The designation of a project implementer for the Changsin 9-10 redevelopment in Jongno District, Seoul, has been delayed for nearly three months, prompting the city to officially request swift action from the district. Jongno has stated it will thoroughly review the feasibility and procedures of the trust method before making a decision to prevent future resident conflicts and lawsuits.
According to documents obtained exclusively by Aju Economy, the Seoul city government sent a letter to the Jongno District mayor on August 28, requesting cooperation and the submission of relevant materials regarding the redevelopment project. The letter urged the district to expedite the review and processing of the project implementer designation application, while also asking for clarification on the reasons for the delay and the main issues at hand, along with a future processing plan and expected timeline.
The Changsin 9-10 district applied for the designation of a trust operator as the project implementer on June 10-11. Both areas reportedly met the legal consent requirements for the application, but the designation process has yet to be completed after nearly three months.
The designation of a project implementer is a crucial step in confirming the entity that will actually carry out the redevelopment project. Delays at this stage can push back subsequent schedules, such as the approval of the project implementation plan. Current urban and residential environment maintenance laws do not specify a processing deadline for designation applications.
A Seoul city official stated, "We can no longer allow a project that is on the right track to be stalled for an extended period at the administrative level of the district."
Meanwhile, the government and ruling party are pushing to transfer the authority to designate maintenance zones for redevelopment and reconstruction of fewer than 500 households from the Seoul mayor to district mayors. However, there are concerns that, similar to the Changsin 9-10 district, delays in administrative procedures at the district level could persist even after the designation of maintenance zones, raising questions about whether this transfer of authority will lead to a reduction in project timelines.
A Seoul city official remarked, "It is difficult to assume that simply transferring the authority to designate maintenance zones to districts will shorten project timelines. As seen in the Changsin 9-10 district, even after the designation of maintenance zones, subsequent administrative procedures can still be delayed, so addressing the factors causing delays at each stage is a priority."
In response, Jongno District has indicated that it will not designate a project implementer solely based on meeting legal consent requirements, but will also verify additional factors such as trust fees, project feasibility, and whether residents have been adequately informed. Jongno District Mayor Yoo Chan-jong stated on July 24, "We should not push forward just because the consent rate has been met; we need to properly consult with the district office and residents."
On July 24, Jongno District established a 'Rapid Support Task Force for Redevelopment and Reconstruction' directly under the mayor's office. The district plans to complete the formation of a specialized advisory group for redevelopment projects this month and prioritize the review of the Changsin 9-10 district.
A Jongno District official stated, "We are expediting the advisory group formation process to resolve the Changsin 9-10 district issue first, and we are reviewing the procedures, including the trust method, with caution." The district clarified that it is not trying to block the trust method itself but aims to ensure that residents are adequately informed about trust fees and project feasibility to prevent future disputes.
Furthermore, the official added, "Our role is to prevent lawsuits that may arise in other districts and ensure that residents can properly advance the project. If project feasibility does not materialize later, residents' property rights could be significantly infringed, so we want to check this in advance."
However, residents argue that since they have already completed the application for project implementer designation by meeting legal consent requirements, there is no reason to further delay the administrative process. On August 20, residents of the Changsin 9-10 district submitted approximately 2,500 petitions to Jongno District.
The Changsin 9-10 district was designated as a new town in 2007 but was de-designated in 2013, undergoing urban regeneration projects. It was selected again as a candidate for rapid integrated planning redevelopment at the end of 2022 and completed the designation of the maintenance zone last November, marking a significant step forward in redevelopment after nearly 18 years. A total of around 4,400 housing units are planned for the two districts.
Ha So-hyun, chair of the Changsin 9 district promotion committee, stated, "We have repeatedly requested meetings with the district mayor, and residents are anxious that the redevelopment may be halted again."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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