[Exclusive] 'Cheongdam-dong School Zone Accident Road' to Change to One-Way Traffic in October Next Year

Gangnam District Office Plans 72 Million Won Budget
Driver Sent to Prosecution on Hit-and-Run Charges... "I'm Sorry"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Following the ‘Cheongdam-dong elementary school student school zone accident,’ the road near the back gate of Eonbuk Elementary School in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, will be changed to one-way traffic as early as October next year.

On the 9th, according to a comprehensive report by Asia Economy, Gangnam-gu Office recently allocated a budget of 72 million KRW to promote the designation of the road near the school zone in front of the back gate of Eonbuk Elementary School as one-way traffic.

A Gangnam-gu Office official said, "We plan to allocate a budget of over 72 million KRW early next year to conduct feasibility and basic planning services," adding, "After 3 to 4 months of construction, the road could be changed to one-way traffic as early as the fourth quarter of next year."

Gangnam-gu Office plans to commission services regarding the designation of one-way traffic, installation of sidewalks, and prohibition of vehicle traffic during school commuting hours. A resident survey will also be conducted again. The project will proceed by reflecting the opinions of those who use the road.

It seems difficult to avoid criticism as the budget was hastily allocated and alternatives prepared immediately after the accident.

Gangnam-gu Office conducted a ‘Resident Opinion Survey on Changing Traffic Direction’ on February 23, 2020, but did not install sidewalks because 48 out of 50 respondents opposed it. Most people reportedly opposed it due to concerns about traffic inconvenience and the risk of speeding on downhill slopes.

Regarding the failed attempt at that time, Gangnam-gu Office explained, "Changing two-way traffic to one-way or vice versa is not easy," and "Many stakeholders are involved, and people are not very interested, so there are few responses."

The police also belatedly added charges of hit-and-run causing death under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. The police stated that after analyzing black box footage, closed-circuit TV (CCTV), statements from the suspect and witnesses, and reviews by investigation officers and legal experts both inside and outside, they decided to add the charges.

On the morning of the same day, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul sent driver A, in his 30s, to the prosecution under custody on charges of hit-and-run causing death under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, causing death in a school zone and dangerous driving causing death, and drunk driving under the Road Traffic Act.

A was transported immediately in an ambulance around 7:50 a.m., wearing a black hat pulled down and a mask. When asked, "Why didn’t you report directly to 119?" he said, "I’m sorry." He left the police station without answering questions such as "Do you admit to the hit-and-run charge?", "Do you have anything to say to the victim child and the bereaved family?", "How much did you drink at the time?", and "Why didn’t you provide first aid yourself?"

A hit and killed B (9 years old), who was coming out after after-school class, by driving under the influence in front of the back gate of Eonbuk Elementary School at 4:57 p.m. on the 2nd.

When the police applied for A’s arrest warrant on the 3rd, only three charges excluding hit-and-run causing death were specified. Considering that A parked at his home 21 meters away from the accident scene and returned to the scene within 43 seconds, and asked people nearby to report the incident, it was judged that first aid was provided. After the hit-and-run charge was excluded, the victim child’s family collected petitions demanding severe punishment, and public criticism surged.

The bereaved family expressed relief that the investigation results were corrected, albeit belatedly. B’s father, Mr. Lee, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "I’m relieved that the investigation results came out as expected," emphasizing, "The poorly managed school zones must be improved to prevent such accidents from happening again."