Archive · 17 Nov 2025
South Korea Tightens Industrial Safety Amid Persistent Accidents
South Korea's president, who was hurt at work when he was young, wants to make workplaces safer.
He's making new rules that are much tougher on companies if someone gets hurt or dies.
The government is also giving more money to help companies be safer and is protecting workers who are hired by other companies.
Some people think the president is just blaming companies too much, and that they might just pretend to be safe.
But the government says they are working to change how people think about job safety, so that companies don't think it's okay to have accidents just to make more money.
South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung, inspired by his own childhood workplace injury, is prioritizing industrial safety to combat the nation's high accident rate.
The government has increased spending on accident prevention, expanded protections for subcontracted workers, and imposed stricter penalties, including jail time for employers following a single death.
South Korea's industrial accident death rate is significantly higher than the OECD average, with construction accidents being particularly dangerous.
Critics argue the president's approach is populist and punitive, focusing on blaming companies rather than proactive prevention, potentially leading to superficial compliance.
The Labour Ministry emphasizes a need for a cultural shift to move away from accepting casualties for economic growth, alongside new regulations and subsidies for safety equipment.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, workers (including Kim Yong-ho), companies (Hyundai Steel, SPC Group, POSCO E&C, Hanwha Ocean, DL Construction, Korea East-West Power), critics, Labour Minister Kim Young-hoon, Professor Jung Jin-woo, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions
- What
- South Korea is implementing stricter industrial safety laws and increased government spending to combat a high rate of workplace accidents and fatalities, influenced by President Lee's personal history and high-profile incidents.
- When
- Recent months, with policies implemented in 2024 and budget proposals for 2026. Incidents mentioned occurred in 2019, May 2024, and earlier this month.
- Where
- South Korea
- Why
- To address South Korea's industrial accident death rate, which is significantly higher than the OECD average, and to prevent tragedies influenced by a historical perception that growth should be prioritized over worker safety.
President Lee Jae Myung's Administration & Supporters
Critics & Skeptics
Effectiveness of New Policies
President Lee Jae Myung's Administration & Supporters
The administration is implementing stricter penalties, increasing spending on accident prevention, expanding protections for subcontracted workers, and emphasizing a cultural shift away from accepting casualties for growth. Subsidies for safety equipment are also provided, and companies are actively responding by changing work shifts and halting projects.
Critics & Skeptics
Critics argue the approach is populist and punitive, focusing on blaming companies rather than proactive prevention. They suggest that companies may only pretend to meet standards due to unrealistic requirements and that many employers accused of violations are released on probation with fines, indicating a lack of true accountability.
Underlying Cause of Accidents
President Lee Jae Myung's Administration & Supporters
The Labour Ministry and unions point to a historical perception that sacrifices are acceptable for growth, and that companies hire subcontractors to skirt responsibility and cut costs, leading to inadequate safety rules. The administration seeks to address these root causes through policy and cultural change.
Critics & Skeptics
While acknowledging issues with subcontractors, critics imply that the administration's focus is on penalizing companies rather than fundamentally improving preventative measures, leading to a superficial veneer of change.
- President
- Lee Jae Myung
- Issue
- High rate of industrial accidents
- 2023 Industrial Deaths per 100,000 Workers
- 3.9 (South Korea) vs. 2.6 (OECD Average)
- Fatal Construction Accidents per 100,000 Workers
- 15.9 (South Korea, 2nd highest in OECD)
- Serious Accidents Punishment Act (2024)
- Applies to workplaces with 5+ employees; employers face jail for a single death
- Industrial Accident Deaths (2024)
- 2,098 (up 4.1%)
- Average Fine for Violating Law
- 73 million won
- 2026 Labour Ministry Budget for Accident Prevention
- Increased spending, includes fines up to 5% of operating profit for 3+ deaths per year
