30 May 2019

Several outside experts and the Lao government say a South Korean construction firm is shirking liability for poorly building the hydropower dam that collapsed....

...SK Engineering & Construction dismissed the IEP’s findings and questioned the scientific basis of its approach.

“Of course the company would not agree with the report, because it doesn’t want to be responsible,” said Ian Baird, a geography professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison....

...He added that there is evidence that the developer was trying to cut corners during the dam’s construction.

An official with the Lao Energy and Mines Ministry, speaking to RFA’s Lao Service on the condition of anonymity, said, “The developer has to be responsible according to the concession agreement. [SK Engineering & Construction] should comply with all the terms and conditions of the agreement.”

...Richard Meehan, a former Stanford University civil engineering professor “...the foundation failed because of seepage...I agreed with that.”

...Meanwhile, a member of a South Korean civil society organization said there are still doubts about the accuracy of the report.

“First of all, we want transparency on the investigation by all stake holders,” the activist said.

“We wonder whether the investigation was deep, good and fair enough, and how the local people participated in the process. The report contained no information on this. We still have doubts about the process of the investigation and we want more information on [how it was conducted],” added the South Korean, who spoke on condition of anonymity.