Visiting the Redevelopment Site in Gwangmyeong New Town
Poor Access Control... Residents Passing Through Extremely Dangerous Areas
On the afternoon of the 10th, broken glass shards and rebar were carelessly scattered in front of an empty building within a redevelopment area in Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do. Although this area is scheduled for demolition, it is exposed to the outside without any safety fences or no-entry signs.
"Bbazijik, bbazijik."
Every time residents passed by the abandoned building left empty, broken glass shards were stepped on. Concrete chunks with exposed rebar were piled up at the building entrance, and discarded home appliances and furniture were left scattered throughout the alleys. This was the scene at a redevelopment site in Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do, visited by the reporter on the afternoon of the 10th.
At various redevelopment sites within Gwangmyeong New Town, where large-scale New Town projects are underway with resident relocation and building demolition in full swing, the sites were exposed to accident risks without any protection. The 'No Entry' tape formally attached at building entrances was mostly torn off, and despite warning signs and notices restricting vehicle access, cars continuously passed through the alleys without pause.
Some buildings had makeshift barriers installed, but even those were poorly done. They were merely cloths hung by connecting metal pipes. Moreover, many demolition sites were being used as illegal parking lots by nearby market merchants and residents. A passenger car parked in front of a two-story commercial building under demolition was also noticeable. An old signboard hung precariously above the vehicle.
Although most redevelopment sites scheduled for demolition are adjacent to existing residential areas, they are not separated at all from living spaces. Residents casually passed through the alleys between demolition sites as if nothing was wrong, and there was even a factory still in operation. This factory, which manufactures automobile parts, is opposing the demolition and eviction orders and is currently engaged in litigation. Seven people are currently working there. A factory official said, "When leaving late, female employees often say they are very scared to pass through here."
A construction company official met at the site also acknowledged these dangers. Pointing to scattered waste construction materials, he said, "These are hazardous materials that can cause overturning accidents," expressing concern that ordinary people passing through here could suffer overturning injuries.
One of the most common accidents in industrial sites is an 'overturning (falling) accident.' The scene at the redevelopment site visited by the reporter warned that a tragedy like the one that occurred at a redevelopment site in Gwangju on the 9th could happen anywhere in the country.
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