On-site Consulting Support by "Gyeonggi Underground Safety Guardians"
at 44 Underground Development Sites in 12 Cities and Counties
from May 19 to June 5 Before the Rainy Season
Gyeonggi Province announced on May 18 that, as part of its sector-specific special safety measures under the "Special Safety Measures for Underground Construction Sites and Subsidence" announced on April 17, it will implement and support on-site consulting by "Gyeonggi Underground Safety Guardians" at underground construction sites across the province from May 19 to June 5 to prevent safety accidents during the summer rainy season.
Before the rainy season, the province plans to provide on-site consulting during inspections at 44 underground development construction sites in 12 cities and counties, together with the "Gyeonggi Underground Safety Guardians," a group of underground safety experts, focusing on large-scale excavation sites and other high-risk locations.
From 2018 to 2024, there were 93 ground subsidence incidents in the province during the vulnerable rainy season (June to July), accounting for 30.5% of the total 305 cases. As the rainy season approaches, the consulting will be tailored to address major vulnerabilities such as rainwater drainage and collapses caused by soil erosion.
Meanwhile, the province is currently carrying out administrative procedures to establish enforcement rules for the ordinance, following the promulgation of the "Partial Amendment to the Ordinance on the Management and Maintenance of Underground Safety in Gyeonggi Province" on May 7.
In addition, the province has requested cooperation from 31 cities and counties, Korea Electric Power Corporation, Korea Water Resources Corporation, public institutions and companies related to underground facilities, and other relevant organizations to conduct "Underground Safety Inspections" in accordance with Article 34 of the "Special Act on the Management of Underground Safety" before the rainy season. Depending on the results of these inspections, the province has also requested active measures such as "risk assessment" and repair or reinforcement if ground subsidence is deemed likely, in order to prevent such incidents in advance.
The province also called for the active cooperation of relevant organizations to establish "Underground Facility Safety Management Councils" in each city and county.
Kang Seongsup, Director of the Construction Bureau of Gyeonggi Provincial Government, stated, "As a follow-up to the special safety measures, we will conduct thorough joint inspections with the province, cities and counties, and relevant organizations to prepare for the rainy season," adding, "Because ground subsidence accidents are directly linked to the safety of residents, we will do our utmost to ensure underground safety."
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