Senior Official from Chungcheongbuk-do Stirs Controversy for Smiling at the Tragic Underpass in Osong

A senior public official from the Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Office (left of picture) overseeing the management of underpasses, smiles next to Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, who visited the site of the accident, where an underpass was flooded leading to nine deaths in Osong, Cheongju in Chungcheongbuk-do. Captured from a video posted by the YouTube user nocutv

A senior official from the Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Office responsible for managing underpasses in Osong has emerged at the center of controversy after smiling at an underpass in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do where thirteen people died when the underpass was flooded.

According to online communities like Bobae Dream on July 17, a post appeared with a video showing Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong at the underpass in Osong on Sunday.

The video also showed A, director of the balanced construction bureau (grade-3) in the Chungcheongbuk-do Provincial Office, showing Minister Won around the site. A greeted the minister with a bright smile on his face. Reportedly, he was briefing the land minister on the situation of the site at the time. A oversees all local roads under the jurisdiction of Chungcheongbuk-do as well as the underpass where the fatal accident occurred.

The underpass in Osong was flooded and by July 16 nine people had been confirmed dead.

People wrote comments to the post asking, “Who is that man smiling next to him? It’s taboo to smile at places like that. Nine people died. Doesn’t he get it?”

The Chungcheongbuk-do provincial government has come under fire for contributing to the tragic flooding of the underpass by not responding promptly despite that a flood alert had been issued at Mihogang River.

A said, “We responded carefully since it was a serious issue,” and explained, “I don’t remember how I behaved because I was nervous at the time. I apologize to the residents of our province for not being more careful in my actions.”

Earlier around 8:40 a.m. July 15, the Second Gungpyeong Underpass in Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si flooded due to water from the nearby Mihogang River. Fifteen vehicles including a public bus were submerged. Thirteen people were found dead because of this accident.