[Issue Video] 'Pohang Pension' Swept Away by Typhoon... Why Netizens Are Pouring Support

'Pension Owner's Son' Claims Netizen: "Father Said 'Glad There Were No Casualties'"
"Cause of Damage Was Soil and Trees Eroding Ground... Definitely Not 'Poor Construction'"

[Asia Economy PD Yoon Jin-geun] In Pohang, where Typhoon ‘Hinnamno’ passed, a scene of a pool villa pension floating away in the water has become a hot topic, and netizens are leaving messages of support for the owner of the pension.

On the 7th, several photos were posted on online communities under the title ‘Pool villa pension floating away in the water in Pohang.’ The photos show a building tilted and detached from the ground, submerged in water.

Netizens who saw the photos commented, “Wasn’t the ground weak there?” and “It seems to have sunk due to ground subsidence,” along with criticisms such as “Was the house just placed on top?” and “No matter how much soil and ground collapse, can it be like that?” suggesting that the building might have been poorly constructed.

As Typhoon 'Hinnamno' passed through Pohang, a scene of a pool villa pension floating away in the water became a hot topic. A netizen claiming to be the son of the pension owner posted a statement on Instagram. Photo by Instagram

In response, a netizen claiming to be the son of the pension owner refuted the allegations of poor construction raised by some on Instagram and community sites on the evening of the 6th.

He stated, “The pension was built by my father, who has been in the construction business for over 20 years, for his retirement,” and added, “He built it firmly and safely with the heart of building a companion to spend the rest of his life with, and he is proud of it.”

Regarding the reason the building collapsed, he explained, “When water was released from the upstream Eo Reservoir, the upper related facilities collapsed, and soil and trees were pushed, eroding the ground.”

He continued, “The newly built building collapsed and we might go bankrupt, but my father said, ‘Even though our house is ruined, thanks to this, not a single person died,’” and asked, “This building contains my father’s pride. Please refrain from spreading rumors.”

In response, netizens left comments such as “Stay strong, we only feel heartbroken,” “Thank you for preventing secondary damage,” “I will definitely visit this place when I travel to Pohang,” and “Seeing that the building maintained its original shape even after collapsing shows that your father built it sturdily.”