Journalist

Lee Eun-byeon
  • Daewoo E&C to Launch Summit The Hill Redevelopment Complex in Seoul’s Heukseok New Town
    Daewoo E&C to Launch 'Summit The Hill' Redevelopment Complex in Seoul’s Heukseok New Town Daewoo Engineering & Construction said it will supply a large-scale apartment complex, Summit The Hill, in May in a key section of Seoul’s Heukseok New Town redevelopment area, using its high-end SUMMIT brand. The company said on the 13th it plans to offer the project through the Heukseok 11 housing redevelopment in the area around 304 Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul. The complex will consist of 30 buildings ranging from six basement levels to 16 stories above ground, totaling 1,515 households with unit sizes of 39 to 150 square meters. Of those, 432 units sized 39 to 84 square meters will be offered for general sale. The site is considered a core location within Heukseok New Town in central Seoul. Residents will be able to walk to Heukseok Station on Seoul Subway Line 9, with travel to Yeouido and the Gangnam area possible in about 10 minutes. Nearby amenities include the Heukseok-dong commercial district and major retailers such as Shinsegae Department Store’s Gangnam branch, E-Mart’s Yongsan store and Lotte Mart’s Seocho store. Medical facilities including Chung-Ang University Hospital and Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital are also close by. Schools within walking distance include Chung-Ang University Elementary School, Seoul Eunnoro Elementary School, Chung-Ang University Middle School and Heukseok High School. Access to the Banpo and Bangbae private academy districts is also described as convenient. Daewoo E&C said the project will apply SUMMIT design features, including facade color design and a curtain-wall look. It said view-oriented planning will allow some households to see the Han River. Planned community facilities include an indoor swimming pool, sauna, fitness club, GX room and an indoor golf club, along with a sky lounge and guesthouse. The company also said it will add education and cultural spaces such as the “Heukseok Library,” a library cafe, private cinema, shared office and a daycare center. A model home will be set up at the Summit Gallery near 337 Yeongdong-daero in Seoul’s Gangnam-gu.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-23 05:03:00
  • Korean Builders Expand AI Use, but Adoption Still Centered on Drones and Video Safety
    Korean Builders Expand AI Use, but Adoption Still Centered on Drones and Video Safety South Korean builders are expanding the use of artificial intelligence technologies such as drones, video analytics and robots to improve job-site safety and quality, but their applications largely remain focused on video-based safety management, industry officials said. Overseas competitors, by contrast, are extending AI across the full construction process, widening the gap. As of April 22, the industry said domestic firms are gradually broadening AI-based tools, but remain at an early stage in building an ecosystem that includes data sharing and collaboration with subcontractors. GS Engineering & Construction is applying a real-time translation app for foreign workers, a four-legged walking robot and video analytics systems at sites. It has introduced the AI translation program “Xi Voice,” “Xi Book,” which updates standard specifications in real time, and an AI system for reviewing design drawings to strengthen safety and quality control. A GS E&C official said, “A translation application for communication with foreign workers and drone video analysis technology are already being used at sites, and the four-legged walking robot is being applied at some pilot sites.” Samsung C&T is using floor construction robots for automated finishing, anchor robots for automatic bolt installation and video analytics systems as it pushes job-site automation. It has also introduced autonomous forklifts and material-transport robots, along with cleaning robots, water-spraying drones and wearable robots. A Samsung C&T official said the company is currently placing more emphasis on development and verification to advance the technology than on broad deployment at active sites. Hyundai Engineering & Construction is using drones for infrastructure safety inspections, four-legged walking robots and video analytics systems. It also plans to apply an AI-based smart around-view monitor, or SAVM, and an overload warning device, or OWD, to equipment such as excavators to strengthen worker-approach detection and overload-risk alerts. Daewoo Engineering & Construction and Hyundai Engineering are using video analytics and robotics, while DL E&C and POSCO E&C are applying AI in design and crack management. Lotte Engineering & Construction, SK ecoplant and HDC Hyundai Development Co. are also expanding AI use, mainly for safety management and quality analysis. Even so, the industry’s AI use is still largely limited to adopting individual technologies. Analysts say gaps between large and smaller firms, and a structure centered on site-by-site use, have kept it from spreading into broader digital transformation and AI transformation across the sector. Overseas, construction companies are expanding AI across all stages — from design and construction to operations — based on