Hyundai Motor, South Korea’s leading automaker, on Tuesday denied suspicions that its factory in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, had leaked cutting oil into a nearby lake, the company said.

“We are assuming that oil on roads was carried away in the rain. The related team is working to find out details,” Hyundai Motor said.

Fishermen in the region and Asan city have called for Hyundai to apologize and take action for the leakage that has caused fishes to die and become deformed.

“Component analysis by the National Forensic Service on the oil collected at the plant’s storm sewer in January matches cutting oil used at the factory to carve metal,” said a spokesperson for Asan.

“Although we cannot share detailed information about the results, the examined oil did not show to be fuel or gasoline.”

Kim Jong-myung, head of the fishermen, told The Korea Herald, “The number of deformed fishes have greatly increased. This is threatening livelihoods of fishermen in the region. We do not understand why Hyundai is denying results by the National Forensic Service.”

Kim added that the initial leakage was detected on Jan. 16, followed by another on Feb. 28 at the same location. 

Hyundai was notified of the National Forensic Service’s analysis last month. Asan city has also submitted oil from last month’s leakage to the NFS for analysis.

By Kim Bo-gyung (lisakim425@heraldcorp.com)