The Seosomun overpass in Seoul collapsed three days ago [1], leaving the structure's deck hanging over a railway and halting train services [1], [2].
The incident has paralyzed critical transit arteries in the city's center, affecting both commuters on the rails and drivers on the road. Because the debris blocks the Gyeongui-Jungang Line between Seoul and Susaek, as well as the KTX Seoul-Haengsin sections, the collapse has created a significant bottleneck for regional rail travel [1], [2].
Authorities have implemented total two-way closures on the roads between the Seosomun-ro Police Agency intersection and the three-way intersection in front of the Arisu headquarters [1]. The closures remain in effect as the city manages the site. Reports said the collapse was caused by the structural failure of temporary construction scaffolding supporting the deck [1].
Despite the severity of the collapse, cleanup efforts had not yet begun by the third day following the incident [1]. The deck remains in a position that prevents the resumption of rail traffic. YTN reporter Kim Hyerin said the overpass deck remains sunken and continues to block the railway [1].
The Ministry of Employment and Labor has stepped in to oversee the safety protocols of the site. The ministry said it partially approved the resumption of construction work yesterday [1]. This partial approval is intended to allow crews to begin stabilizing the area, though full restoration of the transit lines remains pending [1].
Local police continue to manage traffic diversions around the Seosomun-ro intersection to prevent gridlock in the surrounding district [1]. The focus remains on the safe removal of the collapsed concrete deck without further damaging the underlying rail infrastructure [1], [2].
“The overpass deck remains sunken and continues to block the railway.”
The collapse highlights the vulnerability of temporary support structures during urban infrastructure projects. By blocking both the Gyeongui-Jungang Line and KTX sections, the incident demonstrates how a localized construction failure can cause systemic transportation delays across Seoul's integrated rail network.
