Crackdown on Illegal Activities at Construction Sites... Ministry of Land Considers Judicial Police Authority

Won Hee-ryong "I will dig into the body and root"
341 illegal acts found in 111 sites related to public institutions

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] The government is considering granting judicial police authority to the local land management offices of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) to crack down on illegal activities at construction sites and easing regulations on the employment of foreign workers in the construction sector.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 1st, MOLIT held a meeting chaired by Minister Won Hee-ryong at the Construction Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, with construction-related associations and public institutions to eradicate illegal activities at construction sites.

At the meeting, MOLIT announced plans to establish a private bidding system to block unfair demands from labor unions during contract and bidding processes and to increase transparency in contracts. The ministry also stated it would improve regulations related to the employment of foreign workers in the construction sector. This is based on the judgment that when unions report illegal foreign employment by companies, construction firms face restrictions on hiring foreign workers for 2 to 3 years, leading to a vicious cycle where labor shortages force companies to comply with union hiring demands.

MOLIT plans to consult with related ministries on granting judicial police authority to local land management offices to crack down on and detect illegal activities. Minister Won said, "There are 55 construction unions nationwide, but they are only called construction unions in name and act like predatory gangster groups," adding, "We will penetrate not only the visible tip of the iceberg but also the body and roots."

Minister Won emphasized, "I know that some openly say that once the government's crackdown atmosphere fades, companies will bring money again after the storm passes," and reiterated that the government will pursue this issue to the end on a whole-of-government level. He continued, "I am well aware that unions have accumulated hundreds of billions in funds, so a few people going to jail will not eradicate illegal activities."

Minister Won also said, "To protect genuine labor and the interests of real citizens, normalization of the field is necessary along with crackdowns and institutional improvements," urging, "Let us work together with a sense of responsibility to go all the way until common-sense rule of law is established at construction sites."

Private construction associations such as the Korea Construction Association, which attended the meeting, agreed to activate a reporting center and to act as agents for police complaints regarding illegal activities.

They also urged the prompt revision of laws currently proposed in the National Assembly, including laws to revoke licenses or impose criminal penalties on tower crane operators who demand illegal money and laws to strengthen sanctions against forced hiring.

Public institutions such as LH that attended the meeting announced the results of damage investigations at construction sites under their jurisdiction. A total of 341 illegal acts were found at 111 sites. Each public institution plans to respond strictly by taking civil and criminal measures against perpetrators based on the investigation results and legal reviews. Additionally, they plan to actively consider relief measures such as design changes and construction period extensions for affected companies.

The government plans to announce a comprehensive plan to eradicate illegal activities at construction sites by the end of next month.