[Report] "I even used private loans to get the key"... Gaepo Xi Residents Hit by Sudden Move-in Suspension

Gangnam-gu Office Orders Move-in Suspension Until 24th
Due to Kindergarten and Association Lawsuit Within Complex
400 Households Unable to Unpack Due to Key Withholding

On the afternoon of the 13th at 2 PM, the Gaepo Xi Presidents complex in Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (reconstruction of Gaepo Jugong Complex 4) was visited. The complex, which should have been bustling with moving trucks and prospective residents visiting the move-in support center, was eerily quiet. The door to the move-in support center within the complex was firmly closed. A notice about the suspension of move-ins was posted alone on the door. According to the Seoul Administrative Court's decision, the words 'Temporary visits, final payment, and key handover are not allowed until March 24' stood out.

On the afternoon of the 13th, a notice stating that key issuance is not possible until the 24th was posted in front of the move-in support center at the Gaepo Jazi Presidents apartment complex.
[Photo by Kwak Minjae]

On the 10th, Gangnam District Office issued a compliance order to the Gaepo Complex 4 reconstruction association to halt move-ins. This was due to a lawsuit between the daycare center that existed in the complex before reconstruction and the association. The daycare center owner claimed infringement of property rights and applied to the Seoul Administrative Court to suspend the effect of the completion approval until the 24th, and the court accepted this.

Gaepo Xi received partial completion approval and began move-ins at the end of last month, with about 800 households having moved in so far. However, with the move-in suspension starting that day, 400 households scheduled to move in by the 24th were unable to unpack their belongings. If the conflict between the two sides continues, the move-in of about 2,500 households, including these, who have not yet moved in, will inevitably be delayed one after another.

Residents who were about to move in immediately were hit hard by the sudden suspension. Resident A, who is scheduled to move into Gaepo Xi Presidents in two weeks, said, “If I change the moving date, I have to postpone everything from move-in cleaning to furniture delivery,” adding, “I have to vacate my previous home immediately, but moving centers are in peak season, so there is nowhere to store my belongings, and I might end up homeless on the street.” He continued, “The move-in was already delayed by a year due to the lawsuit, which extended the period for paying the interim payment with a loan, and now with the move-in suspension, I am really angry.”

On the afternoon of the 13th, a moving truck was parked inside the Gaepo Xi complex to carry out a move. Residents who had already moved in were able to move, but prospective residents who had not yet received their keys were unable to do so.
[Photo by Kwak Minjae]

When inquiring at a moving center currently conducting packing moves within the complex, the company said they would charge about 2.5 times more than the usual moving cost, including storage fees. Moving center employee B said, “Just this morning, we received 14 calls asking about changing moving dates and storage moves,” and hinted, “You have to pay about 2.5 million won, including the original moving cost of 1 million won, an additional moving fee of 900,000 won, and about a month of storage fees.”

Member C, who visited the complex’s life support center to submit a ‘Petition to Gangnam District Office from Gaepo Jugong Complex 4 Reconstruction Association Members,’ said, “Fortunately, I received my keys before the 13th since my move-in was earlier, but I heard that some members hurriedly took out private loans worth hundreds of millions of won over the weekend to pay the remaining balance,” adding, “The problem is serious enough that some tenants are even voicing demands for contract cancellations and double compensation.”

On the afternoon of the 13th, at the community living support center. A resident who suffered moving inconveniences due to confusion over elevator usage time is seen protesting to a security staff member.
[Photo by Kwak Minjae]

A scuffle broke out between security staff and residents. The sudden suspension of move-ins threw the complex into chaos, causing confusion over the use of elevators within the complex for moving. Resident D (36) said, “We originally agreed to use the elevators in the complex from 10 AM to 1 PM for moving, but because the security staff failed to control it properly, some started moving after 1 PM and couldn’t use the elevators,” adding, “I couldn’t move the computer on the first floor, so the internet installation technician came and left, and the water purifier installation was postponed until next month, which is frustrating.”

The view of the Gaepo Xi Presidents complex in Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where move-in has been suspended.
Photo by Kwak Minjae

Meanwhile, about 200 prospective residents of Gaepo Xi visited Gangnam District Office on the morning of the 13th and held a silent protest with placards saying, ‘Our association members are being thrown out on the street,’ and ‘District Office, cancel the administrative order immediately.’ Amid the severe confusion among prospective residents caused by the move-in suspension, the court will make a final decision on the lawsuit related to the daycare center within the Gaepo Xi complex by the 24th. If the suspension order is canceled, move-ins can resume immediately. On the other hand, if it is upheld, the date for resuming move-ins will be uncertain.