Construction Sites Face Limits in Alternative Processes... "Full Suspension Risk Starting Next Week"

The scene of the Dunchon Jugong Apartment reconstruction site in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, where ready-mix concrete pouring was halted due to disruptions in the supply of construction materials caused by the Cargo Solidarity general strike entering its seventh day on the 30th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Wanyong] As the nationwide strike by the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Public Transport Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has brought construction sites across the country to a halt, the construction industry’s sense of crisis is growing. Most construction sites are struggling with ready-mixed concrete (remicon) pouring and are continuing work by switching to alternative processes, but even this is proving difficult. The construction industry is concerned that this week will be the limit for switching to alternative processes, and that many sites will enter shutdown starting next week.

According to the construction industry on the 30th, concerns about shutdowns at construction sites are becoming a reality, with remicon pouring halted at more than half of construction sites nationwide due to a decrease in cement shipments.

At the Dunchon Jugong Apartment reconstruction project in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, the amount of remicon delivered has significantly decreased since the 25th, causing the structural work to increase floor heights to be suspended. Although masonry work such as stacking bricks, window installation, and finishing work are being carried out in advance instead of remicon pouring, this too is expected to reach its limit by next week.

At a housing project site located in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, structural work in two out of four zones has been suspended due to problems with remicon delivery. Alternative processes such as electrical and wiring work are being carried out in the zones where structural work has stopped, but it is known that work stoppage will be inevitable from next week.

In the case of public order projects, some sites have also stopped construction. A site where a large construction company is participating as the contractor decided to halt construction from the 29th and conduct a severe cold weather safety inspection. Although there are differences by site, public order projects typically have a cold weather break period (mid-December to mid-January), but this site has moved the break about two weeks earlier than originally planned due to the impact of the strike.

A construction industry official said, "Currently, as remicon supply is blocked, alternative processes such as electrical equipment and wiring work are being carried out," adding, "However, there are limits to alternative processes, so adjustments to construction work will be unavoidable from next week."

He continued, "If remicon supply does not resume by next week, delays in construction schedules are expected at most sites where structural work is underway," adding, "Especially if pouring work is not completed and subzero temperatures continue, delays of 3 to 4 months are anticipated."

An official from a construction company said, "Concrete pouring work at our construction sites will stop starting next week," adding, "At this rate, it will be difficult to meet the construction deadlines."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Cargo Solidarity held two meetings on the 28th and 30th but failed to narrow differences, repeating their existing positions. After the second meeting ended without results, the government is increasing pressure by considering expanding the order to resume transportation to other sectors such as steel and petroleum beyond cement. Since resolving the situation through dialogue seems unlikely in the near term, the construction industry’s worries are expected to deepen further.