[Exclusive] Seoul City Warns Seoul Metro Authority Head Over Subway Dust Collection Facilities...Former Chief of Technology Department Referred for Investigation

Seoul Metro's Negligence in Installing Bidirectional Dust Collectors and Station Ventilation Systems, Suspected Vendor Involvement; Agency Head Warned, Mechanical Director Recommended for Dismissal, Former Technical Director Referred for Investigation and Severe Disciplinary Actions

Kim Sang-beom, President of Seoul Metro (far right), is receiving a work report from officials during a visit to Gunja Vehicle Depot after taking office as president last year.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The Seoul Metropolitan Government has drawn attention by issuing a warning to the head of Seoul Transportation Corporation (President Kim Sang-beom) regarding the installation of bidirectional dust collectors and station ventilation systems in the Seoul subway.

Additionally, it recommended the dismissal of Machinery Director L and referred former Technical Headquarters Director K (retired) for investigation, imposing severe disciplinary measures.

Various disciplinary actions, including suspension, were also taken against the responsible employees.

From 2018 to 2019, when fine dust levels were severe, Mayor Park Won-soon, who served as the head of the task force, launched extensive measures to reduce fine dust.

Accordingly, both the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the central government allocated supplementary budgets to Seoul Transportation Corporation to protect the health of Seoul citizens and metropolitan area residents using the Seoul subway.

However, audit results revealed that Seoul Transportation Corporation invested only about 100 million KRW and failed to carry out the construction work.

In particular, the former retired Technical Headquarters Director is under investigation by judicial authorities due to suspicious work-related connections, drawing attention.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government, through its audit of Seoul Transportation Corporation, judged that a non-working atmosphere prevailed and that there were strong suspicions of corruption, including collusion with contractors, and has expressed its intention to continue monitoring the situation closely.

This fact was confirmed after a thorough audit began in December following an investigation by the Evaluation Officer on November 19 of last year, and was finalized at the Audit Committee meeting held on the 9th.

Kim Sang-beom, President of Seoul Transportation Corporation, is expected to report the audit results to Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who will soon take office, and further criticism regarding this audit outcome is anticipated.

In response, the corporation issued a statement on the 12th, stating that it has established and is implementing 23 measures across all areas including stations, trains, and tunnels to reduce fine dust inside the subway, with three projects such as the installation of fine dust measuring devices completed and the remaining projects currently underway.

Regarding the allegation of "negligence in installing bidirectional dust collectors and station ventilation systems in the Seoul subway," the corporation explained that there was no intentional delay or negligence in the project.

Meanwhile, concerning the referral of the former Technical Headquarters Director to investigative authorities due to suspicious work-related connections, the former director denies all allegations, and it is expected that the investigation will clarify the facts.

The corporation also stated that it will thoroughly review any shortcomings in future project progress to ensure smooth implementation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.