HDC Hyundai Development Co., Ltd. CEO Yoo Dong-gyu made an official apology today (12th) in relation to the collapse of the exterior wall of the new I-Park apartment building in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju.
CEO Yoo issued a public apology near the accident site of the Hwajeong-dong accident site at around 10 am today and said, "I deeply apologize to the missing persons, their families, and the citizens of Gwangju who suffered damage due to the unfortunate accident that occurred at the construction site of HDC Hyundai Development Company. I will give it to you,” he said.
CEO Yoo then bowed his head, saying, "An impossible accident has occurred. We feel the responsibility of HDC Hyundai Development Company."
"At present, the search and rescue of the missing is an urgent priority, and we will work closely with relevant organizations such as the Fire Department, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Gwangju Metropolitan City and the Seo-gu Office to make every effort to search for the missing person," he said.
He added, "We are doing our best to take safety measures to prevent secondary damage in the process."
After the accident yesterday, HDC Hyundai Development Company dispatched about 50 employees including CEOs Yoo Byung-gyu and Ha Won-ki, as well as structural safety experts to the accident site.
"Currently, we have established safety measures to search for and rescue missing persons and prevent further damage under consultation with relevant agencies," said CEO Yoo. "We have secured the necessary equipment and personnel."
He also mentioned, "I will faithfully work on investigations by investigative agencies and the investigation of the cause of the accident by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport."
CEO Yoo repeatedly apologized, saying, "I bow my head and offer a deep apology for this accident."
According to the Gwangju Fire Department and Seo-gu Office, at around 3:47 pm yesterday at the Hyundai I-Park construction site in Hwajeong-dong, Seo-gu, the exterior wall of an apartment building collapsed and 20 vehicles were damaged or buried. One person hit was taken to the hospital.
Six field workers are currently out of contact.
Hyundai Development Company has been heavily criticized by public opinion for causing another major accident following the disaster at the redevelopment site in Gwangju in June of last year.
The city of Gwangju today issued an order to suspend construction on all construction and construction sites of Hyundai Development Company, including the construction site of the new construction site of Gwangju Hwajeong I-Park, where the collapse occurred.
(Photo = Yonhap News)