Recently, a military facility, an anti-aircraft position, is being installed on part of the rooftop of a new apartment building in the Mia-dong area of Gangbuk-gu, Seoul. Residents are holding protests, saying, “Dismantle the facility and restore the rooftop to its original state.” In response, the military, the district office, and the redevelopment association stated, “This matter was discussed in advance according to relevant laws.” ChosunBiz investigated what circumstances had occurred on the 4th.
◇Installation of an anti-aircraft position on the rooftop of one building in the apartment complex… Residents say “fraudulent sale”
The apartment complex was built through redevelopment, and residents started moving in last August. On the morning of the 2nd, about 25 residents occupied the sidewalk in front of the Gangbuk District Office, protesting against the head of the redevelopment association and Gangbuk-gu. They held signs that read, “Who allowed a military facility above my house?” and “Unauthorized rooftop construction happening in broad daylight,” and shouted, “Fraudulent sales at the Gangbuk District Office” and “We oppose military facilities.” Kim Mo (44), a representative of the residents, said, “I cannot condone this situation. Facilities installed without the residents' consent must be removed and restored to their original state.”
The anti-aircraft position, which is a military facility, is being installed on the rooftop of one building in this apartment complex. However, residents claim they did not know that a military facility would be installed on the rooftop when they purchased their apartments. Son Mo (56), who bought through general sale, said, “This is not a military dictatorship from the past; at least they should have informed us that such an installation could occur.” Another resident, Lee Mo (50), stated, “The association has provided no explanation. It is frustrating due to the lack of communication.”
◇Military, district office, and redevelopment association say, “Prior consultation according to law… Cannot notify residents due to security issues”
In response, the military, district office, and redevelopment association are refuting, saying, “The installation of the anti-aircraft position was a matter discussed in advance according to the law.”
According to the redevelopment association, the anti-aircraft position being installed this time is based on consultations with the Capital Defense Command completed in 2021. It was stated that redevelopment authorization was granted on the condition of installing military facilities instead of increasing the number of floors of the apartments. The expense for the installation of the anti-aircraft position has been agreed upon to be borne by the association through contributed acceptance. The head of the association said, “The installation of this facility was a condition for the redevelopment project authorization,” and added, “Since it is a military facility, we could not notify residents due to security commitments.”
A representative from Gangbuk-gu remarked, “Residents opposing the installation of military facilities are asking whether prior notice should not have been provided, but doing so would violate military security regulations.”
The Capital Defense Command also noted, “If limitations occur in air defense operations due to redevelopment, we agree to the construction project on the condition of installing supplementary facilities,” adding, “We seek understanding for operational activities for national defense.”
It has been determined that the anti-aircraft position being installed in this apartment does not have stationed soldiers. The military has not disclosed whether actual equipment will be brought in or what type of equipment will be deployed, citing military secrets.
◇Possibility of installing anti-aircraft positions across Seoul… Experts say “Restrictions on property rights must be minimized”
Currently, all of Seoul is designated as a cooperative area for air defense operations under the Military Base and Military Facilities Protection Act. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, buildings erected at a specific height (77-257m) within the cooperative area must receive building permits based on the results of military base and facility protection reviews.
The military may require the installation of anti-aircraft positions in such buildings for smooth operational execution. Such facilities have already been installed on rooftops of some high-rise buildings and apartments in Seoul. Throughout the city, there are anti-air defense posts known as 'Building GOP'.
A representative from the real estate industry stated, “If military facilities are established within an apartment complex, residents cannot help but worry that their property values may decline,” adding, “We need to find alternatives that minimize constraints on property rights while preserving military necessity.”