Regarding the collapse accident in the underground parking lot of an apartment in Geomdan, Incheon, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's (MOLIT) decision on the disciplinary action against GS Construction is expected to be finalized around mid-January next year. Attention is focused on whether the 8-month business suspension imposed by the MOLIT Minister's authority will be maintained.
According to the MOLIT and the construction industry on the 3rd, the Administrative Disciplinary Committee will hold a hearing on the 12th regarding GS Construction's business suspension and listen to GS Construction's official opinion.
GS Construction will be given another opportunity to submit their opinion within a week after the hearing. Afterwards, the committee will organize the opinions and decide the final level of disciplinary action. Since a total period of one month is required after the hearing, the final decision is expected to be announced around January next year.
The key issue is whether the committee's final disciplinary action will be reduced from the "8-month business suspension" imposed by the MOLIT Minister's authority last August. If GS Construction accepts the committee's decision, it will be enforced. However, if GS Construction files for a suspension of execution or other legal procedures, the decision will be determined by the court.
The business suspensions by the MOLIT and Seoul City are expected to proceed separately. In August, the MOLIT imposed an 8-month business suspension by ministerial authority on the GS Construction consortium, the contractor, and its subcontractors, holding them responsible. The MOLIT stated that it would request Seoul City to impose a 2-month business suspension as a measure against the poor performance in quality testing and safety inspections.
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