What Happened at Yeouido Station Construction Site?
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Synopsis
A tragic incident at Yeouido Station's construction site resulted in one death and two injuries. As investigations unfold, major safety reforms are being proposed to prevent future accidents in South Korea's construction sector.
Key Takeaways
- One worker has tragically died due to a construction site collapse.
- Two additional workers were injured but survived.
- Authorities are investigating safety protocols.
- Construction has been suspended at the site.
- New safety laws are being proposed to prevent future incidents.
Seoul, Dec 18 (NationPress) Tragically, one worker lost his life and two others sustained injuries following a collapse of steel bars at an underground construction site of a subway station in western Seoul on Thursday, as reported by authorities.
The incident unfolded at 1:22 PM at the Sinansan Line construction site located near Yeouido Station, during the pouring of concrete underground, according to information provided by police and rescue officials. Initially, seven workers were trapped but were subsequently rescued, as per Yonhap News Agency.
The steel bars, situated in the tunnel excavation area approximately 70 meters underground, collapsed, hitting a concrete placement vehicle operated by a 53-year-old man, who suffered cardiac arrest. He was transported to a hospital but unfortunately pronounced dead.
Another male worker in his 50s was taken to the hospital with a minor ankle injury, while a foreign worker in his 30s managed to exit the site independently and sought treatment for minor wrist scrapes.
The remaining workers were able to evacuate to a vertical shaft before being rescued by firefighters.
Authorities from the police department and the labor ministry have announced plans to investigate the cause of the incident and to assess the adherence to safety protocols.
Construction activities at the site, overseen by POSCO E&C, will be halted until the investigation concludes, they stated.
In the aftermath of the incident, Song Chi-young, president of POSCO E&C, visited the site to express a public apology.
“We will engage in a sincere and transparent collaboration throughout the entire investigation process,” he stated.
On December 12, South Korea’s Land Minister indicated that the government aims to introduce a special law aimed at enhancing construction workplace safety and imposing stricter penalties for fatal accidents, in response to a surge in such incidents at construction sites.
Land Minister Kim Yun-duk revealed this plan during a policy briefing with President Lee Jae Myung in the central administrative city of Sejong, mentioning that fatalities related to construction account for nearly 40 percent of all industrial deaths in the nation.
Kim elaborated that the proposed special law would explicitly outline safety responsibilities at work sites, enabling authorities to enforce stronger penalties for fatal accidents resulting from inadequate oversight.
Since assuming office in June, the president has emphasized the necessity for enhanced measures to avert industrial accidents, following a series of mishaps at sites operated by major construction firms.
Additionally, the minister highlighted that safety initiatives will expand to transportation infrastructure, sharing the government’s plans to improve aviation safety through airport facility upgrades and the addition of air traffic controllers.
Regarding housing supply measures, Kim reiterated the government’s commitment to delivering 1.1 million public housing units, a crucial policy objective of the administration, with related measures expected to be announced in the first half of 2026.
Point of View
Our commitment is to provide accurate and timely reporting on incidents that affect public safety. This tragic event emphasizes the urgent need for stringent safety measures in the construction industry, considering the alarming rate of workplace fatalities. We stand with the families affected and advocate for stronger regulations to prevent such occurrences in the future.
NationPress
20/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the collapse at Yeouido Station?
The collapse was caused by steel bars giving way during concrete pouring at the construction site.
How many workers were affected by the incident?
One worker died, two others were injured, and several others were initially trapped but later rescued.
What measures are being taken following the accident?
Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident and reviewing safety protocols at the site.
Will construction continue at the site?
No, construction will be suspended until the investigation is completed.
What is the government's response to construction site safety?
The government plans to introduce a special law to enhance workplace safety and impose stricter penalties for accidents.
