Seodaemun-gu to Fill 'Sinkholes' Along 215km of Sidewalks by Next Year

Exploration Using Ground Penetrating Radar

Seodaemun-gu is promoting underground cavity exploration work to prevent sinkhole accidents. (Photo by Seodaemun-gu Office)

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Seong-heon) announced on the 11th that it will promote an underground cavity exploration service this year. This is in response to the increase in ground subsidence accidents such as sinkholes caused by ground weakening due to recent extreme rainfall and other abnormal weather phenomena.

The district completed exploration of 346 km of roadway sections within the district in 2020 and 2023, and will expand this to sidewalks, where the rate of casualties is higher than on roadways.

This year, exploration will be conducted over a 99 km section in Hong Eun 1·2-dong, Hongje 2-dong, Bukgajwa 1·2-dong, and Namgajwa 1·2-dong, and next year, over a 116 km section in Hongje 1·3-dong, Yeonhui-dong, Sinchon-dong, Bukahyeon-dong, Chunghyeon-dong, and Cheonyeon-dong.

Once the service begins, underground cavities will be detected through a ‘first investigation’ using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) equipment and a ‘second investigation’ involving drilling and endoscopic filming, followed by rapid restoration by injecting eco-friendly fluid fillers. If necessary, relevant underground facility management agencies such as Korea Electric Power Corporation and Korea Gas Corporation will be notified.

Lee Seong-heon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, said, “We will enhance resident safety by strengthening preventive activities such as continuous monitoring using advanced technology and proactive responses according to the underground safety management plan.”