The Ministry of Employment and Labor will conduct emergency inspections of all tunnel construction sites across the country in light of the 'Gwangmyeong collapse incident.'
The Ministry of Employment and Labor noted on the 17th that it plans to inspect whether 'collapse prevention measures' are being properly implemented at 207 tunnel construction sites by the end of next month.
The inspection will focus on safety measures for anticipated risks and emergencies during underground excavation, including ▲ installation status of tunnel support members ▲ procedures for identifying signs of collapse ▲ measures for preventing falling rocks and flammable gases ▲ installation of warning devices. The Ministry of Employment and Labor stated, 'If any violations of regulations are found, immediate improvements will be made through corrective instructions.'
The Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to conduct industrial safety supervision, particularly for POSCO, the construction company involved in the incident. There are 13 construction sites where POSCO is currently working, including tunnel, railway, and road construction. Local labor offices will investigate the safety and health management status in accordance with industrial safety and health laws, and any violations will be dealt with strictly, including administrative and judicial actions. The government has warned of strict administrative and legal measures against violations.
Kim Jong-yun, head of the Industrial Safety and Health Headquarters, said, 'As seen in this incident, construction collapse accidents can seriously threaten the safety of not only workers but also ordinary citizens,' and emphasized, 'Safety must be the top priority in all processes of construction, including planning, design, and execution.'