Login
Login

Seongsu Bridge disaster

{{Short description|1994 bridge collapse in Seoul, South Korea}}

{{Good article}}

{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}

{{Infobox event

| title = Seongsu Bridge disaster

| image = 2000년대 초반 서울소방 소방공무원(소방관) 활동 사진 1994년 성수대교붕괴.JPG

| image_alt = The picture is taken from a vantage point above the bridge disaster. The middle section of the bridge is missing, and spectators with umbrellas can be seen observing the collapsed section of the bridge which is floating in the water. Multiple small boats and kayaks can be seen crowding around the collapsed section of the bridge. There is a large crowd of people seen standing on the collapsed section of the bridge, along with a severely damaged bus, van, and car.

| caption = Site of the Seongsu Bridge disaster

| date = {{Start date|1994|10|21}}

| time = 7:38 a.m. KST

| Location = Seoul, South Korea

| coordinates = {{Coord|37|32|14|N|127|02|06|E|region:KR-11_type:event|display=inline,title}}

| cause = Structural failure caused by faulty welding and rusted extension hinges; exacerbated by insufficient maintenance and failure to prevent the propagation of fatigue cracks

| reported deaths = 32

| reported injuries = 17

| arrests =

| convicted = 17 convicted, including:

| charges = * Criminal negligence resulting in death, injury, general obstruction of traffic, and automobile accident

  • Forgery and use of forged public documents
  • Forgery and use of forged private documents

| verdict = Guilty

| sentence = Sentences ranging from 6 months to 3 years imprisonment

}}

The Seongsu Bridge disaster{{efn|{{Korean|hangul=성수대교 붕괴 사고|hanja=聖水大橋崩壞事故|rr=Seongsudaegyo bunggoe sago}}}} was a deadly bridge collapse that occurred on the morning of October 21, 1994 in Seoul, South Korea. 32 people died and 17 were injured when a section of the upper truss of the Seongsu Bridge collapsed onto the Han River. A combination of faulty welding, rusted extension hinges, and insufficient maintenance resulted in the structural failure of the bridge.

The Seongsu Bridge opened in 1979 and was the 11th bridge constructed over the Han River, connecting the northern Seongdong District to the southern Gangnam District. The bridge became one of the busiest bridges in Seoul and was built as part of military dictator Park Chung Hee's plan to develop the region south of the Han River (known as Gangnam).

Seventeen Seoul Metropolitan Government, Dongbu Corporation, and {{interlanguage link|Dong Ah Construction Industrial Company|lt=Dong Ah Construction|ko|동아그룹}} officials were convicted in connection to the collapse. The Mayor of Seoul {{interlanguage link|Lee Won-jong (politician)|lt=Lee Won-jong|ko|이원종 (1942년)}} and his successor {{interlanguage link|Woo Myung-kyu (politician)|lt=Woo Myoung-kyu|ko|우명규}} both resigned in response to the disaster. On November 10, 2000, the Dong Ah Group, the parent company of Dong Ah Construction, filed for bankruptcy and the company dissolved on May 11, 2001. The collapse was part of a string of disasters during the modernization of South Korea, including a fire on board the Kukdong-ho sightseeing boat 1987,{{cite web |title= Korean sightseeing boat burns, at least 25 die |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/06/16/Korean-sightseeing-boat-burns-at-least-25-die/8332550814400/ |work=UPI |date= 16 June 1987 |access-date= 20 October 2024}} the sinking of MV Seohae, the crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 733 and the Gupo Station rail accident in 1993, and the Daegu gas explosions and Sampoong Department Store collapse in 1995.{{harvnb|Pollack|1994}}{{harvnb|Kim|2017|p=180}}

{{TOClimit|3}}

Background

Construction for the Seongsu Bridge began on April 9, 1977, and was completed on October 15, 1979, by the {{interlanguage link|Dong Ah Construction Industrial Company|lt=Dong Ah Construction Industrial Company|ko|동아그룹}} at a cost of 11.58 billion won (equivalent to ₩{{Inflation|index=KRW|value=11.58|start_year=1979|fmt=|cursign=}} billion in {{Inflation/year|KRW}}{{Inflation/fn|index=KRW}}).{{harvnb|"Collapse of Seongsu Bridge", National Emergency Management Agency}} At the time, foreign firms were excluded from construction contracts, stretching thin domestic construction companies who faced increasing demand as a result of military dictator Park Chung Hee's development plan south of the Han River.{{harvnb|Wearne|2000|p=112}}{{harvnb|Koo|2022|p=76}} The cantilever bridge had four lanes of traffic, a width of {{cvt|19.4|m|ft|abbr=out|sp=us}}, and spanned {{cvt|1160|m|ft|abbr=out|sp=us}}. The speed limit on the bridge was {{cvt|60|km/h|mph|sp=us|adj=off}}. The bridge was praised for its focus on its aesthetics in addition to functional considerations, setting it apart from other bridges built at the time.{{Cite web |last=전 |first=상봉 |date=2014-10-20 |title='성수대교 붕괴' 20년... 그때는 이럴 줄 몰랐다 |trans-title=20 years since the 'Seongsu Bridge collapse'...we didn't know it would turn out like this back then |url=https://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002044949 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-18 |publisher=OhmyNews |language=ko |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218025109/https://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002044949}} The bridge became the 11th bridge constructed over the Han River and alleviated traffic on the nearby Yeongdong and Hannam bridges.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Joo-hee |date=2010-03-30 |title=Han bridges tell stories of past, present |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20090221000043 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-19 |publisher=The Korea Herald |language=en |archive-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204044153/https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20090221000043}}

Two years earlier, the Second Haengju Bridge collapsed during construction with no casualties.{{harvnb|"32 Reported Dead as Bridge Collapses in Seoul", Reuters|1994}} Later that year, the {{Interlanguage link|Changseon Bridge collapse|lt=Changseon Bridge|ko|남해 창선대교 붕괴사고}} ({{Korean|hangul=창선대교|hanja=昌善大橋|labels=no|links=no}}) in Namhae, South Gyeongsang Province, collapsed under similar circumstances as the Seongsu Bridge.{{Cite web |last=지 |first=종간 |date=1992-07-31 |title=경남 남해군 창선대교 붕괴사고 붕괴위험 무시 |trans-title=Namhae, South Gyeongsang province Changseon Bridge collapse disaster, ignored the risk of collapse |url=http://imnews.imbc.com/replay/1992/nwdesk/article/1747064_30556.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-19 |publisher=MBC News |language=ko |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219022728/https://imnews.imbc.com/replay/1992/nwdesk/article/1747064_30556.html}} At the time, bids for construction projects frequently went to companies that promised the fastest construction, incentivizing cheap and rushed construction at the expense of safety.{{harvnb|김|김|1994}}{{harvnb|Kim|2017|p=174}} Dong Ah Construction's bid for the Seongsu Bridge's construction contract was half the price of its expected cost at the time.{{Cite web |date=2016-12-09 |title=[그땐그랬지⑪] 성수대교 붕괴와 동아그룹의 몰락 |url=http://www.ftoday.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=61342 |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=파이낸셜투데이 |language=ko |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301094001/http://www.ftoday.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=61342 |url-status=live }} The rushed construction of the bridge was attributed as a negative consequence of South Korea's ppalli ppalli ({{Korean|hangul=빨리빨리|labels=no|lit=quickly, quickly}}) culture.{{Cite web |last=장 |first=민창 |date=2021-08-30 |title=성수에서 학동까지… 사회적 참사는 '현재 진행형' |trans-title=From Seongsu to Hakdong...societal disasters are "still ongoing" |url=http://news.cauon.net//news/articleView.html?idxno=35899 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228043620/http://news.cauon.net//news/articleView.html?idxno=35899 |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=중대신문사 |language=ko}}

