Executives from Major Construction Companies
Expected to Be Selected as Witnesses and Reference Persons
for the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee Audit
The reason why a large number of CEOs from construction companies are expected to be called as witnesses at this year's National Assembly audit is believed to be the increase in accidents and resulting casualties. With President Lee Jaemyung of the new administration personally emphasizing the importance of on-site safety management, attention is focused on whether this audit will lead to institutional improvements to reduce casualties.
According to the list of witnesses and reference persons being reviewed by the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee as of September 25, many CEOs from top-ranked construction companies based on construction capability evaluations have been named. Kim Bohyun, CEO of Daewoo Engineering & Construction, which ranks third, has been nominated as a witness due to construction accidents and related issues.
In addition, Lee Haewook, Chairman of DL Group (DL E&C, ranked fourth), Heo Yunhong, President of GS Engineering & Construction (fifth), Joo Ujeong, CEO of Hyundai Engineering (sixth), Song Chiyoung, President of POSCO E&C (seventh), Park Hyuncheol, CEO of Lotte Engineering & Construction (eighth), and Jeong Kyunggu, CEO of HDC Hyundai Development Company (tenth), have also been nominated as witnesses. Park Sechang, Vice Chairman of Kumho Engineering & Construction, has also been included on the witness list. This appears to be due to a heightened sense of seriousness regarding construction safety issues, as a series of recent accidents have occurred in the construction sector.
At the site of the collapse of the bridge deck during the construction of the Seoul-Sejong Expressway in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, officials from the police, National Forensic Service, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, National Disaster Safety Research Institute, and Korea Land and Infrastructure Safety Corporation are conducting a joint inspection to determine the cause of the accident. Photo by Yonhap News
Lee Hanwoo, CEO of Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which ranks second, is also expected to be summoned as a witness. Issues to be addressed include the suspension of the contract for the construction of the new Gadeokdo Airport and allegations of preferential treatment in the presidential residence construction project during the previous Yoon Sukyeol administration. Hyundai Engineering & Construction was originally responsible for the site development work for Gadeokdo Airport, but withdrew due to unresolved disagreements over the construction period and other matters. As suspicions regarding the presidential residence construction have persisted, the audit plans to scrutinize this matter as well.
Additionally, Lee Bonggwan, Chairman of Sehee Engineering & Construction, and Kim Woncheol, CEO, are also likely to be called as witnesses at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's audit. The stated purpose is to examine the structural problems of housing supply and construction policy and to devise institutional improvement measures. However, as recent special investigations have raised allegations that a necklace was presented to First Lady Kim Keonhee, heated debate on this issue is expected. Regarding the suspicion of preferential treatment in the change of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway terminus, Lee Sanghwa, Vice President of Donghae Engineering & Consultants, has been named as a witness.
Although the final list of witnesses for this year's audit has not yet been confirmed, it is expected to increase significantly compared to last year's audit by the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee. Last year, some CEOs were summoned due to issues arising at individual sites, but this year, with heightened attention on construction accidents, a large number of CEOs from major construction companies have been nominated as witnesses. The final list of witnesses and reference persons will be confirmed through discussions among the ruling and opposition party secretaries within the standing committee.
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