AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

Woo Joo-seong
  • Foreign-owned homes in South Korea surpass 100,000, with Chinese accounting for most
    Foreign-owned homes in South Korea surpass 100,000, with Chinese accounting for most SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - Foreign-owned housing in South Korea has surpassed 100,000 households, with Chinese nationals making up the largest share. According to data released Friday by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, foreigners owned about 108,231 housing units, accounting for 0.55 percent of the country's 19.65 million homes as of 2025. The number of foreign-owned homes rose 8 percent last year, down from 9.6 percent a year earlier, though it still remained high. By nationality, Chinese nationals owned 61,000 homes, the most among foreigners, followed by Americans with 23,000 and Canadians with 6,500. Others included Taiwanese with 3,400, Vietnamese with 2,000, Australians with 2,000, and Japanese with 1,600. By region, Gyeonggi Province had the most foreign-owned homes at 42,000, followed by Seoul with 25,000 and Incheon with 11,000, showing a heavy concentration in the metropolitan area, particularly near industrial complexes. The ministry attributed the rise to a rapid increase in the number of foreign residents, which grew from about 1.19 million in 2022 to 1.6 million by the end of last year. Meanwhile, the ministry vowed to tighten monitoring of transaction records. "We will continue to inspect real estate purchases by foreigners to crack down on any suspicious or illegal deals," a ministry official said. 2026-05-29 14:29:24
  • Surge in Jeonse Prices in Dongtan Reaches 0.7%, Causing Distress for Homebuyers in Southern Gyeonggi
    Surge in Jeonse Prices in Dongtan Reaches 0.7%, Causing Distress for Homebuyers in Southern Gyeonggi As the housing market in the metropolitan area remains stagnant, homebuyers are increasingly turning to the rental market, exacerbating the jeonse crisis in key areas of Southern Gyeonggi. Regions such as Dongtan in Hwaseong, Seongnam, and Gwangmyeong, which are experiencing significant job growth and improvements in transportation infrastructure, are showing signs of overheating, with weekly jeonse prices rising by as much as 0.7%. According to KB Real Estate's weekly housing market trends report released on May 29, jeonse prices in the metropolitan area increased by 0.15% compared to the previous week, maintaining a steady upward trend. However, in specific regions, the increases in Southern Gyeonggi significantly outpace the average. The highest increase was recorded in Dongtan District of Hwaseong, where weekly jeonse prices surged by 0.69%, marking the highest rate in the metropolitan area. Seongnam's Jungwon District followed with a 0.55% increase, while Gwangmyeong, benefiting from recent large-scale redevelopment projects and improved transportation networks, saw a 0.42% rise. Other areas, including Anyang's Dongan District (0.32%) and Suwon's Yeongtong District (0.30%), also exhibited strong performance, contributing to the overall rise in jeonse prices in Southern Gyeonggi. These figures are reflected in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's real transaction disclosure system. A notable example is the 'Dongtan Station Lotte Castle,' where a newly listed 102 square meter unit recorded a jeonse deposit of 980 million won on May 19, setting a new record. This deposit has increased by nearly 100 million won since the beginning of the year. Similarly, 'Dongtan The Lake Palace' recently secured a contract at a deposit of 620 million won, surpassing its previous high. The surge in jeonse prices is not limited to Dongtan. In Seongnam's Bundang District, a jeonse contract was signed for the 'Pangyo Alpharium 1 Complex' at a deposit of 1.75 billion won, an increase of 50 million won from the prior record. An agent from a brokerage in Baekhyeon-dong noted, "Tenants are expressing frustration as jeonse deposits have jumped by thousands of units within months, forcing them to consider moving to the outskirts." The rapid rise in jeonse prices in Southern Gyeonggi is attributed to multiple factors. The supply shortage in Seoul's housing market has directly impacted Gyeonggi Province. As of April this year, the number of new apartment units in Seoul has dropped to half of what it was a year ago. This supply crunch has led tenants in Seoul to seek housing in Southern Gyeonggi's eco-friendly new towns and residential districts, which offer better living conditions and lower risks of construction delays. Additionally, some investment demand has shifted to areas outside of regulated zones, further tightening the supply and driving up prices in the rental market. As tenants struggle to secure deposits, many are being pushed into the monthly rental market, leading to a phenomenon known as the "monthly rentification" of jeonse and a simultaneous spike in monthly rents. Particularly in the semiconductor belt of Southern Gyeonggi (including Yongin Giheung, Suwon Yeongtong, and Hwaseong Dongtan), demand for monthly rentals is rapidly increasing due to the stable housing needs of employees from large corporations. In fact, nearby officetels and small apartments in Dongtan are predominantly listed with deposits of 30 million won and monthly rents ranging from 1.2 million to 1.5 million won, with many prospective tenants waiting in line, according to local brokers. An agent from a brokerage near Dongtan Station stated, "If the rate of increase in jeonse prices continues to outpace that of sales prices for several months, tenants may feel pressured to buy a home instead. This could lead to a domino effect, pushing up sales prices in the housing market due to instability in the rental market in the second half of this year."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-29 14:26:00