The Seongsu Bridge linked the Seongdong District north of the river to the southern Gangnam District and was one of the busiest bridges in Seoul.{{harvnb|황|1994}} Following the development of the Gangnam region, the number of vehicles using the bridge increased exponentially to 160,000 vehicles per day.{{Cite web |last=강 |first=혜란 |date=2019-09-07 |title=[사소한 발견] 꼭꼭 숨은 성수대교 위령비, 우리 기억도 함께 봉인됐다 |trans-title=Small Discovery: The well-hidden Seongsu Bridge memorial stone that's preserving our memories |url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/23572856 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218025109/https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/23572856 |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=JoongAng Ilbo |language=ko}}{{harvnb|하 et al.|2022}} The bridge connected to the Seoul Olympic Highway to the south.{{harvnb|배|이|1994}} During the 15 years from its construction to its collapse, the Seongsu Bridge had never been subject to a detailed inspection because it was less than 20 years old and inspections had focused solely on aging structures.{{Cite news |date=1994-10-22 |title=「상판 틈」 2주전 알고도 숨겼다/붕괴 성수대교 |language=ko |trans-title=「Crack in the bridge」 It was known 2 weeks ago but it was hidden/Collapse of the Seongsu Bridge |work=Seoul Shinmun |url=https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=19941022023001 |access-date=2023-03-13}}

Collapse

File:1994성수대교_붕괴_사고13.jpg

On October 20, 1994, at 9:30 p.m. KST the evening before the collapse, workers for the Seoul Metropolitan Government laid a small steel plate onto a seam on the bridge, {{cvt|50|m|ft|abbr=out|sp=us}} away from the site of the eventual collapse, to cover up a large gap that had formed at the joint. Repairs for the bridge had been scheduled for that day but were postponed due to bad weather.

On Friday, October 21, at 6:00 a.m., drivers filed a report after seeing cracks in the bridge, but the city government dismissed the reports, saying that the crack had been repaired through the installation of the steel plate.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEh7xz1IUl4 |title=[꼬꼬무 55회 요약] 대한민국 최악의 참사, 순식간에 무너진 '성수대교 붕괴 참사' {{!}} 꼬리에 꼬리를 무는 그날 이야기 (SBS방송) |date=2022-12-02 |last=달리 [SBS DALI] |language=ko |publisher=SBS |trans-title=[Summary of Episode 55 of Kokkomu] The worst disaster in South Korea, the 'Seongsu Bridge Collapse Disaster' that collapsed in an instant {{!}} The story of that day that keeps on going (SBS broadcast) |access-date=2023-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222055309/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=BEh7xz1IUl4 |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}

At 7:38 a.m., during the beginning of the morning rush hour, a {{cvt|48|m|ft|abbr=out|sp=us|adj=on}} span on the north side of the Seongsu Bridge suddenly gave way into the Han River {{cvt|20|m|ft|abbr=out|sp=us|adj=off}} below.{{harvnb|이|이|1994}}{{Citation |last1=Kim |first1=Yong-kyun |date=2018 |pages=113–190 |place=Singapore |publisher=Springer Singapore |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-981-10-4789-3_5 |isbn=978-981-10-4788-6 |pmc=7123650 |last2=Sohn |first2=Hong-Gyoo|title=Disaster Risk Management in the Republic of Korea |chapter=Disaster Response Policy Change in the Wake of Major Disasters, Labeled Focusing Events |series=Disaster Risk Reduction }} Survivors of the collapse compared the sound of the collapse to thunder.{{harvnb|유|이|1994}} Traffic was flowing at a speed of {{cvt|40|km/h|mph|sp=us|adj=off}}, and a total of six vehicles were involved in the incident, including a police van and a commuter bus carrying 31 occupants.{{Cite web |date=1994-10-21 |title='꽝' 소리와함께 떨어진 출근길 날벼락 |trans-title=The thunderbolt that fell with a 'ggwang' noise on the way to work |url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0003824963?sid=102 |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=Naver News |publisher=Yonhap News Agency |language=ko |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217162130/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0003824963?sid=102 |url-status=live}} The police van carried 11 police and auxiliary police officers who were selected as model officers for {{Interlanguage link|Police Day (South Korea)|lt=Police Day|ko|경찰의 날}} celebrations that day. Heavy rain the night before the collapse reportedly reduced the number of vehicles on the road at the time. The collapse sent two cars and the police van down with the bridge, while an additional two cars fell into the river. The Number 16 bus operated by the {{interlanguage link|Hansung Transportation Company|lt=Hansung Transportation Company|ko|한성운수 (서울)}} was traveling North from Seoul Grand Park to Beon-dong and had nearly crossed the span when the bridge collapsed. The collapse caused the rear of the bus to tilt over backwards and plummet onto its roof, crumpling to half its size.

= Victims =

Thirty-two people were killed in the disaster{{efn|name=fn2|The dead included eight students from Muhak Girls' High School (Cho Su-yeon ({{Korean|hangul=조수연|labels=no|links=no}}), Hwang Seon-jeong ({{Korean|hangul=황선정|labels=no|links=no}}), Bae Ji-hyeon ({{Korean|hangul=배지현|labels=no|links=no}}), Paek Mi-jeong ({{Korean|hangul=백미정|labels=no|links=no}}), Choi Yang-hui ({{Korean|hangul=최양희|labels=no|links=no}}), Jang Se-mi ({{Korean|hangul=장세미|labels=no|links=no}}), Lee Ji-hyeon ({{Korean|hangul=이지현|labels=no|links=no}}), and Lee Yeon-su ({{Korean|hangul=이연수|labels=no|links=no}})), Muhak Girls' Middle School student Lee So-yun ({{Korean|hangul=이소윤|labels=no|links=no}}), bus driver Yu Seong-yeol ({{Korean|hangul=유성열|labels=no|links=no}}), Seoul Police officer Lee Jeong-su ({{Korean|hangul=이정수|labels=no|links=no}}), Seoul National University of Education student Lee Seung-yeong ({{Korean|hangul=이승영|labels=no|links=no}}), Hanyang Girls' Middle School teacher Jang Yeong-o ({{Korean|hangul=장영오|labels=no|links=no}}), two teachers at Anam Elementary School (Choi Jeong-hwan ({{Korean|hangul=최정환|labels=no|links=no}}) and Yoon Hyeon-ja ({{Korean|hangul=윤현자|labels=no|links=no}})), Philippine national Adele Aida ({{Korean|hangul=아델아이다|labels=no|links=no}}), as well as Seong Bong-sik ({{Korean|hangul=성봉식|labels=no|links=no}}), Kim Gwang-su ({{Korean|hangul=김광수|labels=no|links=no}}), Kim Joong-sik ({{Korean|hangul=김중식|labels=no|links=no}}), Paek Jeong-hwa ({{Korean|hangul=백정화|labels=no|links=no}}), Moon Ok-yeon ({{Korean|hangul=문옥연|labels=no|links=no}}), Kim Won-seok ({{Korean|hangul=김원석|labels=no|links=no}}), Yoo Jin-hwi ({{Korean|hangul=유진휘|labels=no|links=no}}), Kim Dong-ik ({{Korean|hangul=김동익|labels=no|links=no}}), Song Geun-jong ({{Korean|hangul=송근종|labels=no|links=no}}), Ji Soo-yeong ({{Korean|hangul=지수영|labels=no|links=no}}), Yoo Sang-hae ({{Korean|hangul=유상해|labels=no|links=no}}), Kim Yong-nam ({{Korean|hangul=김용남|labels=no|links=no}}), Kim Jeong-jin ({{Korean|hangul=김정진|labels=no|links=no}}), Lee Deok-yeong ({{Korean|hangul=이덕영|labels=no|links=no}}), Lee Hong-gyun ({{Korean|hangul=이홍균|labels=no|links=no}}), and Lee Gi-pung ({{Korean|hangul=이기풍|labels=no|links=no}}).}} including 29 victims on the Number 16 bus, which held 31 people when it fell. Among the dead were the bus driver and nine students from the {{interlanguage link|Muhak Girls' High School (Seoul)|lt=Muhak Girls' High School|ko|무학여자고등학교}} and the {{interlanguage link|Muhak Girls' Middle School (Seoul)|lt=Muhak Girls' Middle School|ko|무학중학교}} in the Haengdang neighborhood of Seongdong District.{{Cite web |last=임 |first=동근 |date=2020-10-17 |title=[순간포착] 가을 아침, 믿을 수 없었던 '성수대교 붕괴참사' |trans-title=[Capturing the Moment] An autumn morning, the unbelievable 'Seongsu Bridge Collapse Disaster' |url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20201015084500005 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=Yonhap News Agency |language=ko |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220063547/https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20201015084500005}} Two of the victims on the bus survived the fall, but died waiting for first responders.{{Citation |title=성수대교 붕괴사고 생존자, 지워지지 않는 악몽 / YTN | date=October 20, 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy6VxAEp1NQ |publisher=YTN |language=en |access-date=2023-02-24 |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222055306/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy6VxAEp1NQ&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live}} The victims were treated at six hospitals, including the {{interlanguage link|National Police Hospital (South Korea)|lt=National Police Hospital|ko|경찰병원}}, while the 32 dead were enshrined at 15 hospitals throughout Seoul.{{efn|name=fn3|The dead were enshrined at the Gangnam City Hospital ({{Korean|hangul=강남시립병원|labels=no|links=no}}), the Gangdong Catholic Hospital ({{Korean|hangul=강동 카톨릭병원|labels=no|links=no}}), the Bangjigeo Hospital ({{Korean|hangul=방지거병원|labels=no|links=no}}), the Halla Hospital ({{Korean|hangul=한라병원|labels=no|links=no}}), the {{Interlanguage link|Hanyang University Hospital|lt=Hanyang University Hospital|ko|한양대학교병원}}, the Soonchunhyang Hospital ({{Korean|hangul=순천향병원|labels=no|links=no}}), the {{Interlanguage link|Central Hospital (Korea)|lt=Central Hospital|ko|근로복지공단 인천병원}}, the Dong-Ah Hospital ({{Korean|hangul=동아병원|labels=no|links=no}}), the Yongsan Company Hospital ({{Korean|hangul=중대 부속 용산병원|labels=no|links=no}}), the {{Interlanguage link|Hyemin Hospital|lt=Hyemin Hospital|ko|혜민병원}}, the {{Interlanguage link|Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital|lt=Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital|ko|강동 성신병원}}, the {{Interlanguage link|The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital|lt=Gangnam St. Mary's Hospital|ko|가톨릭대학교 서울성모병원}}, and the People's Hospital ({{Korean|hangul=민중병원|labels=no|links=no}}).}}{{Cite web |last=박 |first=성제 |date=1994-10-21 |title=성수대교 붕괴사고 사망자 32명 명단 |trans-title=List of the 32 people killed in the Seongsu Bridge collapse disaster |url=http://imnews.imbc.com/replay/1994/nwdesk/article/1940847_30690.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220063949/https://imnews.imbc.com/replay/1994/nwdesk/article/1940847_30690.html |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=MBC News |language=ko}}{{harvnb|하|이|1994}} Among the victims was Adele Aida, a 40-year-old undocumented immigrant from the Philippines who was traveling to a meeting of Filipinos in Korea.{{Cite news |last=권 |first=태호 |date=1994-11-03 |title='부실' 한국떠나간 아이다…/아들학비 벌러온지 4년만에 주검되어 |language=ko |trans-title='Rushed' is how Aida left Korea... /She was killed just four years after arriving to earn money for her son's tuition |work=The Hankyoreh |url=https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/legacy/legacy_general/L312890.html |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151921/https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/legacy/legacy_general/L312890.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=성수대교 붕괴 20년, 필리핀 불법 체류자의 억울한 사연 |language=ko |trans-title=20 Years After Seongsu Bridge Collapse, Unfair Stories of Illegal Immigrants from the Philippines |work=Aju Business Daily |url=https://www.ajunews.com/view/20141015191855530 |access-date=2023-03-13 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151912/https://www.ajunews.com/view/20141015191855530 |url-status=live }} Initial reports incorrectly reported over 40 deaths after police reports mistakenly combined the list of the dead and the injured.

