Mold and Defects in New Cheongju Apartments

Residents face severe mold and construction defects in new apartments, raising health and safety concerns.

### Mold Infestation in New Cheongju Apartment
Ms. Song Young-joo moved into a newly priced apartment in Cheongju, only to discover **mold infesting her closet and clothes** just six months later. The high humidity and poor ventilation in the apartment have led to **ongoing mold issues**, raising concerns for her **child's health**. Despite reporting the problems to the construction company, the residents have received **little help**, and they are now worried about the apartment's **value and their own well-being**.

### Issues with the New Apartment
The master bedroom is severely affected by **cold drafts**, leading to the use of towels to block gaps and reduce condensation. Park Jeong-soon's dissatisfaction with the windows' performance has grown, and she has struggled to **prove the defects** to the construction company. Additionally, significant noise disturbances and unaddressed defects have caused frustration among residents, leading to a **major controversy** and **unfulfilled promises** from the construction company.

### Dilemma Over Unpacking and Apartment Issues
The completion approval for the apartment was granted by the local government, indicating **no significant defects**, despite **3,000 defect reports**. The construction company's passive response to addressing issues has exacerbated problems, leading to **monthly inspections** and a decision to **withhold completion approval** if issues persist. The local government's on-site investigation has been questioned, with a reliance on **documents and sampling from multiple units** for the approval process.

### Controversies Surrounding Construction Companies and Apartment Defects
Construction companies are taking responsibility for issues, but **lax supervision is leading to resident suffering**. The media is sensationalizing the defect problems, creating a **growing perception of the situation**. One construction company's aggressive bidding strategy and multiple affiliates have led to a **rapid increase in its construction capability and profits**, despite criticism for **prioritizing profit over quality**.

### The Struggles of a Construction Company
The speaker has been living in a container for several years due to a struggling construction company. The company's financial troubles began after winning a public housing project in 2011, leading to **mismanagement and a shortage of supplies**. Despite the challenges, the speaker felt pressured to comply with the main contractor's demands, resulting in **subpar construction work and numerous defects** in the completed apartments.

### Challenges in Construction and Subcontracting
The construction project faced issues with **cracked floors, improper insulation, and waterproofing**, leading to **long-term defects**. Subcontractors, under pressure from unreasonable demands, often **cut corners**, resulting in **shoddy work and delays**. The pursuit of **higher profits** by construction companies and the pre-sale system for apartments contribute to the **neglect of quality** in construction.

### Mold, Cold, and Construction Controversies: The Cheongju Apartment Dilemma
* 🏢 In 2015, an apartment complex in Cheongju was sold at a price **exceeding the market value**, raising concerns about its **quality**.
* 🦠 Ms. Song Young-joo, who moved in last September, discovered **mold infesting her closet** just six months after moving in, leading her to **discard her clothes and other items**.
* 😟 The humidity levels in the apartment reached **60% during winter**, causing further worries about her child's health due to the proximity of the child's bed to the **moldy closet**.
* 🚪 Residents reported condensation issues on the front door and significant drafts, particularly in the master bedroom, which they attributed to **defects in the windows**.
* 🔊 Noise disturbances from a nearby rock, **exceeding the national standards of 65 decibels**, compounded the residents' dissatisfaction, with many reporting **thousands of defects** during initial inspections.
* 🏗 Despite the construction company’s claims of addressing these defects, residents felt that the local government was **too lenient in granting completion approvals**, exacerbating their frustrations.
* 📉 The construction company, which planned to sell **13,000 apartments** that year, faced allegations of prioritizing **profits over quality**, with whistleblowers revealing **systemic issues in construction practices**.
* 🔍 Ultimately, the controversy highlights the tension between **pre-sale practices** and the commitment to **quality**, leaving residents questioning the **safety and value** of their new homes.

5년이면 무너지기 시작? 우리나라 신축 아파트가 무면허 하청에 의해 시공되는 이유 | 추적60분 KBS 190322 방송

Since 1983, 대한민국 최초의 탐사 프로그램
상식의 눈으로 진실을 추적한다

매주 금요일 밤 10시 KBS1 《추적60분》

✔ 제보 : 010-4828-0203 / 추적60분 홈페이지 / betterkbs@gmail.com
▶홈페이지 : https://program.kbs.co.kr/2tv/culture/chu60
▶카카오톡 채널: http://pf.kakao.com/_fxgiyxj
