Meeting of Affiliated Institution Heads... "Basic Matters Are Not Even Being Followed"
"Boldly Revise Manuals to Honor the Deceased"
Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries - Ministry of Employment and Labor, Inspection of Five Major Container Ports
Minister Moon Sung-hyuk of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries presiding over a meeting of heads of affiliated organizations related to the death of the late Lee Seon-ho on the 17th. (Photo by Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries)
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Moon Seong-hyeok, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, regarding the accident involving the late Lee Seon-ho, who died while working at Pyeongtaek Port, stated, "Both myself and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries staff must take this very seriously, regardless of authority or responsibility."
On the 17th, during a video meeting of affiliated agency heads related to the Pyeongtaek Port safety accident, Minister Moon said, "We have continuously emphasized that people come first and safety is the most important, but even the basic rules were not followed at the maritime and fisheries sites."
He added, "I pray for the repose of Lee Seon-ho’s soul and once again offer my deepest condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family. This accident was one that could have been fully prevented if safety regulations had been properly followed, which makes it all the more tragic and heartbreaking."
Minister Moon emphasized, "We must reflect on whether we have been complacent with the idea that 'the sea and ports are inherently dangerous places where risks must be accepted and ensuring safety is difficult.'"
He continued, "From now on, to prevent such unfortunate accidents from happening again, we must do everything we can with the mindset of caring for our beloved family."
Minister Moon promised, "We will thoroughly examine from the basics whether work manuals are properly prepared, safety rules are being followed, and if there are any safety hazards on site, and we will boldly change and fix any shortcomings."
He stressed, "Doing so is the minimum duty we owe to the deceased who could not even fulfill their dreams and passed away, and it is the way to ensure that their death is not in vain."
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, together with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, has decided to conduct safety inspections on the five major container port terminals nationwide by the 28th of this month.
Following the joint inspection, starting from the 1st of next month, the inspection scope will be expanded to all ports nationwide, and local safety councils will conduct independent safety inspections at cargo handling sites.
Additionally, port authorities at major ports will prepare and distribute port work safety manuals and conduct re-education mainly targeting the relevant stevedoring companies. Support will be provided for the installation of safety facilities to prevent safety accidents among workers at port cargo handling sites where the risk of disasters is high.
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