= Rescue =

File:1994년_10월_21일_성수대교_붕괴_사고2.JPG

The 11 police and auxiliary officers in the police van that fell with the bridge became the first to respond to the disaster. The officers undressed and used their clothes to tie a rope, saving a total of 10 drowning people. First responders arrived more than 20 minutes after the collapse, and rescue operations began at 8:10 a.m. KST. The late response of the first responders drew public ire and was the result of call center employees mistaking emergency calls for prank calls. These rescue operations were carried out by 30 officers and members of the Seoul Metropolitan Police and the Han River Patrol ({{Korean|hangul=한강순찰대|labels=no}}) and consisted of two helicopters, three barges and 10 yawls.{{Cite news |date=1994-10-21 |title="우지끈..." 순간 차량 무더기 강으로/성수대교 붕괴 |language=ko |trans-title="Clumsy..." Cars suddenly falling into the river / Seongsu Bridge collapse |work=Kukmin Ilbo |url=http://news.kmib.co.kr/article/viewDetail.asp?newsClusterNo=01100201.19941021000001901 |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315035211/http://news.kmib.co.kr/article/viewDetail.asp?newsClusterNo=01100201.19941021000001901 |url-status=live }} At 9:40 a.m., 20 divers from the {{Interlanguage link|Sea Salvage & Rescue Unit|lt=Sea Salvage & Rescue Unit|ko|해난구조전대}} of the Korean Navy arrived at the scene to recover bodies from the river.

In response to the collapse, a total of 1,500 people were mobilized from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, the Korean Armed Forces, and the Seoul Metropolitan Fire Service. The rescue team included 150 underwater exploration special forces from the fire service. Rescue efforts were hampered by rain, tides, and heavy traffic.

= Initial reaction =

Officials initially stated that they believed the collapse occurred as a result of long-term excessive load on the bridge, culminating in the fracture of a rusted connection hinge.{{harvnb|"7 Held in Seoul Disaster", Reuters|1994}}{{Cite web |date=1994-10-21 |title=성수대교, 설계통과하중 18t 이상 차량 통과 |trans-title=Seongsu Bridge, vehicles over weight limit of 18 tons let through |url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0003820763?sid=101 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=Naver News |publisher=Yonhap News Agency |language=ko |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217212003/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0003820763?sid=101}} Vehicles carrying loads greater than their maximum capacity were regularly passing through the bridge. This led to a crackdown on overloaded vehicles over the Hangang Bridge out of fear of a similar collapse.{{harvnb|유|김|1994}} A KBS News investigation the following day found that the Seongsu Bridge, along with the Dongho Bridge and the Hangang Bridge, suffered from rushed construction. In their report, KBS News noted that severely rusted steel on the bridges had been painted over, bolts were missing from the bridges, and segments of the bridges were only welded on the outside.{{harvnb|황|김|1994}} Following the collapse, it was also revealed that the Seoul Metropolitan Government had planned to expand the bridge from four to five lanes through a reversible lane.

Investigations

On July 13, 1995, the Seoul District Prosecutor's Office published the 471-page White Paper on the Activities of the Seongsu Bridge Collapse Incident Investigation Team, analyzing the causes of the bridge collapse.{{Cite news |last=김 |first=성용 |date=1995-07-13 |title=검찰,성수대교 붕괴사고 백서 발간 |language=ko |trans-title=Prosecution publishes white paper on Seongsu Bridge collapse accident |work=Yonhap News Agency |url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR19950713004100004 |access-date=2023-10-23}} The white paper concludes that the direct cause of the collapse was the poor welding of the vertical members of the bridge, which connected the suspension trusses to the anchor trusses.{{harvnb|Kim|2017|p=174}}: "The direct cause of the collapse was poor welding of vertical members, which were the core elements to connect suspension truss to anchor truss." It notes that had the vertical members been welded correctly, increases in load would not have caused the fatigue stress to exceed reasonable limits and that fatigue failure would not have occurred.{{Harvnb|Seoul National University Department of Civil Engineering|1995|p=345}}: "직접적인 원인으로는 최초 원인을 제공한 수직재 용접 불량과 유지관리 부실이 주된 원인임이 밝혀졌다. 수직재의 용접이 제대로 되었으면 교통량 증가나 과적차량(초과하중)의 통행이 있어도 9장에서 검토한 내용에서 보면 피로응력이 허용응력내에 있을 뿐 아니라 피로시험 결과에서 나타나듯이, 피 로파괴는 일어나지 않는다." Radiographic testing carried out following the collapse found that 110 out of the 111 connections in the bridge were filled with defects and that welds often only penetrated 2 to 8mm when the beams were 18mm thick.{{harvnb|Kim|2017|p=174}}: "After radiographic investigation tests, among 111 connections of the bridge, 110 were identified with defects. Compared to the 18 mm thickness of vertical member, the actual depth of penetration was only 8 mm, and the available depth of penetration of some was merely 2 mm."

