This study aims to undertake a comprehensive and historical examination of the structural context and various facets of occupational health problems in Korean society. With the Serious Accidents Punishment Act that came into effect in January 2022, public interest and debates surrounding occupational health have risen, yet the scope of discussion remains limited. Traditionally, occupational health issues have been treated within the framework of engineering, medical, and more recently legal fields, however, this study seeks to shed light on the issue from a social science perspective. It is believed that a proper understanding of the nature of occupational health problems must be accompanied by an understanding of the historical context in which these problems have evolved and changed over time. Additionally, this study stresses the need to analyze the political processes through which occupational health issues are addressed by civil society and parliament. This research emphasizes the importance of expanding the perspective on occupational health, beyond traditional frameworks such as engineering, law, and medicine to include political and sociological perspectives.
What we aim to propose as a comprehensive framework for understanding this issue is the concept of an occupational health regime. This regime refers to the order of phenomena created by the interplay between the legal system, cultural norms, and knowledge that shape the way occupational health issues are addressed by relevant actors. It is a broader concept than any specific form of government. In Korea, the occupational health system has its unique characteristics, as the phenomenon of occupational health, its interpretation, and the practices that result from it are closely interconnected. The phenomenon refers to the current reality and situation of labor safety in Korean society. This phenomenon is always subject to interpretation from a specific point of view. Practice encompasses a wide range of activities, including those of government and parliament, as well as those of various groups in civil society. These practices manifest in laws and policies, as well as in the actions of administrative organizations.
How phenomenon, interpretation, and practice mesh together determines how much the workplace is exposed to the risk of accidents and diseases. Physical and institutional arrangements are put in place to minimize such risks. It determines how much support workers can receive for treatment and rehabilitation when they are injured. From this point of view, we pose questions that this study aims to answer. What are the characteristics of Korea’s occupational health regime, and through what process were these characteristics created?
To answer these questions, we sought authors who would reveal the main aspects of the occupational health system. Based on their presentations and discussions at the seminar, a manuscript was requested, and all research participants gathered and held a discussion on the draft. In the meeting, we discussed what to leave out, what to add, and what to revise in the context of the overall report.
The report is largely comprised of 6 parts and 18 chapters. Part 1 examines the current status of occupational health problems in Korea (Chapters 1-3). Part 2 examines the context and process in which occupational health issues are raised as the social agenda (Chapters 4-6). Part 3 examines the organizational activities of the labor and business worlds, which are parties to occupational health issues and major actors in the political process related to occupational health (Chapters 7-9). Part 4 deals with laws and administration related to occupational health (Chapters 10-12). Part 5 reviews in detail the process of enacting the Severe Disaster Punishment Act and its main contents (Chapters 13-14). Part 6 explores perspectives and methodologies for improving occupational health problems (Chapters 15-18).
Our approach considers occupational health issue as a system in relation to its historical and social context, including key actors and decision-making processes, as well as laws and regulations. Our analysis also examines recent developments and changes in this field. Through this holistic approach, we aim to highlight the interplay between various factors that shape our understanding and approach to occupational health and its impact on workers and society as a whole.
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