Law, Gaepo Ja-i 'Move-in Suspension Crisis' May Be Resolved as Early as Today

The decision on whether to grant the completion approval for 'Gaepo Xi Presidents' (Gaepo Jugong Complex 4 Reconstruction) in Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, which has faced a halt in move-ins due to a lawsuit related to the daycare center within the complex, will be made on the 15th or the following day.

On that day, the Administrative Division 11 of the Seoul Administrative Court (Chief Judge Kang Woo-chan) held a hearing for the suspension of the effect of the completion approval requested by Gyeonggi Kindergarten against Gangnam District Office. The hearing, originally scheduled for the 17th, was moved up to that day. The court stated, "We fully understand the urgency and seriousness of the case," and added, "Since the hearing was advanced, a decision will be made either today or tomorrow."

Currently, the effect of the 'partial completion approval,' which is a condition for move-in at Gaepo Xi, is temporarily suspended until the 24th. If the court cancels the suspension request, move-ins can resume; however, if the suspension is maintained, the date for resuming move-ins remains unknown.

On that day, 2,405 residents and prospective residents of Gaepo Xi submitted a petition to the court for apartment move-in. Some residents also appeared in court in person. One prospective resident, given the opportunity to speak in court, expressed, "I came here hoping to live in a large apartment once, but the situation has come to this. The fact that we cannot move in is frustrating, and I feel like shouting out loud."

Earlier, Gyeonggi Kindergarten within the Gaepo Xi complex filed a lawsuit against the reconstruction association three years ago, demanding the cancellation of the association's 'management disposition plan.' The kindergarten's position is that the plan included changes to the kindergarten's location after reconstruction without consent. Additionally, they argue that their property rights were infringed because the land they solely owned became jointly owned with other homeowners after reconstruction.

In January, the court accepted the kindergarten's claim of property rights infringement and partially ruled in favor of the plaintiff. Consequently, the effect of the management disposition plan approved by the association was also suspended.

However, on the 28th of last month, Gangnam District Office issued a 'partial completion approval certificate' for Gaepo Xi, allowing some residents to begin moving in.

The kindergarten filed a lawsuit claiming that the partial completion approval is invalid since the management disposition plan's effect is suspended, and the court decided to suspend the effect of the partial completion approval until the 24th of this month.

Gaepo Xi Presidents is a large complex with 3,375 households. Move-ins began on the 28th of last month, and about 1,000 households have moved in so far. It is reported that around 300 households were scheduled to move in by the 24th, when key handovers will no longer be possible. Prospective residents cannot even make temporary visits to the apartments and are forced to urgently adjust their moving schedules.