He Also Urges Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport:
"Comprehensive Investigation of High-Risk Areas Needed Without Delay"
Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon urged the Seoul Metropolitan Government to disclose high-risk sinkhole areas in Seoul on the 9th, referring to the sinkhole accident in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. This is interpreted as a move to check Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who is considered a rival in the People Power Party primary for the early presidential election on June 3.
In a post on his Facebook on the same day, former leader Han mentioned the sinkhole accident in Gangdong-gu, Seoul last month that resulted in one death, and stated, "To prevent dangerous and unfortunate incidents from recurring, a thorough investigation of sinkhole risk areas should be conducted promptly to alleviate citizens' anxiety and ensure safety."
He pointed out, "However, although the Seoul Metropolitan Government submitted a report on high-risk ground subsidence areas in the city to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport last year, Gangdong-gu, where the accident occurred, was not designated as a high-risk area, and only 8 out of 25 autonomous districts responded, reporting as many as 50 high-risk areas."
He argued that the Seoul Metropolitan Government should disclose the already designated high-risk sinkhole areas for the safety of citizens. Former leader Han said, "The Gangdong-gu sinkhole accident occurred even though the Seoul Metropolitan Government had classified the area as grade 5, the highest sinkhole risk level, yet proper on-site inspections were not conducted," and emphasized, "Until on-site inspections and countermeasures are implemented, the areas should be disclosed so that citizens can know where they are, helping to ensure their safety."
He continued, "The Seoul Metropolitan Government should promptly designate and report high-risk areas in the remaining 17 districts that did not report last year," adding, "It is unacceptable for local governments responsible for disaster safety management to neglect prevention. Especially after experiencing the Gangdong-gu sinkhole accident, they must not remain idle."
He also called for a prompt comprehensive investigation by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Former leader Han said, "Last year, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport established a plan to conduct a two-year comprehensive investigation of underground facility burial sections and areas adjacent to rivers, but it should be expedited," and requested, "If there is a budget shortage, please reflect it in the supplementary budget to advance the schedule."
In response to Han’s call, Mayor Oh told reporters on the same day, "I think it is a good suggestion," and added, "Due to this accident, we have reorganized the organizational chart, reinforced equipment, and plan to conduct frequent patrols in high-risk areas to prevent ground subsidence more thoroughly than before."
Meanwhile, former leader Han plans to officially declare his presidential candidacy on the stairs in front of the National Assembly main building on the 10th. Mayor Oh is also expected to announce his presidential bid on the 13th.
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