Industry ministry honors gas safety leaders as accidents hit record low

The industry ministry held the 33rd Korea Gas Safety Awards in Seoul on Tuesday, presenting 38 government commendations to individuals and organizations dedicated to improving safety standards across the sector.

Yang Ki-wook, head of the Industry Resources Security Office, attributed the drop in accidents to field workers. "The 65 gas accidents recorded last year marked the lowest level in history, thanks to the dedication and hard work of gas industry personnel who silently adhered to safety rules at their sites," he said.

Looking ahead, Yang pledged continued regulatory reform to support industrial growth. "The government will communicate closely with relevant agencies and the industry to build a seamless gas safety management system where regulations, technology, and the field are organically connected," he said. "We will continue to pursue rational regulatory innovations that ensure safety while supporting industrial development."

The top honor, the Euntap Industry Medal, went to Ahn Young-hoon, chief executive of Dongbuk-A LNG Hub Terminal, for leading the construction of South Korea's first liquefied natural gas terminal and securing core technologies for large-capacity storage tanks.

Two executives received the Industry Medal for specific technical contributions: Chun Seong-heun of Hanbi Cryo for helping localize ultra-low temperature container technology, and Lee Sang-geun of Kolon Industries for achieving 33 years of accident-free operations in the high-pressure gas sector.

The ceremony distributed 13 government decorations ranging from presidential citations to the Euntap medal, alongside 25 commendations issued directly by the minister. Approximately 400 people attended the event at the Korea Science Technology House, including representatives from the Korea Gas Safety Corp and the City Gas Association.