Business · Companies · 3 hrs ago
Unregistered firms use free safety training to sell financial products
In South Korea, businesses must provide workplace safety training required by law.
Some unregistered providers offer the training for free, then spend much of the session selling insurance or other financial products.
The unregistered training does not count toward the legal requirement, so businesses may have to pay for proper training and risk fines if they miss the deadline.
The problem is especially acute for small firms, which may lack staff dedicated to arranging training.
Nearly half of surveyed firms had been approached by small or illegal providers, according to a survey of 437 businesses.
Training demand peaks in November, when many firms try to complete their annual requirements, and no further action is specified.
Unregistered firms are offering free workplace safety training to small businesses and using the sessions to promote insurance or other financial products.
A small-business human resources manager said a trainer spent about five minutes demonstrating CPR before devoting most of the session to insurance sales.
Training delivered by unregistered providers does not count toward legally required training, so businesses may have to pay for repeat courses and risk fines if they miss deadlines.
Demand for mandatory training peaks in the fourth quarter, when businesses rush to complete courses before year-end.
A survey found that 48.1% of responding companies had been approached by small or illegal providers about mandatory training.
- Who
- Unregistered training providers are targeting small and medium-sized businesses and small business owners.
- What
- They offer free mandatory safety training, then promote financial products or provide training that does not count toward legal requirements.
- When
- The article was published on October 25, 2026. Training demand is concentrated in the fourth quarter, especially November.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Businesses rush to complete required training before year-end, creating an opportunity for providers to make misleading offers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
November had about 470,000 learners in HuNet’s data on mandatory workplace training, the highest monthly total that year.
November had about 490,000 learners in HuNet’s data, again the highest monthly total of the year.
Maeil Business reported cases of unregistered providers using free safety training to promote financial products.
- November 2024
- About 470,000 learners in HuNet’s data
- November 2025
- About 490,000 learners in HuNet’s data
- Fourth-quarter training
- 45.5% of 437 surveyed companies said they conducted training then
- Unsolicited approaches
- 48.1% of surveyed companies said they had received an offer from a small or illegal provider
- Training recognition
- Courses delivered through unregistered institutions do not count toward legal training requirements
What people are saying
We will provide the legally required occupational safety and health training for free.
The CPR demonstration was done roughly in five minutes, and most of the remaining time was spent promoting insurance products.