[2025 Audit] Only 2% of Artists Enrolled in Industrial Accident Insurance... Compensation for Performance Venue Accidents in a Blind Spot

10 Million Won in Medical Expenses Paid by Sejong Performing Arts Center Accident Victim
"Dedicated Safety Manager Needed"

Jin Jongo, member of the People Power Party

The industrial accident insurance enrollment rate among artists is only 2%, making compensation virtually impossible in the event of an accident at performance venues. Although the government has spent 23 billion won to research safety standards, there are criticisms that these standards are not being applied in the field.

On October 29, Jin Jong-oh, member of the People Power Party, stated during the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit, "Most artists are not covered by industrial accident insurance, so they cannot receive compensation if an accident occurs," and emphasized, "There is an urgent need to establish institutional protection measures."

In reality, a dancer who fell at Sejong Performing Arts Center had no insurance and had to pay the full 10 million won in medical expenses. An opera singer who was struck by a 400 kg stage prop suffered a spinal cord injury and was unable to cover medical expenses amounting to hundreds of millions of won, ultimately resulting in death.

The Korea Testing Laboratory for Industrial Technology spent about 23 billion won over the past five years researching safety standards for performance venues, specifying a fire curtain installation standard with an international-level pressure resistance of 450 Pa. However, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism did not reflect this standard in the actual regulations. There are also no dedicated safety managers at performance venues.

Jin Jong-oh said, "Despite spending 23 billion won to establish standards, they are not being applied in the field," and added, "If there is a shortage of management personnel, this must be addressed immediately."

Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, responded, "We will conduct a comprehensive inspection of safety conditions at performance venues and include the fire curtain pressure resistance standard in installation regulations," and added, "Even before institutional revisions, we will consider support measures."

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