Gyeongju City Nears Completion of Urban "Sinkhole Prevention Inspection" Ahead of APEC... Immediate Repairs at 12 Major Road Locations

On September 2, Gyeongju City announced that it had conducted a "sinkhole (ground subsidence) prevention inspection" on major roads in the city center ahead of the 2025 APEC Summit.

The city stated that it immediately restored any sections where anomalies were detected during the inspection, and that the work is now in its final stages.

This inspection focused on the area surrounding the water supply pipes along the 19-kilometer stretch from Gyeongju IC to Bomun Tourist Complex, as well as other main city roads, where the movement of delegations from around the world will be concentrated during the summit.

This section is a key route connecting the conference venue, accommodations, and major tourist attractions, making ground stability a top priority.

This measure was taken as a proactive response to the recent series of urban sinkholes occurring across the country.

Gyeongju City explained that ground subsidence can potentially lead to traffic accidents and casualties, making preemptive management critically important.

For the inspection, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) equipment was used to non-destructively detect underground conditions. The investigation revealed 12 underground voids of various sizes.

Of these, 11 locations were repaired by injecting flowable filler material, while one location was reinforced with aggregate after excavation.

Gyeongju City explained that all repair work was completed immediately, eliminating potential risks.

Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nakyoung stated, "Securing ground safety along the main APEC routes is our top priority," and added, "Even after this inspection, we will conduct additional surveys within the year and, if necessary, carry out detailed investigations to further enhance citizen safety."

The city plans to incorporate the findings of this inspection into its management manual and, in cooperation with the road management department, operate a post-management system that includes pavement condition, drainage measures, and traffic safety management.

Additionally, the city will continuously monitor high-risk sections in line with changes in traffic volume to create a road environment where both citizens and tourists can feel safe.