  • Seouls Seosomun Overpass Demolition Resumes, Train Operations Plummet to 73%
    Seoul's Seosomun Overpass Demolition Resumes, Train Operations Plummet to 73% Demolition work on the Seosomun Overpass in Seoul, which collapsed and resulted in three fatalities, resumed early on May 29, four days after the incident. While the bridge deck and girders have been removed, the demand for transportation ahead of the weekend has caused train operations, including KTX services, to drop to a low of 70%, leading to significant passenger disruptions. On May 29, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that all 16 girders, which posed the greatest safety risk to the demolition work, had been safely removed. Following the accident, the ministry activated a central accident response headquarters composed of experts from relevant agencies and has held eight situational assessment meetings to develop and implement a demolition plan. To minimize traffic congestion over the weekend, the response headquarters is making a concerted effort to resume operations on the Gyeongui Line by May 30. The government plans to complete the remaining demolition work by 5 a.m. tomorrow, along with the restoration of the overhead lines and tracks, to ensure a safe recovery of the site. The Seoul Western District Office of the Ministry of Employment and Labor held a meeting the previous evening to review and conditionally approve the demolition plan submitted by the city. Consequently, the previously halted recovery and demolition work resumed at midnight on May 29. To minimize the risk of structural collapse, the city deployed four excavators equipped with hydraulic crushers instead of cranes. After intensive work, the upper structure of the overpass was completely crushed and removed by around 5 a.m. on May 29. Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) will now proceed with the restoration and inspection of tracks and overhead lines to gradually normalize train operations. Despite the swift progress on-site, the increase in train services ahead of the weekend has caused the overall train operation rate to drop to 73.7%, raising concerns about further disruptions to passenger and freight services. According to KORAIL, a total of 542 train services were operated on this day, a decrease of 193 services compared to the usual 735, resulting in a significant drop in the operation rate. This figure is considerably lower than the rates of 80.8% and 82.3% recorded on the day after the accident and the day before, respectively. In particular, high-speed trains like KTX operated only 270 services, down by 113 from normal, resulting in an operation rate of 70.5%. Ongoing track closures between Haengsin Station and Seoul Station, as well as between Seoul Station and Cheongnyangni Station, have led to unavoidable delays. Regular trains (Saemaul and Mugunghwa) also saw their operation rate drop to 77.3%, with Mugunghwa services limited to routes up to Daejeon Station and Seo Daejeon Station on the Gyeongbu, Honam, and Jeolla lines. Subway services in the metropolitan area also faced disruptions. Train operations on the Gyeongui-Jungang Line between Seoul and Susaek have been suspended for four days due to blocked access to the northern train depot at Seoul Station. Additionally, the subway Line 2 between Hongdae and Euljiro was temporarily limited from the first train of the day for safety inspections before returning to normal operations. As passenger inconvenience peaked, ticket counters at Seoul Station and Yongsan Station experienced severe congestion as travelers sought to change their travel plans or voiced complaints. KORAIL urged passengers to check train operation statuses through the mobile app 'KORAIL Talk' or the website before traveling. A KORAIL official stated, "The change in demolition methods by the city is expected to shorten the time for debris removal, allowing for an earlier entry into the restoration phase. However, while we aim to complete facility restoration by around 5 a.m. on Saturday, immediate resumption of 100% operations according to the regular schedule will be challenging due to necessary procedures like test runs. We anticipate that all trains, including KTX, will return to normal operations by the 31st." 2026-05-29 11:22:00
  • One-Third of Rail Promises Not Included in National Plan, Misleading GTX and CTX Pledges
    One-Third of Rail Promises Not Included in National Plan, Misleading GTX and CTX Pledges As local elections approach, candidates for regional leadership positions are unveiling numerous rail-related promises. Many of these proposed new routes are not reflected in the current national railway network plan. On May 28, a review of 108 pledges from 21 candidates that included rail-related items found that 33 of these (34.4%) are new promises not included in the fourth national railway network construction plan. This analysis excluded 12 items that were not clearly defined, such as transfer centers and simple stop requests. The fourth national railway network plan is the highest legal framework for rail projects, and only projects included in this plan can proceed to preliminary feasibility studies and basic plan development. Routes not currently in the plan must first pass through the fifth plan approval process. A prominent example of misleading promises is the expansion of the GTX (Great Train Express). While Line A has been opened and Lines B and C are under construction, only the western section of Line D has been included as a new