The white paper further notes that had the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Dongbu Corporation properly inspected the bridge and carried out basic repairs, the collapse would have been unlikely to occur.{{Harvnb|Seoul National University Department of Civil Engineering|1995|p=345}}: "그러나 교량의 점검과 진단, 유지관리를 철처히 하여 수직재의 균열 등 결함을 사전 발견하여 근본적인 보수를 하였어도 붕 괴는 일어나지 않았을 것이다."{{harvnb|Kim|2017|pages=174–175}} The report concluded that as a result of the poor construction and maintenance of the bridge, in the worst-case scenario, the collapse of the bridge could have occurred within three years of construction.{{Cite web |last=전 |first=혜원 |date=2014-05-16 |title=대형 참사마다 발간된 백서, 먼지만 쌓여있었다 |trans-title=White papers published for each large-scale disaster, only dust accumulated |url=https://www.sisain.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=20233 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224155754/https://www.sisain.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=20233 |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |access-date=2023-02-24 |publisher=시사IN |language=ko |quote="붕괴 위험도는 100%로서 성수대교의 붕괴는 불가피"}}{{Cite web |date=1995-04-03 |title='성수대교 붕괴원인은 부실시공'감정단 최종보고서 |trans-title="The cause of the Seongsu Bridge collapse was poor construction" Final report of the investigation |url=https://www.mk.co.kr/news/economy/1461246 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224160831/https://www.mk.co.kr/news/economy/1461246 |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |access-date=2023-02-24 |publisher=The Korea Economic Daily |language=ko}} The white paper found no flaws in the design of the bridge itself.{{harvnb|Schultz|Pipinato|Gastineau|2021|p=966}}

In addition, the frequent use of inexperienced subcontractors, the lack of a system to monitor discrepancies in design and construction, the management of construction by non-technical officials, and rampant corruption were all listed as exacerbating factors in the collapse. Maintenance of the bridge was neglected due to limited fiscal resources, and connecting pins used in the bridge had become heavily rusted.{{harvnb|Kim|2017|p=175}} At the time, due to the lack of domestic technical skills in steel plate welding, Dong Ah Construction hired a Zainichi Korean to manage the Bupyeo steel factory ({{Korean|hangul=부평공장|labels=no}}). However, when his insistence on inspecting the welds led to delays, he was fired.

The original white paper was criticized for publishing the names, genders, resident registration numbers, addresses, and occupations of the victims, omitting only the personal information of the minors and eleven police officers. In addition, the exact compensation received by each of the deceased victims' families was released in the original white paper.{{Cite web |last=김 |first=예진 |date=2014-04-28 |title=[단독] 재난 피해자 개인정보 '줄줄' |trans-title=[Exclusive] Personal information of disaster victims ‘Jjuljjul’ (leaking out) |url=https://www.segye.com/view/20140427002434 |access-date=2023-02-24 |publisher=Segye Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224170005/https://www.segye.com/view/20140427002434 |url-status=live}}

Legal proceedings

{{Infobox court case

| name = 97 Criminal Appeal Trial No. 1740

| court = Supreme Court of Korea

| image = File:Symbol of the Supreme Court of Korea.svg

| citations = [https://glaw.scourt.go.kr/wsjo/panre/sjo100.do?contId=2103180| Supreme Court Decisions Official Report (판례공보) 1998.1.1. (Vol. 49), page 184]

| opinions = All appeals dismissed unanimously. Five defendants found guilty as joint principals of criminal negligence causing death, injury, general obstruction of traffic, and automobile accident.

| DecideDate = {{start date|1997|11|28}}

| prior_actions = Appealed from

Seoul Central District Court [https://lbox.kr/case/서울중앙지방법원/95노2918 Sentenced 1997.6.11., 95 Criminal Appeal Trial No. 2918]

Original Judgement

Seoul District Court [Sentenced 1995.4.20., 94 Criminal Individual First Trial No. 8478, 8479, 8480, 8481, 8482 (Collective)]

| italic title = no

}}{{Infobox court case

| name = 97 Criminal Appeal Trial No. 1741

| court = Supreme Court of Korea

| citations = [https://glaw.scourt.go.kr/wsjo/panre/sjo100.do?contId=2103181| Supreme Court Decisions Official Report (판례공보) 1998.1.1. (Vol. 49), page 191]

| DecideDate = {{start date|1997|11|28}}

| opinions = All appeals dismissed unanimously. Of eleven defendants: ten found guilty of criminal negligence; eight found guilty of forgery of public documents and use of forged public documents; three found guilty of forgery of private documents and use of forged private documents.

| prior_actions = Appealed from

Seoul Central District Court [https://lbox.kr/case/서울중앙지방법원/95노3004 Sentenced 1997.6.11. 1995 Criminal Prosecution Case Number 3004]

Original judgement

Seoul District Court Sentenced 1995.4.20., 94 Criminal Individual First Trial No. 8274, 8280 (Collective)

| italic title = no

}}

Immediately following the collapse, prosecutors launched a criminal investigation into Dong Ah Construction.{{Cite web |last1=신 |first1=성범 |last2=김 |first2=광일 |date=1994-10-22 |title=교량 안전 허위보고한 관계자 7명 구속 |trans-title=7 officials arrested for falsely reporting bridge safety |url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744942 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-18 |publisher=KBS News |language=ko |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218011646/https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744942}} Four days later, prosecutors found damage reports submitted in February and April to the Seoul Metropolitan Government by the Dongbu Corporation, which was responsible for bridge maintenance and repair.{{Cite web |last=김 |first=도경 |date=1994-12-15 |title=성수대교 붕괴사고관련 이신영피고인 등 첫 공판 |trans-title=First trial of defendant Lee Shin-young (이신영) in connection to the Seongsu Bridge collapse disaster |url=https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/1994121501261 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=The Korea Economic Daily |language=ko |publication-date=1994-12-16 |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120744/https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/1994121501261}} These reports stated the steel girders supporting the Seongsu Bridge were in urgent need of repair and included photographs of the damage on the bridge.{{Cite news |date=1994-10-23 |title=7 Seoul Officials Held in Bridge Collapse |newspaper=The Washington Post |publication-place=Seoul |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1994/10/23/7-seoul-officials-held-in-bridge-collapse/d9132153-09d3-4747-839e-ba6e0dc65b57/ |access-date=2023-02-17 |archive-date=December 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221232333/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1994/10/23/7-seoul-officials-held-in-bridge-collapse/d9132153-09d3-4747-839e-ba6e0dc65b57/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=이 |first=용연 |date=1994-10-27 |title=우시장 돌출 에 검찰 주춤/ 붕괴 수사 흔들린다 |trans-title=Prosecutors decline to investigate U Si-jang (우시장)/Collapse investigation is shaking |url=https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/1994/10/27/1994102773101.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=The Chosun Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120746/https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/1994/10/27/1994102773101.html}} On October 26, prosecutors arrested the head of the city government's construction office and six other Seoul City officials for falsely reporting that the bridge was safe without performing the required daily checks.{{Cite web |date=1994-10-25 |title=성수대교 붕괴사고관련 이신영서울시도로국장 구속영장청구 |trans-title=Arrest warrant issued for head of the Seoul Metropolitan Road Bureau Lee Shin-young (이신영) in connection to the Seongsu Bridge collapse disaster |url=https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/1994102501021 |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=The Korea Economic Daily |language=ko |publication-date=1994-10-26 |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120744/https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/1994102501021 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=이 |first=호인 |date=1994-10-26 |title=성수대교 붕괴사고와 관련 서울시에 대한 검찰 수사[이호인] |trans-title=Prosecutors' investigation into the Seoul Metropolitan Government in connection to the Seongsu Bridge collapse disaster |url=http://imnews.imbc.com/replay/1994/nwdesk/article/1941177_30690.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=MBC News |language=ko |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220121754/https://imnews.imbc.com/replay/1994/nwdesk/article/1941177_30690.html}} In the end, the Seoul District Prosecutor's Office's investigation would lead to 17 arrests in connection to the collapse: four Seoul Metropolitan Government officials, seven Dongbu Corporation officials, and six Dong Ah Construction officials. Prosecutors decided against arresting former mayor of Seoul {{interlanguage link|Lee Won-jong (politician)|lt=Lee Won-jong|ko|이원종 (1942년)}}, stating that they did not find evidence that he was ever informed of the imminent collapse.{{Cite web |last=이 |first=상현 |date=1994-11-02 |title=李 前시장 곧 소환-성수대교 붕괴사고 수사 |trans-title=Former Mayor Lee will be summoned – Seongsu Bridge collapse disaster investigation |url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/2963503 |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=JoongAng Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120745/https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/2963503 |url-status=live}}

