"Safety Is More Important Than the Presidential Election"... POSCO E&C Apologizes at Sinansan Line Collapse Press Conference

Joint Press Conference by Resident Representative, Gwangmyeong Mayor, and National Assembly Members
Resident Representative: "POSCO E&C, Present Measures to Prevent Recurrence"
POSCO E&C: "Promise of Compensation and Preventive Measures, Cooperation in Identifying the Cause"

In connection with the collapse accident at the Sinansan Line construction site in Iljik-dong, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi Province, local civic groups, residents, and the local government held a joint press conference, urging the government and the construction company, POSCO E&C, to take responsible action. Immediately after the press conference, POSCO E&C, the construction company for the Sinansan Line, issued an official statement, apologizing for the accident and promising compensation and measures to prevent recurrence.

The press conference, held at the National Assembly Communication Hall on May 20, was attended by Gwangmyeong Mayor Park Seungwon, members of the National Assembly, civic groups, and affected residents. They emphasized that "although a month has passed since the accident, victims are still moving from place to place for temporary accommodation and are facing serious threats to their livelihoods and safety." They strongly demanded prompt compensation for damages, a thorough investigation into the cause, and the implementation of a special underground safety inspection.

Lee Byungsik, vice-chairman representing local business owners in the affected area, said, "We have lost our livelihoods and are enduring each day in crisis," and added, "POSCO E&C must provide practical recovery support, including compensation for evacuation costs and business losses, as well as present preventive measures that residents can trust."

Resident representative Lee Taehyun stressed, "A thorough investigation into the cause of the accident must be conducted through a National Assembly hearing, and until the cause is clearly identified, we oppose the resumption of construction." Residents also expressed their opposition to reinstalling the collapsed ventilation shaft.

Gwangmyeong Mayor Park Seungwon stated, "What we have learned from the Pangyo ventilation shaft accident, the Sewol ferry disaster, and the Itaewon tragedy is that disasters without accountability will be repeated." He urged, "Do not turn away from the suffering of Gwangmyeong citizens. The government and political circles must take active steps to determine the cause, provide compensation, and improve the system."

Members of the National Assembly Lim Ohkyung and Kim Namhee stated, "It is urgent to supplement laws and systems for comprehensive underground safety management and to expand budgets," and demanded a special safety inspection for the entire Sinansan Line. Heo Jeongho, secretary-general of Gwangmyeong Gyeongsilryeon, who attended as a representative of civic groups, also insisted, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the construction company must ensure transparency of information and make victim-centered compensation a principle."

Immediately after the press conference, POSCO E&C issued a statement, saying, "We deeply apologize for the concern caused by this accident," and promised compensation and support for returning to daily life. The company stated that it is currently implementing measures such as covering evacuation costs, making advance payments for business losses, and operating transportation services. In addition, the company emphasized, "We are actively cooperating with the accident investigation committee and are also conducting detailed safety inspections for the entire Sinansan Line," and added, "We will fulfill our responsibilities to the end."

This accident is being evaluated not simply as a construction issue, but as having revealed structural vulnerabilities in underground safety, construction management, and the overall accident response system. Previously, Gwangmyeong-si, together with four other local governments in Gyeonggi Province, proposed establishing a joint response system, strengthening local government participation rights in construction inspections, and forming a regular working-level consultative body. The city plans to officially submit these proposals to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the construction company.