Songpa Olympic Athletes' Village Passes Detailed Safety Inspection After 'Resubmission'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The Olympic Athletes' Village Apartments in Bangi-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, considered a major reconstruction project in the Gangnam area, have conditionally passed the detailed safety inspection after a reattempt.

The Olympic Athletes' Village Apartments were notified on the 8th by Songpa District Office that they received a D grade (53.37 points) in the detailed safety inspection conducted for reconstruction, resulting in a decision of 'conditional reconstruction.'

Passing the safety inspection is required to proceed with procedures for reconstruction such as designation of maintenance zones, establishment of associations, and selection of construction companies. For reconstruction, a D or E grade must be obtained. A D grade means conditional reconstruction requiring additional verification by public institutions. An E grade confirms reconstruction.

Completed in 1988, the Olympic Athletes' Village Apartments is a large complex (5,540 households) and is considered one of the major reconstruction projects in the Gangnam area. In 2019, it applied for a detailed safety inspection but received a C grade, which halted reconstruction efforts. In response, the Olympic Athletes' Village Apartments reconstruction group raised funds for the detailed safety inspection and reapplied to Songpa District Office for the safety inspection in July last year.

The differing outcomes over two years are mainly due to the 'structural safety' category, which carries the greatest weight. At that time, the Olympic Athletes' Village Apartments received a B grade (81.91 points) in the structural safety category, but in this recent inspection, it scored 74.74 points. The sample buildings were also completely changed. A Songpa District Office official stated, "There were buildings that the apartment side claimed were in worse condition, and including those, 11 sample buildings were newly selected."

Songpa District Office plans to request a feasibility review (second safety inspection) soon in consultation with the apartment representatives. The second safety inspection is conducted by the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology or the Facility Safety Corporation to verify whether the inspection was properly carried out according to the safety inspection manual.