Read the Korean NCP's initial assessment - 26 July 2019
Read the Korean NCP’s final statement – 26 October 2022

On 20 March 2019, the Korean Transnational Corporations Watch (KTNC Watch) and Samsung Heavy Industries Martin Linge Project Crane Accident Workers Support Team, two Korean NGOs, submitted a specific instance to the Korean, French, and Norwegian NCPs, alleging that Samsung Heavy Industries, Total, Total E&P Norge, Equinor and TechnipFMC did not observe the General Policies (Chapter II) and Human Rights (Chapter IV) provisions of the Guidelines. The case relates to a serious accident that took place on 1 May 2017 at the Geoje shipyard in South Korea, where two cranes collided and resulted in the death of six workers and 25 injuries.

On 26 July 2019, the Korean NCP accepted the case and published its initial assessment. In coordination with other NCPs, it was determined that the Korean NCP would handle the case related to the Korean company while the Norwegian NCP will lead the handling of the case on issues raised with enterprises based in Europe, in collaboration with the French and United Kingdom NCPs.

The KNCP offered good offices and mediation took place between the parties from November 2019 to June 2022, with some delay in meetings due to the Covid19 pandemic. Despite participation from both groups, the parties were unable to reach agreement. On 26 October 2022, the KNCP concluded the specific instance recommending that the company take remedial measures for any victims not yet included during the course of the investigation, devise a plan to actively seek out victims of past or future activity, and ensure that the Guidelines, and related OECD Due Diligence Guidance and the ILO convention, are taken into consideration in the due diligence process.

The KNCP asked the parties to report back on the implementation of these recommendations within six months.

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