In connection with the fatal accident at a construction site on the Shinbundang Line extension section for which HJ Shipbuilding & Construction was the builder, police and the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) launched a compulsory investigation targeting the builder and subcontractors.
Starting at about 9 a.m. on the 10th, the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency's criminal task force and the Gyeonggi Regional Ministry of Employment and Labor executed search and seizure warrants by deploying 38 investigators to a total of four locations, including HJ Shipbuilding & Construction's headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, its field office in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, subcontractor S Construction, and the supervision team's office. This is the first time searches have been carried out in connection with this case.
Through the searches, the investigative authorities plan to secure materials such as PCs used by construction officials and closely examine accident-related records, including the business plan and safety management documents. Based on analysis of the seized items, they plan to review whether safety rules related to the toppled concrete structure were properly implemented at the site and whether the employer's obligations were observed.
Earlier, at about 4:25 p.m. on the 17th of last month, at the integrated station construction site on the Suwon Paldal-gu Uman-dong section of the Shinbundang Line extension from Gwanggyo to Homeshil, a concrete structure collapsed, crushing and killing a worker in their 50s. The structure was reported to measure 2 meters in width and 1.5 meters in height and to weigh about 2 tons. The deceased was said to be an employee of a company that had received a re-subcontract from S Construction.
Police are investigating on suspicion of occupational negligent homicide, and the labor ministry is focusing its probe on alleged violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. So far, one on-site manager each from HJ Shipbuilding & Construction and S Construction has been booked.