project in the fourth plan and has passed the preliminary feasibility study. Lines E, F, G, and H are not part of the fourth plan, making their inclusion in the fifth plan a prerequisite. Candidates like Choo Mi-ae from the Democratic Party and Yang Hyang-ja from the People Power Party have promised Lines E and F, with Choo also including G and H in her pledges. Several candidates have also proposed extensions to existing routes. Yoo Jeong-bok, the People Power Party candidate for Incheon mayor, suggested extending the newly included Daechang-Hongdae line towards Cheongna and Gyeyang. Unlike the main line, these extensions lack planning justification and require separate feasibility studies and funding. In the Chungcheong region, the CTX (Chungcheong Regional Express Railway) promises also represent another form of misleading pledges. The fourth plan includes a new project for the Daejeon-Sejong-Chungbuk line. Kim Tae-heum, the People Power Party candidate for Chungnam governor, has promised to establish new lines from Sejong to Cheonan-Asan and Sejong to Gongju. However, experts in the rail industry warn that differing routes, project methods, and funding structures could necessitate re-evaluation, making these separate projects. The situation is similar outside the capital region. The People Power Party's Kim Du-gyeom, a candidate for Ulsan mayor, has proposed the Ulsan-Yangsan-Busan metropolitan railway and the southeastern circular metropolitan railway, both of which are included as new projects in the fourth plan. In contrast, the TRX proposed by Jeon Jae-soo, the Democratic Party candidate for Busan mayor, and the Gyeongnam governor candidate Kim Kyung-soo's Nahae-gwon metropolitan express railway (GTX-G, Busan-Jinju) are not part of the fourth plan, requiring fifth plan approval before construction can begin. Even routes included in the fourth plan vary significantly in feasibility. Some newly included projects are still awaiting preliminary feasibility studies, while others require further business viability assessments. Industry experts emphasize that the effectiveness of rail pledges should be judged not by route names but by their inclusion in the fourth and fifth national railway network plans, as well as their success in passing feasibility studies and private investment eligibility assessments. Go Jun-ho, a professor of urban engineering at Hanyang University, noted that rail projects directly impact citizens' lives and property rights, making them a recurring issue during elections. However, he stressed that local governments cannot fund these projects alone and must rely on central government plans, highlighting the need for alignment with national strategies. He added that there is a significant difference in feasibility between projects already included in national plans and entirely new promises, urging candidates to transparently explain the current status and administrative limitations of their proposed projects. 2026-05-28 16:18:00
  • Lotte Engineering Pays 50 Billion Won Deposit for Seongsu 4 District Redevelopment
    Lotte Engineering Pays 50 Billion Won Deposit for Seongsu 4 District Redevelopment Lotte Engineering has made a proactive move by paying the full bid deposit of 50 billion won in cash for the redevelopment project of the Seongsu Strategic Maintenance District 4 in Seoul's Seongdong District, just one day before the deposit deadline. According to the construction industry on May 21, Lotte Engineering submitted the entire bid deposit to the Seongsu 4 District Redevelopment Association ahead of the deadline of 11 a.m. on May 22. The main bidding deadline for the project is set for May 26. A representative from Lotte Engineering stated, "We plan to propose differentiated, customized project conditions that prioritize the interests of the association members. Utilizing our unique high-rise construction technology and global partnerships, we aim to create a landmark complex that represents South Korea in every aspect, including design and branding." The Seongsu 4 District redevelopment project involves constructing 1,439 residential units and supporting facilities across a site of 89,828 square meters, with a planned construction cost of approximately 1.36 trillion won, making it one of the largest projects along the Han River this year. This bidding process follows the invalidation of the first round of bidding due to violations of promotional guidelines and procedural flaws in the association's operations. Industry insiders expect a fierce competition between Lotte Engineering and Daewoo Engineering, similar to the first round. Daewoo Engineering is reportedly preparing to complete its deposit payment by the morning of May 22 after conducting internal reviews. A source from the construction industry noted, "Seongsu 4 District is an optimal location for construction companies to enhance their brand image, thanks to the relaxation of high-rise regulations and accessibility to Gangnam via the Yeongdong Bridge. Given the challenges of the first bidding's invalidation, both companies are likely to present aggressive financial terms and high-end design proposals to win over the association members." Meanwhile, the Seongsu 4 District Association plans to conclude the main bidding on May 26 and hold a meeting on June 27 to select the final construction company after internal deliberations.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 20:39:23
  • Construction Oversight Lapses at Samsung Station GTX-A Project
