Despite COVID-19, Redevelopment Association Holds General Meeting

From the Application for Project Implementation Approval on the 24th
Expansion of Mandatory Supply Ratio for Rental Housing
Dispersing People in Open Spaces and Rooftops

The redevelopment site area in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] Some redevelopment associations in Seoul are continuing to hold general meetings despite the social distancing level 2.5 measures due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Redevelopment districts applying for project implementation approval from the 23rd are rushing to proceed with their projects to avoid the mandatory rental housing supply ratio being increased to a maximum of 30%.

According to industry sources on the 8th, the redevelopment association of Bulgwang 5 District in Eunpyeong-gu recently held a regular general meeting near the old deer farm vacant lot in Jingwan-dong, Eunpyeong-gu to apply for project implementation approval. Since indoor gatherings of more than 50 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited under social distancing level 2.5, the association chose an outdoor venue that could accommodate more people. Ultimately, more than 330 of the 1,512 association members attended on-site, exceeding the mandatory attendance rate of 20%, and passed the agenda. According to the Urban and Residential Environment Improvement Act, general meetings held for essential processes such as project implementation approval or management disposition approval for reconstruction and redevelopment require at least 20% of association members to attend in person.

Heukseok 11 District in Dongjak-gu also pushed ahead with an extraordinary general meeting earlier this month to apply for project implementation approval. The association rented three spaces within a wedding hall near Noryangjin Station to disperse the members. About 150 of the total 699 members attended the meeting and passed the agenda.

On the 19th, the Hannam 2 District association in Yongsan-gu plans to hold a general meeting to apply for project implementation approval. To pass the agenda, more than about 200 members, which is 20% of the approximately 1,000 members, must attend on-site. The association plans to divide the attendees into groups of fewer than 50 people using the rooftop and other spaces of the building housing the association office. A Hannam 2 District official said, "As long as social distancing is not raised to level 3, we believe there will be no major issues," adding, "We will strictly adhere to quarantine rules such as mandatory mask-wearing and temperature checks."

The reason these project sites are rushing to hold project approval general meetings is due to the amended Enforcement Decree of the Urban and Residential Environment Improvement Act, which will take effect on the 24th. The decree allows the mandatory rental housing construction ratio for redevelopment projects in the metropolitan area to be raised up to the legal maximum of 30%. Although the Seoul Metropolitan Government does not plan to uniformly apply the maximum 30% rental ratio to redevelopment projects, some increase in the ratio appears inevitable.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.