[영어로 읽는 국내 뉴스] 싱크홀 공포 확산
Residents of Seoul are alarmed by increasing incidence of sinkholes appearing on the street. Holes, measuring up to several meters in depth and diameter, have suddenly appeared in and around the city. Yet investigators are struggling to explain what exactly caused them.
A sinkhole refers to any hole in the ground created by erosion, drainage of water or human activities. The first one was discovered in June in the Songpa District and since then several others have appeared on a road near Seokchon Station.
In August alone, a total of eight sinkholes and air pockets were discovered in the district, leaving the authorities and construction builders in the area baffled. Moreover, a report of shrinking water in the nearby lake fuels already heightened concern over the increased number of sinkholes.
The discoveries came at a sensitive time when safety concerns were magnified after the sinking of Sewol ferry, which led to widespread criticism that safety wasn’t a priority. Increased safety concerns brought the nearby construction of the Lotte World Tower, the country’s tallest skyscraper, under scrutiny.
The spokesperson for the Lotte Group was quoted by CNN as saying that it would be “nearly impossible” for the construction of the Lotte World Tower to have caused the lake water to drain into the tower’s foundation.” She added, “we are working on an investigation of sinkholes but it will take some time to figure out what’s going on.”
On the other hand, the latest government report pinpointed subway construction as the main cause of the formation of sinkholes. “After looking at various angles of the accident, we’ve concluded the particular tunneling method used during the construction of Subway Line No. 9 caused the hollows,” Professor Park Chang-geun who led the investigation was quoted by CNN.
The method grinds sand and rock in order to excavate straight tunnels from underground. Park also said Samsung C&T which was in charge of the construction didn’t take the necessary precautions needed for such a large scale excavation. Samsung C&T released a statement of apology for causing concern among citizens.
Seoul Metropolitan Government also issued a public apology for failing to thoroughly supervise the construction.
One Stop Summing Up: Vocabs & Expressions
alarm 불안하게 만들다(v) / incidence 발생 빈도(n) / diameter 직경(n) / erosion 부식(n) / drainage 배수(n) / baffle 당황하게 만들다(v) / heighten 고조하다(v) / discovery 발견(n) / sensitive 예민한 / magnify 확대하다(v) / priority 우선 사항(n) / under scrutiny 감시를 받으며 / spokesperson 대변인(n) / drain 물이 빠지다(v) / foundation 기초, 토대(n) /pinpoint 정확히 꼬집어 내다(v) / investigation 수사(n) / quote 인용하다(v) / grind 갈다(v) / excavate 발굴하다(v) / precaution 예방책(n) / Seoul Metropolitan Government서울시 정부 / issue a public apology 공식적인 사과문을 발표하다 / thoroughly supervise 철저하게 감독하다
(원제: Safety Concerns Mount over Sinkholes)
Residents of Seoul are alarmed by increasing incidence of sinkholes appearing on the street. Holes, measuring up to several meters in depth and diameter, have suddenly appeared in and around the city. Yet investigators are struggling to explain what exactly caused them.
A sinkhole refers to any hole in the ground created by erosion, drainage of water or human activities. The first one was discovered in June in the Songpa District and since then several others have appeared on a road near Seokchon Station.
In August alone, a total of eight sinkholes and air pockets were discovered in the district, leaving the authorities and construction builders in the area baffled. Moreover, a report of shrinking water in the nearby lake fuels already heightened concern over the increased number of sinkholes.
The discoveries came at a sensitive time when safety concerns were magnified after the sinking of Sewol ferry, which led to widespread criticism that safety wasn’t a priority. Increased safety concerns brought the nearby construction of the Lotte World Tower, the country’s tallest skyscraper, under scrutiny.
The spokesperson for the Lotte Group was quoted by CNN as saying that it would be “nearly impossible” for the construction of the Lotte World Tower to have caused the lake water to drain into the tower’s foundation.” She added, “we are working on an investigation of sinkholes but it will take some time to figure out what’s going on.”
On the other hand, the latest government report pinpointed subway construction as the main cause of the formation of sinkholes. “After looking at various angles of the accident, we’ve concluded the particular tunneling method used during the construction of Subway Line No. 9 caused the hollows,” Professor Park Chang-geun who led the investigation was quoted by CNN.
The method grinds sand and rock in order to excavate straight tunnels from underground. Park also said Samsung C&T which was in charge of the construction didn’t take the necessary precautions needed for such a large scale excavation. Samsung C&T released a statement of apology for causing concern among citizens.
Seoul Metropolitan Government also issued a public apology for failing to thoroughly supervise the construction.
One Stop Summing Up: Vocabs & Expressions
alarm 불안하게 만들다(v) / incidence 발생 빈도(n) / diameter 직경(n) / erosion 부식(n) / drainage 배수(n) / baffle 당황하게 만들다(v) / heighten 고조하다(v) / discovery 발견(n) / sensitive 예민한 / magnify 확대하다(v) / priority 우선 사항(n) / under scrutiny 감시를 받으며 / spokesperson 대변인(n) / drain 물이 빠지다(v) / foundation 기초, 토대(n) /pinpoint 정확히 꼬집어 내다(v) / investigation 수사(n) / quote 인용하다(v) / grind 갈다(v) / excavate 발굴하다(v) / precaution 예방책(n) / Seoul Metropolitan Government서울시 정부 / issue a public apology 공식적인 사과문을 발표하다 / thoroughly supervise 철저하게 감독하다