...Where does a Korean megacorporation demolish a large part of the city, disobey public safety laws, and generally create human misery?

1. I got around to visiting this apartment complex of 134 mid-level residential buildings all slated for demolition, in the shadow of Korea's tallest building.


2. Here's a look inside.


3. The apartment units have all been cleared out, except for what's on the walls, and asbestos abatement has started in many buildings.


4.


5. The whole area still receives some traffic.


6. There are abandoned vehicles here and there.


7.


8. A secret KGB safehouse.


9. Lost dog.


10. Hrek


11.


12.


13. Lots of rosebushes for some reason.


14. I eventually reached this central street.


15. Another abandoned car.


16.


17.


18. Seven kind happines.


19.


20. Here's the view from a nearby window.


21.

This shit is pretty nuts. Thanks for posting. Always love your posts.

Just crazy. Must've been amazing wandering around heere.

whoa....


7 kinds was my fav.

another fine example of how it it done.

WOW...that is massive!

Incredible photos, and really fascinating!

Steed, what kind of Business was 17?
Hrek's room and 7 kinds of happiness and the tree painted nx. to the door made me think of all the families with children who must of lived here and had to find housing/apts. somewhere else. Sad. Such a huge complex...no telling how many people lived here. Always enjoy your pics and reports. Thanks!

Damn..looks like something out of a post-apocalyptic movie, especially with those abandoned cars. Great job capturing the place. Any idea if something new will be built after demolition?

Posted by Misunderstood Steed, what kind of Business was 17? Hrek's room and 7 kinds of happiness and the tree painted nx. to the door made me think of all the families with children who must of lived here and had to find housing/apts. somewhere else. Sad. Such a huge complex...no telling how many people lived here. Always enjoy your pics and reports. Thanks!

I can see a real estate office, barber shop, piano school, sauna, church, and a few more i cant identify.

Posted by Sanitarium Sean Damn..looks like something out of a post-apocalyptic movie, especially with those abandoned cars. Great job capturing the place. Any idea if something new will be built after demolition?

Of course. Why else would they be demolished?

Epic set!!
Thanks for sharing

Of course. Why else would they be demolished?

Haha, good question. I think I meant to ask what would end up getting built, on such a tremendous amount of land.

Samsung (I presume, who else could it be?) is outta control. What becomes of the residents of these places after they're evicted? I've heard crazy stories of ppl fighting to remain in their neighborhoods, and Samsung sending riot police in to clear the inhabitants out. Is that true?

I just went back after dark and got more pictures Im very optimistic about. They will show that there are still residents scattered here and there.

Posted by Quarantine Samsung (I presume, who else could it be?) is outta control. What becomes of the residents of these places after they're evicted? I've heard crazy stories of ppl fighting to remain in their neighborhoods, and Samsung sending riot police in to clear the inhabitants out. Is that true?

Samsung is the biggest corporation and theyre in the e&c racket, but theyre far from the only company active in the field. Hyundai also has its own activities but there are other companies that are worse. Lotte pisses me off frequently. They dont send riot police but unskilled hired goons who beat people up. If the evictees rally then only sometimes are the riot police sent in. Theyre careful about doing this ever since 2009 when riot police action led to six deaths (check out Gangsters' Paradise in the LDB in Seoul>Yongsan). This area in particular showed relatively low levels of conflict though.

As for where residents go, well i estimate there were over 20000 (134 buildings × 5 stairwells × 5 storeys x 2 units per level x estimated 3 people per unit which may be earlier in the population pyramid) displaced over the last five years, so imagine what that does to the real estate market. Most wont be upwardly mobile so many probably have to leave the city.

EDIT: huh well turns out this project may be 40 percent Samsung, 30 percent Hyundai e&c and 30 percent another Hyundai branch Im unfamiliar with.