President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday called for a prompt investigation and stern punishment for those responsible for the Seosomun Overpass collapse in Seoul that killed three workers.
President Lee Jae Myung 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.
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. “These incidents are especially serious because they involve the public sector, which is supposed to lead efforts to ensure public safety,” he said.
Later in the day, the labor 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.
