Construction Industry Vows to Support Government Policies to Eradicate Fatal Accidents and Prevent Industrial Disasters

Korea Construction Association Holds Emergency Countermeasures Meeting
with 16 City and Provincial Chapter Heads

The construction industry has decided to actively cooperate with government policies aimed at reducing fatal industrial accidents.

The Korea Construction Association announced on July 31 that it recently held an "Emergency Countermeasure Meeting for Eradicating Serious Accidents and Ensuring Safety at Construction Sites" in relation to government policies to eliminate fatal industrial accidents, which were discussed at a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jaemyung. The meeting, held at the association hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, was chaired by Han Seunggu and attended by the heads of 16 city and provincial chapters.

Previously, on the morning of July 29, President Lee Jaemyung, in his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting held at the presidential office in Yongsan, criticized the recurrence of worker fatalities at the POSCO E&C construction site and stated, "We must permanently eradicate backward industrial accidents."

The Korea Construction Association held an "Emergency Countermeasure Meeting for Eradicating Serious Accidents and Ensuring Safety at Construction Sites" on the 30th at the association hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and took a group photo. From the left: Kang Dongguk, Chairman of the Gyeongsangnam-do Chapter of the Korea Construction Association; Lee Seunghyun, Chairman of the Daegu Metropolitan City Chapter; Park Kyungjae, Chairman of the Jeollanam-do Chapter; Kim Gichun, Chairman of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Chapter; Jang Hongsu, Chairman of the Ulsan Metropolitan City Chapter; Hwang Geunsun, Chairman of the Gyeonggi-do Chapter; So Jaecheol, Chairman of the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Chapter; Choi Taejin, Chairman of the Seoul Special City Chapter; Han Seunggu, Chairman of the Korea Construction Association; Choi Gilhak, Chairman of the Chungnam Sejong City Chapter; Jung Hyeongyeol, Chairman of the Busan Metropolitan City Chapter; Park Hansang, Chairman of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Chapter; Choi Sangsun, Chairman of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Chapter; Hwang Inil, Chairman of the Gwangju Metropolitan City Chapter; Choi Mongyu, Chairman of the Daejeon Metropolitan City Chapter; Yoo Jeongseon, Chairman of the Chungcheongbuk-do Chapter. Provided by the Korea Construction Association

At the meeting, Chairman Han said, "I deeply resonate with the government's policies to eradicate fatal industrial accidents discussed at yesterday's Cabinet meeting," and added, "We will actively participate in the government's policy direction to strengthen safety at construction sites."

Chairman Han emphasized, "The lives and safety of the people must take precedence over any other value," and stated, "Protecting workers' lives is the most fundamental principle for the sustainable development of the construction industry." He continued, "The construction industry will join forces with the government to establish an effective safety management system."

The industry especially agreed on the need for institutional improvements to change workers' perceptions and secure resources for safety. There was a consensus on the necessity of a paradigm shift, including the establishment of institutional measures to eradicate accidents at construction sites.

The association stated, "The industry will fulfill its responsibilities and roles on its own and raise safety awareness across the sector, while also striving to ensure that practical, site-centered safety measures are implemented."

Going forward, the association plans to work closely with the government, local governments, and the industry, together with its 16 city and provincial chapters, to achieve tangible results toward realizing 'zero fatal accidents.'