Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: Audit Launched Over Inadequate De-Icing by Korea Expressway Corporation After Five Deaths on Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway

Regarding the multi-vehicle collision on the Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway that resulted in five fatalities, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on January 11 that it will launch an audit of Korea Expressway Corporation.

The Ministry stated that it plans to investigate whether the accident, which occurred near the Namsangju Interchange on the Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway at approximately 6:12 a.m. on January 10, was related to the corporation's failure to conduct a preemptive application of de-icing agents.

Minister Kim Yoonduk of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport instructed a thorough investigation into whether Korea Expressway Corporation complied with relevant regulations regarding overall management and response, including the indication that preemptive de-icing was not carried out.

On the 10th, a multi-vehicle collision occurred on the Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway in Sangju, Gyeongbuk, resulting in multiple casualties. Officials are seen clearing the damaged trucks caused by the accident. Photo by Yonhap News.

According to the guidelines for road de-icing operations, de-icing agents must be applied in advance if there is a forecast of possible road icing, or when the air temperature falls below 4 degrees Celsius and the road surface temperature drops below 2 degrees Celsius at the onset of rainfall.

The Ministry plans to verify whether these conditions were met at the time of the accident and whether Korea Expressway Corporation acted in accordance with the regulations.

The Ministry stated, "If the audit reveals negligence in management or failure to follow procedures, we will take strict action."