Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom: "Prompt Enactment of the Special Construction Safety Act... Workplaces Must Change Too"

by Hwang Yoonju

Published 28 May.2021 18:17(KST)

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum visited the new construction site of LG Art Center in Magok, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 28th to experience smart safety management and inspect safety facilities. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum visited the new construction site of the LG Art Center in Magok, Seoul, on the 28th to inspect industrial accident prevention and urged special efforts to prevent accidents.

Prime Minister Kim mentioned that half of all fatal accidents occur in the construction industry and stated, "We will promptly enact the Special Act on Construction Safety to make the sites safer."

He emphasized, "While strong systems such as the Serious Accident Punishment Act to be implemented next year are necessary, the most important thing is that the sites themselves must change," and urged, "Under the awareness that if the client, contractor, and subcontractors all fail in safety management, the project itself becomes difficult, please thoroughly manage safety."

He continued, "I also ask workers to lead changes in the workplace with the mindset that compliance with safety regulations is the last lifeline protecting their lives."

Attending the visit were business leaders from the construction industry, including Kim Seung-hwan, CEO of S&I CM, and Woo Moo-hyun, President of GS Construction.

In an SNS message posted on the day commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Guui Station Kim incident, Prime Minister Kim expressed his "deep sorrow" over the continued fatal accidents despite efforts to reduce industrial accident deaths, emphasizing, "We must no longer hear sad obituaries of people dying at work."

He demanded a change in corporate awareness, stating, "We must not weigh life against cost," and "Safety is no longer a cost but an investment. How safely a business can be operated should become its competitiveness."