“University safety management should not be limited to compensation after an accident; it must be a comprehensive safety network that includes prevention and rapid response on-site,” said Jeong Hoon, chairman of the School Safety Insurance Association, during the '2026 Second Half University Safety Accident Compensation Workshop' held on September 18 at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. He emphasized the association's commitment to supporting universities in enhancing their self-sustaining safety management capabilities.
The workshop was organized in response to the increasing risks on campuses, including large crowds at festivals, hazards in laboratories, and new drug-related incidents. It aimed to find practical solutions by collaborating with safety practitioners from various universities.
Attendees included safety personnel from over 100 universities that had not participated in the previous workshop, focusing on analyzing accident types on campuses and strengthening on-site response strategies. The association is regularizing workshops by region and time to ensure that no university is left without access to practical networks.
The program featured pressing safety issues and practical case studies relevant to universities. In the first session, Professor Yoo Seong-ho from Seoul National University’s Department of Forensic Medicine delivered a lecture on 'Causes of Drug-Related Accidents and Forensic Judgments.' He highlighted the impact of harmful drugs on the human body and brain, raising awareness of emerging drug threats on university campuses and the need for management.
In the second session, the Student Welfare Department of Jeju National University presented its 'University Festival Safety Manual Operation Case.' They shared insights on potential safety accident types during large campus festivals, step-by-step response systems, and practical manual application techniques, receiving positive feedback from participants.
Additionally, the association's staff analyzed key legal precedents related to liability for university safety accidents and clarified legal and institutional issues that arise during campus accident management. A feedback session followed, gathering practical concerns and suggestions for improving the compensation claim process from university representatives.
The School Safety Insurance Association has expanded the school safety system, which previously focused on elementary and secondary education, to higher education institutions. In September 2021, it led the amendment of the 'Law on Prevention and Compensation for School Safety Accidents,' establishing a legal foundation for university safety. The 'University Safety Accident Compensation' program officially began in October 2022 with the approval of the Minister of Education.
Since its launch, the association has gained trust in the field by offering a broader compensation range, prompt payment of compensation, and tailored safety consulting for universities. As of September 2026, 375 universities have joined, solidifying its position as the leader in school safety and insurance in South Korea.
Recently, the association has expanded its role beyond a simple compensation agency to a professional public institution leading overall safety in higher education through regular workshops, regional practical meetings, and distribution of accident case studies.
Chairman Jeong Hoon stated, “We will promptly reflect the voices from the university field into the system and provide unwavering support to ensure that safety management tasks are carried out more smoothly. We aim to build a comprehensive campus safety network that covers the entire cycle from preventive education to post-accident compensation.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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