South Korea to Inspect 3,000 Construction Sites for Rainy Season Safety

South Korea is intensifying safety measures at construction sites in preparation for the upcoming rainy season, with forecasts indicating higher-than-average rainfall for June and July. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that safety inspections will be conducted at roughly 3,000 construction sites across the country from early June until the end of July.

A total of 900 personnel from 12 different organizations, including ministry officials, regional construction offices, public institutions, and private experts, will participate in the inspections. The focus will be on sites that require stringent safety management during the monsoon season. Social overhead capital (SOC) projects will constitute the largest portion, accounting for 51% of the inspected sites, followed by apartment complexes (26%) and other buildings (23%).

The inspections will specifically address risks associated with the rainy season, such as slope erosion and ground weakening due to rainwater infiltration, as well as potential hazards from strong winds. Key areas of scrutiny include the adequacy of safety management and flood control plans, the maintenance of drainage systems, the condition of retaining walls and embankments, and precautions taken during rainfall, such as avoiding concrete pouring. Measures to prevent the toppling of tower cranes due to strong winds will also be examined.

To enhance the effectiveness of the inspections, external private experts will collaborate on examining high-risk construction activities, including temporary support structures, excavation, and drainage work. Special inspections will also be conducted at construction sites where fatalities occurred in the first quarter, as well as at sites involving excavations exceeding 10 meters in urban areas and projects commissioned by public institutions. The government has stated that any detected violations, such as poor construction or inadequate safety and quality management, will be met with strict enforcement, including penalties, fines, and referrals for investigation.

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The government will strictly enforce relevant laws without exception, imposing penalties, fines, and referrals for investigation for violations such as poor construction and inadequate safety and quality management.