[비즈한국] As a result of Bizhankook’s investigation, it was confirmed that nearly half—3,377 cases—of instances requiring mandatory repair or reinforcement due to defects affecting structural integrity or user safety remain unresolved. Notably, 389 cases have already exceeded their legal deadline for completion. Furthermore, 75 facilities rated D or E, which were newly subjected to repair and reinforcement obligations starting late last year, have all yet to complete their required actions.
The Special Act on the Safety Control and Maintenance of Establishments mandates that those responsible for managing facilities where safety issues have been identified must undertake necessary measures, such as repairs and reinforcements. This typically applies to cases where administrative orders were issued following emergency safety inspections or where notice of major defects was received during routine safety inspections or diagnostic evaluations. With the amendment of the law in late 2024, facilities receiving D or E ratings in precision safety inspections or diagnostics have also been included in the scope of repair and reinforcement obligations since December of last year.
6,228 cases affecting structural safety and 968 cases involving public access areas detected
According to data obtained by Bizhankook from the Korea Authority of Land & Infrastructure Safety, a total of 7,196 cases of major defects and other issues were identified in facilities as of the end of June this year. Of these, 3,377 cases (47%) have not yet completed repairs or reinforcements. While 2,988 cases (42%) are still within their legal grace period, 389 cases (5%) remain unresolved despite the statutory deadline having passed. These figures refer to the number of individual defects, as multiple defects can occur within a single facility.
There were 6,228 identified instances of major defects that directly affect the structural safety of facilities. Of these, 2,848 (46%) have not been repaired or reinforced, and 356 (6%) have exceeded the legal deadline. Major defects include issues that severely compromise the structural integrity of the facility, such as scouring (where soil or sand around the foundation is washed away), uneven settlement of bridge piers, and loss of load-bearing capacity in columns, beams, or load-bearing walls.
There were 968 defects identified in areas accessible to the public. 529 cases (55%) have not been resolved, and 33 cases (3%) have passed their statutory deadline. Typical examples include damage to fall-prevention equipment like railings, pavement defects on road bridges or tunnels, and damage to ventilation covers in pedestrian or vehicle thoroughfares. The law classifies both the aforementioned major defects and those in public-access areas as "major defects, etc.," imposing mandatory repair and reinforcement obligations on facility managers.
However, failure to complete repairs or reinforcements does not necessarily mean a violation of legal requirements in every case. The current enforcement decree mandates that necessary actions must be initiated within two years of receiving notice of a major defect, and, barring any special circumstances, must be completed within three years of the start date. Following an amendment to the enforcement decree last December, the initiation deadline will be shortened to within one year from the notification date, and the completion deadline to within two years from the initiation date, effective starting this December.
D and E ratings subject to repair/reinforcement since last year… 75 facilities all incomplete
The scope of mandatory repair and reinforcement was expanded with the enforcement of the revised law last December. Facilities designated with D (Insufficient) or E (Poor) ratings during precision safety inspections or diagnostic evaluations are now subject to these mandates. Safety ratings such as D and E represent the overall safety condition of a facility and are a concept distinct from "major defects," which refer to specific individual issues. Major defects can be found even in facilities rated C (Fair) or higher.
From December of last year, when the new system was implemented, until the end of June this year, 75 facilities became subject to repair and reinforcement obligations due to being assigned D or E ratings. There were 63 facilities with a D rating and 12 with an E rating, and all of them had yet to complete the required repairs or reinforcements. However, all are currently within their statutory deadline, and this total may include facilities that have already begun the repair process but have not yet finished.