'Sindorim Station Derailment' Engineer Violating Stop Signal Ultimately Suspended from Position

The train operator who was driving the train involved in the derailment accident at Sindorim Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 has ultimately been suspended from duty.

According to Seoul Metro on the 24th, the company suspended operator A, who violated a stop signal while operating the dispatched train, causing the derailment accident.

On the 23rd, a train being dispatched at Sindorim Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 in Guro-gu, Seoul, collided with a track barrier facility on the tracks and derailed. Officials from Seoul Metro are conducting recovery operations. Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, at around 7:50 a.m. the previous day, a train being dispatched from Sindorim Station derailed, causing the suspension of outer loop train operations between Hongdaeipgu Station and Seoul National University Station. Train operations resumed 9 hours and 40 minutes after the accident occurred. However, there were no casualties.

Baekho, president of Seoul Metro, officially apologized to citizens regarding the derailment accident on Subway Line 2. He posted an "Apology to Citizens for Line 2 Service Suspension" on the company’s website that day, stating, "We deeply apologize to all passengers."

He added, "Although this accident was primarily caused by operator error, the company will take this opportunity to thoroughly inspect and educate on overall subway operations to prevent recurrence," and "We will strive even harder to ensure the subway continues to be a beloved means of transportation for citizens."