"Forest Zone Turns Upside Down Overnight..." Residents Near New Apartment Construction Outraged

Gwangju Seo-gu Maryeok Park 917-Unit Apartment Targeted for Completion in 2025

Committee Against Project Claims View and Park Use Infringements, "No Pre-Project Briefing Held"

City Responds, "Public Inspection and Announcement Conducted... D

Residents near Baekseoksan Mareuk Park in Geumho-dong, Seo-gu, where new apartment construction is underway as part of Gwangju Metropolitan City's park privatization project, are outraged.

In particular, residents of Geumho Ssangyong Yega Apartments, located right next to the construction site, moved in attracted by the so-called 'forest proximity' advantage, but now they are angry that it has disappeared overnight.

According to Gwangju City on the 9th, the construction of a large apartment complex called 'We Park Mareuk Park' is currently in full swing around Mareuk Park.

A view of the apartment construction site for 917 households in Gumo, with Maruk Park, a consortium including Hoban Construction, participating as the developer on the site of Baekseoksan Maruk Park in Geumho-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.
[Photo by Reader]

The city, facing a lack of funds to directly develop the park ahead of the urban park sunset policy in June 2020, approved the project by attracting private capital.

The complex consists of 15 buildings ranging from three basement floors to 20 above-ground floors, totaling 917 households, with completion targeted for 2025. Currently, site preparation and access road construction are underway.

Out of the total park area (220,000㎡), 170,000㎡ will be developed as Mareuk Park, drawing attention as a large-scale, nature-friendly complex adjacent to a large park. However, existing residents living in the area express concerns about obstructed views and inconvenience in using the park.

Consequently, nearby residents formed the 'Emergency Countermeasure Committee on Non-Park Facilities of Mareuk Park' and submitted a protest letter to Gwangju City demanding measures to address the infringement on apartment living conditions.

The committee stated, "Nearby residents were completely unaware that Gwangju City's park privatization project was proceeding at Mareuk Park and are very shocked by the sudden construction news. They have lived with pride and affection for having a green forest nearby, but the news that an imposing 20-story apartment complex will be built in the park has caused shock and anger."

In particular, they claimed, "With apartments being constructed just about 30 meters behind Ssangyong Yega Apartment buildings 101 and 102, a serious infringement on the view of Baekseoksan is expected. There was no briefing for nearby residents before the project started. We now request that the design be changed to adjust the apartment layout to maintain a distance of over 100 meters."

They also pointed out the direction of the main entrance of the new apartment.

The committee lamented, "The main entrance of the apartment connects to a narrow road without lanes, facing the back gates of Ssangyong Apartments and Manho Elementary School. There are concerns about student safety accidents, and traffic congestion is inevitable."

Additionally, they said, "The construction company does not adhere to working hours and starts construction from early dawn, causing noise disturbances that interfere with the daily lives of nearby residents," and "Construction is being forced ahead without any explanatory meeting for residents regarding noise countermeasures. Moreover, construction is carried out using specific equipment early on weekdays and holidays, ignoring related regulations."

In fact, it was confirmed that the construction company proceeded with site preparation work on the holiday of the 1st, violating noise and vibration control laws, and was fined 1 million won by the local district office.

Regarding this, a construction company official said, "We will follow procedures such as meeting with nearby residents to obtain consent regarding noise complaints," and "For work that generates a lot of noise, we will adjust the schedule to start after 8 a.m."

The city explained, "Before the effect of park designation disappears and indiscriminate development occurs, we recruited private park promoters to secure as much park land as possible and conducted public inspection and announcement before the project," adding, "The issue of adjusting apartment spacing was finalized after deliberations by the Urban Park Committee and Urban Planning Committee, so it is difficult to reconsider it at this time."