"If Only the Cheongju Underpass Road Had Been Closed... Major Disaster"

Professor Baek Seung-ju of the Department of Fire and Disaster Prevention CBS Interview
"Complacent Attitudes Toward Disasters Lead to Accidents"

Professor Baek Seung-ju of the Department of Fire and Disaster Prevention diagnosed that the flooding accident in the underground passage in Cheongju, Chungbuk, was caused by improper management of the 'embankment' and 'road control,' leading to a major accident.

In an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 17th, Professor Baek stated, "It is unfortunate that a complacent attitude toward disasters coincidentally connected in a single line, resulting in a major accident."

Marine police officers are conducting a foot search at Gungpyeong 2 Underpass in Osong-eup, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, which was flooded due to the collapse of the Miho Stream embankment in the early morning of the 17th. 2023.7.17 [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the cause of the accident being attributed to the collapse of the embankment at the Mihocheon Bridge construction site, he said, "Since bridge installation and road expansion are involved, partially demolishing the embankment is inevitable, but (among those responsible), it is questionable whether the timing and extent of the demolition were shared." He added, "From what I hear, local governments and responsible officials are busy making excuses that the accident was unavoidable."

He continued, "The collapse and poor condition of the temporary embankment, which was the main cause, as well as the residents' reports and impatience, were not resolved (in the early stages of the accident)," he pointed out.

Professor Baek said, "After the underground passage accident in Busan, the fire safety standards for preventing flooding in underground spaces were completely revised. The Gungpyeong 2 underground passage, where the recent accident occurred, was also classified as a level 3 underground passage prone to flooding," adding, "They say that strict control was not necessarily required, but it was a discretionary allowance for public officials; it should have been based on mandatory control."

He added, "I want to ask who should have enforced the control at that moment," and stated, "All conditions, prior designations, manuals, discretion, and information were available. This qualifies as a serious disaster."

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