Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, visited the site of the Seosomun overpass collapse on the 26th and said, "Although my duties are suspended, I feel a deep sense of responsibility as the sitting mayor."
At about 5:40 p.m. that day, at the demolition site of the Seosomun overpass in Seodaemun District, after receiving a briefing from the fire authorities, Oh said, "There was a devastating and heartbreaking accident that should never have happened."
According to the fire authorities, as of 4:40 p.m. that day, two men in their 60s and one man in his 50s died in the collapse. In addition, a man in his 50s, a man in his 40s, and a man in his 30s were injured and taken to a hospital.
Oh said, "While three people—the site manager, the supervising manager, and an expert—were inspecting the site, part of the overpass collapsed in an accident that truly should never occur," adding, "I have no words to offer to the deceased who have passed away and to their bereaved families."
He added, "I feel a truly deep sense of responsibility," and "I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families."
Oh also said, "The most important thing is to prevent any further accidents, so I asked the construction officials and relevant agencies to do everything possible to ensure that similar accidents do not occur," adding, "From this moment on, I have asked the relevant public officials to spare no effort in providing all necessary support to the bereaved families and those affected."
At about 3:10 p.m. that day, after a policy meeting with the Korean National Council of Women, Oh turned immediately to the site upon hearing news of the accident while en route to Eunpyeong District for campaign activities. Arriving at around 4 p.m., Oh was briefed on the situation by the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Disaster and Safety Office.
Oh said, "As already announced, I will temporarily suspend all campaign activities from this time onward."