a common data environment, or CDE. In the United States, firms are focusing on process optimization using generative AI and data analytics; Bechtel is using neural-network-based process planning, and Turner is boosting productivity through equipment-operation analytics systems. In Japan, Obayashi Corp. is advancing AI-driven design automation and Shimizu Corp. is actively building robot-based “smart sites.” In Europe, data-driven applications stand out, including Hochtief’s analysis of construction errors and Strabag’s risk prediction. Jeon Young-jun, a research center director at the Korea Research Institute for Construction Policy, said AI use at domestic construction sites has started first with video analysis based on safety CCTV. “Drones have spread relatively widely, and four-legged walking robots have also been introduced in some cases, but overall it is still at an early stage,” he said. Jeon said the faster shift in the United States and Japan toward “intelligent AI,” such as process optimization, reflects not so much a technology gap as whether an integrated ecosystem has been built to include subcontractors. “A structure in which prime contractors and subcontractors share and use data together, based on a common data platform, is important,” he said, adding that South Korea remains focused on technology development led by individual companies and lacks an integrated system that includes partner firms. 2026-04-22 15:33:21
  • Seoul Land-Deal Permit Requests Hit Record in March as Prices Ease
    Seoul Land-Deal Permit Requests Hit Record in March as Prices Ease March applications for permits to trade apartments in Seoul hit a record high, but the total value of applications edged down, pointing to a split market of rising transactions and cooling prices. The Seoul city government said Monday that new applications for apartment land-transaction permits totaled 7,653 as of the end of March, up 69.7% from 4,509 a month earlier. It was the highest monthly figure since the land-transaction permit system was expanded across Seoul in October last year. Cumulative applications over that period reached 28,535, of which 24,669, or 86.5%, had been processed. City officials attributed the March surge to a rush of listings ahead of the May 9 end of a temporary suspension of heavier capital gains taxes for multi-homeowners. After declining in recent months, the share of applications rose again in March in the three Gangnam districts, Yongsan and areas along the Han River. By contrast, the share fell in 10 northern districts and in four outer southern districts — Gangseo, Gwanak, Guro and Geumcheon. The share of applications from outlying districts had grown from 53.6% in October to 67.3% in February, but slipped to 61.4% in March, suggesting some demand shifted back toward central areas. Multi-homeowner listings accounted for 1,310 applications, or 17.1%. The share was higher in Han River areas (25.0%) and in Gangnam and Yongsan (21.6%) than in the 10 northern districts (13.3%) and the four outer southern districts (12.4%). The city said selling appeared more active in high-priced areas as owners sought to reduce tax burdens. Even as applications rose, prices weakened. The total value of March permit applications fell 0.08% from the previous month. Midpriced and lower-priced apartments and outlying areas stayed on an upward track, but gains slowed, while high-priced areas such as Gangnam and the Han River belt turned down. The city said tighter lending rules have kept end-user demand concentrated in relatively affordable homes and outer districts, while high-priced areas faced growing downward pressure as more properties came onto the market and deals centered on quick sales.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-21 21:18:20
  • Solo Bids Rise in Seoul Redevelopment as Builders Target Only Prime Projects
    Solo Bids Rise in Seoul Redevelopment as Builders Target Only Prime Projects Rising construction costs and weaker profitability are pushing South Korean builders to pursue “selective bidding” rather than aggressive head-to-head competition, reshaping Seoul’s redevelopment market around solo bids. In that shift, DL E&C has effectively secured the first builder’s role in the Mokdong reconstruction market by emerging as the only bidder for the Mokdong New Town Complex 6 project, seen as the fastest-moving among the area’s major rebuilds. According to the redevelopment industry on the 21st, DL E&C was the sole participant in the second round of bidding to select a contractor for the reconstruction of Mokdong New Town Complex 6 in Seoul’s Yangcheon district. The bid closed at 2 p.m. With no rival bidder again after the first round on April 10, the project has effectively moved toward a negotiated contract. Under the Urban and Residential Environment Improvement Act, if only one company bids in a second round, the association may choose the contractor through a negotiated deal. The Mokdong Complex 6 association is expected to sign a contract with DL E&C after a general meeting in late June. Complex 6 is considered the quickest-moving of Mokdong’s 14 complexes and is viewed as the starting point for a large-scale reconstruction program totaling 26,000 households and about 30 trillion won in project costs. This year’s Seoul redevelopment