KOFIC–Production Companies–Labor Union Sign Tripartite Agreement

Establishment of Safety and Health Council Expected to Lay Foundation for System Implementation and Culture of Safety

The Korean Film Council (KOFIC, Chairperson Han Sang-jun) announced that it signed a Tripartite Agreement for Establishing a Safety and Health System in the Korean Film Industry on November 20 at the Marriott Hotel in Dongdaemun, together with the Korean Film Producers Association, the Association of Korean Independent Film & Video, and the Korean Film Workers’ Union.

This agreement marks a joint commitment between labor, management, and government to systematically protect workers at film production sites. It is expected to serve as a turning point in establishing a comprehensive safety and health system across the Korean film industry. The government has supported the prevention of accidents and improvement of working conditions under the Promotion of the Motion Pictures and Video Products Act, and with this agreement, the film community is now actively participating in these efforts.

Under the current Occupational Safety and Health Act, individual production companies are responsible for safety and health education. However, due to the predominance of small-scale production firms in the Korean film industry, safety and health practices have remained insufficient. In addition, with various potential hazards present on set, the need for an industry-wide systematic approach has long been recognized. In response, KOFIC conducted a study on establishing a safety and health system for the film sector in 2023, followed by multiple working-level discussions involving labor, management, and government since February this year, which led to this finalized agreement.

Chairperson Han Sang-jun stated, “This agreement represents a promise and commitment by labor, management, and government to protect the lives and safety of film industry workers. KOFIC will continuously monitor the implementation of the agreement and actively support efforts to ensure a genuine culture of safety takes root at production sites.”

Following the signing ceremony, KOFIC plans to advance concrete implementation measures through the Fair Production Environment Center — including the appointment of honorary industrial safety supervisors and mandatory safety budget allocation in mid- to large-scale film support programs — while building performance outcomes and strengthening institutional backing through National Assembly briefings in the future.