    Construction Oversight Lapses at Samsung Station GTX-A Project At the Samsung Station construction site for the GTX-A line, it has been confirmed that the oversight team marked inspection results as 'satisfactory' for two consecutive months despite being aware of the missing 178 tons of rebar. Additionally, it has come to light that Seoul City submitted the oversight team's construction management report to the Korea Railroad Corporation without independent verification, raising concerns about the overall construction, oversight, and supervision system.According to the 'Construction Management Report for the Underground Complex Development Section 3' obtained by Park Yong-gap, a member of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, the oversight company, Saman, continued to give passing grades on inspection checklists even after acknowledging the missing rebar.Hyundai Construction, the contractor, first identified the missing 178 tons of rebar in 80 columns on October 23, 2025, through its own quality checks. The company informed the head of the oversight team on October 30 and subsequently emailed the details to Seoul City on November 10.However, the oversight team, despite knowing about the missing rebar, marked all key items on the inspection checklists dated November 11 and 14 as 'pass,' including questions about the accuracy of rebar spacing and the condition of the rebar's size, shape, and assembly. Inspection requests submitted later, such as on December 23, also recorded the rebar placement as 'satisfactory and passing.'Seoul City was aware of the structural deficiencies reported in November but accepted the oversight team's report without question. The city then submitted the construction management report to the Korea Railroad Corporation, the project client.The issue is expected to lead to disputes over liability under the Construction Technology Promotion Act. Seoul City maintains that the matter was addressed through internal checks during construction and does not constitute a 'construction accident' since there were no fatalities or property damage. However, critics argue that immediate site inspections and reports to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport should have been conducted as soon as concerns about construction quality arose.The Ministry has already begun audits of both Seoul City and the Korea Railroad Corporation. A special inspection team has also been formed to review overall construction, safety, and quality management.Cost burdens due to project delays are another concern. If reinforcement work and external verifications continue, it could disrupt the schedule for non-stop service at Samsung Station and its official opening. This raises the possibility of increased financial liabilities for operational loss compensation to private contractors.In the political arena, there are calls for financial accountability. During a recent inquiry by the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, Democratic Party lawmaker Han Jun-ho stated, "We cannot pass the costs of construction failures and delayed responses onto taxpayers," suggesting the need for a review of claims against Seoul City, Hyundai Construction, and the oversight company Saman. In response, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoon-deok agreed, stating, "That is only natural."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-21 16:29:03
  • Dispute Over Missing Rebar at Samsung Station Spurs Audit by Ministry of Land
    Dispute Over Missing Rebar at Samsung Station Spurs Audit by Ministry of Land The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has launched an audit of Seoul City and the Korea Railroad Corporation (KRC) following a significant incident of missing rebar in the GTX-A line at Samsung Station. The situation escalated into a dispute over accountability after it was revealed that there was a lack of official communication among relevant agencies for about six months after the rebar deficiency was confirmed, raising concerns about the overall project management system beyond mere construction flaws. According to the Ministry of Land and construction industry sources, the ministry notified Seoul City and KRC on May 18 of an audit regarding allegations of poor construction and delays in reporting related to the underground complex development at the GTX-A Samsung Station section. Investigators will conduct a preliminary investigation by May 21, followed by a formal audit starting May 22. A ministry official stated, "This audit aims to examine whether there were issues in the overall management of this national project," adding that they plan to verify the reasons for the reporting delays by comparing the materials and explanations submitted by Seoul City and KRC. Last November, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, the contractor, discovered the missing main rebar in the underground platform structure during an internal quality inspection and reported it to Seoul City. It was confirmed that some rebar, which should have been installed in two rows according to the design, was only installed in one row, with approximately 2,500 pieces missing, totaling 178 tons. The issue lies in the subsequent response. Seoul City claims it submitted a construction management report, which included the relevant information, to KRC three times between November and January, following the construction management agreement procedures. They explained that time was needed to review and finalize reinforcement methods, sharing the final reinforcement plan with KRC and the Ministry of Land at the end of last month. In contrast, KRC argues that Seoul City treated the significant safety defect as merely internal documentation rather than a formal report. KRC stated, "The monthly construction management reports submitted by Seoul City are extensive, often running into thousands of