Minister Kim Yoonduk: "President Lee Jaemyung Orders Thorough Investigation into Cheongdo Train Accident"

"Even Basic Safety Protocols Were Ignored,"
Criticism from the National Assembly
"Public Sector Accidents Must Be Treated More Severely Than Private Ones"

On August 21, Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, addressed President Lee Jaemyung's directives regarding the Gyeongbu Line train accident in Cheongdo-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, stating, "He instructed us to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the facts and to ensure the process is carried out according to the law and principles."

At the full meeting of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee held that day, Minister Kim responded to a related question from Assemblywoman Kim Eunhye of the People Power Party, saying, "The President also emphasized the need to offer condolences to the bereaved families and to spare no effort in providing both material and psychological support."

Minister Kim further explained, "If the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport directly intervenes in the investigation of a fatal accident, there is a risk of distortion, so we are cooperating with caution." He added, "We will examine whether there were violations of railway safety laws and take stern action according to the investigation results." Fatal accidents at industrial sites are classified as serious accidents, and, in principle, the police and the Ministry of Employment and Labor are the main investigating authorities.

"Even Basic Safety Protocols Were Ignored," Criticism from the National Assembly

Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is attending the full meeting of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee held at the National Assembly on the 21st and responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yonhap News

Lawmakers from both parties focused on the failure to implement basic safety measures as the cause of the accident. Assemblyman Kim Doeup of the People Power Party stated, "The basic measures to prevent train collision accidents are the use of a train approach warning app and the deployment of forward and rear lookout personnel, but even these most fundamental protocols were not followed." He added, "According to actual victim testimonies, while the app did sound an alert, there was neither time nor space to escape."

Assemblyman Ahn Taejun of the Democratic Party specifically addressed the timing of the workers' entry at the time of the accident. He noted, "From the workers' entry point to the accident site was 320 meters, and to the intended inspection location was 470 meters." He continued, "The accident occurred at 10:49 a.m., but entry was at 10:44 a.m., just five minutes earlier. Moreover, this was when a southbound train was approaching from behind."

He further stated, "The train passage times were already available at Namseong Station, and the work guidelines require prior consultation with the nearby station, but in reality, no such consultation took place." He added, "Given that trains run at 20-minute intervals, allowing entry just five minutes before a train's arrival is simply incomprehensible."

Assemblyman Ahn also said, "The entry time was 10:43:55, and the accident occurred just five minutes later. If the entry was known, what was the point of installing the app?" He emphasized, "If there had been any intention to move safely, the workers should have crossed the tracks and moved to a higher area, but no safety measures or training were provided."

He continued, "According to the safety measures for risk factors, this section is already designated as an 'area where train signals are not clearly visible.' We need to investigate how work permits were granted in a location where evacuation is virtually impossible and even seeing an approaching train is difficult." He also pointed out, "There are reports that subcontractor employees were urgently deployed for tasks outside their contract. Even if it was urgent, the contract should have been amended before proceeding."

Assemblyman Jung Junho of the Democratic Party noted that one out of four train approach warning app devices was not functioning, and due to noise, workers could not hear the alerts even when they sounded.

Assemblyman Yum Taeyoung of the Democratic Party stated, "CCTV footage shows that workers walked along the grass embankment as required, but the path was blocked, forcing them onto the tracks." He continued, "Poor embankment management caused the accident. We must thoroughly verify how the budget was used and the actual state of management."

At around 10:45 a.m. on the 19th, workers were seen moving near the Gyeongbu Line railroad close to Cheongdo Bullfighting Stadium in Samsinri, Hwayang-eup, Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongbuk Province. Shortly after this scene was filmed, a Mugunghwa train struck seven workers who were working near the tracks, resulting in two deaths and five injuries. Provided by reader · Yonhap News Agency

"Public Sector Accidents Must Be Treated More Severely Than Private Ones"

Assemblyman Yoon Jaeok of the People Power Party said, "From 2020 to 2024, there were 155 deaths at public enterprise sites, and half of these occurred at agencies under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. This fact must be kept in mind."

Assemblyman Yoon continued, "When a fatal accident occurs at a private company, it leads to work stoppages, searches and seizures, and even management changes. The public is also watching how public institution accidents are handled." He emphasized, "Only if stricter safety measures are implemented in the public sector will the private sector also comply."

He added, "Inspection personnel did not even know the locations of the facilities, so Korail staff and safety managers had to be urgently dispatched, and radio communication with the station was also inadequate. Since past accidents like the one at Miryang Station in 2019 have been repeating, fundamental safety measures are needed."

As the meeting concluded, National Assembly Land Committee Chairman Maeng Sungkyu stated, "Thorough fact-finding and prevention of recurrence are key," and urged, "We hope public institutions and the government will establish concrete measures to protect the lives of the people."

At around 10:52 a.m. on the 19th, a Mugunghwa train traveling from Dongdaegu Station to Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, struck seven workers who were moving along the Gyeongbu Line tracks in Hwayang-eup, Cheongdo-gun, for a railway facility safety inspection. As a result of this accident, two subcontracted safety inspection workers died and five were injured.

Han Moonhee, President of Korail, offered his resignation to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport that day, taking responsibility for the accident.