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Key Points

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has mandated immediate reporting of industrial deaths to his office. The move follows a recent fatal accident at a Uijeongbu construction site. Lee criticized POSCO E&C for repeated safety failures, calling them "willful negligence." The government is considering severe penalties, including banning violators from public contracts.

Key Points: President Lee Jae Myung Demands Direct Reports on Industrial Deaths

  • Lee Jae Myung demands real-time reporting of industrial deaths
  • Orders stricter safety measures after fatal construction accidents
  • Calls POSCO E&C accidents "murder through negligence"
  • Proposes punitive actions like license revocation for violators
2 min read

South Korean President Lee orders direct reports of industrial deaths

South Korea's president orders faster reporting of workplace fatalities to strengthen safety measures and prevent recurring accidents.

"President Lee has ordered that all industrial deaths be directly reported to him as promptly as possible. – Kang Yu-jung"

Seoul, Aug 10

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered the government to directly report industrial deaths to himself as soon as possible to enhance worker safety and reduce workplace fatalities, his office said.

Lee made the order upon returning from his summer vacation, after a man in his 50s fell to his death Friday while removing safety nets at the construction site of a new apartment complex in Uijeongbu, 26 kilometers north of Seoul, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung told reporters.

"President Lee has ordered that all industrial deaths be directly reported to him as promptly as possible," Kang said.

While the existing information-sharing system through the National Situation Room will remain in place, Lee called for the establishment of a faster reporting mechanism, Yonhap news agecny reported.

Lee also instructed the Ministry of Labor to present the industrial accident prevention framework, follow-up measures and actions taken so far at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Kang added.

"These measures reflect the president's strong determination to drastically reduce workplace fatalities," she said.

Lee has repeatedly called for stronger safety measures and tougher punishment for violators during his first two months in office to root out repeated fatal industrial accidents.

He recently criticized back-to-back fatal accidents at POSCO E&C worksites as tantamount to "murder through willful negligence" during a Cabinet meeting on July 29.

Despite his orders for preventive measures, another industrial accident occurred at a POSCO E&C construction site on August 4. A Myanmar national in his 30s was critically injured and lost consciousness in a suspected electrocution at an expressway construction site in Gwangmyeong, 20 kilometers south of Seoul, marking the fourth fatal accident this year at builder-managed sites.

In response, Lee ordered officials to review tough punitive measures to prevent recurring workplace fatalities. Possible actions include revoking the company's construction license, banning it from public tenders and imposing punitive damages.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Good initiative but will it actually reduce accidents? In India we have so many safety laws but implementation is poor. Companies just pay small fines and continue unsafe practices. Need stricter punishments like South Korea is proposing.
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Aman W
Respect for President Lee! At least he's showing concern for workers. Here builders just throw some money at victims' families and move on. The migrant worker deaths during COVID lockdown were heartbreaking but no real accountability.
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Priyanka N
While this is commendable, I wonder if direct presidential reporting is practical long-term. Wouldn't it be better to strengthen the labor ministry and inspection systems? Otherwise it's just symbolic politics.
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Varun X
The Myanmar worker's accident shows how migrant laborers suffer everywhere. In Gulf countries, so many Indian workers die but our government does little. We need international worker protection agreements.
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Nisha Z
Safety nets being removed causing death is so ironic! 😔 In Delhi Metro construction, I've seen workers without helmets or harnesses. Contractors cut corners to save money while politicians look the other way.

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