Myeongildong Sinkhole, Government Investigation Launched... 'Central Underground Accident Investigation Committee' Fully Operational

"18-meter-deep Collapse"... Investigation Launched into the Cause of the Myeongil-dong Ground Subsidence Accident
MOLIT Forms Committee of Independent Civilian Experts to Ensure Fairness
Investigation Begins under the Special Act on Underground Safety Management; Institutional Reforms Planned
Kickoff Meeting at the Site on March 31; Activity Period May Be Extended if Needed

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) has formed the Central Underground Accident Investigation Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Investigation Committee) to identify the cause of the large-scale ground subsidence accident that recently occurred in Myeongil-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, and to prevent similar accidents from recurring, and has begun a full-scale investigation.

On the 24th, a large sinkhole spanning four lanes occurred at an intersection near Daemyeong Elementary School in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. On the 25th, the area around the accident site is being cordoned off. One passenger car and one motorcycle fell into the sinkhole, and one occupant of the passenger car was transported to a nearby hospital. Currently, one motorcycle rider is buried under the sinkhole. The depth is estimated to be 30 meters. 2025. 03. 25 Photo by Yoon Dong-ju

The accident occurred on March 24 in Myeongil-dong. The ground collapsed on a large scale, extending approximately 18 meters in length, 20 meters in width, and 18 meters in depth. Accordingly, MOLIT established the Investigation Committee based on Article 46 of the Special Act on Underground Safety Management.

The Investigation Committee will be composed of up to 12 private experts in fields such as soil, foundation, tunnels, and underground safety, forming the 4th Central Underground Accident Investigation Committee (2025?2026). In particular, the committee members are selected to have no conflicts of interest with the Seoul Metropolitan Government or the local urban railway Line 9 construction project to ensure fairness and objectivity, according to MOLIT.

The Investigation Committee will hold a kickoff meeting near the accident site on March 31 and begin full-scale activities. Through on-site investigations, review of design documents, and hearings with related parties, the committee will identify the cause of the accident and prepare institutional improvement plans to prevent similar accidents in the future. The activity period is approximately two months until May 30, with the possibility of extension if necessary.

The operation of the Investigation Committee will be managed by the Korea Land and Housing Safety Institute, and MOLIT will carry out support tasks such as coordinating with related agencies. A MOLIT official stated, “We will thoroughly investigate to clearly identify the cause of the ground subsidence accident and ensure public safety,” adding, “We also plan to actively prepare institutional and technical improvement measures to prevent recurrence of such accidents.”