The 17 defendants were tried collectively at the 7th Seoul Criminal District Court under Judge Kim Dong-hwan ({{Korean|hangul=김동환|labels=no}}), and proceedings began on December 15, 1994.{{Cite web |last=하 |first=성봉 |date=1994-12-16 |title=동아건설 간부등 혐의 부인/성수대교 붕괴사고 첫 재판 |trans-title=Dong-Ah Construction executives deny charges/First Seongsu Bridge collapse disaster trial |url=https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/legacy/legacy_general/L317746.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=The Hankyoreh |language=ko |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120752/https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/legacy/legacy_general/L317746.html}}{{Cite web |last=박 |first=정철 |date=1995-04-21 |title=「성수대교붕괴」 전원 석방/서울지법/16명 집행유예·1명무죄 선고 |trans-title=「Seongsu Bridge Collapse」 All decisions released/Seoul District Court/16 convicted, 1 acquitted |url=https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/199504210089921946 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=Hankook Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222204602/https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/199504210089921946}} Defendants from Dong Ah Construction were charged with criminal negligence resulting in death, injury, the obstruction of traffic, and an automobile accident. Defendants from the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Dongbu Corporation were additionally charged with forgery of public documents, use of forged public documents, forgery of private documents, and use of forged private documents.{{Cite web |date=1994-10-25 |title=성수대교 붕괴사고관련 이신영서울시도로국장 구속영장청구 |trans-title=Arrest warrant for director of the Seoul Metropolitan Road Bureau Lee Shin-young (이신영) in connection with the Seongsu Bridge collapse disaster |url=https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/1994102501021 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=The Korea Economic Daily |language=ko |publication-date=1994-10-26 |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120744/https://www.hankyung.com/society/article/1994102501021}} Defendants from Dong Ah Construction argued that the five-year statute of limitations for negligent manslaughter had passed because the bridge had been built 15 years ago. However, the judge ruled that the statute of limitations for criminal negligence began on the date of the crash and not the date of construction,{{Cite web |last1=이 |first1=호갑 |last2=신 |first2=석호 |date=2009-09-26 |orig-date=1997-06-11 |title=성수대교 붕괴관련 현장소장 항소심서 법정구속 |trans-title=Site director arrested in appeal trial for the Seongsu Bridge collapse |url=https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/19970611/7261231/1 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=The Dong-A Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120744/https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/19970611/7261231/1}} a decision appellate courts would later uphold. The officials testified that they were not aware of any poor construction.{{Cite web |last=박 |first=홍기 |date=1994-12-26 |title=「성수대교 붕괴」 어제 첫 공판/피고들 "부실시공 전혀 몰랐다" |trans-title=「Seongsu Bridge Collapse」First Hearing Yesterday/Defendants: "I didn't know about the poor construction" |url=https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=19941216023001 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=Seoul Shinmun |language=ko |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120748/https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=19941216023001}} On April 20, 1995, the district court convicted 16 defendants while acquitting construction site manager Shin Dong-hyun ({{Korean|hangul=신동현|hanja=申東賢|labels=no}}), ruling that Shin was not in a position to be aware of any defects in the welding of the bridge. Sentences varied from ten months to three years imprisonment, but were suspended by the judge who argued that the defendants had already served six months and should not be punished further for poor construction that had been carried out 15 years ago.{{Cite web |last=홍 |first=헌표 |date=1995-04-07 |title=성수대교 구속 14명 금고 2~5년 구형 |trans-title=Seongsu Bridge trial, 14 arrested sentenced to 2–5 years imprisonment |url=https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/1995/04/07/1995040773707.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=The Chosun Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120743/https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/1995/04/07/1995040773707.html}} Seoul District Prosecutors appealed the decisions, and the case was taken to the Seoul Central District Court.

The criminal appeal was held under Judge Han Jung-duk ({{Korean|hangul=한정덕|hanja=韓正悳|labels=no}}). On June 11, 1997, the appeals court reversed the lower court's ruling, convicting Shin Dong-hyun and sentencing him to two years imprisonment. Former production manager of Bupyeo Steel factory Park Hyo-su ({{Korean|hangul=박효수|hanja=朴孝洙|labels=no}}) was sentenced to two years imprisonment, having previously been serving a suspended sentence of five years' probation from three years imprisonment.{{Cite web |last=김 |first=상연 |date=1997-06-12 |title=성수대교 건설 현장소장 법정구속/붕괴사건 항소심 |trans-title=Court detention of the Seongsu Bridge construction site manager/Appeal trial for the collapse |url=https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=19970612023001 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=Seoul Shinmun |language=ko |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120745/https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=19970612023001}} Yeo Yong-won ({{Korean|hangul=여용원|hanja=呂勇元|labels=no}}), the former director of the Dongbu Construction office in Seoul, was sentenced to one year six months imprisonment, having previously been serving a suspended sentence of four years' probation from two years imprisonment. Sentences for all other defendants were reversed to their original lengths of ten months to three years imprisonment, two to five years' probation, and fines of 5 million won each (equivalent to ₩{{Inflation|index=KRW|value=5|start_year=1997|fmt=|cursign=}} million in {{Inflation/year|KRW}}{{Inflation/fn|index=KRW}}). In December 1995, between the decision of the first court and the appeals court, an amendment to the law reduced the punishment for forging public documents to a fine. In particular, the former head of the city's road construction office Lee Shin-young ({{Korean|hangul=이신영|hanja=李臣永|labels=no}}) was the only defendant not convicted with negligent manslaughter. Thus, in June 1997, Lee's sentence was reduced from two years' probation, suspended from one year imprisonment, to a fine of 5 million won.{{Cite web |last=이 |first=계영 |date=1997-09-01 |title=성수대교사고로 기소된 前 도로국장 이신영씨 복직 |trans-title=Retrial for former road director Lee Shin-young (이신영) who was indicted for Seongsu Bridge disaster |url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/3511167 |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=JoongAng Ilbo |publisher=사랑방 [Sarangbang] |language=ko |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120747/https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/3511167 |url-status=live}}

The former head of the city's road maintenance office Kim Jae-seok ({{Korean|hangul=김재석|labels=no}}) was sentenced to one year and six months imprisonment and three years probation. Construction supervisors for the city of Seoul Kim Seok-gi ({{Korean|hangul=김석기|labels=no}}) and Lee Woo-yeon ({{Korean|hangul=이우연|labels=no}}) were sentenced to one year and six months imprisonment and three years' probation while Lee was sentenced to one year imprisonment and two years' probation. Former Vice President Kim Myeong-nyeon ({{Korean|hangul=김명년|labels=no}}) and public affairs manager Jang Rae-ik ({{Korean|hangul=장래익|labels=no}}) of Dong Ah Construction were both sentenced to two years imprisonment and five years' probation. Technical director of Bupyeo steel factory Lee Kyu-dae ({{Korean|hangul=이규대|labels=no}}) was sentenced to three years imprisonment and five years' probation.

