Minister Kim Yun-duk of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport checked the safety management of overseas construction workers with the heads of 14 major construction companies on the 19th in connection with the recent situation in the Middle East and discussed response directions in case the situation is prolonged.
At a construction safety meeting held that morning at the National Land Development Exhibition Hall in Jung District, Seoul, the Minister reviewed on-site safety conditions and communication systems of corporations operating in the Middle East and asked them to put workers' safety first and to thoroughly manage each company's communication channels and working conditions.
The Minister said, "We will spare no necessary responses so that the construction industry's concerns arising from the recent instability in the Middle East do not become reality," and added, "We will maintain close communication with the industry to minimize direct and indirect ripple effects on the sector."
The Minister added, "If the situation in the Middle East is prolonged, joint responses will be needed not only for future overseas construction order strategies but also for concerns about the impact on the domestic construction market due to rising oil prices, so the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) will listen extensively and seek practical measures."
According to the Overseas Construction Association, as of the 18th there were no damage reports from corporations operating in the Middle East—including Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain and Jordan. Depending on local conditions, they are confirmed to be taking safety measures such as normal work or remote work and evacuations to safe zones.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) plans to maintain a joint emergency task force of the private sector and the government and continue daily situation and safety checks, while closely cooperating with relevant agencies to ensure the safety of Korean workers.