Osan Retaining Wall: Reports of "White Bricks" and "Potholes" Preceded Collapse in Heavy Rain

Reports from Online Communities and Road View Photos
Pothole on the Road Due to Ground Subsidence, Wall Also Discolored White

On July 16, a retaining wall collapsed on the overpass at Gajang Intersection in Osan City, Gyeonggi Province, resulting in the death of a vehicle driver. Since then, a series of claims have emerged suggesting that signs of the wall's impending collapse had already been visible.

The previous day, posts appeared on online communities such as 'FM Korea' under the title, "Photo of a civil complaint filed the day before yesterday (July 15) at the site of the Osan accident." Netizen A, who wrote the post, uploaded a photo and stated, "It looked like it was about to collapse for two days straight."

The pothole on the two-lane approach road at Gajang Intersection in Osan City, Gyeonggi Province, where the accident occurred. Captured from an online community.

The photo shows a crack on the second lane of the overpass at Gajang Intersection, in the direction of Suwon. In the middle of the road, a pothole estimated to be several tens of centimeters in diameter is visible, and a significant crack extends from the pothole.

Another netizen captured and shared a photo of the collapsed retaining wall using the road view feature of a map application. This netizen claimed, "Even in 2024, the condition of the retaining walls was poor," and argued, "The Osan retaining wall accident appears to be a man-made disaster." In the photo shared, several parts of the wall are visibly discolored white.

In fact, it has been reported that recent civil complaints regarding safety concerns in this area had been filed. According to a Yonhap News report on July 18, at 7:19 a.m. on July 15, the day before the accident, a citizen filed a report through the Osan City Road Traffic Division's Safety Report app, stating, "The right side of the second lane is subsiding. There is concern about a collapse if rainwater infiltrates."

The appearance of the Osan retaining wall last year, photographed by another netizen. Captured from an online community.

At the time, the complainant explained, "This part of the road was raised using reinforced soil," and added, "Prompt inspection is necessary. The subsided section can be easily found by visiting the site." However, it is reported that Osan City did not take immediate action.

Meanwhile, the accident occurred at around 7:00 p.m. on July 16, when a 10-meter-high retaining wall of the overpass at Gajang Intersection in Osan City collapsed, crushing a passing passenger car and killing a male driver in his 40s.

Regarding the accident, Osan City Mayor Lee Gwonjae said, "A pothole report was received, so on July 16, we took safety measures at the site and had already selected a contractor to repair the pothole on July 18. After that, we imposed traffic control because a pothole on the road could be dangerous for passing vehicles, but we did not expect the retaining wall to collapse."

The police have organized a dedicated investigation team of 13 members to look into the details of the accident and are also reviewing whether the Serious Accidents Punishment Act for Citizens applies. The previous day, the civic group 'Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice' issued a statement requesting that the police consider whether the accident falls under the Serious Accidents Punishment Act for Citizens.