Chairman Kim Sang-soo of the Federation of Construction Associations (FCA) delivers a commemorative speech at a ceremony to mark the 2021 anniversary of Construction Day at the Construction Hall in Nonhyeon-dong, Seoul, on June 24. (Photos: MOLIT)

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) and the Federation off Construction Associations (FCA) held a ceremony to celebrate the 2021 anniversary of Construction Day at the Construction Hall in Nonhyeon-dong, Seoul, on June 24.

Construction Day is an annual event, designed to help about 2 million people within the construction industry to pledge solidarity and determination, and promote the development of the industry. Construction Day, established in 1981, is observed annually. The 2021 anniversary of Construction Day was the 31st occasion.

The anniversary event was held under the theme “Overcome and Grow: 2 Million People with Construction Industry Join Forces in Launching New Challenges,” an expression of the industry’s willingness to spearhead the recovery of the economy, buffeted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dignitaries, including Prime Minister Kim Bu-kyum, Minister Noh Hyeong-ouk of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Chairman Jin Sun-mi of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, FCA Chairman Kim, attend the 2021 Construction Day anniversary event.

In accordance with social-distancing guidelines against the pandemic, the number of participants was limited to about 90.

Among those on hand at the event were Prime Minister Kim Bu-kyum, MOLIT Minister Noh Hyeong-ouk, Chairman Jin Sun-mi of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, FCA Chairman Kim Sang-soo, other heads of organizations related to the construction industry and award winners.

Orders and other government prizes were presented to 128 construction industry people, who were recognized for contributing to the development of the construction industry.

The coveted Order of Industrial Service Merit, Gold Tower went to President Kim Soo-kwan of EST Construction. President Kim, who began his construction career in 1977, has been with the construction industry for 43 years.

During his career, he was involved in projects related to state SOC facilities such as Seoul’s subway No. 2 and Chungbuk railway line.

As he took office as CEO and president in 1994, EST Construction has grown into a mid-size superstar enterprise by researching on reinforcing weak ground, and developing and spreading technologies.

The construction company has been credited with promoting shared growth for direct payments to its cooperative companies and cash settlements to raw material and equipment companies.

President Ahn Byung-yoon of Hwaum Construction was honored with the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Silver Tower while President Lee Myung-woo of Hana ENG was presented with the Order of Industrial Service Merit, Bronze Tower.

The winners of Industrial Service Merit, Steel Tower were President Lee Jung-chul of Songgang Construction and Senior Executive Vice President Yoon Gil-ho of Kyeryong Construction Industrial.

The anniversary event coincided with a ceremony to declare slogans on construction safety. The campaign was part of efforts to settle advanced safety environment at construction sites and awaken awareness toward safety among officials related to the construction industry.

Dir.-Gen. Kwon Hyuck-jin in charge of construction policy at MOLIT said, “I extend thanks to people who lead the construction industry, one of the nation’s infrastructure industries and one of the representative job creation sectors at the time of hardships, caused by COVID-19 pandemic.”

He added that his ministry will make efforts to ramp up innovation so that the construction industry’s competitiveness can be raised by fully communicating with the industry and create a safety-oriented environment at construction sites.