When Opened Simultaneously, Entrance Doors Collide... Sejong New Residents Say "This Is the First Time for Such a Defect"

Absurd Defects in Sejong City Apartments... Controversy Over 'Poor Construction'

In a newly constructed apartment in Sejong City, set to be occupied soon, a ridiculous defect has sparked controversy: when opening the front door, it collides with the front door of the neighboring unit. Prospective residents have expressed outrage over the poor construction and have opposed Sejong City Hall's approval of the building's completion. The apartment complex is currently undergoing final work with a target completion date of the 25th. Move-in is scheduled to begin on the 29th of this month, with 166 households in one building and 163 households in another.

The doors of both apartments in a newly built apartment complex in Sejong City were opened, resulting in a collision.
[Image source: Instagram capture]

However, prospective residents claimed that numerous defects were found during a preliminary inspection conducted on the 9th and 10th. In particular, residents who checked the location of the front doors were baffled. The two units, arranged in an 'L' shape, were designed so that if both front doors were opened simultaneously, they would collide. A video showing a man opening the doors of both units at the same time was posted on social media, causing a stir. Netizens responded with comments such as, “We should ask the construction company what they were thinking when they designed it like this,” “It's surprising that this even got building approval,” and “What are we supposed to do if both doors open at the same time? This is awkward.”

Prospective residents also pointed out that water leaked inside the apartment, stair railings were shaky, and there were even places with mold in the new building. Kim Yoon-joo, a prospective resident, told Hankook Ilbo on the 15th, “When we conducted an inspection accompanied by a professional defect-checking company before moving in, the number of defects ranged from 54 in some units to 140 in others, averaging about 100 defects per household,” adding, “The construction company must carry out repairs and undergo a second preliminary inspection.”

Prospective residents held a rally in front of Sejong City Hall, demanding, “Sejong City should not grant usage approval for the poorly constructed urban-style residential housing,” and “The developer and construction company must hold a second preliminary inspection.” Although the building is classified as urban-style residential housing under the Building Act and is not required to undergo a preliminary inspection, due to the growing controversy, Sejong City reportedly requested the construction company via official letter to negotiate with residents to allow additional preliminary inspections.