Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun-duk reviewed safety management conditions for overseas construction site workers amid the recent Middle East situation and discussed response measures for a prolonged conflict.
On the 19th, Minister Kim attended a construction safety meeting held at the National Land Development Exhibition Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul. Together with representatives from 14 major construction companies, he reviewed on-site safety conditions and communication systems for overseas construction workers, urging each company to maintain thorough management.
"We will spare no effort in our response to ensure that the construction industry's concerns over the recent unstable Middle East situation do not become reality," Minister Kim said. "We will maintain close communication with the industry to minimize both direct and indirect impacts."
He emphasized that if the chaos in the Middle East caused by the war continues, the Ministry will listen carefully to industry voices and seek effective solutions. "If the Middle East situation becomes prolonged, the Ministry will coordinate joint responses not only on future overseas construction contract strategies but also on concerns about the domestic construction market impact from rising oil prices," Minister Kim added.
According to the International Contractors Association of Korea, as of the previous day, no damage reports have been received from companies operating in Middle Eastern countries including Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, and Jordan. Companies have been confirmed to be taking safety measures such as normal work operations, remote work, or evacuation to safe zones depending on local conditions.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is maintaining a joint private-government emergency task force and will continue daily situation and safety monitoring while working closely with relevant agencies to ensure the safety of Korean workers.