Measures Implemented for Each Stage: Building Permit → Construction → Use Approval → Post-Management... Use Approval Cancellation for Serious Violations Such as Illegal Structural Changes
[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Moon Seok-jin) is implementing preventive measures reflecting the characteristics of each stage of building administration to prevent illegal buildings in the area.
The district has established systematic measures throughout the entire process?from building permits, construction, occupancy approval, to post-management?to eradicate unauthorized structural changes and extensions, which constitute the majority of illegal buildings.
In particular, since cases of unauthorized extensions immediately after occupancy approval in spaces where construction is restricted to secure sunlight and other factors frequently occur, the district is implementing both preemptive measures and post-management for this issue.
First, at the ‘building permit’ stage, the district strengthens preventive measures against major causes of illegal buildings.
To this end, submission of a ‘structural work completion report’ including details such as ▲whether the exterior wall structure is constructed with reinforced concrete ▲the installation positions of doors and windows ▲prohibition of extending water supply and heating coils to other structures is made a condition for permit approval.
The district aims to prevent violations in advance by presenting specific conditions regarding the ‘structural form,’ which is a major cause of illegal structural and usage changes.
At the ‘construction’ stage, the structural form is also closely inspected. The district requires construction supervisors to submit related reports upon completion of structural work, and if violations of the Building Act occur, administrative actions such as reporting to authorities and imposing fines on construction personnel are immediately enforced.
This is a measure to prevent attempts to illegally alter structures or deviate from approved plans during construction.
At the ‘occupancy approval’ stage, occupancy certificates are issued on the condition that they will be revoked if serious violations such as illegal structural changes are found, and occupancy approval is immediately canceled upon confirmation of illegal buildings.
Additionally, the district distributes illegal building prevention notices containing this information to construction stakeholders and has external professional architects, who conduct occupancy inspections, check compliance with building permits.
At the ‘post-management’ stage, instead of merely imposing fines or restoring original conditions after illegal buildings occur, inspections and monitoring are conducted to prevent attempts at illegal structural and usage changes in advance.
In particular, buildings within six months after occupancy approval will be intensively inspected.
Lee Jin-gu, Director of the Environment and Living Bureau of Seodaemun-gu, stated, “To improve the local residential environment and prevent illegal buildings, we plan to respond strongly, including canceling occupancy approvals for buildings where serious violations occur.”
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