Another fatal accident occurred at the Yeouido section of the Sinansan Line construction site in Seoul, making it likely that POSCO E&C will not avoid severe penalties. POSCO E&C is set to announce the findings of the investigation into the collapse at the Gwangmyeong Sinansan Line construction site, and a fatal accident has reoccurred. The government is reportedly reviewing tougher penalties, including suspension of business, as five workers have died this year alone at POSCO E&C construction sites.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) on the 19th, the ministry plans to announce around Feb.–Mar. next year the findings of the Construction Accident Investigation Committee regarding the collapse at the Gwangmyeong Sinansan Line site that left two people dead or injured in Apr. The committee was initially scheduled to operate until Jan. 14 next year, but with the need for additional sample collection and other work, it is highly likely the operation period will be extended.
An official at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) said, "Regarding the Gwangmyeong Sinansan Line collapse, the Sajo Group produced structural analysis results, but unexpectedly additional steps such as sample collection became necessary, so it seems the Sajo Group announcement will be pushed back by a month or two."
POSCO E&C is expected to face severe penalties over the Gwangmyeong Sinansan Line collapse, and with a fatal accident occurring at the Sinansan Line construction site at Yeouido Station in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, the penalty could become even harsher. The previous day at the Yeouido Station Sinansan Line site in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, where POSCO E&C is the contractor, rebar collapsed, killing a worker employed by a subcontractor.
POSCO E&C had been expected to receive a suspension of business, but as fatal accidents have repeated, the suspension period could become longer. As license revocation is difficult under current law, penalties are likely to take the form of a business suspension.
In the case of POSCO E&C, with five workers losing their lives at construction sites this year alone, President Lee Jae-myung weighed in, calling it "murder by willful negligence," and ordered officials to "identify and report all legally available measures, including revoking the construction license and banning public bids." Accordingly, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) conducted a full inspection of all POSCO E&C construction sites in Aug.–Sep., reviewing design drawings and construction details, on-site work records, safety management plans, compliance with regular safety inspections, quality management plans, and more.
An official at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) said, "There are far too many accidents at POSCO E&C," adding, "We have been running the Sajo Group and conducting special inspections, so we will consider all of this comprehensively and issue appropriate measures." The official added, "If suspensions of business are imposed for each accident, the months-long penalties would be combined," noting, "However, under current law, corporations have protection rights, so a stay of execution on a business suspension could be granted."
However, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) is not expected to form a Sajo Group for the Yeouido Station Sinansan Line collapse. As the cause of the accident is relatively clear, MOLIT is considering running an internal Sajo Group through the contracting agency or the Korea Authority of Land & Infrastructure Safety (KALIS), instead of forming a central Sajo Group.