Police Conduct Search and Seizure at Seoul Metropolitan Government and Contractors over 'Seosomun Overpass Collapse'

Seven Locations Targeted, Including Seoul Urban Infrastructure Headquarters, Primary Contractor, and Subcontractors

The police investigating the collapse of the Seosomun Overpass in Seoul have launched a compulsory investigation into the Seoul Metropolitan Government and related parties.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Metropolitan Investigation Unit announced on the morning of May 29 that officers were conducting search and seizure operations at seven locations, including the Seoul Urban Infrastructure Headquarters, the headquarters and site offices of the main contractor and subcontractors. A total of 53 personnel have been deployed for this compulsory investigation, including 33 members of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit and 20 labor inspectors from the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office.

On the afternoon of the 26th, firefighters are rescuing buried workers at the collapsed Seosomun Overpass site in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Heejun Jang

A police official stated, "We are conducting search and seizure operations to promptly determine the cause of the accident," adding, "We will thoroughly analyze the secured materials to clearly identify the cause and responsibility for this accident, and conduct a rigorous investigation."

At approximately 2:33 p.m. on May 26, the deck of the Seosomun Overpass in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, collapsed. The accident claimed the lives of three people: a site manager in his 60s, a head supervisor in his 60s, and an external expert in his 50s. On the day of the incident, during early morning demolition work, a slab (a concrete floor or ceiling structure) was being cut as part of the demolition process, and a step difference of about 2.9 centimeters was detected as the structure settled. About 12 hours later, while a safety inspection was underway, the deck collapsed.

Meanwhile, the Seosomun Overpass, built in 1966, is made up of 18 piers connecting Chungjeongno Station and City Hall Station. It is 335 meters long and 14.9 meters wide. In March 2019, safety concerns arose as pieces of concrete fell onto the road due to aging. A subsequent inspection rated the structure as grade D, leading to the decision to demolish it. Demolition began in September last year and was scheduled for completion in early June. The accident occurred when the project was about 89% complete.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.