Signal Safety policy remained reactive and fragmented after major disasters, and small-workplace fatality rates have not fallen

Summary

Korea strengthened its safety management system after major disasters such as the Sewol ferry sinking, the MERS outbreak and the Itaewon crowd crush. The report finds, however, that prevention systems did not work properly and policy leaned toward cleanup and recovery after accidents. In industrial safety, subcontracting was restricted to stop outsourcing of risk and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act was extended to workplaces with fewer than 50 employees. Even so, the fatality rate from industrial accidents at small and micro workplaces has not declined. Safety policies for new risks, digital crime and groups such as youth, women and older people have also been fragmented across ministries, leaving integrated protection weak.