366 deaths recorded through third quarter... 'worker-turned-minister effect' cited

President calls lives saved work of hundreds... labor inspectors commended

President Lee Jae Myung smiles during a Cabinet meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday. [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae Myung smiles during a Cabinet meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday. [Yonhap]

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday praised the Ministry of Employment and Labor for a sustained decline in workplace fatalities, calling the results "a remarkable achievement" and "truly groundbreaking."

Employment and Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon reported at a Cabinet meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae that the cumulative number of accident-related deaths through the third quarter stood at 366, a 19.9 percent drop from the same period last year.

Lee credited Kim's background for the results. "I think this may be the effect of having a worker serve as labor minister," Lee said. "This is truly a groundbreaking achievement."

Lee also drew a comparison to the work of firefighters, recalling remarks he made during his time as Gyeonggi Province governor. "I used to say that giving someone their life is originally the work of God, and that firefighters play the role of a small god," he said. "The labor minister and labor inspectors have, in fact, given life to people — not just one or two, but hundreds."

He added that the annual toll from workplace accidents and suicides was comparable to war casualties. "This is truly significant work," Lee said, calling on those present to applaud not only the minister but also labor inspectors working in the field. "Let's send a round of applause to the labor inspectors out there doing the hard work, as well as our labor minister."


sunpine@heraldcorp.com