Osan City Conducts Joint Inspection of Retaining Walls and Bridges with Safety Advisory Panel

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Chan-hyuk] As a follow-up measure after the retaining wall collapse accident on the western bypass road in Gajang-dong, Osan City announced on the 4th that it will conduct joint inspections of major facilities in the city together with a Safety Advisory Panel composed of private sector experts.

This joint inspection by the Safety Advisory Panel is being carried out separately from the investigation by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Central Facilities Accident Investigation Committee.

Mayor Lee Gwon-jae decided to conduct the joint inspection by the Safety Advisory Panel with the aim of promoting multi-faceted inspections to prevent similar accidents and alleviate citizens' concerns.

In accordance with the ordinance regarding the composition and operation of Osan City's Safety Advisory Panel, it is composed of university professors, technical engineers, and experts from safety management specialized organizations in related fields such as civil engineering, architecture, and structural engineering.

The Safety Advisory Panel plans to investigate not only the reinforced soil retaining wall structures in Gajang-dong on the western bypass road, but also bridges and tunnels within the city covered under the "Special Act on Facility Safety and Maintenance Management," and if necessary, roads and retaining walls not included in the scope of the relevant laws and regulations.

In addition, emergency precision safety inspections will be conducted on the entire western bypass road with the participation of geotechnical engineering experts. The emergency precision safety inspection will include △facility condition assessment △safety evaluation through facility structural analysis △rapid recovery plan establishment through investigation of repair and reinforcement methods.

Meanwhile, the city is making every effort to find the best solutions related to supporting victims and bereaved families. On the afternoon of the 17th of last month following the accident, Mayor Lee Gwon-jae visited the hospital to pay his respects, and the Deputy Mayor met with the bereaved families. On the 18th of last month, relevant officials including the Director of the Welfare and Education Bureau met with the bereaved families, and are in communication with their legal representative, who serves as the communication channel for the bereaved families. Daily monitoring is being conducted through direct communication regarding the psychological and health status of the accident victims.

Mayor Lee Gwon-jae stated, "We will thoroughly investigate the accident site and similar facilities to prevent similar accidents before they occur, and ensure that such accidents do not happen again," adding, "We will do our best to support the bereaved families and victims of the accident, and ensure that citizens do not feel anxiety in their daily lives."