The obsession with "death workplace"
In 2019, a serious accident occurred at the Hyundai Steel factory. Recounting the incident, Kim Yong Ho, 39, said that while maintaining a 200kg industrial press, the machine suddenly worked and crushed his leg and back.
Mr. Kim's story is not uncommon and it evokes the obsession of the new President of South Korea, Mr. Lee Jae Myung. As a child worker, Mr. Lee had his fingers and arms crushed by a machine. Haunted by the injury, he has pledged to reduce the country's unusually high industrial accident rates, which he calls "death-prone workplaces".
Tightening campaign and action
In the 2026 budget, the Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor has increased spending and announced that it will fine companies up to 5% of operating profits if they record 3 or more deaths in 1 year. The president also established a special team to investigate the accidents.
According to data from the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Korean accident death rate (3.9 cases/100,000 workers) is much higher than the average of 2.6 in the OECD (Economic Cooperation and Development Organization). The deaths have continued to occur recently at the Ulsan Power Plant (7 dead) and the SPC bakery.
The harsh reality
However, critics called the policy a "people'salism", saying Lee was " punishing" companies. They pointed out that 86% of employers accused of violating safety laws are granted suspended sentences, causing companies to "fy" only comply.
In response, the Korean Minister of Labor affirmed that the core issue is the awareness of "safe sacrifice for development" and loopholes from subcontractors.
However, the reality is still harsh. Kim Yong Ho, a Hyundai Steel worker who was hospitalized for a month and given two years of leave for psychological treatment after the accident, said he still has to return to his old job to make a living, even though he has not seen any improvement in safety. "Nothing has changed since I returned," said Mr. Kim.
