Yongsan-gu, Enforcement Penalty Imposition and Seizure Deferral for Illegal Buildings Until Year-End

As part of the 'One Department, One Economic Revival' measure, temporary deferral allowed until year-end... installment payments also possible

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seongjanghyun) will temporarily suspend the imposition and seizure of enforcement fines on buildings violating the Building Act until the end of this year.

This is part of the ‘One Department, One Economy Revival’ measure to overcome the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The applicable targets are ▲ newly identified violating buildings currently under correction orders as of 2021 ▲ buildings detected as violating in the future ▲ violating buildings identified for non-residential use, etc. Enforcement fines can be deferred for up to 6 months (seizure of overdue fines up to 1 year) upon application by owners or stakeholders. Installment payments are also possible.

Small-scale self-employed business owners in distribution, lodging, restaurants, and livelihood-type small and medium-sized merchants who wish to defer or pay in installments the enforcement fines or seizures can apply to the Housing Division of the district office. Relevant forms are available at the Housing Division office.

A district official said, “We have prepared measures to reduce the economic burden on local small and medium-sized merchants due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic,” adding, “Please understand that exemption from enforcement fines under related laws is not possible.”

The district has been conducting on-site investigations annually on buildings violating the Building Act, such as illegal extensions, according to its own plan. This year, investigations on 3,227 buildings detected by aerial surveys in 2020 will be conducted until July.

The district plans to focus investigations on ▲ unauthorized extensions of rooftops, verandas, warehouses, or other auxiliary buildings ▲ unauthorized construction of temporary buildings such as containers ▲ unauthorized installation of temporary structures in front of stores and operating businesses.

If violations are confirmed, the district issues a voluntary correction order (at least 30 days) to the building owner, and if not corrected, urges voluntary correction (at least 20 days), issues prior notice (at least 10 days), and then imposes enforcement fines.

If necessary, the district will guide building owners through ratification (post-approval or reporting) procedures to minimize disadvantages.

Last year, the district investigated 2,602 buildings and detected 76 violating buildings.

Seongjanghyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “Buildings violating the Building Act can harm urban aesthetics and cause safety accidents,” adding, “However, considering the difficult economy, we will reduce the burden on small and medium-sized merchants through deferral of enforcement fines and seizures.”