Seoul city and Seoul Metro completed the full demolition of the Seosomun elevated road bridge deck early Friday morning [1], [2].
The removal of the structure follows a previous collapse that killed three people [1]. Authorities said the elevated road was unsafe, necessitating its total removal to ensure public safety and the stability of the city's transit infrastructure.
Demolition work began at midnight on May 29 [1]. Crews targeted a completion time of five a.m. for the removal of the bridge deck [1]. By that hour, the upper section of the bridge had been entirely dismantled, leaving only the supporting pillars standing [2].
Because the elevated road sits above critical transit corridors, the demolition required a temporary suspension of subway services. Seoul Metro conducted a comprehensive safety inspection of the underground tunnel structures affected by the demolition process [2].
Following the completion of these safety checks at 5:51 a.m., Seoul Metro resumed normal operations across all sections of subway Line 2 [2]. The company said the resumption of service occurred immediately after the structural integrity of the tunnels was verified.
Officials said the operation was necessary to eliminate the risk of further structural failure in the area [1]. The site now consists of the remaining pillars, while the hazardous deck has been cleared to prevent further casualties and allow for the restoration of the surrounding traffic flow.
“The removal of the structure follows a previous collapse that killed three people.”
The rapid demolition of the Seosomun elevated road reflects the city's priority to mitigate immediate risks following a fatal structural failure. By coordinating the demolition with a temporary subway shutdown and subsequent safety audit, Seoul aims to restore transit reliability while removing a permanent hazard from the urban landscape.
