Interior ministry seeks public input on life safety decree

The interior ministry said Wednesday it will collect public opinions on a draft enforcement decree for the Basic Act on Life Safety until Nov. 2. The legislative notice, running from Sept. 23, aims to specify the system for guaranteeing the right to safety by defining the scope of accidents and victims alongside independent investigation committees.

The draft defines safety accidents to include disasters causing death or disappearance, as well as industrial accidents, traffic collisions and child safety incidents that cause significant harm. Victims range from those who die or go missing to individuals suffering physical or mental damage, including spouses, direct ancestors, descendants and siblings, excluding those causing harm through intent or gross negligence.

Provisions recognize witnesses suffering mental trauma at accident scenes and responders injured physically, mentally or economically during rescue operations as victims. The ministry also outlined the composition of the National Life Safety Committee, a presidential body where government and private sectors jointly deliberate on major national safety policies.

To support the five-year national life safety comprehensive plan, the decree mandates budget reflections by central ministries and requires local governments to enact relevant ordinances. It details targets, items and timing for safety impact analyses conducted before enacting laws or implementing projects, with exceptions to prevent duplication with existing disaster impact assessments.

The draft specifies investigation targets and operational methods for the National Disaster Accident Investigation Committee, an independent body activated during major disasters. Procedures allowing victims to request safety-related information from the state and enterprises are included, with exceptions for unavoidable national security concerns.

The full text is available on the ministry's website and the electronic official gazette, where anyone may submit comments via mail or email. Kim Kwang-yong, head of the Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters, said the ministry would prepare to ensure the act takes effect on Dec. 3 without delay following sufficient public consultation.