The Seoul Metropolitan Government rejected Hong Ji-sun’s proposal to seek compensation for GTX-A operating losses linked to missing reinforcing steel at Samseong Station, saying the city’s liability cannot be treated as established before an objective review. The estimated loss is around 40 billion Korean won. Seoul says it quickly inspected the site, prepared reinforcement measures and shared detailed plans with the Korea National Railway and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The agencies later confirmed structural safety, after which 94 test runs were completed. The city argues that reinforcement could have proceeded alongside train passages, but says the ministry extended additional inspections by four months to Nov. 20, postponing the planned August non-stop passage. Seoul plans to challenge any compensation claim and distinguish responsibility for the rebar omission from costs caused by later inspections and schedule delays.