Building in Taebaek Halted for 24 Years... Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Supports Redevelopment Project

Selected for Leading Construction Projects in Taebaek, Jangheung, Mungyeong, and Uljin
Support for Suspension of Construction and Revitalization of Aging Public Buildings Maintenance

A building in Hwajeon-dong, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do, which has been abandoned for 24 years since construction was halted in February 1998. (Photo by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 20th that it plans to select and renovate two buildings where construction has been halted for a long time and three aging public buildings as part of the 7th Leading Project for the Maintenance of Construction-Halted Buildings and Aging Public Buildings.

The Leading Project for the Maintenance of Construction-Halted Buildings targets buildings that require urgent maintenance or are recognized to have a significant ripple effect from maintenance projects. Since 2015, 36 buildings have been selected as leading project sites.

The Leading Project for the Maintenance of Aging Public Buildings is a project aimed at safely and efficiently improving old public buildings. Since 2015, 20 public buildings have been selected as leading project sites.

The leading project sites selected this time were chosen through on-site investigations of buildings applied for by local governments from July to October, and evaluated by a selection committee composed of experts in various fields based on public interest and project connectivity.

The sports center located in Hwajeon-dong, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do, has been abandoned for 24 years since construction was halted in February 1998. The need for support in reviewing business feasibility using the nearby residential area and preparing a maintenance model was recognized.

A building under construction as an urban-type residential housing in Jangheung-eup, Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, where construction was halted in February 2016 and has been abandoned for five years (Photo by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

The apartment complex in Jangheung-eup, Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, was being built as an urban-type residential housing but construction was halted in February 2016 and has been abandoned for five years. The Ministry of Land plans to support the preparation of a maintenance model considering the convenience facilities and accessibility around the building, which is located in the center of the county.

The Mungyeong City Council building in Gyeongbuk, completed in 1968 and used for over 53 years, was selected as a leading project site for the maintenance of aging public buildings. The high willingness of the local government to proceed was recognized, as the basic plan and feasibility study have been completed.

The Giseong Township Office in Uljin, Gyeongbuk, completed in 1957 and used for over 64 years, and the Uljin Korean Senior Citizens Association building, used as a senior citizens' center for over 34 years since 1987, were also selected as leading project sites due to the need for maintenance projects caused by facility aging.

Um Jeong-hee, Director of Building Policy at the Ministry of Land, said, "The maintenance projects for construction-halted buildings and aging public buildings require proactive participation and strong will from local governments and building owners above all." She added, "We plan to continuously establish a foundation to activate maintenance projects in the future."