On August 12, President Lee Jaemyung ordered the permanent disqualification of companies with repeated industrial accidents from bidding on government contracts and instructed the imposition of financial sanctions.
Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the presidential office, announced at the Yongsan presidential office that President Lee issued these directives during a Cabinet meeting he presided over that day.
According to spokesperson Kang, after receiving a report from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on measures to address serious construction accidents, President Lee stated, "To fundamentally prevent repeated industrial accidents, truly strong sanctions are necessary." He added, "Consider measures such as permanently revoking bidding qualifications, imposing financial sanctions, and offering substantial rewards for reporting workplaces with inadequate safety management."
President Lee also pointed out, "There has not been a single case where a major construction company has been penalized under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act," and instructed, "Review the introduction of a penalty system to ensure that companies secure sufficient safety-related funds." According to spokesperson Kang, President Lee also emphasized that "measures to strengthen the responsibility of prime contractors must be included."
Furthermore, President Lee directed the creation of a dedicated permanent special committee to oversee management, monitoring, and research, and repeatedly urged the Minister of Employment and Labor to be prepared to put his position on the line.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
