Noh Hyung-wook: "We Will Strictly Address the Cause of the Gwangju Collapse Accident"

Clearly Identify Cause of Accident and Take Strict Measures
Halt Public Construction Demolition Until Safety Confirmation
Support Compensation Procedures for Accident Victims and Bereaved Families

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Noh Hyung-wook is presiding over a meeting with related agencies of the Central Accident Response Headquarters regarding the demolition building collapse disaster response at Dong-gu Office in Gwangju on the 15th. (Photo by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Noh Hyung-wook has promised to accurately identify the cause of the building collapse accident in Gwangju, which resulted in 17 casualties, and to take strict measures. The intent is to clearly reveal the cause of the accident through police investigations and expert examinations, and to punish those responsible according to the law. He also emphasized improving the institutional shortcomings in supervision and construction revealed by this incident to prevent similar accidents from recurring.

On the 15th, Minister Noh held the 4th meeting of the Central Accident Response Headquarters at the Gwangju Dong-gu Office conference room and announced this response direction. He stated, "I deeply regret that we failed to prevent an accident that is incomprehensible and should never have happened," adding, "The government is making every effort to promptly resolve the accident, provide swift support to the victims, accurately identify the cause of the accident, and prepare measures to prevent recurrence."

According to the Accident Response Headquarters, the government has established a policy to thoroughly investigate the cause and circumstances of the accident and to take strict action according to law and principles if illegal activities are found. Currently, various illegal circumstances related to this accident have emerged, including illegal subcontracting, inadequate supervision, excessive construction costs, shoddy construction, and involvement of organized crime. To clarify these, the police have formed an investigation headquarters and are conducting investigations, with plans to provide detailed explanations to the bereaved families as soon as results are available.

Separately, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has formed an accident investigation committee composed of 10 experts in construction execution, architectural structure, and legal fields to comprehensively investigate all factors that could have caused the accident, from the building demolition permit to the construction process. In particular, the government has decided to conduct safety inspections of building demolition sites nationwide in response to this accident.

Public demolition projects currently underway will be suspended until safety is finally confirmed through on-site inspections. Private demolition sites are also recommended to proceed with construction only after safety inspections led by local governments ensure safety. For demolition sites that are high-rise or adjacent to roads, where the risk of accidents is high, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, local governments, and the National Land Safety Management Institute will conduct focused inspections.

Minister Noh emphasized, "Based on the investigation results of the accident investigation committee, we will establish fundamental measures to prevent recurrence and carefully monitor whether various accident prevention measures are properly functioning on site. Above all, we will inspect whether demolition work is being properly carried out according to the demolition plan and promptly review and promote improvements on the overall issues raised in supervision and construction processes by the media and others."

Meanwhile, the Central Accident Response Headquarters has taken all necessary measures to support the victims and bereaved families, including caregiver support and operation of disaster psychological support teams. To ensure that compensation procedures proceed swiftly, compensation consultations will also be supported centered on the Gwangju Dong-gu Office.