▲ Firefighters conduct rescue operations at the site of a partial collapse of the Seosomun Overpass in western Seoul on May 26, 2026. (Yonhap)
▲ Chong Won-o, the ruling Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, speaks with officials at the site of a partial collapse of the Seosomun Overpass in western Seoul on May 26, 2026. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) politicians-overpass collapse

(LEAD) Rival party leaders, mayoral candidates halt campaigning after overpass collapse incident

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SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- The leaders of the ruling and main opposition parties stopped their campaign activities Tuesday after an overpass in western Seoul partially collapsed, killing at least 3 people.

Rep. Jung Chung-rae, leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), who was set to attend a campaign event in Andong, about 190 kilometers southeast of Seoul, cancelled his campaign stop.

"I hope the relevant authorities do their utmost in the rescue efforts. I canceled my campaign event in Andong and am on my way back to Seoul," he wrote on Facebook.

During a campaign rally in western Seoul, Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok, chief of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), also said he will cancel the remaining campaign activities for the day.

Immediately after the incident, Seoul mayoral candidates suspended their election campaigns.

"The top priority for now is swiftly rescuing the people and dealing with the accident," Chong Won-o, the DP's candidate for Seoul mayor, wrote on Facebook, urging authorities to do their utmost to prevent further damage.

Chong's camp officials told reporters he will immediately visit the site of the accident.

Incumbent Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the PPP also said he will halt his campaign activities and head to the site of the accident to inspect the situation.

"Nothing is more important than the safety of the citizens," Oh wrote on Facebook, calling on the relevant authorities to take all possible measures to prevent additional casualties.

"We will thoroughly determine the cause of the accident and concentrate all available resources to respond to the accident," he added.

The incident occurred at the Seosomun Overpass at 2:32 p.m. as it was undergoing removal work. The overpass had been scheduled to be torn down by early next month.

At least three people died from the incident, according to officials.

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