GS E&C apologizes for collapse of apartment parking lot

GS Engineering & Construction Co. made an official apology on Tuesday for the collapse of a structure in an underground parking lot of a new apartment building in Incheon last month.

"As a result of self-examination using ultrasound, it is estimated that some structures were constructed differently from the design," said the company.

Unlike the design, shear reinforcement bars that connect the upper and lower rebars were found to have been omitted at the time of construction in about 30 out of the 700 roof floors of the underground parking lot where the accident occurred.

“We acknowledge the responsibility and deeply apologize. In the future, we will cooperate thoroughly and transparently in the investigation process and take all measures to ensure building safety," GS E&C added.

GS E&C is a subsidiary of the construction division of GS Group in South Korea.

A part of the underground parking lot collapsed at an apartment construction site that GS E&C was building in Incheon last month.

No one was injured in the accident, but the roof of the 970-square-meter underground parking lot was damaged.

Write to Eun-Jung Kim at kej@hankyung.com