Nowon District Mayor Oh Seung-rok Plays Key Mediator Role in Apartment Security Guard Dismissal Incident

Apology for Dismissal Notification Method and Prevention of Recurrence, Joint Meeting to Prepare Agreement After Individual Interviews with Management Company, Security Guards, and Residents, Agreement on Reinstatement Within One Month and Employment Contract Guarantee... Three-Party Agreement Signing Among Nowon-gu, Security Guards, and Management Company at District Office on 16th at 4 PM

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that the collective dismissal issue of security guards at an apartment complex in Junggye-dong has finally reached an agreement through the district's active mediation.

Key points of the agreement include ▲ a formal apology to the security guards for the inappropriate manner of notification via text message two days before contract renewal ▲ reinstatement of the dismissed security guards within June (not exceeding one month) at apartments within the area ▲ efforts to guarantee employment contracts for at least one year to protect the security guards' employment (considering the contract period of the security company) ▲ and the management company’s commitment to prevent recurrence of such situations during future company succession processes.

According to this agreement, all six security guards who expressed their intention to return among the 16 who received dismissal notices will be reinstated, and the district plans to supervise the faithful implementation of the agreement.

On April 29, 16 security guards working at an apartment in Junggye-dong received a non-renewal notice two days before their contract renewal stating, "We inform you that you cannot continue working together," which was effectively a dismissal notice.

Exhausted by repeated unilateral dismissals, the security guards and residents who found the situation unfair appealed to the residents' representative meeting and the new service company but failed to find a solution, eventually submitting a petition to the district office on May 14.

Mayor Oh recognized the seriousness of the situation and, despite lacking legal authority, personally intervened to prevent the conflict from escalating into an emotional dispute by facilitating a practical resolution.

He was also concerned that if the issue prolonged, the burden on the security guards, whose livelihoods depended on their jobs, would increase.

First, on May 17, the district met with the management company, and on May 24, with the dismissed security guards and residents to understand the situation and hear their positions and demands. Subsequently, the district prepared a mediation plan and on May 27 held a meeting attended by the management company, dismissed security guards, and residents to coordinate opinions and find a breakthrough.

The district stated that the active mediation role was possible largely due to the residents' strong consensus against the unfair treatment and unreasonable dismissals of the security guards, and urged continued public interest.

To ensure thorough implementation of the agreement, a tripartite agreement ceremony among the security guards, Nowon-gu, and the management company will be held at 4 p.m. on the 16th in the mayor’s office.

Meanwhile, the district is actively working to improve the human rights and working conditions of apartment security guards. In February, it launched a project to install air conditioners in security offices with a budget of 200 million KRW, and in June, it is promoting a project that provides up to 10 million KRW in support for basic security office facilities when security guards’ employment is maintained or succeeded for at least two years.

The district plans to continue enhancing employment stability and working environments for apartment security guards and other residential management workers through incentives for multi-family housing support projects.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok expressed gratitude to both parties for their efforts to understand each other’s positions and reach an amicable resolution, stating, “Nowon-gu will continue to take the lead in establishing a culture of coexistence and consideration between residents and security workers and strive to set a good example.”

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