Saemangeum Development Corporation and 시청자미디어재단 Evaluated as 'Inadequate' in Safety Management

2023 Public Institution Safety Management Grade Evaluation Results
No Institution Received 'Excellent' Grade This Year Either

Last year, three organizations including Saemangeum Development Corporation and the Korea Communications Agency received a ‘Poor’ rating in the public institution safety management grading assessment. This year, no public institutions received an ‘Excellent’ rating either.

On the 25th, the Ministry of Economy and Finance announced that the 4th Public Institution Management Committee, chaired by Second Vice Minister Kim Yoon-sang, reviewed and approved the 2023 public institution safety management grading assessment results. The results showed 28 institutions rated Grade 2 (Good), 58 institutions Grade 3 (Average), and 4 institutions Grade 4 (Poor). There were no institutions rated Grade 5 (Very Poor).

This year as well, no institutions received a Grade 1 (Excellent) rating. Grade 1 is awarded to institutions where safety management participation by all members is fully institutionalized and safety activities at work sites are very well conducted. However, compared to last year, the number of institutions rated Average or above (Grades 2 and 3) increased by three, and those rated Poor or below (Grades 4 and 5) decreased by three, indicating an overall upward stabilization trend in safety management levels.

In particular, among public institutions with research facilities, the number of Grade 2 institutions has steadily increased, with nearly half of such institutions receiving a Grade 2 rating in this assessment. This is the highest proportion since the introduction of the safety management grading system. Over the past four years of assessments, a safety management system foundation has been established in institutions with research facilities, resulting in overall improvements in safety capabilities and levels.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance stated, “This assessment confirmed whether underground safety impact evaluations were conducted to prevent ground subsidence around construction sites, in order to strengthen the evaluation of public institutions’ efforts and achievements in ensuring public safety.” It also said, “The assessment comprehensively reviewed whether accidents occurred at facilities used by the public, as well as the institutions’ on-site responses, cause analyses, and follow-up measures.” Based on this year’s assessment results, the relevant public institutions must implement necessary improvements by the end of the year.

Kim Yoon-sang, Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, emphasized, “The public institution safety management grading system, now in its fourth year, has contributed to establishing a safety culture by strengthening the responsibility of public institution management.” He added, “It is essential to establish an autonomous safety management system that enables all members of the institution, including partner companies, to participate in identifying risk factors themselves and devising solutions.”