KOREAN NET

Labor Welfare Research Institute President Kim Yong-wan (right) on Dec. 3 poses for photos with International Social Security Association (ISSA) President Mohammed Azman and Kim Iksoo, deputy director of the Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service's Return-to-Work Support Department, after Kim Yong-wan won an ISSA Good Practice Award for Asia and the Pacific in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (ISSA)

By Charles Audouin

The country has received international recognition for its innovations in social security.

The Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service (K-COMWEL) under the Ministry of Employment and Labor on Dec. 4 said seven model cases won honors at the Good Practice Awards for Asia and the Pacific from the International Social Security Association (ISSA) from Dec. 3-5 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Among the seven, two -- automation of work processes in workers' compensation using robotic technology and an integrated support system for victims of industrial accidents returning to work -- earned the Certificate of Merit with Special Mention. The remaining five won certificates of merit including an innovative work method in the COVID-19 era.

The two grand prize winners were praised for shortening the processing time through the automation of simple repetitive works in workers' compensation by using robotic technology, as well as proactively offering quality jobs customized for workers who fell victim to industrial accidents.

ISSA seeks to build and boost cooperation among social security organizations worldwide. Every three years, it hosts the awards by region every three years to honor benchmarks in social security practices submitted by member organizations using the criteria of innovation, efficiency and sustainability.

"Our achievements in social security services that we promoted using innovative technology have received global recognition," K-COMWEL President Park Jongkil said. "Through continued process innovation, we will contribute to the protection and happiness of work life."

caudouin@korea.kr