"Thorough Design Qualification Review Required for 1.1 Trillion KRW Deep Stormwater Tunnels in Gangnam and Dorimcheon"

Design Qualification Review Scheduled for October on 1.1 Trillion KRW Scale Rainwater Drainage Tunnels in Gangnam, Dorimcheon, and Gwanghwamun
Assemblyman Nam Chang-jin Proposes Selection of Review Committee Members Based on Experience and Expertise Rather Than Random Method Typically Used in Turnkey Projects

Nam Chang-jin, a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council's Urban Safety and Construction Committee (People Power Party, Songpa 2), received a report on the construction technology policy officer's duties at the 326th Seoul Metropolitan Council extraordinary session on the 4th. He proposed selecting review committee members based on experience and expertise rather than the existing random selection method for the upcoming direct contract and design qualification review of the deep-level stormwater drainage tunnel.

Following the large-scale heavy rain damage in Seoul in August 2022, the deep-level stormwater drainage tunnel (Phase 1) projects at Gangnam Station, Dorimcheon, and Gwanghwamun are being actively promoted. However, construction companies concerned about potential losses have not participated, leading to three failed bids. The direct contract and design qualification review are scheduled for October.

Nam explained the necessity of selecting review committee members based on experience and expertise rather than the usual random selection method applied in turnkey project competitive bidding to ensure fairness and prevent lobbying. This applies when conducting direct contracts and design qualification reviews for construction companies that participated alone in the final bid, such as DL E&C (formerly Daelim Industrial), Hanshin Engineering & Construction, and Daewoo Engineering & Construction.

He added that the need for selection based on experience and expertise considers the project's and contract's unique characteristics, as the contractor has already been identified through the direct contract method and there are few construction cases. Since the project risks losses, there is concern that contractors might propose low-cost designs. Therefore, more thorough verification is necessary to establish safe facilities for citizens without defects.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Construction Technology Policy Officer responded, "We strongly agree with the concerns and will closely coordinate with the Construction Technology Policy Office, Water Circulation Safety Bureau, and Urban Infrastructure Headquarters to select design qualification review committee members and conduct the review."

Furthermore, Nam requested careful management to ensure that the addition of expert preliminary reviews, such as those by new technology utilization review committee members, does not delay or hinder project progress, in line with plans to reform the construction method selection system to enhance professionalism and fairness.