The government will conduct a comprehensive review of safety management practices in public institutions to eliminate repeated accidents involving falls, collisions, and entrapments. Following a recent fatal incident at the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), the government plans to implement oversight equivalent to special supervision and hold accountable those responsible for the recurrence of serious industrial accidents.
On September 1, the Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that it held a "Public Institution Inspection Meeting on Eradicating Repeated Accidents of the Same Type," attended by officials from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, heads of public institutions, and the chairman of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency.
This meeting was convened in response to the unacceptable recurrence of similar types of accidents in public institutions, aiming to assess safety management practices and develop effective measures to prevent future incidents.
Participants examined the causes and risk factors of repeated accidents involving falls, collisions, and entrapments in public institutions, focusing on whether each institution's safety management systems are functioning effectively on the ground.
In particular, the Ministry expressed strong regret over the fatal accident that occurred at KORAIL on August 29. It plans to hold those responsible for the recurrence of serious accidents accountable and to conduct oversight equivalent to special supervision.
The Ministry urged KORAIL to thoroughly investigate the causes of the accident and the overall safety management system, and to implement strong corrective measures immediately to prevent similar incidents.
Moving forward, the Ministry will strengthen safety and health oversight at workplaces, including public institutions, where similar types of accidents have occurred. It will respond more rigorously to workplaces with repeated incidents and will continuously verify that preventive measures are effectively implemented in collaboration with relevant departments and public institutions.
Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon emphasized, "We cannot take lightly the situation where the same type of accidents are repeatedly occurring in public institutions," urging that heads of institutions must take responsibility and directly oversee safety on-site.
He added, "We will thoroughly examine everything from the causes of accidents to the safety management systems, develop effective measures to prevent recurrence, and implement necessary actions without exception and with strong determination."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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