Sejong: The government is set to introduce a special law aimed at bolstering safety in the construction industry and imposing stricter penalties for fatal accidents, as announced by Land Minister Kim Yun-duk. This development comes in response to an increasing number of incidents at construction sites.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Minister Kim presented this legislative plan during a policy briefing to President Lee Jae Myung in Sejong. He highlighted the alarming statistic that construction-related fatalities make up approximately 40 percent of all industrial deaths in the country. The proposed law will clearly delineate safety responsibilities at construction sites and empower authorities to enforce stronger sanctions in cases of fatal accidents resulting from inadequate oversight.

Since assuming office in June, President Lee has consistently emphasized the necessity for enhanced measures to prevent industrial accidents, especially following a series of mishaps at major construction company-managed sites. The urgency of these measures was underscored by a recent accident on Thursday, where a steel structure collapse at a library construction site in Gwangju resulted in the deaths of two workers, with two others still missing.

Beyond the construction industry, Minister Kim indicated that safety initiatives would extend to transportation infrastructure. The government plans to enhance aviation safety by upgrading airport facilities and increasing the number of air traffic controllers.

Additionally, on the housing front, Minister Kim reaffirmed the government's commitment to delivering 1.1 million public housing units, a cornerstone of the current administration's policy agenda. He announced that related measures would be unveiled in the first half of 2026.