Majority of Korean workers flagged for health risks, new data shows

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Nearly 6 in 10 Korean workers who underwent mandatory workplace health screenings in 2024 were found to have abnormal results, government data showed Sunday, raising concerns about worsening health conditions among employees exposed to hazardous work environments.

According to a report by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, 1.62 million workers — or 58.7 percent of the 2.75 million examined — were classified as having abnormal findings. The figure rose by about 90,800 workers, or 5.9 percent, from a year earlier, outpacing the 3.1 percent increase in the total number of examinees.

Unlike routine health screenings for the general population, the examinations are mandatory for workers exposed to hazardous or dangerous conditions, including those in manufacturing and construction, employees exposed to high noise levels at power plants and airports, nurses, and commercial drivers such as truck, bus and taxi operators.

The data showed a sharp rise in workers with clear signs of disease, a category indicating a high likelihood of illness requiring further testing or treatment. In 2024, the number of such workers increased by 48,172, or 13.1 percent, more than three times the growth rate of those requiring only continued observation.

Health risks were especially pronounced among night-shift workers. The number of night workers classified as having clear abnormal findings climbed 15.2 percent to 300,731 in 2024, up from 261,036 the previous year.

The findings come amid growing concern over the health impact of overnight shift labor, including logistics and delivery services, as the government considers tighter rules to protect workers.

Occupational diseases accounted for a significant share of abnormal findings, with noise-induced hearing loss dominating diagnoses. Of the 32,088 workers identified as having suspected occupational diseases in 2024, 31,709 — or 98.8 percent — were diagnosed with noise-related hearing loss.

Follow-up treatment during working hours remained rare. Only 307 workers — about 1 percent of those with suspected occupational diseases — received treatment while on duty, while fewer than 15 percent underwent follow-up examinations, the report said.