The defendants appealed the ruling, and the case was taken to the Korean Supreme Court. In South Korea, the Supreme Court can only consider appeals with regards to the law and cannot alter sentencing. Defendants argued that they were not individually responsible for the bridge collapse because no individual action had caused the bridge to collapse. Between the appeals court ruling and the Supreme Court ruling, one defendant died. On November 28, 1997, the Supreme Court upheld the convictions of all 16 defendants{{Cite web |last=이 |first=상정 |date=1997-11-29 |title=성수대교 붕괴 관련 16명 상고 기각 |trans-title=16 appeals dismissed in Seongsu Bridge collapse trial |url=https://www.munhwa.com/news/view.html?no=1997112931000801 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=Munhwa Ilbo |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120745/https://www.munhwa.com/news/view.html?no=1997112931000801}} and accepted the lower court's ruling that the Dong Ah Construction Industrial Company was guilty of criminal negligence in its poor construction of the bridge.{{Cite web |last1=송 |first1=진훈 |last2=천 |first2=경송 |last3=지 |first3=창권 |last4=신 |first4=성택 |date=1997-11-28 |title=대법원 1997. 11. 28. 선고 97도1740 판결 |trans-title=Supreme Court 1997.11.28 Sentenced, 1997 Criminal Appeal Trial No. 1740 |url=https://glaw.scourt.go.kr/wsjo/panre/sjo100.do?contId=2103180&q=97%EB%8F%841740&nq&w=yegu§ion=yegu_tot&subw&subsection&subId&csq&groups&category&outmax=1&msort&onlycount&sp&d1&d2&d3&d4&d5&pg=0&p1&p2=01&p3&p4&p5&p6&p7&p8&p9&p10&p11&p12&sysCd&tabGbnCd&saNo&joNo&lawNm&hanjaYn=N&userSrchHistNo&poption&srch&range&daewbyn=N&smpryn=N&idgJyul&newsimyn&tabId |access-date=2023-02-18 |publisher=Supreme Court of Korea}}

Aftermath

An estimated 5,000 vehicles had to be redirected onto arterial roads, causing traffic congestion lasting until 11 p.m. that night.{{Cite news |date=1994-10-24 |title="우지끈 꽝..." 순식간 곤두박질/성수대교 참사 사고 순간 |language=ko |trans-title="Booming boom..." The sudden collapse/The moment of the Seongsu Bridge disaster |work=Hankook Ilbo |url=https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/199410220097677550 |access-date=2023-03-13 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313162101/https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/199410220097677550 |url-status=live }} Following the disaster, Prime Minister Lee Yung-dug offered his resignation, but President Kim Young-sam declined, stating that changing safety measures was more important than changing people.{{Cite web |last=조 |first=정민 |date=1994-10-24 |title=김영삼대통령, 이영덕국무총리의 사표 반려 |trans-title=President Kim Young-Sam rejected Prime Minister Lee Yung-dug's resignation |url=http://imnews.imbc.com/replay/1994/nwdesk/article/1941021_30690.html |access-date=2023-02-18 |publisher=Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation |language=ko |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218162303/https://imnews.imbc.com/replay/1994/nwdesk/article/1941021_30690.html |url-status=live}} In contrast, the resignation offer of Lee Won-jong, the Mayor of Seoul, was accepted at 7 p.m. that day. He would be replaced by Governor of North Gyeongsang Province {{interlanguage link|Woo Myung-kyu (politician)|lt=Woo Myoung-kyu|ko|우명규}} on October 31 before being replaced again by Choi Byung-ryeol 11 days later, when it was revealed that Woo had been {{interlanguage link|Deputy Mayor of Seoul|lt=Deputy Mayor|ko|서울특별시 부시장}} when internal reports had questioned the safety of the bridge.{{Cite news |last=이 |first=성구 |date=1994-11-01 |title=성수대교붕괴 관련 도의적 책임..우시장 사퇴표명 배경 |language=ko |trans-title=Moral responsibility related to the Seongsu Bridge collapse...Background behind the resignation of former Mayor Woo |work=The Korea Economic Daily |url=https://www.hankyung.com/politics/article/1994110101641 |access-date=2023-03-12 |archive-date=March 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312075040/https://www.hankyung.com/politics/article/1994110101641 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=김 |first1=홍 |last2=이 |first2=윤성 |date=1994-10-21 |title=이영덕 국무총리 사표 제출...성수대교 붕괴사고 책임 |trans-title=Prime Minister Lee Yung-dug submits his resignation...claims responsibility for Seongsu Bridge collapse disaster |url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744901 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-17 |publisher=Korean Broadcasting System |language=ko |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217212008/https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744901}}

File:1995년 6월 29일 삼풍백화점 붕괴 사고 4.jpg

Kim held a meeting with his cabinet on October 23 calling for the elimination of deficient companies from the construction industry and the revision of laws to increase the depth and breadth of inspections. The next day, Kim appeared on national television in his second official apology of his term.{{Cite web |last=김 |first=정훈 |date=1999 |title='고개 숙인' 대통령들…YS 6차례 최다 '사과' |trans-title='With his head down' President...Young-sam's record 6 apologies |url=http://www.donga.com/docs/magazine/news_plus/news191/np191aa020.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829230922/http://www.donga.com/docs/magazine/news_plus/news191/np191aa020.html |archive-date=2007-08-29 |access-date=2023-02-17}} In his address, he stated that the rapid development of South Korea since the 1960s had brought both positive and negative outcomes, and that his government would promise to minimize all risks to Koreans. He then apologized, stating that the disaster was the result of his own lack of virtue and that he recognized the issues in the management system brought to light by the collapse.{{harvnb|Kim|2017|p=157}} Nevertheless, the Sampoong Department Store collapsed nine months later, becoming the deadliest peacetime disaster in South Korean history.{{harvnb|Kim|2017|p=158}} The recurrence of major disasters during the Kim Young-sam administration gave his government the popular nickname "{{Interlanguage link|Disaster Republic|lt=Disaster Republic|ko|사고 공화국}}".{{harvnb|Koh|1996|p=58}} In response to the bridge disaster, opposition parties in the National Assembly called on members of Kim's cabinet to resign, raising motions of no confidence which were voted down.

The Seoul Citizen's Day celebrations set for the week after the bridge collapse were postponed.{{Cite web |last1=김 |first1=환주 |last2=이 |first2=윤성 |date=1994-10-21 |title=성수대교 붕괴사고 서울시 수습대책 본부 |trans-title=Seongsu Bridge collapse disaster Seoul City Disaster Response Headquarters |url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744917 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=Korean Broadcasting System |language=ko |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217230442/https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744917}} On November 30 of that year, newspaper clippings documenting the disaster were included in the {{Interlanguage link|Seoul Millennium Time Capsule|lt=Seoul Millennium Time Capsule|ko|서울 1000년 타임캡슐}} which marked the 600th anniversary of the capital city of Seoul.

On November 10, 2000, the {{interlanguage link|Dong Ah Group|lt=Dong Ah Group|ko|동아그룹}}, the parent company of Dong Ah Construction, filed for bankruptcy and dissolved six months later, on May 11, 2001.

= Compensation =

The Cabinet paid 4 million won (equivalent to ₩{{Inflation|index=KRW|value=4|start_year=1994|fmt=|cursign=}} million in {{Inflation/year|KRW}}{{Inflation/fn|index=KRW}}) in compensation to each of the families of the 32 people who died in the incident. In addition, the Cabinet paid for the medical expenses of the injured and compensated them in consultation with their families, with the exception of the police officers.{{Cite web |last1=강 |first1=홍구 |last2=최 |first2=혜령 |date=2014-10-16 |title="하늘로 치솟는 듯하더니 곤두박질… 지금도 다리 건널 땐 식은땀 흘려" |trans-title=It seemed to soar into the sky, then we plummeted. I still get startled when crossing bridges |url=https://www.donga.com/news/Society/article/all/20141016/67193933/1 |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=The Dong-A Ilbo |language=ko |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224140023/https://www.donga.com/news/Society/article/all/20141016/67193933/1 |url-status=live}} The Temporary Workers Friendly Association of Korea ({{Korean|hangul=비근로자 한·비친선협|labels=no}}) and the Lotte Welfare Foundation also provided compensation to the family of Adele Aida through the Philippine embassy.{{Cite news |last=위 |first=정환 |date=1994-11-17 |title=성수대교 붕괴 사망 비근로자 한·비친선협회장등 성김답지 |language=ko |trans-title=Seongsu Bridge Disaster Temporary Workers Friendly Association of Korea Kim Seong's answer |work=Maeil Business Newspaper |url=https://www.mk.co.kr/news/economy/1362681 |access-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313151912/https://www.mk.co.kr/news/economy/1362681 |url-status=live }} Many of those who survived the disaster have been reported to have had permanent psychological trauma from the incident.

