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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Concrete pouring at major construction sites in the Seoul metropolitan area has come to a halt as ready-mix concrete truck drivers launched a full-scale strike, raising concerns over project delays and potential safety risks.
According to industry sources on June 8, major builders including Hyundai Engineering & Construction and Daewoo Engineering & Construction have suspended concrete pouring operations at sites currently in the structural phase.
Due to the nature of ready-mix concrete—which must be delivered and poured within a limited time—inventory stockpiling is not feasible, making construction sites immediately vulnerable to transport disruptions.
The affected phase, which forms the structural framework of buildings, is a critical stage typically accounting for 15–20% of overall project progress. As a result, supply disruptions are expected to impact entire construction schedules.
Industry officials warn that if the strike continues for more than one to two weeks, delays in project timelines will be inevitable, potentially leading to increased pressure on quality and safety management as builders attempt to accelerate work later.
The strike, led by the ready-mix transport union, began at 8:00 a.m. on June 8, with approximately 8,000 drivers and 11,000 transport vehicles participating across the metropolitan area.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