market is expected to reach a record scale as major projects move to select contractors, but analysts say the trend is shifting away from the intense bidding wars of the past and toward solo bids. Recent projects have followed that pattern. Samsung C&T was selected after submitting the only bid for the Daechi Ssangyong 1 reconstruction project in Seoul’s Gangnam district on April 11. POSCO E&C also secured the Singil Station-area redevelopment project as the sole bidder. Other projects decided through solo bids include Songpa Hanyang 2 reconstruction (GS Engineering & Construction), Singil District 1 public redevelopment (Hyundai Engineering & Construction), and Geumho District 21 redevelopment (Lotte Engineering & Construction). The shift is widely attributed to a combination of higher construction costs and heavier financing burdens. With rising materials and labor costs driving up budgets, builders also face project financing (PF) pressure and the risk of unsold units, making profitability harder to predict. Companies also factor in the expense of design proposals, financing terms and marketing, which can erode margins as competition intensifies. As a result, builders are increasingly concentrating on projects where returns appear more secure rather than pursuing contracts at any cost. GS E&C has won the Songpa Hanyang 2 and Gaepo Wooseong 6 reconstruction projects this year and is seeking additional contracts, including Seongsu Strategic Redevelopment Zone District 1 and Seocho Jinheung Apartments. Hyundai E&C has also identified Apgujeong Districts 3 and 5, Mokdong reconstruction complexes, and the Seobinggo Shindonga Apartments in Yongsan district as core targets. “We are working to win only key projects,” a Hyundai E&C official said. Lotte E&C is focusing its efforts on winning Seongsu District 4 while reviewing participation centered on projects it sees as strong, including sites in Mokdong and Macheon in Songpa district. “From the bidding stage through presales and move-ins, we are pursuing selective bidding focused on places where projects can proceed stably,” a Lotte E&C official said. DL E&C is also watching major sites including Apgujeong District 5, Mokdong Complex 6, Seongsu District 2 and Yeouido. “We are maintaining a selective bidding approach centered on profitability,” a DL E&C official said. Competition, however, has not disappeared everywhere. In high-profile areas such as Apgujeong, Yeouido, Mokdong and Seongsu, major builders are still expected to compete. In a recent bid to select a contractor for Apgujeong District 5 reconstruction, the process was halted after an employee of a construction company was caught taking unauthorized photos of bid documents, highlighting risks tied to overheated competition. The association’s work has since been reorganized and normalized. Overall, this year’s bidding is expected to show “low-intensity competition” dominated by solo bids, while “selective showdowns” continue in a handful of prime districts. Lee Tae-hee, a doctor, said the increase in Seoul redevelopment volume has reduced the need for loss-leading competition and that offering overly aggressive terms can become a sunk-cost burden. He added that in symbolic projects such as Apgujeong, companies believe being shut out could narrow their standing in the market. 2026-04-21 15:39:03
  • Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Blames Regulations for Slowing Redevelopment, Pledges Reforms
    Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Blames Regulations for Slowing Redevelopment, Pledges Reforms Oh Se-hoon, mayor of Seoul, said regulations are a key reason reconstruction and redevelopment projects have slowed, and he called for expanding private-sector-led housing supply and speeding institutional reforms. He said the city will reflect on-the-ground feedback to revitalize urban renewal projects. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Oh met Tuesday morning at City Hall with officials from the Seoul metropolitan area reconstruction and redevelopment association to discuss ways to improve project feasibility and move redevelopment forward more quickly. Fifteen people attended, including Oh; Lee Jong-han, the association’s vice chairman; association members; and Seoul city officials in charge of redevelopment policy. The association represents members of reconstruction and redevelopment cooperatives and works on proposals to improve urban renewal rules, policy recommendations and information sharing. Oh said the challenge of housing supply “must not remain just a slogan,” adding that Seoul, “even amid a one-sided regulatory environment,” has designated more than 300 redevelopment zones citywide totaling 440,000 homes through its “Shintong Planning” initiative, under what he called a firm principle of private-sector supply. He criticized the central government’s housing policy direction, saying various regulations have slowed projects, weakened the housing ladder for ordinary people and brought reconstruction and redevelopment to a halt. Oh said the city will take the group’s requests seriously, quickly implement what it can change immediately, and pursue alternatives to issues requiring broader institutional reform. The association asked the city to: establish guidelines on relocating religious facilities within redevelopment promotion districts; set standards for commercial property in management and disposition plans; and create communication channels with stakeholders. Oh said he agreed with the proposals and would directly urge the government to revise relevant laws while working through close consultations to create a more transparent environment for redevelopment projects. 2026-04-21 15:37:10
