MBC’s investigative program ‘True Story Expedition’ is tracking a dispute over a commercial building’s parking lot.
In an episode titled ‘Parking War, Don’t Cross the Line,’ airing on the 30th, the show examines a conflict between a car wash operator and a building representative over parking rules at a shopping complex.
Kim Dong-su runs a car wash on the building’s first floor. He said he signed a lease and opened after reviewing about 100 potential locations, but soon faced unexpected friction after launching the business.
The conflict began immediately after the car wash opened in April 2023, Kim said. He alleged that a man identified as Jung, described as the building owner and using a pseudonym, asked him to run personal errands starting on the first day of business. Kim said the demands escalated and interfered with work, and when he refused to continue, Jung began enforcing what Kim called “the building owner’s own parking rules.”
Kim said the lease allowed him to use two parking spaces in front of the car wash. But he alleged Jung insisted that vehicles must not even slightly cross any other parking lines, and that Jung caused disturbances by demanding parking fees if a customer’s car encroached on another line, even briefly.
Kim also described disputes over using the parking-lot drive lane. He said Jung demanded that even when moving a vehicle briefly, drivers should not turn around inside the lot but instead exit the building and re-enter. Kim said the rules inconvenienced customers and made it difficult to operate.
Kim said the dispute has intensified recently. He alleged Jung installed a parking gate earlier this month, leaving him in a situation where he must pay parking fees even when using the spaces included in his contract. Kim said he is currently paying customers’ parking charges himself.
Kim said the cost is substantial. He said he paid about 4.8 million won in parking fees to Jung over 15 days, more than his monthly rent, adding to his financial strain.
During reporting, the production team said it confirmed an unexpected detail: the Jung involved in the dispute is not the building’s actual owner. The program asks who the real owner is and whether that person knows what is happening at the property.
The full account of the parking dispute will be aired on ‘True Story Expedition’ at 9 p.m. on the 30th.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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