On the 8th, while a heavy rain warning was in effect, workers were busy clearing away water and mud without a break.

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

Since the Osong disaster, the installation of barrier facilities to prevent vehicles from entering during emergencies has been mandatory since April 2024. However, police and local government officials had to step in personally to block vehicle access.

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

However, it is still under construction, meaning the barrier system 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 facility is still under construction.

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

In 29 of these locations, water level sensors that detect flooding are not connected to the entry barrier facilities, requiring on-site personnel to manually check conditions and operate the equipment. Ultimately, the issue lies in securing and allocating the budget.

[Interview] Kong 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 government needs to exercise more thorough oversight and supervision of safety-related sectors in local governments..."

Today (July 15), the North Chungcheong Provincial Office held the first memorial ceremony for the third anniversary of the tragedy, bringing together the government, bereaved families, and survivors.

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.

Heavy rain causes mudslide... Underpass entrance still 'Under Construction' (2026.07.15 8 O'Clock News)

Reported by Hong Seung-yeon | Written by Bae Jun-hwi | Video by Kim Min-chul | Video Editing by Jang Hyun-ki | Graphics by Kim Min-young | Produced by SBS Digital News