Resident Threatens "I'll Sue If You Touch" After Piling Up Miscellaneous Items for 'Parking Reservation'

Conflict Among Residents in Parking Lot of Incheon Songdo Officetel
Items Stored in Parking Spaces... Threats of "Lawsuit" After Sanctions

A controversy has arisen after a story was shared about a resident habitually placing personal belongings in an underground parking lot of an officetel in Songdo, Incheon, to reserve parking spaces.

A parking lot of an officetel in Songdo, Incheon. A resident is placing items in a parking space, obstructing other residents from parking.
[Photo by Online Community]

On the 30th of last month, a post titled "Parking Lot Item Storage" was uploaded to an online community. As of 10 a.m. on the 3rd, the post had garnered 6,000 views and 300 recommendations, becoming a major topic of discussion. The author, Mr. A, who lives in the officetel, began by saying, "There is a neighbor who is storing items in the underground parking lot to use it exclusively by themselves."

Photos shared by Mr. A show ladders, exercise equipment, and various miscellaneous items placed inside a parking space, including a toolbox. At a glance, it seems difficult to park in that space without removing the items. Mr. A stated, "Currently, conflicts among residents are severe," and added, "When the security staff from the management office issues warnings or posts notices, the neighbor threatens to sue. Please advise on how to deal with someone who lacks any sense of shame."

Netizens who read the story responded with comments such as "Put warning signs in the elevator," "Just park by biting the bullet," "Tell them to sue and then remove the items," "File a complaint with the Safety Report Center," "There are really many strange people these days," and "They probably won't listen even if you speak nicely." Netizen B advised, "Place any items you have at home next to theirs. Don't forget to write that they will sue if touched."

A middle-aged woman lying down in a parking space to block parking.
[Photo by Online Community]

Meanwhile, acts of obstructing vehicle entry or stacking items to block passage in order to reserve parking spaces have been frequently reported. There have even been dangerous incidents where people lay down in parking spaces to secure them. In October last year, a resident who reserved a vacant apartment parking spot by leaving a bag there became a topic of conversation, and in July of the same year, a middle-aged woman caused conflict by throwing a bag into a vacant department store parking space to reserve it and claiming, "I came first."

As the issue of reserving parking spaces has been repeatedly raised, in April last year, Song Ki-heon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed a partial amendment to the Parking Lot Act aimed at prohibiting acts of reserving parking spaces or stacking items to block passage. However, since the bill remains at the committee review stage, such conflicts are expected to continue.