Gwangju City Council Member Shim Cheol Urges Installation of Manhole Fall Prevention Devices

Manhole Accident Prevention Urged After Heavy Rain
Shim Cheol Calls for Mandatory Installation of Fall Prevention Devices
Gwangju’s Installation Rate Among Lowest in Nation
Budget and Ordinance Needed for Citizen Safety
Central Government Support Requested Amid Climate Crisis
“Measures Without Action Must Not Be Repeated”

Shim Cheol, a member of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council, is delivering a "5-minute free speech" at the 336th extraordinary session plenary meeting on the 28th. Provided by Gwangju Metropolitan Council

On August 28, Shim Cheol, a member of the Gwangju Metropolitan Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Seo-gu District 4), highlighted the seriousness of recent manhole accidents caused by heavy rainfall during his "5-minute free speech" at the 336th extraordinary session plenary meeting. He urged the Gwangju city government to make the installation of manhole fall prevention devices mandatory and to actively allocate budget for this purpose.

Assemblyman Shim stated, "On the 3rd of this month, a 25-year-old man fell into an open manhole on a road in Ssangchon-dong, Seo-gu, and on July 17, there was another case in Maegok-dong, Buk-gu, where a manhole cover was left open and unattended." He emphasized, "The fact that more than 10 reports of manhole dislodgement were received in just two days shows that citizens can be exposed to danger anytime and anywhere."

He continued, "Despite the costly lessons from the Gangnam Station disaster in Seoul in 2022 and the recent fatal accident in Busan, the nationwide installation rate of manhole fall prevention devices is only 7%. In Gwangju, the installation rate is just 3%, which is the lowest level in the country, leaving citizen safety virtually neglected."

He asserted, "We cannot put citizen safety on the back burner due to budget shortages. In particular, installation should begin in stages, starting with children's school routes, areas near senior welfare centers, and regions prone to frequent flooding. To achieve this, both the enactment of ordinances and securing of budget must proceed in parallel."

He also added, "Since disasters caused by the climate crisis are a nationwide issue, the central government must provide financial support. The Gwangju Metropolitan Council should speak with one voice to demand national funding."

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Shim stressed, "The lives and safety of citizens are non-negotiable fundamental rights, and the criticism that 'there were measures, but no implementation' must not be repeated." He urged, "Please respond actively and responsibly so that Gwangju can become a city where citizens can walk the streets with peace of mind."