Seoulscapade

Satellite shot of the current state of the building site. Everything is basically cleared and ready to go. Soongshil Uni. Station can be seen right of centre.

Hanjin, the builder that behaves like a Korean gangster organization, accepted that if members of the development community voted them out, they would leave. Everyone did vote Hanjin out, opting for Amco instead, unanimously. However, Hanjin does not want to go now, not without blackmailing us for as much money as possible.

The case has gone to court and decisions will be handed down in August. In the meantime, Hanjin has sent out documents asking community members to select them as the builder. These documents contained the threat that if Hanjin was not made the builder, nothing would be built. This is bizarre since everyone has already voted them out. It is also very indicative of the thuggery that characterizes Hanjin’s mode of operation.

Here is what this gangster builder is demanding.

1. Cost of construction to date: 55 billion won (around $55 million US)
2. Compensation for damages: 23.5 billion won (around $23.5 million US)
3. Compensation for breach of contract: 23 billion won ($23 million US)

So, in total, the Hanjin thieves are demanding $101.5 million US to move out and let construction begin.

The cost of construction they are demanding is a ridiculous figure, given that 1) they have not actually done anything except clear land and that 2) they have only completed about 1% of the total project. Their other claims are ludicrous since Hanjin is the one that has caused damage and failed in its obligations.

Apart from dealing with these thieves, other issues have to be resolved. One is to get rid of that 70+ year-old bastard, the community leader, who has caused so much grief and trouble to everyone. Personally, I think they should string him up, but unfortunately this against the law nowadays. He’ll just be voted out, leaving the damage behind.

Next issue, which will be pursued in another court, is getting compensation from Hanjin for wasting everyone’s time and for criminal behavior. The fact remains that if it had not been for Hanjin and the other morons involved in all of this, we would be living in a our new apartment about now.

Finally, there is the issue of how much we are actually going to pay for the apartment. The price is no longer fixed and it will depend of market fluctuations.

Many of these issues will be discussed at a meeting July 4, 09. Meanwhile, we’ve been sent a book showing Amco’s apartement redesigns, which look better than the ones Hanjin came up with. Here are the 3 different 84 square meter designs that are relevant to us.

Plan A

Plan B

Plan C