Prosecutors Conduct Search and Seizure at Mihocheon Embankment Construction Company in 'Osong Underpass Disaster' Case

Search and Seizure of 5 Companies Including Mihocheon Embankment Construction and Supervision Firms
Investigation to Uncover Suspected Poor Embankment Construction Before the Monsoon

The prosecution, currently investigating the flooding accident at the Osong underpass in Cheongju, is conducting a search and seizure of the Miho River embankment construction companies and others.

On the 16th of last month, 119 rescue workers are recovering a missing person found deceased at Gungpyeong 2 Underpass in Osong-eup, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk, which was flooded due to the collapse of the Miho River embankment.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Osong Underpass Flooding Accident Prosecution Investigation Headquarters (Head: Bae Yong-won, Chief Prosecutor of Cheongju District Prosecutors' Office) announced on the morning of the 1st that they are conducting search and seizure operations on a total of five companies, including the construction and supervision companies of the Miho River embankment.

The investigation headquarters is reportedly securing materials related to suspicions of poor construction of the Miho River embankment. The prosecution conducted search and seizure operations over three days starting from the 24th of last month regarding allegations of false police reports related to the flooding accident, and it appears that the investigation is expanding to include suspicions of poor construction of the Miho River embankment.

The Miho River embankment was unauthorizedly dismantled under the Miho River Bridge during the "Osong?Cheongju (Section 2) Road Expansion Project" and was rebuilt just before the rainy season. The Office for Government Policy Coordination judged that the Administrative City Construction Agency failed to properly manage and supervise the construction of the substandard temporary embankment and referred a total of 36 people to the prosecution for investigation.

Earlier, on the 15th of last month, at the Gungpyeong 2 Underpass in Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk Province, heavy rain caused the Miho River embankment to break, allowing river water to flood in and submerge 17 vehicles, including city buses. This accident resulted in 14 deaths and 10 injuries, totaling 24 casualties.

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