Ruling Party Considers Parliamentary Probe into Faulty State-Contracted Apartment Construction
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) in South Korea is contemplating a parliamentary inspection to investigate the reasons behind the substandard construction of underground parking lots in apartment complexes developed under contracts with the state-run housing developer. A recent inspection conducted by the land ministry revealed that several apartment complexes built by the Korea Land and Housing Corp. (LH) lacked sufficient reinforcing rods in the columns supporting the underground parking structures. This flaw is particularly concerning as the strength of these columns is crucial in the flat plate slab construction system.
Critics argue that the builder may have opted to cut costs and speed up construction, leading to compromised safety measures. In response to these findings, Rep. Yun Jae-ok, a PPP floor leader, announced during a press conference that an internal task force would be formed to investigate the truth behind the faulty construction. Depending on the outcome, a parliamentary inspection may be pursued.
President Yoon Suk Yeol also addressed the issue, vowing to eliminate cartels with vested interests within the construction industry, as such groups were identified as a contributing factor to the poor construction practices observed in the parking lots. President Yoon clarified that these problematic apartment complexes were all designed and constructed before his administration took office.
The land ministry’s inspection revealed that at least 15 public apartment complexes constructed after 2017 lacked reinforcing bars, which has become a common construction method since President Moon Jae-in’s inauguration. Rep. Yun expressed concern about the management policies of the current administration, citing another corruption scandal involving LH as evidence of serious flaws in the government’s housing construction practices.
The involvement of LH in other construction projects has raised suspicions of favoritism. The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) is currently reviewing an audit request made by the Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice, claiming that former LH ranking officials have been recruited by construction design and supervising firms, indicating a potential conflict of interest. The BAI’s audit will be conducted independently of the ongoing government investigation into both LH’s apartment complexes and private constructions.
As the government proceeds with its investigation, it is expected that decision-makers will face further scrutiny based on the audit results. Moreover, the BAI’s involvement suggests that LH’s activities will face increased oversight to prevent any recurrence of such issues.
In conclusion, the ruling PPP is considering a parliamentary inspection to investigate the flawed construction of LH-developed apartment complexes’ underground parking lots. The government’s ongoing investigation and the audit planned by the BAI will shed light on potential flaws in management policies and unveil any irregularities associated with LH’s operations. The focus remains on rectifying the current situation to ensure the safety and quality of public housing projects in the future.
