"Oh, is this that stone? The one that costs 60 million won each?"
"Where in the world is there a stone that costs 60 million won? It doesn't even have straight lettering; it just looks like a rock lying around… What a waste of money."
Around 10:30 a.m. on the 26th, residents of an apartment complex in Imun-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, were whispering in front of a stone placed at the entrance of a new apartment building. The massive stone, measuring 3.5m in width, 2.5m in length, and 2.5m in height, was still dirty with unwashed soil, and the name of the apartment complex was engraved on it. There are two more of these stones within the complex.
The price of the problematic stone is reported to be 60 million won for one, with a total of 30 planned for installation. However, it was found that the landscaping company supplying the stone proposed a price of 2.2 billion won, including value-added tax. This is 400 million won more expensive than initially known. Nevertheless, the union claimed that the currently installed landscaping stones are just 'samples' in light of the controversy.
◇Residents: "How can this be 60 million won each?" Union: "Some people like it."
The gigantic landscaping stones were installed on the 23rd. This apartment complex, which includes over 3,000 households, began moving in this January. Since a residents' representative meeting has not yet been established, the redevelopment union continues to handle the management of the apartment. It is also the redevelopment union that placed the landscaping stones.
Photos of the landscaping stones being installed spread quickly in the residents' group chat and were also disseminated in online communities. The real estate information app Ho-gyeong-no-no showed that this apartment complex became the top search in real time. Netizens left comments full of mockery like "high standards that combined nature-friendly design."
Residents who met near the stone criticized the union in elevated voices. Person A said, "There was no prior notice. How can it cost 60 million won for one?" Kim (43) said, "I have never heard that they would install landscaping stones."
However, when asked why they installed the landscaping stones, the union reacted with curiosity about the interest in the stones. A representative said, "Some people are calling asking if there are stones lying around in the countryside, while others like it," adding, "The claim that one stone costs 60 million won is inflated, and it is a natural stone ordered from a domestic company."
However, it is possible that the actual price of one stone is above 60 million won. ChosunBiz obtained a landscaping service proposal submitted by landscaping company B to the union. According to the proposal, the cost for installing more than 30 natural stones is set at 2.2 billion won (including value-added tax). Additionally, they proposed managing landscaping inside and outside the complex for 440 million won, and conducting an investigation for additional landscaping trees for 1.1 billion won, totaling a project worth 3.74 billion won.
◇The proposal to select the landscaping stone construction company is set to be presented at the delegates' meeting on the 29th… Three have already been installed six days prior.
The union plans to present a proposal to select the landscaping stone construction company at the delegates' meeting on the 29th. Residents are saying that it is problematic that three landscaping stones have already been installed six days before the meeting.
There are also concerns about the transparency of the process for selecting the landscaping stone installation company. Upon checking the bidding details posted by the apartment complex on the Korea Real Estate Board website, there were no posted bids related to the landscaping stone installation.
The union is said to have planned to install an additional 27 landscaping stones within the complex after holding a meeting. However, when residents protested strongly, the plan was withdrawn, and the existing landscaping stones were also reported to be removed and restored to their original state. In related inquiries, a union representative stated, "A few samples of stones arrived early due to the construction schedule, but no money has been spent yet." It was also mentioned that all the heads of the reconstruction union and directors are away on business.
However, residents still have a distrustful atmosphere towards the union. Resident C from the general sale units said, "They say the stone engraved with the name of the apartment complex is a sample," adding, "They took out the trees and grass and put a massive stone in place without ever seeking residents' consent."
◇"Installing landscaping stones without consent infringes on the property rights of union members."
When the union finishes the role of reconstructing the apartment and spends money on projects, the reserve funds that members would receive when the union is liquidated decrease. Resident C stated, "From the perspective of union members, this is an infringement of property rights," emphasizing, "By the beginning of March, 70-80% of all households had already moved in. Then, a residents' representative meeting should have been formed, but the union has not transferred management."
Experts judged that installing landscaping stones without the consent of union members could pose significant issues. Lawyer Yoon Seong-jun from the law firm Da-an noted, "For projects estimated to cost over 50 million won, they should be presented at the delegates' meeting and followed by bid procedures," adding, "If that did not happen, it could be a violation of urban regeneration laws." Lawyer Chun Jae-min from the law firm Bareun stated, "If the union ends up bearing the costs of restoration, the union president could face charges of embezzlement."