pages, making it difficult to immediately recognize the missing rebar issue, which was only included in a portion of the construction management log." There are concerns within the industry that a more direct and clear reporting system should have been in place for such a critical defect in national railway infrastructure. Relying solely on the submission of management reports may have hindered relevant agencies from immediately grasping the severity of the issue. Seoul City maintains that there were no procedural issues, with a city official stating, "A review by structural engineers confirmed that there are currently no issues with structural safety," and that they finalized and shared the reinforcement plan after a comprehensive review of safety and construction feasibility. However, voices within KRC and beyond have raised concerns that given the significant defect in a key national railway project, more proactive external communication and separate reporting should have been necessary. The ongoing dispute over accountability suggests that the reporting system at the time was not functioning effectively. The responsibility of Hyundai Engineering & Construction is also under scrutiny. The Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice issued a statement asserting that both the contractor and the inspection team bear significant responsibility, calling for a review of structural subcontracting practices and the avoidance of direct construction issues in large projects. Hyundai Engineering & Construction has proposed a reinforcement method that involves wrapping the deficient column exteriors with thick steel plates and welding them. Seoul City believes this method will ensure strength beyond design standards, but the Ministry of Land has stated it will not allow the resumption of reinforcement work until verification by an accredited institution is completed.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-19 17:33:00
  • Seoul Villa Transactions Surge 31% Amid Rental Crisis
    Seoul Villa Transactions Surge 31% Amid Rental Crisis The volume of villa transactions (including multi-family homes) in Seoul has increased by more than 30% this year compared to last year. As the rental crisis for apartments intensifies, demand is shifting to the relatively lower-priced non-apartment market, while investment interest is also returning, particularly in areas undergoing early redevelopment. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's real transaction disclosure system, from January to May 19, 2026, there were 15,157 villa transactions in Seoul. This marks a 31.0% increase (3,587 transactions) from the same period last year, which recorded 11,570 transactions. This represents the most significant recovery since the sharp decline in transactions following rental scams in 2023. The recovery trend, which began in the second half of last year in certain redevelopment areas, has now spread across Seoul. By district, Jongno-gu saw the highest increase in transaction volume, rising 150.0% compared to last year. However, analysts note that Jongno's overall transaction volume is relatively small, making it susceptible to base effect influences. More substantial increases were observed in districts such as Gwangjin-gu, Dobong-gu, Seodaemun-gu, and Gangbuk-gu. In Gwangjin-gu, villa transactions surged from 617 last year to 1,071 this year, a 73.6% increase. Dobong-gu followed with a 63.6% rise, Seodaemun-gu with 47.8%, and Gangbuk-gu with 36.4%. Other districts, including Songpa-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, and Yangcheon-gu, also experienced notable increases. Gwangjin-gu's growth is attributed to investment demand driven by redevelopment expectations in the Jayang and Junggok-dong areas. Villas in the early stages of redevelopment require relatively lower initial investments, and the possibility of purchasing with a rental guarantee—known as 'gap investment'—has led to continued inquiries from investors. A real estate agent in Gwangjin-gu stated, "With lower entry prices than apartments and the anticipation of redevelopment, there is a simultaneous movement of demand for both living and investment purposes. We are also seeing steady inquiries from those looking to purchase villas as a form of asset investment." In contrast, the increase in transactions in outer districts like Dobong, Gangbuk, and Seodaemun is seen as being driven more by actual housing needs than investment. According to Asil, the number of rental listings in Dobong-gu has decreased by over 14% in the past ten days, totaling 164 listings. As apartment rental prices rise rapidly and listings dwindle, tenants are moving towards older villas or non-apartment markets, which have lower deposit burdens. Statistics from the Korea Real Estate Agency indicate that last month, rental prices in Seongbuk-gu rose by 0.92%, the highest increase in Seoul, followed by Gwangjin-gu (0.96%), Nowon-gu (0.79%), Seodaemun-gu (0.78%), and Dongdaemun-gu (0.77%). A decrease in supply is also cited as a factor influencing market dynamics. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the number of completed villas in Seoul dropped from 23,389 units in 2021 to just 4,329 units last year, an 81.5% decline. With both actual and investment demand flowing into the market, signs of price rebounds are emerging in some areas. The Korea Real Estate Agency's "April National Housing Price Trend Survey" reported a 0.55% increase in Seoul's housing price index. Both apartments and villas have continued to rise in price this year, with the average sale price of villas increasing by 0.62% last month, surpassing the apartment price increase of 0.55% during the same period. However, some experts caution against declaring a full market recovery. There remains significant regional polarization, and transactions for less desirable locations or older villas continue to lag. Kim Hyo-seon, a senior real estate analyst at KB Kookmin Bank, noted, "In key areas like Gwangjin, Yongsan, and Dongjak, investment demand is driven by redevelopment expectations that circumvent land transaction permit regulations, while in outer districts, the majority of purchases are motivated by actual housing needs due to rising living costs. However, unlike earlier this year, villa prices have risen significantly, and market risks persist, so it is advisable to refrain from hasty purchases and to adopt a wait-and-see approach."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-19 17:03:32
