Joint Press Conference at the National Assembly with Gwangmyeong City, Lawmakers, and Civic Groups
Residents living near the site of the Sinansan Line collapse accident in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, have called on the government and the construction company, POSCO E&C, to provide prompt compensation for damages and to establish safety measures.
Gwangmyeong City, local residents, regional members of the National Assembly, and social organizations are urging the National Assembly on the 20th for prompt compensation and the establishment of safety measures for the victims of the Sinansan Line collapse accident. From left: Heo Jeongho, Secretary General of Gwangmyeong Kyungsilryeon; Kim Dongcheol, Representative of Guseokmal Building Owners; Lee Taehyun, Representative of Victims; Kim Namhee, Member of the National Assembly; Park Seungwon, Mayor of Gwangmyeong; Lim Okyung, Member of the National Assembly; Lee Byungsik, Vice Chairman of Guseokmal Shopping District; Kim Gwangung, Chairman of Yangji Village Autonomous Committee; Kim Jingon, Representative of Victims. Provided by Gwangmyeong City
According to Gwangmyeong City, five representatives of affected residents from the area held a joint press conference at the National Assembly's Communication Center briefing room on the 20th, together with Gwangmyeong City, local members of the National Assembly, and the Gwangmyeong Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, to make this demand.
According to Gwangmyeong City, since the collapse accident at the Sinansan Line construction site on April 11, 21 households comprising 55 residents in the Guseokmal area of Iljik-dong near the site have been unable to return to their homes and have been staying in temporary accommodations for over a month. Seventeen businesses near the accident site, including restaurants, gas stations, and car repair shops, have also reported business losses.
Lee Byungsik, Vice Chairman of the Guseokmal Affected Business Owners' Committee, stated at the press conference, "Residents have lost their homes and are enduring difficult times filled with anxiety and a sense of crisis," and demanded that the government and POSCO E&C fully assume their responsibilities to enable residents to return to normal life.
Other affected residents from the area also called for a parliamentary hearing, a halt to all construction until the cause of the accident is identified, opposition to the reconstruction of the collapsed ventilation shaft, and management of noise and dust at schools near the construction site.
Park Seungwon, Mayor of Gwangmyeong, said, "The government and political circles must listen to the suffering of Gwangmyeong citizens and actively work to determine the cause of the accident, ensure swift response and adequate compensation, and establish strong measures to prevent recurrence." He also emphasized, "To prevent repeated social disasters, a thorough investigation and responsible action are necessary."
They also demanded an official apology from local members of the National Assembly, including Lim Okyung and Kim Namhee, and responsible institutions, improvements to laws and systems to ensure public safety, and transparent disclosure of information related to the accident.
Previously, on May 15, the heads of five local governments?Gwangmyeong, Siheung, Ansan, Anyang, and Hwaseong?through which the Sinansan Line passes, issued a joint statement calling on the government to take measures to ensure safe construction of the Sinansan Line.
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