Worker dies after falling at Seoul leisure facility construction site
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- A 60-year-old construction worker died after falling from a height of 2-3 stories at a leisure facility construction site in Ichon Hangang Park, Seoul.
- The worker, identified as Mr. G, was reportedly welding steel structures when he fell through an opening.
- Police and the Ministry of Employment and Labor are investigating the construction company for potential occupational negligence leading to death.
A tragic accident has claimed the life of a construction worker at the Ichon Hangang Park leisure facility site in Seoul. The 60-year-old man, identified only as Mr. G, fell approximately 2-3 stories while engaged in welding work on the pier's steel structure. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
Sources indicate that Mr. G was an employee of a subcontracting firm. The incident occurred around 2:30 PM yesterday, as he was working on the pier construction. The investigation is focusing on the possibility of occupational negligence, with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's wide-area investigation unit taking the lead. "We are investigating the construction company for occupational negligence resulting in death," a police official stated. "The specific charges will be determined as the investigation progresses."
The Ministry of Employment and Labor has also launched its own inquiry. A representative from the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Administration confirmed, "We will be examining whether fall prevention measures were properly implemented at the site." This incident raises serious concerns about safety protocols at construction sites, particularly those involving elevated work. The focus on whether adequate safety measures were in place highlights a critical aspect of workplace safety regulations in South Korea, where such accidents, though not frequent, have severe consequences.
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.