Minister Kim Yoonduk Visits Mugunghwa-ho Accident Site, Criticizes "Developing-Country-Style Railway Accident"

by Choi Seoyoon

Published 19 Aug.2025 22:20(KST)

Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is inspecting safety measures at the on-site accident response headquarters near Namseonghyeon Station in Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongbuk, on the 19th. Provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Yoonduk Kim visited the accident site near Namseonghyeon Station in Cheongdo County, Gyeongbuk, on the 19th and stated, "As the head of the ministry, I deeply regret that such a developing-country-style railway accident has occurred in a nation that exports high-speed railways." He added, "We will completely overhaul the entire railway safety management system, from the establishment of work plans to post-management."

Minister Kim emphasized, "We will thoroughly investigate the causes to ensure that the precious lives of workers are never lost again," and said, "We will clearly determine responsibility and take strict action against any violations of the law."

Earlier, at around 10:50 a.m. on the same day, seven workers inspecting the tracks between Namseonghyeon and Cheongdo in Cheongdo County, Gyeongbuk, were struck by a Mugunghwa-ho train. Two were transported to the hospital in cardiac arrest but died, and the remaining five were reported to have suffered serious or minor injuries.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport immediately established an on-site accident response headquarters near Namseonghyeon Station and launched an investigation into the accident, during which Minister Kim received a report on the details from KORAIL.

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Yoonduk Kim is receiving a report on the accident details from a KORAIL official at the on-site accident response headquarters near Namseonghyeon Station in Cheongdo County, Gyeongbuk, on the 19th. Provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport