Godeok Arteon, regarded as the flagship apartment complex in Godeok, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, and nearby apartment complexes are in conflict over the use of private property. As inconvenience grew from outsiders entering the public walkway inside the complex, Godeok Arteon distributed an official letter stating it would impose up to 200,000 won in order maintenance violation fees if outsiders failed to follow rules such as refraining from using electric scooters or smoking on private property. Nearby apartment complexes, including Godeok Gracium, that received the letter are pushing back against Arteon's decision. Gangdong District Office moved to mediate as the conflict between the apartment complexes escalated.
According to Gangdong District Office and the real estate industry on the 3rd, Godeok Arteon recently sent an official letter titled "Notice on compliance with private property order maintenance rules and restrictions on outsider access" to nearby apartments including Godeok Gracium.
According to the letter, Godeok Arteon said, "All sections except Arang-gil (central walkway), which directly connects to exit 5 of Sangil-dong Station, are strictly off-limits for access and use of facilities by outsiders, except those visiting a household or accompanied by a resident," and "when walking on the central walkway and common areas within the private property, we will collect order maintenance charges under the same standards as residents."
In particular, Godeok Arteon said it would collect order maintenance charges of 100,000–200,000 won per instance for violations such as restrictions on the passage of motorized devices and vehicles, obligations to keep pets in order, and smoking in no-smoking areas. The head of the Godeok Arteon Apartment Resident Support Center said, "In the event of a rules violation, we will collect order maintenance charges under the same standards as residents," and "if payment is not made, the person will be immediately removed, and refusal to leave will be regarded as trespassing on private property against the will of residents and management."
Godeok Arteon said the decision came after recent incidents in which some outsiders using the public walkway open inside the complex caused disturbances. On Aug. 8, there was also an incident in which outside teenagers trespassed into the underground parking lot and discharged fire extinguishers. Godeok Arteon emphasized, "During outsiders' use of the complex, disturbances, littering, and facility damage have been repeated," and "we are strengthening related rules to maintain order and ensure safety."
Nearby apartment complexes that received Godeok Arteon's letter are strongly opposing it. Through a resident post, the head of the Godeok Gracium Management Support Center said, "We are taking great exception to the content stating that violation fees will be imposed on our residents," and "we are carefully considering response measures to protect the rights and interests of Gracium residents."
The head of the Management Support Center said, "We express deep regret at the unilateral decision that did not consider at all the fact that many Arteon students pass through our complex during school commuting hours."
Godeok Arteon is pushing to install a fence inside the apartment complex. A resident of the apartment said, "Recently, consent was obtained for the plan to install a fence," and "even if we have to pay fines, opinion in favor of installing the fence is dominant."
As the conflict between apartment complexes intensified, Gangdong District Office stepped in to mediate. An official at Gangdong District Office said, "We are going on-site to mediate the conflict," and "the letter from (Godeok Arteon) seems to be an excessive way of saying, 'Please be careful because residents are very dissatisfied.'"
The official said, "Measures such as closing the public pedestrian passage inside the Godeok Arteon complex, which nearby complexes are concerned about, will not be taken," and "in the case of fence installation, the initial placement and other aspects were incorrect, so we went to the site several times to provide advice. The district office also conveyed the view that blocking the public pedestrian passage is not allowed, and it will proceed lawfully through consultation with (Godeok Arteon)."