South Korea marks 36th Construction Day with 'K-Construction Builds the Future' theme

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Federation of Korean Construction Associations will hold the 2026 Construction Day ceremony Thursday at 3 p.m. at the Construction Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

The annual ceremony, launched in 1981 to honor the contributions of construction workers and promote the industry's growth, marks its 36th edition this year. Under the theme "K-Construction Builds the Future," the event will set out new goals and directions in line with the broader push to integrate AI across the industry and position construction as a sector of the future.

About 700 people are expected to attend, including Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, Land Minister Kim Yun-deok, lawmakers from the National Assembly's Land and Transport Committee, Federation of Korean Construction Associations Chairman Han Seung-gu, Korea Specialty Contractors Association Chairman Yun Hak-su, and award recipients and their families. A total of 107 honors will be presented to individuals who have contributed to the development of the construction industry, including national decorations and commendations from the president, prime minister and land minister.

The Gold Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit — the highest government honor — will go to Cho In-ho, chief executive of Haegwang E&C, in recognition of four decades of work on major national infrastructure projects and contributions to the mechanical and equipment sector. The Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit will be awarded to Choi Sang-dae, chief executive of Daedo Construction, and Choi Gil-hak, chief executive of Seorim General Construction. The Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit will go to Jang Heung-su, chief executive of Yeongsin General Construction, and Lee Sa-cheol, chief executive of Seonjin A&F. Three others, including Son Dong-chan, chief executive of Daeho General Construction, will receive the Order of Industrial Service Merit, while six people, including Park Chang-su, chief executive of Myeongjin Development, will receive presidential commendations.

A "Smart Construction Technology Gallery" will run alongside the main ceremony, featuring domestic construction companies and innovative firms in the smart construction sector showcasing digital transformation blueprints — including AI, robotics and automation technologies. The event will also include a moment of silence to honor workers who lost their lives in industrial accidents on construction sites, reaffirming the industry's commitment to building a stronger safety culture.

Land Minister Kim said the government would "expand AI-based smart safety management and prevention-focused safety systems to create safer construction sites," adding that it would "actively pursue research and development investment and ecosystem building at every stage — from AI technology development and talent cultivation to industry promotion and overseas expansion — to prepare the construction industry for the future."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is running a financial support package in cooperation with the Korea Construction Mutual Aid Association, the Korea Specialty Contractors Mutual Aid Association and the Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation to ease the financial strain on the construction industry stemming from the war in the Middle East.