Government Begins Safety Inspections of Public Institutions... Results to Be Released by End of April

Targeting 100 Public Institutions... Rated from 1 to 5
Finalized by Public Transport Committee at End of April... Reflected in Management Evaluation

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] The government has begun safety management rating assessments for 100 public institutions. The results of the assessments will be disclosed at the end of April. Given the increased public interest in safety following incidents such as the Itaewon tragedy, the government intends to conduct the assessments more thoroughly.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance announced that on the morning of the 19th, under the chairmanship of Second Vice Minister Choi Sang-dae, it held the "2022 Public Institution Safety Management Rating Assessment Team General Meeting" at the Seoul Regional Public Procurement Service. On this day, Vice Minister Choi presented appointment letters to 34 private members of the assessment team, including Professor Jeong Jin-woo from the Department of Safety Engineering at Seoul National University of Science and Technology. The assessment team will begin the safety management rating assessments from this day forward.

The public institution safety management rating system is a program that comprehensively evaluates the safety levels of public institutions with hazardous work environments. The goal is to enhance the practical safety management capabilities of institutions that receive low ratings?specifically grade 4 (insufficient) or grade 5 (very insufficient) out of grades 1 to 5?through customized consulting and executive training. The government piloted the safety management rating system in 2020 and has conducted it regularly every year since 2021.

The assessment targets 100 public institutions. Specifically, 31 public enterprises, 27 quasi-governmental institutions, and 42 other public institutions have been selected for assessment. The assessments will be based on the safety management performance of these institutions in the previous year. Earlier, the Ministry of Economy and Finance selected the target institutions, formed the assessment team, and reported the assessment plan to the Public Institution Management Committee.

The assessment team plans to complete the evaluations by April through document reviews, on-site verifications, and objection submissions and reviews. The results will be finalized and disclosed after approval by the Public Institution Management Committee at the end of April. The safety management ratings for each public institution will be reflected in their management evaluations.

Vice Minister Choi emphasized the importance of the safety management rating assessments on this day. He stated, "Given the heightened public interest due to safety accidents such as the Itaewon tragedy and the Yeongdeungpo Station derailment last year, this assessment should not merely be an activity of assigning scores and grades. It must provide improvement measures that can prevent major accidents and establish a voluntary safety culture, thereby offering practical assistance in strengthening the safety management capabilities of public institutions." Vice Minister Choi added, "Public institutions are the frontline agencies implementing government policies. I urge them to focus all their efforts on safety management with the attitude of ultimately being responsible for the safety of the people."

Deputy Minister Choi Sang-dae Presiding Over the 2023 Fiscal Management Strategy Committee
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Choi Sang-dae, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, is presiding over the '1st 2023 Fiscal Management Strategy Committee' held on the 17th at the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation in Jongno-gu, Seoul. 2023.1.17 [Provided by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Resale and DB prohibited]
Photo by Yonhap News
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