The Gangdong District of Seoul will conduct emergency road inspections as ground subsidence (sinkhole) phenomena have occurred again in the area.
According to the Gangdong District Office and the city of Seoul, a sinkhole measuring 2.5 meters wide, 3.0 meters long, and 1.2 meters deep appeared around 3:25 p.m. on the 30th. The cause was identified as a leak from a welded joint connected to a water supply pipeline.
Following a large sinkhole incident in Myeongil-dong, Gangdong District, on the 24th of last month, another sinkhole phenomenon has occurred. Starting on the 2nd of the next month, plans are in place for emergency underground cavity inspections across both city and district roads.
This inspection will be conducted using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) equipment for cavity exploration beneath the surface. Overall cavity exploration will be conducted using vehicle-mounted GPR equipment, and if irregularities are found, the presence of cavities will be verified, with size assessments conducted through video recording (endoscopy). Any discovered cavities will be immediately restored according to their size, or further excavational investigations will be carried out before restoration.
Lee Soo-hee, head of the Gangdong District Office, noted, “Residents are greatly concerned due to the continuous ground subsidence,” and added, “Through this emergency inspection, we will carefully examine all roads in Gangdong District and quickly take all necessary measures.”