\n<\/p>\n
The chief executive of Aricell, a South Korean lithium battery company, has been arrested over a massive factory fire in June that killed 23 people and injured nine others. <\/p>\n
A court approved the warrant for Park Soon-kwan’s arrest on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Investigators have said Aricell’s management is suspected of workplace safety violations. The fire was one of South Korea’s worst factory disasters in recent years.<\/p>\n
Aricells’ parent company, S-Connect, did not immediately respond to a BBC request for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
After the fire Mr Park issued an apology: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and would like to express our deepest condolences and apologies to the bereaved families.”<\/p>\n
“We take great responsibility and will sincerely provide support to the deceased and their families in every way possible,” he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
His arrest comes after a police investigation found that the factory had been rushing to meet production deadlines.<\/p>\n
Investigators said there were a number of safety issues at the plant, including a failure to address quality defects in batteries and hiring unskilled staff to handle dangerous materials.<\/p>\n
It was also alleged that Aricell had been cheating in quality inspections related to contracts with the military.<\/p>\n