In 2014, the Chinese Consulate General purchased the land.
Conflict between Korea and China postponed due to coronavirus, neglected
Flying insect problem, risk of becoming a rampant area
The site of the Chinese Consulate General near Daeja Middle School in Dongcheon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, which I visited on the 31st, had weeds and puddles here and there, so it was infested with bugs even though it was late fall.
There is controversy because the Chinese Consulate General in Gwangju has been neglecting the land it purchased to build a new building for 10 years.
According to Gwangju City on the 1st, the Chinese Consulate General in Gwangju (hereinafter referred to as the Chinese Consulate General) received KRW 10.42 billion from the Gwangju-Jeonnam headquarters of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) for a 10,316㎡ site near Daeja Middle School in Dongcheon-dong, Seo-gu in July 2014. I bought it for 10,000 won.
The site was designated as a school site in 2007, but the plan was changed due to a decrease in the number of students scheduled to be accommodated. Later, when the Chinese Consulate General purchased it, it was announced as a consulate site through a change of use.
The site of the Chinese Consulate General near Daeja Middle School in Dongcheon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, visited on the 31st. The surrounding fence was rusted and dented in various places, damaging its aesthetics.
According to the construction plan for the new building presented by the Chinese Consulate General, in addition to the consulate headquarters building, parking lot, lounge, and conference rooms, sports facilities for residents were scheduled to be built.
However, as the conflict between Korea and China caused by THAAD at the time became prolonged and the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the consulate relocation was virtually halted. Since then, the site has been left unmanaged for 10 years, causing damage to residents.
The site of the Chinese Consulate General near Daeja Middle School in Dongcheon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, visited on the 31st. One part of the fence was broken so even an adult man could enter, so there was a high risk that it would become a crime-ridden area.
In fact, the site visited on this day was abandoned and surrounded by a 3m high galvanized steel fence for construction sites.
Inside the fence, weeds had grown up to waist height, and in some areas that had not been maintained, weeds were up to chest level.
In this situation, weeds had come out from under the fence and even invaded the sidewalk.
Not only this, but the fences were rusted and dented in various places, and some fences were completely broken, allowing adult men to enter and exit, so it was not unusual for something to happen at any time.
The site of the Chinese Consulate General near Daeja Middle School in Dongcheon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, visited on the 31st. Inside, weeds were growing more than waist height.
Inside the broken fence, it was easy to find trash such as old clothing, empty cans, and plastic waste.
Resident Han (42, female) said, “Every year, vines and weeds climb over the fence and invade the sidewalk, and sometimes completely cover the sidewalk in midsummer. There is a middle school right in front, and there are several daycare centers and kindergartens nearby. Fence “It is not only a hideous sight in itself, but it is also dangerous because it is broken in various places, and I think the risk of crime cannot be ignored,” he said.
In addition, complaints were received that frogs and mosquitoes were infesting the area around the fence, causing noise and insect bites both morning and evening, and that snakes were also present.
Ms. Omo (50, female) said, “Mosquitoes and flying insects are still rampant in the evening, and there are many times when I can’t sleep due to the noise of frogs. I wish they would do some pest control or manage the site in some way.” She added, “The fence is also broken in places, so you can see inside.” “Given the current situation, it is a waste to make fun of an otherwise healthy land like this,” he said.
It has been confirmed that the site in question has no building permits or use plans to date.
At the Chinese Consulate General site near Daeja Middle School in Dongcheon-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, which I visited on the 31st, plastic waste and various trash could easily be found between the broken cracks.
Since the consulate has already purchased the land and changed its use, neither Gwangju City nor Seo-gu, the local government in charge, can take compulsory action despite complaints from nearby residents.
An official at the Dongcheon-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Seo-gu said, “The reality is that the site in question is classified as a diplomatic site, so it is difficult for the city or district office to take mandatory action.” He added, “We formed a resident countermeasures committee last September and collected the signatures of about 7,000 residents, and the plan will be held on November 11. “We plan to hold a meeting with the consul in mid-month and send signatures and statements to residents to inform them of the current situation,” he said.
Reporter Cha Solbin [email protected]
