On June 29, 1995, the Sampoong Department Store in Seoul, South Korea, collapsed catastrophically, resulting in the deaths of 502 individuals and injuries to 937 others. This tragedy stands as one of the deadliest peacetime building collapses in modern history.
Background and Construction
The Sampoong Department Store was constructed between 1987 and 1989 in the Seocho District of Seoul. Originally intended as a four-story residential apartment complex, the building's design was altered mid-construction to accommodate a five-story department store.
This change necessitated the removal of support columns to install escalators and the addition of a fifth floor, which was initially planned as a roller-skating rink but later converted into a food court. These modifications were executed without proper structural reinforcement, compromising the building's integrity.Structural Flaws and Negligence
The building's construction was plagued by several critical flaws:
Column Specifications: The support columns were reduced from the planned 80 cm in diameter to 60 cm to maximize floor space, significantly weakening the structure.
Reinforcement Deficiencies : The number of steel reinforcement bars in the columns was halved from the required 16 to 8, further diminishing load-bearing capacity.
Improper Installation of Air Conditioning Units: Three 15-ton air conditioning units were installed on the roof and later moved across it without proper lifting equipment, causing cracks and additional stress on the structure.
Despite visible cracks and signs of structural distress, the store's management, led by Lee Joon, chairman of Sampoong Group's construction division, failed to take corrective action. On the day of the collapse, management ignored warnings and did not evacuate the building, prioritizing revenue over safety.
The Collapse
At approximately 5:52 p.m. KST on June 29, 1995, the roof of the Sampoong Department Store gave way, initiating a progressive collapse that caused the entire south wing to fall into the basement within 20 seconds. The disaster resulted in 502 fatalities and 937 injuries, with over 1,500 individuals trapped in the rubble.
Rescue Efforts
Rescue operations commenced immediately, with emergency crews arriving within minutes. Despite the unstable remains of the building, efforts continued for weeks, leading to the rescue of several survivors, including a 19-year-old store clerk who was pulled from the wreckage 17 days after the collapse.
Legal Consequences
The collapse led to significant legal repercussions:
Lee Joon: Convicted of criminal negligence resulting in death, he was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison, later reduced to 7 years and 6 months on appeal.
Lee Han-sang: Lee Joon's son and the store's CEO, he was convicted of corruption and accidental homicide, receiving a 7-year prison sentence.
City Officials: Two city planners from the Seocho District were convicted of accepting bribes to overlook safety violations.
Impact and Legacy
The Sampoong Department Store collapse exposed systemic issues in South Korea's construction industry, including widespread corruption and negligence.
Today, the site of the collapse is occupied by the Acrovista Apartments, a luxury residential complex completed in 2004. A memorial sculpture stands in the nearby Yangjae Citizen's Forest, honoring the victims of the tragedy.
The Sampoong Department Store collapse remains a somber reminder of the catastrophic consequences that can result from negligence and the prioritization of profit over human safety.
