End of Joint Memorial Service Operation for Gwangju Dong-gu Building Collapse Accident

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The joint memorial altar for the victims of the building collapse accident in the redevelopment area of Hakdong 4 District, Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, which resulted in 17 casualties last month on the 9th, will be closed.

According to Dong-gu, Gwangju, the joint memorial altar, which was set up and operated in the Dong-gu Office plaza for about a month starting from the day after the accident on the 10th of last month, will be dismantled.

During this period, about 6,000 visitors from all over the country, including political circles and various sectors, paid their respects.

On the morning of this day, about 70 people, including the victims' families, Dong-gu Mayor Im Taek, Dong-gu council members, public officials, and volunteers, held a memorial event marking the closure of the altar.

Mayor Im stated, “We will do our utmost to create a safe city where residents can live with peace of mind so that such tragedies never happen again.”

He continued, “As the head of the administration, I once again apologize to the citizens of Gwangju and the public for failing to protect the lives of local residents,” adding, “We will take this accident as a lesson to firmly establish the basics of safety and respond proactively to safety issues through organizational restructuring to prevent recurrence, even to an excessive degree.”

He also emphasized, “For dangerous areas and facilities, we will conduct safety inspections accompanied by experts, immediately demand suspension of construction at hazardous sites, and strictly hold responsible parties accountable, including criminal charges in cases of negligence.”

In particular, he pledged to thoroughly review the entire administrative system by reorganizing it so that the head of the district personally receives, processes, and reports on safety-related resident complaints, and to fulfill his duty as an honest public official trusted by the residents.

Mayor Im added, “We will eradicate old evils such as preferential treatment for former officials and corruption,” and said, “Integrity is not a choice but a mission and duty of public officials, so any misconduct will be punished without tolerance.”