Safety, Republic of Korea Lessons in danger CHAPTER 3

Abstract: In the last five years, Korea has reported an increasing number of accidents in schools. This paper presents national statistics on school accidents and compensation paid to those involved, and describes the most recent school safety-related incidents in Korea. It also summarises the policy developments in Korea in 1996, when new student safety administration laws were enacted, and in 2002 in response to the fire in Chun An primary school. A summary of safety education for students, staff and parents in Korea is also presented. Accidents in schools in Korea: Some statistics According to national statistics published by the School Safety Mutual-Aid Association (SSMA), in 2001, 18 941 school accidents were reported to local education administration offices in 16 cities in the Republic of Korea. Since 2001, accidents in schools hav