South Korea's president calls for stern punishment for those responsible for fatal overpass collapse in Seoul
Seoul, May 28
President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday called for a prompt investigation and stern punishment for those responsible for recent safety-related incidents, including the collapse of an overpass in Seoul that killed three workers.
The president made the call while presiding over a meeting with senior aides, two days after a section of the Seosomun Overpass in western Seoul collapsed during demolition work, killing three workers and injuring three others.
Lee also referred to a recent revelation that underground construction at Samseong Station for the high-speed commuter rail line GTX-A was completed without sufficient rebar, as he made the call, Yonhap news agency reported.
"These incidents are especially serious because they involve the public sector, which is supposed to lead efforts to ensure public safety," Lee said.
"Institutions in charge should promptly uncover the truth and, in accordance with the results, sternly hold those responsible accountable regardless of their rank," the president added. "Money cannot be more valuable than lives."
The president noted that the country saw a sharp decline in the number of workplace deaths in the first quarter of this year, but the figure still remains high.
"It should be kept in mind that safety is the most effective investment," he said, pledging to devote maximum government resources to safeguarding the people's lives.
Later in the day, the labour ministry granted conditional approval to resume demolition work on the Seosomun Overpass after receiving an application from the Seoul city government.
The ministry said the approval was contingent on the implementation of additional worker safety measures.
The Seoul metropolitan government said emergency demolition work would begin at midnight Friday.
The resumption of construction came about 57 1/2 hours after the accident occurred.
Meanwhile, the city government said workers conducting inspections at the time of the collapse were not wearing fall-prevention safety equipment, including lifelines.
A safety management plan obtained Thursday by Rep. Cheon Jun-ho of the ruling Democratic Party showed the contractor had established specific measures to prevent demolition workers from falling. According to the document, submitted by a state body overseeing land and infrastructure safety, workers were required to install horizontal lifeline anchor systems on elevated surfaces and connect safety lines to prevent falls.
However, the city authority confirmed five people, including the site manager and supervising engineer who were killed, were not wearing the required safety gear at the time of the accident.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Disappointing to see such negligence in a developed nation like South Korea. The fact that workers weren't even wearing basic fall prevention gear is shocking. President Lee is right to demand accountability - this is what real leadership looks like. Meanwhile, we have our own infrastructure disasters back home. 😔
The president's stance is commendable but actions speak louder than words. In India, we've seen countless building collapses and bridge failures where nobody is held accountable. South Korea has a chance to set an example by actually punishing the guilty regardless of rank. Wishing them a thorough investigation.
Three lives lost because of carelessness. 😢 The irony is that they had proper safety measures documented but didn't implement them. This reminds me of how things work in our country too - plans are made, files are signed, but on ground nothing happens. At least the president is acknowledging the problem openly.
Good to see a leader taking responsibility and calling for punishment "regardless of rank". In India, our politicians often make similar statements but nothing happens. The fact that the labour ministry allowed work to resume with additional safety measures shows they are at least trying to balance urgency with safety.
Honestly, this is heartbreaking. Three workers lost their lives because someone decided safety gear was optional. 😢 The president's speech sounds good but I hope it's not just political rhetoric. We've seen many such promises in India that led nowhere. Let's wait and watch how South Korea actually handles this.
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