Police investigating the Seosomun overpass collapse in Seoul are examining the decision-making processes of construction officials before and after the incident.
According to Yonhap News on May 31, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's dedicated investigation team is analyzing evidence collected from the construction firm Heung-Hwa Construction and the city's Urban Infrastructure Headquarters. The police conducted searches at seven locations, including the Urban Infrastructure Headquarters, the construction company, and the supervising firm on May 29.
The investigation team is reviewing safety management plans, structural designs, and work directives to determine how the demolition was originally planned. They are also assessing whether safety management plans were properly established during the design and construction phases and if the demolition work was executed as planned.
Police are also looking into the communication that occurred among personnel on-site, the construction company, the city government, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport before and after the collapse. Notably, about 12 hours before the incident, signs of potential collapse were observed, including a step difference in the structure. Investigators are focusing on who made decisions at that time and whether necessary actions were taken.
Concerns about safety had been raised prior to the incident. The Korea Safety Management Agency had advised the city in June 2024 to establish reinforcement plans, including temporary supports, and to review safety based on the demolition sequence, but these recommendations were not reflected in the safety plan, according to Yonhap News. Similar issues were raised again in October of the previous year, but the construction firm did not implement adequate measures, and the demolition proceeded with the city's approval.
Additionally, it has been claimed that Heung-Hwa Construction and the city failed to notify the Korea Rail Network Authority or Korea Railroad Corporation about the discovered step difference, and train operations continued until one minute before the collapse. In fact, 59 trains carrying passengers passed through the tracks below the collapse site before the incident.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has also begun investigating the cause of the accident. The ministry announced it would form a construction accident investigation committee to examine the cause and develop measures to enhance safety management for demolition and dismantling work.
This incident has evolved beyond a simple workplace accident, intertwining issues of design, safety management, on-site judgment, and inter-agency reporting systems. Police plan to summon officials from the construction company and the city for questioning once the analysis of the evidence is complete.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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