"Vote While Covered in Dust?"... 144 LH Construction Sites to Operate as Usual on Election Day

SH switches 71% of its sites to holiday mode

With the early presidential election scheduled for June 3, concerns have once again been raised regarding the protection of voting rights for construction site workers.

According to data submitted by Representative Yoon Jongoh of the Progressive Party, received from Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) on May 29, 144 out of 285 LH construction sites nationwide (approximately 51%) plan to continue operations on election day without suspending work.

In response, LH stated to the lawmaker's office that "construction sites begin at 7 a.m. and finish by 4 to 5 p.m., so workers will have enough time to vote afterward," and indicated that no additional measures would be taken.

Workers are sweating hard at a construction site in Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

However, criticism has emerged that it is inappropriate for public institution-operated sites to lack measures guaranteeing voting time, especially since the government has designated the election day as a temporary public holiday. In particular, critics argue that the reality of construction sites?such as the distance to polling stations and worker fatigue after shifts?has not been adequately considered, making it difficult for workers to participate in voting in practice.

Another public institution, Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH), has decided to suspend work at 44 out of its 62 sites (71%) and has also taken measures to ensure voting time at the remaining sites.

In the case of privately commissioned construction sites, there are virtually no guidelines regarding work on election day or the guarantee of voting time. Representative Yoon plans to pursue institutional reforms, including the introduction of paid leave on election days in the future.

Representative Yoon emphasized, "Public institutions must take the lead in ensuring that construction workers can meaningfully participate in elections," and added, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport must fulfill its responsibilities as the competent authority."