South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday, 29 May 2025, called for a swift investigation and strict punishment of all those responsible for a series of safety failures, most critically the collapse of the Seosomun Overpass in western Seoul that killed three workers and injured three others. The president made the demand while chairing a meeting with senior aides, two days after the deadly incident.

What Triggered the President's Warning

The Seosomun Overpass partially gave way during scheduled demolition work, claiming the lives of three workers. Lee also cited a separate but equally alarming revelation: underground construction at Samseong Station for the high-speed commuter rail line GTX-A had reportedly been completed without sufficient rebar — a structural safety shortcut that has raised fresh concerns about oversight in public infrastructure projects.

'These incidents are especially serious because they involve the public sector, which is supposed to lead efforts to ensure public safety,' Lee said. 'Institutions in charge should promptly uncover the truth and, in accordance with the results, sternly hold those responsible accountable regardless of their rank. Money cannot be more valuable than lives.'

Safety Gear Violations Confirmed

Investigators and city officials confirmed that workers conducting inspections at the time of the collapse were not wearing fall-prevention safety equipment, including lifelines. According to a safety management plan obtained by Rep. Cheon Jun-ho of the ruling Democratic Party, the contractor had formally established measures requiring workers to install horizontal lifeline anchor systems on elevated surfaces and connect safety lines to prevent falls.

Despite these documented requirements, the Seoul metropolitan government confirmed that five people — including the site manager and supervising engineer, both of whom were killed — were not wearing the mandated safety gear at the time of the accident.

Demolition Work Conditionally Resumed

Later on Thursday, the labour ministry granted conditional approval for demolition work on the Seosomun Overpass to resume, following a formal application from the Seoul city government. The approval was contingent on the implementation of additional worker safety measures. The Seoul metropolitan government subsequently announced that emergency demolition would begin at midnight Friday — approximately 57.5 hours after the accident occurred.

Broader Safety Reckoning

President Lee acknowledged that South Korea recorded a notable decline in workplace deaths in the first quarter of 2025, but stressed that the absolute figure remains unacceptably high. 'It should be kept in mind that safety is the most effective investment,' he said, pledging to deploy maximum government resources toward protecting lives. This comes amid growing public scrutiny of construction oversight in South Korea, where high-profile structural failures have periodically exposed gaps between safety regulations on paper and enforcement on the ground.