The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) stated that additional safety verification is indispensable following the discovery of construction errors, such as missing rebar, in the GTX-A Samseong Station section. Simultaneously, the ministry is reviewing a plan to claim damages from Seoul City for financial losses incurred due to construction delays. Seoul City has argued that the ongoing detailed safety diagnosis has rated the structural safety as Grade A, urging a prompt decision on the reinforcement plan. However, MOLIT maintains that the Grade A rating is an evaluation of the current construction stage only, and comprehensive verification considering post-completion train operations and disaster scenarios is necessary. Both parties are currently in consultation to ensure that reinforcement work does not delay the Yeongdong-daero Complex Development Project, and they are also discussing a plan to conduct reinforcement work while allowing trains to pass through without stopping. This article covers the background of these issues, the claims made by both agencies, specific plans under consideration, and future outlooks.
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: Additional Safety Verification Needed for GTX-A at Samseong Station… Seoul City Considering Claim for Delay Damages
1. Background of the Need for Safety Verification
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport confirmed that the main rebar in the lowermost columns of the GTX-A Samseong Station section was installed in smaller quantities than specified in the design drawings, following a comparison between the design plans and the actual construction site. This has raised concerns about the load-bearing capacity of the structure, making safety inspections urgent. The authorities are not viewing this issue as a superficial defect but have launched a joint investigation with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the government joint inspection team to identify the root cause. During the investigation, more than 200 potential issues have been identified so far, and items requiring immediate action have been instructed to be corrected on-site. Additionally, a separate specialized agency has been commissioned to verify the adequacy of structural analysis, conducting material composition tests and load experiments in parallel. This process aims not only to inspect the current status but also to comprehensively review potential vibrations and disaster scenarios that may occur during future train operations.
Based on the confirmation of missing rebar, MOLIT is proceeding with additional safety verification and cause investigation, while items requiring immediate correction are being addressed on-site.
2. Seoul City’s Position and Demands
Seoul City announced that the interim results of the ongoing detailed safety diagnosis have rated the structural safety of the Samseong Station section as Grade A. This is based on the initial structural review results from the site, serving as the basis for the judgment that reinforcement is not necessary. Therefore, Seoul City is strongly requesting MOLIT to finalize the reinforcement plan as soon as possible to minimize construction delays. In particular, they emphasized the risk of additional load being applied to the upper structures if reinforcement work is delayed while the Yeongdong-daero Complex Development Project is underway. Accordingly, Seoul City is prioritizing other ongoing processes and adjusting the timing of material input for reinforcement to minimize disruptions to the overall schedule. Additionally, they have proposed that non-stop train passage and reinforcement work should be conducted simultaneously, requesting a review of a composite plan that ensures both train and construction safety.
Seoul City is urging a prompt decision on the reinforcement plan, citing the current Grade A safety rating, and is prioritizing other processes to minimize construction delays.
3. Basis for Reviewing Claim for Damages
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is actively reviewing a plan to claim damages from Seoul City to cover financial losses caused by construction delays. According to the entrustment agreement signed in July 2021 between Seoul City and the Korea Railroad Corporation, the Samseong Station section must be completed in time for the opening of the GTX-A Samseong–Dongtan section. However, actual construction has been delayed, with only the Seongnam–Dongtan section opening in March 2024, while the Samseong–Dongtan section remains pre-operational. Consequently, MOLIT has determined that financial losses have occurred due to the reduction in operating revenue that the state must pay to private operators. To accurately calculate the scale of the losses, a comprehensive analysis of the current construction progress, budget execution details, and projected revenue reduction is underway. Once the final amount is calculated, the claim procedure will be initiated after consultation with Seoul City, and legal grounds are also being reviewed.
MOLIT is reviewing a claim for damages from Seoul City for financial losses arising from construction delays, based on the entrustment agreement.
4. Plan for Simultaneous Non-Stop Passage and Reinforcement Work
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is researching a composite plan to conduct non-stop train passage at Samseong Station and reinforcement work simultaneously to improve the efficiency of the reinforcement process. The original plan was to operate trains only after reinforcement was completed, but this raised concerns about further extending the construction period. Therefore, allowing trains to pass through without stopping while performing reinforcement work offers the advantage of verifying the reinforcement effect through real-time monitoring of train vibrations. However, since the number of daily train operations increases from 2 to 16 times under normal conditions to over 280 times during non-stop passage, the additional load and vibration effects caused by crossing operations must be analyzed carefully. The authorities are conducting simulations considering disaster scenarios such as earthquakes and increased train speeds, based on vibration measurement data collected in May and July. Based on these analysis results, the type of reinforcement material and construction sequence will be adjusted to devise an optimal plan that satisfies both safety and construction efficiency.
MOLIT is reviewing a plan to conduct non-stop passage and reinforcement work simultaneously to shorten the construction period while performing real-time safety verification.
5. Future Schedule and Consultation Process
Currently, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Seoul City are coordinating the details of the reinforcement plan and the scope of the damages claim through weekly working-level meetings. During these meetings, results of additional structural safety verification, material performance test reports, and vibration impact analysis data for non-stop passage are shared. Each agency is performing mutual verification based on its own data and striving to reach a consensus. In particular, a detailed execution plan, including adjustments to the construction sequence, is being prepared to minimize the impact of reinforcement work on the Yeongdong-daero Complex Development Project. Regarding the damages claim, the policy is to clarify the criteria for calculating the loss amount along with legal review to prevent future disputes. Both parties are continuing consultations with the goal of jointly announcing a draft-level reinforcement plan and damages claim proposal within the coming week.
MOLIT and Seoul City are coordinating the details of the reinforcement plan and the scope of the damages claim through regular meetings, aiming to jointly announce a draft soon.
6. Conclusion and Recommendations for Readers
The safety controversy surrounding GTX-A Samseong Station is serving as an opportunity to review the overall safety management system of large-scale infrastructure projects, going beyond simple construction errors. Given the principle that public safety is the top priority, prompt decisions on additional verification and reinforcement work are required, and financial accountability must also be clarified. Readers are advised to consistently check related news and refer to official release materials to understand the situation objectively. Additionally, voicing concerns about construction site safety issues through local resident representative meetings or online communities can be a meaningful form of participation. It is important to closely monitor the alternative plans and schedule changes that will follow the release of future safety verification results. Finally, one must not forget that civic awareness supporting the government’s continuous supervision and transparent information disclosure is essential for safe public transportation use.
This incident is an opportunity to review the safety management system, and readers should consistently check information and pay attention to safety issues at construction sites.