The Ministry of Employment and Labor has designated 2026 as the “Year of Bridging the Risk Gap,” collaborating with central and local governments to strengthen the industrial accident prevention system even for small-scale workplaces.
On the morning of the 9th, Minister Kim Young-hoon of the Ministry of Employment and Labor inspected a metal product manufacturing plant with Jeong Myung-geun, Mayor of Hwaseong Special City, and Hwaseong City Industrial Safety Keepers to discuss prevention and response measures for industrial accidents in small-scale workplaces.
Since the 2024 Aricell factory fire incident, Hwaseong City has independently operated the “Industrial Safety Keeper Program” from last year. Industrial safety keepers are selected as experts who hold relevant qualifications or have more than three years of field experience. They inspect fire hazards, handling of hazardous materials, and safety equipment protection measures for manufacturing companies with fewer than 50 employees and guide improvements on deficiencies.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to expand the Hwaseong City case nationwide by establishing and supporting the “Local Serious Accident Prevention Blind Spot Elimination Project” starting in 2026. A total budget of 14.3 billion won will be injected into this project, which will be pilot operated for two years (2026-2027) with 100% national funding targeting about 10 regions.
The core of the project is to establish an organic cooperation system between the central and local governments. The Ministry of Employment and Labor supports local governments to implement safety measures tailored to each region’s industrial structure and risk characteristics while constructing a cooperation network with associations and related organizations in fields such as roofing, solar power, tree felling, and asphyxiation. Through this, 1,000 “Safe Workplace Keepers” will simultaneously engage in activities such as guiding safety rules, supporting the replacement of hazardous equipment, and improving work environments.
Minister Kim Young-hoon stated, “2026 should be the inaugural year for creating a safe working environment for everyone,” emphasizing the importance of local governments’ roles in reducing the risk gap for small-scale workplaces and securing pathways for industrial accident prevention. He added, “We will expand Hwaseong City’s industrial safety keeper model nationwide, cooperating with central and local governments to create safe workplaces together.”
Jeong Myung-geun, Mayor of Hwaseong Special City, said, “Hwaseong is the largest manufacturing city in the nation, and securing industrial safety for small-scale workplaces is the region’s greatest challenge.” He emphasized strengthening the pre-inspection system focusing on industrial safety keepers and creating tangible changes that can be felt on the ground through cooperation with the central government.
