President Lee: "Will Mobilize All Means to Prevent Livelihoods from Becoming Sites of Death"

Workers’ Memorial Day Message: “Eradicating Industrial Accidents Is a Key Policy Task”
“Despite 17.5% Decrease in First-Quarter Fatalities, Much Work Remains... Laws and Regulations to Be Thoroughly Overhauled”

On April 28, President Lee Jae-myung stated, "I will mobilize every possible means to ensure that no longer will our places of livelihood become scenes of death."

President Lee Jae-myung is listening to the report on the statistical data of deaths subject to disaster investigation by the Ministry of Labor at the Cabinet meeting and emergency economic inspection meeting held at the Blue House on April 14, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee made this remark in a message posted on Facebook to mark the Day of Industrial Accident Workers, saying, "I deeply mourn all workers who never returned from their workplaces."

President Lee also expressed, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," and added, "I wish a speedy recovery to all those who are undergoing treatment and rehabilitation." He continued, "Eradicating industrial accidents is a major policy priority for the government of the people’s sovereignty," emphasizing that "'Sustainable growth based on safety' is an inviolable and central principle of governance."

President Lee mentioned that the number of deaths from industrial accidents in the first quarter of this year decreased by 17.5% compared to the previous year, evaluating that "changes are being felt on the ground as a result of multifaceted efforts by the government together with cooperation between labor and management." However, he also stated, "In the face of the unbearable weight of precious lives we could not protect, and the heart-wrenching cries of those who have lost their families and neighbors, we still have a long way to go."

According to the provisional results of the "Supplementary Statistics on Industrial Accident Status for the First Quarter of 2026," announced by the Ministry of Employment and Labor on April 14, the number of deaths from accidents subject to disaster investigation in the first quarter of this year was 113, a decrease of 24 from 137 in the same period last year. The number of accident cases also fell by 31 to 98, compared to the same period last year. This is the lowest number of fatalities from industrial accidents in the first quarter since statistics began being compiled in 2022.

President Lee also announced plans to improve the system to prevent the recurrence of industrial accidents. He stated, "We will thoroughly revise laws and systems to ensure that 'familiar tragedies with only the victims changed' do not repeat due to neglected dangers and minor loopholes," adding, "If necessary, we will also establish new standards and systems."

In particular, President Lee pointed out, "Given the disgrace of having the highest rate of industrial accident fatalities among OECD countries, we cannot take pride in our achievement as the world’s 10th largest economy." He added, "Growth achieved in safe workplaces is the very foundation of sustainable development that guarantees the happiness of our people," and pledged, "I will fulfill my responsibility to the end so that the Day of Industrial Accident Workers can become a day not only of mourning and remembrance, but also of reaffirming our commitment to safety and discussing recovery."

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