President Lee Jae-myung Commemorates Osong Underpass Tragedy Anniversary

On July 14, President Lee Jae-myung visited the site of the Osong Underpass tragedy in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, marking the second anniversary of the incident. During his visit, he conducted a safety inspection and emphasized the need for strict accountability for negligence leading to loss of life. The Osong tragedy occurred on July 15, 2023, when heavy flooding caused by a dam collapse resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals and injuries to 16 others.

President Lee received briefings from the Ministry of Environment and North Chungcheong Province officials regarding the circumstances of the incident, the cause of the dam failure, and subsequent measures taken. He stated, "This is not something that can be resolved solely with manpower; we must thoroughly examine whether there are structural and systemic issues that need addressing." He also highlighted the importance of clearly defining the responsibilities of local and central governments, ensuring accountability at all levels.

Additionally, President Lee inquired about the current status of flood-prone areas in North Chungcheong Province, the reasons for insufficient water storage capacity, and the management of local and national rivers. He inspected newly installed safety measures, including vehicle barriers, emergency evacuation facilities, flood walls, and handrails. He stressed that while the installation of these facilities is crucial, their actual functionality is even more important, advocating for regular inspections.

The President reaffirmed the demand from bereaved families for accountability, stating, "We must hold those responsible for negligence leading to loss of life strictly accountable."

Accompanying President Lee during this site visit were key officials from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Environment, and local government leaders, including the Governor of North Chungcheong Province, Kim Young-hwan, and local lawmakers.