President Lee Jae-myung directed the ministries on the 12th to consider measures such as permanently revoking the bidding qualifications of corporations where industrial accidents occurred, financial sanctions, and the introduction of a penalty surcharge system. He emphasized that 'the responsibility of the primary contractor must be included.' It appears he called for stronger punitive measures after receiving a report on the government's response to industrial accidents.
Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong conveyed the results of the Cabinet meeting through a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office that afternoon.
During a closed Cabinet meeting, President Lee received reports on the 'measures to reduce serious accidents' prepared by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the 'response measures for serious accidents in construction' prepared by the Ministry of Land.
According to Spokesperson Kang, after receiving the report from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, President Lee said, 'There has not been a single case of large construction companies being punished under the Serious Accident Punishment Act' and directed the ministry to 'consider the introduction of a penalty surcharge system so that corporations can secure safety costs.' He also added that 'the responsibility of the primary contractor must be included.'
After receiving the report from the Ministry of Land, he said, 'To fundamentally prevent repeated industrial accidents, really strong sanctions are necessary' and ordered to 'consider plans to permanently revoke bidding qualifications, impose financial sanctions, and provide extraordinary rewards for reporting business sites with inadequate safety management.'
President Lee also instructed the creation of a dedicated organization such as a permanent special committee for ongoing monitoring, management, and research, and emphasized to Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon to 'be prepared to stake your position.'
During his summer vacation last week, President Lee had ordered the review of high-intensity measures that are legally possible, such as 'cancellation of construction licenses' and 'prohibition of public bidding,' regarding measures to prevent the recurrence of industrial accidents. It seems he emphasized the need for stronger punitive measures after the government reported on measures such as cancellation of construction licenses and bidding restrictions that day.
In his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting on that day, President Lee also stated, 'If necessary safety measures are not taken in the industrial field and work proceeds, it must be severely sanctioned.'
Meanwhile, President Lee received reports on measures to eradicate technology theft from small and medium-sized enterprises that day and ordered responses, stating, 'We must impose severe penalties for technology theft to the extent that they won't even think about stealing technology.' He also urged the establishment of a wildfire early suppression system using helicopters from the Ministry of National Defense.