Just two weeks before their scheduled weddings, prospective couples have fallen victim to a sudden situation where their wedding venue was completely demolished.
Couples who were set to hold their ceremonies next month at Sogang University's "Gonzaga Convention" received an abrupt notification on the 23rd that the venue could no longer operate due to a court-enforced compulsory eviction.
As notified, the forced eviction was carried out the very next day, resulting in the dismantling of all major interior facilities, including wedding decorations and the virgin road.
It was confirmed that this compulsory enforcement stemmed from a prolonged dispute between the wedding venue operator and the building management entity, "Sogang International Dormitory Co., Ltd."
When the wedding business failed to pay rent on time due to accumulated deficits during the COVID-19 pandemic, the building management company initiated legal enforcement procedures.
Victims point out that the wedding business continued to accept reservations while hiding the possibility of forced eviction.
In media interviews, the victims expressed their anger, stating, "Even though the management company notified them starting last December not to take reservations due to concerns over damages, the business concealed this and continued to sign new contracts."
It has been reported that even couples who signed contracts as recently as March of this year are among those appealing for help.
Meanwhile, the operating company explained, "We tried to prevent the forced eviction by filing for a suspension of enforcement and pursuing lawsuits, and because there were only threats of execution rather than actual enforcement measures taking place, we had no choice but to keep operating."
The company also stated that it promises to refund deposits, provide compensation for damages within legal limits, and guide couples to alternative venues.
However, the prospective couples criticized that additional damages are substantial—such as having to pay cancellation fees to dress and makeup shops due to the sudden venue change—and that the company's follow-up response has been insincere.
It is known that most of the affected couples are Sogang University alumni who chose the venue out of trust in their alma mater, and currently, 32 couples have banded together to take action.
They are reviewing legal responses for collective damage relief.
Reported by Lee Hyeon-yeong | Video by Jang Yu-jin | Graphics by Lee Su-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
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