10 Economic Organizations' Final Appeal: "Please Reflect the Business Sector's Position on the Serious Accidents Punishment Act"

On December 22 last year, Sohn Kyung-shik, Chairman of the Korea Employers Federation, is speaking at the 'Economic Organizations' Announcement on Halting Legislation of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act' held at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Ten economic organizations, including the Korea Employers Federation, made a final appeal regarding the Serious Accidents Punishment Act currently being discussed in the National Assembly.

On the 6th, at a press conference titled "Economic Sector's Position on the Enactment of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act" held at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeouido, Seoul, Korea Employers Federation Chairman Kyung-sik Son stated in a joint statement, "Despite the business community's repeated appeals to halt the enactment of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, it is very regrettable that the ruling and opposition parties have agreed to enact it," and emphasized, "For the last time, the business community earnestly appeals that the following three points be reflected when the law is enacted."

At the press conference, a total of ten economic organization leaders attended, including Chairman Son, Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs, Kim Young-joo, Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association, Kang Ho-gam, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Medium-sized Enterprises, Woo Tae-hee, Vice Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kwon Tae-shin, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, Kim Sang-soo, Chairman of the Korea Construction Association, Kim Young-yoon, Chairman of the Korea Specialty Contractors Association, Jung Yoon-sook, Chairwoman of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, and Kim Im-yong, Acting Chairman of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprises.

Chairman Son pointed out, "Please change the lower limit of imprisonment for business owners to an upper limit," and said, "Industrial accident cases are cases of negligence. Imposing a harsher punishment on business owners who have indirect management responsibility than on those directly related is legally contradictory."

He also explained, "Punishment of business owners for serious accidents should be limited to cases of ‘repeated fatal accidents’," adding, "General industrial accidents should be governed by the Industrial Safety and Health Act, and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act should only apply to repeated fatal accidents where there was an opportunity for improvement."

He continued to appeal the three requests, saying, "Please specify in the law the obligations that business owners can fulfill, and allow exemption from liability if those obligations are met."

Chairman Son emphasized, "The business community will also do its best to create a safe workplace," and urged, "At the very least, please review once again to ensure that companies are not excessively punished until the very end."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.