Mapo-gu Conducts Comprehensive Survey of 4,307 Illegal Buildings After Aerial Image Analysis

Formed Former Field Investigation Team to Survey 4,307 Sites Including Seogyo-dong from Late February to June
Possible to Report Illegal Activities and Impose Compliance Penalties... Voluntary Maintenance Required

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) will conduct an on-site investigation of illegal buildings targeting 4,307 structures within the district.

The investigation targets were selected based on the interpretation of aerial photographs taken by Seoul City last year, with the locations including ▲Seogyo-dong 611 cases ▲Seogang-dong 399 cases ▲Mangwon 1-dong 384 cases ▲Hapjeong-dong 347 cases ▲Yeonnam-dong 331 cases, mainly areas densely populated with tourist attractions and major commercial districts.

Mapo-gu plans to form six on-site investigation teams to directly verify legal violations of the targeted buildings and conduct thorough investigations from the end of February through June.

The key investigation points include ▲expansion of spaces such as rooftops and terraces ▲expansion of business spaces using prefabricated panels, tents, etc., all of which are considered illegal buildings if they have not undergone the reporting or approval procedures required by the Building Act.

If violations are confirmed but voluntary correction is not carried out, administrative actions such as prosecution, imposition of enforcement fines, and restrictions on property rights can be taken according to relevant laws.

Additionally, if violations are recorded in the building register, it may result in ▲imposition of acquisition tax or property tax ▲restrictions on jeonse loan applications ▲limitations on businesses requiring reporting or permits under the Sanitation Act.

The district stated that since this investigation is conducted for the purpose of rectifying illegal matters, administrative guidance will be prioritized to allow owners to voluntarily correct violations by demolishing the illegal parts or obtaining permits afterward.

Also, a ‘Notice of Aerial Photo Interpretation On-site Investigation’ will be sent by mail to the building owners under investigation in February, and they were urged to verify the identification of officials during the on-site investigation, as there may be cases of impersonation and demands for money.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “Illegal buildings not only spoil the urban landscape but can also cause safety accidents, so we ask for the understanding and active cooperation of building owners in this investigation.”