10 Economic Organizations Appeal, "Please Also Listen to the Voices of the Business Community Regarding the Serious Accident Punishment Act" (Comprehensive)

Legislative Process Speeds Up, Urgent Joint Press Conference
"Please Reflect at Least Three Matters"

On the 6th, a press conference announcing the economic sector's position on the enactment of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act was held at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[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. The ruling and opposition parties plan to pass the related law in the plenary session of the National Assembly today, the 8th.

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 Son Kyung-sik expressed in a joint statement, "Despite repeated appeals from the business community 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 definitely reflected in the legislation."

At the press conference, a total of ten economic organization leaders attended, including Chairman Son, Kim Ki-moon of the Korea Federation of SMEs, Kim Young-joo of the Korea International Trade Association, Kang Ho-gap 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 of the Korea Construction Association, Kim Young-yoon of the Korea Specialty Contractors Association, Jung Yoon-sook of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, and Acting Chairman Kim Im-yong of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise.

The economic organizations appealed to accept three demands related to the Serious Accidents Punishment Act: ▲ replacing the lower limit of imprisonment for business owners with an upper limit ▲ limiting business owner punishment to cases of ‘repeated fatal accidents’ ▲ and specifically stipulating in the law the obligations that business owners can realistically fulfill.

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

Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs, pointed out, "63% of small and medium enterprises experienced a decrease in sales last year compared to the previous year due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Small and micro enterprises are going through a long tunnel of crisis to the extent that they worry about survival due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic," and added, "If the law is enacted, the morale of small and micro enterprises will decline, and they will lose the strength to endure any longer."

Kim Sang-soo, Chairman of the Korea Construction Association, appealed, "We already have laws that impose some of the world's toughest penalties. In January last year, the government implemented the Industrial Safety Act, which strengthened penalties related to fatal accidents," and said, "It has not even been a year since its implementation. Wouldn't it be better to review the results of the implementation before considering new legislation?"

Acting Chairman Kim Im-yong of the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise emphasized, "Micro enterprises are on the brink of collapse due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic," and stated, "Regarding this law, micro enterprises have not prepared any conditions, circumstances, or environments that they can accept."

Meanwhile, the economic organizations stated that even if the Serious Accidents Punishment Act is enacted, they will continue to express opinions for improvement. Chairman Son said, "The most important thing is to prevent this bill from passing," but added, "However, if the law is enacted, there will be follow-up measures such as enforcement decrees, so we will also make efforts in that area."

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