The Busan Dong-gu Office has issued a pre-notice of a construction halt to PQ Construction, the builder of the North Port Transfer Center, due to a height discrepancy issue in the elevated pedestrian walkway.
This action comes after the builder failed to complete the design change process for over six months.
According to the Dong-gu Office, the pre-notice was sent on July 31. The problematic section connects the KTX Busan Station, the rooftop plaza of the transfer center, and a cultural park. The office confirmed that there is a height difference of approximately 3 meters in this area.
Under building regulations, if the scope of changes exceeds a minor level, formal design change approval must be obtained before proceeding with construction. However, this procedure has not been completed.
Earlier this year, the Dong-gu Office confirmed the builder's intention to change the design and has been encouraging compliance. Although PQ Construction began the design change process earlier this year, it has not submitted the formal approval application within the designated timeframe.
The Dong-gu Office plans to receive explanatory materials from the builder by August 20 and will determine the final level and timing of any actions to be taken.
A spokesperson for the office stated, "This pre-notice does not immediately halt all construction; decisions regarding the pedestrian walkway will be made after gathering opinions."
Currently, construction of the transfer center is effectively stalled, with an estimated overall progress rate of about 10%. The original completion date was set for June 2029. If a formal construction halt order is issued, delays in the completion and opening schedule are expected.
If the builder fails to comply with the corrective demands, the Dong-gu Office may take stronger measures, including imposing fines or filing complaints, in accordance with relevant laws. However, the office has stated that it will monitor the situation before making any decisions.
Meanwhile, the exact cause of the 3-meter height discrepancy has not yet been clearly identified. The Dong-gu Office has indicated that the discrepancy is not simply due to a measurement error between the design plans and the actual construction height, but further investigation is needed to clarify the specific circumstances. Additionally, the currently reported 10% progress rate will undergo verification through written documentation in the future.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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