Lee to head new national safety body, bolstering public protection efforts

President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a meeting with representatives of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Joint Press Corps

In a move to underscore its commitment to public safety, the Korean government is establishing a new presidential body led by President Lee Jae Myung to oversee national life and safety policies.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said Sunday it will issue legislative notice on the creation of a national life and safety committee, ahead of the country’s National Safety Day on Thursday. The day is a legally designated national commemoration established in the aftermath of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, which claimed more than 300 lives, to reaffirm the importance of safety and raise public awareness.

The new committee will serve as the government’s top decision-making body on safety policy across ministries. It will coordinate and oversee measures in five key areas: industrial accidents, suicide prevention, natural disasters, traffic accidents and child safety incidents. The body will also monitor and align the implementation of related initiatives across government agencies.

Chaired by the president, the committee will include the interior minister and a civilian appointee as vice chairs, reflecting an effort to strengthen public-private cooperation.

Its membership will consist of up to 40 people, including the heads of 18 relevant ministries and experts from the private sector. Supporting bodies and advisory groups will also be established to enhance policy expertise and execution.

Following the public notice period, the government plans to complete legal reviews and obtain cabinet approval before officially launching the committee in May.