In Gwangju, 560-Character Apology; Handwritten Apology Letters to Reconstruction Associations in Other Regions... Controversy Over HDC Hyundai Development Company's Attitude

On the 16th, banners related to reconstruction were displayed at the entrance of Hyundai Apartments in Gwanyang-dong, Anyang. Among the banners from the reconstruction association and construction companies, there was a banner from a group opposing Hyundai Development Company. On that day, a member of the association said, "I understand that the banner opposing Hyundai Development Company is not related to the association." On the 11th, a collapse accident occurred at the Hyundai Development Company construction site in Seo-gu, Gwangju. Chung Mong-gyu, chairman of HDC Group, is expected to soon announce his position through a public apology and other formats, taking responsibility for the collapse accident.

Regarding the Gwangju apartment collapse, controversy is growing as HDC Hyundai Development Company, criticized for a 'poor apology,' reportedly sent handwritten apology letters to reconstruction associations preparing to select contractors.

According to Hyundai Development Company and the residents on the 16th, CEO Yoo Byung-kyu sent a 879-character handwritten apology letter on the 15th to the reconstruction maintenance project association of the Hyundai Apartment Complex in Gwanyang-dong, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi Province.

As several banners opposing Hyundai Development Company's bid participation were hung throughout the Hyundai Apartment complex, Hyundai Development Company posted a banner stating "We will run again with a death wish" and also delivered the handwritten apology letter.

In the apology letter, CEO Yoo stated, "I am focusing on managing the aftermath of the Gwangju accident and would like to first apologize to the association members in writing," adding, "We are thoroughly re-examining the company's safety management and overall site operations to prevent such a serious accident from recurring."

He also expressed his intention to continue participating in the bid, saying, "For this reconstruction, we prioritized structural stability with a world-class structural design firm and completed a premium design. Please entrust us with the second birth of Gwanyang Hyundai, which we completed in 1985."

However, this handwritten apology letter contrasts sharply with the brief statement issued at the Gwangju Hwajeong I-Park collapse site on the 12th, provoking anger among Gwangju citizens.

Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop also expressed strong dissatisfaction, saying, "The CEO only arrived in Gwangju around midnight on the 12th, and the only thing released was a one-page apology letter at 10 a.m. I am angry and frustrated about how long these absurd construction site disasters must continue to threaten citizens' lives."

Police and the Labor Office, investigating the collapse accident at the newly constructed Gwangju Hyundai Industrial Development I-Park apartment, conducted a joint search and seizure at the general supervision team and others on the afternoon of the 14th, with officials carrying seized items out.

As public criticism of HDC Hyundai Development Company grows, voices opposing the company's participation as a contractor are emerging not only in Gwangju but also in reconstruction complexes in the metropolitan area.

Immediately after the accident, the reconstruction association of Unam 3 Complex in Buk-gu, Gwangju, notified Hyundai Development Company, selected as the contractor, that it was considering terminating the construction contract. Some association members of 'The H Firstier I-Park,' to be built through the reconstruction of Gaepo 1 Complex Jugong Apartments in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, are demanding the removal of the I-Park brand name.

In the redevelopment site of Hakdong 4 District in Dong-gu, Gwangju, where a 'demolished building collapse disaster' occurred last year, discussions are expected to begin on placing the issue of revoking Hyundai Development Company's construction rights on the agenda of the general meeting of association members.

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