[Anchor]

It has been three years since the Osong disaster, where an underpass flooded, leaving 14 people dead and 16 injured. Since the accident, the government has made the installation of vehicle entry barriers mandatory for underpasses at risk of flooding, but more than 50 locations still lack these safety measures.

Reporter Hong Seung-yeon has the story.

[Reporter]

On July 8, while a heavy rain advisory was in effect, workers were busy clearing away water and mud.

Over 180mm of rain fell over the two days of July 8 and 9, causing mud and debris to pour into the entrance of the underpass.

This is a location where the installation of entry barriers to prevent vehicles from entering during emergencies has been mandatory since April 2024, following the Osong disaster. However, police and local government officials had to step in personally to block vehicle access.

A sign labeled "Entry Barrier" stands at the entrance of the underpass.

However, because it is still under construction, the barrier does not function even when it rains.

The situation is the same at another nearby underpass.

Although it is classified as an underpass at risk of flooding, the barrier is still under construction.

It has been confirmed that out of 564 underpasses nationwide classified as at risk of flooding—where the installation of entry barriers is mandatory due to their proximity to rivers or low-lying structures—52 have yet to complete the installation.

In 29 of these locations, water level sensors that detect flooding are not connected to the entry barriers, requiring on-site personnel to manually check conditions and operate the equipment.

Ultimately, the issue lies in securing and allocating the budget.

[Interview: Gong Ha-sung, Professor of Fire and Disaster Prevention, Woosuk University]
"It is desirable for local governments to prioritize the allocation and execution of safety budgets. The central government needs to conduct more thorough monitoring and supervision of local governments' safety sectors."

Today, July 15, the North Chungcheong Provincial Office held a memorial ceremony for the third anniversary of the disaster, bringing together government officials, bereaved families, and survivors for the first time.

The bereaved families and survivors stated that what is needed after the Osong disaster is not merely measures to prevent recurrence, but a fundamental change in administration and systems to prevent disasters and tragedies.

(Video reporting: Kim Min-cheol | Video editing: Jang Hyun-ki | Graphics: Kim Min-young)