The Seoul city government will request the demolition of the final remaining pillar of the Seosomun overpass this Thursday [2].
The removal of the structure follows a collapse that occurred on May 26 at 8:18 a.m. [1]. This demolition marks the final stage of clearing the site near the Seosomun-ro police intersection and the Ari-Su headquarters three-way junction.
While the city handles the physical cleanup, the Seoul Metropolitan Police are focusing on the legal investigation. Police are analyzing documents seized during a raid conducted last week to determine the cause of the collapse [2].
An investigative report by YTN indicated a failure in safety communication between the parties involved. The report said the construction company recognized signs of danger but reported the situation to the Korea Railroad Corporation as "routine work" [3].
Because the incident was categorized as routine, safety measures, such as controlling train operations, were not implemented [3]. The police are reviewing whether this misclassification constitutes criminal negligence or a breach of safety protocols.
The city spokesperson said the request to remove the remaining pillar is scheduled for Thursday [2]. This will allow the city to fully restore traffic flow and safety in the affected area of Seoul.
“The remaining pillar is scheduled for demolition request this Thursday.”
The investigation into the Seosomun overpass collapse focuses on a critical communication breakdown between a private contractor and a state entity. By labeling danger signs as 'routine work,' the construction firm may have bypassed mandatory safety protocols that would have halted train traffic. The police analysis of seized documents will likely determine if this was a systemic failure or a deliberate attempt to avoid operational delays, potentially leading to criminal charges for negligence.
