Authorities pondering on rescinding construction permit for Posco E&C following on-site fatalities
In a tragic incident on April 16, a Posco E&C worker was killed in a tunnel collapse during construction of the Shinansan line in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi. This incident marks the eighth workplace fatality at Posco E&C in the past three years, sparking condemnation, concern, and fury due to the high number of workplace deaths at the company.
Another worker, a subcontracted excavator operator, suffered serious injuries in the same incident. The Gyeonggi-do Fire Services confirmed the incident took place on April 16.
The victim in the April 16 tunnel collapse was a Posco E&C worker. The accident occurred at a tunnel during the construction of the Shinansan line in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi.
This is not the first workplace accident at Posco E&C, as there have been previous fatal and serious accidents. In response to these tragedies, Posco E&C has made leadership changes and pledged to enhance safety. The company has appointed Song Ki-young, head of the group’s Special Safety Diagnostic task force, as the new president to prioritize safety reforms.
Posco E&C has committed to preventing the recurrence of accidents and enhancing safety management on sites. The CEO of Posco E&C is scheduled to step down due to the string of workplace accidents.
The President of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, has spoken out against Posco E&C over the string of workplace deaths. This incident has put the company under sharp criticism and scrutiny from President Lee and government ministries.
In the wider industry context, major construction firms including Posco E&C are increasing safety budgets and strengthening safety management measures and training on their construction sites. The Korea Federation of Construction Organizations is launching a dedicated team to eradicate serious disasters and achieve safety innovation, reflecting a broader move toward construction safety reform.
Government authorities are sharply critical of Posco E&C’s safety performance and are currently reviewing severe legal penalties against the company, including potential revocation of its building license and bans on public tenders. Multiple ministries (Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Employment and Labor) are collaborating to explore legal grounds for such sanctions following the fatal accidents.
These measures reflect a zero-tolerance policy announced by President Lee for workplace fatalities, emphasizing accountability and systemic safety improvements. To summarize key current actions and improvements by Posco E&C:
- Appointment of a new president with safety expertise leading a special diagnostic task force to overhaul safety practices.
- Commitment to prevent recurrence of accidents and enhance safety management on sites.
- Collaboration with government inspections and legal reviews intended to ensure compliance and facilitate improvements.
- Industry-wide strengthening of safety measures, training, and creation of dedicated disaster prevention teams, with Posco E&C part of this movement.
Nevertheless, the situation remains serious, with government authorities considering unprecedented penalties due to repeated fatal accidents. This indicates ongoing efforts and pressure on Posco E&C to substantially improve workplace safety immediately.
- The high number of workplace deaths at Posco E&C has led to political criticism from President Lee Jae Myung, as well as scrutiny from government ministries.
- In response to the string of workplace accidents, Posco E&C has made leadership changes, pledging to enhance safety in the workplace and prevent future accidents.
- Besides Posco E&C, major construction firms are increasing safety budgets, strengthening safety management measures, and providing extensive safety training on their construction sites.
- Government authorities are reviewing severe legal penalties against Posco E&C, including potential revocation of its building license and bans on public tenders, reflecting a zero-tolerance policy for workplace fatalities and emphasizing accountability and systemic safety improvements.
