It is expected to take about 40 hours to restore service on the Gyeongui Line railroad, which was suspended after a collapse at the demolition site of the Seosomun overpass in Seoul.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 27th announced plans to manage the accident response at the Seosomun overpass demolition site, resume railroad operations, and support victims.
According to the city, crews are removing the remaining bridge structures and restoring the railroad at the site. The city submitted a work plan to the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) on the morning of the same day and plans to proceed with restoration after a joint meeting with related agencies and a review to resume construction.
Based on the work plan, the city estimated six hours to remove the aerial scaffolding, 24 hours to remove the deck (slab) section, 10 hours to restore the catenary, and eight hours to remove the S8 section. It projected about 40 hours from the start of work to reopen the Gyeongui Line railroad.
For victim support, the city has assigned dedicated officials to the bereaved families and will assist with funeral procedures, disaster relief funds, and counseling. For the injured, it will cover medical expenses, provide condolence payments, and offer counseling.
Meanwhile, Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor in the June 3 local elections who is suspended from duty, paid his respects at the victims' memorial altars at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. the same day. Chong Won-o, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Seoul mayor, is also expected to pay respects at about 5 p.m. the same day.
The accident occurred the previous day when a structure collapsed at the Seosomun overpass demolition site. Three people were killed, and three others, including workers conducting a safety inspection at the site, were injured. Built in 1966, the overpass had been rated "safety grade D," indicating a high risk of collapse, and demolition had been underway since August last year.