[Report] "Even If I Die, It Will Be in My Home"... Gwangju Line 2 Construction Victims Appeal

11 Out of 13 Homes Rated 'E Grade' in Detailed Inspection
Despite Evacuation Order, Residents Say "We Can't Leave Our Home of 30 Years"
"Cracks Wouldn't Exist Without Construction" ... Residents Demand Cause Investigation
Buk-gu: "Safety Is the Top Priority, Compensation Must Be Led by the City"
Conflict Continues Despite Gwangju City's Insurance and Temporary Housing Measures

On the morning of the 16th, a "Caution: Passage" sign was installed at the entrance of a residential area in Jungheung-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. The sign warns of the risk of building collapse. Photo by Song Bohyun

On October 16, in an alleyway in Jungheung-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Mr. Park (68) greeted the reporter in front of his house, where the wall had cracked and the structure had tilted. He purchased the house in 1990 and has lived there for over 30 years since 1995. His son, who was nine years old at the time, is now nearing forty, and as the head family, relatives have gathered here for ancestral rites every holiday.

Earlier this month, Mr. Park's house received an "E grade" in a detailed safety inspection, meaning it must be vacated immediately. On October 1, Gwangju City issued an emergency evacuation order to Mr. Park and other residents. However, Mr. Park refused to leave. "The holiday is just around the corner, and they told us to go to a motel. As the head family, where am I supposed to hold the ancestral rites? My son's wedding is at the end of this month. Even if I die, I will die in my own home."

It was not easy to leave the house where all three children would return for Chuseok. This was a place he had maintained for over 30 years, chatting with neighbors at the front gate and preparing for ancestral rites every holiday.

From the left, a device installed to check cracks on the house wall and the tilting of the house. Photo by Song Bohyun

The video Mr. Park showed on his phone captured the kitchen wall shaking in sync with the construction vibrations. "The noise would echo, and the walls would shake. I couldn't even lie down. That's when I realized cracks were forming and the house was tilting."

While talking with Mr. Park, two construction officials entered the house. They checked the devices attached to the walls and columns one by one to assess the tilt of the house. When asked by the reporter if they came to inspect every day, the two replied briefly, "We check every day," before moving on.

In addition to safety concerns, compensation was becoming another source of conflict. The damage assessed by the insurance company was 4.2 million won. Mr. Park rejected this. "It costs over 1 million won just to fix the bathroom. I don't need the money. I just want my house restored to its original condition."

On the morning of the 16th, construction officials are inspecting the exterior of the house. Photo by Song Bohyun

An official from Buk-gu Office, whom we met at the scene, said, "Even when we recommend evacuation to residents, they are hesitant to move. They insist that compensation and countermeasures must come first. Sometimes, we even feel sorry to call them," expressing his frustration.

Another Buk-gu official explained the reasons for establishing the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and the points of conflict. In a phone call with this newspaper, he said, "We set up the headquarters out of concern for citizens' safety and property damage, and issued evacuation orders to residents. However, Buk-gu's role is limited to persuading and assisting residents to relocate for their safety. Compensation and further measures must be clearly handled at the city level." He added, "Currently, most residents believe the subway construction is the main cause. If Gwangju City does not clarify the compensation issue, the conflict will inevitably grow."

On the afternoon of the 15th, at the Jungheung 1-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Buk-gu, Gwangju, a briefing session for residents affected by the construction of Urban Railway Line 2 was held. Photo by Song Bohyun

In response to residents' requests following a wall collapse accident in April, Gwangju City conducted detailed safety inspections from July to September. Of the 13 sites inspected, 11 were rated E grade and 2 were rated D grade. According to the inspection report, the causes were identified as a combination of building aging, ground subsidence, and cracks, with additional structural issues such as faulty door operation and building tilt also confirmed.

Another resident who attended the briefing session the previous day said, "If it weren't for the construction, these cracks wouldn't have appeared. Even the sidewalks and alley floors are splitting. How can they blame aging? For three years now, abnormal signs have continued, yet there is neither a clear cause nor a solution."

Gwangju City presented support measures for affected residents. Through the construction liability insurance system, not only repair costs but also business losses and psychological damages are covered, and if residents dispute the insurance payout, they can seek compensation adjustment through the Central Environmental Dispute Mediation Committee. The city has also secured 26 apartment units as temporary housing for residents staying in motels due to evacuation orders and emphasized the need for prompt relocation for safety reasons.

Oh Younggeol, head of the Gwangju Urban Railway Construction Headquarters, stated, "Within the standards set by law and principles, we will help residents return to their daily lives through support and cooperation," adding, "We regret that the results for these buildings have turned out this way."