Hyundai Engineering Hit with 3-Month Suspension Over Anseong Bridge Collapse That Left 10 Dead or Injured

Suspension Imposed from August 5 to November 4

Hyundai Engineering, which was responsible for the construction of the Anseong bridge project that resulted in 10 casualties in February last year, has been subjected to a three-month business suspension by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

According to the construction industry on July 22, the Seoul Metropolitan Government imposed a three-month administrative business suspension on Hyundai Engineering, effective from August 5 to November 4. This action was taken after the Minister of Employment and Labor requested the suspension based on the Industrial Safety and Health Act, citing a serious industrial accident at the construction site.

The accident site where the bridge deck collapsed on February 25 last year at Cheonyongcheon Bridge, Section 9, Cheonan–Anseong segment of the Seoul–Sejong Expressway in Seoun-myeon, Anseong City, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Yonhap News

The accident occurred on February 25 last year at the Cheonyongcheon Bridge construction site in Section 9 of the Cheonan-Anseong segment on the Seoul-Sejong Expressway, Seoun-myeon, Anseong City, Gyeonggi Province. While installing a girder, a steel member supporting the deck, the bridge collapsed, resulting in the deaths of four workers and injuries to six others.

At the time of the accident, a back-launching operation was underway, which involves moving a launcher—equipment used to lift and set girders—backwards. During this process, the center of gravity of the launcher's support shifted, placing excessive load on one side of the girder. The launcher subsequently toppled, leading to the collapse, according to the investigation.

In October last year, the Pyeongtaek Branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office indicted the site manager of Hyundai Engineering and the site manager of the subcontractor Jangheon Industry on charges including violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act and occupational negligence resulting in death and injury. Three Korea Expressway Corporation supervisors and three Hyundai Engineering construction team leaders and members were indicted without detention. Both Hyundai Engineering and Jangheon Industry as corporate entities were also brought to trial.

Hyundai Engineering plans to file for a stay of execution with the court regarding the business suspension. If the request is granted, the effectiveness of the business suspension will be halted for the period determined by the court, allowing the company to continue activities such as securing new orders. Regardless of whether a stay of execution is granted, projects for which contracts were signed or legal permits or approvals were obtained before the suspension was imposed can continue to be carried out in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Hyundai Engineering stated, "Since the accident, the company has made comprehensive efforts to improve and advance its safety-related systems," adding, "We are reviewing legal procedures to ensure the continuity of our business and will fully clarify our position."

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