political

Seosomun Overpass Collapse Kills Three Workers in Seoul

| Korea

The Seosomun Overpass in Seodaemun District, central Seoul — built in 1966 and under controlled demolition since August 2025 — partially collapsed at approximately 2:33 p.m. on May 26, killing three male workers in their 50s and 60s and injuring three others. The collapse occurred while an engineering inspection team was conducting safety checks after discovering a subsidence gap during slab-cutting operations. Debris fell onto a nearby railway line, temporarily disrupting service to Seoul Station; subway service was later restored after emergency inspections. The incident ignited political controversy in the final stretch of the June 3 mayoral campaign, with Democratic candidate Chong Won-o accusing incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon (PPP) of negligence in overseeing aging infrastructure.

Seoul's Seosomun Overpass collapses during demolition, killing three workers and injuring three others
Seoul's Seosomun Overpass collapses during demolition, killing three workers and injuring three others — Euronews