The history of occupational health in South Korea

Abstract

South Korea has experienced rapid economic development over a 60-year period, since the 1960s, rising up from the ruins of the 1950–1953 Korean War. During this short period, South Korea experienced a wide range of occupational safety and health (OSH) problems, similar to that experienced in most developed countries about 100–200 years previously. In response, the South Korean government established a national OSH services system that is on par with most developed countries. In recent years, South Korea now faces a new collection of OSH challenges, such as mental health issues, microenterprise issues, precarious workers, and the promotion of work ability in a rapidly changing socioeconomic structure. This study evaluates the establishment of South Korea’s OSH services system, including the socio-politico-economic contexts that have had a profound influence on the system during each historical period.

Keywords:

• Industrial accidents
• labor union
• occupational diseases
• occupational health service