The Ministry of the Interior and Safety of South Korea, led by Minister Yoon Ho-jung, has launched a comprehensive inspection campaign to ensure a safe environment for children returning to school. This initiative is timed with the start of the new academic year and aims to address safety risks around elementary schools nationwide. The policy focuses on five critical areas: traffic safety, food safety, harmful environments, product safety, and illegal advertising. The government has a history of annual inspections, with last year’s campaign identifying over 670,000 risk cases, including traffic violations, illegal advertising, and food hygiene issues.
The inspection covers more than 6,300 elementary schools across the country and directly impacts students, parents, school staff, and local communities. A total of 725 organizations, including central ministries (such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Gender Equality, Korea Food and Drug Administration, and National Police Agency), local governments, and civil groups like the Youth Harmful Environment Monitoring Team and Korea Life Safety Union, are participating. The campaign addresses illegal parking, speeding, expired food products, harmful businesses near schools, uncertified children’s products, and unauthorized advertising materials.
The inspection period is set from February 23 to March 27, 2025, with follow-up actions planned for April and May, especially for stores found selling illegal products. Authorities will deploy field personnel to accident-prone zones and intensify enforcement against traffic violations, particularly by motorcycles. The campaign also includes educational outreach, such as the ‘Children First’ campaign, and regional activities to prevent child abduction and luring crimes. Citizens are encouraged to report safety hazards via the Safety Report app or website, with agencies required to respond within seven days.
Frequently asked questions include how the inspection is conducted and what citizens can do to support the initiative. The inspection involves joint efforts by government agencies and civil organizations, focusing on both enforcement and education. Citizens can report hazards like harmful products, unsafe food, or illegal advertising through the Safety Report platform. Another common question is what happens after a report is submitted; responsible agencies must provide feedback or action plans within a week. The campaign also promotes awareness of child safety rules and preventive registration for missing children.
Metaqsol observes that South Korea’s school safety inspection policy is robust and well-coordinated, involving 725 agencies and targeting five key risk areas. The annual inspection model, combined with citizen reporting and educational outreach, ensures both immediate enforcement and long-term cultural change. The transparent feedback process for reported hazards and the focus on preventive measures, such as the ‘Children First’ campaign, reflect a comprehensive strategy. This approach is likely to enhance child safety and public awareness, setting a strong example for other countries.