Seodaemun-gu Conducts Intensive Safety Inspections at 104 Demolition Sites

Compliance with Dismantling Plan, Proper Installation Status of Steel Supports, and Appropriateness of Supervision

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) recently conducted an emergency safety inspection of 104 sites in the area (82 redevelopment sites, 22 general sites) with the participation of related experts and public officials to prevent accidents at demolition construction sites.

On the 9th of this month, the district focused on inspecting compliance with demolition plans, the installation status of steel supports (Jack Support) capable of bearing building loads, whether the building is being safely dismantled step-by-step from the top, and the appropriateness of supervision, to prevent accidents like the building collapse in Gwangju.

Subsequently, for demolition sites found to be inadequate, safety measures were devised before allowing construction to resume, and separate administrative actions will be taken against the related parties of those construction sites.

A district official stated, “The Gwangju construction site accident is presumed to have occurred because, aside from the sidewalk-side barricade, there were no safety devices to prevent building collapse, and demolition started from the building side, causing one side to fail under the weight.” He added, “This is the result of demolition companies ignoring safety standards to reduce construction time and costs, and such behavior must be corrected.”

The district will continue to conduct prior reviews on the appropriateness of demolition plans at building demolition sites and frequently supervise whether the actual construction is carried out according to the plans.

Currently, redevelopment and reconstruction construction sites are not included in the demolition review targets, and related amendments to the ‘Seoul Metropolitan Building Ordinance’ are being pursued.

Even before the ordinance is amended, the district plans to require reviews for redevelopment and reconstruction demolition sites adjacent to bus stops, main roads, multi-use facilities, children’s school routes, schools, and other places where unspecified many people pass, and will propose this to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Moon Seok-jin, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, said, “We will be more thorough in managing demolition construction sites in the area to prevent unforeseen accidents.”

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