'Gwangju Building Collapse Disaster' Site Manager Ordered to Demolish Building Arrested

On the morning of the 15th, at the Gwangju District Court in Dong-gu, Gwangju, Mr. A, the site manager of the demolition company Dawon ENC, is leaving after undergoing a warrant hearing on charges including professional negligence resulting in death and injury.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The site manager of Dawon ENC, who ordered the demolition work related to the 'Gwangju Building Collapse Disaster,' has been arrested.

On the 15th, Judge Kim Jonggeun, in charge of warrants at the Gwangju District Court, issued an arrest warrant for site manager Kim (50) on charges of professional negligence causing death and injury, stating "there is a risk of evidence destruction."

Kim is accused of effectively directing the demolition work of the Hakdong 4 District redevelopment building from October last year until the 9th of last month, ignoring laws and manuals, which caused the collapse accident resulting in 17 casualties.

On the day, Kim did not respond to reporters' questions about whether he acknowledged responsibility for directing the site work, how much he discussed demolition with the construction company, or whether he was unaware that the building would collapse, and entered the courtroom.

Hyundai Development Company, the construction company for the Hakdong 4 District redevelopment, subcontracted general building demolition to Hansol Enterprise. The redevelopment association subcontracted asbestos removal to Dawon ENC.

However, Dawon ENC illegally subcontracted the asbestos removal work to Baeksol Construction, which did not have a license. It was investigated that through a side contract, they were also involved in general building demolition and effectively gave work instructions.

Subsequently, contrary to the construction permit that required dismantling the building from the top floor downwards, Dawon ENC reportedly ordered the building to be demolished in a so-called 'bottom stump excavation' method.

The police have so far booked and are investigating a total of 23 people, including three who have been arrested, on charges of professional negligence causing death and injury and violations of the Framework Act on the Construction Industry. The investigation is expanding to illegal activities during the demolition contract and redevelopment project process, as well as suspicions of lobbying involving political and business figures.

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