Gyeonggi-do Conducts 'Emergency On-Site Inspection' of Ceiling Cracks at NC Department Store Yatap Branch

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon’s notification post about the ceiling crack at NC Department Store Yatap Branch, posted on his social media (SNS) on the 16th

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has launched an emergency on-site inspection after cracks appeared on the ceiling of the NC Department Store Yatap Branch located in Bundang-gu, Seongnam City, raising concerns among residents.

On the 17th, Oh Byung-kwon, the first deputy governor of administration, visited the Yatap Branch at 10 a.m. with the provincial special safety inspection team under the direction of Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon. They checked the on-site measures taken by Seongnam City, the surrounding safety conditions, and the first and second floors where a detailed safety diagnosis is underway.

Deputy Governor Oh said, "This reminds us of the Sampoong Department Store accident, which has increased residents' anxiety," adding, "There must be no compromise on safety. A thorough detailed inspection must be conducted, and only after safety is fully secured should citizens be allowed to use the facility."

Accordingly, the province decided to support Seongnam City in conducting a thorough detailed inspection. On the 16th, the province sent a message via the disaster safety communication network (PS-LTE) to Seongnam City, urging "strict on-site safety inspection and situation management." The disaster safety communication network is a nationwide communication system that integrates wireless communication networks of disaster response agencies such as fire departments, police, military, and local governments, enabling rapid joint response in case of disasters.

Later that day, around 10 p.m., Seongnam City dispatched about 50 personnel including the deputy mayor, fire department, and police to inspect the site. At 1:27 a.m. on the 17th, they received a formal notice of "voluntary suspension of business" from NC Department Store, and at 4 a.m. on the 17th, they issued a "restriction on building use." Due to this measure, the building cannot be used until a detailed inspection and necessary actions are completed to ensure public safety.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon informed residents via his social media (SNS) on the evening of the 16th, stating, "I urgently instructed the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters to dispatch personnel and respond, and on the 17th, fire, police, and city officials will conduct a joint detailed inspection," adding, "Business will be suspended until the inspection results confirm no abnormalities. We will do our utmost to manage safety."

Meanwhile, since the October 29 disaster, the province has been operating a Safety Prevention Hotline (010-3990-7722) as a measure to prevent recurrence of large-scale safety accidents.

The Safety Prevention Hotline is a dedicated reporting channel for Gyeonggi residents to request help if they discover safety hazards or feel at risk.

Residents can easily report or request assistance not only via the dedicated phone number 010-3990-7722 but also through the Gyeonggi Province website and the upcoming Gyeonggi Province KakaoTalk channel.