Gwangju Civic Groups Demand Permanent Expulsion of Hyundai Industrial Development and Responsible Crisis Management

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Civic groups in Gwangju have called for the permanent expulsion of HDC Hyundai Development Company, which has caused consecutive fatal accidents over the past seven months, and for responsible handling of the situation.

The "Hyundai Development Company Expulsion and Hakdong-Hwajeong-dong Disaster Citizens' Countermeasures Committee," consisting of local civic groups, held a press conference on the 30th at the site of the newly constructed apartment collapse accident in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, to make this announcement.

The committee stated, "We know that no words can offer comfort, but we express our condolences to the families of the Hwajeong-dong I-Park collapse victims, gathering the sorrowful hearts of Gwangju citizens, and promise to stand in solidarity until the end."

They continued, "Starting today, with a solidarity visit to the Gwangju Hwajeong I-Park collapse victims' families' council and solidarity picketing at Gwangcheon Terminal, we declare in the name of Gwangju citizens the full-scale struggle to 'force Hyundai Development Company to take responsibility for damage recovery,' 'expel them,' 'create a safe Gwangju,' and 'establish safe workplaces where people come before profit.'"

The committee expressed their hope that the missing persons will be rescued from the cold concrete debris and return to their families as soon as possible. They plan to visit the disaster victims' families in solidarity before the Lunar New Year holiday and conduct urgent picketing and publicity campaigns.

On the 7th of next month, they will hold a press conference urging a thorough investigation of Hyundai Development Company and the enforcement of administrative orders for its permanent expulsion, followed by a protest visit to the accident response headquarters.

They will also urge Seoul City to take expulsion measures against Hyundai Development Company and carry out a protest campaign in Seoul demanding responsible resignation and handling by Hyundai Development Company. To this end, the citizens' countermeasures committee plans to organize a delegation of Gwangju citizens who wish to participate in the Seoul protest campaign.

Additionally, they will conduct a campaign to hang yellow ribbons and banners at the accident site and throughout Gwangju City, calling for the prompt rescue of the missing and the permanent expulsion of Hyundai Development Company.

Furthermore, a signature campaign among Gwangju citizens will be held to demand strict punishment and expulsion of the "murderous company" Hyundai Development Company, amendments to the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, and the prompt enactment of the Special Construction Safety Act.

Finally, the citizens' countermeasures committee plans to establish an online communication channel to gather the hearts and wisdom of Gwangju citizens and organize practical activities to unite warmly with the families.

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