Mayor Lee Sangil: "Resolved a 24-Year-Old Longstanding Issue"... Secures Ownership of Eondong Elementary and Middle School Commute Route

Yongin City Completes Transfer of 935 Sq. Meters in Front of Eondong Elementary and Middle School Through Donations and Litigation
Plans to Improve School Route in Connection With Nearby Public-Supported Private Rental Housing Project
Mayor Lee Sangil: "Persistent Negotiations and Proactive Administration Resolve Residents' Long-Standing Grievance"

Yongin Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Sang-il), has secured full ownership of the pathway in front of Eondong Elementary and Middle School, which had remained privately owned for 24 years, making it difficult to install and maintain safety facilities. The city laid the groundwork for improving the school commute environment by negotiating donations of land from the owners and obtaining the remaining shares through litigation.

A view of the route to Eondong Elementary and Middle School. Provided by Yongin City.

Yongin City said on October 20 that it had completed the ownership transfer procedures for all seven parcels of land, totaling 935 square meters, that make up the school route at 132-21 through 132-27 Eonnam-dong, Giheung-gu.

The pathway was built in 2002 to provide students with access to Eondong Elementary and Middle School when the school opened. It was originally intended to be donated to the city after construction, but the ownership was never transferred, and the land remained privately owned.

Although the city maintained and managed the pathway, it had difficulty installing or repairing facilities such as canopies and safety fences. Parents and residents had called on the city to take ownership of the land and expand safety facilities.

The land was jointly owned by three private parties: Company A, Company B, and Cooperative C. The city pursued negotiations and legal proceedings in parallel to secure all the owners' shares.

The city completed registration of the ownership transfer for Company A's share following its donation in March. It also signed a donation agreement with Company B in June and completed the ownership transfer in July.

Regarding Cooperative C's share, the city filed a lawsuit seeking registration of the ownership transfer, arguing that the period for acquiring ownership through adverse possession had elapsed, given that it had maintained and managed the pathway for more than 20 years.

The Suwon District Court ruled on September 17 that Cooperative C must complete the ownership transfer registration procedures in favor of the city. The ruling became final on October 7, and the city completed the transfer of the remaining share on October 16.

The city plans to expand safety facilities along the pathway and improve the pedestrian environment in connection with the nearby Yongin Eonnam Public-Supported Private Rental Housing Supply Promotion District Development Project.

Mayor Lee Sang-il said, "The city secured ownership of this school route by having public officials persistently negotiate with the landowners and actively pursue legal proceedings to resolve an issue that had remained unsettled for 24 years. This is a good example of proactive administration benefiting residents."

He added, "We will do our utmost to actively address the inconveniences residents face and long-standing issues, and to create a safe school commute environment where students can travel to school with peace of mind."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.