Will the Serious Accidents Punishment Act Lead to Surgeries After Just One Year of Enforcement?

Independent Lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja Holds Public Hearing Today
"Let's Change the Terminology of the Serious Accident Prevention Act"
Joo Ho-young "Needs Revision" vs Lee Jae-myung "Stop Attempts to Weaken Immediately"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The Serious Accident Punishment Act, which has been in effect since January last year, is expected to be put on the operating table after one year of enforcement. Introduced to protect workers from dangers occurring at workplaces, the law has faced criticism from the political sphere for its lack of effectiveness. However, the ruling and opposition parties are divided between 'maintaining' and 'easing' the law, making smooth discussions unlikely.

On the 27th, independent lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja held a public hearing at the National Assembly to mark one year since the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act and proposed changing the name from 'Serious Accident Punishment Act' to 'Serious Accident Prevention Act.' Yang said, "Although one year has passed since the introduction of the Serious Accident Punishment Act, nearly 600 workers have lost their lives," adding, "Punishment alone is not the answer."

Independent lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja is attending and speaking at the public hearing on the partial amendment of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act held at the National Assembly on the 27th. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

He pointed out, "From this year, the 'risk assessment' system has been made mandatory for workplaces with 300 or more employees, but controversies over its effectiveness continue," and added, "Such current laws are not welcomed anywhere." He further stated, "Rather than securing workers' safety through post-accident punishment, the focus should be on prevention, making it a tool to prevent accidents in advance," signaling plans to legislate amendments related to serious accident punishment.

The People Power Party also appears to agree on the need to revise the current Serious Accident Punishment Act. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a morning floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly, "Analyzing the results of the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act reveals several issues," and added, "There is a need to reorganize the legal system."

Joo criticized, "Fatal industrial accidents increased by eight in workplaces with 50 or more employees, which are subject to the law, and only 5% of serious accident investigations led to actual prosecutions," adding, "It takes eight months from occurrence to prosecution, and such prolonged investigations cause instability in corporate management." He said, "From January 27 next year, the law will also apply to workplaces with fewer than 50 employees, so it must be carefully examined to help prevent accidents and ensure swift processing."

However, the Democratic Party leans toward maintaining the current law, suggesting it could become another contentious bill in the future.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, emphasized at a field supreme council meeting in Jeonbuk on the same day, "At a time when the procession of deaths continues in workplaces, calls to ease the Serious Accident Punishment Act are wrong." Lee said, "The strong exploiting the weak is not freedom but violence," and criticized, "The government's attempt to neutralize the Serious Accident Act under the name of autonomy must stop immediately."