President Lee Presides Over 33rd Cabinet Meeting
Criticizes POSCO E&C for Five Industrial Accident Deaths This Year
To Minister of Employment: "Put Your Position on the Line to Reduce Industrial Accidents"
President Lee: "I Will Also Conduct Surprise On-Site Inspections"
President Lee Jae Myung is speaking about industrial accidents at the Cabinet meeting held on the 29th at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
On July 29, President Lee Jaemyung strongly criticized the frequent fatal industrial accidents during a Cabinet meeting, stating, "To put it very bluntly, isn't this, in legal terms, murder by willful negligence?" He instructed the introduction of a punitive damages system with high compensation for repeated and habitual fatal industrial accidents. In particular, he urged Cabinet members to "put your positions on the line regarding fatal industrial accidents" and announced that he would personally conduct surprise inspections.
During the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan presidential office and broadcast live, President Lee said, "When the same accident occurs at the same place, it is fully preventable, but the fact that it happens means that deaths are being tolerated." This was the first time a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee was broadcast live.
President Lee pointed out, "It is reported that the company POSCO E&C has had its fifth fatal accident this year," and questioned, "How can this be possible?" He further stated, "People go to work to make a living, to earn money, but has the workplace become a battlefield?" and emphasized, "How can five people die while working at the same site?" He added, "I think I should go and see POSCO E&C myself."
President Lee also criticized, "It is reported that two people died from suffocation while working on a manhole," and added, "It is common sense among the public that working in confined spaces carries a high risk of suffocation, so how can you make people work without protective equipment?" On July 27, in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, one worker died and another was left in critical condition while performing water pipe leak repairs. Earlier this month, two workers died from gas poisoning while working in a manhole in Incheon.
Lee: "The Minister of Employment should put his position on the line to reduce industrial accidents... I will also conduct on-site inspections"
President Lee Jae Myung is speaking about industrial accident issues to Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho Jung at the Cabinet meeting held on the 29th at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee expressed his hope that "this year will mark the first year of eradicating fatal industrial accidents" and discussed countermeasures with Cabinet ministers. After receiving a report from Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon, President Lee analyzed, "There seem to be limitations to criminal punishment," and added, "We need to make expenditures increase for companies." He continued, "If habitual and repeated accidents occur, it is close to intentional, so we should also consider introducing punitive damages," and stressed, "If we impose large fines or economic sanctions, companies might actually start taking prevention seriously."
When Minister Kim said during the report, "I will put my position on the line to eradicate industrial accidents," President Lee responded, "If, after some time, industrial accidents have not decreased, you should really put your position on the line." President Lee also indicated that he would join Minister Kim in the weekly surprise on-site inspections currently being conducted.
He urged that companies with habitual industrial accidents should also face disadvantages in investment and lending. After receiving a report on these measures from the Financial Services Commission, President Lee said, "We can implement lending restrictions immediately," and added, "If we set standards and impose disadvantages in lending and investment, it would be a significant blow to listed companies."
President Lee instructed the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, "It is important for companies to change their perception of industrial accidents." He added, "In construction and other high-risk industries, industrial accidents are costly; make sure companies fully understand that poor management will lead to even greater expenses."
Meanwhile, regarding the distribution of livelihood recovery consumption coupons, President Lee said, "It is reported that 80% of the public received them within a week," and explained, "This is 24 percentage points higher than when emergency disaster relief funds were distributed in 2022." He added, "This shows how much our people have been waiting for the consumption coupons," and requested, "Please make sure that no one is left out of the distribution."
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