Gwangju Seo-gu, Hwajeong I-Park Building 201 Stabilization Work Promotion

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, is promoting stabilization work on Building 201 to remove risk factors before the full-scale demolition of the building, in order to restore trust in safety among prospective residents who lost their homes and nearby merchants due to the collapse accident at Hwajeong I-Park that occurred last January.

According to Seo-gu on the 18th, the stabilization work on Building 201 involves dismantling the south exterior wall and east pillar, which have experienced some displacement even four months after the collapse accident, as well as the tower crane previously installed. This is an essential preliminary task to ensure the safety of citizens.

Hyundai Development Company is currently required to obtain approval for the hazardous and risk prevention plan from the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, review for partial work suspension lifting from the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and approval of the safety measures plan from Seo-gu Office as preliminary procedures for proceeding with the stabilization work on Building 201.

The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency conducted three rounds of hazardous and risk prevention plan reviews to prevent accidents that could occur during the stabilization work.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor has also held two review sessions for lifting partial work suspension for demolition, doing its utmost to ensure worker safety.

Seo-gu Office thoroughly reviewed the safety measures plan submitted by Hyundai Development Company and found the safety measures for nearby Kumho Highvill merchants and citizens passing through the area insufficient, instructing them to make improvements.

Furthermore, if perfect safety measures are not implemented, Seo-gu plans to withhold approval of the stabilization work, prioritizing the safety of citizens above all else.

A representative of the I-Park Accident Recovery Support Team at Seo-gu Office stated, “The south exterior wall and east pillar of Building 201 could cause secondary accidents during strong winds or the rainy season, so the stabilization work is absolutely necessary for the safety of not only nearby merchants but also citizens.”

He added, “The top priority is to establish and secure safety measures based on trust as soon as possible and proceed with the stabilization work on Building 201 to remove risk factors before the full-scale rainy season in July and August.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dong-ho sdhs6751@asiae.co.kr