Gwangju Labor Community Says Seoul-Sejong Expressway Collapse Was a Man-Made Disaster

Gwangju KCTU Branch Issues Statement
Calls for Thorough Investigation into Causes

On the 25th, at the construction site of Cheonyongcheon Bridge in Section 9 of the Cheonan-Anseong segment of the Seoul-Sejong Expressway located in Sanpyeong-ri, Seoun-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, an accident occurred where the deck placed on the pier collapsed during bridge connection work. The photo shows the accident site. Photo by Yonhap News

The Gwangju labor community has called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the Seoul-Sejong Expressway construction site collapse, condemning it as a man-made disaster resulting from a disregard for safety.

The Gwangju branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) issued a statement on the 27th, saying, "On the 25th, at the Seoul-Sejong Expressway construction site overseen by Hyundai Engineering, a bridge deck placed on a pier collapsed during a connection operation, causing 10 workers to fall and be buried, resulting in 4 deaths and 6 injuries. Hyundai Engineering had already issued a public apology last May for over 58,000 construction defects found in apartments in Muan County, Jeonnam, but less than a year later, they have caused another major accident," they criticized.

The branch pointed out, "As of the second quarter of 2023, Hyundai Engineering ranked first among the top 100 construction companies in fatal accidents," adding, "Furthermore, in October 2024, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that Hyundai Engineering also ranked first in the number of construction defect judgments."

They continued, "Whenever a disaster occurs, the same promises to prevent recurrence are made with bowed heads, but accidents continue to happen. In particular, a vicious cycle is repeating, with the same companies causing repeated accidents," and added, "In Gwangju, Hyundai Industrial Development caused the Hwajeong I-Park collapse just six months after the Hakdong disaster, but the management has not faced any punishment, and administrative measures have been delayed for over three years," they pointed out.

Additionally, "If the causes of the accident are not thoroughly investigated, and if necessary legal and institutional improvements and strict punishment of those responsible are not implemented, second and third similar accidents will inevitably continue," they said, adding, "Through a thorough investigation, the management of Hyundai Engineering, the construction company, must be held strictly accountable."