"We Will Drop the Lawsuit Once You Move Out": 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 commencement of relocation.

In a recently dispatched relocation plan notice to tenants, the association stated that it has no choice but to preemptively file eviction lawsuits and provisional injunctions against the transfer of possession for all tenants alongside the relocation commencement notice.

Because lawsuits take a considerable amount of time, the association plans to first file lawsuits against all tenants, and then withdraw the suit for any tenant who fulfills their relocation obligation while the litigation is ongoing.

The association also attached a table to the notice outlining four types of legal actions that can be taken, which included not only building eviction lawsuits and provisional injunctions against transferring 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 commencement of construction are delayed due to tenants refusing to relocate.

The lawsuit for the return of unjust enrichment involves claiming monthly rent and interest if the housing is occupied even after the relocation period has ended.

The association established this preemptive legal response strategy based on the judgment 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 regarding financial compensation such as residential relocation expenses and moving costs related to reconstruction projects.

Unlike redevelopment, which proceeds through land expropriation methods, reconstruction tenants are excluded from targets eligible for residential relocation expense payments.

If lessors fail to return lease deposits, tenants can demand their return from the association in accordance with relevant laws.

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

Eunma Apartments, completed in 1979, is scheduled to be reconstructed into a complex spanning from 6 floors underground to 49 floors above ground, 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.