Minister Nominee Hong Jiseon: “Missing Rebar in GTX-A Due to Seoul’s Poor Management... Will File Compensation Claims”

"Seoul's Insufficient Supervision Is the Main Cause

Compensation Claims to Be Filed by Year-End"

Hong Jiseon, nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, has announced that she intends to claim compensation for losses from the Seoul Metropolitan Government in connection with the opening delay of GTX-A Samseong Station due to missing rebar.

At the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 16th, Hong responded to a question from Assemblyman Jeon Yonggi of the Democratic Party of Korea regarding the need for a reimbursement claim against Seoul, stating, "By the end of this year, we plan to file claims for compensation to Seoul, dividing the losses by quarter and by organization."

Hong Jiseon, nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is answering questions from committee members at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Yonhap News.

Regarding the party responsible for the missing rebar incident, she said, "The main reason is that the Seoul Metropolitan Government did not manage the construction supervision thoroughly," adding, "I believe the construction company and the supervisory company also share responsibility."

Previously, Hyundai Engineering & Construction reported to the Seoul Metropolitan Government in November last year that approximately 178 tons of main reinforcement bars had been omitted from the construction of the GTX-A Samseong Station integrated transfer center due to an error in interpreting the design drawings. However, when Seoul belatedly reported this issue to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport at the end of April this year, suspicions of a cover-up were raised.

If the opening of the GTX-A Samseong Station is delayed due to this incident, the government is expected to pay up to about 40 billion won in additional operational compensation to SG Rail, the private operator. In 2018, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport signed an implementation agreement with SG Rail to cover the loss of operating profit from the delayed opening of GTX-A Samseong Station through 2028.

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