Gyeonggi-do Conducts Safety Inspections of Spires in Preparation for Strong Winds... Until Mid-August

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

Gyeonggi Province will conduct safety inspections on religious facility steeples that pose risks of toppling during strong winds or typhoons by mid-August. As of September 2023, there are 1,804 steeples in the province, of which 855 are over 8 meters tall.

Last year, Gyeonggi Province conducted joint inspections on 25 of the 855 steeples and pointed out issues such as insufficient corrosion treatment and poor finishing materials in 15 facilities.

This inspection targets the 15 steeples that were flagged during last year's special inspection of 'hazardous facilities in daily life,' including steeples. Gyeonggi Province has formed inspection teams consisting of city and county officials and experts for this purpose.

The main inspection items include ▲the installation status of supporting structures ▲the progress of aging ▲and the occurrence of any additional risk factors.

If corrective actions have not been implemented or additional risk factors are identified during the inspection, immediate safety measures will be taken on-site. For issues that cannot be addressed immediately, administrative actions such as correction orders will be enforced.

For the remaining 830 steeples excluded from this inspection, city and county governments will conduct their own inspections.

Lee Eun-seon, Director of the Architecture and Design Division of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Strengthening safety management of steeples is part of our efforts to minimize damage caused by typhoons and protect lives. Through this, we will ensure the safety of our residents."