"Move Out and We'll Drop the Lawsuit": Eunma Complex Declares Legal Action Against All Tenants

The reconstruction association for Eunma Apartments in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, has announced that it will file eviction lawsuits against all tenants simultaneously with the start of the relocation process.

In a recent relocation plan notice sent to tenants, the association stated that it has no choice but to preemptively file eviction lawsuits and provisional injunctions for the prohibition of transfer of possession against all tenants upon the official announcement of the relocation start.

Because lawsuits take a considerable amount of time, the association plans to first file suit against all tenants and then drop the charges for any tenants who fulfill their relocation obligations while the legal proceedings are underway.

The association also attached a table in the notice outlining four types of legal actions it can take, which include not only building eviction lawsuits and provisional injunctions for the prohibition of transfer of possession, but also damage claims and lawsuits for the return of unjust enrichment.

The claim for damages is a method of calculating and demanding the apartment complex's total management fees and the association's financial losses if demolition and construction are delayed due to tenants refusing to move out.

The lawsuit for the return of unjust enrichment involves claiming monthly rent and interest if tenants continue to occupy the housing even after the relocation period has ended.

The association established this preemptive legal response policy because it concluded that relocation delays by some tenants could disrupt the overall project schedule and lead to an increase in financial costs.

On the other hand, there are virtually no financial compensations that tenants can receive during the relocation process.

In the notice, the association explained that under current laws and regulations, there are no separate provisions established for financial compensations such as housing relocation expenses and moving costs related to reconstruction projects.

Unlike redevelopment projects, which proceed through land expropriation methods, reconstruction tenants are excluded from eligibility for housing relocation expenses.

If lease deposits are not returned by the lessor, tenants can request the return from the association in accordance with relevant laws.

It is reported that the association plans to begin relocation in the first half of next year, with the goal of commencing construction in 2028.

Eunma Apartments, completed in 1979, is scheduled to be reconstructed into a complex consisting of 6 basement levels up to 49 ground floors, totaling 5,850 households.

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Lee Yu-jin | Graphics by Yook Do-hyun | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.