Kang Gijeong: "Full Efforts to Determine Cause and Prevent Recurrence of Gwangju Representative Library Collapse"

Condolences Expressed for the Victims
Construction Company Also Issues Apology at the Site

On the third day of the collapse accident at Gwangju Representative Library on the 13th, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong visited the accident site in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, and announced follow-up measures to the press. Photo by Gwangju City

Regarding the collapse accident at Gwangju Representative Library, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong visited the site and pledged to determine the cause of the accident and establish measures to prevent recurrence. This official statement was made on the third day after the accident, December 13, as rescue authorities had recovered all four people who were trapped, concluding the rescue operation.

At the accident site in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, Mayor Kang stated, "I offer my condolences to the four victims and extend my heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved families, which words alone cannot fully convey. We will operate a task force led by the Deputy Mayor for Administrative Affairs, mobilizing all relevant departments to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and establish measures to prevent a recurrence."

He continued, "We will rigorously examine whether there were any unsafe practices throughout the construction, supervision, and ordering processes. We will go beyond legal standards and evaluate and improve from the perspective of our citizens." He added, "We will also pay close attention to compensation for the victims and support for the bereaved families to help them return to their daily lives."

Previously, the head of the construction company also visited the site and issued an apology. Kim Chansik, CEO of Gu-il General Construction, bowed his head at the accident briefing and said, "This is an accident that should never have happened." He continued, "I offer my condolences to those who lost their lives and my deepest sympathy to the bereaved families. We will do our utmost to determine the cause of the accident, manage the aftermath, and establish measures to prevent recurrence." CEO Kim also stated, "We will conduct a comprehensive review of our safety management system and identify all causes to ensure that such an accident is never repeated."

The collapse at the Gwangju Representative Library construction site occurred at 1:58 p.m. on December 11 at the former Sangmu Incineration Plant site in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu. A structure under construction collapsed, trapping and killing four workers. On December 13, after the last missing person was recovered, rescue operations at the site were concluded.