[2025 Asia Construction Grand Awards] "Discovering Sites Upholding Safety, Quality, and the Calling of Construction Professionals"

20th Asia Construction Grand Awards
Judging Committee Chair's Review - Lee Chungjae, President of the Korea Institute of Construction Industry

The construction industry is a fundamental sector that plays a crucial role in national development and the improvement of citizens' quality of life. It is the only industry that provides residential and living spaces and establishes the foundation for transportation, logistics, and industry. Construction can be described as an essential industry that supports national growth, enhances competitiveness, and sustains the daily lives of the people.

The construction industry is currently facing challenging times. The Korea Development Institute (KDI) and the Bank of Korea have projected that this year’s economic growth rate in South Korea will remain at around 0.8% to 0.9%. One of the reasons cited for this sluggish growth is the stagnation in construction investment. To overcome low growth and secure momentum for economic recovery, revitalizing construction investment is more urgent than ever.

However, the reality is far from easy. In particular, a series of safety accidents at construction sites has shaken public trust in the industry as a whole. These issues stem not from simple management failures or temporary incidents, but from the structural limitations that have accumulated within the system over time. Now, it is imperative to go beyond merely easing regulations and pursue a comprehensive paradigm shift across construction culture, perceptions, value systems, project ordering systems, budget and schedule management, and overall production methods. Above all, the industry must restore organic connections across all sectors and move toward a structure where efficiency and responsibility are harmonized. At the very center of this transformation, the core value of 'safety' must be firmly established.

Amid these difficult circumstances, the judging for the 20th Asia Construction Grand Awards focused on discovering individual sites that demonstrated the utmost dedication and sense of duty by construction professionals, despite limited conditions. The evaluation process comprehensively assessed not only essential factors such as safety, quality, and construction management, but also efforts to enhance life value through convenient and creative design, the use of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), and the strengthening of community functions for residents.

All members of the judging panel recognized and deeply empathized with the fact that each company continues to make innovative efforts to break away from conventional practices and traditional production methods, even under challenging economic conditions. I sincerely hope that, through this award, our construction industry will further advance and reach a turning point toward a future-oriented ecosystem.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Asia Construction Grand Awards. Over the past 20 years, this award has gone beyond simply selecting outstanding companies; it has served as a benchmark reflecting the changes and innovations within the construction industry and illuminating its future. I hope that, based on the accumulated evaluation experience and the trust of the industry, this award will continue to set the standard for our industry in terms of technology, quality, safety, responsibility, and the value of innovation. I would also like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the companies and individuals honored today. I hope your efforts will spread to even more sites and make a significant contribution to laying the foundation for sustainable growth in our construction industry.

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