  • Buhyung Group Conducts Safety Inspections at 17 Sites Nationwide
    Buhyung Group Conducts Safety Inspections at 17 Sites Nationwide Buhyung Group has initiated comprehensive safety inspections across its operations to prepare for natural disasters during the summer and to prevent serious accidents. The company announced on May 19 that from May 14 to May 21, it will assess compliance with safety and health obligations at 17 sites nationwide. This initiative aims to proactively prevent safety incidents related to summer heat and heavy rainfall. The inspections will cover Buhyung Group's buildings and leisure facilities across the country. The inspections will focus on the effectiveness of safety and health management systems at each site and the implementation of practical accident prevention measures. Key inspection items include: safety and health goal setting, processes for gathering feedback from on-site workers, emergency response systems in case of accidents, risk assessments and improvements based on identified issues, and the status of fire safety equipment installation and management. Compliance with fire prevention safety regulations and the status of guidance inspections by external organizations will also be reviewed. Following its achievement of zero serious industrial accidents last year, Buhyung Group has set a management policy for this year emphasizing compliance with laws and regulations to establish a culture of safety. The company operates a dedicated safety management department and conducts regular safety training for all employees to maintain its accident prevention system. Buhyung stated, "We are taking measures to eliminate risks associated with climate change during the summer and prevent serious accidents," adding, "We prioritize safety and will maintain an environment where both visitors and workers can feel secure." Additionally, Buhyung Group has been continuously enhancing its safety and health management system since obtaining the 'KOSHA 18001' certification from the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency in 2019, and is now operating under the revised 'KOSHA-MS' standard. A Buhyung Group official stated, "We plan to continue regular safety training and ongoing safety education for our employees this year."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-19 12:52:36
  • Korea Railroad Corporation Denies Seouls Claims of Missing Rebar in GTX-A Project
    Korea Railroad Corporation Denies Seoul's Claims of Missing Rebar in GTX-A Project The Korea Railroad Corporation (KRC) has firmly denied media reports claiming that the city of Seoul notified them three times about missing rebar in the GTX-A project at the Samsung Station section. In an official statement on May 18, KRC stated, "While it is true that Seoul submits monthly construction management reports, the issue of missing rebar in the Samsung Station section was not included in the 'Summary of Key Contents' of the report, and it was reported as 'not applicable' under the 'Construction Failure Cases' section. This made it impossible for KRC to be aware of the facts in advance." KRC further clarified that details regarding the missing rebar could only be partially identified in the extensive report, specifically in the individual work logs of construction managers. They emphasized that the inclusion of certain phrases in the vast amount of data submitted under relevant laws cannot be considered formal reporting. Regarding the timeline of their awareness, KRC criticized the delay in reporting from the city. They noted, "On April 24, the city sent an email to KRC's personnel requesting attendance at a consultation meeting regarding column reinforcement, which seemed to substitute for the report on the missing rebar. After KRC strongly requested a factual report from the city and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the city officials attempted to delay the report. It was only after repeated requests that KRC became aware of the specific details on April 29." KRC expressed regret that despite ongoing coordination through regular meetings and site inspections among the Ministry of Land, KRC, and the city regarding the non-stop operation of the GTX-A at Samsung Station, the city had not reported or discussed any significant defects affecting the opening until April 29. Finally, KRC stated that they plan to thoroughly verify the safety of the reinforcement plans established by the city and the existing structures. A KRC public relations official remarked, "Regarding the city's claim that they submitted related reports to KRC through inquiries in the National Assembly, we have confirmed the actual contents of the extensive construction management reports with the relevant departments. Given the seriousness of the matter, an audit of KRC is expected to take place soon."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 20:45:00