산업재해희생자위령탑 Sculpture

In the tranquil heart of Yangjae Citizen’s Forest, a towering testament to resilience and remembrance stands before you: the Sampoong Department Store Collapse Memorial, also known as the 산업재해희생자위령탑 Sculpture. This poignant sculpture, crafted from marble and reaching twelve meters towards the sky, serves as a solemn reminder of a tragic event that shook South Korea to its core. The sculpture was designed by Ewha Womans University professor and sculptor Kim Bong-gu and was funded by the Sampoong Group as part of the compensation provided to the victims’ families. It is a lasting symbol of the lives lost and a testament to the importance of worker safety. The Sampoong Department Store, once a bustling hub of commerce, met a catastrophic end on June 29, 1995. The building’s collapse, resulting from a series of negligent design changes and structural overloads, claimed the lives of 502 people and injured hundreds more. This sculpture stands not only as a memorial but also as a stark reminder of the consequences of cutting corners and disregarding safety regulations. The inscription on the memorial speaks of the dedication to remembering those who perished in this industrial accident and serves as a call for a safer future. The memorial within the serene setting of the park offers a place for quiet reflection and contemplation. The Sampoong Department Store Collapse Memorial is more than just a sculpture. It’s a symbol of loss, remembrance, and the ongoing pursuit of workplace safety. It is a powerful reminder of a tragedy that reshaped building regulations and public awareness in South Korea.