"Geumdan Apartment Parking Lot Collapse Blamed on LH Exclusive Privileges... Gyeongsilryeon Requests Board of Audit and Inspection Review"

In relation to the collapse accident in the underground parking lot of a newly constructed apartment in Geomdan, Incheon this April, a civic group has raised suspicions of 'preferential treatment for former officials of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH)' and filed a request for an audit with the Board of Audit and Inspection.

The Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) held a press conference on the 31st in front of the Board of Audit and Inspection in Jongno-gu, Seoul, stating, "The companies responsible for the design and supervision of the construction (of the collapsed Geomdan apartment) all recruited former LH officials," and claimed, "These construction companies have received benefits during the project bidding process, and LH neglected their poor work management, which led to the collapse accident."

CCEJ said, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport made no mention of the preferential treatment issue for former LH officials during the announcement of the accident cause," and filed a request for an audit with the Board of Audit and Inspection regarding LH’s leniency toward poor design by companies hiring former officials, leniency toward poor supervision by such companies, and preferential treatment for companies employing former officials in public projects.

The organization urged, "The Board of Audit and Inspection should verify whether unfair evaluations occurred during the LH design service direct contract and the comprehensive evaluation bidding system (CEBS) for construction project management services, and strongly recommend corrective measures to establish a fair evaluation system." Furthermore, they demanded that the Board propose measures to eradicate preferential treatment for all retired public officials, not just LH, and that the government and National Assembly establish and implement a plan to fully expand the direct construction system to prevent recurrence of collapse accidents.

On the morning of the 31st, the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) held a press conference titled 'Request for Audit on LH's Former Officials' Special Privileges' in front of the Board of Audit and Inspection in Jongno-gu, Seoul, regarding the collapse accident of the underground parking lot at Geomdan Apartments. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, LH issued a statement on the same day, saying, "We will actively accept CCEJ’s public audit request and cooperate with the Board of Audit and Inspection’s investigation," and added, "If any misconduct is confirmed, we will take strong action such as reporting to investigative agencies." They also emphasized, "There have been no cases of disciplinary action related to preferential treatment suspicions in the various internal and external investigations and audits conducted so far," and stressed, "We are conducting our work fairly and transparently."

Earlier, on April 29, a structural collapse occurred at the upper part of the first and second floors of the underground parking lot at an apartment construction site in Geomdan, Incheon. Although there were no casualties, the roof structures of two underground parking floors were damaged.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s investigation, the construction company omitted rebar in 32 locations, contrary to the original design. Additionally, the concrete strength in the accident area was below the standard 85%, and additional load reviews were not properly conducted, revealing a complex human error.

A Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport accident investigator is conducting an on-site inspection at a new apartment construction site in Geomdan New Town, Seo-gu, Incheon, where an underground parking lot collapse occurred last April.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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