‘Rebar omission,’ identified as the cause of the underground parking lot collapse accident at a newly built apartment in Geomdan, Incheon, has been found in large numbers at other apartment complexes as well. A full investigation of apartments commissioned by Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) that applied flat slab structures in their underground parking lots, like the Geomdan apartments, revealed that rebar was missing in 15 complexes.
The government also plans to conduct safety inspections on about 100 privately commissioned apartment complexes. More apartments with missing rebar may be discovered.
On the afternoon of the 30th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held an ‘Emergency Safety Inspection Meeting for Public Housing’ at the LH Seoul Regional Headquarters, chaired by Minister Won Hee-ryong. At the meeting, LH reported the results of a full investigation of 91 LH-commissioned complexes that applied flat slab structures in their underground parking lots.
Among the 91 complexes, 38 (38%) have already been completed, and 56 (62%) are under construction.
The investigation confirmed that ‘shear reinforcement bars’ were not properly installed in the underground parking lots of 15 apartment complexes.
In a flat slab structure, columns directly support the slab without beams, so the rebar must be tightly wrapped around the columns to withstand the load. However, the required amount of rebar was not used.
Additionally, 10 complexes were missing rebar due to design deficiencies. Cases were found where structural calculations were either not properly performed or, although calculations were done correctly, the design drawings omitted the notation for shear reinforcement bars. Furthermore, 5 complexes showed signs of poor construction.
The concrete strength of the 15 apartments missing rebar exceeded the design standard strength. Among the problematic sites, 5 complexes have already been occupied.
LH is currently conducting detailed safety inspections at 4 occupied complexes. Supplementary construction is planned for these complexes. One complex is currently undergoing supplementary construction.
There are 10 complexes that have not yet been occupied. Among these, 6 are undergoing supplementary construction, and LH stated that the remaining 4 are expected to complete supplementary construction before occupancy.
Minister Won Hee-ryong of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport warned of disciplinary and legal actions against those responsible. He urged LH, saying, “Take the strictest disciplinary measures against the design and supervision officials responsible for the omission of essential design and construction elements such as shear reinforcement bars in the flat slab structure design and construction, and immediately request investigations and file legal charges.”
LH President Lee Han-jun said, “We will investigate when the design and supervision of the 15 complexes with missing rebar were commissioned and who was involved, ensuring that no suspicion remains and holding those responsible accountable.”
On this day, Minister Won and President Lee bowed their heads in apology regarding the LH rebar omission and the water pipe issues in the Eungye District of Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. They also pledged to take measures to alleviate residents’ concerns.
Minister Won said, “We will take all possible measures to restore public trust, including comprehensive personnel actions, investigation requests, and legal charges. I bow my head in apology to the public for allowing such an incident to occur.”
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