The conflict surrounding JYP Entertainment's new headquarters in Godeok-dong, Gangdong-gu, continues as it has been revealed that the change in land use for the adjacent park was considered before JYP's land acquisition. Residents are demanding the restoration of the park and transparency regarding the change process, but the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) maintains that the change is necessary to secure funding for a school and has no plans to withdraw.
According to a report by Aju Economy on October 1, SH has been reviewing options to change the land use of the self-sufficient area 8 in the Godeok Gangil District to a saleable site since before April 2023, prior to JYP signing a contract with SH for the purchase of the headquarters site for 75.5 billion won in October of the same year.
However, at the time of the contract, the adjacent self-sufficient area 8 was designated as a neighborhood park. SH applied for the change to self-sufficient facility land in December 2024, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport approved it in October of the previous year. While the review of the change began before the contract, the application and approval occurred afterward.
The self-sufficient area 8 spans 13,261 square meters and is located about 20 meters from the JYP headquarters site, separated by a road. With the change in designation, the possibility of constructing buildings up to 18 or 19 stories has emerged.
JYP has planned a circular headquarters surrounding a courtyard and received building permits on April 15 of this year. However, with SH changing the land use of the adjacent site, concerns have arisen that the headquarters may be exposed to the outside, potentially compromising the privacy of its artists.
In response, JYP reportedly proposed to SH to limit the height of adjacent buildings to six stories or adjust the park's location to ensure distance from the headquarters.
Currently, residents of Gangdong-gu are demanding the restoration of the park, transparency regarding the land use change, and a public hearing. The 'Residents' Alliance to Protect the Park in Front of JYP Headquarters' has been collecting online signatures since September 17. This alliance includes representatives from 14 residential complexes, including apartments and knowledge industry centers.
A representative from the residents' alliance stated, "We expected JYP to play an anchor role in the Godeok Business Valley and believed it was a necessary facility for local development."
Moving forward, the residents' alliance plans to request mediation between SH and JYP from Gangdong-gu and seek a meeting with the district mayor, as well as push for a public hearing. The Gangdong-gu Council has decided to review the legal validity of the land use change and the possibility of restoring the park.
The Gangdong-gu Office has reportedly explained to the residents' alliance that since the Ministry of Land approved the change in district planning, the decision to restore the park is not within the mayor's authority.
An SH official stated in a phone interview that the change was made to secure funding for a school and that there are no plans to withdraw it.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.