A Sinkhole Near My House? ... Investigation Results to be Released

[Financial News] The government will disclose a system from June that allows checking the status and management results of ground subsidence (sinkhole) accidents near homes. 
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced measures to strengthen safety management of excavation sites on the 27th to prevent large-scale ground subsidence accidents near excavation sites. As large-scale ground subsidence accidents, such as the recent ground subsidence accident in Myeongil-dong, Seoul, and the collapse accident of the Sinansan Line in Gwangmyeong, continue to occur, measures have been prepared.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, there have been a total of 867 ground subsidence incidents over the past five years, of which 57 (6.6%) were major accidents. The main cause of large ground subsidence accidents was found to be poor construction related to excavation (37%).
In response, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has prepared four key tasks and 13 detailed tasks to strengthen safety management of excavation sites, including △reorganization of the post-management system for ground subsidence △strengthening preventive activities for ground subsidence at excavation sites △improvement of safety management systems at each stage of excavation work △enhancement of reliability in underground safety management.
First, the results of ground investigations conducted by the Korea Land and Geospatial Informatix Corporation, including the status of voids and restoration, will be publicly disclosed to the public through the Underground Safety Information System (JIS) from June. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has been disclosing ground subsidence accident information on JIS since the 16th. In addition, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey sections, survey results, void detection, and restoration status will be additionally disclosed.
Furthermore, the scope of ground investigations will be significantly expanded by increasing the number of GPR equipment and personnel for ground investigations by the Korea Land and Geospatial Informatix Corporation to strengthen preventive activities for ground subsidence. From 2025, the number of survey equipment for vehicles, narrow spaces, and verification will be continuously expanded to secure a total of 30 units over the next five years, including 10 units each by 2029.
Currently, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport can conduct ground investigations only upon request from local governments. Therefore, the Special Act on Underground Safety Management will be amended to conduct its own ground investigations, focusing on high-risk areas.
The ground subsidence safety management manual will also be updated to reflect cases of response and recovery from major accidents. In particular, if complaints are received about signs of ground subsidence, such as cracks near excavation sites on weak ground, local governments will be encouraged to strengthen their own response.
The safety management system at each stage of excavation work will also be improved. In the pre-construction stage, for large-scale projects, underground safety evaluations will be divided and ordered by section and extension to enhance the evaluation and investigation.
In the post-construction stage, a fine regulation has been established for companies that conduct negligent post-construction underground safety investigations. In addition, the penalty regulations for ground subsidence due to non-implementation or negligent investigation have been strengthened to imprisonment for up to 10 years.
Moreover, management of personnel, equipment, and companies related to underground safety will be strengthened to enhance the effectiveness of ground subsidence prevention. The establishment of registration standards will be reviewed to systematize the management of ground investigation projects, and education and consulting for underground safety management practitioners will be expanded.
Kim Tae-byeong, Director of Technology and Safety Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "We will prioritize the lives and safety of the people and cooperate with related ministries, local governments, etc., to ensure that effective policies centered on the field can take root in the field and manage the underground safely."

act@fnnews.com Choi Ah-young Reporter