The number of deaths from industrial accidents in the first half of this year was tallied on the 15th as the lowest since related statistics began in 2022.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) on the day announced "additional statistics on the status of industrial accidents in the first half of 2026." According to the ministry, 253 people died in accidents at industrial sites. The figure was highest when statistics began, with 320 people in 2022 (first-half basis). It then stayed at a similar level without major changes—289 in 2023, 296 in 2024, and 287 in 2025—before falling sharply this year. On the reason for the decline in deaths, the ministry said the impact came from designating high-risk business sites and expanding inspections and oversight targeting them.
By industry, construction saw the largest decline in deaths compared with the first half of last year (138→105). Other industries also fell (82→56), while manufacturing increased (67→92). By cause of death, falls (129→84), struck by objects (39→25), entanglement (27→22), and suffocation or poisoning (6→4), as well as collisions (28→27), decreased, while crushing or overturning (18→34) and fires or explosions (16→32) increased. The sharp rise in deaths from fires or explosions was due to the March fire at Safety Industry, an auto parts company in Daejeon (14 deaths), and the June explosion at Hanwha Aerospace (5 deaths).
A Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) official said, "In the second half, we will further reduce fatal industrial accidents," and noted, "We will focus on ensuring that corporations where accidents occurred prepare measures to prevent recurrence and implement them thoroughly."