In the first half of 2026, the number of workers who died in industrial accidents reached a record low since statistics began being compiled, largely due to a decrease in fatalities in the construction sector and small businesses. However, manufacturing saw a nearly 40% increase in deaths due to a series of major fires and explosions.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced preliminary results on July 15 from its report on workplace accidents for the first half of 2026.
There were 253 fatalities from accidents under investigation, a decrease of 34 (11.8%) from the same period last year, which recorded 287 deaths. The number of fatal incidents also dropped from 278 to 232, a reduction of 46 (16.5%). This marks the lowest cumulative number of workplace fatalities since 2022. The 34 fewer deaths in the first half is the largest decrease recorded for that period.
The decline in fatalities is attributed to significant reductions in the construction and other sectors. In construction, fatalities fell by 33 to 105, a decrease of 23.9% compared to the previous year. Other sectors also saw a drop, with deaths down by 26 (31.7%) to 56.
Notably, fatalities at construction sites with contracts worth over 5 billion won decreased from 54 to 31, a drop of 42.6%. In small construction sites with contracts under 500 million won, deaths fell by 11 (19.0%) to 47.
Some analysts suggest that the reduction in construction fatalities may be linked to a downturn in the construction industry. However, the Ministry of Labor noted that the number of construction sites in the first half was approximately 1.03 million, a 13.4% increase from the previous year, making it difficult to attribute the decline solely to an industry slowdown.
A ministry official stated, "The relationship between a downturn in the construction industry and a reduction in accidents is not straightforward. The changes in labor relations on-site, consistent government messaging, and local preventive measures and oversight have all contributed to this outcome."
In contrast, fatalities in the manufacturing sector increased by 25 (37.3%) to 92 compared to the same period last year. In manufacturing firms with fewer than 50 employees, deaths decreased from 39 to 35, while those with 50 or more employees saw a dramatic rise from 28 to 57, a 103.6% increase. This surge is interpreted as a consequence of major incidents, including a fire at a safety industrial facility in Daejeon in March and an explosion at Hanwha Aerospace's Daejeon plant in June.
By type of accident, fatalities from falls decreased by 45 (34.9%) to 84. Deaths from being struck by objects fell to 25, a decrease of 35.9%, and fatalities from being caught in or between objects dropped to 22, an 18.5% reduction. The proportion of fall-related deaths among all fatalities decreased from 44.9% to 33.2%.
However, the number of fatalities from fire and explosion incidents doubled, rising from 16 to 32. During the same period, the number of fire and explosion incidents increased from 11 to 13, indicating that each incident resulted in more severe injuries.
Fatalities from being crushed or overturned also rose from 18 to 34, an increase of 88.9%. This was attributed to a combination of accidents involving falling objects during loading and unloading operations, as well as incidents involving forklifts and aerial work platforms.
A ministry official remarked, "There have been cases where operators not wearing seatbelts fell from overturned forklifts and were subsequently crushed. The increase in fatalities is due to multiple risk factors present in both manufacturing and other sectors, rather than a single cause."
In response to the confirmed reduction in workplace accidents, the government is intensifying efforts to maintain this trend in the second half of the year. The Ministry plans to deploy 1,000 safety monitors to focus on fall risk factors and will link technical support and oversight for workplaces that have not improved.
Additionally, inspections and activities to prevent heat-related illnesses will be prioritized in preparation for the summer heat. Joint inspections and oversight will also be conducted at 42 facilities that have experienced repeated fires and those handling military explosives approved by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
For companies that repeatedly experience similar serious accidents, even if they have fewer than three fatalities annually, special oversight equivalent to that of major supervision will be implemented at both headquarters and worksites. A ministry official stated, "Hanwha Aerospace is currently under supervision, and oversight at the safety industrial facility will commence once the cause of the fire is determined. In the second half, the manufacturing sector will also be a key area of focus for labor relations and oversight agencies."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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