  • NBC Ranks Choi Ga-on’s Comeback Halfpipe Gold Over Chloe Kim Among Top Milan Highlights
    NBC Ranks Choi Ga-on’s Comeback Halfpipe Gold Over Chloe Kim Among Top Milan Highlights Choi Ga-on’s comeback win in the women’s snowboard halfpipe at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics was named one of NBC’s top 10 moments from the first half of the Games. On Feb. 17 (local time), NBC, the U.S. Olympic rights holder, posted its “top 10 moments” list covering the first 10 days after the opening of the Olympics. Choi’s gold medal was ranked No. 8. In an article headlined, “Choi Ga-on beats Chloe Kim (USA) to win halfpipe gold,” NBC wrote that Kim “seemed certain” to complete a three-peat in Milan-Cortina, but said the only athlete who could stop her was South Korea’s 17-year-old newcomer, Choi. NBC added that it was “like a student beating the teacher,” and said it was striking to see Choi and Kim celebrating together. NBC’s top pick was the 18-month-old baby of Swiss mixed doubles curling players Briar Schwaller and Yannick Schwaller, who drew attention by mimicking curling while the parents competed. NBC ranked, from No. 2 to No. 7, American alpine skier Breezy Johnson’s women’s downhill title; Norway’s Johannes Klaebo setting a record with nine career individual Winter Olympic gold medals; Lucas Pinheiro Braathen winning Brazil’s first Winter Olympic gold (alpine skiing); Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov winning men’s figure skating singles gold; Ilia Malinin’s figure skating team event gold; and U.S. women’s hockey defenseman Laila Edwards. Italian alpine skier Federica Brignone, who won two gold medals on home courses, was No. 9. American cross-country skier Jessie Diggins, who won bronze in her retirement season, was No. 10. Choi’s comeback victory also made The Athletic’s list of the first half’s “seven best moments” a day earlier, drawing international attention.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-17 20:12:00
  • Korean President vows to correct housing fantasy in Lunar New Year message
    Korean President vows to correct housing "fantasy" in Lunar New Year message SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) -South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday underscored his core governing goal — to correct what he called the nation’s “housing fantasy” and build a safe and peaceful society grounded in fairness, reason, growth and shared prosperity. In his Lunar New Year message posted on social media platform X, Lee said he never sought political power for personal ambition, but to gain the authority needed to confront structural injustice, widening inequality and speculative excess in the real estate market. “Power is not the goal,” he wrote. “It is the means to do what must be done.” Reflecting on his childhood in poverty, Lee said his lifelong aspiration has been to build a society in which no one is forced to bear unfair burdens or deprived of opportunity. “My wish has always been that no one — my family, my neighbors, or any citizen — would suffer from injustice,” he said. He traced this vision back to his first mayoral campaign in Seongnam two decades ago, arguing that his political career has been guided by a consistent commitment to social equity. After “crossing countless obstacles and moments close to death,” Lee said he has now been given a historic opportunity to reshape the country. “Now that I have the chance, how can I remain still?” he wrote. A central theme of the message was housing reform he has been consistently emphasizing. Lee pledged to confront what he described as a deeply rooted speculative culture that treats homes as financial instruments rather than basic necessities. He said dismantling the “housing fantasy” — the belief that property prices will endlessly rise — is essential to restoring economic balance and social mobility. “Real estate must return to its original purpose: a place to live, not a tool for enrichment,” he said.Lee also promised to pursue policies aimed at stabilizing housing prices, expanding affordable supply and curbing market manipulation, while promoting balanced national development. Beyond housing, the president outlined broader goals, including strengthening public safety, narrowing income gaps and fostering sustainable growth. “Overcoming inequality, building a safe and peaceful nation, and creating a fair and rational society — I will devote myself fully, without fear,” he said. He credited public support for enabling his rise to the presidency and pledged to govern with urgency and humility. “Thanks to the people, I have fulfilled my wish,” he wrote. “Now, only determination remains.” Lee concluded with a call for unity and collective responsibility, urging citizens to participate in building a more inclusive society. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2026-02-17 16:59:01