Prime Minister Kim: "Serious Accident Punishment Act, a Major Shift in Safety and Health... Labor and Management Must Collaborate"

The 57th Cabinet Meeting

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum (center) is presiding over the Cabinet meeting held on the morning of the 28th at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City, connected via video with Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on the 28th, "The enforcement of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act marks the beginning of a major transformation that will elevate the level of safety and health in our country," adding, "Both the business and labor sectors may have their own opinions, but now it is time to come together and cooperate to realize the legislative intent."

On the morning of the same day, Prime Minister Kim presided over the last Cabinet meeting of the year at the Government Complex Sejong and said, "The Serious Accidents Punishment Act will be enforced in a month," and "The government will do its best to ensure that the law is implemented smoothly on the ground."

The Serious Accidents Punishment Act, passed by the National Assembly in January, stipulates that if a serious accident such as a worker's death occurs at a workplace, the business owner or management responsible will be subject to "imprisonment for more than one year or a fine of up to 1 billion KRW, and in the case of a corporation, a fine of up to 5 billion KRW." The law will be enforced starting January 27 next year.

Prime Minister Kim urged related ministries, "Please carefully review whether support is sufficient for small and medium-sized enterprises, which find it difficult to establish safety and health management systems, whether guidance or explanations are lacking, and the preparation status on the ground."

He also added, "The public sector must take the lead," emphasizing, "Since the scope of 'management responsibility, etc.' stipulated by this law includes heads of central administrative agencies, local governments, and public institutions, please thoroughly check the preparation status of the relevant agencies and prepare meticulously to ensure there are no shortcomings."

Regarding the 'Biocidal Products Damage Relief System' to be enforced from the 31st, Prime Minister Kim said, "There is no value more important than the life and safety of the people," and "When consumer damage caused by biocidal products occurs, it must be promptly remedied to prevent further spread or worsening of the damage."

Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting held on this day was the last of the year. In this regard, Prime Minister Kim said, "I know well that all public officials have devoted themselves with one heart and mind to overcoming the COVID-19 crisis, but now it is a very serious situation where even saying 'thank you for your hard work' is cautious," and "As it was throughout this year, the government will devote all its capabilities solely to the people to end COVID-19 in the coming new year."

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