LH launches first contest for construction-site culture innovation practices, with 4.7 million won in prizes

[Financial News] A contest showcasing how workers, construction companies, and supervision teams have experienced ‘changed construction sites’ is being held for the first time for members of construction sites. Entries will be accepted through Nov. 6 in three categories: Organizational Vitality, Community Support, and Nature and Site Scenery. The total prize money is 4.7 million won, and the grand prize and excellence award winners will receive commendations from the president of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH).
According to LH on the 8th, the ‘Best Practices Contest for Construction Culture Innovation at Construction Sites’ kicked off on Sept. 21. It was launched to change entrenched negative perceptions of construction sites—which have been compounded by young people shunning the construction industry, an aging workforce, and a rising proportion of foreign workers—and to boost worker morale.
All members of construction project sites are eligible to enter. LH employees, however, are excluded to ensure fairness.
Entry requirements vary by category. For ‘Organizational Vitality,’ which covers examples of workers enjoying activities and communicating together, each team of three or more may submit one entry. For ‘Community Support,’ featuring support for local residents and activities that benefit both sides, each construction company at a site may submit one entry. For ‘Nature and Site Scenery,’ which captures views encountered at a site, each individual may submit one entry.
Entries must be submitted through an online form (QR code). Winners will be selected by a panel that includes external judges and announced on Dec. 2. Grand prize, excellence, and encouragement awards, among others, will be given in each category; the grand prize and excellence award winners will also receive plaques.
The selected entries will be produced and distributed through LH’s social media channels as promotional materials and attached to construction-site fences, with the aim of spreading the practices to other sites.
The aging of the construction workforce is also reflected in the statistics. According to the Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association’s ‘Trends in Construction Work Completed and Skilled Construction Workers,’ the average age of skilled construction workers was 51.9 as of last April. Those in their 50s accounted for 32.8%, while those aged 60 and over made up 29.4%, meaning that six in 10 workers on site (62.2%) were at least 50. The share of workers aged 60 and over first surpassed that of workers in their 40s in 2022, while the share of workers in their 30s fell by 16.0 percentage points between 2001 and 2025. This is why improving the image of construction sites is seen as a challenge closely tied to workforce supply and demand.
Lee Sang-jo, head of LH’s Smart Construction and Safety Headquarters, said, “This contest will boost the pride of workers at construction sites across the country and help establish a positive construction culture and create vibrant construction sites in Korea.”

[email protected] Jeong Gyeong-su Reporter