2021 Construction Day Ceremony Held "Realizing the Construction Industry Through Overcoming and Growth"

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum Expresses Determination to Overcome Difficult Times Together
128 Construction Industry Contributors Awarded... Gold Tower Industrial Medal to Kim Soo-kwan, CEO of Est Construction
Slogan Announced to Establish Advanced Construction Safety Culture... "Safety Veterans Start with Site Cleanup"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kangwook Cho] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Federation of Construction Associations held the ‘2021 Construction Day’ commemorative ceremony on the 24th at the Construction Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, under the theme “Overcoming and Growing! Uniting the Power of 2 Million Construction Workers to Start a New Challenge.” This year’s theme reflects the commitment of the construction industry to play a leading role in the recovery of the economy, which has been difficult due to COVID-19.

Construction Day was established in 1981 to promote unity and determination among 2 million construction workers and to foster the development of the construction industry. Since then, a commemorative ceremony has been held annually, marking its 31st anniversary this year.

The ceremony was conducted in strict compliance with quarantine guidelines due to social distancing measures, with only about 90 attendees, including Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Noh Hyung-wook, Chairperson of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee Jin Sun-mi, heads of construction-related organizations, and families of government award recipients.

Participants celebrated Construction Day and encouraged the hard work of those involved in the construction industry both domestically and abroad. Additionally, 128 construction workers who made significant contributions to the development of the construction industry were awarded government honors and commendations from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The highest honor, the Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, was awarded to Kim Soo-gwan, CEO of EST Construction Co., Ltd., in recognition of his long-term efforts to advance the construction industry. Since entering the construction business in 1977, Kim has actively carried out national infrastructure projects including the Subway Line 2 and the Chungbuk Line railway construction for 43 years. Notably, after becoming CEO of EST Construction in 1994, he led research, technological development, and dissemination of the weak ground reinforcement (spinning pile foundation method), growing the company into a technology-specialized small and medium enterprise. Since 2010, he has contributed to the development of the construction industry through transparent win-win management, including 100% direct payment from clients to partner companies and cash payments to material suppliers and equipment companies.

The Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit was awarded to Ahn Byung-yoon, CEO of Hwaeom Construction Co., Ltd.; the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit to Lee Myung-woo, CEO of Hana E&G Co., Ltd.; the Iron Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit to Lee Jung-chul, CEO of Songgang Construction Co., Ltd., and Yoon Gil-ho, Vice President of Gyeryong Construction Industry Co., Ltd.; and the Stone Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit to Do Sang-ik, Vice Chairman of ITM Corporation Architectural Office, and Kim Sang-won, CEO of Deokil Construction Co., Ltd.

Additionally, four individuals including Choi Jong-seok, CEO of Yongmaru Co., Ltd., received the Industrial Service Medal; six individuals including Kim Seok, CEO of Samwoo Construction Co., Ltd., received the Presidential Citation; and six individuals including Jang Sung-jae, Executive Director of Lotte Construction Co., Ltd., received the Prime Minister’s Citation.

Furthermore, as part of a construction safety campaign to establish an advanced safety culture at construction sites and raise awareness of safety among construction workers, a ‘Construction Safety Slogan Proclamation Ceremony’ was held. The slogan announced this time is “Safety Veterans Start with Site Cleanup,” emphasizing site organization such as returning tools to their original place after use and removing hazards generated during work. It conveys a practical message to carefully attend to basic matters to prevent safety accidents. The slogan was prepared through a contest conducted by the Korea Infrastructure Safety & Technology Corporation, a specialized institution for construction safety management, with the theme of site cleanup and organization. After expert consultation, it was finalized considering clarity, practicality, and communicability.

Kwon Hyuk-jin, Director of Construction Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, “We thank the construction workers who have led the construction industry, a national infrastructure industry and a representative job sector, during difficult times such as COVID-19. We plan to strengthen innovation efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the construction industry through sufficient communication with the construction sector and to work toward creating a safety-centered culture at construction sites.”