Deputy Minister Joo Young-joon of the Energy Resources Office at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy gives a speech at the 23rd Korea Electrical Safety Grand Awards ceremony at Korea Electrical Safety Corp. (KESCO) headquarters in Jeonju on Dec. 2.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) hosted the 23rd Korea Electrical Safety Grand Awards ceremony at Korea Electrical Safety Corp. (KESCO) headquarters in Jeonju on Dec. 2.

The Korea Electrical Safety Grand Awards ceremony made its debut in the name of “Korea Electric Safety Promotion Rally” in 1995. The awards ceremony marked its 23rd rendition this year.

The Korea Electrical Safety Grand Awards ceremony is an annual event designed to reward those who have contributed to preventing electrical disasters and ensuring electricity safety.

It also looks to help those in the electrical safety industry pledge to spread awareness of safety and put it into action.

Among about 90 people on hand at the event were MOTIE Deputy Minister Joo Young-joon of the Energy Resources Office, LX President Kim Jung-ryul, KESCO President Cho Sung-wan, and President Lim Hae-jong of Korea Gas Safety Corp.

During the event, 53 orders and other government prizes were presented to individuals and organizations in recognition of their contributions to ensuring electricity safety.

The coveted Order of Industrial Service Merit, Silver Tower was presented to Chairman Lee Soon-hyung of GS&G. Chungpa EMP President Kim Jin-sun and Yurim President Yoon Bo-sun were honored with the Industrial Service Medal.

GS&G Chairman Lee was praised for his contribution to the nurturing the eco-friendly future energy and to R&D related to technologies to stabilize ESS equipment.

Chungpa EMP President Kim and Yurim President Yoon have been credited with their contributions to the advancing of safety management technologies through upgrading Korean measuring instruments in Korea as well as safely installing electrical equipment and developing industrial skilled manpower, respectively.

In his commemorative speech, MOTIE Deputy Minister Joo said, “This year those in the electricity safety industry have made efforts to do significant things to elevate public safety and electrical safety management levels one step upward.

He stressed the establishment of an institutional foundation to ensure the systematic management of electricity safety by enacting the Act on Electrical Safety Management.

As natural disasters caused by climate change are on the rise, Joo said the world is shifting to a carbon neutral economy at a fast pace.

Energy paradigm shift policies, such as the expanding power generation to new and renewal energies and the advancing of the hydrogen economy, are “demands of the times,” designed to proactively cope with the future in advance to others, he added.

In his speech, KESCO President Cho said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has completely transformed our community’s order, and it asks yourself if the conventional systems and task performances are still working.”

He called for redoubling efforts to build a smart electrical safety system to build an ecosystem of D.N.A (Data, Network and AI), corresponding to changes of the time and technology development levels.

President Cho said the national safety management system will be at a watersheds as the Act on Electrical Safety Management , which will go into effect next April, will introduce an electrical facility safety rating system and institutionalize regular checks-up of old public housing units.

Dignitaries, including MOTIE Deputy Minister Joo Young-joon of the Energy Resources Office, LX President Kim Jung-ryul, KESCO President Cho Sung-wan, and President Lim Hae-jong of Korea Gas Safety Corp.. participate in the 23rd Korea Electrical Safety Grand Awards ceremony. (Photos: KESCO)