Three Unannounced Inspections During Demolition Work, Strengthened Crackdown on Illegal Subcontracting Promised
Mayor Oh: "Life Is a Value That Cannot Be Exchanged for Anything... We Will Create a Manual Seoul"
[Asia Economy Reporter Onyu Lim] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is initiating a legal amendment that mandates the constant supervision of demolition project supervisors and imposes strict penalties for violations to strengthen safety at construction sites. Additionally, it plans to enhance crackdowns on illegal subcontracting and establish a Construction Site Information System that allows all construction sites to be monitored via CCTV.
On the afternoon of the 14th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon held a 'Press Briefing on Strengthening Construction Site Safety Management Measures' at Seoul City Hall and announced these plans. Mayor Oh stated, "Through the demolition site accident in Gwangju, we witnessed the harsh reality of construction sites where the value of 'safety' was compromised by 'illegality.' We have prepared strong measures to prevent the repeated loss of precious lives."
First, Seoul will pursue legal amendments that require demolition supervisors to be constantly present at demolition sites and impose severe penalties for violations. Mayor Oh explained, "Since 2017, Seoul has introduced a resident supervision system for buildings requiring demolition permits as an internal policy, but due to insufficient legal grounds, there have been difficulties in site management."
Before the legal amendment, Seoul also pledged to conduct at least three surprise on-site inspections during demolition projects where resident supervision is in place.
Furthermore, Seoul plans to strengthen the responsibilities of supervisors in consultation with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Mayor Oh said, "Currently, supervisors can only be punished if an accident causes public danger. Going forward, if demolition is carried out contrary to the demolition plan, or if safety management measures such as securing traffic safety and safe passageways are neglected, supervisors will be directly penalized."
In particular, Seoul intends to designate and manage hazardous zones and risk factors at demolition sites through demolition reviews when issuing demolition permits, and make it mandatory to install safety fences in these hazardous zones. Mayor Oh explained, "For buildings adjacent to places frequented by unspecified large numbers of people, such as bus stops, main roads, children's school routes, and schools, safety measures will be proactively reflected in the demolition plans."
Seoul aims to establish a system ensuring that all construction processes are carried out according to plans under the responsibility of the primary contractor and to prevent illegal subcontracting. It will strengthen crackdowns on multi-level illegal subcontracting and paper companies, and criminally prosecute identified companies. Mayor Oh stated, "Illegal subcontracting at construction sites is a major factor threatening safety. We will establish fair subcontracting order through the full implementation of the 100% direct payment system for subcontractors."
Seoul also promised to strengthen public monitoring of private construction sites by building a Construction Site Information System. Currently, private construction sites are required to install CCTV during hazardous processes such as demolition and manage them internally, submitting recordings to district offices after demolition is completed. However, Mayor Oh pointed out, "Site management relying on supervisors and construction companies has its limitations."
Therefore, Seoul plans to build a Construction Site Information System linked to these CCTVs, allowing all site situations at private construction sites to be monitored at a glance via smartphones. Mayor Oh explained, "This will enable real-time monitoring of construction site conditions anytime, including whether workers are wearing protective gear, entry into hazardous areas, and compliance with safety rules, all through a smartphone." This system will undergo a pilot project in the second half of the year and be officially launched in March next year.
Finally, Seoul plans to mandate resident supervision during Sunday construction work. Currently, all public construction projects are required to observe Sunday rest days unless prior approval is obtained. For private construction projects, rest days are recommended but not mandatory. Mayor Oh added, "If Sunday construction is unavoidable, mandatory resident supervision will follow."
Mayor Oh emphasized, "The life and safety of the people are the highest values that cannot be exchanged for anything. Taking the recent Gwangju accident as an opportunity, we will conduct more thorough inspections and improvements to create a ‘Manual Seoul’ that firmly protects the lives and safety of citizens."
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