"Someone Must Be Held Accountable for Sinkholes"... Kim DaeSik Proposes Partial Amendment to the Special Act on Underground Safety Management

Mandatory Investigation of Underground Accidents, Introduction of Restoration Responsibility
Establishing the Integrated Underground Safety Review Committee and Laying the Groundwork

As sinkhole accidents have occurred relatively frequently in his constituency, a member of the National Assembly has taken action to address the issue.

Kim DaeSik, a member of the National Assembly’s Education Committee (representing Sasang District, Busan, People Power Party), recently sponsored a partial amendment to the Special Act on Underground Safety Management to establish a systematic response to the increasingly frequent ground subsidence accidents.

According to Assemblyman Kim, on August 12, a ground subsidence measuring 12 square meters in area and 3.5 meters in depth occurred on Saebyeok-ro in Sasang District, Busan. Since 2023, there have been a total of 35 sinkholes in Busan, with 15 of them-over one-third-occurring in Sasang District alone. In particular, since 2019, accidents have been concentrated near the Saebyeok Market in Sasang District, heightening anxiety among local residents.

Across the country, ground subsidence accidents are increasing in both scale and frequency, even though their causes have not been clearly identified. Although current law stipulates a management system for the safe development and use of underground spaces, investigations into the causes of accidents and post-incident management remain insufficient. There have also been concerns about significant disparities in management capabilities, depending on the technical and financial resources of local governments.

The proposed amendment includes specific institutional improvements to strengthen the safety management system, such as: ▲mandating investigations of ground subsidence accidents and public disclosure of the results, ▲introducing an obligation for restoration to original condition, ▲establishing an Integrated Underground Safety Review Committee, and ▲providing a legal basis for supporting local governments.

Kim DaeSik emphasized, "Safety accidents like ground subsidence are directly linked to the lives of citizens, yet in reality, responsibility has been unclear and management has been neglected after such incidents occur. Through this amendment, we aim to systematically improve the investigation, restoration, and management system for ground subsidence accidents, thereby creating a living environment where the public can feel safe."

Busan Dawn Market Sinkhole that occurred on August 12. Photo by DaeSik Kim.

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