The Fair Trade Commission has recently launched an on-site investigation to verify whether POSCO E&C violated the Subcontracting Transactions Fairness Act after a series of industrial accident fatalities occurred.
Following President Lee Jae-myung's directive to explore all possible sanctions, including cancelling construction licenses and restricting public bidding, the Fair Trade Commission initiated a direct investigation.
On the 7th, the Fair Trade Commission sent researchers to the headquarters of POSCO E&C in Songdo, Incheon, to secure relevant materials. This investigation reportedly focuses on whether unfair contract terms were imposed on subcontractors in connection with industrial accidents and whether there were any unjust clauses.
Earlier, on the 29th of last month, during a cabinet meeting, President Lee criticized the fatal accidents occurring at POSCO E&C construction sites, saying it was "murder by negligent intent" and ordered thorough enforcement measures to be established.
In response, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport began a comprehensive investigation of the construction sites in which POSCO E&C is working starting on the 7th. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Employment and Labor plan to conduct joint inspections of construction sites with a history of serious industrial accidents, including POSCO E&C, and sites with wage arrears and construction payment disputes starting on the 11th.
At the POSCO E&C site, three people died in falls and collapses in January and April this year, and on the 28th of last month, a worker in his 60s died after being caught in a drilling machine. On the 4th of this month, a worker of Myanmar nationality lost consciousness in an accident suspected to be due to electrocution, continuing a series of serious incidents.