Dec. 7, 1994 - A significant gas explosion at a Korea Gas Corp. valve station in Ahyeong-dong, western Seoul, occurred during construction, resulting in the deaths of 12 people and injuring at least 101 others. This tragic event marks a somber day in South Korean history.
According to Yonhap News Agency, In another historical development on Dec. 7, 1996, FIFA, the global governing body of soccer, announced at its headquarters in Zurich that Seoul would host the opening ceremony of the 2002 World Cup finals, with Yokohama slated for the closing ceremony. South Korea and Japan successfully co-hosted the international football tournament, marking a significant moment in the sporting history of both nations.
On Dec. 7, 2001, President Kim Dae-jung of South Korea and Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik agreed to enhance their economic partnership, identifying shipbuilding, energy, and information technology as key areas of cooperation. They also agreed to jointly explore plant construction markets in other countries.
Another notable event on Dec. 7, 2007, was a maritime disaster off South Korea's west coast, where a Hong-Kong registered oil tanker collided with a barge carrying a crane. This incident led to the largest oil spill in Korean history, affecting the ecologically sensitive shorelines of Taean in South Chungcheong Province and devastating thousands of sea farms. Approximately 15,000 tons of oil leaked into the waters, leading to a legal dispute between Hebei Spirit Shipping and Samsung Heavy Industries over compensation. The cleanup efforts saw more than 1.2 million Koreans come together to restore the affected area.