Police Conduct Search and Seizure at Hyundai Development Company Headquarters Related to 'Gwangju Building Collapse'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The police investigating the collapse accident of a demolished building in Gwangju have conducted a search and seizure of the construction company.

On the morning of the 16th, the Redevelopment Collapse Accident Investigation Headquarters of the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency executed a search warrant at the Seoul headquarters and construction headquarters office of Hyundai Engineering & Construction, sending specialized investigators from the National Police Agency's Investigation Headquarters.

This search and seizure follows the previous day’s actions at Gwangju City Hall, Dong-gu Office, and the Hakdong 4 District Redevelopment Association office, aiming to verify various illegal activities during the demolition process and any negligence in management and supervision.

The demolition work in the redevelopment area was subcontracted by Hyundai Engineering & Construction to Hansol Enterprise, and it is known that Hansol illegally subcontracted the work again to Baeksol Construction.

Hyundai Engineering & Construction is suspected of having directly or indirectly influenced the accident by ordering excessive water spraying to address complaints about dust during the demolition process.

Hyundai Engineering & Construction, however, is reportedly denying these allegations as groundless.

The police plan to continue the investigation by analyzing the materials seized from Hyundai Engineering & Construction, the construction company.

Meanwhile, the police investigating the accident have so far booked 14 suspects. Among them, arrest warrants have been requested in advance for two individuals, including an excavator operator and the site construction manager, with the pre-arrest suspect interrogation scheduled for the morning of the 17th.

Additionally, Moon Heungsik, former chairman of the May 18th Detained and Injured Association, who is suspected of involvement in the Hakdong redevelopment project, was confirmed to have fled to the United States on the 13th.

A Gwangju Police Agency official stated, “We will focus our investigative capabilities to proceed swiftly with the investigation, clarify the cause of the accident, and strictly investigate those responsible according to law and principles.”

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