Aftermath of Gwangju Library Collapse: Local Leaders' Publication Events Temporarily Halted

Kang Gijung, Moon In, Kim Byungnae, and Shin Sujeong Postpone Events
Emergency Safety Inspections Begin at Local Construction Sites

On the 12th, the second day after the collapse accident at the new Gwangju Representative Library construction site, rescue authorities continued search operations by deploying cranes to clear the area around the buried site at the construction site in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Gwangju Fire Department

As a result of the collapse accident at the new Gwangju Representative Library, local government heads who had been preparing to run in next year's local elections are suspending their publication events one after another. With the accident response now the city's top priority, all official schedules are being thoroughly readjusted.

According to political circles on December 12, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijung has postponed the publication event that was scheduled for December 14 at the Kim Daejung Convention Center. Mayor Kang's office stated, "We are postponing the publication event due to the collapse accident at the Representative Library construction site," and added, "We will do our utmost to manage the aftermath of the accident."

Moon In, Mayor of Buk-gu, also postponed the book concert that was planned for December 21. Immediately after the accident, Mayor Moon issued a message of condolence for the victims and, starting December 12, launched emergency safety inspections at nine major construction sites in Buk-gu.

Kim Byungnae, Mayor of Nam-gu, likewise decided to postpone the publication event that was scheduled for December 20 at Gwangju National University. Nam-gu has begun a comprehensive inspection of all construction sites in the district, and Mayor Kim's publication event will remain unscheduled for the time being. Internally, they are considering resuming the event in January or February next year.

Shin Sujeong, Chairperson of the Gwangju City Council, also postponed the publication event that was to be held on the same day. Chairperson Shin expressed condolences upon hearing the news of the accident and stated that it would be difficult to proceed with the event while the search for the missing is still ongoing.

With two people confirmed dead and two still missing following the collapse at the Gwangju Representative Library construction site, local governments are focusing their administrative resources on rescue operations and safety inspections. The accident occurred at 1:58 p.m. the previous day during concrete pouring at the new library site on the former Sangmu Incineration Plant grounds in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, when a steel structure collapsed. A plasterer in his 40s and a rebar worker in his 70s who were buried under the debris have died, while a plumber in his 50s and a rebar worker in his 60s remain unaccounted for, with search operations ongoing.