Plan to Request National Subsidies from Central Government
Previously Excluded Due to High Fiscal Self-Reliance
Following recent ground subsidence incidents in Yeonhui-dong and Myeongil-dong, Seoul, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has launched a phased, comprehensive inspection of sewer pipes that are over 30 years old as a proactive measure.
On the 13th, the city announced that it will first inspect 1,848 kilometers of aging circular sewer pipes located in priority maintenance zones (rated D and E), which are considered to have the highest risk of ground subsidence. This inspection marks the first phase of a long-term plan to manage a total of 6,029 kilometers of all sewer pipes in Seoul that are over 30 years old.
On March 24, a large sinkhole spanning four lanes occurred near the intersection close to Daemyeong Elementary School in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. The area around the accident site was cordoned off on the 25th. 2025. 03. 25 Photo by Yoon Dongju
As of 2023, out of Seoul’s total 10,866 kilometers of sewer pipes, those older than 30 years account for more than half (55.5%), amounting to 6,029 kilometers. Among the 228 ground subsidence incidents that have occurred over the past decade, 111 cases (48.7%) were caused by sewer pipe damage, highlighting the urgent need for maintenance.
The city plans to conduct detailed assessments using CCTV and visual inspections inside the pipes, and will establish maintenance plans based on these evaluations. The focus will be on circular sewer pipes, which are the main cause of ground subsidence, while 1,199 kilometers of rectangular or interceptor pipes will be maintained according to a separate management plan.
The total duration of the first phase of the project is from this month until August 2027. The city will be divided into four zones, and a budget of 13.7 billion won will be allocated for contracting the work. Upon completion of the first phase, the city will sequentially proceed with the second phase, which will cover 2,982 kilometers of circular sewer pipes over 30 years old in zones rated A, B, and C.
Currently, the city bears the costs for the repair and management of aging sewer pipes from its own budget, and officials report difficulties in ensuring stable management. Until now, Seoul has been effectively excluded from receiving national funding for sewer pipes due to its high fiscal self-reliance. Although the city received a temporary allocation of 33.8 billion won in national funds through a supplementary budget in response to social issues such as the Myeongil-dong subsidence incident, Seoul maintains that ongoing national support is necessary.
Accordingly, the city plans to formally request that the central government institutionalize national funding support for sewer pipe management. The city intends to propose that practical risk factors-such as the length of aging pipes, history of ground subsidence, and the density of underground facilities-be considered, in addition to fiscal self-reliance. In particular, Seoul will request that the national subsidy rate for metropolitan cities (30%) be applied, in line with the intent of the Enforcement Decree of the Subsidy Management Act, taking into account the aging status and urgent need for maintenance of Seoul’s sewer pipes.
Jung Sunguk, Director of the Water Circulation Safety Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "This comprehensive inspection is an important first step in shifting the paradigm of sewer management from reactive response to prevention. Since the management of infrastructure directly tied to citizen safety should not be divided between national and local governments, we will actively urge the government to institutionalize national funding support."
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