File:Seongsu Bridge1.jpg

= Impact =

The collapse prompted the Seoul Metropolitan Government to begin a more thorough safety assessment of the 14 other bridges that crossed the Han River and into whether the Seongsu Bridge could be safely fixed. As a result of these investigations, the Dangsan Railway Bridge was closed for reconstruction on December 31, 1996, being re-opened to the public on November 22, 1999.

On January 5, 1995, in response to the disaster, the Special Act on the Safety Management of Structures was passed, which expanded the frequency and scope of inspections.{{Cite web |date=2015-09-04 |title=성수대교 붕괴 20년, 교량 안전관리 무엇이 달라졌을까? |trans-title=20 years after the Seongsu Bridge collapse, in the end what safety regulations have changed? |url=https://news.seoul.go.kr/safe/archives/28907 |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=Seoul Metropolitan Government |language=ko |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220064550/https://news.seoul.go.kr/safe/archives/28907 |url-status=live}}{{Cite journal |last1=Park, Sang-Hoon |last2=Baek, Cheong-Hoon |date=2013-06-20 |title=Strategies for establishing sustainable safety inspection systems for existing multiple-unit dwellings in Korea |journal=Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=306–320 |doi=10.5345/JKIBC.2013.13.3.306 |doi-access=free }}{{harvnb|Kim|2017|p=116}} In July of that year, the Disaster Control Act would be passed, a response to the deadly collapses of the Seongsu Bridge and the Sampoong Department Store.{{harvnb|Kim|2017|p=181}}

Although the city government initially planned to repair and reopen the Seongsu Bridge to traffic within three months, this plan was reversed following public outcry. Starting on April 26, 1995, the remainder of the bridge was dismantled, and construction for the new bridge began in March 1996 under Hyundai Engineering & Construction. Construction for the replacement bridge would cost 78 billion won (equivalent to ₩{{Inflation|index=KRW|value=78|start_year=1997|fmt=|cursign=}} billion in {{Inflation/year|KRW}}{{Inflation/fn|index=KRW}}), about 6.8 times the original price.{{Citation |title=대형 참사... 성수대교 붕괴 (10월21일)ㅣ뉴튜브 – 영상실록, 오늘N [46회] / YTN2 | date=October 20, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GSQOG1Hy7I |publisher=YTN |language=en |access-date=2023-02-24 |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222074844/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GSQOG1Hy7I&t=2 |url-status=live}} The new bridge was opened to the public on July 3, 1997, by Mayor Cho Soon, and a memorial was held on the bridge.{{Cite web |last1=박 |first1=승규 |last2=류 |first2=근찬 |date=1997-07-03 |title=서울 성수대교, 붕괴된 2년 8개월 만에 재개통 |trans-title=Seongsu Bridge in Seoul reopens after 2 years and 8 months |url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3775429 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-17 |publisher=Korean Broadcasting System |language=ko |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217215856/https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3775429}}

= {{Anchor|Memorial Stone for the Victims of the Seongsu Bridge Disaster|Seongsu Bridge Disaster Memorial}}Memorial =

The Memorial Stone for the Victims of the Seongsu Bridge Disaster ({{Korean|hangul=성수대교 사고 희생자 위령비}}) was erected on October 21, 1997, by the families of the Seongsu Bridge disaster victims. The memorial commemorates the victims of the disaster and aims to raise awareness on the safe management of public infrastructure. The memorial is located in the middle of Gangbyeon Expressway on the north side of the bridge, and has been criticized for its inaccessibility by foot. In August 1999, a father of a Muhak Girls' High School student who died in the Seongsu Bridge disaster died by suicide in front of the memorial.{{Cite web |last=김 |first=은혜 |date=1999-08-23 |title=장영남(54) 성수대교 붕괴때 죽은 딸 그리다 음독자살[김은혜] |trans-title=Jang Yeong-nam (54) whose daughter died in the Seongsu Bridge collapse commits suicide by poisoning |url=http://imnews.imbc.com/replay/1999/nwdesk/article/1785411_30729.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=MBC News |language=ko |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218040625/https://imnews.imbc.com/replay/1999/nwdesk/article/1785411_30729.html}} Memorials are held at the stone every year, and a 20th anniversary memorial service was held at the stone in 2014.{{Cite web |date=2014-10-21 |title=20th anniversary of bridge collapse |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/02/115_166729.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=The Korea Times |language=en |archive-date=February 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219075733/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2023/02/115_166729.html}}

In popular culture

  • DJ DOC's second studio album {{Interlanguage link|Murphy's Law (DJ DOC album)|lt=Murphy's Law|ko|머피의 법칙 (음반)}} (1995) contains the tracks "Breaking News" and "Seongsu Bridge" which were made in response to the disaster.
  • The rock band N.EX.T.'s third album, {{Interlanguage link|The Return of N.EX.T Part 2: World|lt=The Return of N.EX.T Part 2: World|ko|The Return of N.EX.T Part 2: World}} (1995), mentions the Seongsu Bridge collapse in its criticism of South Korea's development.{{Cite news |last=양 |first=형석 |date=2021-02-22 |title=천재로 등장해 천재로 기억될 영원한 '마왕' |language=ko |trans-title=Eternal 'devil king' who emerged as a genius and will be remembered as a genius |work=OhmyNews |url=https://v.daum.net/v/20210222173600897 |access-date=March 12, 2023 |archive-date=March 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312075037/https://v.daum.net/v/20210222173600897 |url-status=live }}
  • The Seongsu Bridge disaster was the subject of Jeong Yoon-cheol's 1997 debut short film Memorial Photographing ({{Korean|hangul=기념 촬영|links=no}}).{{Cite web |last=차 |first=한비 |others=Photographed by 이영진 |title=위령의 노래 – 정윤철 |url=http://reversemedia.co.kr/reverse/view.php?idx=505 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228043707/http://reversemedia.co.kr/reverse/view.php?idx=505 |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=영화웹진 리버스}}{{Cite web |last=고 |first=승희 |date=2011-10-23 |title=성수대교 붕괴 17년, 살아남은 자들의 기억 |trans-title=17 years on from the Seongsu Bridge collapse, the stories of those who lived on |url=http://biz.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20111023000173 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224140021/http://biz.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20111023000173 |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |access-date=2023-02-24 |publisher=Herald Business |language=ko}}
  • The manhwa series {{Interlanguage link|Yahoo (manhwa)|lt=Yahoo|ko|야후 (만화)}} (1998–2003) by Yoon Tae-ho was based on the collapse of the Seongsu Bridge.{{Cite news |last1=강 |first1=재훈 |last2=박 |first2=유리 |date=2015-12-04 |title=범죄는 끝나도 마음의 재난은 끝나지 않네 |language=ko |trans-title=Even if the disaster ends, the mental disaster never ends |work=The Hankyoreh |url=https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/720482.html |access-date=2023-03-13 |archive-date=March 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313174203/https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/720482.html |url-status=live }}
  • The 2018 film House of Hummingbird revolves around the Seongsu Bridge disaster as a major plot point.{{Cite web |last=권 |first=혁창 |date=2019-11-12 |title=[영화 속 그곳] 성수대교는 과연 복원됐나 |trans-title=Movie in real life: Did the Seongsu Bridge really heal? |url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20191017162900805 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-18 |publisher=Yonhap Imagine |language=ko |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218025108/https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20191017162900805}}

Gallery

{{Gallery

| align=center

| File:1994성수대교_붕괴_사고15.jpg |Reporters gathering on the edge of the bridge |alt1=Scene from on the bridge post-collapse. Several reporters can be seen with umbrellas, and the weather is cloudy. The road is completely broken off and bent slightly upwards.

| File:1994성수대교 붕괴 사고14.jpg |First responders carrying light blue bags away from the disaster scene |alt2=Scene of first responders wearing orange uniforms carrying light blue bags away from the disaster scene. A crowd with umbrellas surround the disaster workers and several cars are parked. The day is cloudy.

| File:1994성수대교 붕괴 사고12.jpg |Rescue workers wearing orange uniforms |alt3=Rescue workers wearing orange uniforms can be seen crouching.

| File:1994성수대교 붕괴 사고03.jpg |Rescue workers approaching the bridge collapse|alt4=Rescue workers wearing orange uniforms on the boat approaching the bridge collapse. The two anchor trusses can be seen standing, while the middle span of the bridge is completely missing.

| File:1994성수대교 붕괴 사고04.jpg |The crushed Number 16 bus |alt5=The crushed bus can be seen. The bus is pink and on its head. Orange uniform rescue workers are crowding around the bus.

