GS E&C saddled with most apartment defects among major builders

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Business

Wed, November 29, 2023 | 15:32

Companies

GS E&C saddled with most apartment defects among major builders

Posted : 2023-04-10 16:40

Updated : 2023-04-11 15:48

Cracks are seen inside a column supporting Seoul Station Central Xi Apartment building in this March 21 file photo. Screenshot from an internet forum

By Park Jae-hyuk

GS E&C was found to have been embroiled in conflicts most frequently among the nation's 10 largest builders over the past three years regarding defects in apartment buildings they built, according to land ministry data, Monday.

Data given by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to Rep. Heo Jong-sik of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea showed that the ministry was asked between 2020 and 2022 to review 573 cases related to defects in apartment buildings constructed by GS E&C.

HDC Hyundai Development Company faced 376 dispute cases during the period, while Daewoo E&C, Lotte E&C and Hyundai E&C faced 295, 229 and 203 cases, respectively. Hyundai Engineering, DL E&C, POSCO E&C, Samsung C&T and SK Ecoplant followed them.

Between 2020 and 2022, the land ministry was asked to review a combined 2,055 cases related to defects in apartment buildings built by the nation's 10 largest builders. According to the ministry, each case can include up to 10 particular complaints.

Among the particular complaints, those related to dew condensation accounted for the largest proportion. In 2021, the land ministry was asked to review 1,562 cases related to dew condensation in structures built by GS E&C.

GS E&C explained that complaints about dew condensation increased sharply during the three years, as 370 households in the same apartment complex asked for the ministry's review all at once. The company emphasized that it completed fixing most of the defects.

However, GS E&C's apartment buildings built under the Xi brand name have been hitting the headlines in recent months, due to various complaints from residents.

Last month, residents of the Seoul Station Central Xi Apartment complex were evacuated after cracks were found in pilotis. Although the city government and the builder dismissed concerns over the building's safety, the incident tarnished the brand value of Xi.

Last August, residents of the Bangbae Gran Xi Apartment complex in southern Seoul complained about bad smells. This was attributed to GS E&C storing chemicals and other construction materials in the building's underground parking lot.

pjh@koreatimes.co.kr