The redevelopment project association for the Buk-Ahyun 2 regeneration promotion area in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, dramatically reconciled with the 'Ahyeon-dong Cathedral,' which had been in a legal battle over sunlight rights. The association plans to discuss an agenda to pay 18.7 billion won in construction expenses to the Ahyeon-dong Cathedral during a general meeting on the 23rd.
According to the remodeling industry on the 6th, the Ahyeon-dong Cathedral delivered a settlement proposal requesting 18.7 billion won in construction costs for the cathedral from the Buk-Ahyun 2 redevelopment association on the 30th of last month.
In an official letter, the Ahyeon-dong Cathedral stated, "After the permit for management disposition, the association should choose to proceed with the project at the original business location or the current location," and added, "Regardless of which option, we require the payment of 18.7 billion won in construction expenses based on 2024 as a condition of agreement." It further noted, "If this agenda is presented at the general meeting and approved by the members, all lawsuits filed against Seodaemun District Office and the association will be withdrawn."
On the same day, the Buk-Ahyun 2 association conveyed its agreement to the cathedral and announced the details of the settlement with the cathedral to its members on the 2nd of this month. The association and Ahyeon-dong Cathedral had been in conflict over sunlight rights since 2022. The Ahyeon-dong Cathedral, located adjacent to the redevelopment site, filed a lawsuit against the association and Seodaemun District Office, claiming serious violations of its sunlight rights. The first trial in May last year ruled in favor of the association, but on December 18, the Seoul High Court overturned the first ruling and favored the cathedral. Consequently, the association sent an official letter requesting collaboration and an apology to the Ahyeon-dong Cathedral and the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul Maintenance Foundation.
The Buk-Ahyun 2 association has considered negotiating to avoid project delays and the financial burden of prolonged litigation if the matter progresses to the Supreme Court. The association plans to hold a general meeting on the 23rd after a delegate meeting on the 7th to seek the members' consent on the 'construction of the cathedral.'
Previously, the association had to contemplate the worst-case scenario of canceling the project implementation permit due to the sunlight rights conflict with the cathedral, but now it is poised to proceed without delay. The association is on the verge of obtaining the final permit for the management disposition plan and expects to receive the permit as early as the first half of the year.
A representative of the Buk-Ahyun 2 association noted, "With the final agreement reached at the end of last year, the conflict with the cathedral has been resolved," and added, "Once the management disposition permit is issued, sales, relocation, demolition, and other procedures will proceed without delay."
The Buk-Ahyun 2 redevelopment involves constructing a large complex consisting of 3 underground floors and 29 above-ground floors across 28 buildings with 2,320 households in the Buk-Ahyun-dong area. It is considered a prime location in the Buk-Ahyun New Town, adjacent to Chongjeongno Station on subway lines 2 and 5 and Ahyeon Station on line 2. The construction will be carried out by a consortium of Samsung C&T Corporation's construction division and DL E&C.