Following the Serious Accident Punishment Act... Minister of Employment and Labor Calls for Establishment of Industrial Safety and Health Agency

Lee Jaegap, National Assembly Work Report... "Need for an Independent and Professional Organization"

Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jae-gap attending the Environment and Labor Committee plenary session held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 16th, listening to members' inquiries. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Lee Jae-gap, Minister of Employment and Labor, said on the 16th, "I believe it is necessary to establish the Industrial Safety and Health Agency to meet the social demand for industrial safety."

Minister Lee made these remarks at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee on the same day.

According to Ahn Ho-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, the UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) supervises 707 workplaces per inspector, whereas in Korea, as of last year, one inspector manages 4,683 workplaces.

In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) oversees the industrial safety system and provides guidance on COVID-19 prevention measures within workplaces.

In response to Ahn's question, "Since the Serious Accidents Punishment Act has been enacted, isn't it necessary to establish the Industrial Safety and Health Agency as well?" Minister Lee replied, "It is necessary to establish it."

He added, "To meet the increased social demand for industrial safety domestically, I believe it is essential to have an independent and specialized organization dedicated to preventing industrial accidents," and stated, "I think the establishment of the agency is necessary."

He continued, "Ahead of the enforcement of the Serious Accidents Act early next year, we are consulting with related ministries on expanding the Employment Ministry's industrial accident prevention organization and workforce," and added, "We are also promoting matters related to the establishment of the agency as part of that."

Earlier, on the 25th of last month, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, announced at the Supreme Council meeting that he would push for the establishment of the agency and said on the 2nd of this month that a proposal to amend the Government Organization Act would be made through bipartisan agreement.

Subsequently, Minister Lee stated on the 5th, "Since it involves creating an administrative organization, it will take some time, but we will prepare for the establishment of the agency while consulting with the National Assembly."

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