Landlord Blocks Entrance After Tenant Refuses Rent Increase... Tenant Files Complaint with Police

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Controversy has arisen over allegations that a building owner in Gangnam, Seoul, abused power against a tenant who refused a 40% rent increase demand. The tenant, Mr. Kim, submitted a petition containing these details to the police on the 11th.

On the 26th, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul announced that they are investigating the building owner, Mr. A (50), located in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, on charges of obstruction of business.

Mr. Kim, who operates a cafe in the building, refused the landlord’s rent increase, after which Mr. A reportedly said that a parking booth had been installed at the cafe entrance.

On December 21 of last year, Mr. A notified Mr. Kim to raise the current monthly rent of 2.5 million won by 1 million won to 3.5 million won, a 40% increase, which Mr. Kim is said to have rejected.

According to Mr. Kim’s claim, the installation of the parking booth restricted the cafe’s operations for more than half a month.

A police official stated, "We have conducted an investigation of the victim," and added, "We plan to verify the facts with the person under suspicion."

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