}}

See also

Notes and references

= Notes =

{{notelist}}

= References =

{{reflist}}

= Sources =

{{refbegin}}

==Books==

  • {{Cite book |last=Kim |first=Yong-kyun |title=Disaster risk management in the Republic of Korea |date=2017 |others=Hong-Gyoo Sohn |isbn=978-981-10-4789-3 |location=Singapore |publisher=Springer |oclc=993623594}}
  • {{Cite book |last=Koo |first=Hagen |title=Privilege and Anxiety: The Korean Middle Class in the Global Era |date=2022 |isbn=978-1-5017-6492-9 |location=Ithaca |publisher=Cornell University Press |oclc=1295620078}}
  • {{Cite book |last1=Schultz |first1=Arturo E. |title=Innovative Bridge Design Handbook: Construction, Rehabilitation and Maintenance |last2=Pipinato |first2=Alesso |last3=Gastineau |first3=Andrew J. |date=2021 |publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann |isbn=9780128235508 |editor-last=Pipinato |editor-first=Alessio |edition=2nd |location=Kidlington, Oxford |language=en |chapter=Bridge collapse |oclc=1268546613}}
  • {{Cite book |last=Wearne |first=Phillip |title=Collapse: When Buildings Fall Down |date=2000 |publisher=TV Books |isbn=1-57500-144-6 |location=New York |oclc=43913268}}

==Journals and magazines==

  • {{Cite journal |last=Koh |first=B. C. |date=1996-01-01 |title=South Korea in 1995: Tremors of Transition |journal=Asian Survey |language=en |volume=36 |issue=1 |pages=53–60 |doi=10.2307/2645555 |jstor=2645555 |issn=0004-4687}}

==Newspaper articles==

  • {{Cite news |agency=Reuters |date=1994-10-22 |title=32 Reported Dead as Bridge Collapses in Seoul |language=en-US |page=5 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/22/world/32-reported-dead-as-bridge-collapses-in-seoul.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026131723/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/22/world/32-reported-dead-as-bridge-collapses-in-seoul.html |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |ref={{harvid|"32 Reported Dead as Bridge Collapses in Seoul", Reuters|1994}}}}
  • {{Cite news |last=Pollack |first=Andrew |date=1994-11-18 |title=Seoul Journal; A Crisis of Faith: Is the New Korea Jerry-Built? |language=en-US |page=4 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/18/world/seoul-journal-a-crisis-of-faith-is-the-new-korea-jerry-built.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217175710/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/18/world/seoul-journal-a-crisis-of-faith-is-the-new-korea-jerry-built.html |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}
  • {{Cite news |agency=Reuters |date=1994-10-23 |title=7 Held in Seoul Disaster |language=en-US |page=15 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/23/world/7-held-in-seoul-disaster.html |access-date=2023-02-17 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217175807/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/23/world/7-held-in-seoul-disaster.html |url-status=live |ref={{harvid|"7 Held in Seoul Disaster", Reuters|1994}}}}

==White paper released by the Seoul District Prosecutor's Office==

  • {{Cite book |author=Seoul National University Department of Civil Engineering |title=聖水大橋 崩壞事件 原因糾明鑑定團 活動白書 |trans-title=White Paper on the Activities of the Seongsu Bridge Collapse Incident Investigation Team |url=https://theme.archives.go.kr/viewer/common/mkPdfTemp.do?archiveId=0001217993&singleData=N&waterMark=Y |date=June 1995 |publisher=Seoul District Prosecutor's Office}}

==Websites and television==

  • {{Cite web |last1=이 |first1=춘호 |last2=이 |first2=윤성 |date=1994-10-21 |title=날벼락 현장...성수대교 붕괴사고 |trans-title=The site of the lightning strike...the Seongsu Bridge collapse disaster |url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744904 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-18 |publisher=KBS News |language=ko |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218011637/https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744904}}
  • {{Cite web |last1=배 |first1=종호 |last2=이 |first2=윤성 |date=1994-10-21 |title=성수대교 붕괴사고...예견된 인재 |trans-title=The Seongsu Bridge collapse disaster...a foreseeable incident |url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744906 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217215854/https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744906 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |access-date=2023-02-17 |publisher=KBS News |language=ko}}
  • {{Cite web |last1=하 |first1=준수 |last2=이 |first2=윤성 |date=1994-10-21 |title=성수대교 붕괴사고로 32명 사망 |trans-title=32 dead from the Seongsu Bridge collapse disaster |url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744908 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217190351/https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744908 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |access-date=2023-02-17 |publisher=KBS News |language=ko}}
  • {{Cite web |last1=유 |first1=석조 |last2=이 |first2=윤성 |date=1994-10-21 |title=[초점인물] 서울지방경찰청 3기동대 |trans-title=[Focal Figure] Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Task Force 3 |url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744910 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-18 |publisher=KBS News |language=ko |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217231447/https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744910}}
  • {{Cite web |last=황 |first=상무 |date=1994-10-21 |title=8번째 대형 교량 붕괴사고...성수대교 붕괴 |trans-title=The 8th large-scale bridge collapse disaster...the collapse of the Seongsu Bridge |url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744916 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217230436/https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744916 |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |access-date=2023-02-17 |publisher=KBS News |language=ko}}
  • {{Cite web |last1=황 |first1=상무 |last2=김 |first2=광일 |date=1994-10-22 |title=성수대교 건설 부실 있었다 |trans-title=Poor construction involved in the construction of the Seongsu Bridge |url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744943 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-18 |publisher=KBS News |language=ko |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217052005/https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744943}}
  • {{Cite web |last1=김 |first1=종명 |last2=김 |first2=광일 |date=1994-10-22 |title=교량건설 왜 부실한가...그릇된 관행과 건설 환경 |trans-title=Why is the quality of bridge construction poor...bad practices and construction conditions |url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744944 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-18 |publisher=KBS News |language=ko |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218004907/https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744944}}
  • {{Cite web |last1=유 |first1=석조 |last2=김 |first2=광일 |date=1994-10-23 |title=교량 붕괴 주범은 과적차량...철저한 단속 필요 |trans-title=The main culprit of the bridge collapse were overloaded vehicles...a thorough crackdown is needed |url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744975 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-02-17 |publisher=KBS News |language=ko |archive-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217212008/https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/view.do?ncd=3744975}}
  • {{Cite web |title=Collapse of Seongsu Bridge |url=https://nema.go.kr/eng/m4_seongsu.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060303221333/https://nema.go.kr/eng/m4_seongsu.jsp |archive-date=March 3, 2006 |access-date=2006-03-03 |publisher=National Emergency Management Agency (South Korea) |ref={{harvid|"Collapse of Seongsu Bridge", National Emergency Management Agency}}}}
  • {{Cite episode |last1=하 |first1=재근 |last2=백 |first2=성문 |last3=전 |first3=예현 |last4=허 |first4=주연 |last5=구 |first5=자룡 |title=그날 무너진 안전 '성수대교 붕괴 참사' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaWxPTtFIEY&t=0 |trans-title=The day of the Seongsu Bridge collapse disaster |lang=ko |series=News Fighter |network=MBN News |access-date=2023-03-01 |archive-date=February 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222055306/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaWxPTtFIEY&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live |ref={{harvid|하 et al.|2022}}}}

{{refend}}

{{Portal bar|1990s|Asia|South Korea|Transport|Engineering}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Man-made disasters in South Korea

Category:1990s in Seoul

Category:1994 disasters in South Korea

Category:October 1994 in Asia

Category:Disasters in Seoul

Category:Seongdong District

Category:Gangnam District

Category:Corporate scandals

Category:Building and structure collapses in South Korea

Category:1994 road incidents

Category:Bridge disasters caused by construction error

Category:Bridge disasters in South Korea

Category:Building and structure collapses in 1994

Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 1996

Category:Scandals in South Korea

Category:Road incidents in South Korea

Category:Bridge collapses