"SK E&C is responsible for the construction of the auxiliary dam for the hydroelectric power plant in Laos, which collapsed on July 23. It should clarify what happened during the dam construction, and how it will tke responsibility for the accident," said the Korean Civil Society Task Force on Sept. 18.
The task force held a press conference on the day in front of SK E& C headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, along with a visiting team of Thai and Cambodian civic groups, demanding a meeting with the company side.
Lee Young-ah, a member of the International Solidarity Committee of the People`s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, criticized the company for "irresponsibility" by saying, "We have applied for interviews with SK E&C on the issue, but it remained silent, showing an irresponsible attitude."
Kim Dong-hyun, a lawyer for the corporate human rights network, said, "SK E&C should take moral responsibility as well as legal responsibility to fulfill the responsibility of a multinational company that the international community requires."
Regarding this, a SK E& C official said, "We are faithfully undergoing the investigation organized by the Laos government. It is inappropriate to state our position before the official results are published."
The visiting Thai and Cambodian civic groups met with Rep. Sim Sang-jung of the Justice Party and Rep. Kim Sung-hwan of the Democratic Party of Korea.