In Gimpo City, South Korea, a study has revealed that the public purchase approvals for homes affected by rental fraud is alarmingly low, standing at just 30% compared to the national average. This situation arises because many of these cases involve buildings constructed in violation of urban planning laws, thereby excluding them from eligibility for public purchase programs aimed at mitigating the impact on victims. The data, obtained by Democratic Party representative Moon Jin-seok from the Korea Land and Housing Corporation, indicate that of 906 illegal buildings assessed nationally, the majority received approval, but the cases from Gimpo reveal a stark contrast with a high rejection rate.

The seven cases from Gimpo City were specifically denied due to the buildings being located in areas earmarked for single-family homes or multi-family constructions with fewer than six units, complicating the housing landscape further. While the construction complied with regulations initially, subsequent alterations led to violations that hindered their acquisition as part of public efforts to alleviate the plight of rental fraud victims. The newly amended 'Special Law on Support for Victims of Rental Fraud' set to take effect in November 2024 introduces certain exceptions for illegal structures, but it continues to exclude those that significantly disrupt urban planning efforts, which is a point of contention that needs addressing.

Local representatives are advocating for an amendment to include illegal buildings, even those that breach urban planning norms, into public purchase programs. The Gimpo case illustrates a critical gap in the current public acquisition strategy that should be rectified to provide adequate support for victims facing the fallout of fraudulent rental practices. Lawmakers emphasize that without changes, many families may continue to suffer without the necessary remedies provided by public domains.