City Council Proposes Ordinance Amendment...
Establishment of Mid- to Long-Term Maintenance Plan
Disclosure of 'Ground Subsidence Safety Map' Unlikely
Stronger Response to Abnormal Signs at Underground Construction Sites
Following the fatal sinkhole accident in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, a revision of the ordinance to strengthen Seoul City's safety management obligations for aging sewer pipelines is being promoted. The main point is to establish a regular inspection system based on the judgment that aging sewer pipelines are the primary cause of sinkholes.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Council on the 2nd, a 'Partial Amendment to the Seoul Sewer Usage Ordinance' containing these details was recently proposed.
The amendment includes a provision that the Mayor of Seoul has the obligation to conduct a status survey and establish and implement a mid- to long-term maintenance plan for the entire Seoul area to prevent collapses and sinkhole accidents caused by aging sewer pipelines. In particular, it stipulates that, in addition to existing regular inspections, regular safety diagnoses must be conducted on aging sewer pipelines, and necessary repair and reinforcement measures must be implemented based on the results.
It also specifies that in the event of a sewer pipeline accident, an investigation into the cause and the establishment and implementation of recurrence prevention measures must be carried out, and the relevant information must be disclosed to the public.
However, it seems unlikely that Seoul City's 'Ground Subsidence Safety Map' will be disclosed. Although there have been increasing calls to release the 'Ground Subsidence Safety Map' following the sinkhole accident, Seoul City maintains a non-disclosure policy, stating that it could cause misunderstandings and create anxiety.
The Ground Subsidence Safety Map completed by Seoul City last year evaluates the risk of ground subsidence in five levels after comprehensively assessing ground conditions, underground facilities, and subsidence history. This map is shared only with autonomous districts and construction-related personnel. Seoul City stated, "The Ground Subsidence Safety Map was created for internal management to improve the efficiency of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys. It is not data that indicates risk levels by itself, and its disclosure could cause unnecessary misunderstandings and anxiety." According to Article 33 (Security Management) of the Framework Act on National Spatial Information and the 'Seoul Metropolitan Spatial Information Security Work Regulations,' spatial information is classified as 'restricted information' and is generally not disclosed.
Seong Heum-je, a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Eunpyeong 1), who announced the amended ordinance, said, "As ground subsidence continues in urban areas, it is urgent to prepare a systematic management plan for aging sewer pipelines. However, the current ordinance focuses on dredging and inspection of sewer pipelines, and regulations on structural safety evaluation or planned maintenance are insufficient. Through the ordinance revision, we aim to enhance trust in urban infrastructure and establish a sustainable management system that prioritizes citizens' lives and safety."
In the City Council, a 'Partial Amendment to the Seoul Underground Safety Management Ordinance' has also been introduced, which mandates prompt action when abnormal signs of ground subsidence are detected around underground development construction sites. During the underground development project, if significant deformation of the ground or facilities is found within the excavation impact range, or if related reports or complaints occur, the mayor is required to immediately inspect the site and promptly take measures such as temporary suspension of construction or traffic control on surrounding roads.
The two ordinances related to sinkhole measures are scheduled to be submitted at the April extraordinary session. If passed by the standing committee and the plenary session, they will be sent to the mayor and take effect immediately upon promulgation.
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