South Korea’s sinkhole cases spark fears of underground malls’ structural stability
In Seoul alone, more than 63 sinkholes have been reported across the city since March 2022, according to a newspaper
Beneath the bustling streets of major South Korean cities, vast underground malls have become an integral part of urban life, but several sinkhole incidents across the country have raised concerns about the safety of this subterranean network.
A prime example is the sprawling GOTO Mall beneath the express bus terminal station in Seoul, a major transfer hub between three subway lines.
The 880-metre-long underground mall street attracts many visitors to its 630 stores, ranging from restaurants and grocery stores to medical clinics. There are also unstaffed stores running 24 hours a day, including pet supply shops and print centres.
More than 63 sinkholes have been reported across Seoul since March 2022, according to an analysis of the capital city by the Chosun Ilbo newspaper.
Shopping centres such as the GOTO Mall have become a crucial revenue source for financially pressured transit operators like Seoul Metro.
“When many commercial facilities are built inside subway stations, they significantly increase the overall structural load placed on the ground below,” Kim Jae-gwan, a professor of urban engineering at the University of Seoul, told The Korea Herald.