Dunchon Jugong Construction Halted for 11 Days, 'Premium Finishing Materials' Conflict Reaches Deadlock

Construction Halt Continues for 11 Days Amid Ongoing Conflict
"Accept First" vs "Go Through General Meeting"

A banner announcing the suspension of construction is attached to the construction site fence of the Dunchon Jugong reconstruction complex. The Dunchon Jugong reconstruction construction team halted construction from midnight on the 15th due to conflicts among the association members. Photo by Hwang Seoyul

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] The Dunchon Jugong reconstruction project, which has been halted for 11 days, is now facing conflict between the union and the construction consortium over the ‘upgrading of finishing materials.’ The union demands that the construction consortium accept the application of upgraded finishing materials first, while the consortium insists that it must be approved through a union general meeting. Given the previous dispute over the selection of a specific finishing materials supplier, the unresolved differences between the two sides indicate that the situation may be prolonged.

A representative of the construction consortium stated on the 26th that the union’s demand for upgrading finishing materials "must go through approval at the union general meeting." This is because, according to Article 45 of the Urban and Residential Environment Improvement Act, matters that impose an economic burden on union members require general meeting approval.

On the other hand, the union argues that since the change of finishing materials is also stipulated in the contract, the construction consortium should properly participate in negotiations. The basis for this is the ‘Intermediate Option System (On-Time Option System)’ clause in the contract. The ‘Intermediate Option System’ is a contract provision that allows for changes to finishing materials before occupancy and sale, considering the time gap between the start and completion periods.

Previously, on the 21st, the union appeared on the YouTube channel ‘Sampro TV’ and claimed, "We will pay the additional construction costs required for applying upgraded finishing materials." In particular, the union sent two official letters to the construction consortium on the 11th and 14th, attaching the condition that "finishing material works will actively accept the union’s demands." They also mentioned that additional costs would be paid if necessary. The union’s position is that if the construction consortium participates in negotiations and reaches an agreement on the application of upgraded finishing materials, a general meeting will be held to proceed with the approval process.

This controversy over the application of finishing materials is not the first. Recently, there were criticisms that the union’s attached documents to official letters specified suppliers for major finishing materials such as tiles, kitchen furniture, and shower booths, raising concerns that the use of specific suppliers was being forced.

Meanwhile, the Dunchon Jugong reconstruction project involves demolishing 5,930 households and constructing the new apartment complex ‘Olympic Park Foreon,’ consisting of 85 buildings up to 35 floors high with a total of 12,032 households. The current union, unable to accept the increase in construction costs, has been involved in legal disputes and conflicts, leading to a halt in construction since midnight on the 15th.

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