Eon-dong Elementary and Middle School Commute Route Issue Resolved After 24 Years…Ownership Transfer of 7 Parcels Completed

The commute route to Eon-dong Elementary and Middle School used by students during their daily commute could not have safety facilities such as canopies and safety fences installed. This was because the school did not own the commute route.

Since the school's opening in 2002, this inconvenience has persisted for 24 years.

Yongin Special City (Mayor Lee Sang-il) announced on the 20th that it has secured full ownership of 7 parcels (total 935㎡) of the commute route in front of the school in Eonnam-dong, Giheung-gu.

The commute route in question is located in the area of 132-21~27 Eonnam-dong and was created for students' commute when Eon-dong Elementary and Middle School opened in 2002.

Initially, the plan was for the city to acquire ownership of the land following the creation of the commute route, but the land owners did not donate the property, leaving it as private land for 24 years.

The commute route was owned by three private owners who held separate shares, requiring the city to acquire all shares from each owner to secure full ownership.

The city first coordinated with landowner Company A and completed the ownership transfer registration based on property donation in March. Subsequently, the city proceeded with discussions with Company B, concluded a property donation agreement in June, and completed the ownership transfer in July.

Regarding the remaining share owned by Combination C, the city determined that the legal doctrine of "acquisition by adverse possession" was satisfied, as the city had maintained and managed the commute route for over 20 years. The city filed a lawsuit requesting ownership transfer registration and secured ownership through a court decision.

"Acquisition by adverse possession" is a legal system that allows one to acquire ownership rights to real estate owned by others if it is occupied peacefully and openly for 20 years with the intention of ownership, subject to certain conditions.

On September 17, Suwon District Court ruled that Combination C must carry out the ownership transfer registration procedures for the land to the city. The ruling was finalized on October 7, and the city completed the ownership transfer of the remaining shares on the 16th.

The city did not stop there, but decided to expand safety facilities on the commute route and improve the pedestrian environment in connection with the "Yongin Eonnam Public Support Private Rental Housing Supply Promotion District Development Project" being pursued in the surrounding area.

Mayor Lee Sang-il said, "The securing of ownership of this commute route is a good example of proactive administration, where civil servants persistently negotiated with landowners and actively pursued legal procedures to resolve a 24-year-old problem, resulting in increased convenience for citizens."