Seoul: Investigative authorities on Tuesday launched a compulsory investigation into the death of a worker in a collapse accident at a subway construction site in Seoul two weeks ago. The prosecution, police, and labor ministry said they jointly raided POSCO E and C, the general contractor for the Sinansan Line, and its subcontractors. The new railway is currently under construction to link Seoul's Yeouido and Siheung and Ansan, both south of the capital.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the collapse accident occurred at the Sinansan Line construction site near Yeouido Station on Dec. 18. Seven workers were initially trapped and later rescued, but one of them, a pump truck operator belonging to a subcontractor, died.

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors Office, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office held their first meeting on Dec. 22 to discuss the direction of the joint investigation. The focus is on whether there were violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

A prosecution official stated that the authorities will thoroughly investigate the cause and responsibility for major disasters, such as the Sinansan Line accident, to prevent the recurrence of similar accidents and protect the lives of workers.