Despite Budget Suspicion Over "900 Million to 2 Billion Won in a Month," Controversial Landscaping Stones Set for Installation

Landscaping Stones Priced at 60 Million Won Each
Thirty to Be Installed in New Imun-dong Apartment Complex
Association Approves Contract Despite Residents' Complaints

Expensive landscaping stones, which were installed without the consent of residents, are set to be officially installed at a newly built apartment complex in Imun-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. It is reported that a total of 30 landscaping stones, worth 2 billion won, will be installed. On May 29, Financial News reported that the complex's association held its 79th general meeting of representatives on this day and approved agenda item number 7, which was the contract for a specialized landscaping stone construction company for the apartment complex's interior and exterior.

Previously, residents raised complaints that the landscaping stones installed without consultation after redoing the landscaping within the complex had a "retro design reminiscent of the 1980s." Above all, there was strong backlash due to the excessive budget spent on installing the landscaping stones. Online community

Previously, residents had raised complaints that the landscaping stones, installed without consultation after redoing the landscaping within the complex, had a "retro design reminiscent of the 1980s." Above all, there was strong backlash due to the excessive budget spent on installing the landscaping stones. Amidst this, the name of the apartment complex even ranked number one in real-time search terms on a real estate-related online community. Most online commenters criticized the situation, saying, "This is beyond common sense," and "How can such landscaping stones be installed in this day and age?" On the other hand, some users responded, "They actually look better in person than expected."

As the controversy spread, the association president at the time explained, "The samples were installed in advance to serve as a reference for the representatives' judgment and decisions." However, some residents pointed out that "there has rarely been a case where an agenda item was rejected at the representatives' meetings, which are composed of the association president's close associates," and argued that this decision was also a foregone conclusion. In addition, suspicions were raised that "the landscaping stones, which were budgeted at 955 million won during the meeting in April, suddenly increased to 2 billion won within a month." Association members are demanding a clear explanation regarding the unilateral decision-making by the association's executives and the non-transparent budget execution process.

In particular, residents raised concerns that even though more than 80% of the units have been occupied, the association continues to operate without establishing a residents' representative meeting, which is the body responsible for making decisions on issues within the complex. At the general meeting scheduled for June 27, residents plan to demand not only the removal of the landscaping stones but also a clear explanation regarding the association's unilateral decision-making process and the non-transparent budget execution.