8 out of 10 unfinished buildings have been abandoned for over 10 years... Gangwon has the highest number with 41 sites

286 Construction Sites Halted for Over 2 Years
227 of Them Abandoned for More Than 10 Years

Seoul apartment reconstruction site.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Among 286 construction sites nationwide where work has been halted, 80% (227 sites) have been abandoned for more than 10 years. Gangwon had the highest number of such buildings, with 41 sites.

Meng Seong-gyu, a member of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee and chairman of the committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, revealed this on the 15th based on the 'Status of Long-term Abandoned Construction Sites' received from the Korea Real Estate Board. Construction sites where work has been stopped refer to buildings where construction was reported or started but has been halted for more than two years.

The abandoned construction sites by duration are as follows: ▲ 28 sites abandoned for 5 years or less ▲ 31 sites abandoned for more than 5 years up to 10 years ▲ 58 sites abandoned for more than 10 years up to 15 years ▲ 66 sites abandoned for more than 15 years up to 20 years ▲ 103 sites abandoned for more than 20 years.

By region, Gangwon has the most halted construction sites nationwide with 41 sites, followed by Gyeonggi with 34 sites and Chungnam with 33 sites.

In particular, Gangwon also has the highest number of buildings abandoned for more than 10 years, with 38 sites, followed by Gyeonggi with 33 sites and Chungnam with 31 sites.

Meanwhile, since December 2015, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has been supporting leading projects under the 'Abandoned Building Maintenance Act' for buildings requiring urgent maintenance or those with significant ripple effects from maintenance projects. However, among 40 targeted sites, only 9 projects have been completed, and 11 projects are currently underway.

The Korea Real Estate Board stated, "Abandoned construction sites involve private interests entangled with rights issues and legal disputes, making it difficult for the public sector to fully intervene. However, we are conducting legal consultations by contacting local governments willing to promote leading projects."

Assemblyman Meng said, "Long-term abandoned construction sites not only spoil the urban landscape but also pose risks of building collapse, directly affecting public safety. The government should take a more proactive stance in carrying out maintenance projects for long-term abandoned buildings."