Citizens 'Boiling Over' at Chairman Chung Mong-gyu's Apology Press Conference on 'Gwangju Apartment Collapse'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju region is in turmoil over the apology press conference held by Chung Mong-gyu, chairman of HDC Hyundai Development Company, regarding the collapse accident at the Hyundai Development Company apartment construction site in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju.

On the morning of the 17th, Chung Mong-gyu, chairman of HDC Hyundai Development Company, announced his intention to take responsibility for the Gwangju accident and resign from his position as chairman.

Chairman Chung bowed his head and said, “I am sorry and deeply distressed as not only the safety of the apartment but also the company’s trust has fallen to the ground,” adding, “HDC Hyundai Development Company will undergo a complete transformation and be reborn as a completely new company through this accident.”

He continued, “We will cooperate with Gwangju City and government authorities to focus all efforts on site safety management and the swift rescue of missing persons,” and said, “I deeply feel responsible for the two accidents in Gwangju and will resign from the position of chairman of HDC Hyundai Development Company from this time onward.”

This has caused the anger of local citizens to reach a peak.

The families of the missing stated, “It is their responsibility to resolve the situation, and bowing their heads a few times is nothing but a show and hypocrisy,” and criticized, “They must resolve the situation and take real responsibility; this apology is merely a cover-up in preparation for future circumstances.”

They emphasized, “The HDC chairman should not evade responsibility and step down but should take full responsibility for resolving the situation and receive appropriate punishment.”

The Citizens’ Countermeasure Committee for the Gwangju Hakdong Disaster, which caused 17 casualties seven months ago, also urged through a statement, “Expel HDC Hyundai Development Company and arrest and investigate Chairman Chung Mong-gyu.”

They claimed, “HDC Hyundai Development Company, which once again drove Gwangju citizens to death in Hwajeong-dong due to shoddy construction driven solely by profit, must be permanently expelled from the construction industry,” and argued, “Chung Mong-gyu’s resignation, who exercises substantial influence over HDC Hyundai Development Company’s management, is nothing more than a cover-up, which even a child would understand.”

They also requested the police to investigate this case swiftly and strictly.

The Democratic Party Gwangju Branch also issued a statement strongly condemning “Chairman Chung Mong-gyu’s press conference without substantial measures.”

The branch stated, “Resignation is nothing but evasion of responsibility. As the representative of a company that caused two disasters in seven months, it is proper to take responsibility for searching for the missing and preparing concrete measures for the victims rather than resigning,” adding, “HDC Hyundai Development Company must also resolve compensation issues for nearby stores completely closed due to this accident, such as Kumho Highville Stationery Wholesale Market, and for prospective residents.”

They added, “Compensation issues for victims in Hakdong 4 District and complaints such as cracks in buildings around the HDC Hyundai Development Company site in Gyerim 2 District have not yet been resolved,” and said, “We strongly condemn Chairman Chung Mong-gyu, who tries to avoid the crisis by evading responsibility through resignation, and urge him to promptly prepare and implement substantial measures for the search for missing persons and accident site cleanup and to fulfill strict responsibility.”

The Justice Party Countermeasure Headquarters also released a commentary strongly stating, “Chairman Chung Mong-gyu and HDC Hyundai Development Company should withdraw from the construction industry.”

They further said, “Chairman Chung Mong-gyu should not resign but take responsibility for this accident and receive appropriate punishment,” and added, “We believe that the two consecutive construction site accidents in Gwangju are not unrelated to irresponsible administration. Mayor Lee Yong-seop of Gwangju and Seo Daeseok, head of Seo-gu, should seriously consider how they will take responsibility as heads of administration.”

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