The 'Muryangpan' Controversy Spreads to Private Apartments... The Fear of Contagion

Application of Flat Slabs in Private Apartments and Residential Buildings
Expert: "Rebar Omission May Be Worse Than LH"

In the 'rebar omission' incident involving apartments commissioned by Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), while the issue centered on apartments with 'flat slab' structures, it has been revealed that some private apartments have adopted flat slab structures not only in their underground parking lots but also in their residential buildings.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, there are 293 private apartment complexes nationwide completed since 2017 that have introduced flat slab structures. Among these, 105 complexes are currently under construction, and 188 complexes have already been occupied. The private apartments surveyed include places where flat slab structures are applied not only to underground parking lots but also to residential buildings. A flat slab structure is designed so that columns directly support the slab (concrete ceiling) without horizontal beams.

In the case of the previously problematic apartments commissioned by Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), flat slab structures were used only in the underground parking lots, so there is no concern about residential safety. However, it is known that some private apartments include flat slab structures in their residential buildings as well, increasing residents' anxiety.

On the morning of the 1st, residents of an LH rental housing complex in Asan-si, Chungnam, are inspecting the underground parking lot to check safety. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport disclosed 15 apartment complexes by Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), including this location, where rebar was omitted in the underground parking lots. Photo by Yonhap News

Professor Choi Myung-gi of the Korea Industrial Field Professors Group estimated that the rebar omission problem in private apartments might be more severe than in LH-commissioned apartments. On the 2nd, appearing on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Professor Choi explained, "In the case of LH, there are construction companies and supervision teams, and a project team composed of LH employees is formed," adding, "Because the project team manages and supervises the construction companies and supervision teams, the situation is better."

He said, "Ultimately, the workers (in residential buildings and underground parking lots) are the same, and the management itself is the same," and added, "It is not only the underground parking lots that have problems; if an investigation is conducted on residential buildings, such issues are expected to be found as well."

Hong Geon-ho, Chairman of the Construction Accident Investigation Committee (Professor at Hoseo University), is announcing the special inspection and committee investigation results of the underground parking lot collapse accident at an apartment in Geomdan, Incheon, at the Government Complex Sejong on the 5th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

Flat slab structures are praised for advantages such as cost reduction and high space utilization. Although the construction method itself is not problematic, since there are no beams to bear loads, it is vulnerable to impact, requiring precise design, construction, and supervision.

Flat slab structures were rarely used in Korea after the collapse of the Sampoong Department Store, which was built using this method. Recently, their use has resumed, but due to limited construction experience and a lack of expertise among on-site supervision companies, problems seem to be occurring.

Professor Hong Geon-ho of Hoseo University's Department of Architectural Civil Engineering pointed out on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 2nd, "Legally in Korea, architects are responsible for design and supervision," adding, "These professionals understand overall design well, but their understanding of structural aspects is somewhat lacking."

He continued, "Many do not understand how rebar should be arranged at joints," and explained, "They may know about routine operations, but regarding special construction methods, they tend to lack specialized knowledge, which leads to such problems."

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