The Seoul city government began the full demolition of the collapsed Seosomun elevated road at midnight on May 29 [1].
The operation is critical to removing hazardous debris and restoring safety to the urban corridor after a structural collapse. Because the bridge spans key transit arteries, the demolition requires precise coordination between city planners and transportation authorities to minimize long-term disruption.
Work restarted at midnight on May 29 [1] after the Ministry of Employment and Labor conditionally approved the demolition plan submitted by the city [3]. Crews are utilizing excavators to crush and remove the remaining structures of the road [1].
The demolition process is targeted for completion by 5 a.m. on May 30 [2]. To facilitate the heavy machinery work and ensure public safety, Seoul Metro suspended service on subway line 2 between Hongdae and Euljiro stations [2].
Transit service in the affected section remained suspended until 6:30 a.m. on May 29 [3]. The suspension allowed crews to operate without the risk of vibrations or debris affecting the underground rail infrastructure.
City officials and Seoul Metro coordinated the effort to ensure the structural remnants were removed efficiently. The project follows a period of review by national labor authorities to ensure the safety of the workers performing the demolition [3].
“Seoul city government began the full demolition of the collapsed Seosomun elevated road”
The conditional approval from the Ministry of Employment and Labor indicates that the initial collapse may have raised significant safety concerns, necessitating strict government oversight of the cleanup. The strategic suspension of subway line 2 highlights the interdependence of Seoul's surface and subterranean infrastructure, where a failure in an elevated road can directly impact the city's primary rail network.
