"Delaying Means Loss" Shinbanpo 15 Joint Briefing to Be Held Outdoors on the 12th

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] Amid ongoing concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the Shinbanpo 15th Apartment Reconstruction Association in Seocho-gu, Seoul, is causing controversy by deciding to proceed with a joint briefing session with construction companies on the 12th.

According to the maintenance industry on the 7th, the Shinbanpo 15th Reconstruction Association in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, sent an official letter to Samsung C&T, Daelim Industrial, Hoban Construction, and others who participated in the reconstruction construction company selection bid, stating that a joint promotional briefing session will be held on the 12th on the open rooftop of the 6th floor of Eluce Convention. The association had previously informed its members of the date, time, and location of the briefing session on the 3rd.

The reason for holding the briefing session outdoors was explained as a response to the government's ban on indoor gatherings due to COVID-19 and the strong implementation of social distancing measures. Accordingly, members who have recently traveled abroad or have health issues were asked to refrain from attending the briefing session, and if attending, to wear masks.

The Shinbanpo 15th Association had previously decided to proceed with a joint briefing session with construction companies on the 31st despite the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's recommendation on the 18th of last month to postpone general meetings and events, but later changed its stance and postponed the schedule once. The Ministry extended the grace period for the implementation of the private land price ceiling system for maintenance projects by three months to prevent the spread of COVID-19, urging associations to postpone general meetings and events until late May. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and local governments also sent official letters to associations warning that if they proceed with general meetings in violation of the serious social situation, they may face not only prosecution under relevant regulations (Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, Urban Residential Environment Maintenance Act) but also suspension of administrative support.

Currently, with high concerns over COVID-19 and the two-week extension of intensive social distancing, there are voices of concern over the association scheduling a joint briefing session. Associations are pushing forward with general meetings and gatherings because the longer the reconstruction schedule is delayed, the greater the losses borne by the association and its members, such as interest burdens on project costs. Previously, the reconstruction associations of Goduk Jugong 2 Complex (Goduk Gracium) in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, and Gaepo Shiyeong (Gaepo Raemian Forest) in Gangnam-gu also proceeded with outdoor general meetings on the 21st of last month.