“The government is launching a special inspection of high-risk areas for ground subsidence (sinkholes) such as urban excavation sites.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 18th that it would conduct a special underground safety inspection at the underground complex development site on Yeongdong-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
The special inspection team consists of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Seoul Regional Land Management Office, the Seoul City Government, the Korea Land and Housing Corporation, and the Korea Society of Underground Safety, forming a public-private partnership.
The inspections will target 94 high-risk sections, including construction sites for railways and roads involving underground excavation, including the Yeongdong-daero complex development project site.
It includes 11 special high-risk sites in Gangnam, Seoul, known for frequent ground subsidence, and Sasang, Busan, where there have been eight instances of subsidence recently.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will focus on inspecting whether plans, construction, and management for ground subsidence prevention, such as earth retaining and water stop methods, are being properly implemented.
Additionally, ground exploration and closed-circuit (CC) TV inspections of aging sewage pipes near the inspection sites will be conducted.
If any violations are detected during the inspection, measures such as halting construction, imposing demerit points, and administrative actions will be taken.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to propose reinforcement methods if repair and reinforcement are necessary.”