Daelim Gives Accounts of Historic
Cheonggyecheon Restoration
Recall their experienced hardships to make up lost time

The restoration of the Cheonggyecheon Stream has earned a reputation as a new attraction of culture and tourism since it was opened to public on Oct. 1 following the completion of the work of tearing down the old and drab elevated road built over the Cheonggyecheon Stream in downtown Seoul and restoring the stream. No wonder that behind the historic work were construction workers who toiled and moiled to make it on time, overcoming diverse challenges and hindrances they faced.
Ha Jin-cheol, head of Cheonggyecheon restoration project at Daelim Industrial Co. is one of those who have given detailed accounts into what they experienced and tided over challenges and obstacles.
Ha recalled, "What we had faced was grappling with fast flowing water from Mt. Inwang and a quietly narrow space ― 50 meters in width."Daelim was discharged with everything ranging from the removal of the elevated road and restoration of the stream on the 2 km-long section, the first part of the 5.8 km-long restored Chenggyecheon.
Daelim workers had to work under the trickiest situation in accordance with Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak's public pledge calling for securing two-lane motorway and 3 meter-wide pedestrian road and parking space in each direction of the Chengyecheon Street and minimizing damage to nearby merchants. They had to pay a keen attention to preventing such problems and woes as dust, safety accidents and traffic snarls.
Construction of the section stretching from the starting point of the restored stream in Taepyeongno Street was concentrated during the dry season between December and February, but almost impossible during the other season due to water pouring. Accordingly, the Daelim workers put up tents and utilized boilers to moil and toil work round the clock to make up for lost time.
"The hardships our men have experienced were beyond expression,"Ha said, adding that 600 to 1,000 workers were mobilized into the site during daytime and approximately 500 to 500 others were put into night shift.
The section, undertaken by Daelim Industrial, stretches from the open-air plaza in front of the vernacular Dong-A Ilbo Building to Gwangjang Market near Dongdaemun Stadium.
Ha seems to be happy with what the stream is, saying that "I wish that the stream will be kept well without damages."Now hundreds of thousands of Seoulites and people from every nook and corner of the nation are swarming to see what has changed along the stream, recalling the past's nostalgic scenes liking women washing clothes.

Korea's Oldest Constructor

Since establishment in 1939, Daelim Engineering and Construction has been successfully accomplishing various projects in both domestic and overseas markets over the past decades.
Led by CEO and President Lee Yong-koo, Daelim is now poised to expand its clouts in global markets covering Middle East, Southeast Asia, China and the United States.
During the initial stage of the national foundation, Daelim played the leading role in constructing infrastructure facilities like roads, ports and power plants.
Daelim exported the nation's construction technology for the first time and has grown into a comprehensive construction company with brilliant achievements at home and abroad.
Daelim's such outstanding performances have been possible due to endeavors by highly qualified staff of more than 2,500 specialists who provide comprehensive services covering feasibility studies, project management, engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning & start-up, operation & maintenance and project financing. Other fields of businesses cover cost-competitive E&C services include gas, petroleum refining, chemical & petrochemical, power & energy plants, building & housing, civil works as well as a wide range of industrial facilities.
Daelim, while actively coping with the management environmental changes worldwide, has devoted itself to the maximization of service towards its customers by introducing "knowledge management"and "Information management."Daelim, with its creative spirit, will unceasingly make every effort to provide the best service to the customers for the coming future. At the same time, every executives and employees of Daelim will make their best effort in order to be borne again as a worldwide construction company for the 21st century. nw

The section of the restored stream, done by Daelim

Ha Jin-cheol, head of Cheonggyecheon restoration project at Daelim Industrial Co.