Gwangju Seo-gu Strengthens Inspections of 'Disaster-Vulnerable Facilities' to Prevent Safety Accidents

Published 09 Jan.2024 13:23(KST)

Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kim Ikang) announced on the 9th that it will actively strengthen disaster response capabilities and enhance inspections of disaster-vulnerable facilities to prevent safety accidents for the safety of residents.

Seo-gu plans to focus its administrative efforts on realizing a safe city by promoting a safety culture movement based on public-private cooperation, and announced a plan to realize "Safe Seo-gu by My Side" ahead of the 2nd anniversary of the collapse accident at Hwajeong I-Park new construction site.

Last year, District Mayor Kim Ikang, the National Land Safety Management Agency, and the Safety Management Advisory Group formed the "Safety Patrol" to conduct safety inspections at 18 major construction sites and disaster-vulnerable facilities.
[Photo by Seo-gu]

First, Seo-gu's safety control tower function will be further strengthened.

Centered on the Safety General Division, collaboration with relevant departments such as construction, economy, and environment will be reinforced to actively respond to disaster situations by immediately disseminating information and dispatching personnel to the site during the initial response.

To this end, Seo-gu operates a disaster safety situation room 24/7 throughout the year and has established and operates a dedicated open chat room for disaster response departments with over 130 participants at the team leader level and above.

Intelligent disaster CCTV will be introduced and linked with illegal parking CCTV to build a dense safety network.

To prevent safety accidents, a survey will be conducted on 377 aging buildings that are over 15 years old since completion, and pre-safety inspections will be strengthened for festivals and performances gathering more than 1,000 spectators at peak times, as well as outdoor events with more than 500 participants.

Seo-gu also plans to promote a safety culture through citizen participation.

Seo-gu's Autonomous Disaster Prevention Group, consisting of 285 members, will be designated as "Natural Disaster Guardians" to strengthen surveillance activities on disaster-vulnerable facilities. In addition, to prepare for the recent series of abnormal motive crimes, night patrols by the autonomous crime prevention team will be expanded in one-room areas, parks, and playgrounds.

Previously, Seo-gu formed a "Safety Inspector Squad" last year, centered on the mayor, the Korea Land and Housing Safety Management Institute, and the Safety Management Advisory Group, conducting safety inspections on 18 major construction sites and disaster-vulnerable facilities. They also carried out a safety diagnosis on 689 public and multi-use facilities to improve risk factors.

Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu, said, "In Seo-gu, 'safety' is taken to the extent that it may seem excessive, with a determination not to yield an inch, thoroughly inspecting and preventing issues at every livelihood site," adding, "We will protect citizens' lives, property, and happy lives by establishing a flawless safety net."

Meanwhile, on the 11th, marking the 2nd anniversary of the collapse accident at the Hyundai Industrial Development apartment construction site, Seo-gu will hold a special lecture to strengthen disaster response capabilities of public officials at 11 a.m. in the Deulbul Hall of Seo-gu Office, and at 3 p.m., a memorial service will be held underground at the Hwajeong I-Park construction site, hosted by the Victims' Families Association.