[Alpha Biz=(Chicago) Reporter Kim Jisun] Other sites where "rebar omissions" were found are also on edge as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport pushed for up to 10 months of suspension of business at construction company GS Engineering & Construction due to the collapse of an underground parking lot at Geomdan Apartment in Incheon.

As not only construction companies but also design and supervision companies are expected to be punished for suspension of business and cancellation of registration, fears of suspension of business spread to the construction industry as a whole.

According to the construction industry on the 30th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is reviewing the level of punishment for construction companies, designers and supervisors at the site where rebar omissions were found. The industry expects the results of the review to be released in October.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has decided to push for the highest level of punishment in related laws for construction companies, designers and construction project management companies in Geomdan Apartment, Incheon, where the collapse accident occurred due to the omission of steel bars. The construction company announced a 10-month suspension and the supervision company announced a 6-month suspension. The design company also decided to request the Seoul Metropolitan Government to cancel the qualification registration or suspend work for two years.

As a result, construction companies at 20 sites where rebar omissions have occurred are also expected to face the highest level of punishment.

Up to eight months of suspension are possible for the four construction companies that have been found to have construction problems, including Isu Construction, Namyoung Construction and Yangwoo Construction.

Under the Framework Act on the Construction Industry, a maximum of six months of business suspension can be possible "if poorly constructed due to intentional or grave negligence interferes with the structural safety of facilities." On top of that, it can request local governments to suspend operations for two more months due to insufficient safety and quality inspections.

Poor construction has been found, but no direct accidents have occurred, which is expected to reduce the level of punishment compared to the site of the Geomdan apartment in Incheon.

 

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