Ministers of Land and Labor Conduct Joint Inspection on Illegal Subcontracting in Construction Sites Wearing Safety Helmets

President Lee Jaemyung has ordered a strict crackdown on illegal subcontracting in the construction industry, and on the 18th, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoonduk visited a construction site to inspect for illegal subcontracting practices.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Minister Kim, together with Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon, visited the youth housing construction site in Yongsan-gu, Seoul (contracted by Hyosung Heavy Industries) on the morning of the 18th to directly examine the presence of illegal subcontracting and the status of safety management.

Since August 11, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, in cooperation with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, local governments, and public institutions, has been conducting joint inspections targeting illegal subcontracting at construction sites. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is responsible for checking illegal subcontracting, while the Ministry of Employment and Labor focuses on safety and wage issues. This inspection will be conducted at 1,000 sites nationwide over a 50-day period, ending on the 30th.

Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (second from left), and Kim Younghoon, Minister of Employment and Labor (center), visited the youth housing construction site in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 18th to inspect for illegal subcontracting and safety management status. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport · Ministry of Employment and Labor

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The two ministers checked whether direct construction was being carried out for each type of work, reviewed the status of subcontracting, and examined the recruitment channels for workers. They also inspected compliance with safety measures for hazardous processes and whether wages were paid in full and directly to workers.

This inspection uncovered basic safety violations, such as the absence of stair railings and inadequate covers for material hoists. Minister Kim Younghoon immediately ordered on-site corrections and instructed the head of the local labor office to carry out administrative and legal measures and verify that corrections were made.

Minister Kim Yoonduk stated, "For Korea to become an advanced nation, we must pass through the gateway of safety," and emphasized, "The role and responsibility of primary contractors are most important in this regard, so I urge primary contractors to responsibly manage subcontracting structures and create a culture that prioritizes safety above all else."

He continued, "I am well aware that both the government and the industry must work together to ensure that safety systems are properly established at sites," adding, "The government will take the initiative to improve illegal subcontracting practices on-site, and we will provide full support to the construction industry, even under challenging business conditions."

He further stated, "The construction industry must also decisively break away from the wrongful practice of illegal subcontracting and continue efforts for self-reform."

Minister Kim added, "In accordance with the President's directive, we have, for the first time since last month, been conducting on-site inspections together with the Ministry of Employment and Labor," and said, "With this inspection as a turning point, we will further strengthen inter-ministerial cooperation to fundamentally resolve the issue of illegal subcontracting that threatens construction site safety."

Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (left), and Kim Younghoon, Minister of Labor, are inspecting safety hooks to prevent falls at the youth housing construction site in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 18th. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport · Ministry of Labor

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Minister Kim Younghoon pointed out, "Illegal subcontracting leads to excessive cost-cutting at each stage to preserve profits, resulting in wage arrears and industrial accidents. It is a practice at construction sites that must be eradicated."

He added, "The Ministry of Employment and Labor will mobilize all administrative resources to ensure that workers can receive fair compensation for their labor in a safe workplace," and urged, "At construction sites, both labor and management of primary and subcontractors should work together with a unified mindset to create good jobs and enable the sustainable development of the construction industry."

The Ministry of Employment and Labor is focusing its administrative resources on resolving wage arrears at construction sites ahead of the Chuseok holiday. By operating a 'concentrated wage arrears settlement guidance period,' the ministry aims to shorten correction deadlines and quickly provide substitute payments to support the protection of affected workers' rights.

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