocean President Jung In-sub, instead of Kim or former CEO Kwon Hyek-woong, despite the fact that Jung resigned as the head of Geoje shipyard last December and now leads the shipbuilder's corporate communications department. Hanwha Ocean's Geoje shipyard is currently led by Vice President Lee Gil-seob.

The standing committee explained that its members will question Jung about the safety measures implemented by Hanwha since the conglomerate acquired Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) last year. Jung is reportedly a key figure in Hanwha's bid to take over DSME.

Along with Jung, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries CEO Lee Sang-kyun was summoned to testify about the working environment of its shipyard in Ulsan.

“We welcome the National Assembly's decision to summon the presidents of the two largest shipyards,” a group of subcontracted shipyard workers under the Korean Metal Workers' Union (KMWU) said in a statement.

“However, we strongly protest against the refusal of the attendance of a subcontracted worker, who can testify about the reality of shipyards.”

The union claimed that the absence of workers will make it impossible for lawmakers to check whether the shipyard executives are telling the truth during the audit.

According to the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly, a standing committee can add witnesses until seven days before each audit session. However, a KMWU representative said Tuesday that the Environment and Labor Committee has not allowed the attendance of a subcontracted shipyard worker.