"Building Houses with Silicon"... Controversy Over Patchy Repairs in Apartments with Numerous Defects

Despite Move-in Started, Lukewarm Response to Defect Repairs
Construction Company: "We Will Make Every Effort for Defect Repairs"

Residents who have started moving into a newly built apartment complex in Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do, are outraged by numerous defects. On the 4th, an online community called 'BobaeDream' posted an article titled "The Reality of an Apartment Brand Ranked No. 1 in Customer Loyalty for 8 Consecutive Years." The author, identified as A, a resident of the new apartment, criticized the construction company's poor workmanship and defects with about ten photos.

However, when the move-in date approached and Mr. A went to do grouting or elastic coating, the hardwood floor had been completely removed, exposing the bare cement floor. In this situation, the defect repair manager deceived the residents by making impossible promises such as "the cement is curing now, and it will be fully completed the next day" while the curing was still in progress.
[Photo by Online Community 'BobaeDream']

A said, "Among the top apartment brands, this brand is known for having the fewest defects and is highly trusted," adding, "(Despite the defects) the building was officially approved for use, and during the preliminary inspection, residents were very angry due to uncompleted work, incorrect work, defects, and contamination. We even requested a second preliminary inspection, but the construction company firmly refused and tried to appease us by promising to complete the repairs, so we decided to wait calmly."

However, when the move-in date approached and A went to do grout and elastic coating, the hardwood flooring had been completely removed, exposing the bare cement floor. When protesting, the person in charge said that the cement was still curing and promised, impossibly, that all work would be completed the next day, continuously deceiving the residents.

Not only Mr. A but also the online community for office workers, 'Blind,' has a post titled "Gwangyang New Construction Defect Repairs" related to the apartment. The author, Mr. B, stated, "When we asked for defect repairs, they made it even worse. Leakages that would have gone unnoticed if it hadn't rained appeared here and there, and they are repairing defects with all-purpose silicone. If the kitchen countertop is broken, isn't replacement the basic principle? They are trying to cover it up by applying silicone."
[Photo by Online Community 'BobaeDream']

Later, feeling uneasy, A visited the apartment again and was shocked to see that all defect repairs were done using silicone. A said, "Defects inside the units are basically fixed with silicone. Even the gaps between living room tiles were finished with silicone, and this is the first time I have seen a grout worker do such work," criticizing, "They might as well build the whole house with silicone."

Not only A but also on the office workers' online community 'Blind,' a post titled "Gwangyang New Apartment Defect Repairs" was uploaded regarding the same apartment. The author, B, claimed, "When we asked for defect repairs, they made it worse. Leakages that would have gone unnoticed if it hadn't rained appeared here and there, and they are fixing defects with all-purpose silicone. If the kitchen countertop is broken, isn't replacement the principle? Instead, they smeared silicone to cover it up," adding that despite scheduling the move-in date, the floor was completely torn up, and yet they asked customers to postpone their move-in.

Even after moving into this apartment, the living room or bedrooms have no flooring installed at all, and the wallpaper remains torn and neglected. In addition, defects caused by drainage problems continue to be discovered, such as water rising from the floor on the second level of the underground parking lot.
[Photo by Online Community 'BobaeDream']

Besides these posts, various criticisms about defects in the complex have been posted on local mom cafes and online communities. The apartment complex began move-ins on June 30. However, even after moving in, some units have no flooring at all in the living rooms or bedrooms, or wallpaper is left torn and unattended. Moreover, defects related to drainage continue to be found, such as water rising from the floor on the second level of the underground parking lot.

Netizens responded to A’s post with comments like, "I am also a resident, and the sadder thing is that this is just the beginning," "I really wonder how the building got its completion approval," "How can they build something like this and still have the move-in date?" and "Is there no government official managing this? Or are they on the same side?"

In response to the controversy, a representative of the construction company told the Chosun Ilbo, "We acknowledge that there were some defects due to difficulties in securing manpower, and we will do our utmost to minimize inconvenience to the residents."